Sermons on Ray:

The Meaning Of Advent

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 10, 2004

This sermon focuses on the Gospel being "good news." Advent is about the "coming" and "arrival" of Jesus, the Messiah - anointed one.

“The Meaning of Advent” Luke 2:10-11 The Christian world celebrates the season of Advent on the four Sundays prior to Christmas. Today is the second Sunday of Advent. The dictionary gives two descriptions for Advent “Coming” and “Arrival.” The message of Advent is about the coming and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10-11

Denomination: Free Methodist

"Birth Of Christ A Time Of Joy"

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 17, 2004

There area number of people who at the birth of Christ jump for joy at hearing of his birth.

“Jump for Joy” Luke 2:10-11 “…I bring you good news of great joy.” Luke 1:39-45 There are a number of individuals included in the story surrounding the birth of Jesus the scriptures portrayed as jumping for joy at the birth of Jesus. The Gospel of Matthew gives the story from the point of view ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-45

Denomination: Free Methodist

"Turn Stress Into Strength"

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jan 10, 2005

There is a common experience for every person in all nationalities andcultures. Everyone experiences stress. By God’s grace and making wise choices we can turn stress into strength.

“Turn Stress Into Strength” Ruth 1:1-22, 4:13-17 Romans 8:28 John 16:33 There is a common experience for every person in all nationalities and cultures. We all experience stress. We all have to learn to live with stress. The highest times of stress in a person’s life include: Death in the ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22

Denomination: Free Methodist

What Makes Satan Tremble?

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Nov 17, 2003

A recent Gallop Poll stated that 90% of Americans say they pray. Americans pray five minutes a week and the prayers are usually about some crisis in life. What makes the Devil tremble and shutter is prayer that connects with God the Creator of the Univer

“What Makes Satan Tremble?” Matthew 6:5-15 James 2:19 A recent Gallop Poll stated that 90% of Americans say they pray. Americans pray five minutes a week and the prayers are usually about some crisis in life. Often the prayer is a memorized prayer. My first prayer was a prayer before meals: ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15, Matthew 6:5

Denomination: Free Methodist

"Jesus Teaches About Repentance"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Nov 19, 2003

Salvation is MORE than "easy believe-ism". We need to see our sin the same way God sees it. Our sin should break our heart, like it does God’s heart.

“Jesus Teaches About Repentance” Luke 13:1-5 INTRODUCTION: We CONTINUE in our series on ‘Lessons Jesus Taught’. We have studies what Jesus taught about: The Holy Spirit … the Tongue … Prayer … Thanksgiving. Jesus wasn’t the only one to teach about REPENTANCE. That was the major theme of John ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

"Jesus Teaches About Thanksgiving"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Nov 19, 2003

There is a difference between being "glad" and being "grateful". There is a difference between being "cleansed" and being "whole". Jesus illustrates this in this miracle.

“Jesus Teaches About Thanksgiving” Luke 17:11-19 INTRODUCTION: We CONTINUE in our series about “What Jesus Taught”. We have already seen what Jesus taught about: The Holy Spirit, the Tongue, Prayer … Thanksgiving is my favorite time of the year (weather, meaning). The true meaning of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Baptist

"Jesus Teaches About Prayer"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Nov 19, 2003

God delights in our coming to Him in prayer. In heaven, we might see all that could have been ours if we would just "ask - seek - knock".

“Jesus Teaches About Prayer” Luke 11:5-10 INTRODUCTION: We CONTINUE in our series on “Lessons Jesus Taught”. Prayer was important to Jesus. He had just given His Disciples instructions on prayer – 11:1-4 If prayer was important to Jesus … how MUCH MORE IMPORTANT ought prayer be to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:5-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Church - On Mission With Christ

Contributed by Ray Swift on Nov 20, 2003

The success of the early church was that they prayed, their prayers brought unity and their unity brought productivity.

