Sermons on Ray Charles:

Swans Or Monsters?

Contributed by Ray Navarro on Dec 7, 2001

Brotherly love in the church, and not necssarily orthodoxy, will persuade non-believers more than anything else that Christ is real.

Animals can do some pretty amazing things. For example, what happened one day in the state of Maryland. Believe it or not, this is a true story. The Atlantic Ocean converts into many rivers and streams that paint the state of Maryland much like a leaf of a palm tree that extends in many ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35

Denomination: Adventist

The Secret Of Jesus' Power

Contributed by Ray Navarro on Dec 12, 2001

How Jesus, as a man, found strength, guidance and grace as a direct result of His constant prayer life.

INTRODUCTION 1940’s - The Manhattan Project § SECRET project; precious few who knew about it § To personnel at the assembly plant of the secret project in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, it was known as Project "S-Y." § To the Joint Chiefs, it was known as "S-1" § To the head of the Department of War, "X" § ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:15-16

Denomination: Adventist

Community - God Design For Helping People

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Aug 29, 2005

God’s Design is for the local church to be a loving and caring community. This message encourages people to get involved in a small group.

Community – God’s Design for Helping People I Peter 2:9-10 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-10

Denomination: Free Methodist

Work - Partners With God

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 6, 2005

This message gives a Biblical view of work. A correct view of work will dispel any myths about work.

Work – Partners with God -How to find satisfaction in your work- I Corinthians 3:5-9 “We work together as partners who belong to God…” V. 9 On this Labor Day Sunday I have a question: Do you appreciate your work?” Before you complain about your job, listen to the regulations that employees at ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:5-9

Denomination: Free Methodist

Minister One To Another

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 26, 2005

This messager describes several ways we carry out the command to "Minister One to Another."

Minister One to Another Romans 12:3-5 Ecc. 4:9-10 I Thess 5:11 The Apostle Paul in his writings teaches that we are to “minister to one another.” One of the hardest times in my life was when I started high school in a new city, Sterling, Kansas. I moved from Gypsum to Sterling a city four times ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:3-5

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Christian Life - An Exciting Adventure

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 27, 2005

This message is a testimony of how God guides our life as ministers of the Gospel.

The Christian Life—An Exciting Adventure Matthew 4:18-22 Jesus gives the invitation: “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Where God Guides He provides The Christian life is an exciting adventure. I have learned over the years that ”Where God guides He provides.” When you open a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-22

Denomination: Free Methodist

Honor The Overlooked

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 27, 2005

This message consider the Shepherds that first heard of the birth of Jesus. The message gives honor to those who are often overlooked.

Honor the Overlooked Luke 2:8-20 This morning I want to consider the Shepherds that first heard of the birth of Jesus. I want us to give honor to those who are often overlooked. Abraham Lincoln once said, "Die when I may, I want it said of me by those who know me best that I have always ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Free Methodist

"How Can A Loving God Allow The Suffering Of Good People?”

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 27, 2005

This sermon addressed the suffering people experienced following the 9-11-01 terrorist attack in New York and Washington, DC.

“How Can A Loving God Allow the Suffering of Good People?” I Peter 4:12-19 This past week has been a time of suffering for many people in America. Evil hearts resulted in killing friends and family members in San Francisco and Sacramento. Evil hearts planned for months to strike at the heart of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Free Methodist

Reaching Out In Love

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 3, 2005

Jesus would have us as a local church to get involved in outreach for Kingdom growth.

Reaching Out in Love I Thessalonians 2:8 (New Century Version) “Because we loved you, we were happy to share not only God’s good news with you; but even our own lives.” A year ago we did a survey of 350 homes in our community. In our survey we asked several brief questions: 1. How long have ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Denomination: Free Methodist

Go On To Spiritual Maturity

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 10, 2005

As Christians we are not to be satisfied to remain as baby Christians we are to keep growing in knowledge and understanding of the things of God.

Go on to Spiritual Maturity Philippians 1:9-11 (NLT) In this passage of scripture the Apostle Paul gives the admonition: “Keep on growing.” During the past year have you grown in the knowledge and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ? 2 Peter 3:18, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:9-11

Denomination: Free Methodist

Jesus Our Promised Messiah

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 4, 2006

Like John the Baptizer we need to be reminded from time to time that Jesus is our promised Messiah.

Jesus our Promised Messiah Matthew 11:1-6 John the Baptizer was now in prison for preaching about the Kingdom of God. He sent his disciples to ask Jesus question: “Are you really the Messiah we’ve been waiting for, or should we keep looking for someone else?” (Matthew 11:3 NLT) This question ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-6

Denomination: Free Methodist

A Fully Devoted Disciple

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 12, 2006

This message was given at memorial service for a long-time member of the Willow Vale Community Church.

Virgil Lorenz – A Fully Devoted Disciple Memorial Service December 9, 2006 When I reflected on the life and family of Virgil Lorenz there were several scriptures that came to my mind. For the past nine years I have served as Virgil’s pastor and believe that Virgil modeled what a fully devoted ...read more

Scripture: John 3:30

Denomination: Free Methodist

One Stop Shopping

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 24, 2006

There is only one place I know where we can go for one-stop shopping and fill the void in a person’s heart and life. The place is actually a person – Jesus.

“One Stop Shopping” Isaiah 9:1-7 At our stage of life with 4 children and 14 grandchildren Carollyn and I try to keep our Christmas shopping simple. When our children were younger we would race from store to store trying to buy the latest toy for our children. Do any of you remember the Cabbage ...read more

Denomination: Free Methodist

Unwrap The Gift Of Joy This Christmas

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 24, 2006

The angel said, “I bring you good news.” Christ is our good news of great joy.. Regardless of the circumstances, the pain, or problems, we look to Jesus, He is our good news. In Christ we can face life with optimism and joy.

Un-wrap the Gift of Joy this Christmas Luke 2:10 “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” The angel said, “I bring you good news.” Christ is our good news of great joy.. Regardless of the circumstances, the pain, or ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10, Luke 3:10-11

Denomination: Free Methodist

Develop Your Life Plan For 2007

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jan 8, 2007

There are five areas of your life you can set goals as you develop your life plan and map for the coming year.

Develop Your Life Plan for 2007 -Living the Life God Meant for you to live- James 4:14-15 Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you, and not to harm you,, plans to give you hope and a future.” Proverbs 16:9 “In his heart a man plans his course, ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Denomination: Free Methodist