In Sermons: showing 1-15 of 22

The Real Face Of The Persecuted

Contributed by Darryl Ward on May 22, 2017

What does it really mean to be persecuted for following Jesus today?

Two and a half years ago, Florida charity worker Arnold Abbott made world headlines when he was arrested. His crime? Feeding the homeless. Arnold, who was ninety at the time, had been helping prepare hundreds of meals every week since 1990. In 1991, he founded the Maureen A. Abbott Love Thy ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-22

Denomination: Anglican

On Earth As It Is In Heaven

Contributed by Darryl Ward on May 15, 2017

A sermon about the realisation of God's kingdom.

A short novel I would recommend to anyone who is interested in pondering the mysteries of theology and spirituality is Flatland by Edwin A. Abbot, an English schoolteacher, theologian, and priest, which was first published in 1884. Flatland is set in a two-dimensional universe, where everyone and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-14

Denomination: Anglican

Whose Side Are We On?

Contributed by Darryl Ward on Apr 9, 2017

Sermon for Palm Sunday

Most of you will remember the 1981 Springbok Tour. For those here who were not living in Aotearoa New Zealand at the time, or were yet born, this was a time of tremendous social upheaval, which arose over a tour by the South African rugby team. Back then, South Africa was an international pariah, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Denomination: Anglican

God Is Not A Vending Machine

Contributed by Darryl Ward on Mar 26, 2017

Sermon about faith and doubt

Once upon a time, there was a torrential downpour on the Kapiti Coast. The Waikanae River burst its banks. Waikanae, Otaihanga, and Paraparaumu Beach were beset by sudden flooding. And a very religious man found himself becoming trapped. As the waters began lapping around his deck, his neighbour ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:24-34

Denomination: Anglican

Ordinary Acts Of Grace

Contributed by Darryl Ward on Mar 26, 2017

Sermon about ministry amongst the marginalised

During our lives, we encounter some people who make such indelible impressions on us that we are never quite the same again. And one person who had a profound impact on my outlook on life was my friend Sam. Like most of my friends back in the day, Sam was far from conventional. She defiantly ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10, Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Anglican

Meeting The Christ On The Margins

Contributed by Darryl Ward on Mar 26, 2017

Sermon about ministry amongst the marginalised

Twenty-something years ago, I was at a weekend meeting a few miles out of Taupo. When we had finished our business for the Saturday, a few of us drove into town to have a look around, and at some point, I left the others, so I could patronise one of the local watering holes. I soon found a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Anglican

Beggars On Lambton Quay

Contributed by Darryl Ward on Mar 26, 2017

A sermon about how we should respond to begging

I have lived in the Wellington Region for well over 30 years, and during this time, I have seen many changes in the urban landscape. Buildings have come and gone. Whole streets have disappeared, and new ones have emerged. But one change I find particularly disturbing is that it is now an everyday ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31, 1 Timothy 6:6-19

Denomination: Anglican

No Doubt It Really Is Him

Contributed by Darryl Ward on Mar 26, 2017

Sermon about doubt, and not recognising Jesus

When I was a child, I was allowed to walk to and from school on my own as soon as I could safely cross the road, and from quite an early age, I was pretty much allowed to disappear all afternoon during weekends, just so long as I was home by dinner time. Now I am not suggesting the world was a ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31, Matthew 25:34-40

Denomination: Anglican

Being There Is Everything

Contributed by Darryl Ward on Mar 26, 2017

A sermon about the sacrament of the Eucharist

Some of you will know I am a football supporter. And I’m talking about proper football, the type you actually play with your feet. (Although I do also like some of the oval ball offshoots, in which you are allowed to carry the ball.) The club I support is West Ham United Football Club (or West Ham ...read more

Scripture: John 6:56-69

Denomination: Anglican

When Christmas Isn’t Happy

Contributed by Darryl Ward on Mar 26, 2017

A sermon about when Christmas isn't happy

Just over two years ago, my Christmas preparations were following a familiar pattern. I had presents to organise, functions to attend, and travel to book. And a sermon to finish. Then, everything was thrown into disarray, when I found out my friend Steve had died in hospital, following an ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

Stoning The Elephant In The Room

Contributed by Darryl Ward on Mar 26, 2017

A sermon about scandal in the Church

The 2008 film ‘Doubt’, based on John Patrick Shanley’s Pulitzer Prize winning play of the same name, is set in a Roman Catholic church in the Bronx in the 1960s. Sister Aloysius, the principal of the attached school, played brilliantly by Meryl Streep, suspects Father Flynn, the parish priest, of ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Anglican

Stop The Senseless Killings

Contributed by Darryl Ward on Dec 5, 2012

Sermon about alcohol fuelled killings of youth in Kapiti.

Like the rest of our community, I was shocked by the recent violent deaths near local popular drinking spots of two of our young citizens: Izak Millanta and Sean Strongman-Lintern. As well as mourning its loss, our community is, quite rightly, asking questions. Asking what caused these tragedies. ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

The Day Of The Lord

Contributed by Darryl Ward on Dec 5, 2012

Sermon about the Second Coming and popular misconceptions about what this means.

When I was in my early teens, I went to a film evening put on by our local branch of Youth for Christ and watched A Thief in the Night and A Distant Thunder. These were the first two of a series of ‘end times’ films that dealt with the second coming of the Christ, the rapture and the great ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:24-37

Denomination: Anglican

The Church And Excluded Fathers

Contributed by Darryl Ward on Dec 5, 2012

A Christian response to fathers being excluded from their children’s lives.

Today is fathers’ day. While I would prefer it was celebrated on the Feast of St. Joseph, the patron saint of fathers, I am grateful Amanda and Maria are making today memorable for me. To mark fathers’ day, I will be speaking about the Church and pastoral care for men, specifically those whom I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:23-24

Denomination: Anglican

No More Goodbyes

Contributed by Darryl Ward on Dec 5, 2012

Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem when he knew he was facing certain death.

One family event I will never forget is my father’s 73rd birthday. My mother, my brother, his family and I gathered round Dad, sang happy birthday and gave him a cake to cut. We did our best to make it a happy occasion for him, and I think we succeeded. Given the circumstances though, none of us ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Denomination: Anglican