Sermons on Ray Vander Laan:

Empowered For A Purpose

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Apr 7, 2008

cts 1:4-8 outlines the purpose of Christ’s ascension into heaven and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1 gives the exit strategy of Jesus. Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem until they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. (verse 4)

Empowered for a Purpose Acts 1:4-8 The last chapter of Luke and the first chapter of Acts Dr. Luke testifies to the final words of Jesus and His ascension into heaven. Why didn’t Jesus continue His ministry on earth? He rose from the dead. Why didn’t He continue to lead His disciples in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:4-8

Denomination: Free Methodist

Good News About Trouble Series

Contributed by Ray Waldo on Apr 9, 2008

We are blessed with the "Spirit of Glory and of God" that rests on us when we suffer for Christ. This is a message of encouragement to the Child of God who is going through trials.

Well, we have all had days when it seemed everything went wrong! But I have “Good news about trouble.” - At least for the Child of God. In 1 Peter 4:12-19 we read that trouble is not aways such a bad thing. Peter says that we may be “overjoyed” as a result of our “painful trial.” I recently ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Church Of God

Good News Of Great Joy

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jan 4, 2008

The message of Advent and the birth of Jesus are about joy. Joy is not found in gifts but in the Person, Jesus Christ.

Good News of Great Joy Luke 2:8-20 One of my favorite Christmas Carols is “Joy to the World, the Lord has come.” The message of Advent and the birth of Jesus are about joy. The angel announced to the shepherds: “I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior, yes, the Messiah the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Free Methodist

How A Loving Parent Can Build A Loving Family

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Feb 11, 2008

By studying the lives of Mary and Joseph we can learn how we can build a loving family.

How A Loving Parent Builds a Loving Family Luke 2:41-52 We don’t have a lot of information on the home life of Jesus. From the Biblical account of the home of Jesus we know that his parents were loving and caring parents. From birth to 12 Jesus had both parents at home. Sometime between the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

Denomination: Free Methodist

A Time For Personal Spiritual Renewal

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Feb 19, 2008

The natural drift in our Christian life is toward spiritual dryness, apathy and indifference. When we get into a spiritual rut – a grace with the ends knocked out - we are ready for a time of renewal.

A Time For Personal Spiritual Renewal Matthew 4:1-4 The natural drift in our Christian life is toward spiritual dryness, apathy and indifference. When we get into a spiritual rut – a grace with the ends knocked out - we are ready for a time of renewal. Out natural tendency is to drift from ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-4

Denomination: Free Methodist

Biblical Answer To The Da Vinci Code

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jun 6, 2006

This message endeavors to give Biblical answers to people who have questions about the fact or fiction of the Da Vinci Code.

“What Jesus Would Jesus Say to Dan Brown” -Biblical Answer to the Da Vinci Code- 2 Peter 2:1-3 2 Peter 3:17-18 There’s a lot of talk these days about the “Da Vinci Code”, a best selling book by Dan Brown. The film came out a couple weeks ago and has been seen by hundreds of thousands. Dan ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:17-18

Denomination: Free Methodist

Pursue A Heart Of Compassion And Love

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jun 12, 2006

We are called to walk in the steps of Jesus. Sometimes those steps are not easy, but we know that with each step Jesus is by our side and at times reaches down lifts us up and carries us.

“Pursue A Heart of Compassion and Love” Matthew 9:9-13 John 5:1-9 The call of Jesus to follow Him is not a call to follow him without challenge and adventure. Jesus did not say, “Follow me and I will give you a pain free life.” We are called to walk in the steps of Jesus. Sometimes those ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:13-16

Denomination: Free Methodist

Men Of Courage

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jun 23, 2006

This message is a challenge for men to be salt and light to their families and to the world.

Men of Courage Matthew 5:13-16 Someone has come up with a Men’s Thesaurus. This Thesaurus is helpful for women to better understand men. When a man says: “It would take too long to explain.” He means: “I have no idea how it works.” When a man says: “Take a break, honey, you are working too ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Free Methodist

Unchanging Faith In A Changing World

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 17, 2007

If the Apostles were living today I believe they would see all the advancement in technology as more ways to get the good news of the gospel out to the world.

Unchanging Faith in a Changing World I Peter 3:13-17 If the Apostles were living today I believe they would see all the advancement in technology as more ways to get the good news of the gospel out to the world. Researchers tell us that over 50% of Americans own cell phones, 70% own personal ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-17

Denomination: Free Methodist

Finding God's Treasure

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 12, 2007

The Proverbs writer instructs us to search for wisdom and understanding as if you were searching for hidden treasure.

Finding God’s Treasure -In God’s Word- Proverbs 2:1-8 There was a man called Heinrich Schliemann, who as a boy read a translation of Homer’s account of the defeat of Troy by the Greeks. In the latter part of the last century scholars largely held that Homer’s "Iliad" was entirely fictitious and ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 2:1-8

Denomination: Free Methodist

Life's Greatest Influences

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jul 16, 2007

This message examines scripture that describes Life’s Greatest Influences. Three influences lead people away from God and one influence leads people to God.

Three Verses One -Life’s Greatest Influences- Matthew 13:18-23 This morning I want to examine scripture that describes Life’s Greatest Influences. I’m titled the message, “Three Verses One.” I want us to look at three influences that lead people away from God and one influence that leads people ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:18-23

Denomination: Free Methodist

Get On A Roller Coaster

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Aug 13, 2007

The roller coaster and the Christian life have a lot in common. Both have their ups and downs.

Get on the Roller Coaster -Encouraging Words for New and Growing Christians- I Timothy 1:1-3 The roller coaster and the Christian life have a lot in common. Both have their ups and downs. I enjoy a good roller coaster ride. When our children were growing up I enjoyed riding on the “Blue ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:1-7

Denomination: Free Methodist

Walking With The Risen Christ

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Apr 27, 2004

This message gives part of the Easter story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.

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 catch you eye, “Death Now ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-34

Denomination: Free Methodist

Make Your Life Count

Contributed by Ray Ellis on May 3, 2004

This sermon is about making your life count not just for this brief life but for eternity.

Make Your Life Count -Live to the Glory of God- Ephesians 5:15-20 The scripture passage in Ephesians 5:15-20 reminds me of the motto: Only one life, Will soon be past; Only what’s done for Christ Will last. Every day you are faced with decisions. What will you give your time and energy to? ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-20

Denomination: Free Methodist

"Job At Ground Zero"

Contributed by Ray Scott on May 5, 2004

Job teaches us that God is in control, and that God is good ... all the time!

“Job At Ground Zero” INTRODUCTION: (My thanks to Denn Guptill for his excellent sermon on Job) This A.M. we’re going to look at the life of Job. The Book of Job is probably the OLDEST book in the Bible … written before the Book of Genesis. We don’t know who WROTE the book of Job … or exactly ...read more

Denomination: Baptist