Sermons on Ray Stedman:

Have You Unwarpped His Gift?

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 8, 2008

From the time God created heaven and earth He had a plan. His plan included a “Gift.” After the creation of humankind 4,250 years passed before the “Gift” was given.

‘Have Your Unwrapped His Gift?” John 1:1,14 From the time God created heaven and earth He had a plan. His plan included a “Gift.” After the creation of humankind 4,250 years passed before the “Gift” was given. The promise of the gift was stated in Genesis 3:15 after Adam and Eve yielded to ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Free Methodist

Jesus Is Life And Light

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 22, 2008

The Apostle John in the fourth Gospel has a lot to say about Jesus being both “Life” and “Light.” John 1:4 “In him was life, and that life was the light of men.”

Jesus is Life & Light John 1:1-5 Carollyn and I spent Thanksgiving this year with our son Tim and his family in Garden Grove, CA. The day after Thanksgiving we traveled in the evening to Riverside, CA to attend the Festival of Lights. The Mission Inn Hotel in Riverside, CA. has sponsored the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-5

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Greatest Life Of All

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 22, 2008

Ever since the announcement of the angel to the shepherds announced that Jesus was good news of great joy, we have been singing about the “Joy” that Jesus brings.

The Greatest Life of All -A Life of Joy- Luke 2:9-14 The angel of the Lord gave a reassuring word to the shepherds: “Don’t be afraid! I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David.” Luke 2:10-11 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:9-14

Denomination: Free Methodist

Thank God It's Monday

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 2, 2008

According to the teachings of scripture all legitimate work is an extension of God’s work.

TGIM -Thank God It’s Monday- Romans 12:1 - Message by Eugene Peterson – “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life – and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Free Methodist

"Train Up: Parent Or Child

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 8, 2008

In raising children we soon come to realize each of our children are unique. We can’t raise our children with a cookie-cutter approach

Training Up: Parents or Children Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” I’m sure there are some Christian parents who would like Proverbs 22:6 to read this way: “Rear your children as moral, upright, God-fearing, church going kids. ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Healing Power Of Hope

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 15, 2008

Hope comes when we see Jesus and hope gives us a fulfilling future.

The Healing Power of Hope Luke 5:12-16 Our scripture text today tells about a man who made an awful discovery. His discovery kept him awake at night. His friends began to notice he was pre-occupied. The man knew what he had to do. He had to make a journey. He told his wife and children not ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:12-16

Denomination: Free Methodist

Chasing The Wind - The Great Adventure

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 23, 2008

he book of Acts is about “Chasing the Wind” (Holy Spirit) and living the great adventure

Chasing the Wind -Living the Great Adventure- Acts 1:4-8, Acts 2:1-2 The book of Acts is about “Chasing the Wind” and living the great adventure. The author of the book of Acts was Luke the physician. He wrote to Theophilus, a Gentile official who became a Christian through the influence of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-4

Denomination: Free Methodist

Strategic Planning - The Missing Step

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 4, 2008

n strategic planning we often forget the missing step of passion.

STRATEGIC PLANNING – THE MISSING STEP John 4:35 – Jesus said, “Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest?’ I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” Zechariah 4:6 – “Not by might, nor by power but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” As we ...read more

Scripture: John 4:35

Denomination: Free Methodist

A Parable Of Two Sons

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 6, 2008

In this parable Jesus is comparing the younger son to the tax collectors and sinners who came to Jesus. The elder son represented the Pharisees and religious rulers who continually found fault with the teachings of Jesus.

A Parable of Two Sons Luke 15:1-2, 11-32 “Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisaical teachers of religious law complain that Jesus was associating with such despicable people – even eating with them.” Luke 15:1-2 The Pharisees and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: Free Methodist

Getting Through Worry And Anxiety

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 13, 2008

Is what the Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:6 reasonable: “Don’t be anxious about anything…?” When overcome with worry and anxiety we can either let anxiety knock us down like a bowling ball getting a strike or we can work through our anxieties and wo

Getting Through Worry and Anxiety Philippians 4:4-9 A small boy was struggling over his homework, and finally turned to his father and said, “Oh, what’s the use of going to all this bother of getting an education anyway?” “Son, it’s mighty important,” the father replied. Before you’re too much ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-9

Denomination: Free Methodist

Good News Of Great Joy

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jan 4, 2008

The message of Advent and the birth of Jesus are about joy. Joy is not found in gifts but in the Person, Jesus Christ.

Good News of Great Joy Luke 2:8-20 One of my favorite Christmas Carols is “Joy to the World, the Lord has come.” The message of Advent and the birth of Jesus are about joy. The angel announced to the shepherds: “I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior, yes, the Messiah the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Free Methodist

God's Mission And Vision

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jan 14, 2008

God’s Mission is twofold: "To seek and to save the lost and make disciples of all people groups."

God’s Mission & Vision for the WVCC 2008 Numbers 13 There are many indicators that this will be a year of growth and outreach for the Willow Vale Community Church. Many of you are involved in prayer triplets that will meet ten times between December 16th to March 23; a hundred days of ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 13:1-26

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