Ward Church Podcast

As we prepare our hearts for Lent, Dr. Scott McKee explores the profound significance of Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb of God. Looking at the deep Old Testament roots of sacrifice—including the Day of Atonement and Passover—Pastor Scott reveals how Jesus fulfills these ancient practices in a way that is final and eternal. Through powerful imagery, including the role of the scapegoat and the blood...

In the final message of the "I Never Said That" series, Dr. Scott McKee examines the popular phrase, "Hate the sin, love the sinner," and reveals how, despite its widespread use, it isn’t found in the Bible. Drawing from Jesus' parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18, Pastor Scott challenges us to confront our own sin rather than focusing on the faults of others. This message expl...

In this continuation of the "I Never Said That" series, Dr. Scott McKee unpacks the commonly misquoted phrase, "Money is the root of all evil," revealing the truth from 1 Timothy 6:10: "The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." Exploring what the Bible truly says about wealth, greed, and contentment, Dr. McKee highlights the dangers of loving money and how it can trap us, regardless of ou...

In the latest "I Never Said That" message, Rev. Terence Gray explores the popular phrase "Ask Jesus into your heart," revealing that while common in Christian culture, it’s not a biblical command. Instead, scripture emphasizes repentance and belief in the gospel as the true response to Jesus. Drawing from Revelation 3:20 and Acts 3:19, Pastor Terence unpacks how salvation isn’t about inviting Jesu...

Dr. Scott McKee continues the "I Never Said That" series by challenging the common saying, "God won’t give you more than you can handle." While often used to provide comfort, this phrase is not found in the Bible. Instead, scripture reveals that God allows people to face trials far beyond their own strength—so they will rely on Him. Drawing from Paul’s letters and personal experiences, Pastor Scot...

Rev. Terence Gray kicks off the new series, "I Never Said That," by addressing the popular misconception that "God only helps those who help themselves." Drawing from scripture, he highlights how God extends His grace to the helpless and opposes the proud. Through examples like the healing of the leper and Paul’s “thorn in the flesh,” Pastor Terence reminds us that God’s power is made perfect in o...

Rev. Terence Gray closes the "Good Plans" series with a message on seeking and doing God's will. Reflecting on Matthew 7 and the inspiring life of George Müller, Pastor Gray emphasizes that doing God's will involves progressive steps of faith and occasional leaps, rooted in trust and dependence on Him. He challenges us to examine our motives, place our full weight on God, and live lives marked by...

Rev. Nicole Unice continues the "Good Plans" series with a message on discovering God's will, addressing the common question, "What does God want for my life?" Drawing from Romans 12, Proverbs 3, and James 1, she offers practical insights on aligning our lives with God's purpose. Through foundational commitments, intentional reflection, and seeking God's guidance in daily decisions, she encourages...

Rev. Terence Gray kicks off the new year with the sermon series "Good Plans: Defining, Discovering, and Doing the Will of God" by exploring how we can understand and embrace God’s will. Using scripture and practical examples, Pastor Terence unpacks the two aspects of God’s will—His commands and decrees—and reminds us that God’s plans always lead to restoration, joy, and victory. Even when life fee...

On the last Sunday of the year, Dr. Scott McKee reflects on the practice of patiently enduring problems, an often-overlooked discipline that can shape our character and deepen our faith. Drawing from James 1:2-4, this message explores how trials, whether big or small, can become opportunities for spiritual growth when viewed through the lens of faith. Pastor Scott shares personal insights from his...

In this Christmas Eve message, Dr. Scott McKee invites us to rediscover the wonder of Christmas through the eyes of the shepherds, who were astonished by the news of Jesus' birth. Drawing from the awe and amazement in Luke 2, Pastor Scott explores how wonder opens the door to hope, faith, and possibility in a dark world. Reflecting on how Jesus, the Light of the World, entered humanity in humility...

In this week’s message, Rev. Terence Gray continues the "I've Got Questions" series by exploring the question, “What shall we name Him?” Drawing from Matthew 1:18–25, Pastor Terence reflects on the power of names, how they shape our identity, and how Jesus' name—meaning salvation—reveals His purpose and destiny. This message reminds us that while the world may label us with names that burden or ha...

Rev. Nicole Unice invites us into the journey of the Magi as they ask the question, “Where is He?” in their search for the newborn King. In this powerful Advent message, Nicole reminds us that our own journeys are filled with questions—where is God in our mess, doubts, or disappointments? Yet Jesus, born into the brokenness of the world, is not distant but present, standing and knocking, inviting...

