Sermons on Ray Vander Laan:

"The Great White Throne Judgment"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Sep 1, 2004

The judgment of the lost is examined. This is a parallel message to "Welcome To The Christian Olympics", which examines the "Judgment Seat Of Christ".

“The Great White Throne Judgment” INTRODUCTION: This morning, we took a look at what will happen to the SAVED right after the Rapture … AS FAR AS our judgment at “The Judgment Seat Of Christ”. The LOST will also be judged … BUT … at a DIFFERENT judgment. There is NO GENERAL judgment, where the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 20:11-15

Denomination: Baptist

"Be A Barnabas"

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 7, 2004

Everyone needs a Barnabas. We all need someone to come along beside us and give us encouragement. This message encourages every Christian to be a Barnabas.

Be A Barnabas Acts 9:19-30 Everyone needs a Barnabas. We all need someone to come along beside us and give us encouragement from time to time. We don’t need someone to come up to us and give us a litany of everything that is wrong with us. We need people to build us up and encourage us. When ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:19-30

Denomination: Free Methodist

Confront Unknowns

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 13, 2004

The goal of this message is to help the congregation to fact unknowns in the future without fear and with faith in God’s promises.

Confront Unknowns Joshua 1:1-9 These are days around the world when people are learning to confront unknowns. Two hurricanes have hit Florida and a third is on the way. Hundreds of innocent children died at the hands of terrorists in Russia. Warfare continues in the Middle East. Three years ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9

Denomination: Free Methodist

Keeping The Zing In Life

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 14, 2004

Caleb is an example of a senior citizen that kept the zing in life. At 85 he was ready to take on giants for the Lord.

KEEPING THE ZING IN LIFE ZEST Joshua 14:6-15 Romans 12:11 “Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord with enthusiasm.” When I think of ZEST I think of Caleb said to Joshua, “Give me this hill country- Anakites the giants live there – The Lord helping me I will drive them out.” ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-11

Denomination: Free Methodist

Maintaining A Positive Influence And Attitude

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 14, 2004

This message is geared to senion adults to help them maintain a positive attitude in their daily lives.

Keeping the Zing in Life Maintaining a Positive Influence and Attitude Philippians 4:4-9 I learned by the example of my father that a negative attitude brings grief to the family. My dad gave rarely carried on a conversation around the house. What he did say was usually negative. At the supper ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: Free Methodist

"Falling In Love With Jesus"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Sep 15, 2004

Christians are the "Bride of Christ". This message follows that theme, showing our relationship to Jesus, our Groom.

“Falling In Love With Jesus” INTRODUCTION: The theme of our Revival services several weeks ago was “Falling In Love With Jesus”. Today, I want to continue with this theme. Andy Cook touched on the subject of the Christian as the “Bride of Christ”. This concept has been churning in my heart and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-33

Denomination: Baptist

When God's Answer Is "No!"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Sep 15, 2004

God ALWAYS answers our prayers, but sometimes His answer is "NO!". This message deals with how we are to handle God’s "NO!".

“When God’s Answer Is “NO!” NOTE: I first preached this sermon in 1999; I’m not sure where I got the sermon idea, but it may not have been original with me. INTRODUCTION – God ALWAYS answers prayer! SOMETIMES, His answer is YES … sometimes it’s NO … sometimes it’s WAIT … sometimes it’s “You’ve ...read more

Scripture: John 14:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Where Is God When Life Tumbles In?

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 16, 2004

This message is given to give people hope in times of hardships.

Where is God when Life Tumbles In? As Christians how do we cope with tragedy and Crisis? What do we do when life tumbles in? We can face crisis in a number of ways: Unreal Optimism: We can become numb to pain and say, "All is okay." If anything good is going to happen it will happen to me. ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-4

Denomination: Free Methodist

Living Your Life In Control In An Out Of Control World

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 16, 2004

This message tells of personal experiences of the pastor facing personal experiences and how with God’s help he found victory.

Living Your Life in Control in an Out of Control World Daniel 1:6-2:45 Introduction: As I reflect back on my life a time in my life that was out of my control was when my parents separated. When I just happened to be playing at a neighbor’s house several blocks away from our home in Gypsum, KS. ...read more

Denomination: Free Methodist

Honoring God With Our Finances

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 24, 2004

The Apostle Paul is our model in finding financial security. This message declares that Jesus is our most valuable resource.

Honoring God with our Finances Philippians 4:11-13, 18-19 A few of you in the congregation may have lived through the Great Depression of 1929. October 24th, 1929 became known as the Black Thursday. That’s the day when a collapse of the American economy caught most of the country’s financial ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:11-19

Denomination: Free Methodist

Christian Life - Winners Are Finishers

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Aug 2, 2004

The Christian Life is much like a person in training to participate in the Olypic Games in Athens this summer, 2004.

Christian Life – Winners are Finishers -Set a Spiritual Goal- Hebrews 12:1-2 Have you noticed that you sometimes do better when you have people cheering for you as you compete in sporting events? I remember one of the first basketball games I played in when I was Junior High age. My dad was ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Free Methodist

"Are You Ready For The Rapture?"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Aug 6, 2004

Jesus will come ... He will come quickly ... we have a responsibility while we wait ... we are to look for Him with eager anticipation.

“Are You Ready For The Rapture?” INTRODUCTION: I begin this morning a SERIES on “The Rapture”. In the weeks ahead we will take a look at “The Signs of His Coming” … “What Jesus Expects Us To Do Until He Comes” … “What It Will Be Like For The SAVED/LOST Immediately After The Rapture”. Do you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:3-4

Denomination: Baptist

Become A Committed Follower Of Jesus

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Aug 9, 2004

Our lifelong goal is to become more and more like Jesus. Hebrews 12:2 helps us on that journey.

Become a Committed Follower of Jesus Hebrews 12:1-2 Philippians 3:12-14 As we “Go for the gold” in our Christian life our goal is Christ-likeness. The Hebrew writer challenges us to keep the goal before us and not forget it. “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Free Methodist

Turn Life's Challenges Into Positive Life Lessons

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Aug 16, 2004

By the grace of God you can turn your failures and challenges in life into positive life lessons.

Turn Life’s Challenges Into Positive Life Lessons Hebrews 12:1 Introduction: Pastor Ray comes from the back of the church down the aisle with a back pack and carrying a number items including: small TV, tennis racquet, cell phone, etc. I’m sorry I’m late but I am slowed down by the weights I ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: Free Methodist

"Fellowship In The Church"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Aug 17, 2004

Used as a Homecoming message, this sermon examines the 3 objectives of the church: Doctrine, Fellowship, and Prayer.

“Fellowship In The Church” INTRODUCTION: TODAY, we’re going to take a POSITIVE look at the church. Too often, the church gets a “bad rap”. Some people might have a NEGATIVE view of the church. BUT … I don’t see it that way. Have you ever NOT WANTED to come to church? STORY: One Saturday ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42

Denomination: Baptist