Sermons on Harmful Motives:

Thanksgiving

Contributed by Nathan Johnson on Nov 20, 2007

What motivates you to be truly thankful to God? Even our normal thanks to God becomes academic and anemic at times. We need to keep our praise to Him fresh and alive so our passion for Him remains fresh and alive. Psalm 100 gives us that boost to help

Thanksgiving Griffith Baptist Church – 11/18/07 A.M. Service Text: Psalm 100 Key Verse: Psalm 100:4 Purpose: To communicate the true motivation for thankfulness to God. The Introduction Two men were walking through a field one day when they spotted an enraged bull. Instantly they darted ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Taking A Look At Family

Contributed by Daren Mitchell on Dec 8, 2012

There’s that thread again, “in the same way.” In what way are husbands to give honor to their wives? In the same way that gives God the glory and makes His name more famous in the community. The motive matters. If our homes look like God arranged them

1 Peter 3 is just one of many Scriptures that deal with our human families and the church family in the same context. One reason why the definition of marriage in our modern environment is so important is because God uses the analogy of human marriage to explain His divine relationship with his ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Shepherd & The Sheep 2 Of 6

Contributed by Charles La Porte on Jun 5, 2017

Too many times we approach God as though He is some kind of cosmic Santa Clause. We are distant and removed, and our only motive is to get something from Him. With God, we only want to receive blessing, or direction or instruction from Him. Yet God wants

The Shepherd & The Sheep 2 Friends With The King Announce the LIFE DISCIPLESHIP classes John 15:15 Too many times we approach God as though He is some kind of cosmic Santa Clause. We are distant and removed, and our only motive is to get something from Him. With God, we only want to receive ...read more

Scripture: John 15:15

Denomination: Pentecostal

Gifted (Part Ten) Series

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jul 30, 2018

First we looked at the motivational gifts in Rom. 12:6-8. Then the manifestation gifts in 1 Cor. 12:7-11. Now we'll go to Eph. 4:11, "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists and some to be pastors and teachers."

GIFTED (part ten) We've looked at the motivational gifts in Rom. 12:6-8. Then we went to 1st Cor. 12:7-11 and looked at the manifestation gifts. Now we see another set of gifts in Eph. 4:11, "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists and some to be pastors ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:2-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Pseudo-Science Vs. Sanctification

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Feb 23, 2019

The Bible implores every Christian to “live by the Spirit” (Gal 5:16 NIV). This is no easy task and requires full submission to God of every minute detail of one’s life. Through the centuries church leaders have used numerous ways to motivate and encourage people to live and walk in the Spirit.

Some of the most recent human-made ideas to help bring about “spiritual” living, and help Christians better understand themselves - as well as others - to live in unity and purpose together, is the use of personality tests and gift assessments. Psychological job placement and career tests are used ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:16, Romans 8:5, Galatians 5:22, Ephesians 5:25-27, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 9:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, John 17:17-19, Ephesians 1:4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Uriah’s Be Careful

Contributed by Samuel M on Jun 24, 2024

Uriah blindly trusted David because of his reputation and position, without discerning his intentions and motives. Uriah worked hard and had a good reputation at work, yet he died as a result of David's grave sin. Uriah’s only mistake was blindly believing David.

And David wrote in the letter, saying, “Set Uriah in the forefront of the [c]hottest battle, and retreat from him, that he may be struck down and die.” 2 Samuel 11:15 When a man of God is living in sin, he is more dangerous than Satan. Run away from a man of God who is living in sin; he is ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:15

A Teacher's Heart Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 21, 2015

How does the gift of teaching help the church? And does that mean that if we don't have this gift that we don't have to teach?

Little Johnny wasn't getting good marks in school. One day he came up to the teacher’s desk and looked like he wanted to say something. “Yes Johnny” the teacher said. “Is there something you want?” Very quietly he said, "I don't want to scare you, but my daddy says ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Entire Bible In Miniature Form Series

Contributed by Mike Cleveland on Mar 11, 2008

This message examines five points that come directly from John 3:16. Four of these points have to do with God, and one has to do with us. 1. God’s initiation of salvation 2. God’s motivation in salvation 3. God’s inclusion in salvation 4. God’s

