Sermons on Ray Vander Laan:

The Church - On Mission With Christ

Contributed by Ray Swift on Nov 20, 2003

The success of the early church was that they prayed, their prayers brought unity and their unity brought productivity.

FB, Cherokee November 16, 2003 Sunday Morning The Church – On Mission With Christ The Book of Acts Intro: I heard a story about an older couple that had finished their lunch and made their way into the living room to prepare themselves for an afternoon nap in their recliners. They were both ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:14

Denomination: Baptist

"The Secret Of A Loving Heart"

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Nov 24, 2003

In Luke chapter 7:36-50 Luke tells the secret of a loving heart.

The Secret of a Loving Heart Luke 7:36-50 # A man walks into a small antique shop in San Francisco. It’s mostly cluttered with knickknacks and junk. The man notices on the floor what looks like an ancient Chinese vase. On closer inspection it turns out to be a priceless relic from the Ming ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Free Methodist

"God's Principle Of First-Fruit Thanksgiving"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Nov 24, 2003

God’s principle for THANKSGIVING is His principle for FIRST-FRUIT giving as well. God demands first place ... in GIVING ... and THANKSgiving.

“God’s Principle Of First-Fruit Thanksgiving” Proverbs 3:9-10 INTRODUCTION: Tomorrow is THANKSGIVING! This is a special day set aside to THANK GOD for His blessings, love and grace. Even ATHEISTS can’t get around the fact that our nation honors God on this special day. Why don’t true Atheists ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:9-10, Malachi 1:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

"Jesus Teaches About Priorities"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Nov 25, 2003

The Bible is so vast ... we can’t possibly memorize it all. Let’s not use this as an excuse for not living righteous lives. Jesus gives us ONE VERSE as a guide to live by.

“Jesus Teaches About Priorities” Matthew 6:33 INTRODUCTION: We CONTINUE in our SERIES on “Lessons Jesus Taught”. We have seen what Jesus taught about: the Holy Spirit, Prayer, the Tongue, Thanksgiving, Repentance. This morning, we will see what Jesus teaches about “Priorities”. Everybody needs a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33, Luke 14:15-20

Denomination: Baptist

"John - The Forgotten Cousin At Christmas"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Dec 2, 2003

John the Baptist often gets overlooked in Christmas sermons. John introduces the ministry of Jesus. Christians are to continue the ministry of Jesus.

“JOHN – The Forgotten Cousin At Christmas” Luke 1:6-66 INTRODUCTION: Christmas sermons always deal with the birth of Jesus … as well they should. HOWEVER, His cousin John gets left out a lot, when it comes to Christmas sermons. John is only 6 months older than Jesus. What did John and Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:6-66

Denomination: Baptist

"Examining Christmas Traditions"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Dec 2, 2003

This is an informal Wednesday Night Bible Study, examining why we celebrate Christmas on December 25th, what year Jesus was really born, what the Inn was like, and who the Wise Men were.

“Examining Christmas Traditions” (A Wednesday Night Bible Study) INTRODUCTION: TONIGHT, I want us to informally take a closer look at just a few of the Christmas traditions. I. WHEN WAS JESUS BORN? A. The Year Throughout history, calendars have been dated according to important historical ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

"Uncommon Birth"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Dec 2, 2003

The birth of Jesus was like no other ... because God planned it! This message reviews some of the uncommon aspects of the birth of Jesus.

“Uncommon Birth” Matthew 1:18 – 2:23 INTRODUCTION: People celebrate Christmas in different ways. There are different family traditions … different customs … BUT … the SAME BIRTH! Things sure have changed over the past 2000 years: o NOW – Santa comes at night … presents are opened as soon as ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Wonder Of Christ's Birth

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 8, 2003

Why was the time when Jesus was born the right time? Why did God choose the land of Palestine as the birth place of Jesus? Why was 5 BC the year Jesus was born and not some other year?

