Sermons on Ray Vander Laan:

Words Of Distinction - "Adoption"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Dec 30, 2003

This message explores "adoption", and the special relationship we have with our Heavenly Father by being placed into His family as a child of God.

WORDS OF DISTINCTION – “Adoption” Romans 8:14-17 INTRODUCTION: We continue in our SERIES on “Words Of Distinction”. TONIGHT, we will look at the word “Adoption”. Most of you probably don’t know that I was “adopted”. I was “adopted” at the age of 11, in 1961. HOWEVER, I lived with my birth ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

Let's Expect A Miracle Of Giving

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jan 5, 2004

Throughout the bible the Stewardship of money is taught. Jesus had more to say about money than He had to say about heaven. From the Biblical perspective giving is not a duty it is a privilege.

“Let’s Expect A Miracle of Giving in 2004” Philippians 4:10-13, 19 A want-to-be truck driver completed an intensive, one-month course leading to being licensed to drive an 18-wheeler. At the end of the course, each candidate was quizzed by a panel of experienced drivers. The questions were ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-19

Denomination: Free Methodist

Words Of Distinction - "Rather" ... Or "The Rule Of Your Rather"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Jan 5, 2004

Sometimes we would RATHER not do what’s best for us ... or we would RATHER do the wrong thing. In this study of the word "rather", we see that we need God to "Rule our Rather" to walk in His will and way.

¡§The Rule Of Your Rather¡¨ INTRODUCTION: We continue in our study of ¡§Words of Distinction¡¨. We have studied, and made application, to the words ¡§daily¡¨ and ¡§adoption¡¨. Today, we look at the word ¡§rather¡¨. There are some things that we would ¡§rather¡¨ do than others ¡K AMEN? o I ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

Trust The Lordship Of Christ

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Aug 7, 2006

We say that we believe in God and His plan of salvation through His Son, Jesus. But, do we really trust God? Is our true motto, “In God we nearly trust?”

Trust the Lordship of Christ Philippians 2:10-11 Isaiah 43:2-3 Romans 10:9 How trustworthy are you? Can you be trusted? Has you life been lived in such a way that people naturally trust you? A New York City lab claims to have bottled trust. They say: After showering in the morning simply ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:2-3

Denomination: Free Methodist

Resilience Is A Daily Habit

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Aug 28, 2006

Resilient people take charge of their lives and stop making excuses.

Resilience Is a Daily Habit Hebrews 12:1-3 In Hebrews chapter people are listed who were faithful to God and demonstrated resilience. Hebrews 12 reflects on the heroes of faith and says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: Free Methodist

Energized For Victorious Living

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 5, 2006

Before Jesus ascended into heaven He gave His disciples the promise that He would send the Holy Spirit to fill them and empower them so they could continue His work and ministry on earth.

Energized for Victorious Living “Come Thirsty” John 7:37-39 As we celebrate this Labor Day weekend it’s a good time to reflect on our work. Whatever your work is you should be able to work and bring glory to God. If you’re retired your retirement should be lived to bring glory to God. When ...read more

Scripture: John 7:37-39

Denomination: Free Methodist

What It Means To Be A Committed Leader

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 10, 2006

There are no insignificant ministries in the church. Every person serving in the church make up a network of volunteers for Jesus.

What It Means to be a Committed Leader I Corinthians 3:5-6 This past week I received the following “Christian One Liners” in an e-mail. Don’t let your worries get the best of you; remember, Moses started out as a basket case. Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited until you try to sit ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:5-6

Denomination: Free Methodist

What It Means To Be A Fully Devoted Disciple

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 18, 2006

There is a difference in the life-style of a fully devoted disciple and one who is not fully devoted.

What it Means to be a Fully Devoted Disciple Luke 9:23-26 Luke 9:57-62 There is a difference in the life-style of a fully devoted disciple and one who is not fully devoted. When I think of my life as a new Christian I was like a roller coaster. I was up and down in my spiritual life. I had ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23-26

Denomination: Free Methodist

Barriers And Antidotes To Healthy Relationships

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Nov 15, 2005

Our goal as a congregation is to build healthy relationships so together we can make a greater impact upon our surrounding community.

Barriers and Antidotes to Healthy Relationships Philippians 2:5-11 Romans 12:5 “Christ makes us one body and individuals who are connected to each other.” (God’s Word Translation) For the past month we have been involved in “40 Days of Community.” The goal of our study has been to build healthy ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Free Methodist

Thanksful Living

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Nov 21, 2005

We need times of Thanksgiving to give balance to all the times we face criticism and complaints.

Thankful Living 2 Corinthians 9:11-15 Aren’t you glad we have annual Thanksgiving celebrations? For one thing you can get all the great food you would ever want. You can also watch all the football you would ever want to see. It is also a time to get together with your family and relatives and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:11-15

Denomination: Free Methodist

A Present And Future Kingdom

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 16, 2005

God’s plan from the beginning was for his creation from Adam and Eve to the present day to be part of His Kingdom. From Scripture we discover several facts about the Kingdom of God.

A Present and Future Kingdom Luke 1:26-33 “And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” Luke 1:33 (NLT) Luke’s gospel gives us two historical birth announcements. The first announcement was to elderly Zechariah, with the angel Gabriel informing him that his elderly wife, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-33

Denomination: Free Methodist

Jesus Our Promised Messiah

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 4, 2006

Like John the Baptizer we need to be reminded from time to time that Jesus is our promised Messiah.

Jesus our Promised Messiah Matthew 11:1-6 John the Baptizer was now in prison for preaching about the Kingdom of God. He sent his disciples to ask Jesus question: “Are you really the Messiah we’ve been waiting for, or should we keep looking for someone else?” (Matthew 11:3 NLT) This question ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-6

Denomination: Free Methodist

A Fully Devoted Disciple

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 12, 2006

This message was given at memorial service for a long-time member of the Willow Vale Community Church.

Virgil Lorenz – A Fully Devoted Disciple Memorial Service December 9, 2006 When I reflected on the life and family of Virgil Lorenz there were several scriptures that came to my mind. For the past nine years I have served as Virgil’s pastor and believe that Virgil modeled what a fully devoted ...read more

Scripture: John 3:30

Denomination: Free Methodist

One Stop Shopping

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 24, 2006

There is only one place I know where we can go for one-stop shopping and fill the void in a person’s heart and life. The place is actually a person – Jesus.

“One Stop Shopping” Isaiah 9:1-7 At our stage of life with 4 children and 14 grandchildren Carollyn and I try to keep our Christmas shopping simple. When our children were younger we would race from store to store trying to buy the latest toy for our children. Do any of you remember the Cabbage ...read more

Denomination: Free Methodist

Jesus The True Light Of Christmas

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 24, 2006

Ever since the brightness of heaven flooded the hills of Bethlehem; and the far off twinkling star guided Eastern wise-men to the new born King…Christ has been the Light of the world, and we have celebrated Christmas with colorful lights.

Jesus the True Light of Christmas John 1:1-9 Isaiah 9:1-2 The Apostle John in his Gospel the first chapter gives us a description of the person and work of Jesus Christ. :”In the beginning was the Word, (Jesus) and the Word (Jesus) was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-9

Denomination: Free Methodist