Sermons on Ray Vander Laan:

"I'd Rather Have Jesus"

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 11, 2003

Many people are searching for life. They are asking, "Why am I here?" "What is life all about?" The problem is they’re searching in the wrong places. Only Jesus has the answer.

“I’d Rather Have Jesus” John 14:1-7 A couple weeks ago I was talking to a young father and mother with a four year old in their home. He designs computer chips and chip boards in his home as an independent contractor. In our discussion I made reference to the uniqueness of Jesus Christ and ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-7

Denomination: Free Methodist

Sunday School 101

Contributed by Ray Swift on Sep 11, 2003

The purpose and foundations for a growing Sunday School.

FB, Cherokee September 7, 2003 Sunday Morning Sunday School – 101 Luke 24:13-35 Intro.: Today we began yet another year for the Sunday School. This year brings brand new teachers as well as veteran teachers. To each and all thank you for responding to God’s call and for fulfilling your part in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

"The Four Faithful Friends"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Sep 18, 2003

This story teaches us that we can make a difference in people’s lives ... and to overcome obstacles that keep us away from the power of God.

“The Four Faithful Friends” Luke 5:17-26 INTRODUCTION: We continue in our series on ‘Great Events In The Life Of Jesus’. TODAY, we want to look at a man whom Jesus healed. Luke 5:17-20 – all turn – READ 5:17 – Jesus was in a house, teaching a large group of people. The place was packed! Every ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:17-26

Denomination: Baptist

"Love - A Visible Response"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Sep 18, 2003

This sermon shows us that if we love Jesus, we will demonstrate it ... and we will care about what Jesus cares about.

“Love – A Visible Response” Luke 7:36-50 INTRODUCTION: We continue in our series on ‘Great Events In The Life Of Jesus’. TONIGHT – We take a look at a prostitute who has an encounter with Jesus. 7:36 – The Pharisee’s name was “Simon” – 7:40. Pharisees were self-righteous Jews … separatists who ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Baptist

How To Be Sure Of Your Salvation

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 22, 2003

God’s word has clear teaching on assurance. You can not just sing words, but you can sin from your heart: "Blessed assurance Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchased of God."

How You Can Be Sure of Your Salvation I John 5:13 2 Timothy 1:7-12 Christians of all ages need the assurance of salvation. Carollyn’s step-father was an outstanding Christian gentleman. He was a retired School Superintendent in Michigan. He moved to Florida and married Carollyn’s mother after ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7-12

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

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

To Tell The Truth

Contributed by Ray Scott on May 29, 2003

Paul tells the truth about the steps that God uses to obtain our salvation ... and the truth about what to do with our salvation once God has poured out His grace upon us.

“To Tell The Truth” 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 INTRODUCTION: In our last study we saw how Paul told them the TRUTH about the coming of the Lord (Rapture) … and events during the Tribulation Period (2:1-12) Satan had sent LIES to the Christians at Thessalonica in the form of a fake, counterfeit ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

Mind Your Own Business

Contributed by Ray Scott on May 29, 2003

After pubicly re-instating Peter, Jesus wants Peter to focus on following Him, and get his eyes off what Jesus is going to do with John ... Peter has his own cross to bear.

“Mind Your Own Business” John 21:18-23 INTRODUCTION: We continue in our series on the Post-Resurrection appearances of Jesus. Last week we saw The Disciples at the Sea of Galilee, waiting for Jesus to appear to them. Instead of waiting idle, they decided to go fishing. Jesus fixed breakfast ...read more

Scripture: John 21:18-23

Denomination: Baptist

Becoming A World Class Christian

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jun 1, 2003

God calls us to build bridges of love and compassion from our home and church to our community.

Becoming a World Class Christian -The Story of Jonah- Introduction May 13-15 I attended a church conference with the theme: “The Church of Irresistible Influence.” Superintend Forest Bush and Jerry and Gale Mottwieler from Ripon also attended. Pastor Robert Lewis served as host pastor of the ...read more

Denomination: Free Methodist

Giving Truth A Free Run

Contributed by Ray Scott on Jun 3, 2003

Continuing in our study of 2 Thessalonians ... Paul now tells Christians to SHARE the truth, with an emphasis on prayer as vital to this ministry.

“Giving Truth A Free Run” 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 INTRODUCTION: We continue in our series in II Thessalonians. Paul has just told the Thessalonian Christians the TRUTH about their SALVATION – 2:13-14 THEN – He told them what to DO with the TRUTH of God’s Word – 2:15 THEN – He told them what the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Blessed Assurance - Evidence #2 Series

Contributed by Ray Scott on Jun 3, 2003

Continuing in our series on "The Assurance Of Salvation", how you deal with sin in your life gives evidence if you are LOST ... or SAVED.

“BLESSED ASSURANCE” – Evidence #2 1 John 1:5-2:2 INTRODUCTION – We continue in our series on “The Assurance Of Salvation”. A Christian will have EVIDENCE in their life if they are truly born-again … and this gives them the ASSURANCE of their salvation. We have already seen that: A Christian ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Intention Of The Ascension

Contributed by Ray Scott on Jun 4, 2003

In the final post-resurrection appearance of Jesus, He ascends into Heaven to send the Holy Spirit to indwell each believer to fulfill the Commission He gave them.

“The Intention Of The Ascension” Acts 1:1-14 INTRODUCTION: Since Easter Sunday, we have been studying the “Post-Resurrection Appearances Of Jesus”. We saw how Jesus appeared to: o The women at the tomb. o The 2 disciples on the Road to Emmaus. o The 10 Disciples, with Thomas absent. o The 11 ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Apostle John The Beloved

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jun 8, 2003

The Apostle John’s life is an example of the Christian Life in Spiritual Growth and Maturity. In John’s life we see three levels of maturity.

Apostle John’s the Beloved -Growth in Spiritual Maturity- Introduction Jesus called 12 men of different personalities, passions and skills to follow Him and become His disciples. We call them Apostles because Jesus commissioned and sent them out as His Missionaries to preach, teach, baptize and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:13-19

Denomination: Free Methodist