Elliot VanRyn

ID 102673Date unavailable

ID 102618Date unavailable

ID 93153Date unavailable

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ID 62279Feb 22, 1978

ID 54221Dec 31, 1998

Mary's devotion to Jesus, exemplified by her anointing of his feet, demonstrates the qualities of worship, fellowship, and sacrifice in a believer's life. The sermon highlights Mary's actions as a response to Jesus' love and foreknowledge of his death, contrasting her costly gift with Judas's criticism and emphasizing that true worship involves giving one's all. This act of sacrifice, though seemingly extravagant, is presented as a fruitful and timely expression of faith that honors Christ and serves as a perpetual memorial. The message concludes by urging listeners to emulate Mary's sacrificial love and present their lives as a living sacrifice to God.

ID 53402Oct 15, 1995

Jesus' prayer in John 17 reveals his deep desire for the unity and sanctification of his followers, not for worldly possessions or health. He prays for those given to him by the Father, asking for their preservation and spiritual growth through truth, so that the world may believe. The sermon emphasizes that true Christian living involves being in the world but not of it, focusing on God's will and the eternal home in heaven rather than worldly pursuits. The ultimate hope is for believers to be with Christ, sharing in his glory and experiencing perfect unity.

ID 53401Oct 14, 1995

Jesus is presented as the Bread of Life, offering eternal sustenance and transformation. The sermon begins with the miracle of feeding the five thousand, illustrating Jesus' power and provision, and then delves into the spiritual meaning of this act, emphasizing that true nourishment comes from believing in Him. The message highlights that just as physical food sustains the body, Jesus' sacrifice and presence sustain the soul, leading to a life of truth, love, and forgiveness, reflecting God's own character. Ultimately, believers are called to partake in this divine sustenance and share it with others, fulfilling God's purpose for humanity.

ID 53388Oct 13, 1995

The profound and unchanging love of God as exemplified by Jesus' interactions with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. It emphasizes that true devotion to Christ involves service, fellowship, and worship, drawing parallels with Abraham's faith. Mary's costly anointing of Jesus' feet demonstrates a selfless act of love and worship, signifying a complete surrender of one's most precious possessions for Him. This act, like the lives of Martha and Lazarus, serves as a model for believers to offer their all to Christ, reflecting His love and presence in their own lives.

ID 52929Sep 17, 1983

Asa's reign exemplifies a life dedicated to pleasing God, marked by courageous reforms and a reliance on divine strength. The sermon highlights Asa's removal of idolatry and his initial trust in the Lord, even against overwhelming odds like the Ethiopian army. However, it also points to his later reliance on human alliances and silver, leading to rebuke and a decline in his later years. The core lesson emphasizes that true righteousness is found in a heart wholly committed to God, not in outward actions or human wisdom, and that consistent obedience is key to experiencing God's enduring favor and rest.

ID 52922Sep 16, 1983

The Book of Philemon serves as a profound illustration of God's plan of salvation, with Philemon representing God the Father, Onesimus the sinner, and Paul the intermediary, Jesus Christ. Onesimus, a runaway slave whose name means 'profitable,' embodies the natural state of humanity as unprofitable and enslaved to sin, having wronged God and being indebted to Him. Paul, acting as a surety, appeals for Onesimus, mirroring Christ's role in reconciling humanity to God by paying the debt of sin. The sermon emphasizes that God, like Philemon, receives sinners not based on their merit but with boundless mercy, urging them to be received 'as myself' and 'forever,' highlighting the transformative power of Christ's atoning sacrifice.

ID 52921Sep 15, 1983

Believers should strive to be examples of Christ by embodying thankfulness, prayerfulness, subjection to God's will, concern for others, and peacemaking, contrasting these virtues with the natural sins of ingratitude, independence, insubjection, indifference, and rebellion. Drawing parallels with the Apostle Paul's life and teachings, the message emphasizes that true Christian living is characterized by a Christ-like spirit that influences others. The sermon concludes by urging listeners to embrace these Christ-like qualities, reflecting God's love and purpose in their lives.

