Sermons on Henry Ward Beecher:

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: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Games People Play: "Sorry!" Series

Contributed by David Ward on Sep 21, 2006

From a "Games People Play" series on the Sermon on the Mount, this is a message about forgiveness.

Games People Play: “Sorry!” Matthew 6:9-15 INTRODUCTION: "Sorry!" is a board game based on the ancient Indian game Pachisi. Players try to travel around the board with their pieces faster than any other player. The game title comes from the many ways in which a player can negate the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

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: 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

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

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

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

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

Deliver Us From Evil

Contributed by Darryl Ward on Oct 18, 2010

How addiction is very closely related to possession, and how Jesus can set us free.

Some of you may know I have not been a faithfully worshipping churchgoer all my life. Not counting a brief flirtation with the Russian Orthodox Church, I was not part of any Christian community between the ages of 18 and 38. If you had asked me what my religious beliefs were, I would have probably ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:26-39

Denomination: Anglican