Sermons on espiritual ward: showing 406-420 of 4,147

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Under The Influence

Contributed by David Ward on Apr 1, 2010

"More filling--relate great!" When we have more filling of the Holy Spirit, we can relate great in our marriages, families, and workplaces.

INTRODUCTION: Tim Sanders—former chief solutions officer at Yahoo! and author of Love Is the Killer App—shares the following thought about establishing priorities: Take your life and all the things that you think are important, and put them in one of three categories. These three ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Seeing God

Contributed by David Ward on Jun 24, 2020

What happens when we see God for who He really is?

INTRODUCTION There is a splendid moment in the 1993 movie Jurassic Park, when world-class paleontologist Allen Grant, who has devoted his life to the study of dinosaurs, suddenly comes face-to-face with real, live prehistoric creatures. He falls to the ground, dumbstruck. The reason is obvious. It ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

When Rights Go Wrong

Contributed by David Ward on Mar 14, 2023

A message on Paul's rebuke of the Corinthian church for tolerating lawsuits among themselves, with implications for witness, body life, and relationships.

INTRODUCTION: On Sunday December 14, 2014, the New York Jets outlasted the Tennessee Titans 16-11. The Jets showed heart and fight, as QB Geno Smith rallied them with a fourth-quarter comeback. And Jets fans across the country … groaned with despair! It was a costly win. You see, the Jets had a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Why Bother With Worship? Series

Contributed by David Ward on Apr 2, 2023

A Palm Sunday message answering the question posed by the title

INTRODUCTION: In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy, the Lion, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Man arrive at the legendary Emerald City to meet with the Wizard. The Wizard is reputed to hold the power to solve each of the travelers' problems. But to enter his presence, they must first traverse a long, dimly ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-44

Denomination: Baptist