Sermons on Harmful Motives:

Having The Right Motive Series

Contributed by Nnaemeka Durueke on May 16, 2022

In many ways Christian leadership is quite different from all secular forms of leadership and having the right motive is much more critical and essential

HAVING THE RIGHT MOTIVE SCRIPTURE TEXT: Romans 1:9-17 INTRODUCTION In many ways Christian leadership is quite different from all secular forms of leadership and having the right motive is much more critical and essential. "Do ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:9-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

Motives: Sermon Of The Mount Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Jan 30, 2022

There is a difference between real prayer and just words. The improper way is to stand on the street corner to be seen by men. This is the way of the hypocrites, the play actors.

There was something taught in one of my business classes at Indiana University that has stuck with me. It is the concept of enlightened self-interest. This is a philosophy in business ethics which states that companies who act to further the interests of others, ultimately serve their own ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-8, Matthew 6:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

What Motivated Paul Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Sep 23, 2023

Paul was extraordinarily determined to take the gospel to the Gentile world. He was full of passion and drive. He got knocked down but he got up and kept going. Why? What motivated him?

WHAT MOTIVATED PAUL We live in a world where a lot of people don’t believe in God. But not only that, many people who do believe in God are not exactly passionate about telling those who don’t believe in God about him. What will motivate us to tell people about Jesus? That’s our subject ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-21

Denomination: Baptist

Paul Was A Motivational Speaker

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jun 11, 2025

Vince Lombardi, the football coach, goes down in the history books as one of the all-time greats, if not the greatest, coach ever.

Today we have a lot of MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS in the pulpit. The reason they are motivational speakers they do not know enough of the Word of God to be a Bible preacher. But the apostle Paul was a MOTIVATIONAL PREACHER, and we can see that clearly in his writing to the THESSALONIANS. Illus: Vince ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Denomination: Baptist

Motives Are Weighed By The Lord Series

Contributed by Rudolf E. Y. Mensah on Dec 2, 2023

Cultivate a good motive anytime you pray. God's answer is primarily dependent on the motive behind what you are asking Him.

OASIS WORD DEVOTIONAL Verse Of The Day: We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer. Proverbs 16:1 (NLT) Columnist: Rudolf E. Y. Mensah, ©Oasis WordBank Motives Are Weighed By The Lord Cultivate a good motive anytime you pray. God's answer is primarily dependent on ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:1, Matthew 10:19-20, James 4:13-14

Denomination: Charismatic

Motivate, Model, Mentor PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2023

The importance of motivating fellow believers, modeling Christ-like behavior, and mentoring others in their faith journey.

Introduction Greetings, beloved in Christ! Today, we will dive into the scripture to explore three power-packed themes: motivating senior saints, modeling Christ-like behavior, and mentoring others in faith. These themes are drawn from Acts 17:14, Philippians 2:22, and 2 Timothy 1:3-4. In Acts, we ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:14, Philippians 2:22, 2 Timothy 1:3-4

Topics: Encourage, Motivate, Mentor

Foundational And Motivational Gifts

Contributed by Steven W. Satterfield on Jul 23, 2025

This is different from 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4 (offices)

v. 1 present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship v. 2 do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind v. 3 not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to; we need to be humble v. 4 we, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-8

Denomination: Vineyard

Do No Harm (Be Better Than That)

Contributed by Monty Newton on Mar 2, 2014

To do no harm is to emulate the teaching of Jesus. Sometimes not making things worse is the Christ-like thing to do.

Title: Do No Harm (Be Better Than That!) Text: Matthew 5:38-48 Thesis: To do no harm is to emulate the teaching of Jesus. Sometimes not making things worse is the Christian thing to do… and makes things better. Introduction The ethical mandate to do no harm probably originated in the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Theology Can Harm Scriptural Understanding

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 27, 2021

Do you have a strong allegiance to a particular set of doctrines or theology? Are you a staunch Arminian or a dedicated five point Calvinist?

Matthew 24:10-13 (ESV) "And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved." Do you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14, Matthew 24:10-13, Matthew 6:14-15, Matthew 25:31-46, 1 Peter 2:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

I Don't Mean Any Harm PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 19, 2024

This sermon explores the power of words, the importance of taming our tongues, and the transformative potential of aligning our speech with God's truth.

Beloved friends, as we gather together in this sacred space, we find ourselves standing on the precipice of a profound truth, a truth that has the power to transform our lives in unimaginable ways. Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the wisdom found in the book of Proverbs, a wisdom that is as ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:21

Topics: Death, Life, Power

Prevent Being Out Of Order

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

With the motivation of love man can turn problems into blessings and bring order out of chaos, and harmony out of discord. By cooperation men can make plans where everyone comes out a winner.

After World War II there were five army dumps in France full of machinery. It was too good to throw away, and yet not good enough to hall back to the United States. It was a major problem. The Quakers saw an opportunity for service, and so they offered the United States Army 200,000 francs for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6

A New Year In October?

Contributed by Jason Jones on Jun 10, 2024

This is where we are as a church. This morning I want to look at their motivation, their mission, and the means to accomplish it.

Background to passage: Pentecost, lame man and preaching on Solomon’s portico; now it gets real - Sadducees, rulers of the people, temple guards, priests, scribes, elders, a night in jail. The church/apostles are called to continue to minister in the name of the risen Christ, and in the face of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

Three Motives For His Sacrifice

Contributed by Carl Allen on Jan 16, 2008

The motive that precedes action is supremely important. We all wonder about the motives that people have as they interact with us from day to day. They wonder about ours. The motive behind an action adds significance to that action. It is encouraging

Three Motives for His Sacrifice Titus 2:11-14 Intro The motive that precedes action is supremely important. We all wonder about the motives that people have as they interact with us from day to day. They wonder about ours. The motive behind an action adds significance to that action. It is ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:11-14

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 3: Praying Through Persecution

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 2, 2011

Learning how to pray against those who attempt to harm you or your family.

A. 1 PETER 4:12-19 “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

No Fear! Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on May 24, 2022

People are often motivated primarily by fear or greed. But love is the best motivator.

What motivates you? Cynical approach used in sales: Fear and greed. If we believe that we’re completely on our own in the world, then these two impulses serve as effective motivators. As followers of Christ know that there is a more powerful motivator: Love. At the same time, we can lose sight of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