Sermons on Ray Vander Laan:

Disappointments May Be His Appointments Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Jan 25, 2018

The story of Jairus teaches us that when we face grief, we never should never lose sight of the fact that Jesus gives hope whenever there is death.

INTRODUCTION In the past few miracles we’ve seen that Jesus has power over danger. He calmed the scary storm. He has power over demons; He transformed a scary man. Jesus has power over disease; He healed the woman with the scary sickness. In this miracle we’re going to see that Jesus has power ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-23, Mark 5:35-43

Denomination: Baptist

Palm Tree Christians

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Mar 1, 2018

This is a fun topical sermon to be used on Palm Sunday. It's a way to have something different to say on Palm Sunday. It takes the characteristics of a Date Palm Tree and applies them to living out the Life of a Christ Follower.

Scripture: Psalm 92:1-15 and John 12:12-16 Theme: Palm Sunday Title: Palm Life - Palm Tree Christianity This is a topic sermon used on Palm Sunday - taking the characteristics of the Date Palm Tree and applying them to the Christian Life. INTRO: Grace and peace from God our Father and ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-16, Psalm 92:1-15

Denomination: Nazarene

Taming The Untamable Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Sep 25, 2019

In this message we are going to talk about the tongue and how to tame it with God's help.

Taming The Untamable #makingitreal James 3:1-12 OKAY… We are in this series on the book of James called, ‘Making It (making our faith) Real…’ A 2000 year old letter written by the breath of God and the pen of James the half brother of Jesus. A LETTER - to encourage Jesus-followers in the first ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jul 31, 2017

This sermon covers Abraham's experience with God when the Lord came for dinner one day.

Introduction: A. One Saturday, the new preacher went out to visit in the homes of some of his new church members. 1. All went well until he came to a certain house. 2. It was obvious that someone was home, but no one came to the door even after he had knocked several times. 3. Finally, he took ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Taking God Seriously Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jul 31, 2017

This sermon covers Genesis 19 - the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and challenges us to take God seriously.

Introduction: A. Once there was a man who grew watermelons to supplement his meager income. 1. He was doing pretty well, until some local kids began sneaking into his watermelon patch at night to eat his watermelons. 2. After some careful thought, he came up with a clever idea that he thought ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 19:1-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Is Sovereign Series

Contributed by David Owens on Dec 9, 2019

As Paul begins to deal with the questions of God's original election of the Jews and the later inclusion of the Gentiles, Paul drives home the point that God is sovereign.

A. It has been said: “There are two sure things in life: 1. There is a God; 2. You are not Him!” 1. I would like to add a third sure thing: “And this God, whom you are not, is sovereign and can do whatever He decides to do.” 2. Steven Curtis Chapman wrote a song called “God is God” and the chorus ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:6-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Meeting With God In Prayer Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on May 5, 2020

Meeting with God in Prayer Series: Meeting with God in Prayer May 3, 2020

Meeting with God in Prayer Series: Meeting with God in Prayer May 3, 2020 Big Idea: To help us capture the most essential principles and pattern for meeting with God in prayer. This includes what Jesus said about getting real and showing up...and then drawing broadly from the Lords Prayer (Matt. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Passing Life's Greatest Tests Series

Contributed by David Owens on Aug 28, 2017

This sermon explores the lessons we can learn from Abraham's faith and obedience as he proceeded with sacrificing Isaac as God commanded.

Introduction: A. A college student had come to take his final exam in his ornithology class (the study of birds). 1. It had been a tough class with a tough professor. 2. The exam consisted of 25 pictures of birds’ feet and he had to identify which birds they were based solely on their feet. 3 The ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-19, Genesis 22:14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Till Death Do Us Part Series

Contributed by David Owens on Sep 5, 2017

In this sermon, we are privileged to see how a man of God faced the death of his wife and we learn some lessons about facing grief and helping others through their losses.

A. The story is told of three friends who were hanging out one day, and their conversation grimly turned to the issue of death. 1. One of the friends asked the others, “What would you like people to say about you at your funeral?” 2. One friend answered, “I would want people to say, ‘He was a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 23:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Here Comes The Bride Series

Contributed by David Owens on Sep 19, 2017

This sermon on Genesis 24 covers the story of finding a bride for Isaac. The application focuses on learning to follow God in all our decision making, especially when looking for a mate.

Introduction: A. Once there was a young couple who decided to get married. 1. As the big day approached, they grew apprehensive, because each of them had a problem they had never before shared with anyone, not even each other. 2. The groom-to-be decided to ask his father for advice about his ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 24:1-67

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

We Are The Disruptors

Contributed by Sean Dees on Feb 7, 2020

“These that have turned the world upside down”, I got to ask; what exactly is wrong with that? Think about that statement and how absurd it sounds.

(2) And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, (3) Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. (4) And some of them believed, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:2-6

Expect Opposition Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Feb 17, 2020

Don't be surprised when people push back.

Expect Opposition Acts 6:8-15 Rev. Brian Bill February 15-16, 2020 Play Clip from “Bible Project” That clip comes from “The Bible Project.” If you’d like to watch the entire video covering the first twelve chapters of Acts, you can find it on Sermon Extras on our app. Have you ever been ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8-15, Matthew 5:17

Denomination: Baptist

The Cure For Conflict (Pt. 2) Series

Contributed by David Owens on Mar 2, 2020

In the second half of Romans 14, Paul challenges the Christians at Rome to not put any stumbling blocks in front of other believers, but to do only what leads to building others up.

A. The story is told of a rabbi was at odds with his congregation. 1. The president of the synagogue said, “Rabbi, we must have a conference to settle this dispute once and for all.” 2. So the rabbi, the president and the ten elders met together to discuss the issue, but the rabbi soon discovered ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:13-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Planning And Praying Series

Contributed by David Owens on Mar 16, 2020

This sermon on the second half of Romans chapter 15 gives us insight into how to make plans to serve the Lord, and how to carry them out with prayer, like the apostle Paul did.

A. Once there was a young woman who brought her fiancé home to meet her parents. 1. After dinner, her mother told her father to find out more about the young man, so the father invited the fiancé to his study for a talk. 2. “So what are your plans?” the father asked the young ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:14-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Raising Godly Children In An Ungodly Age Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on May 9, 2018

If you want to raise godly children in an ungodly age, just pray and then give your children to the Lord.

Jean Johnson’s 5-year-old grandson was sitting with his parents at a prayer meeting in Fremont, MI. His mother gave him paper and pencil, and he was busily printing words. Then he poked his mother and whispered, “How do you spell ‘sex’?” Shocked, she replied, “What did you say?” The boy said, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical Free