Sermons on Harmful Motives:

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Spirit-Empowered Messiah Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Mar 8, 2011

Jesus had no sin or impure motives that gave Satan legal access to His life. Satan could find nothing in Jesus - not even one square inch of territory - to which he could lay claim and thus gain access to Jesus’ heart. This is the reason why there was pro

Opening illustration: You might not see the literal ‘Red Sea’ miracle in today’s context but will surely see one parallel to it. The issue is, as the Israelites waited before the ‘Red Sea,’ they didn’t contemplate or pursue to build a bridge across it. They waited on God for His Salvation. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:35-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Jesus Gave His Disciples A Goal Greater Than Their Own Pleasures

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Sep 17, 2006

Many people lack motivation because they do not have a higher goal than merely pleasing themselves. Jesus gave His disciples a purpose that would transcend their earthly worries and pleasures. Jesus said, "If you believe in Me… you will do even greater wo

How Jesus Gave His Disciples a Goal Greater than Their Own Pleasures by Paul Fritz John 14:12-14:16 How Jesus Gave His Disciples a Goal Greater than Their Own Pleasures - John 14:12-16 Many people lack motivation because they do not have a higher goal than merely pleasing themselves. Jesus ...read more

Scripture: John 14:12-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Finding Strength By Knowing The True Identity Of Jesus.

Contributed by Tim Yelchaninov on Dec 21, 2013

Often times, we struggle through our walk with God. We got tired, loose motivation, or fall into a habit for sin. We struggle when we loose sight of the true identity of Jesus, who He is and what He has accomplished for humanity, rediscover Jesus.

Christology sermon Introduction: Has anyone here been a track runner? I once ran for Heritage H.S and remember the rigorous training we went through as we prepared to run in competitions. We ran miles each day, and when it came time to compete, we would arrive and warm up, we would have our ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Controlling You? A Conditioned Stimulus?

Contributed by Kelly Durant on May 16, 2015

We love and serve each other, we influence and restrain one another, but we must become aware of the whys and motives. Control over another is a strange phenomenon; I observe many people are unaware of who is pulling their strings!Control is usually done by invoking fear!

What Is Controlling You? A Conditioned Stimulus? By Kelly Durant 5-17-15 Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage 5:13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-13

Denomination: Salvation Army

A Perfect Heart

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 25, 2014

Perfection does not mean a sinless, flawless heart. Man judges by outward appearances, by what he sees. But God judges the heart; the unseen motives. David was said to have had a perfect heart toward God "all the days of his life," yet he failed the Lord.

11-18-04 A Perfect Heart It is possible to walk before the Lord with a perfect heart! God said to Abraham, "I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect" (Genesis 17:1). God also said to the children of Israel, "Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord your God" (Deuteronomy 18:13). David ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

A Mind For Christ

Contributed by Charles King on Aug 5, 2023

A key verse in Paul's letter is Philippians 2:5, where Paul says we should have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. This verse serves as a model and a motivation for us to have the same attitude and perspective as Jesus in our relationships with God and with each other.

Title: A Mind For Christ The book of Philippians is a letter written by the apostle Paul to the church in Philippi, a church that he founded and a church that loved and supported his ministry. In this letter, Paul expresses his joy, gratitude, and affection for the Philippians, and encourages them ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5