Sermons on Ray:

How To Overflow In Rich Generosity

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Feb 20, 2007

The way the churches in Macedonia responded to helping the Christians in Jerusalem is a guide for the living and giving of all Christians. Paul’s instruction to the Christians in Corinth can be our guide to “Overflowing in Rich Generosity.”

How to Overflow in Rich Generosity -Discover the Grace of Giving- II Corinthians 8:1-7 I want you to turn to the person sitting next to you and say one word, “Stewardship.” Ask each other what the first word is that comes to your mind. A steward is a “guardian,” “manager,” “provider,” II ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-7

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

Jesus The True Light Of Christmas

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 24, 2006

Ever since the brightness of heaven flooded the hills of Bethlehem; and the far off twinkling star guided Eastern wise-men to the new born King…Christ has been the Light of the world, and we have celebrated Christmas with colorful lights.

Jesus the True Light of Christmas John 1:1-9 Isaiah 9:1-2 The Apostle John in his Gospel the first chapter gives us a description of the person and work of Jesus Christ. :”In the beginning was the Word, (Jesus) and the Word (Jesus) was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-9

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

Characteristics Of A Missional Church

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Nov 13, 2006

The early church described in Acts 2 is a model for churches today. It was a Missional Church.

Characterists of a Missional Church Acts 2:41-47 What has been your experience in attending church? Has your experience been pleasant and exciting or boring and frustrating? My first memory of church was the small church located across the street from our house in Gypsum, Kansas. On Sunday ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Free Methodist

How To Celebrate Thanksgiving

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Nov 20, 2006

Thanksgiving and joy are linked together. When we focus on thanksgiving and praise we enjoy the attitude and spirit of joy in our life.

How to Celebrate Thanksgiving Leviticus 23:34-40 Luke 17:11-19 When I check out the comics in the newspaper I look at two comic strips: Peanuts and Garfield. My top comic strip is Peanuts, written by the late Charles Schulz. Schultz describes the lives and relationships of Charlie Brown, Lucy, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

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

God Still Speaks Today

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jan 22, 2008

Prayer is as much about listening as it is about talking to God. This message encourges members of the congregation to participate in small prayer groups.

God Still Speaks Today I Samuel 3:1-10 In First Samuel we find the people of Israel have gone back to their old ways of being indifferent toward their Creator. Their leader at the time was the high priest, Eli, an old man whose eyesight has begun to go bad. Unless something changes Eli will ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10

Denomination: Free Methodist

Sustaining The Ministry Series

Contributed by Ray Mckendry on Feb 4, 2008

Introduction to the central truths of the gospel of Christ in order to maintain the ministry of the word of God among everyday believers.

Sustaining the Ministry: Introduction to the Book of ROMANS Rom 1:1 “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

How A Loving Parent Can Build A Loving Family

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Feb 11, 2008

By studying the lives of Mary and Joseph we can learn how we can build a loving family.

How A Loving Parent Builds a Loving Family Luke 2:41-52 We don’t have a lot of information on the home life of Jesus. From the Biblical account of the home of Jesus we know that his parents were loving and caring parents. From birth to 12 Jesus had both parents at home. Sometime between the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

Denomination: Free Methodist

A Time For Personal Spiritual Renewal

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Feb 19, 2008

The natural drift in our Christian life is toward spiritual dryness, apathy and indifference. When we get into a spiritual rut – a grace with the ends knocked out - we are ready for a time of renewal.

A Time For Personal Spiritual Renewal Matthew 4:1-4 The natural drift in our Christian life is toward spiritual dryness, apathy and indifference. When we get into a spiritual rut – a grace with the ends knocked out - we are ready for a time of renewal. Out natural tendency is to drift from ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-4

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