Sermons on Ray Vander Laan:

"What Are The Signs Of The Last Days?"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Aug 17, 2004

To see the soon return of our Lord, we just need to look at what the visible church, the established church will be like just before the Rapture.

“What Are The Signs Of The Last Days? 2 Timothy 3:1-5 INTRODUCTION: We CONTINUE our series on “The Rapture”. Sunday Morning, we saw that Jesus is coming … He is coming quickly … AND … it could be SOON. In the meantime, we have a RESPONSIBILITY, as we await His return with JOYOUS ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

"Immediately After The Rapture - The Saved"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Aug 19, 2004

Continuing in a series on "The Rapture" ... This message answers the question "What is in store for the Christian immediately after the Rapture?"

“Immediately After The Rapture – The SAVED” INTRODUCTION: Read 1 Corinthians 15:50-53 One day, a great event is going to take place … the RAPTURE of the Church. Jesus Christ will return, and take His Church … His Bride … all the saved … back home to be with Him forever. It could happen at any ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

"Immediately After The Rapture - The Lost"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Aug 19, 2004

Continuing in the series on "The Rapture" ... this message deals with the question "What will happen to the lost, immediately after the Rapture?"

“Immediately After The Rapture – The LOST” INTRODUCTION: Read 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12. This morning, we saw what is in store to the Christian immediately after the Rapture. We saw that the chief activity in Heaven will be WORSHIP around the Throne of God. Heaven will be PERFECT … AND … we will ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:1

Denomination: Baptist

"Revival Prayer"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Aug 26, 2004

A message preached on the eve of Revival Services, to prepare for true Revival. Pray is the key to Revival. What do we need to pray for God to revive in our hearts?

“Revival Prayer” INTRODUCTION: What is the FORMULA for REVIVAL? Prayer, Prayer, Prayer! It’s OK to pray for REVIVAL for this CHURCH … for a broader ministry … a deeper commitment … closer fellowship. BUT … all these are BY-PRODUCTS of a PERSONAL revival. SOMETIMES … we pray to straighten out ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-26

Denomination: Baptist

God's Guide Book For Life

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 14, 2003

The Bible, the Word of God, is God’s Guide Book for Life. Is the Bible reliable? Will it give you the right direction?

God’s Guide Book for Life -How Reliable is the Bible? – Psalm 119:105 – “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Isaiah 40:6-8 “A voice says, ‘Cry out,’ and I said, ‘What shall I cry?’ ‘All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field, the grass ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:105, Isaiah 40:6-8

Denomination: Free Methodist

Finding And Keeping Joy In A Joyless World

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 17, 2003

Thanksgiving reminds us to choose a life of praise and thanksgiving. A life of praise and thanksgiving means the difference between a life of optimism or a life of pessimism.

Finding and Keeping Joy in a Joyless World Psalm 100 As we approach a day set aside for national Thanksgiving God’s Word reminds us that we need to give God heartfelt thanksgiving. Thanksgiving from your heart is the way to find and keep joy in your life. On December 4, 1619 38 English settlers ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5

Denomination: Free Methodist

Living In A Lions Den Without Being Eaten

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 17, 2003

We find helpful foundational teachings in Daniel 5 and 6 to help us survive attacks of our enemy. Who is our primary enemy: The Bible says, Satan goes about like a roaring lion."

Living in the Lions Den Without Being Eaten Daniel 5:1-6:28 Has there been a time in your life you felt you were under attack? One of the times in my life and family that I experienced attacks from evil happened when I was pastor of the FMC in Taylor, Michigan. (Myrtle Hannah) We find helpful ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 5:1-2

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Local Church - God's Missionary People

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 20, 2003

The DNA of the Local Church is made up of core values, vision and mission. If someone were to walk up to a member of the church and ask: "What is the mission of this church?" What would you answer be?

The Local Church – God’s Missionary People CHURCH SIGNS The best vitamin for a Christian is B1." "Soul food served here." "Tithe if you love Jesus! Anyone can honk!" "Beat the Christmas rush, come to church this Sunday!" "Don’t wait for the hearse to take you to church." "Don’t give up. Moses ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:12-13, Matthew 5:14-16

Denomination: Free Methodist

"Don't Lose Your Key"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Oct 21, 2003

Every Christian has a "key" of the gospel ... that will unlock the door to the Kingdom of Heaven. We need to use it through the proclamation of the Word of God.

“Don’t Lose Your Key” Matthew 16:13-20 INTRODUCTION: We continue in our series on ‘Great Events In The Life And Ministry Of Jesus’. Jesus is getting closer to the cross – 16:21 Jesus wants the Disciples to see how far they’ve come … SO … He asks – 16:15 o If they are going to establish the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

"Jacob - The Man Who Wrestled With God"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Oct 21, 2003

In Jacob, we see that we wrestle with the same problems as he does. We have the same weaknesses. And, God has the same lessons for us.

“Jacob – The Man Who Wrestled With God” INTRODUCTION: It’s interesting to study the people of the Bible. We find out that they’re not much different than we are. They dressed different … ate different things … different culture … different times … BUT … the same in so many ways. We can SEE ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

"Transfigured With Christ"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Nov 5, 2003

This message takes a practical look at the Transfiguration, and gleans lessons for Christian living.

“Transfigured With Christ” Matthew 17:1-8 INTRODUCTION: We continue in our series on ‘Great Events In The Life And Ministry Of Jesus”. This is one of the greatest, and perhaps one of the most complex, occurrences in the life of Christ. There are several ways we can look at the Transfiguration. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

"From Failure To Faith"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Nov 5, 2003

There is a connection between POWER and PRAYER. When even limited faith is focused on the power of Jesus, He can do great things in your life.

“From Failure To Faith” Mark 9:14-29 INTRODUCTION: We continue in our series on ‘Great Events In The Live And Ministry Of Christ’. Jesus had just come from the mountain-top experience of the Transfiguration (last Sunday’s message). Jesus had allowed his glory to shine through, as He and the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:14-29

Denomination: Baptist

Happy Are The Youth Whose Hope Is In The Lord

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jun 13, 2005

This is a message given on a Sunday morning speaking primarily to youth graduating from High School. The goal of the message is to provide hope for the future for all in the congregation.

Happy are the Youth Whose Hope is in the Lord Psalm 146:5 “Happy is the man/youth whose hope is in the Lord.” For you that are older, do you remember how you felt when you graduated from High school? Did you experience excitement and hope for the future? Or did you feel hopeless about your ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 146:5, Jeremiah 29:11, Jeremiah 29:10

Denomination: Free Methodist

God Calls Men To Be Spiritual Leaders

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jun 20, 2005

The greatest legacy a father can pass on to his family is a spiritual legacy -- A legacy that honors Jesus as Lord and keeps the commandments of the Lord.

God Calls Men to be Spiritual Leaders Psalm 78:1-8 Thanks to Mother’s Day we have a special day we celebrate the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. The idea of honoring fathers began in Spokane, Washington when Sonora Smart Dodd heard a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909. Sonora was raised by her ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 78:1-8

Denomination: Free Methodist

Living The Life You Were Meant To Live

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jan 19, 2004

God does have a plan for every person He creates. Jeremiah the prophet gave this promise from the Lord: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, "plans to propser you andnot to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:

Living the Live You Were Meant to Live Proverbs 16:14 “The Lord has made everything for His own Purpose.” Introduction January 11th Garfield Comic strip – Jim Davis The Garfield comic strip portrays a common Philosophy of Life. Garfield’s owner, “I gotta do something with my life.” Garfield ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 16:4

Denomination: Free Methodist