Let’s open our Bibles this morning to John chapter 3. We’ve been studying in John 3 for several weeks now; we’ve seen from verses 3-7 that the requirement of salvation is to be born again, we’ve seen from verses 15-16 that the method of salvation is Jesus’ death and our faith in Him, and we’ve seen ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Favor, Don't Leave Home Without It Series

Contributed by Caleb Anderson on Nov 7, 2016

Conviction can be cultivated. And the more passion you develop… the more clarity you get that this could be a mission from God that motivates me and matters to someone else. (It doesn’t have to be the last project I do… it probably won’t be…)

Last time: Conviction can be cultivated Stories so far… life group jumping in and coming back for 6pm tear-down 33-year-old mom who didn’t realize they’re doing a dream already friend: “We came to this church because it’s real and not weird… And I didn’t ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-2

Denomination: *other

Woman Of Tyre A Mother’s Faithand Dog Food Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 19, 2021

Jesus never complimented anyone in a higher way than her, and yet she was a nobody. She was not the wife of a great man, or the mother of outstanding children. We don't even know her name. Her only claim to fame was her faith, for it was great, and it was motivated by her love as a mother.

Lucy Webb Hayes was one of the greatest mothers to ever live in the White House. She was the wife of the 19th President of the United States, Rutherford B. Hayes, who was elected in 1877. She was the first college educated first lady of the United States, but more important, she brought to the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-30

Zechariah #16: Superficial Religion Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jun 27, 2022

This exposition of Zechariah 7:1-6 explores the issue of the inner motives behind our service to the Lord. How many people go to church, give their money, fast, etc. and are baffled by God's lack of response. Why is there so little power in the church? The text addresses all that.

Intro Our text today is in Zechariah 7. Last week we examined the capstone of the eight visions.i The crowning of Joshua, the High Priest, was a symbolic act prophesying Messiah. Unlike any other, Messiah would be both priest and king. All the promises of God are yea and amen in Him.ii The eight ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 7:1-14, Matthew 23:5, Colossians 3:23, Philippians 2:3, Isaiah 1:12-15, Proverbs 4:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Life Intercepted By God-1(2024)

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Dec 9, 2024

1 of 3. The apostle Matthew recorded some key elements/aspects surrounding the conception & birth of Jesus, from Joseph’s perspective. ?What can be learned from Joseph’s perspective about Jesus’ beginnings? Lessons learned from a life intercepted by God. Life Intercepted By God...

LIFE INTERCEPTED By GOD-I—Matthew 1:18-19(:18-25) Attention: One day, in 1986, before I knew Jesus, I was sitting the living room of my, my wife’s, & our infant daughter’s newly purchased home in Savannah, Georgia. I was watching a Sunday Bible Study program aired by a local pastor. He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-19, Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

A Song Of Strength: We Shall Overcome Series

Contributed by Rudolf E. Y. Mensah on Jul 13, 2025

"No matter the trials we face, our spirit rises. This is for every heart still holding on—believing in a better tomorrow. We shall overcome… together."

SERMON TITLE: A Song of Strength: We Shall Overcome MAIN TEXT: John 1:5 (NIV) "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." INTRODUCTION Beloved, there are songs that stir emotion, and there are songs that resurrect hope. "We Shall Overcome" is ...read more

Scripture: John 1:5, Romans 8:28, Psalm 126:5, Hebrews 11:1, John 16:33  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Are You Living In Your Grace Period?

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Mar 10, 2002

The question I want you to ask yourself this morning as we look at the parable of the fig tree is “Am I living in my grace period?” If you are, I hope that you will see your need and be motivated by God’s Spirit to allow Him work in you making you what y

When I was in the insurance industry, I constantly had to deal with people seeking to maintain their policies perpetually in what they referred to as the policy’s grace period. A grace period is defined as the additional period of time a lender or an insurance policy issuer provides for a borrower ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Grace Produces Independence And Freedom Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jul 7, 2015

Based on what we’ve seen in God’s grace; our motivation ought to be clear: There is richness in God’s Grace; There is independence in God’s Grace; and There is real freedom found in God’s Grace. Will we share what we have with others in need?

Grace Produces Independence and Freedom Grace Sermon Series, Part 6 Ephesians 2:4-7 Introduction - God’s grace produces tangible results in our lives -- It gives us peace for the future and hope to stand firm during trials -- God has given us His grace as proof of His concern and love ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational