Sermons on Henry Ward Beecher:

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

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

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

Games People Play: Battleship Series

Contributed by David Ward on Jan 20, 2006

Jesus instructs his followers how to deal with anger, desire for revenge, and mistreatment from enemies. From a Sermon on the Mount series.

Games People Play: “Battleship” Matthew 5:21-26, 38-48 INTRODUCTION: Do you remember the game "Battleship"? The object of the game is to insert pegs blindly on a game board until you "sink" your opponent’s "fleet." Battleship is a game of hiding and attacking. So many of our relationships ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-48

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

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

Another Chance

Contributed by Darryl Ward on Oct 18, 2010

How second chances can change lives, and what is wrong with harsher sentencing of criminals.

The most positive person I have ever met is Billy Graham, and I am not talking about the famous evangelist. This Billy Graham grew up in Naenae. Back in the 1950s, the young Billy was something of a reprobate. He got up to horrendous mischief, often targeting Hoppy Hodges, the local cop. Once Billy ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:7-14

Denomination: Anglican

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

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

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: 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

All The Wrong Kinds Of People

Contributed by David Ward on Aug 26, 2006

Jesus calls all the wrong kinds of people to join his revolution. Apparently, the wrong kinds of people are just right for Jesus.

“All the Wrong Kinds of People” Mark 1:16-20 Mark 2:13-17 INTRODUCTION: If you were going to start a revolution, what kinds of people would you recruit? What demographic would you target? What character qualities would you look for? I suppose it might depend on what kind of revolution you were ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational