Sermons on Ray Vander Laan:

"Check It Out" - The Gibeonites

Contributed by Ray Scott on May 5, 2004

Before making decisions, we need to check it out first with God and seek His counsel. Joshua failed to do this, and suffered the consequences.

“Check It Out!” – The Gibeonites Joshua 9:1-27 INTRODUCTION: Our story tonight has to do with choices, decisions, deception, and jumping to conclusions. BACKGROUND: The Children of Israel had finally crossed over into the Promised Land. The waters departed for them to cross the Jordan River on ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 9:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

"A Mother's Split Decision"

Contributed by Ray Scott on May 5, 2004

Motherhood & wisdom go hand-in-hand. Mothers aren’t perfect, and this message presents two imperfect mothers, and the wisdom of Solomon.

“A Mother’s Split Decision” 1 Kings 3:16-28 INTRODUCTION: Today is Mother’s Day! Our text today has to do with MOTHERS … and WISDOM. The 2 need to go hand-in-hand … “Amen” mothers? God appears to King Solomon in a dream – 1 Kings 3:5. God gives Solomon a BLANK CHECK. Solomon asks for wisdom, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 3:16-28

Denomination: Baptist

Mothers-A Godly Heritage Series

Contributed by Ray Ellis on May 10, 2004

This message uses Hannah as a godly model for Mothers.

Mothers – A Godly Heritage -Love in Action- I Samuel 1:1-18, 27 Today we give special honor to our mothers. Children were asked to answer questions and make comments about their mothers. What ingredients are mothers made of? 1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:1-18

Denomination: Free Methodist

How To Resolve Family Conflicts God's Way

Contributed by Ray Ellis on May 17, 2004

In writing to the Christians in Ephesus the Apostle Paul gives teaching on how to resolve family conflicts God’s way.

How To Resolve Family Conflicts God’s Way Ephesians 5:21-30 Most marriages start out on a positive note. The wedding is an exciting event. You watch your lovely bride come down the aisle and you heart beats faster and skips several beats. You can’t believe God has brought to you the woman of ...read more

Denomination: Free Methodist

Can You Trust God's Word?

Contributed by Ray Ellis on May 17, 2004

This message gives Biblical evidence why the Bible is trustworthy.

Can You Trust God’s Word? 2 Peter 1:16-21 II Timothy 3:16 This morning I want to answer the question: “Can You Trust God’s Word - The Bible.” People today have many different views of the Bible and of the Christian life. Signs found in church parking lots: 1. Free Trip to Heaven. Details ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:16-21

Denomination: Free Methodist

Order My Steps

Contributed by Ray Ellis on May 17, 2004

This sermon tells how God wants to order a person’s steps according to the Word of God.

“Order My Steps” Psalm 119:133 Psalm 37:23-24 Last year the theme song for the choir was “Lord Listen to Your Children Praying.” This year’s theme song is “Order My Steps According to God’s Word, Order My Heart, Order my Talk according to God’s Word.” During the past couple of months I have ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:133, Psalm 37:23-24

Denomination: Free Methodist

"A Big Change In A Small Man"

Contributed by Ray Scott on May 20, 2004

In the story of Zacchaeus we see that we may not only have physical, but spiritual handicaps that keep us from seeing Christ. The change in his life was proof of his salvation.

“A Big Change In A Small Man” Luke 19:1-10 INTRODUCTION: Tell the story of Zach … SONG – “Zaccheus was a wee little man …” Luke 19:1-2 – “Jericho” – Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem … to the cross. Jericho is about 15 miles from Jerusalem. It was a big, rich city. There were 3 tax collection ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

"They Didn't Bow, Bend, Or Burn"

Contributed by Ray Scott on May 20, 2004

The 3 Hebrew children took a stand for God, Who didn’t save them FROM the fire, but saved them IN the fire. God has a purpose for every fiery trial that we go through.

“They Didn’t Bow, Bend, or Burn” Daniel 3:1-30 INTRODUCTION: The Babylonians invaded Palestine in 605 BC and carried away Jewish captives back to Babylon. They selected the educated, prominent and choice men and boys. Among this group was Daniel. Daniel 2:48-49 – all turn. 1.- CIRCUMSTANCES – ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

"Dissatisfied With Satisfaction"

Contributed by Ray Scott on May 24, 2004

In this sermon on "The Pearl Of Great Price", we see that if God is dissatisfied with our Christian life, we should also be dissatisfied with it. Dissatisfaction isn’t a bad thing, but a good thing.

“Dissatisfied With Satisfaction” Matthew 13:45-46 INTRODUCTION: This morning we are going to take a look at the parable that Jesus gives on “The Pearl Of Great Price”. Jesus doesn’t explain the parable. I want us to look at it in 2 ways … the INTERPRETATION … AND … the APPLICATION. Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:45-46

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Your Story?

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Feb 22, 2005

Everyone has a story and everyone likes a good story. God’s story is all about His Son Jesus. God wants His story to be your story. Part of God’s plan is for you to tell His story.

What is Your Story? Acts 8:26-40 Everyone has a story and everyone likes a good story. God’s story is all about His Son Jesus. God wants His story to be your story. Part of God’s plan is for you to tell His story. In the early church we find an interesting story that started on the Day of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: Free Methodist

A Servant Attitude: Key To Success In Relationships

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Mar 8, 2005

The key to success in most jobs and ministries is "Knowing how to get alone with people." 3rd John is a study in contrasts between Gaius and Diotrephes.

“A Servant Attitude: Key to Success in Relationships” Matthew 20:25-28 3 John 1-12 The Carnegie Foundation discovered that to be successful on the job, relational skills are far more important than knowledge. It’s research found that only 15 percent of a person’s success is determined by job ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:1-12

Denomination: Free Methodist

Jesus: King Of Kings & Lord Of Lords

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Mar 14, 2005

As we prepare for the Easter celebration in a couple weeks we want to have an adequate view of the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Jesus: King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:11-16 Philippians 2:4-11 As we prepare for the Easter Celebration in a couple weeks we want to have an adequate view of the person and work of Jesus Christ. We don’t want a perverted view given by television or Hollywood. We want a Biblical ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:4-16

Denomination: Free Methodist

Beyond The Cross - Salvation To All Who Believe

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Mar 22, 2005

This message focuses on I Corinthians 1:18. "The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but o us who are saved it is the power of God."

Beyond the Cross -Salvation to all who Believe- I Corinthians 1:18-25 Today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy week, the last week of the public life and ministry of Jesus. Holy week goes from the Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem to the crucifixion on Friday to the resurrection on Easter ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Denomination: Free Methodist

Jesus Is Risen

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Mar 23, 2005

This sermon looks at the eleven appearances of Jesus to his disciples.

“Jesus is Risen” Mark 16:1-7 I Corinthians 15:1-8 For us in the Christian Church the fact of the resurrection of Jesus is the truth that makes or brakes our faith. Without the resurrection we have no need for the Christian Church. The resurrection gives meaning to the CROSS of Calvary. The ...read more

Denomination: Free Methodist

A Transformed Life

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Apr 4, 2005

One of the greatest truths in the Bible is that people can experience a transformation. A person in Christ is given a new nature, a spiritual nature.

A Transformed Life -A Fresh Start- 2 Corinthians 5:17 - “What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!” (NLT) One of the greatest truths in the Bible is that people can experience a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Denomination: Free Methodist