Sermons on Harmful Motives:

The Offerings That Speak Series

Contributed by Senior Pastor Ndayiragije-Misigaro Joel on Jan 18, 2023

Though many beliefs concur that offering to your local church is to enrich your pastor, that is a lie. Moreover, one needs to look at the benefits of giving in the first place. Why do I give my offerings? What are the benefits? What motivates you to give?

The offerings that speak. Written by Senior Pastor Ndayiragije Misigaro Joel, January 18, 2023 Deuteronomy 8:17-18 "Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the power ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:17-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

4 Controversial Uncompromising Life-Changing Truths Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Nov 22, 2024

Most people who are enslaved know they are slaves. The girl who is abducted and taken into the worldwide human trafficking ring knows she’s a slave. You don’t have to tell her this. But there is a kind of slavery where people don’t fully realize they are enslaved.

Today, I want to speak to you about “4 Controversial Uncompromising Life-Changing Truths” from the lips of Jesus Himself. These 4 truths are unpopular for many. They are likely to start a good argument at the Thanksgiving dinner table. Many of these, if not all of these, run against the current ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-47

Denomination: Baptist

The Greatest Gift

Contributed by Abraham Shanklin on Jan 31, 2004

That’s what you are going to find in this text this morning…what true love is. You are going to find in God’s word…1 John 3, what the real reason for the season is…You will find what the true motivation for living is.

Living the Life With the Greatest Gift Scripture Reference: 1 John 3:1 – 9 Introduction Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations -- extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. Yet still, I ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Matthew 5 - Take A Bath! You Smell Like A Hypocrite! Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Dec 27, 2009

Take a bath! You smell like a hypocrite! Better to live like the unbeliever you are than to act like a Christian on Sundays. Because at least you won’t be deceiving yourself. Take the Purity in heart test from Matthew 5 and examine your motives!

Matthew 5 - Take a bath! You smell like a hypocrite! I don’t know about you but I don’t like the term "pure in heart". It seems like woose talk or I think of someone with an intellectual disability or so totally naïve they don’t see bad things happening all around them. Maybe even children, up to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Human Praise Vs God's Praise

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Dec 12, 2012

I. EXORDIUM: What motivates you most? the applause of people or GOD's approval or praise? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To give more value to GOD's praises rather than people's IV. TEXT: John 12:43 (New Living Tran

I. EXORDIUM: What motivates you most? the applause of people or GOD's approval or praise? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To give more value to GOD's praises rather than people's IV. TEXT: John 12:43 (New Living Translation, Second Edition) For they loved human praise more ...read more

Scripture: John 12:43

Denomination: Pentecostal

Positive Giving

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Aug 8, 2011

What motivates you to give? The Corinthians had an easy time setting unrealistic giving goals that set them up for failure, but a hard time giving in a way that released the gift to God and brought Him glory. In this chapter Paul gives us some valuable le

Giving is one of those subjects that pastors either ignore or really focus on. For us at Calvary Chapel, we teach through the Scriptures so when a chapter comes along on any particular subject then we teach it. Giving should be a part of every growing Christian’s experience, and I’m not ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-24

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Gifted (Part Seven) Series

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jul 3, 2018

In Rom. 12 we looked at the seven motivational gifts. Now, we'll focus on 1st Cor. 12 with the manifestation gifts. Wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, discernment of spirits, tongues/interpretation of tongues. Today we'll look at the first three

GIFTED (part seven) In Rom. 12 we looked at the seven motivational gifts. Now, we'll be focusing on 1st Cor. 12 where we find the seven manifestation gifts. Wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, discernment of spirits, tongues/interpretation of tongues. Today we'll look at the first three ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Daniel 1:17-20, Acts 5:1-4, Acts 27:21-25, Matthew 8:23-26, Psalm 112:6-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Solitude And Prayer Help Us To Do God’s Work

Contributed by Craig Condon on Feb 7, 2015

We need to be motivated by what God calls us to do and not by what other people expect us to do. We have to do God’s will even if it doesn’t please people. God’s message is not in sync with the rest of the world.