ID 52916Sep 14, 1983

Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, uses his own imprisonment and the example of Onesimus to illustrate the nature of Christian bondage and freedom. He emphasizes that believers are prisoners of Christ, not of earthly powers, and that this position, though seemingly a reproach, can lead to profound spiritual fruitfulness. The sermon highlights that while circumstances, sin, and our bodies can hold us captive, Christ's redemptive work offers true liberation and purpose, even within confinement. Ultimately, being a prisoner of Christ means being held securely by Him, with the assurance that He controls all circumstances for the furtherance of the gospel.

ID 52903Sep 13, 1983

The profound nature of love as exemplified in the New Testament, particularly through the Apostle Paul's letter to Philemon. It begins by emphasizing that God's love for humanity is the foundation for our capacity to love others, drawing parallels between God's love for us and our love for Him and fellow believers. The message highlights five expressions of love within the book of Philemon: Paul's love for Philemon, Philemon's love for Jesus, Philemon's love for all saints, and Paul's compassionate love for Onesimus, a runaway slave. Ultimately, the sermon concludes that love, as the singular fruit of the Spirit, is demonstrated through obedience and sacrifice, serving as the most convincing witness to Christ's followers.

ID 52877Sep 12, 1983

The book of Philemon illustrates God's grace in receiving repentant sinners, mirroring the father's embrace of the prodigal son. The sermon emphasizes the significance of Christian fellowship, using the Greek word 'koinonia' to highlight five aspects: fellow laborers in God's work, fellow soldiers in spiritual warfare, the sharing of faith, walking together in agreement, and being fellow prisoners in Christ. True fellowship involves mutual support, obedience to God, and active participation in ministry, leading to spiritual growth and resilience against life's challenges.

ID 52411Nov 6, 1979

The marks of true greatness in the church and individual life are rooted in God's original intent and first principles. The early church, as depicted in Acts 2, demonstrated greatness through reverential fear of God, profound grace and benevolence towards others, and a powerful dependence on the Holy Spirit. This reverence stems from a proper understanding of God's holiness, while grace is expressed through selfless love and generosity, exemplified by Christ's sacrifice. True power arises from prayer and submission to Christ as the head of the church, enabling believers to be light and love in the world, reflecting God's manifold wisdom and drawing others to salvation.

ID 52404Nov 4, 1979

The book of Joshua, whose name is equivalent to Jesus, signifies the transition from the law given by Moses to the grace and truth brought by Jesus Christ. While the law revealed sin and could not bring people into blessing, Jesus leads believers into their spiritual inheritance. This inheritance, detailed in Ephesians, is not earthly but heavenly, encompassing all spiritual blessings. Possessing this inheritance requires actively stepping out in faith, as God has already provided it, and overcoming spiritual enemies that seek to hinder enjoyment of these blessings. The sermon concludes by emphasizing that believers are not under the law but are united with Christ, fulfilling the law through love and living by the Spirit, thereby possessing their spiritual inheritance.

ID 52382Nov 4, 1979

The church is built by Christ, and believers are called to be builders with Him, adding to and subtracting from the body as God directs. In Matthew 16, Jesus declares He will build His church upon the rock of Himself, and in Matthew 18, He outlines the process for church discipline and forgiveness, emphasizing that believers are given authority to bind and loose. The sermon highlights that God's building process involves both adding living stones to the spiritual house and subtracting those who cause division or refuse correction, as seen in the early church in Acts. Ultimately, the security of salvation rests not on human effort but on Christ's finished work and His intercession, and the church is called to maintain purity through faithful discipline and unlimited forgiveness, reflecting God's own character.

ID 52318Sep 14, 1977

The early church, as exemplified in Acts 2:41, was characterized by a joyful and steadfast commitment to apostolic doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. This foundational period highlights the importance of conviction of sin, conversion of life, and confession of faith, leading to baptism and a new life empowered by the Holy Spirit. The believers demonstrated unity, generosity, and purity of heart, selling possessions to meet the needs of others and continuing in their faith with gladness. This initial flourishing of the church, marked by wonders and signs, serves as a model for contemporary Christian communities, emphasizing consistent adherence to biblical teachings and active participation in communal worship and service.

