Sermons on Ray Vander Laan:

Stress Can Save Your Life

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Aug 20, 2007

If someone tells you that he is free from all stress or anxiety, he is either a fool or a liar. We all have to learn to live with a certain amount of stress and tension.

Stress Can Save Your Life Psalm 55 Have you heard the Jamaican song: “Don’t Worry, Be Happy!” Can you picture a Jamaican man who is enjoying a stress free life? He lives a life always on vacation. There’s no stress, no concerns, no bills to pay, no children to shuttle from place to place, no ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 55:1-22

Denomination: Free Methodist

What Faith Is

Contributed by Ray Mckendry on Aug 20, 2007

From the Faith Chapter, a reminder that faith comes from hearing God’s word and obeying it.

What Faith Is Heb 11:1-16 Introduction This is the great chapter on faith. It is the greatest example of faith in the whole Bible. In the last few verses of the previous chapter, the writer outlines how the Hebrew Christians in Rome needed to persevere in their faith. “Therefore do not cast away ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

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

Peter - Man Of Bold And Courageous Faith

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jul 13, 2003

In the lives of the Apostles we see them going thorugh some of the same challenges and experiences we go thorugh. Simon Peter denied Jesus before Pentecost but after Pentecost he demonstrated the power of the risen Lord in his life and witness.

Peter – Man of Bold & Courageous Faith John 1:35-42 As we study the life and ministry of the 12 Apostles we see how extra ordinary they are and at the same time how ordinary they are. The twelve Apostles came from various backgrounds. Most were blue color workers laboring as fishermen (James, ...read more

Scripture: John 1:35-42

Denomination: Free Methodist

Blessed Assurance - Evidence #7 Series

Contributed by Ray Scott on Jul 14, 2003

Continuing in our series on the EVIDENCES that give you the ASSURANCE of your salvation ... The TRUE Christian will strive to be more Christ-like in their daily living, and not practice sin.

“BLESSED ASSURANCE” – Evidence #7 – “The Practice Of Righteousness” 1 John 2:28-3:10 INTRODUCTION: We continue in our series on EVIDENCES of salvation that give us the ASSURANCE of salvation. You can’t base your ASSURANCE of salvation on a PAST experience … it may have been COUNTERFEIT. We are ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Ain't God Good!

Contributed by Ray Scott on Jul 14, 2003

God sets the standard for GOODNESS ... He turns badness into GOODNESS. It’s God’s nature to be good. We can trust in the GOODNESS of God.

“Ain’t God Good!” INTRODUCTION: God is good … AMEN? I learned this from childhood. 1.- When I was just a child, my mother taught me a prayer to say at mealtime: “God is great, God is GOOD, let us thank Him for our food. By His hands we all are fed. Give us Lord, our daily bread. Amen.” 2.- ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28, Matthew 19:16-20

Denomination: Baptist

James - Apostle Of Passion

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jul 28, 2003

In serving the Lord you can either look at what you are doing as a ministry or a job. When ministry becomes a job you lose the passion God wants you to possess.

James – Apostle of Passion Luke 9:51-56 In serving the Lord you can either look at what you are doing as a ministry or a job. When ministry becomes a job you lose the passion that God wants you to possess. My first ministry assignment as full-time pastor was in Kansas City, Kansas. I was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:51-56

Denomination: Free Methodist

Blessed Assurance - Evidence #8 Series

Contributed by Ray Scott on Jul 29, 2003

Continuing in our series on the EVIDENCES that give you the ASSURANCE of salvation ... Opposition from the world is evidence of salvation.

BLESSED ASSURANCE – Evidence #8 “Opposition From The World” 1 John 3:11-13 INTRODUCTION: We continue in our SERIES on the EVIDENCES that can give us the ASSURANCE of our salvation. We have seen, so far: EVIDENCE #1 – A TRUE Christian will have a relationship with Jesus. EVIDENCE #2 – A TRUE ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-13

Denomination: Baptist

Blessed Assurance - Evidence #9 Series

Contributed by Ray Scott on Jul 29, 2003

Continuing in our series on EVIDENCES that give you th ASSURANCE of salvation ... Access to the Throne Room of God in prayer gives assurance of salvation.

BLESSED ASSURANCE - Evidence #9 – “Our Prayer Life” – 1 John 3:19-24 INTRODUCTION: We continue in our SERIES on EVIDENCE that gives us the ASSURANCE of our salvation. So far, we have seen: EVIDENCE #1 – A TRUE Christian will desire a relationship with Jesus. EVIDENCE #2 – A TRUE Christian will ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:19-24

Denomination: Baptist

"What If ...?"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Jul 31, 2003

Asking "What if ...?" brings a lot of worry into our life. Instead, ask "Who now?". King Jehoshaphat found the key to giving the battle over to God.

“What If ….?” 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 INTRODUCTION: NOTICE the TITLE of the message this morning. We say this a lot, don’t we? “What if …?” causes a lot of NEEDLESS worry in our lives. I’m guilty of doing this, as I’m sure a lot of you are. We hear it a lot: On September 11, 2001, I received a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

"How To Handle Failure"

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Aug 6, 2003

How a person handles failure can mean the difference between living a life of victory or living a life filled with bitterness, hostility and anger.

The Apostle Paul -How to Handle Failure- 2 Cor. 4:7-9 2 Cor. 11:24-30 Introduction How a person handles failure can mean the difference between living a life of victory or living a life filled with bitterness, hostility and anger. In the first church I served as pastor in Kansas City I got ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-9, 2 Corinthians 11:24-30

Denomination: Free Methodist

Being Optimistic In A Pessimistic World

Contributed by Ray Scott on Aug 7, 2003

We live in a negative world. The Bible is full of positives. In the parable of the Prodigal Son & the Elder Brother, we see both optimism & pessimism.

“Being Optimistic In A Pessimistic World” INTRODUCTION: There are many books on POSITIVE THINKING. The book “The Power Of Positive Thinking” by Norman Vincent Peale was required reading when I was a student at Trinity College. There are all kinds of “helps” out there to help us maintain a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist

Sacrificing My Body

Contributed by Ray Scott on Aug 7, 2003

Paul begs us to present our bodies as a "living sacrifice". This message tells us WHAT that means ... and HOW to do it.

“Sacrificing My Body” Romans 12:1-2 INTRODUCTION: We live in a world where sacrifices are made every day. Soldiers are sacrificing their lives over in Iraq. Mothers making sacrifices for their children. Teachers making sacrifices to teach in our schools. Missionaries sacrificing their time, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Homosexuality And The Church

Contributed by Ray Scott on Aug 13, 2003

The homosexual issue has become an issue in the church. This message deals with this issue from a Biblical perspective.

“Homosexuality And The Church” INTRODUCTION: The issue of “Homosexuality And The Church” has been on the front page of newspapers this past week … and on every newscast. Rev. Gene Robinson has just been elected as the first openly gay Episcopalian Bishop of New Hampshire. This has brought the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 5:20, Leviticus 18:22

Denomination: Baptist

"The Miracle Of Restored Joy"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Aug 19, 2003

Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding brought JOY. This message shows how Jesus can restore JOY to the life of one who has lost the JOY in their Christian life.

“The Miracle Of Restored Joy” John 2:1-11 INTRODUCTION: This AM we are going to start a new series on the highlights in the ministry of Jesus. TONIGHT, we will look at Jesus cleansing the Temple in Jerusalem. SOMETIMES, it seems like we are running on “empty” … AMEN? There are times when we ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:12, John 2:1-11, Psalm 51:1-12

Denomination: Baptist