Sermons on Espiritual Ward:

Games People Play: "Trivial Pursuit" Series

Contributed by David Ward on Sep 26, 2006

BIG IDEA: Instead of pursuing the trivial, we should invest in the eternal.

GAMES PEOPLE PLAY: “Trivial Pursuit” Matthew 6:19-24 INTRODUCTION: Trivial Pursuit is a board game for 2-6 players or teams, in which winning is determined by your ability to answer general knowledge and pop culture trivia questions. The game was created in December 1979 by two ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Games People Play: Clue Series

Contributed by David Ward on Sep 27, 2006

Big Idea: A forgiven person is a forgiving person, but a deceiving person is a deceived person.

Games People Play: “Clue” Matthew 7:1-5, 15-23 INTRODUCTION: Doug Lansky has been a travel writer and photographer for many years. In the course of his travels he has collected photos of odd signs from around the world. Some samples: ß A white highway sign in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, says, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:19-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Agapomen Allelus Series

Contributed by David Ward on Jul 27, 2003

This was the next-to-last message in a series from 1 John on John’s command to "love one another"

"Agapomen Allelus" 1 John 4:7-21 Introduction: A mouse looked through a crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife opening a package; what food might it contain? He was aghast to discover that it was a mousetrap! Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning, "There is a ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-21, 1 John 4:20, 1 John 4:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Turn Turn Turn

Contributed by David Ward on Dec 30, 2007

A year’s end/New Year’s message adaptable to many occasions. BIG IDEA: "God’s got it, even though we don’t get it"

“Turn Turn Turn” Ecclesiastes 3:1-17 INTRODUCTION: "End of Year" Lists are everywhere in the media as a new year approaches: Most Newsworthy Events of the Year, Famous People Who Have Died This Year, Most Notable Sports Stories of the Year, Most Annoying People of the Year (Paris, Britney, and ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Sign Of Immanuel

Contributed by David Ward on Dec 10, 2004

The first message in a Christmas/Advent series from Isaiah

“The Sign of Immanuel” Isaiah 7:1-16 INTRODUCTION: Remember the movie "O Brother Where Art Thou?" Three convicts on the lam have holed up in a barn to spend the night, only to awake to find the barn surrounded by police, with guns drawn, demanding their surrender. One of the three helpfully ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

For Unto Us A Child Is Born

Contributed by David Ward on Dec 16, 2004

God’s people can hope for deliverance, because God guarantees it.

“For Unto Us a Child is Born” Isaiah 9:1-7 INTRODUCTION: It’s an unlovely tree in an unlikely place with an unmistakable message. The tree sits along Interstate 30 just outside of Fort Worth, Texas. It is a mimosa tree that appears lifeless, except at Christmas. Each December, for the past ten ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Yoke's On You Series

Contributed by David Ward on Dec 16, 2004

An encouragement to find rest in Christ, and to minister through his strength

“The Yoke’s On You” Matthew 11:28-30 INTRODUCTION: Do you ever find it difficult to follow Christ? Why is it so hard to follow Jesus sometimes? Do you ever get tired? Do you ever find yourself in need of rest? How can I find rest while following Jesus? [READ Matt. 11:28-30] Notice what ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Guy Named Steve Series

Contributed by David Ward on Dec 21, 2004

A first-person narrative as Stephen. Big Idea: wherever you go, God will be with you.

“A Guy Named Steve” Acts 6:8—8:1 (Introduction) Good morning! Oh, that’s much better—thank you. My name is Stephen, but you may call me Steve if you’d rather. I guess we’re here for me to share my story with you folks. Have any of you heard of me before? You know me as the first martyr. The ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Your Daddy

Contributed by David Ward on Dec 21, 2004

Big Idea: If you know God as Daddy, then you aren’t His slave, but His child and His heir

God Your Daddy Romans 8:15-17 INTRODUCTION: Fred Craddock, who while lecturing at Yale University, told of going back one summer to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to take a short vacation with his wife. One night they found a quiet little restaurant where they looked forward to a private meal--just the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:15-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The God Of The Unexpected Series

Contributed by David Ward on Oct 3, 2009

An expository message from Acts 12 on how God "shows up" in response to his people’s faith, and lack of faith.

INTRODUCTION: Arthur Burns was chair of the Federal Reserve in the 1970s, and a Jewish economist of great influence in Washington during the tenure of several Presidents. Burns was once asked to pray at a gathering of evangelical politicians. Stunning his hosts, he prayed thus: "Lord, I pray that ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christmas In Ngaruawahia

Contributed by Darryl Ward on Dec 31, 2009

What if Jesus was born in New Zealand in 2009?

Hohepa sighed deeply as he changed gear on his cherished but somewhat tired Mazda 626. It was raining steadily as he drove through Huntly then south along the highway that followed every bend of the Waikato River. Every bump in the road could be clearly felt, but Hohepa was especially concerned ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-14

Denomination: Anglican