Sermons on Harmful Motives:

The Word, World And Void

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Dec 1, 2023

The world is void without Christ and his followers. The word became flesh and lived among us. He lives in us. He is that grace. Our nature is changed, our motive is changed and our life is full of joy and grace.

Text: John 1:1-14 Theme: The Word Became Flesh Greetings: The Lord is good and his love endures forever. I wish you a happy Christmas season. Today, the First Sunday in Advent. We celebrate our Church Anniversary which is another important significance for us. The word became flesh is the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Methodist

To Know Him

Contributed by Vicki Williamson on Mar 1, 2022

Do you really know the person closest to you? Know their hearts desires including their successes and failures? Do you know what they think and what motivates 
them with every action? Do you truly know them?

Turn with me to the book of Philippians, a letter written by the Apostle Paul ?to believers in Philippi. This is the Apostle Paul speaking his heart’s desire. Philippians 3:10-11 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, ?and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:10-11, Philippians 2:5-11, Philippians 4:4

The Songs Of Ascent – Part 3 – Psalm 121 – Can You Know The Lord Who Helps, Keeps And Guards? Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 1, 2023

We have a faithful God who keeps us always. The Lord will guard all our ways, right through adversity. The testing of faith can only happen in a storm. It will never happen when all is calm and gentle. Angels have charge over us – so much help God has given to us.

THE SONGS OF ASCENT – PART 3 – PSALM 121 – CAN YOU KNOW THE LORD WHO HELPS, KEEPS AND GUARDS? [A]. FROM WHERE DO I FIND MY HELP? {{Psalm 121:1 “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains. From whence shall my help come? Psalm 121:2 My help comes from the LORD who made heaven and earth.”}} This ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 121:1-2, Psalm 34:8, Proverbs 30:5, Psalm 121:3, 1 Kings 18:27, Psalm 121:5, 2 Timothy 1:12, Psalm 91:10-13, Psalm 91:14-15, Psalm 121:6, Psalm 121:7, Romans 10:17, Ephesians 6:17, 1 John 2:14, Psalm 37:5-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lessons From David Pt 6 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 11, 2009

David has had a spiritual heart attack caused by sin so he now needs to be confronted by God’s messenger so he can come back to life. Love motivated god to send Nathan no hatred so that David could be revived from the impact of sin.

Lessons from David pt 6 “A Fallen King pt b” David’s sin came because he stopped doing what he was supposed to be doing, because he did not listen to the warnings, he allowed sin into his home and he tried to cover sin up with more sin. A nobody became a somebody who became a fugitive who then ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:1-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Delegation Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Nov 2, 2005

Jesus return is the motivation for remaining holy and blameless to be ready when he appears so we can join him, so we’re worthy of him. Paul’s prayer is that Jesus would provide the power to do it.

As we read this section of 1 Thessalonians we get a real sense of Paul’s love for the people he ministered to. There’s no sense of this being made up, no pretence. Rather it feels quite genuine. He really misses them. He’s distressed that he’s had to abandon them just as they were becoming a stable ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

Be Willing To Enter The Valley (Part 2 Of 3) Series

Contributed by Dana Visneskie on Nov 10, 2005

Today some Christians are living in fear, intimidation and comfortableness and not trusting in God. David when faced with the problem of Goliath willing ran down to the valley to defeat the enemy. I give 3 points that show what motivated David to do that

Title: Be Willing To Enter The Valley (Part 2) Text: I Sam 17:1-58 (Key Verse is 38-48) Pray!!! Read Text!!! Introduction: - (Recap from last week’s message (Fighting Bears and Delivering Cheese)) - There was 3 points that I gave from this message about how God prepares us in life for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:38-48

Denomination: Pentecostal

"Before"

Contributed by Ken Harris on Aug 29, 2004

The purpose of this sermon is to motivate the hearers to affirm to others that God has selected beforehand(prior to the believers very first moment of existence) the goal (OF LOVINGLY SERVING HIM) which He is going to move everyone towards that BELIEVES i

U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris Taegu, South Korea Sunday, 22 August 2004 BIG IDEA: GOD’S PURPOSE FOR BELIEVERS WAS PREARRANGED FOR THEM TO LOVE AND SERVE HIM. REFERENCES: Predestination: This subject has been the reason for major divisions in Protestantism – Protestants are classified as ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

Do Not Be Afraid

Contributed by Karl Eckhoff on Jun 28, 2002

Fear can be a powerful motivating factor that can keep us from living out our Christian faith, life and responsibilities. Jesus assures us that we do not need to be afraid and releases us from fear’s bondage.

