Sermons on Henry Ward Beecher:

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: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

When Christmas Isn’t Happy

Contributed by Darryl Ward on Mar 26, 2017

A sermon about when Christmas isn't happy

Just over two years ago, my Christmas preparations were following a familiar pattern. I had presents to organise, functions to attend, and travel to book. And a sermon to finish. Then, everything was thrown into disarray, when I found out my friend Steve had died in hospital, following an ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

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

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

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

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

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: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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: Evangelical/Non-Denominational