Sermons on Ray Vander Laan:

The Joy Of A Forgiven Heart

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 4, 2004

Psalm 32 is a clear passage of Scripture dealing with hidden and secret sins that need to be confessed. Five "Cs" are used as an outline for the message.

The Joy of a Forgiven Heart Psalm 32 Psalm 32 sings out the “Joys of a Forgiven Heart.” King David wrote the psalm as an expression of his thankfulness for God’s grace in providing the gift of forgiveness. Both Psalm 32 and 51 reflect on King David moral failure. The background for the Psalm ...read more

Denomination: Free Methodist

Loving God More In The New Year

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jan 1, 2006

Sermon given on January 1, 2006 to challenge the congregation to love God more in the New Year.

Loving God More in the New Year Matthew 22:34-39 Interviews and polls taken in America reveal that a high percentage of Americans, 85%, say they believe in God or a higher power. If you walked downtown on the streets of San Jose and asked the question – “What do you believe about God?” You ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-39

Denomination: Free Methodist

Prepare For Easter With Three Words

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Apr 6, 2009

This message helps us prepare to celebrate the greatest week of the year, Holy Week. Three stages of Christ’s life are reviewed: His Life, HIs Death and His Victory in the resurrection

Prepare for Easter with Three Words I Corinthians 15:1-8 A denominational leader was also serving as pastor. One of his jobs was to travel to little rural communities where they didn’t have churches and conduct funeral services. He would go out with a funeral director and they would drive to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

Denomination: Free Methodist

Jesus Is Alive: Live To Honor Him

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Apr 7, 2009

There are several practical questions and guidelines we can use to help us determine whether certain activities are right or wrong.

Christ is Alive: Live For Him - Live to honor and please the Lord- I Corinthians 15:12-20, 56-58 I Corinthians 6:18-20 II Corinthians 6:17-18 Jesus is alive and living today. We should live to honor and please the Lord. We all need guidelines to live by. God’s Word is our manual for life. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:17-18

Denomination: Free Methodist

Insights Into Successfl Parenting

Contributed by Ray Ellis on May 4, 2009

The foundation for successful families is based on how adequately parents teach their children the commandments of God.

“Insights Into Successful Parenting” Deuteronomy 6:1-9 Someone has collected some interesting prayers given by children. 1. Dear God, Thank you for the baby brother but what I asked for was a puppy. I never asked for anything before. You can look it up. Joyce 2. Dear God, is it true my Father ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:1-9

Denomination: Free Methodist

Jesus Is Life And Light

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 22, 2008

The Apostle John in the fourth Gospel has a lot to say about Jesus being both “Life” and “Light.” John 1:4 “In him was life, and that life was the light of men.”

Jesus is Life & Light John 1:1-5 Carollyn and I spent Thanksgiving this year with our son Tim and his family in Garden Grove, CA. The day after Thanksgiving we traveled in the evening to Riverside, CA to attend the Festival of Lights. The Mission Inn Hotel in Riverside, CA. has sponsored the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-5

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Greatest Life Of All

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 22, 2008

Ever since the announcement of the angel to the shepherds announced that Jesus was good news of great joy, we have been singing about the “Joy” that Jesus brings.

The Greatest Life of All -A Life of Joy- Luke 2:9-14 The angel of the Lord gave a reassuring word to the shepherds: “Don’t be afraid! I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David.” Luke 2:10-11 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:9-14

Denomination: Free Methodist

Mothers Gifted By God

Contributed by Ray Ellis on May 11, 2009

As a woman, single, married, mother, widow you can possess the joy of being alive. God has given your gifts to serve Him and make an impact on your family and community.

Mothers Gifted by God 2 Timothy 1:3-7 Genesis 2:15-25 Today is a special day for all of us to remember our Mothers. For some of us the memories are pleasant and for others not so pleasant. Young Timothy in our Scripture text had the advantage of a Godly heritage. Both his mother and his ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:3-7

Denomination: Free Methodist

A Great Gift You Can Give"

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 6, 2007

Wise men brought gifts and presented them to Jesus. We celebrate Christmas by giving gifts to family and friends. I want to suggest a great gift you can give this Christmas to your family, "A Christ Honoring Attitude."

A Great Gift You Can Give Matthew 2:9-11 - “Once again the star appeared to them, guiding them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house where the child and his mother, Mary, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:7

Denomination: Free Methodist

Paul's Story Can Become Your Story

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Mar 19, 2007

Many of the teachings of Jesus were in the form of stories. There is power in a story. Everyone has a story. If given a chance everyone likes to tell his/her story.

Paul’s Story Can Become Your Story -Journey to the Cross and Beyond- Acts 9:1-6 Many of the teachings of Jesus were in the form of stories. There is power in a story. Everyone has a story. If given a chance everyone likes to tell his/her story. There are some words that when you hear them, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-9

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Rebel Son And The Loving Father

Contributed by Ray Mckendry on Mar 19, 2007

Jesus’ purpose is to teach us that we have become lost in sin through our own wilful actions and that God has loved us back to Himself.

The Rebel Son and the Loving Father THE MESSAGE: Lk 15:11 “Then he said, ‘There was once a man who had two sons. 12 The younger said to his father, “Father, I want right now what’s coming to me.” 13 It wasn’t long before the younger son packed his bags and left for a distant country. There, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist

People Of The Word

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jan 3, 2005

Why don’t more people take time to read and study God’s Word. This coming year let’s make Jesus our model. Become a "People of the Word."

People of the Word -Let the Word of Christ Dwell in your richly- Colossians 3:16-17 Our model for Christian growth is Jesus. Jesus grew “in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52) Throughout his life Jesus sought guidance from scripture and obeyed the written Word of ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:16-17

Denomination: Free Methodist

Gifts That Are Not Soon Forgotten"

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jan 3, 2005

The Birth of Christ is about God gift of salvation in the person of Jesus, His only begotten Son. Gifts that we give and receive at Christmas are often forgotten, but the gifts that surround the birth of Jesus are gifts that cannot be forgotten.

“Gifts That Are Not Soon Forgotten” Luke 2:8-20 The Birth of Christ is about God gift of salvation in the person of Jesus, His only begotten Son. Gifts that we give and receive at Christmas are often forgotten, but the gifts that surround the birth of Jesus are gifts that cannot be forgotten. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Free Methodist

What's Good About Good Friday

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Apr 2, 2007

Palm Sunday to Good Friday is 5 days. One Third of the combined narratives of the four Gospels describes the last week of Christ’s life, His death, and resurrection.

“What’s Good About Good Friday?” John 12:12-19 John 19:16-22 This Sunday represents the beginning of Holy Week. Palm Sunday to Good Friday is 5 days. One Third of the combined narratives of the four Gospels describes the last week of Christ’s life, His death, and resurrection. John ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-19

Denomination: Free Methodist

What Can You Do With Talking Rocks?

Contributed by Ray Mckendry on Apr 2, 2007

That the Person of the revealed Messiah calls us to decide to follow the crowd and the Pharisees or to follow Him in praise, worship and service.

What Can You Do With Talking Rocks? Sermon for 1 April 2007 “Then, as He (Jesus) was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying: ’Blessed is the King who ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:29-40

Denomination: Baptist