Pentecost 5 A Matthew 10:24-33 Do Not Be Afraid 06/23/02 During his years as premier of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev denounced many of the policies and atrocities of Joseph Stalin. Once, as he censured Stalin in a public meeting, Khrushchev was interrupted by a shout from a heckler in the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:24-33

Denomination: Lutheran

When Did We?

Contributed by Steve Smith on Jan 31, 2010

This message helps the church ask why we do the acts of mercy we do? What is our motive? Last in a series of 4, we are reminded that all opportunities of service are to be done as though we are doing them for the Master Himself!

Introduction Today, we end our study of preparation for the Vision of our church for the year 2010. We’ve talked about: 1. Recognizing the Open Doors (Rev. 3:7-8) 2. Effective Prayer (Col. 6:2-6) 3. Effective Giving (2 Cor 8:1-15) And now today the question, “When Did ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-40

Denomination: Baptist

Part 6 -- Overwhelmed With The Person Of God Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Nov 2, 2009

As we come to the conclusion of the book of Habakkuk, we see the prophet of God overwhelmed by His God. Habakkuk has moved from a selfishly motivated question request of God to a personal state of spiritual harmony. A position of trust in what will happ

OVERWHELMED WITH THE PERSON OF GOD Habakkuk 3:16-19 INTRODUCTION: As we come to the conclusion of the book of Habakkuk, we see the prophet of God overwhelmed by His God. Habakkuk has moved from a selfishly motivated question request of God to a personal state of spiritual harmony. A position of ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:16-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Cream Rises To The To Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 14, 2008

For most of us, the idea that the Messiah will judge each of us and the idea that God does not change -- and therefore we must adapt to Him and not He to us -- motivates us to surface as His followers. We recognize the wisdom of aligning ourselves to Him

The Cream Rises to the Top (Malachi 3:1-7) 1. Sometimes people say, "It doesn’t matter what we believe, as long as we all believe there is one God?" 2. We were shocked to hear about the polygamous sect in Texas this past week. 3. According to the Associated Press, "Authorities searching the ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:1-7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Bread And Swords Series

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Apr 7, 2014

This is the ninth message in my series on David. The house of the Lord always adds much to us when we come to worship. Sometimes our motives are not the best but God still works out the rough places of our character by His grace.

DAVID—A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART 09—BREAD AND SWORDS TEXT: 1 Samuel 21:1-6, 8-9 1 Samuel 21:1-6 KJV Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee? [2] And David ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 21:1-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

God's Gift Of The Magi

Contributed by Craig Condon on Mar 30, 2015

The Magi were humbled by the state of reverence that they felt for the Christ Child. That, my friends, is the appropriate motivation for worship in our church services today. We need to put away our pride and worldly baggage and worship Christ sincerely.

Well, the 12 days of Christmas are over for another season. All of the decorations are down and put away for another year, and the presents have been opened. The craziness of the Christmas season is over for the secular world, but here in the church, we have some more of the Christmas story to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13-16

Denomination: Anglican

Living In The Will Of God Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 22, 2012

Jesus said His food was to do the will of His Father. It is what moved, motivated and mattered to Jesus. God’s will was what engergized Jesus. If we are filled with His Spirit our desirses should be His. What is the will of God? We will learn for the

Intro: The centerpiece of the gospel is the crusifixion. It stands between life for ourselves and life surrendered to God. If we are to follow Jesus we must be crucified with Him. In this daily crucifixion that Paul talks about our will, emotions, and mind are no longer our own we were bought ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:50

Denomination: Baptist

Judas Iscariot

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Mar 13, 2018

Why did Judas Iscariot betray Jesus - was there an ulterior motive? Did Judas Iscariot see something in Jesus that the other disciples missed? Was Judas Iscariot trying to kick-start Jesus into action as the real and promised Messiah, the expected Messiah

Judas Iscariot John 12: 1-8 Today’s gospel from John is set in holy week, the anointing of Jesus with precious ointment – a poignant scene; but Judas reacted that it was a terrible waste, the ointment could have been sold and the money given to the poor. John's comment is that Judas said this, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:14-16, Matthew 26:47-50, John 12:1-8