Sermons on Ray:

"Breaking And Making Christmas Chains"

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 11, 2002

Jesus came to break chains that bind people and set them free.

Breaking and Making Christmas Chains Luke 1:67-79 As we enter the Advent season today I want to talk about chains we need to break and chains we need to make. The background for this message comes from the life and ministry of Zachariah a priest in Israel. Zachariah was carrying out his ...read more

Denomination: Free Methodist

Advent Is A Time To Value Relationships

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 2, 2002

The Advent season offers a unique opportunity to add vaue to your relationships. The first family modeled how to value relationships.

Advent – Valuing Relationships Matthew 1:18-25 Our goal this Advent Season is to go from Humbug to Hallelujah! For some reason many find themselves struggling with humbug feelings during the holiday season. There seem to be added stresses, pressures, hurts and frustrations. Holidays seem to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Free Methodist

Happy Are The Youth Whose Hope Is In The Lord

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jun 13, 2005

This is a message given on a Sunday morning speaking primarily to youth graduating from High School. The goal of the message is to provide hope for the future for all in the congregation.

Happy are the Youth Whose Hope is in the Lord Psalm 146:5 “Happy is the man/youth whose hope is in the Lord.” For you that are older, do you remember how you felt when you graduated from High school? Did you experience excitement and hope for the future? Or did you feel hopeless about your ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 146:5, Jeremiah 29:11, Jeremiah 29:10

Denomination: Free Methodist

Finding And Keeping Joy In A Joyless World

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 17, 2003

Thanksgiving reminds us to choose a life of praise and thanksgiving. A life of praise and thanksgiving means the difference between a life of optimism or a life of pessimism.

Finding and Keeping Joy in a Joyless World Psalm 100 As we approach a day set aside for national Thanksgiving God’s Word reminds us that we need to give God heartfelt thanksgiving. Thanksgiving from your heart is the way to find and keep joy in your life. On December 4, 1619 38 English settlers ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5

Denomination: Free Methodist

Living In A Lions Den Without Being Eaten

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 17, 2003

We find helpful foundational teachings in Daniel 5 and 6 to help us survive attacks of our enemy. Who is our primary enemy: The Bible says, Satan goes about like a roaring lion."

Living in the Lions Den Without Being Eaten Daniel 5:1-6:28 Has there been a time in your life you felt you were under attack? One of the times in my life and family that I experienced attacks from evil happened when I was pastor of the FMC in Taylor, Michigan. (Myrtle Hannah) We find helpful ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 5:1-2

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Local Church - God's Missionary People

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 20, 2003

The DNA of the Local Church is made up of core values, vision and mission. If someone were to walk up to a member of the church and ask: "What is the mission of this church?" What would you answer be?

The Local Church – God’s Missionary People CHURCH SIGNS The best vitamin for a Christian is B1." "Soul food served here." "Tithe if you love Jesus! Anyone can honk!" "Beat the Christmas rush, come to church this Sunday!" "Don’t wait for the hearse to take you to church." "Don’t give up. Moses ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:12-13, Matthew 5:14-16

Denomination: Free Methodist

"Don't Lose Your Key"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Oct 21, 2003

Every Christian has a "key" of the gospel ... that will unlock the door to the Kingdom of Heaven. We need to use it through the proclamation of the Word of God.

“Don’t Lose Your Key” Matthew 16:13-20 INTRODUCTION: We continue in our series on ‘Great Events In The Life And Ministry Of Jesus’. Jesus is getting closer to the cross – 16:21 Jesus wants the Disciples to see how far they’ve come … SO … He asks – 16:15 o If they are going to establish the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

"Jacob - The Man Who Wrestled With God"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Oct 21, 2003

In Jacob, we see that we wrestle with the same problems as he does. We have the same weaknesses. And, God has the same lessons for us.

“Jacob – The Man Who Wrestled With God” INTRODUCTION: It’s interesting to study the people of the Bible. We find out that they’re not much different than we are. They dressed different … ate different things … different culture … different times … BUT … the same in so many ways. We can SEE ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Work: Frustration Or Fulfillment

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Aug 30, 2002

God does not divide work between the sacred and secular. According to God’s Word all work is blessed if it does not conflict with scriptures.

Work – Frustration or Fulfillment Matthew 20:1-16 Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 How much do you value your work? Are you bored by what you do? Do you believe that God cares about your work? According to God’s Word, Your work does matter to God. Why do you work? · To find self-fulfillment? · To meet ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:10-11, Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Free Methodist

Finding Strength In Times Of Suffering

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 10, 2002

How do you deal with suffering and traumas in life? The Apsotle Peter gives several helpful teachings for those going through times of crisis and suffering.

Finding Strength in Times of Suffering I Peter 4:12-16 A year ago on September 11th every American was in a state of shock when war came to America in the form of the Terrorist Attacks on the World Trade Center. Since then many individuals and families have suffered and grieved due to the loss ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-16

Denomination: Free Methodist

Improving Your Serve Series

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 7, 2002

Playing Tennis is compared to practicing the fundatmentals found in Proverbs 3:5-6 to find God’s purpose and plan for your life.

Improving Your Serve -Find God’s Plan for Your Life- Proverbs 3:5-6 Playing tennis has a lot in common with finding God’s plan for your life. I first started playing tennis in High School. I enjoyed getting out and hitting the ball as hard as I could with a wood racquet. I would try spinning ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Denomination: Free Methodist

Develop A Winnng Attitude

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 15, 2002

The Apostle Paul in the book of Philippians gives excellent counsel on how to develop a winning attitude in life.

Develop A Winning Attitude Philippians 3:12-14 The Apostle Paul gives helpful counsel in the book of Philippians on how to develop a winning attitude. Both of our boys and one daughter played little league baseball. When they were on Little League teams we were in Taylor, Michigan planting a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-8, Philippians 3:12-13

Denomination: Free Methodist

"Rules And Boundaries Give Meaning To Sports And Life"

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 21, 2002

Take away rules and you have no game in sports. Take away God’s commandments and Rules and you have chaos and life implodes.

Rules and Boundaries Give Meaning to Sports and Life. -Practice setting Boundaries for Your Life- Matthew 7:21-27 It is the rules and boundaries that make sports an exciting game. Take away the rules and boundaries and you have no game. Even so in the Christian life God’s commandments are given ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-27

Denomination: Free Methodist

Father: Build Up Sacred Walls Around Your Family Series

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jun 18, 2002

Fathers that build sacred walls bring unity to the family and not alienation.

Fathers: Build Up Sacred Walls Around Your Family Nehemiah 2:11-18 Nehemiah is well known for his abilities as a leader. He not only built up walls to protect families he also built up people. Nehemiah built sacred walls to provide security for the people of Jerusalem. This is the calling of ...read more

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Work Of The Holy Spirit And Church Revitalization Series

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jul 12, 2002

Church Growth is the Supernatual Work of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit and Church Revitalization Dr. Ray W. Ellis The work of the Holy Spirit is vital to the revitalization of a local church. The entire process of revitalization is based on seeking spiritual health prayer and the energizing work of the Holy Spirit. Without the presence of the Holy ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Free Methodist