Sermons on Ray Vander Laan:

For Me To Live Is Christ

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jun 1, 2009

The Apostle Paul lived in the light of eternity. He made decisions based on eternity.

“For Me to Live is Christ” And to die is to Live Again Philippians 1:21 “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” One subject that we don’t enjoy talking about is death. We want to talk about life and having it more abundantly. The Apostle Paul had a different perspective on life and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:21

Denomination: Free Methodist

Hope In The Lord

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jun 1, 2009

Message to High School Youth

Hope In the Lord Psalm 146:5 “Happy are the youth whose hope is in the Lord.” Hope is faith is action. Hope is what gets you through the night when darkness closes in on you. Hope is the belief that you are not permanently in the dark and boxed in with no way out. As you graduate and go to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 146:5

Denomination: Free Methodist

Remember Your Creator In The Days Of Your Youth

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jun 8, 2009

Message given to graduating H.S. Seniors At the Willow Vale Christian School graduation service.

REMEMBER YOUR CREATOR IN THE DAYS OF YOUR YOUTH Ecclesiastes 12:1 “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you say: ‘I find no pleasure in them.” King Solomon gave this advice to the youth of his day. His advice came from ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:1

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Three Cs Of Discipleship

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jun 8, 2009

Becoming a Christ follower is conditional. We have the choice to say, “Yes” or “No” to becoming a disciple of Jesus. Jesus said, “If anyone will come after me…” Jesus gives the invitation and then leaves the choice up to us.

The Three “Cs” of Discipleship Luke 9:23-26 During my twelve years of ministry here the mission of the Willow Vale Church has been: “Bringing people to Jesus, loving, equipping and sending them out to make more and better disciples.” Jesus gave us the mission and purpose of the church ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23-26

Denomination: Free Methodist

Making Room For Christ At Christmas

Contributed by Ray Swift on Dec 2, 2009

Instead of trusting in a stimulus package or a health care reform system that only creates false hope, believers can prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the hope of the world.

FBMB November 29, 2009 Sunday Morning Making Room for Christ at Christmas Luke 2: 36-38 Intro.: I have a big announcement to make this morning. No it’s not about someone being pregnant, it’s not about a sports team going to a bowl game, it’s not a new stimulus package, it’s not about the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:36-38

Denomination: Baptist

The 5 P's Of Sunday School

Contributed by Ray Swift on Dec 2, 2009

An overview of concepts and principles that make up the Sunday School that will keep its focus. Presented in a training session.

FBMB March 6, 2005 Sunday School Training Make Up Session The 5 P’s of Sunday School Intro.: Welcome to the Sunday School training make up session. Welcome teachers and other SS leadership. Welcome to those who are not-yet in SS leadership roles. Your time here today is important and I’m going ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2-5

Denomination: Baptist

Is Right Still Right?

Contributed by Ray Swift on Dec 2, 2009

What does the Bible teach about what is right? Why believers need to know right, learn right and do right?

FBMB February 22, 2009 Sunday Morning “Is Right Still Right?” Daniel 1:8; 3:18 Intro.: Ever since God created man and gave him the ability to think – we have consistently made wrong decisions. From Adam to Abraham, from Moses to Matthew to Mary, from Joseph to Jonah to John. From the Bible to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

This Is My Story

Contributed by Ray Swift on Dec 2, 2009

A message that deals with the change God makes when one gives their life to Christ in faith and the end result of sharing that story with others.

FBMB October 11, 2009 Sunday Morning This Is My Story Deuteronomy 6:23; 9:1 Intro.: Today we continue in our message theme series, “This Is My Story.” Every believer is being encouraged to write their story of how they met Christ and how Christ changed their life. Also want to encourage you to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Finding Strength For The New Year

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 28, 2009

A message on finding strength during times of personal and national crisis and challenge. Given the last Sunday in 2009.

Finding Strength for the New Year Where do you find strength in times of personal and national challenges? Where do you find strength when a member of your family has a pre-mature death? How do you make it through hurtful experiences that are not justified? Last November I attended a church ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 22:1-5

Denomination: Free Methodist

The God Of Beginning Again

Contributed by Ray Swift on Jan 4, 2010

A New Years message that focuses on keeping our eys on the goal and Scripturally managing our time.

FBMB January 3, 2010 Sunday Morning “The God of Beginning Again” Judges 8:4 Intro.: Welcome to 2010. Today we crossed over the threshold for another year. Just as a new year has started I would like to remind you that the God of another year is a God of wonderful and amazing grace. He is the ...read more

Scripture: Judges 8:4

Denomination: Baptist

Thank God It's Monday

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 2, 2008

According to the teachings of scripture all legitimate work is an extension of God’s work.

TGIM -Thank God It’s Monday- Romans 12:1 - Message by Eugene Peterson – “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life – and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Free Methodist

"Train Up: Parent Or Child

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 8, 2008

In raising children we soon come to realize each of our children are unique. We can’t raise our children with a cookie-cutter approach

Training Up: Parents or Children Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” I’m sure there are some Christian parents who would like Proverbs 22:6 to read this way: “Rear your children as moral, upright, God-fearing, church going kids. ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Healing Power Of Hope

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 15, 2008

Hope comes when we see Jesus and hope gives us a fulfilling future.

The Healing Power of Hope Luke 5:12-16 Our scripture text today tells about a man who made an awful discovery. His discovery kept him awake at night. His friends began to notice he was pre-occupied. The man knew what he had to do. He had to make a journey. He told his wife and children not ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:12-16

Denomination: Free Methodist

Chasing The Wind - The Great Adventure

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 23, 2008

he book of Acts is about “Chasing the Wind” (Holy Spirit) and living the great adventure

Chasing the Wind -Living the Great Adventure- Acts 1:4-8, Acts 2:1-2 The book of Acts is about “Chasing the Wind” and living the great adventure. The author of the book of Acts was Luke the physician. He wrote to Theophilus, a Gentile official who became a Christian through the influence of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-4

Denomination: Free Methodist

Strategic Planning - The Missing Step

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 4, 2008

n strategic planning we often forget the missing step of passion.

STRATEGIC PLANNING – THE MISSING STEP John 4:35 – Jesus said, “Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest?’ I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” Zechariah 4:6 – “Not by might, nor by power but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” As we ...read more

Scripture: John 4:35

Denomination: Free Methodist