Sermons on Ray Vander Laan:

Between 2 Trees "Tree Of Life"

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 4, 2018

Within the Garden of Eden we have another tree’s story being told. It is The Tree of Life which because of Adam and Eve’s sin we get banished from it but through Jesus we get it back!

Transition: Vernon’s Spoken Word then video illustration Series: Between Two Trees Thesis for series: The tale of two trees starts in Creation and ends with a picture of Heaven in the end times. One tree started out looking good – it promised knowledge and the ability to be like God – but this ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:1-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Character Of A Disciple: Love Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jul 26, 2018

Agape is the highest form of love … the love that everyone wants to receive but few are ready to give because of the sacrifice involved. How can anyone receive agape if no one is willing to live and to share and to give agape?

Eleven adults and 26 high school students loaded into three vans in the parking lot of the First United Methodist Church in Hartselle, Alabama, said good-by to family and friends and home and drove over 700 miles to a little town on the shores of Lake Okeechobee. Two of the adult leaders had been ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-2

Denomination: United Methodist

Running Away From God Series

Contributed by Peter Toy on Aug 28, 2018

The beginning of the story of Jonah

The day turned out bright and clear. The captain turned an admiring eye to the trim of his ship following the single main mast up toward the azure sky. His eyes turned downward and he surveyed the dock and saw his crew scurrying to load on cargo, bales of grain from Egypt, spices from Arabia and ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

A New Beginning Series

Contributed by David Owens on Aug 28, 2018

Even after Peter's wonderful surprises when Jesus was raised from the dead, he was still struggling to get past his failure. In John 21, we see Jesus giving Peter the opportunity to be reinstated to his role of apostle and leader.

A. I want to begin this morning with a poem by Louisa Fletcher: “I wish that there were some wonderful place Called the Land of Beginning Again. Where all our mistakes and all our heartaches And all of our poor selfish grief Could be dropped like a shabby old coat at the door And ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-23, 2 Corinthians 5:17-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Better When Aged

Contributed by Thomas Swope on May 21, 2018

A study in the book of Numbers 8: 1 – 26

Numbers 8: 1 – 26 Better when aged 8 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 2 “Speak to Aaron, and say to him, ‘When you arrange the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lamp stand.’ ” 3 And Aaron did so; he arranged the lamps to face toward the front of the lamp stand, as the ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Devil's Drugstore

Contributed by Rob Watts on Jun 7, 2018

We need to examine ourselves as believers. Are we in the Devil's Drugstore, or in God's?

2 Corinthians 13:5 (GW) 5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are still in the Christian faith. Test yourselves! Don't you recognize that you are people in whom Jesus Christ lives? Could it be that you're failing the test? This afternoon I want us to examine ourselves. A little different ...read more

Letting God Choose Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jun 19, 2017

Abraham and Lot discover how to let God help us to make the right decisions and choices in our lives.

Introduction: A. How many of you have enjoyed watching the TV show “Let’s Make a Deal” over the years? 1. It has been on and off the air since its beginning in 1963. 2. The longest running and best known host was Monty Hall, but Wayne Brady has been hosting the show since 2009. 3. We can picture ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:1-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Can We Chat Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jul 3, 2017

In the sermon, we witness God and Abraham having a conversation. The things that God tells Abraham truly change his life and he put his trust in God.

Introduction: A. Years ago Dr. Seuss published a children’s book entitled “Horton Hears a Who.” It was recently turned into a movie. 1. How many of you have read the book or seen the movie? 2. It’s a story about an elephant named Horton who hears voices coming from a little speck of dust. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 15:1-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Happy Hanukah Marv Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jul 10, 2017

A study of the Gospel of John 10: 22 – 42

John 10: 22 – 42 Happy Hanukah Marv 22 Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus ...read more

Scripture: John 10:22-42

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Learning To Wait On God Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jul 12, 2017

In this section from the story of Abraham, we see that he and Sarah got ahead of God and tried to force God to bring an heir through Hagar. There are a lot of important lessons for us to learn from this episode.

Introduction: A. One day there was a man who was taking it easy, lying on the grass, looking up at the clouds, and having a conversation with God 1. The man said, “God, how long is a million years to you?” a. God answered, “In my frame of reference, a million years is about a minute.” 2. The man ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 16:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Practical Steps For Thinking Right Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 25, 2017

Counsel given on how to manage one's prayer life. Practical uses of Bible for the renewing of the mind.

Romans 8:5 03.22.15 Last week we discovered that the key factor that determines the course of our lives is our thoughts. If we think right, we’ll act right. If we think wrong, we will go the wrong direction. Mindset is crucial. Our text in Rom. 8:5 puts it this way, “Those who live according to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:5, Philippians 2:12-13, Philippians 4:8-9, Hebrews 10:16, Psalm 119:11-16, Psalm 1:1-3, Joshua 1:8, 1 Timothy 4:13-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

The Perceptive Art Of A Receptive Heart Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Jan 24, 2018

What's the main difference between the people who have hard hearts, shallow hearts, crowded hearts, and the one who has an open heart? The person with the open heart hears it and does it.

INTRODUCTION Here’s Bob and here’s Jerry. They’re both in Celebration Worship at Green Acres listening to the Pastor. They’ve both been Christians for over twenty years. But there’s a big difference between Bob and Jerry. During the message, Bob has his Bible open and he’s taking notes. He ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

What's In It For Me? Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Jan 28, 2018

There are three major themes addressed in this passage: Suffering, Servanthood, and Sacrifice. Whenever you study the Bible you should always ask yourself these two words: SO WHAT? Now that I've learned this, what changes will this make in my life?

INTRODUCTION Our friend, Paul Baloche, who lived for many years in Lindale, Texas has written or co-written over 120 worship songs. Perhaps his most popular song is “Open the Eyes of my Heart, Lord” which I’ve borrowed his song title for this message. In the early 90’s, when Mike and I had only ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:32-45

Denomination: Baptist

Open The Eyes Of My Heart, Lord Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Jan 28, 2018

When people try to hinder your crying out to Jesus, do what Bartimaeus did: Resist them. Don't let them intimidate you into silence.

INTRODUCTION Our friend, Paul Baloche, who lived for many years in Lindale, Texas has written or co-written over 120 worship songs. Perhaps his most popular song is “Open the Eyes of my Heart, Lord” which I’ve borrowed his song title for this message. In the early 90’s, when Mike and I had only ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:46-52

Denomination: Baptist

Deny, Take, Follow

Contributed by David Buffaloe on Nov 2, 2011

Though salvation is a free gift, Christ requires we deny ourselves, take up our Cross, and follow Him to be saved.

Mark 8:34-38 (KJV) And when he had called the people [unto him] with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38

Denomination: Baptist