Sermons on Ray Vander Laan:

Managing Self-Awareness Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 26, 2023

Secular psychologists have developed methods for dealing with Low Self-Esteem. But what does the Bible teach concerning this matter? This message offer three principles for dealing with self-esteem based on Scripture.

Intro Last week we introduced the subject of self-awareness. Self-awareness is a fact of life. God made us in such a way that we are aware of self, aware of our interaction with God, aware of our interaction with other people, and aware of our interaction with our environment. The self-awareness ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 25:27, Jeremiah 17:9, Proverbs 12:15, James 1:23, Hebrews 12:1-2, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 23:12, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-12, Genesis 2:1-15, John 4:34-36, Matthew 25:14-30, 2 Timothy 4:6-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Legalism Exposed Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on May 6, 2024

This exposition of Romans 4:13-16 addresses the problem of trying to attain righteousness through good works. The law was given to expose our sinfulness and lead us to Christ for salvation. The deception of legalism is a problem that must be addressed.

Intro Our text today is Romans 4:13-16: “It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-25, Genesis 17:1-14, Romans 11:1-6, Galatians 4:1-9, Romans 8:9-39, Jude 1:4, Romans 3:20-23, 2 Corinthians 5:9, Ephesians 2:8-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Shipwreck And Salvation (2023) Series

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Jan 15, 2023

'Shipwreck and salvation' - Acts chapters 27 - sermon by Gordon Curley. (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: The Passengers (vs 1-2) The Route (vs 2) The Choice (vs 9-12) The Storm (vs 13-26) The Speech (vs 21b-26) SERMON BODY: Ill: • Many Christians use car stickers to witness to their faith i.e., Bible verse or a fish sign. • Many non-Christians also use car stickers displaying ...read more

Scripture: Acts 27:1-42

Denomination: Brethren

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

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

The Shadow Of Death

Contributed by Grady Henley on Aug 29, 2025

Whether lost or saved, death fascinates mankind.

INTRODUCTION: Whether lost or saved, death fascinates mankind. One wreck on the highway will cause traffic to come to a halt for miles because people creep by peering at the occupants to see if anyone was killed. For a while, it gives those passing by (Rubberneckers is the slang for people who ...read more

Scripture: Job 3:5

Denomination: Baptist

What Do I Say?

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 12, 2025

God revives weary hearts with comfort, presence, and strength, transforming deserts into renewal and calling His people to rise, hope, and speak again.

INTRODUCTION — WHEN THE WORLD FEELS HEAVY There are seasons when a pastor, a parent, a believer, a friend, looks out at the world and quietly asks a question nobody hears but God: “Lord… what do I even say anymore?” What do I say when hearts are tired? What do I say when the world is ...read more

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Fall Of Babylon The Great Proclaimed And Mourned Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 24, 2018

A CLOSE-UP OF BABYLON'S JUDGMENT 1. The announcement of her fall (Revelation 18:1-8). 2. Consequences of her fall for the world (Revelation 18:9-20). 3. The finality of her doom (Revelation 18:21-24).

Book of Revelation Commentary By: Tom Lowe Date: 7/13/17 Topic # IV: VISIONS OF JUDGMENT AGAINST ROME (12:1-19:21) Subtopic C: THE FALL OF BABYLON, THE HARLOT (17:1-19:10) Lesson: IV.C.3?The fall of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 18:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

How Big Is Your God?

Contributed by Chris Talton on Feb 3, 2002

God is bigger than all of our problems. He is big enough to be worthy of our faith.

February 3, 2002 Hebrews 11:29-30 “Is God big enough to trust?” INTRODUCTION “It was six men of Indostan, to learning much inclined, who went to see the elephant (though all of them were blind), that each by observation might satisfy his mind. The first approached the elephant, and, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:29-30

Denomination: Baptist

Where I'm Coming From

Contributed by Steve Malone on Mar 11, 2002

In this message we see Paul’s philosophy of ministry and are challenged to adopt it as our own.

“Where I’m Coming From” Today is the first Sunday of the year 2002. Happy New Year! My guess is that you have probably heard those 3 words a lot recently… And I am also sure that you heard those very same words back at the beginning of 2001. Just a few days ago, millions of people ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

By This We Know

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Dec 10, 2002

The "litmus test" of our knowledge of Christ is obedience to His commands.

By This We Know TCF Sermon 9/17/00 Turn with me to 1 John, chapter 2 - this will be our primary text this morning. Beginning with verse 3, “We know that we have come to know Him if we obey His commands. The man who says I know Him but does not do what He commands is a liar and the truth is not ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:3-6, Deuteronomy 30:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stop Thief!!!

Contributed by Chris Talton on Jan 18, 2002

God tells the one who steals to stop, trust Him to provide for his needs, and work to give to others.

August 27, 2000 Exodus 20:15; Ephesians 4:28 “Stop thief !!” -or- “The only thing that God allows you to steal is 2nd base” INTRODUCTION I became personally acquainted with robbers and robbery 11 years ago, when just after I was married, Tammy turned to me and said, “What’s yours’ is mine ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:15, Ephesians 4:28

Denomination: Baptist

Samson: Dealing With Fatal Flaws Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 26, 2003

In our series called, “Keeping the Story Alive,” we’ve looked at Hanna, Gideon, and Ruth. Today, we’re going to focus on Samson as we seek to deal with our own fatal flaws

Samson: Dealing with Fatal Flaws I love what happens when children retell Bible stories. Here are a few of my favorites: The first three books of the Bible are Genesis, Exodus, and Laxatives. Noah’s wife was called Joan of Ark. Lot’s wife was a pillar of salt by day, but a ball of fire by ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Why We Need Each Other Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 24, 2003

God designed us to live in community with others and to work in partnership with one another for the sake of the kingdom. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.

Why We Need Each Other Two friends were out hunting. As they were walking through the woods, one of them yelled and the other looked up to see a huge grizzly bear charging at them. The first friend started to frantically put on his tennis shoes. When his buddy saw this, he anxiously asked, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:7-18

Denomination: Baptist