Sermons on Espiritual Ward: showing 376-390 of 4,127

Broken Lampstand Series

Contributed by David Ward on Jan 26, 2005

A first-person narrative as Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, whose big idea is "be faithful, not fearful."

“Broken Lampstand” Revelation 2:8-11 INTRODUCTION Have you ever suffered for your faith? Even a little? To be faithful and be treated badly seems wrong to us—and it is wrong! There is malice in the world, such cruelty that only comes from the evil one, the destroyer. But our Lord prophesied as ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Begatitudes

Contributed by David Ward on Dec 10, 2003

A Christmas message from Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus. Big Idea: God’s plan always comes together.

“The Begatitudes” Matthew 1:1-17 Introduction: Many of us need to hear a message of hope this morning. Some in our church community are pretty discouraged right now. There’s a grayness that’s overshadowing our lives, and the season we’re in often makes it worse, not better. ß Some are facing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Dueling Spirits Series

Contributed by David Ward on Aug 2, 2003

BIG IDEA: How can we recognize false prophets? By what they say, and by who listens to them.

“Dueling Spirits” 1 John 4:1-6 Introduction: How can you tell if someone is lying to you? [ASK] How do you spot a lie? Some people give it away in their body language--not making eye contact, for example. What about spiritual things? How can we recognize a “false prophet”? This is more ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Snake Conversations

Contributed by David Ward on Aug 4, 2003

A look at the tempter’s tactics from Genesis 3:1-6

Snake Conversations Genesis 3:1-6 [READ] Introduction: Iron Eyes Cody was the Native American who appeared in the old “Keep America Beautiful” TV commercials. He told an Indian legend from many years ago. Indian youths would go away in solitude to prepare for manhood. One such youth hiked ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Walking With God In Wisdom Series

Contributed by David Ward on Jun 11, 2005

BIG IDEA: Walking with God means walking His way, for His pleasure, by His power.

“Walking With God in Wisdom” James 3:13—4:10 INTRODUCTION: One theme that runs throughout the Star Wars movies is the temptation to give in to the Dark Side of the Force. The Dark Side is seductive, for it appeals to our desires. The Good Side involves self-denial, discipline, sacrifice. The ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13, Acts 22:14

Denomination: Baptist

Why Bother To Keep On Praying?

Contributed by David Ward on Aug 16, 2005

We should persist in prayer because God’s justice is certain, but our faith is in question.

“Why Bother To Keep On Praying?” Luke 18:1-8 INTRODUCTION: Do you ever feel as though your prayers are being returned unopened? Does it ever feel like you’re just getting heaven’s voice mail? Like you’re just getting a runaround and you wonder, “Is there anybody else up there I could speak to?” ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

All The Wrong Kinds Of People

Contributed by David Ward on Aug 26, 2006

Jesus calls all the wrong kinds of people to join his revolution. Apparently, the wrong kinds of people are just right for Jesus.

“All the Wrong Kinds of People” Mark 1:16-20 Mark 2:13-17 INTRODUCTION: If you were going to start a revolution, what kinds of people would you recruit? What demographic would you target? What character qualities would you look for? I suppose it might depend on what kind of revolution you were ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Things You Can't Talk About In Church: "Doubt" Series

Contributed by David Ward on Aug 26, 2006

BIG IDEA: God is good enough to welcome our questions, and great enough to handle our doubts.

Things You Can’t Talk About In Church: “Doubt” Habakkuk 1-3 INTRODUCTION: 3 children of a missionary couple were called in for dinner after they’d been playing outside. Their mother said, "Be sure to wash your hands." The little boy scowled and said, "Germs and Jesus. Germs and Jesus. That’s all ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Visit From Pilate

Contributed by David Ward on Apr 22, 2006

This is a first person narrative sermon as Pontius Pilate, with a challenge to "choose your king."

“A Visit From Pilate” John 18-19 (INTRODUCTION) Greetings, people of Living Hope Community Church in the city of Durham in the province of Northern Carolina. My name is Pilatos. You may call me—Pilatos. I despise the name “Pilate.” For one thing, I do not care for your modern-day flying air ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Trial By Fire

Contributed by David Ward on Jun 14, 2006

BIG IDEA: In times of testing, God’s people fight fire with faith.

“Trial By Fire” Daniel 3 INTRODUCTION: One time on a school field trip I visited Fort Sumter, in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. As the tour boat approached Fort Sumter, our teacher asked if the guides would be dressed in blue or in gray. Sumter had been a Union fort in Confederate territory ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:13-30

Denomination: Baptist

Games People Play: Battleship Series

Contributed by David Ward on Jan 20, 2006

Jesus instructs his followers how to deal with anger, desire for revenge, and mistreatment from enemies. From a Sermon on the Mount series.

Games People Play: “Battleship” Matthew 5:21-26, 38-48 INTRODUCTION: Do you remember the game "Battleship"? The object of the game is to insert pegs blindly on a game board until you "sink" your opponent’s "fleet." Battleship is a game of hiding and attacking. So many of our relationships ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-48

Denomination: Baptist

How Much Time Do You Have?

Contributed by David Ward on Jan 20, 2006

BIG IDEA: We make the best use of our time by discerning and doing the will of God.

How Much Time Do You Have? Psalm 90 / Ephesians 5:15-17 INTRODUCTION: I’d like to ask you “How Much Time Do You Have?” (which is probably not what you’d like to hear a speaker ask at the start of a talk.) Do you realize that over the course of our lifetimes, each of us is expected to spend: ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 90:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Doing Right When You've Been Done Wrong

Contributed by David Ward on Jan 23, 2006

BIG IDEA: We make our love revolutionary when we refuse revenge and generate grace.

"Doing Right When You’ve Been Done Wrong” Romans 12:14-21 INTRODUCTION: A man went into the preaching ministry, worked for seven years, then resigned to go back to medical school and become a doctor. He came to the conclusion that “People don’t want spiritual health. They just want to feel good.” ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

What's Love Got To Do With It?

Contributed by David Ward on Jan 23, 2006

An Easter message about God’s love from John 3:16

“What’s Love Got to Do With It?” John 3:16 INTRODUCTION: Do you believe God is a loving God? Some of you have a knee-jerk “yes” response, because that’s what you’ve been taught to believe. But do your actions & attitudes reflect that? Down deep, do you really believe that God is a loving God? ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

Body By Jesus

Contributed by David Ward on May 13, 2007

BIG IDEA: We need the body of Christ in order to mature in Christ

INTRODUCTION: "White Line Syndrome" is a phenomenon I first encountered when playing basketball in a kid’s league years ago. How it works is, late in the game our coach would call a time-out, and instruct us in what we were to do once play resumed. I remember how clear his instructions sounded in ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

Denomination: Baptist