A Baptist minister and his wife decided to get a new dog. Ever mindful of the congregation, they knew the dog must also be a Baptist. They visited kennel after kennel and explained their needs. Finally they found a kennel whose owner assured them he had just the dog they wanted. The owner ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:29-39

Denomination: Anglican

Interrupted Respite In Phoenicia: Syrophenician Healed Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 18, 2017

A mother’s heart is one of the most potent motivators known. A Syro-Phoenician (or Canaanite) woman exhibited this during one of Jesus’ teaching tours. We do not know her name, but we do know this mother had insight, courage, persistence, and initiative

-AD 29- Phoenicia Lesson: Interrupted Respite in Phoenicia: Syrophenician Healed Matthew 15:21-28, Mark 7:24-30 -Matthew- A mother’s heart is one of the most potent motivators known. A Syro-Phoenician (or Canaanite) woman exhibited this during one of Jesus’ teaching tours. We do not know her ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28, Mark 7:24-30

Denomination: Baptist

The Anatomy Of Paul's Prayer Series

Contributed by David Taylor on Mar 17, 2016

The Supremacy and Sufficiency of Christ, part 10 The Anatomy of Paul's Prayer Colossians 2:6-10 David Taylor 2015 The Intensity of Paul's Prayer (vs. 1 The Heart of Paul's Prayer (vs. 2-3) The Motivation Behind Paul's Prayer (vs. 4-5)

The Supremacy and Sufficiency of Christ, part 10 The Anatomy of Paul's Prayer We are starting chapter two in Paul's letter to the Colossians church, in our series, “The Supremacy and Sufficiency of Christ.” Paul wrote this letter to help the Colossian church see Christ as supreme ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Seeking Self-Justification Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Mar 30, 2022

Part of a Lenten Sermon Series on people in the gospels who seek out Jesus. This week we consider less than pure motivations in “Seeking Self-Justification.” We hear the story of a man who wants Jesus to settle a dispute between him and his brother.

March 30, 2022 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Luke 12:13-21 Seeking Self-Justification Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Why do we seek Jesus? For direction, for help, for forgiveness. There are many reasons. And if ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Thank You For Serving!

Contributed by Je Layugan on Apr 11, 2022

Why is serving very important and what should be our motivation? The answers lie in that very powerful scene in which Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. Jesus mandated us to live by (symbolically) washing one another’s feet, (literally) serving one another.

INTRODUCTION – The 80/20 Rule in the Church We loved to be served. - We tend to get angry when we ordered something and not served on time. - We demand to talk to the manager when we are not satisfied with the service provided to us. - We grumble when our expectation of service is not met. To be ...read more

Scripture: John 13:14-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

Jesus Inspects His Church Series

Contributed by John Gaston on Jun 7, 2022

In Rev. 2-3, the SUPERNATURAL GAZE OF JESUS searches our hearts and tests our motives. He inspected the churches - then & now. Jesus saw 3 major problems: false reputations, lukewarm attitudes, and those who'd left their first love.

JESUS INSPECTS HIS CHURCH REV. 2-3 WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT THE FUTURE 4 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: FORGET THE EYE EXAM 1. It had been many years since my last eye exam and my wife was pestering me to make an appointment. The more she nagged, the more I procrastinated. Finally she made an appointment ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Exchanged Life

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Aug 22, 2025

This sermon on Galatians 2:20 presents the "exchanged life" as the Christian's declaration of independence from self, where the old identity is considered crucified with Christ and a new life is lived by the faith of the Son of God, motivated by His personal love and sacrifice.

Introduction: A Declaration of Spiritual Independence In our world today, the prevailing message is one of self-actualization. "Find yourself," the world cries. "Be true to yourself." "Follow your heart." We are encouraged from every corner to build our own identity, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20

Denomination: Baptist

The Fall And Rise Of Humanity

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Jan 17, 2021

Today's message looks at "The Fall of Humanity." But it moves beyond to look at humanity's rise once again. It also looks at the process of temptation, including questioning and denying God's word, and how that leads to misinterpreting God's motives in giving His word.

The Fall and Rise of Humanity Genesis 3:1-11 ** Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_D8NkKbwGI At the end of last year, the Lord laid on my heart the word, “remnant” and the “remnant church,” and began to show me what the remnant church was going to look like. It was that message that I ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-11, Amos 8:11

Denomination: Foursquare