Sermons on espiritual ward:

What We Learn From Fishing

Contributed by Michael Ward on May 4, 2013

Successful fisherman are properly prepared and dedicated to their craft; called to be "fishers of men," Christians must also be dedicated to our calling.

Introduction A. Matthew 4:18-22. B. Think for a moment of the positive results of fishing. 1. Fishing is a healthy, fresh-air activity, very relaxing (for the most part). 2. Fishing provides a perfect setting for fun and togetherness with family and friends. 3. Fishing is a good way to make new ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-22

Listen

Contributed by David Ward on Feb 26, 2013

An exposition of Samuel's call from God, and an exhortation to listen for God's voice

INTRODUCTION: In the early 1900s, back when the telegraph was the fastest method of long-distance communication, a young man applied for a job as a Morse Code operator. Answering an ad in the newspaper, he went to the office address that was listed. When he arrived, he entered a large, busy office ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

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

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 Writing On The Wall Series

Contributed by David Ward on Mar 8, 2014

Big Idea: Our days are numbered--how much will they weigh?

“The Writing on the Wall” Daniel 5 INTRODUCTION You might not want to listen to this message today. I’m serious—you might not want to know what I’m going to tell you. You may be happier not knowing, because once you know, then you are responsible for what you know. What the Scripture has to ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 5:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

Soil Samples

Contributed by David Ward on Jan 22, 2019

The parable of the four soils applied beyond spiritual rebirth to spiritual growth & life change. (This message is from Luke 8, but could be adapted to the version of the parable in Matthew 13 or Mark 4.)

INTRODUCTION: [READ LUKE 8:4-8] 1) How many auto mechanics does it take to change a light bulb? One, but he thinks he’ll have to replace the whole socket. 2) How many procrastinators does it take to change a light bulb? One, but she’s gonna wait until the light in the room gets better. 3) How ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:4-15, Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:3-20

Denomination: Baptist

Here Comes The Judge

Contributed by David Ward on Oct 18, 2018

A big idea expository message from Micah 1

INTRODUCTION: In the movie “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” Kevin McCarthy's character yells to passersby: “They’re coming! They’re here already! You’re next!” The effect is unsettling and disturbing, yet the other characters in the film go on about their business more or less as if nothing had ...read more

Scripture: Micah 1:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Out Of Egypt, Again

Contributed by David Ward on Dec 28, 2018

A message on obedience in the face of opposition

INTRODUCTION Many communities are forced to reckon with good things that somehow slip through the cracks. In Claymont DE, one of those things ended up as a blessing. The community has developed a quarter-century-long tradition around a quirky piece of folklore—the humble Claymont Christmas Weed, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:19-23

Denomination: Baptist

Unquenchable Series

Contributed by David Ward on Jun 22, 2016

Big Idea: God don't want no worthless worship, so let's make our worship worth His while. Points: Worship is worthless to God when it isn't reverent, repentant, or real.

INTRODUCTION: Comedian Rodney Dangerfield, who died in 2004 at the age of 82, made a living making fun of himself and the difficulty of getting what we all desire: a little respect, please. Some of his best lines: • "I tell ya I get no respect from anyone. I bought a cemetery plot. The guy ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 1:6-14

Denomination: Baptist

Unqualified Series

Contributed by David Ward on Jun 27, 2016

BIG IDEA: Those who talk God's talk need to walk God's walk.

INTRODUCTION: In 2007, the I-35 bridge that crosses the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota, collapsed suddenly during rush hour, killing 13 people and injuring 145. The investigation revealed that the gusset plates that connect girders together in the truss system were undersized, ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 2:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

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