Rev. Terence Gray delivers a heartfelt and intergenerational Christmas message, "How Will This Be?", exploring the profound truth that when we receive God's Son, we receive everything. Drawing from Mary’s journey in Luke 1 and Isaiah 9:6, Pastor Terence reminds us that the story of Christmas isn’t about how but who. Through engaging illustrations, audience interaction, and the symbolism of gifts,...

Dr. Scott McKee kicks off the Advent season by exploring different questions of Christmas, beginning with Zechariah’s heartfelt inquiry in Luke 1: “How can I be sure?” This powerful message invites us to embrace the sacred gift of silence, using Zechariah's transformation from doubt to faith as a reflection of the season’s call to wait, wonder, and watch for signs of God’s presence. Pastor Scott r...

In this week’s message, Pastor Terence stepped in for Pastor Scott and shared a powerful reminder of God’s rescuing love from Exodus 14:15. Reflecting on Moses and the Israelites at the Red Sea, he emphasized that God meets us in our weakness and rescues us not because of what we’ve done, but because of who He is. Pastor Terence shared personal stories to remind us that God’s love pursues us even...

In this week's special message, guest preacher Mike Kuhn joins us for Ward Church's Global Impact Summit to reflect on Acts 8 and "The Great Pivot." Highlighting Philip's role in crossing cultural barriers to bring the gospel to Samaria and the Ethiopian eunuch, Mike challenges us to embrace the call to share Jesus' love with those on the margins of society. Drawing parallels to today's global ref...

In this week’s sermon, Dr. Scott McKee concludes the "Up" series by exploring the practice of speaking up for our faith, as demonstrated in Luke 15:1-10. Through parables of the lost sheep and lost coin, we see God's deep joy in finding those who are spiritually lost. Pastor Scott shares personal stories and challenges us to live as people called and sent by God, to connect with others through sim...

In this week’s sermon, Dr. Scott McKee dives into the theme of accountability, exploring its role in our spiritual growth and relationships. Reflecting on Colossians 3:12-17, Pastor Scott explains how accountability is a gift from God, guiding us to live in alignment with His teachings. Through stories and scriptural insights, we’re encouraged to confront our own excuses, invite trusted people int...

This week's sermon explores the theme of friendship and the importance of supportive relationships in our lives. Rev. Terence Gray dives into Ecclesiastes 4, where Solomon contrasts a life lived in isolation with one shared in community. Through stories and practical insights, Pastor Terence illustrates that while it may seem easier to walk alone, true fulfillment and resilience come from walking...

This week’s sermon by Dr. Scott McKee, titled “Wise Up,” focuses on the importance of teaching and Bible reading as essential disciplines for spiritual growth. Drawing from Psalm 19, Pastor Scott explains the transformative power of Scripture in shaping our minds, emotions, and perspectives. Just as we carefully choose what we feed our bodies, we are called to be intentional about what we feed our...

In this week's sermon, Mark Ordus discusses his early days as a youth pastor and reflects on the profound impact of service on his ministry. He shares stories from his mission trips and how the innate desire to serve is wired into every person, transcending generations. Through scripture, Mark explains that this desire comes from being created in God's image, and he emphasizes how Jesus, the ultim...

In this week’s sermon, Rev. Terence Gray explores the powerful spiritual discipline of silence and solitude as part of our ongoing series on spiritual practices. Drawing from Mark 6, he highlights how Jesus modeled a rhythm of work followed by moments of retreat and renewal. Pastor Terence challenges us to embrace the quiet, even when it feels uncomfortable, as a way to confront the noise within o...

Dr. Scott McKee launches a new sermon series titled "Up: Seven Practices for Living and Loving Like Jesus." The first practice, "Look Up: Praise and Worship," draws from Psalm 100 and highlights the essential role of worship in the Christian life. Pastor Scott unpacks how worship brings joy to God, reorients us to remember who God is and who we are, fosters a spirit of gratitude, and strengthens o...

In the final part of the "Apprenticing with Jesus" series, titled "Do What Jesus Did," Dr. Scott McKee reflects on Matthew 4:18-25, where Jesus calls His first disciples to follow Him and become "fishers of people." Pastor Scott explains that this call was an invitation to apprentice under Jesus, learning not just to observe, but to eventually do what He did—preaching, healing, and helping others....