Sermons on Ray Vander Laan:

Let's Go Fishing

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jun 14, 2010

Are you really following Jesus if you're not fishing?

Let’s Go Fishing Matthew 4:19 “Jesus said, ‘Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Today we are going fishing. Let’s sing the children’s chorus: “I will make you fishers of men, fisher of men………” “If you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-22

Denomination: Free Methodist

Walking With The Risen Christ

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jun 14, 2010

The two disciples on the way to Damascus as part of the Easter story.

Walking with the Risen Christ Luke 24:1-7 Luke 24:13-34 Suppose you were in Jerusalem A.D. 30. You purchased the Jerusalem Daily News, the edition is labeled, “Extra.” The startling big type headline reads, “Nazarene’s Tomb found Empty.” One of the column captions ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-34

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Gospel

Contributed by Ray Swift on Jun 17, 2010

As the GCRTF meets to bring its report to the SBC, churches need to evaluate their own resurgence for the Great Commission.

FBMB June 13, 2010 Sunday Evening The Gospel Romans 1:16-17: I Corinthians 15:1 Intro.: This week messengers from 44,000 SBC churches will be meeting in Orlando, Fl for the national southern Baptist convention. A major part of the conventions business is to hear a report from the Great Commission ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

There's No Place Like Home Series

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jul 13, 2010

Message on the hope of heaven for a believer who received Christ in the last months of his life.

There’s No Place Like Home John 14:1-3 - Jesus said, “Don’t be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly. When everything is ready, I will ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Denomination: Free Methodist

How To Be A Great Father

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jul 13, 2010

Father's Day Message to encourage fathers to be great husbands and have an encouraging relationship with their children.

How To Become A Great Father On what day are the most telephone calls made? On Mother’s Day! On Father’s Day there are the most collect calls. Gordon Dalbey, author of “Healing of the Masculine Soul,” tells of a Catholic Nun working in a prison. She was asked by a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

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

Thanksgiving - Anticipate Joy

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Nov 22, 2010

To live a life of joy we need to daily practice thanksgiving and praise. "My mouht is filled with Your praise...all day long." Psalm 71:8

Thanksgiving – Anticipate Joy Psalm 100:4 “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.” This morning when we came into the Light and Life Church did we practice this verse. Do we come to worship with hearts filled ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-4

Denomination: Free Methodist

Christmas Is ... Jesus

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 26, 2011

Christmas is Jesus – God’s Gift to Us. God’s gift of His Son provides a new start in life for all who believe and follow Jesus.

Christmas Is Jesus John 3:16 Luke 2:1-20 Do you have family traditions at Christmas time? When our children were at home we read the Christmas story before opening presents. Last week at L.A. Fitness I asked several people if they read the Christmas story on Christmas Day. One gentleman said ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Free Methodist

Four Men Of Faith And Action

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jun 7, 2011

Bringing people to Jesus is a partnership. We encourage one another to witness and tell the good news to others about Jesus and His forgiving power. Jesus alone can forgive sin.

Four Men of Faith Mark 2:1-12 One of the challenges we have in witness to people who have not yet become believers is to communicate in a language they understand. Sometimes our tendency is to use language of the church, “Christianize.” Words like regeneration, propitiation, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Free Methodist

Truth Sets You Free

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jun 7, 2011

When you read and study the bible you can have the confidence you are studying the very Word of God. The Bible is about a person, Jesus Christ the Messiah and Savior of the world. The Word, Jesus, became flesh and dwelt among us.

Truth Sets You Free John 8:32 “You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.” On this Memorial Day weekend we affirm that we are a nation under God and freedom is worth fighting and dying for. When we pledge allegiance to the American flag we believe we are a nation ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-36

Denomination: Free Methodist