Sermons on Ray Vander Laan:

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

On Tiptoe With Joy Series

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jul 29, 2002

"The Disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit." Sermon describes the person and work of the Holy Spirit

On Tiptoe with Joy Acts 13:52 “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” There’s something significant about Luke writing that the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Paul and Barnabas were sent out as missionaries by the church in Antioch – Acts ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:52

Denomination: Free Methodist

Faith To Be A Risk Taker Series

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jul 29, 2002

From the life of Ruth we discover helpful principles to apply faith to the challenges of everyday life.

Faith to be a Risk Taker Ruth 1:1-18 My message this morning is about a young woman that had faith to be a risk taker. Have you moved to a new area where you didn’t really know anybody except those moving with you. Moving and making new friends and adjusting to a new area are challenging ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-18

Denomination: Free Methodist

Live In The Light Of Eternity Series

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jul 29, 2002

Principles are given to young people to help them make decisions and live in the light of eternity.

Live in the Light of Eternity Hebrews 12:1-3 The title of today’s message, “Live in the Light of Eternity” is a good word for all of us, and especially for young people. The Hebrew writer is saying: “Fix your eyes on Jesus – make decisions in the the light of eternity. Don’t make decisions ...read more

Denomination: Free Methodist

Living A Life Without Compromise

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Aug 6, 2002

You can life a live without compromise by making several commitments.

Living A Life Without Compromise Daniel 1:1-20 The life of Daniel is the story of a young man that “Lived a Life Without Compromise.” The setting for the book of Daniel is during the third year reign of Jehoidakim king of Judah. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon occupied the territory of Judah. ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-20

Denomination: Free Methodist

It's Time To Get Up Off Your Knees

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Aug 13, 2002

Peter and Paul admonish new Christians as new born babies to get up off their knees and grow.

“It’s Time to Get Off Your Knees” -Disciples are Christians on the Grow- I Peter 2:2-3 I Corinthians 3:1-9 The Apostles Peter and Paul give persuasive advice on Christian growth and maturity. Peter describes the process of spirituality in I Peter 2:2-3. Just as a newborn baby has an unending ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Denomination: Free Methodist

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

The Art Of Forgiving

Contributed by Ray Navarro on Dec 12, 2001

Jesus forgives us of our sins; we should be forgiving as well. Here’s what happens when we pardon those who sin against us.

Andrew was a young man of 26 years old. He was very responsible and sociable as well. Since he was 9 years old, Andrew had been working to help and sustain his poor family. And for most of his life he had worked in the fields. But although he was a hard worker, he never had a steady ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:13

Denomination: Adventist

James - Apostle Of Passion

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jul 28, 2003

In serving the Lord you can either look at what you are doing as a ministry or a job. When ministry becomes a job you lose the passion God wants you to possess.

James – Apostle of Passion Luke 9:51-56 In serving the Lord you can either look at what you are doing as a ministry or a job. When ministry becomes a job you lose the passion that God wants you to possess. My first ministry assignment as full-time pastor was in Kansas City, Kansas. I was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:51-56

Denomination: Free Methodist

Blessed Assurance - Evidence #8 Series

Contributed by Ray Scott on Jul 29, 2003

Continuing in our series on the EVIDENCES that give you the ASSURANCE of salvation ... Opposition from the world is evidence of salvation.

BLESSED ASSURANCE – Evidence #8 “Opposition From The World” 1 John 3:11-13 INTRODUCTION: We continue in our SERIES on the EVIDENCES that can give us the ASSURANCE of our salvation. We have seen, so far: EVIDENCE #1 – A TRUE Christian will have a relationship with Jesus. EVIDENCE #2 – A TRUE ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-13

Denomination: Baptist

Blessed Assurance - Evidence #9 Series

Contributed by Ray Scott on Jul 29, 2003

Continuing in our series on EVIDENCES that give you th ASSURANCE of salvation ... Access to the Throne Room of God in prayer gives assurance of salvation.

BLESSED ASSURANCE - Evidence #9 – “Our Prayer Life” – 1 John 3:19-24 INTRODUCTION: We continue in our SERIES on EVIDENCE that gives us the ASSURANCE of our salvation. So far, we have seen: EVIDENCE #1 – A TRUE Christian will desire a relationship with Jesus. EVIDENCE #2 – A TRUE Christian will ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:19-24

Denomination: Baptist

"What If ...?"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Jul 31, 2003

Asking "What if ...?" brings a lot of worry into our life. Instead, ask "Who now?". King Jehoshaphat found the key to giving the battle over to God.

“What If ….?” 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 INTRODUCTION: NOTICE the TITLE of the message this morning. We say this a lot, don’t we? “What if …?” causes a lot of NEEDLESS worry in our lives. I’m guilty of doing this, as I’m sure a lot of you are. We hear it a lot: On September 11, 2001, I received a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

"How To Handle Failure"

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Aug 6, 2003

How a person handles failure can mean the difference between living a life of victory or living a life filled with bitterness, hostility and anger.

The Apostle Paul -How to Handle Failure- 2 Cor. 4:7-9 2 Cor. 11:24-30 Introduction How a person handles failure can mean the difference between living a life of victory or living a life filled with bitterness, hostility and anger. In the first church I served as pastor in Kansas City I got ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-9, 2 Corinthians 11:24-30

Denomination: Free Methodist

Being Optimistic In A Pessimistic World

Contributed by Ray Scott on Aug 7, 2003

We live in a negative world. The Bible is full of positives. In the parable of the Prodigal Son & the Elder Brother, we see both optimism & pessimism.

“Being Optimistic In A Pessimistic World” INTRODUCTION: There are many books on POSITIVE THINKING. The book “The Power Of Positive Thinking” by Norman Vincent Peale was required reading when I was a student at Trinity College. There are all kinds of “helps” out there to help us maintain a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist