Ward Church Podcast

In this week’s lesson, Small Groups Director Sarah de Jong invites us to practice the long-fused, mercy-soaked patience of 1 Corinthians 13. Drawing on Moses’ story in Exodus and Jesus with the woman caught in adultery (John 8), Sarah shows that God’s patience isn’t passivity—it’s holy restraint: “merciful and gracious, slow to anger,” yet committed to justice in His time. Patience, she explains, is the endurance to love through suffering, the marathon mindset that keeps us steady when emotions boil. To grow here, Sarah offers four simple guards: guard your response (pause, pray, give it time), guard your relationships (don’t apprentice yourself to anger), guard your thoughts (take rumination captive and think on what is true and lovely), and guard your rest (remember the H.A.T. check—hungry, angry, tired). As we run this race with endurance, we’re not called to point out every flaw or win every argument, but to trust that God will bring perfect justice while we extend the same patience He has lavished on us. Let this session help your group slow down, breathe, and love with a longer fuse—so that in conflicts big and small, Christ’s composure and compassion become your reflex.Sign-up to receive our weekly sermon-based discussion questions: https://ward.church/groups/small-groups/#questions

In this week’s message, Dr. Scott McKee continues our journey through 1 Corinthians 13 with a stirring reflection on the simple yet searching phrase, “Love does not envy.” With wisdom both pastoral and deeply personal, Pastor Scott invites us to confront how comparison steals joy, gratitude, and connection—and how love, rightly rooted, restores them. Through Jesus’ parable of the vineyard workers in Matthew 20, he offers five antidotes to envy: stop comparing, celebrate God’s grace to others, practice gratitude, trust God when life feels unfair, and stay focused on the unique path He has set before you. Yet the power of this message transcends principles—it’s carried by the weight of lived experience. Speaking from his own journey through physical suffering, Pastor Scott bears witness to a faith that still finds joy, perspective, and peace in God’s goodness. His words remind us that love without envy isn’t naïve optimism but hard-won trust in a faithful God. This is a message that stills the soul and reorders the heart toward gratitude and grace. May we be a people who carry the torch forward with courage, humility, and generational faithfulness.Sign-up to receive our weekly sermon-based discussion questions: https://ward.church/groups/small-groups/#questionsClick here to view the episode transcript.

In this lesson, Dr. Scott McKee explores why genuine love refuses pride and keeps no running tally of rights or wrongs (1 Corinthians 13). Drawing on Philippians 2 and James 4, Pastor Scott shows how Jesus’ self-emptying humility becomes our pattern for everyday relationships. We’ll learn four practical practices: prefer others (even when the “faster line” opens or when someone else gets first chair), stay teachable by inviting correction rather than defending our image, admit when we’re wrong with honest confession that leads to healing (James 5:16), and surrender our plans to God, trusting His purposes over our ambitions. With memorable images—from the grocery checkout to the orchestra’s “second fiddle”—this session reframes humility not as thinking less of ourselves, but as thinking of others first and acting for their good. As your group discusses, consider where you can yield preference, ask brave questions, offer a clear “I was wrong,” and place your schedule, goals, and outcomes before the Lord. Real love is humble—and when we walk this way, the harmony of Christ-like relationships becomes a beautiful witness to the world.Sign-up to receive our weekly sermon-based discussion questions: https://ward.church/groups/small-groups/#questions

Rev. Terence Gray and Ashley Gray team up to teach “loving with your words,” showing how our tongues can be a wildfire or a warming hearth. Drawing from James 3, Pastor Terence warns that a single spark—gossip, sarcasm, a cutting email—can burn down trust, while cold silence can freeze a relationship just as surely; the goal isn’t “no fire,” but Spirit-guided, contained fire. Ashley then anchors the message in 1 Corinthians 13, clarifying that Paul describes agape—the self-giving love of Christ—not a checklist but a Spirit-formed character that makes communication truly Christian. You’ll learn four practices you can start today: (1) assess the “temperature” of your home, work, and online words; (2) set boundaries so your speech brings warmth, not scorches; (3) use 1 Corinthians 13 as a diagnostic—patient and kind, not irritable, boastful, or score-keeping; and (4) try “reverent listening”: create safety, ask open-ended questions (“Say more about that”), and decenter yourself so the other feels seen and loved. Together, Pastor Terence and Ashley call us to grow up in our speech—moving from impulse to surrender, from being “right” to being Christlike—so our words become instruments of blessing in God’s hands. May we be a people who carry the torch forward with courage, humility, and generational faithfulness.Sign-up to receive our weekly sermon-based discussion questions: https://ward.church/groups/small-groups/#questionsClick here to view the episode transcript.

In this second lesson of Loving Like Jesus: A 40-Day Journey, Rev. Terence Gray helps us see that our words have extraordinary power—the power to heal or to wound, to build up or to tear down. Through vivid illustrations and practical wisdom, Pastor Terence reminds us that loving like Jesus means speaking truthfully, carefully, and encouragingly. Drawing from Proverbs 18:21 and Ephesians 4, he offers tools like the “H.A.T. check” and the “N.I.C.E. filter” to help us pause before we speak, choose honesty wrapped in grace, and use our voices to strengthen others rather than harm them. Whether in moments of tension or tenderness, our words can reflect the heart of Christ and become instruments of love that last long after they’re spoken.Sign-up to receive our weekly sermon-based discussion questions: https://ward.church/groups/small-groups/#questions

Dr. Scott McKee continues our 40-day “Loving Like Jesus” journey by walking through 1 Corinthians 13 with five surprising “shock treatments” for the church: love outranks ecstatic gifts, surpasses biblical knowledge (and home-run sermons), is preferable even to mountain-moving power, and outshines dramatic vows of poverty or martyrdom. Pastor Scott shows how Corinth had elevated secondary things—and how we still do—then re-centers us on Jesus’ mark of discipleship: “By this everyone will know… if you love one another.” In this message you’ll learn why love is the true exam, how ordinary kindness carries more voltage than spectacle, and why daily “small deaths” to self form Christlike hearts. You’ll also hear how the 40 days work—six Sunday messages, daily readings (The Relationship Principles of Jesus by Tom Holladay), weekly small-group conversations, and simple practices—so love moves from ideal to habit. A moving Henri Nouwen story invites us to grow our capacity to love people in concrete, inconvenient, beautiful ways. Our aim is not to “try harder,” but to let Jesus love through us until love becomes our dominant life principle. May we be a people who carry the torch forward with courage, humility, and generational faithfulness.Sign-up to receive our weekly sermon-based discussion questions: https://ward.church/groups/small-groups/#questionsClick here to view the episode transcript.

What if love isn’t just something you feel, but something you learn? In Lesson 1 of Living Like Jesus: A 40-Day Journey, Dr. Scott McKee invites us to see love as a skill we can grow through practice and intention. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 13 and the life of Jesus—the ultimate relationship master—we’ll discover why love is the highest calling, the best use of our lives, and the only thing that truly lasts. Learn how to give your time, attention, and heart more fully to God and others as we begin this transformational journey together.Sign-up to receive our weekly sermon-based discussion questions: https://ward.church/groups/small-groups/#questions

Dr. Scott McKee opens our new church-wide journey, “Loving Like Jesus,” by asking a piercing question: What is your dominant life principle? Scripture’s answer is clear—“Follow the way of love” (1 Cor. 14:1). Pastor Scott lays the foundation for forty days of growth with three big truths: we love because God first loved us (1 John 4:19); love is an action, not just an emotion (“Let us not love with words… but with actions,” 1 John 3:18); and love becomes real as a habit—“keep on loving” (Heb. 13:1). You’ll hear down-to-earth examples (emails, parking lots, parenting, politics) and a liberating shift: this isn’t “try harder to be nice,” but “let Jesus love through you.” Learn how the 40-day plan works—six Sunday messages, daily readings on Jesus’ relationship principles, weekly small-group conversations, and simple practices—to help love move from idea to instinct. Along the way, Pastor Scott reframes the guilt of “I don’t love God enough” into the gospel promise: when you truly receive God’s unconditional love, love begins to overflow to others. He closes with Paul’s prayer (Phil. 1:9) that our love would “abound more and more” in knowledge and depth of insight. May we become people who make love our dominant life principle—letting Jesus love through us, every day, in every interaction.

Dr. Scott McKee concludes our “Living the Five” series with a tender and challenging word on Audacious Generosity—rooted in the God who loves and holds us. Beginning with the wonder of meeting his newborn grandson, Pastor Scott explores how unearned love naturally opens the hand: “I am loved, I am held.” From there he takes us to 2 Corinthians 8, where Macedonia’s “overflowing joy + extreme poverty” yields “rich generosity,” and contrasts it with the modern myth that more income creates more giving. Learn the strange math of the kingdom, why cheerful giving is a work of grace (not compulsion), and how generosity can be remarkably fun—like when Ward moved from renovating one Detroit home a year to buying 37 in one audacious season. You’ll also hear practical next steps for every giver (first gift, consistent percentage, or sacrificial stretch), and a theologically rich finale in 2 Corinthians 8:9: though Jesus was rich, for our sake He became poor so that we might become rich. Along the way Pastor Scott names our fears, confesses his “outrageous frugality,” and invites us to let God renew our instincts with open-handed joy. May we be a people who live open-handed—held by God and eager to excel in the grace of giving.

Rev. Terence Gray continues our “Living the Five” series with Global Reach—the conviction that God loves people of every nation and neighborhood, and that the church crosses barriers because Christ first crossed them for us. Opening with a true “find my iPhone” rescue, Pastor Terence asks: if we’ll go to great lengths for a phone, how far will God go for a person? Rooted in Genesis 12’s promise that “all peoples on earth will be blessed,” he casts a vision of our world as a global village and calls us to join a global God—often not by crossing an ocean, but by crossing a street, a hallway, or an aisle. You’ll encounter Jesus in John 4, who “had to” go through Samaria to meet a woman at a well, modeling the high road of openness and trust over fear and suspicion, and offering not just water but “living water.” Learn why the gospel turns spectators into sent ones, how to discern when awkwardness is a cue to press through rather than pull back, and practical ways to embody justice and mercy “near and far” so that others begin making their way toward Jesus. May we be a people who cross barriers because Christ crossed the cosmos for us.

In this week’s Living the Five series, Mark Ordus, Director of WardStudents, unpacks the call to Extra-Mile Hospitality through the lens of Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan. With humor and cultural touchpoints—from Saved by the Bell to Chick-fil-A—Mark helps us see how natural it is to form tribes and circles of belonging, yet how radical Jesus’ teaching was to a people accustomed to drawing lines between insiders and outsiders. In a world where division feels sharper than ever, we’re reminded that our neighbor is not defined by proximity, similarity, or shared beliefs, but by anyone in need—yes, even those we’d rather avoid or consider our enemies. The Samaritan’s compassion went beyond convenience; he bandaged wounds, paid expenses, and promised continued care, modeling what it means to go the extra mile. Mark challenges us to imagine Ward Church as a place where every person feels like family when they walk through the doors, where hospitality isn’t surface-level but sacrificial, rooted in the love of Christ. Loving our neighbor is not a suggestion but a command—and when we see people as image-bearers of God, it becomes not only possible but irresistible. Let’s be part of what Jesus is still building.

In week two of our Living the Five series, Dr. Scott McKee turns to the value of Thoughtful Theology, exploring what it means to love God with all our mind. Drawing from Jesus’ words in Mark 12 and Deuteronomy’s Shema, Pastor Scott shows why Jesus’ addition of “mind” is a radical and essential call for disciples today. Through Scripture, theology, and everyday illustrations, we learn five key insights: that theology is for everyone, not just scholars; that thinking is not opposed to faith but strengthens it; that doubt is not sin but a normal pathway to deeper belief; that our minds are gifts meant to be renewed by God’s Word; and that the true goal of knowledge is love. Along the way, Pastor Scott shares stories of scholars, skeptics, and even his own family to remind us that studying God is not an exercise in pride, but an act of devotion. To love God with our minds is to see the world as He sees it, to be transformed in our thinking, and to treasure Him more fully. May we be a people who carry the torch forward with courage, humility, and generational faithfulness.

On Kickoff Sunday, Dr. Scott McKee begins our Living the Five series with a focus on Healthy Families, showing how God designed the family as His primary place for nurture and discipleship. Pastor Scott walks us through the story of Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 24–27), revealing both the beauty of covenant love and the pain of favoritism, comparison, and dysfunction. From this story, we learn what every child—and every person—needs in order to thrive: the four essential ingredients of blessing—meaningful touch, words of high value, a vision for the future, and a commitment to see it through. You’ll discover how to speak blessing into your own children, grandchildren, or spiritual family, and why God can still use imperfect homes to accomplish His purposes. Along the way, Pastor Scott shares his joy of becoming a new grandfather and reminds us that blessings aren’t earned—they are gifts of grace. May we be a people who invest in one another, celebrate uniqueness, and carry generational faith with courage and humility.

In a spirited Easter message, Dr. Scott McKee unpacks the essence of the Christian faith focusing on the resurrection of Jesus Christ as detailed in 1 Corinthians 15. He emphasizes that the crucifixion was for our sins and that the resurrection is the beating heart of Christian belief — without it, faith is futile. Pastor Scott explains that Jesus' resurrection is not metaphorical but a historical pivot that gave rise to the church and sustains our hope for life after death. He clarifies that this hope extends beyond Jesus to all believers, promising not just a spiritual existence but a resurrection of the body, echoing the closing lines of the Apostles' Creed. He encourages the congregation to invite resurrection power into their lives, to roll away personal stones of hindrance, and to embrace the abundant and eternal life offered by Christ. Pastor Scott's message invites a reflection on the transformative power of the resurrection, a call to renew life in the present with the same force that raised Jesus from the grave.

In this Holy Week sermon, Dr. Scott McKee delves into the birth of the Church from the resurrection of Jesus. He describes the Church not as an institution but as a movement of love, a universal body that Jesus charged with continuing His work. Reflecting on the Apostles Creed, he underscores the Church's mission to serve, love, and unite people across all divides. Pastor Scott shares the Church's first mention in Matthew 16, where Jesus entrusts Peter—and by extension, all believers—with its establishment. This Church, set apart for God's purposes, is to stand against injustice and extend God’s grace worldwide. Pastor Scott closes by expressing his belief in the Church's potential, evidenced by the compassionate actions of the congregation at Ward Church, and reiterates Jesus' promise that it will prevail against all darkness.

Rev. Terence Gray delves into the quiet yet transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Pastor Terence illuminates the Holy Spirit's role as the "Forgotten God," quietly working miracles, breaking chains, and instilling courage. He navigates through varying Christian traditions' perceptions of the Holy Spirit, from the light touches of Presbyterianism to the intense embrace of Pentecostalism. Emphasizing the Holy Spirit's eternal presence and creative power, Pastor Terence invites us to welcome the Spirit's indwelling, transforming our lives from within. He challenges us to cooperate with the Spirit, fostering growth and maturity in our faith journey. As we yield to the Spirit's work, we learn to live in the fullness of God's presence, reflecting Christ more with each step. Let's join together in embracing the quiet, mighty work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and communities.

In this sermon, Dr. Scott McKee navigates the profound implications of Jesus' ascension amidst the backdrop of a presidential election year. Pastor Scott reflects on whether Jesus is concerned about the election, leading to a broader discussion on divine sovereignty versus earthly power. He uses the Apostles' Creed to anchor a journey through scripture, illustrating how Jesus' ascent to heaven transcends political turmoil, enabling the Holy Spirit's arrival, advocating for us before the Father, preparing our eternal dwelling, and asserting His reign over all creation. This sermon invites us to embrace the assurance and hope found in Jesus' ongoing work and imminent return, challenging us to live in the reality of His kingdom here and now.

Rev. Terence Gray takes us deeper into the heart of the Apostles' Creed, exploring the profound truths of Jesus' suffering, crucifixion, and triumphant resurrection. With a personal anecdote about misunderstanding communion, Pastor Terence invites us into a reflection on grace, shame, and redemption. This sermon dismantles the lies of condemnation, highlighting Jesus' role as our mediator who fully embraced humiliation to offer us eternal paradise. Drawing from Luke 23 and 1 Peter 3, it emphasizes Jesus' victory over sin and death, affirming that even in our lowest moments, we can proclaim His victory and hold onto hope.

Join Mark Ordus in Week 2 of "What We Believe," delving into the Apostles' Creed's profound declaration of faith in Jesus Christ, God's only Son. This sermon explores the unique identity of Jesus as our Prophet, Priest, and King, revealing how each role enriches our understanding of His mission and our salvation. Mark challenges us to embrace the full scope of Jesus' ministry, not just as a historical figure, but as the living embodiment of God's love, authority, and truth. Discover how accepting Jesus in all these roles can transform our lives, guiding us toward a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with God.

Dr. Scott McKee embarks on a profound journey exploring the core of our Christian faith with a sermon titled, "I Believe in God the Father Almighty." Drawing from Romans 10:9-17, this message delves into the Apostles' Creed, highlighting the significance of professing our belief in God—not just as a creator but as a personal, loving Father and Almighty Sovereign. Pastor Scott eloquently weaves scripture with personal reflection, inviting listeners to deeply affirm their faith. This message calls us to embrace the foundational beliefs that unite Christians across generations and geographies, inspiring a heartfelt declaration of trust in God's power and fatherly love.