FB, Cherokee November 16, 2003 Sunday Morning The Church – On Mission With Christ The Book of Acts Intro: I heard a story about an older couple that had finished their lunch and made their way into the living room to prepare themselves for an afternoon nap in their recliners. They were both ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:14

Denomination: Baptist

"The Secret Of A Loving Heart"

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Nov 24, 2003

In Luke chapter 7:36-50 Luke tells the secret of a loving heart.

The Secret of a Loving Heart Luke 7:36-50 # A man walks into a small antique shop in San Francisco. It’s mostly cluttered with knickknacks and junk. The man notices on the floor what looks like an ancient Chinese vase. On closer inspection it turns out to be a priceless relic from the Ming ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Free Methodist

"God's Principle Of First-Fruit Thanksgiving"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Nov 24, 2003

God’s principle for THANKSGIVING is His principle for FIRST-FRUIT giving as well. God demands first place ... in GIVING ... and THANKSgiving.

“God’s Principle Of First-Fruit Thanksgiving” Proverbs 3:9-10 INTRODUCTION: Tomorrow is THANKSGIVING! This is a special day set aside to THANK GOD for His blessings, love and grace. Even ATHEISTS can’t get around the fact that our nation honors God on this special day. Why don’t true Atheists ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:9-10, Malachi 1:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

"Jesus Teaches About Priorities"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Nov 25, 2003

The Bible is so vast ... we can’t possibly memorize it all. Let’s not use this as an excuse for not living righteous lives. Jesus gives us ONE VERSE as a guide to live by.

“Jesus Teaches About Priorities” Matthew 6:33 INTRODUCTION: We CONTINUE in our SERIES on “Lessons Jesus Taught”. We have seen what Jesus taught about: the Holy Spirit, Prayer, the Tongue, Thanksgiving, Repentance. This morning, we will see what Jesus teaches about “Priorities”. Everybody needs a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33, Luke 14:15-20

Denomination: Baptist

"Temptation"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Mar 17, 2004

This message looks at the temptation of Christ ... and the process of temptation in James 1:12-16.

“Temptation” INTRODUCTION: Have you been tempted lately? Personally, I’m not tempted to sin very much … only 40-50 times a day! There are 2 words in the Greek that the Bible uses for “temptation”. 1.- PEIRAZO – this is a testing for the purpose of seeing what is good OR evil in something … to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11, James 1:12-16

Denomination: Baptist

A Grand Theme Series

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Mar 23, 2004

The forgiveness of God is a grand theme in the Bible. The non-Christian world looks at forgiveness one way and the Christian world looks at God’s forgiveness another way.

A Grand Theme – Forgiveness” Isaiah 53:3-4,6,11 Luke 23:32-34 The forgiveness of God is a grand theme in the Bible. In the Old Testament forgiveness was given through animal sacrifices. Leviticus 16 describes the Day of Atonement. This special Jewish Day is called Yom Kippur. The High Priest ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-34

Denomination: Free Methodist

Believing Is Seeing

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Apr 14, 2003

Thomas called Didymus the Twin is an example of all who say, "I’ll believe it when I see it." Jesus encourages us to believe and then we will see.

“Believing is Seeing” -All Things With God are Possible- John 20:24-31 For the average person when it comes to Christian Faith the person says “I’ll believe it when I see it.” This morning we’re looking at the life of Thomas (called Didymus) – meaning the Twin. I remember talking to one of the ...read more

Scripture: John 20:24-31

Denomination: Free Methodist

"Smoke And Mirrors Or An Empty Tomb"

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Apr 17, 2003

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is either smoke and mirrors or a historical fact, the tomb is empty.

“Smoke and Mirrors or an Empty Tomb” I Corinthians 15 The resurrection of Jesus Christ is either smoke and mirrors or a Historical Fact – the Tomb is empty. People have various viewpoints concerning the person of Jesus Christ. Many are set in their ways and refuse to objectively examine the ...read more

Denomination: Free Methodist