Sermons on Ray Vander Laan:

Paradise Lost Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 2, 2023

Because of our sin, we can’t come in; but since Jesus died on the cross to take our sin, we can now come in.

Paradise Lost Genesis 3:22-24 Rev. Brian Bill April 1-2, 2023 Many of you know that I have four sisters and no brothers. Do you feel my pain? Growing up, the only good thing about this arrangement was that I’m the oldest. Being a brother, I was always on the lookout for ways to bother my ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:22-24

Denomination: Baptist

Idads (Intentional Dads)

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jun 8, 2022

In this message we unpack 5 areas where dads need to be more intentional

iDADS “Intentional Dads” 1 Thessalonians 2:8-12 http://www.sermonspice.com/product/17321/ im-watching-you-dad Wow… I’ve watched that video a bunch of times this week, and I gotta tell you, it moved me every single time. It’s powerful, convicting, challenging… Sooo convicting, and sooo true I am ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:8-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

About Our Father

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jun 8, 2023

TODAY RATHER THAN TALK ABOUT EARTHLY FATHERS I want to in the brief time that we’ll spend together talk about OUR FATHER..... Recently I was once again reminded of just how great our Father really is and I want to talk about Him this morning.

ABOUT OUR FATHER" TEXT: LUKE 15 TODAY IS FATHER’S DAY, HAPPY FATHER’S DAY TO ALL THE DADS OUT THERE. LET’S BE HONEST THOUGH FATHER’S DAY IS JUST NOT AS BIG AS MOTHER’S DAY. THAT’S NOT SOUR GRAPES, THAT’S THE TRUTH. ON MOTHER’S DAY THERE IS A HIGHER ATTENDANCE AT CHURCH, MOTHER’S HAVE ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus Is The Light Of The World Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jul 3, 2021

Jesus will at the end of the Feast of Tabernacles when the lights are blown out make this statement. This celebration of God’s deliverance and a call to repentance for the Jewish nation will set the stage for Jesus 2nd “I Am” statement – Jesus states, “I am the Light of the world!”

Video Transition: This Place Series: Jesus the “I Am” of Renewal Thesis for Series: John uses Jesus' "I Am" proclamations to prove that Jesus was the Messiah – God in the flesh - and these proclamations are pivotal for the Jews and Christians to understand. Summary of Sermon 1: ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12, 1 John 1:5, John 8:12-59, Psalm 27:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Making Wise Investments Series

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Jul 27, 2021

Perhaps the greatest challenge the church faces is finding her place in changing world, on that doesn’t appear to be getting better. John gives an imperative for the church, make investment on in God’s promises which are eternal, not in a worldview that is destined to fail.

Our society is infatuated with extremes, there seems to be no common ground for living. I developed a model, Pathway to Recovery, that illustrates this dynamic. While at a bookstore, I observed a group of students. They were polls apart when discussing religious thought. I had made the comment to ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Children Of Light Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Apr 9, 2021

Believers in Christ are: 1) A People of God’s Possession (1 Peter 2:9c), 2) A People of Proclamation (1 Peter 2:9d), 3) A Privileged People (1 Peter 2:9e) and finally, 4) A Pardoned People (1 Peter 2:10).

1 Peter 2:9–10 (9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood), a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-10

Denomination: Other

Watch Your Mouth Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 18, 2021

When we see God as weighty, we won’t want to take His name lightly.

People get mixed up on my name all the time. Some people call me “Bill” and I’ve even been called “Brain,” though I’m not sure where that one comes from. When I’m called “Mr. Bill” people around my age think of his sidekick “Sluggo” and start laughing. I like to joke having three first names ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:7

Denomination: Baptist

Should A Christian Keep The Law? (Pt. 1) Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 1, 2021

Many Christians are confused as to why Christians keep part of the Old Testament commandments but don't keep others. This series of two messages helps them find answers to their questions.

Today we will tackle the question: Should a Christian Keep the Law? The answer to that question significantly affects the way we live our Christian lives. If I read the Bible with a legalistic mindset, I will live under the bondage of the law—a perpetual effort to measure up and always coming ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-2, 2 Peter 2:12-22, Romans 2:28-29, 1 Corinthians 7:19, James 2:1-18, 1 John 5:2, Galatians 5:1-21, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Romans 13:9, John 1:17, Luke 5:36-39, 1 Timothy 4:13-16, John 8:34, Jude 1:4, Hebrews 8:1-13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Why? Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jan 6, 2022

First message after being hospitalized with COVID pneumonia and blood clots. In this message using God's call of Abraham I answer the question (as best I can) as to why God choose to hear my prayers and heal me, while so many other He did not.

WHY? Powerful Passages SO – good morning Maple Grove! MAN – it is so good to be standing before you all today. I MEAN – it has been a minute, right? LIKE – the last time I stood up here was back on July 18th 9 weeks ago when we were kicked off our series ‘Powerful Passages’ by looking at a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Live Life With Joy Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Oct 28, 2024

You are not prepared to live until you are prepared to die.

Live Life with Joy Ecclesiastes 9:1-18 Rev. Brian Bill October 26-27, 2024 A common question often used in an icebreaker is this, “What advice would you give to your younger self?” Here’s how some people answered that question. 1. You are perfect just the way you are. 2. Stop being lazy! Get ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Praying Powerful Prayers Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Feb 19, 2024

God gives us more strength than we can even ask for when we fully surrender to Christ.

How to Pray with Power Ephesians 3:14-21 Rev. Brian Bill February 17-18, 2024 A young boy prayed for weeks that God would give him $100, but nothing happened. He decided to write God a letter telling Him he really needed the money. Not knowing where to send the letter, he simply used the address ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Mystery Revealed Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Feb 19, 2024

Our mission is to make known the mystery and majesty of the gospel.

The Mystery Revealed Ephesians 3:1-13 Rev. Brian Bill February 10-11, 2024 A riddle is a question which requires a lot of thinking skills. To answer a riddle, one must think “outside of the box” to get the answer, which is often unexpected. Here are some examples. Q: What is orange and sounds ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

You Win Either Way Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Feb 10, 2025

You win either way when you live God's way.

You Win Either Way Philippians 1:19-26 Rev. Brian Bill February 1-2, 2025 This week, Tim Challies wrote a provocative post called, “If I Could Change Anything about the Modern Church.” That title got my attention. There is one thing churches used to do that they no longer do, and I often wish ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:19-26

Denomination: Baptist

Serving And Struggling Together Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Feb 10, 2025

It’s worth it to live a worthy life.

Serving and Struggling Together Philippians 1:27-30 Rev. Brian Bill February 8-9, 2025 When we bought our house in Central Illinois, one of the things that came with it was an obnoxious doorbell chime. Not only was the unit big and ugly but when someone rang it, it would blast out Beethoven’s 5th ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30

Denomination: Baptist

I Am! Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Sep 8, 2023

Jesus is light—trust Him to guide you. Jesus is life—trust Him to free you. Jesus Lord—trust Him to rule you. It’s the only way your life will make any sense.

Steve Brown talked about a man who asked a mail-order company to send plans for a birdhouse. Instead of sending him the plans for a birdhouse, they sent him plans for a sailboat. He tried to put it together, but it just wouldn't work. He couldn't figure what kind of bird was going to live ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12-59

Denomination: Evangelical Free