ID 52265Sep 13, 1977

Jesus Christ is the living stone and sure foundation upon which the church is built, as revealed by God to Peter. The sermon explores the significance of Peter's confession at Caesarea Philippi and contrasts the church's foundation in Christ with human interpretations, emphasizing that believers are living stones built into a spiritual house. The core lesson highlights that the church, comprised of a chosen generation, royal priesthood, holy nation, and peculiar people, exists to show forth God's praises and live out His will through faith and submission to His Word. The message concludes by urging believers to live as a unified body, separated from the world, and to anticipate Christ's return, thereby purifying themselves and effectively witnessing to His marvelous light.

ID 52264Sep 12, 1977

Begins by examining the Apostle Paul's unique ministry concerning the Gospel and the Church, highlighting his epistles to the Romans and Ephesians as foundational texts. It then transitions to the seven churches addressed in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, noting Ephesus as the only church mentioned in both Paul's epistles and Christ's address. The message emphasizes the importance of Christ's estimate of our spiritual condition, using Ephesus as a case study of a church outwardly faithful but having left its first love. The core lesson is that while God knows our works, our relationship with Him is paramount, and a departure from first love necessitates repentance to maintain the effectiveness of our witness. The sermon concludes by urging believers to maintain an exclusive, expulsive, expensive, excessive, extensive, and expressed love for Christ, reflecting His love for us.

ID 52258Sep 11, 1977

Submission to God's will is the key to blessing, as exemplified by Christ's suffering and obedience. It highlights Christ's example of suffering for righteousness' sake, urging believers to follow His steps. It also draws parallels to submission within the home, referencing Sarah's obedience to Abraham as an example for wives, and emphasizes the role of elders as shepherds who feed and care for God's flock, not by constraint but willingly. The central lesson is that humility and submission to God's ordained order are essential for spiritual growth and fruitful living, leading to a crown of glory.

ID 52222Sep 11, 1977

The profound significance of Jesus Christ as presented in the Gospel of John, highlighting seven key "signs" that reveal his glory and divine nature. Beginning with the miracle at the wedding in Cana, where Jesus transforms water into wine, the message illustrates the beginning of his public ministry and the manifestation of his power. It then moves through other signs, such as the healing of the nobleman's son and the feeding of the five thousand, to demonstrate Jesus' provision, power, and presence in various aspects of life, including home, personal, and assembly life. The sermon emphasizes that these signs are not mere miracles but point to Jesus as the resurrection and the life, offering hope and eternal life to believers. Ultimately, John's Gospel is presented as a powerful testament to Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, through whom one can receive life.

ID 52215Sep 9, 1977

The importance of fellowship and perseverance in the Christian life, drawing from Philippians chapter one. It highlights that God's work in believers will be completed, even amidst trials and suffering. The message encourages believers to actively participate in sharing the gospel, support its furtherance, and live lives that reflect its truth, trusting that God works all things for good, even difficult circumstances. The ultimate conclusion is that God's faithfulness ensures the completion of His work in us, and our response should be to continue striving together for the faith of the gospel.

ID 51646Mar 17, 1987

The profound significance of the term "brother" within the Christian faith, drawing heavily from the Epistle to Philemon. It highlights how Paul, Timothy, and Philemon exemplify this brotherhood, with Onesimus's transformation from an unprofitable slave to a "brother beloved" serving as a central example. The message underscores that true Christian identity transcends earthly titles and social status, as all believers are equal children of God, united by Christ's sacrifice. Ultimately, it calls for extending forgiveness and love, reflecting God's own mercy, and living out the profitable life of a beloved brother in Christ.

ID 51519Mar 15, 1987

True redemption and worthiness are found solely in the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, not in human works or merit. This is illustrated through the story of David's men risking their lives for water, which David poured out as an offering, recognizing that only God was worthy. The gospel is for the poor in spirit, those who recognize their need, and the significance of the blood is critiqued in modern theology. Believers are called to recognize Christ's supreme worthiness and dedicate their lives in response to His sacrifice.

ID 108753Mar 15, 1987

True redemption and worthiness are found solely in the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ, not in human merit or effort. It illustrates this through the story of David's men risking their lives for water, which David poured out to the Lord, recognizing only God's worthiness. The message contrasts this with the rejection of Christ's blood in some modern denominations and emphasizes that salvation is a gift received by faith, particularly for the poor and humble. Ultimately, it calls believers to recognize Christ's ultimate worthiness and dedicate their lives to His service, reflecting His sacrificial love.