Sermons on Henry Ward Beecher:

Games People Play: Hungry Hungry Hippos Series

Contributed by David Ward on Sep 25, 2006

When we commit ourselves to God, He commits Himself to us.

Games People Play: “Hungry Hungry Hippos” Matthew 6:25-34 INTRODUCTION: Hungry Hungry Hippos is the game of get all you can while the getting is good. [Demonstrate game] My kids love to play Hungry Hungry Hippos; unfortunately, so do most Americans as we play for all the "marbles" we can. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

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: 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

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: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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: 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

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