The Wonder of Christ’s Birth -In the Fullness of Time- Galatians 4:4 Luke 2:1-7 The story is told about a man who got tired of the Christmas hoopla. All the frantic haste and the crass commercialism disgusted him. So, he decided not to go along with the crowd. Among other things, he decided not ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-7

Denomination: Free Methodist

"Christmas Questions"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Dec 9, 2003

Here are some "Christmas Questions" ... NOT to question God ... BUT to better understand WHY He planned the birth of His Son the way He did.

“Christmas Questions” INTRODUCTION: This morning, I want to ask some “Christmas Questions” … WHY? I’ve always had a questioning mind: LIKE: o How can a brown cow, eat green grass, and give white milk? o If man evolved from apes, why do we still have apes? o If a man stands in the middle of the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Why Does God Allow Hardship In Our Lives

Contributed by Ray Carver on Dec 13, 2003

Have you ever look around at your life and simply asked: WHY? Have hardships and trials ever come into your life for seemingly no reason? Hear are a few possible reasons why.

WHY DOES GOD ALLOW HARDSHIP IN OUR LIVES? Text: Psalm 73:1-2 Intro: Have you ever look around at you life and simply asked: WHY? Have hardships and trials ever come into your life for seemingly no reason? I want to share a few things from my own personal experience, only to illustrate the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

"What If There Were No Christmas?"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Dec 16, 2003

In "the fullness of time" God sent His Son, Jesus to the earth as a babe in a manger. This devotional (before a Communion Service) explores HOW God prepared the world for Jesus.

“What If There Were No Christmas?” INTRODUCTION: Read Galatians 4:4-5 Christmas is this Thursday. We have waited 361 days for it. It seemed like it would never get here … and NOW … it’s coming too fast! It’s not easy to forget Christmas … VISA keeps reminding you … for months to come! One man ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-5

Denomination: Baptist

"Christmas Surprises"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Dec 16, 2003

This brief message was used after our Sunday Morning Christmas Cantata ... to wrap up the Christmas story ... and prepare hearts so there will be no SURPRISES when we must face Jesus.

“Christmas Surprise” INTRODUCTION: Christmas is full of surprises! Gifts are tightly wrapped in multi-colored paper, so you don’t know what’s inside until you open them (UNLESS, you peeked!). We get “surprise gifts” … o Like that tie that you’ll never wear. o Like the underwear you got as a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-33

Denomination: Baptist

"Bethlehem"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Dec 16, 2003

This Christmas message explores the little town of Bethlehem ... how God had prepared Bethlehem for 1700 years for the birth of His Son, Jesus.

“Bethlehem” INTRODUCTION: We think of Bethlehem ONLY as the birthplace of Jesus. Some might even realize that King David was born there. BUT … Bethlehem is mentioned 53 times in Scripture. There are actually 2 BETHLEHEM’s mentioned in the Bible: o NORTH – in Galilee – only 7 miles from ...read more

Scripture: Micah 5:2

Denomination: Baptist

The Supernatural Power Of Christ's Birth

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 23, 2003

Everything about the birth of Jesus was supernatural. There was the miraculous conception. “Mary was conceived of the Holy Spirit.” It was unheard of for a virgin girl to become pregnant by the Holy Spirit.

The Supernatural Power of Christ’s Birth Matthew 1:18-23 Isaiah 9:6-7 Everything about the birth of Jesus was supernatural. First, there was the miraculous conception. “Mary was conceived of the Holy Spirit.” It was unheard of for a virgin girl to become pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Second, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-23, Isaiah 9:6-7

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Gifts Jesus Gives At Christmas

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 23, 2003

The whole meaning of the Advent season prior to Christmas is this: a gift from God is on the way. The basic reason we offer Christmas gifts to each other is to honor and reflect the only perfect gift ever offered—the gift of God through a Bethlehem baby n

The Gifts Jesus Gives at Christmas Matthew 2:10-11 The whole meaning of the Advent season prior to Christmas is this: a gift from God is on the way. The basic reason we offer Christmas gifts to each other is to honor and reflect the only ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:10-11

Denomination: Free Methodist