Sermons on Ray Vander Laan:

Longing For The Lord

Contributed by Ray Searan on Feb 13, 2006

David was piled with problems. He was on the run. He was alone and discouraged. This was his personal “ground zero.” He’s been where some of you are today. Let’s listen in as he longs for the Lord in the midst of his troubles.

Longing for the Lord Text: Psalm 42:1-11; 1AS THE hart pants and longs for the water brooks, so I pant and long for You, O God.2My inner self thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? 3My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Four Keys To Experiencing Joy In Your Relationships

Contributed by Ray Searan on Feb 18, 2006

The Apostle Paul demonstrates in these six verses, four very simple, yet important ingredients to experiencing joy in any relationship.

Text: Philippians 1:3-8 (NASB) Introduction: Tonight we will be examining a brief portion of scripture from the book of Philippians. This book was the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Christians that were living at Philippi. When Paul wrote this book, as he was inspired by the Holy Ghost, he was ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How To Rub People The Right Way

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Feb 21, 2006

There are some people everyone enjoys being around. They are people who give encouragement. This message uses Barnabas an example of how to be an encourager.

“How To Rub People the Right Way” -Develop Winning Attitudes Acts 4:36-37 There are some people everyone enjoys being around. They are people who give encouragement. To learn how to become an encourager we can look at the life of an early church leader that from the beginning of his ministry to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:36-37

Denomination: Free Methodist

Does God's Love Make A Difference In The Home

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Feb 27, 2006

The family and home are under attack today. All families experience stress and distress due to work schedules and various activities at school, at work and at church. We need to ask the question. Does the love of God make a difference in the home?

The Difference God’s Love Makes in the Home Romans 16:3-5 I Corinthians 13 The family and home are under attack today. All families experience stress and distress due to work schedules and various activities at school, at work and at church. We need to ask the question. Does the love of God ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-14

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

A New Year's Example For The Church Of The Living God

Contributed by Ray Searan on May 2, 2005

As we approach another New Year in a few days, many of us will continue a tradition that we have followed for hundreds of years. I am referring to the practice of making New Year’s resolutions. I am not going to tell you that whether or not you make New Y

A New Year’s Example for the Church of Jesus Christ Text: Ezra 7:10 (KJV) 10For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. Ezra 7:10 (Amplified Bible) 10For Ezra had prepared and set his heart to seek the Law of the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 7:10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Marriage Covenant - Fanning The Flame

Contributed by Ray Ellis on May 5, 2005

A Christian Marriage is more than a contract. It is acovenant commitment. It is a solemn promise.

Marriage Covenant – Fanning the Flame Ephesians 5:21-33 Christian marriage is more than a contract. It is a covenant commitment. A covenant is an agreement between two parties. It is a solemn promise. God made a covenant with Noah in Genesis 6:18. If Noah was obedient and built an ark God ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:21-33

Denomination: Free Methodist

Three Sides To A Man Named Abraham

Contributed by Ray Searan on May 7, 2005

The Bible is filled with people who, if we examine their lives carefully, can be fantastic examples of faith and Christian characters for all believers. Abraham, the Father of Faith, is just one of these people.

Introduction: The Bible is filled with people who, if we examine their lives carefully, can be fantastic examples of faith and Christian characters for all believers. Abraham, the Father of Faith, is just one of these people. As we examine the life of Abraham, we can and will see that all of us ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:1-33

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Power Of Positive Mothers

Contributed by Ray Ellis on May 9, 2005

This message gives four common qualities of positive mothers.

The Power of a Positive Mother Proverbs 14:1 “The wise woman builds her house; a foolish woman tears hers down with her own hands.” (NLT) Proverbs 31:25-26, 28 “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 14:1

Denomination: Free Methodist

Parenting-Opportunities To Bless Your Family

Contributed by Ray Ellis on May 16, 2005

Regardless of your family situation you have hope. You can experience God’s blessing in your family.

Parenting - Opportunities to Bless Your Family Colossians 3:18-21 Proverbs 22:6 After raising four children and now have fourteen grandchildren I can give you three words for successful parenting, “It is Tough.” For single people two words, “Get Ready.” No one with children says parenting is ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:18-21

Denomination: Free Methodist

Applying God's Love To Your Home"

Contributed by Ray Ellis on May 24, 2005

This message tells how to apply God’s love to the home and family using the teachings found in I Corinthians 13.

The Most Excellent Way -Applying God’s Love to your Home and Life- I Corinthians 13 I John 4:7-11 During the month of May we have been focusing on the home and family. The family is the most important unit in our society. As the family goes do goes the nation. Everyone is part of a family. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

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

Characteristics Of A Missional Church

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Nov 13, 2006

The early church described in Acts 2 is a model for churches today. It was a Missional Church.

Characterists of a Missional Church Acts 2:41-47 What has been your experience in attending church? Has your experience been pleasant and exciting or boring and frustrating? My first memory of church was the small church located across the street from our house in Gypsum, Kansas. On Sunday ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Positive Side Of Doubt

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 4, 2006

There is a positive side of doubt. When doubts push us to study and examine why we believe what we believe the searching can help us grow spiritually.

The Positive Side of Doubt -How Doubts can help you grow spiritually- Apostle’s Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:2-4

Denomination: Free Methodist