Sermons on Harmful Motives:

What Is Spirituality? (2 Of 7)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 1, 2022

In our text, Paul explains some of the things that motivated him.

If we are going to be the SPIRITUAL INDIVIDUALS God wants us to be, we are going to have to have the same motives he had. WHAT IS A MOTIVE? The dictionary describes it as “A conscious or unconscious need or drive that incites a person to some action or behavior.” Illus: Someone has said, “The ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:9-13

Denomination: Baptist

Life Controlled By Love Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Oct 20, 2014

How can we as Christians be sure that our motives are right? We can be certain of our motives if we are, because of our love for Him, living life for God by the power of Christ's death and resurrection.

2 CORINTHIANS 5: 11-16 [GAINING PERSPECTIVE] LIFE CONTROLLED BY LOVE [Romans 6] [Lost] people were wrongly judging the motives of Paul and accusing him of misleading people. Thus Paul wished to clarify his motives so that men would be willing to open themselves up to his message. How do ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:10-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Backsliders Favorite Verse

Contributed by Jerry Depoy on Sep 8, 2003

Matthew 7:1 is probably the most quoted verse and least understood verses of the Bible. In this message we will learn three wrong motives for judging others, and three right motives.

Mat 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

It's All About Choice Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on May 14, 2007

Our motive for service proves our choice of master. Paul reminds us that if our motive of service proves Christ to be our Master, then the results should be a life of bearing fruit.

INTRODUCTION In our study last wee, taken from the 1st chapter of Philippians a verse 15, we found that “others” (15) were sharing “Christ”. Some of these were brothers whom Paul had earlier influenced and they had become more courageous and fearless in their spread of the gospel. **WOULDN’T IT ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:15-26

Denomination: Baptist

Categories Of Gifts Series

Contributed by Bruce Willis on Mar 30, 2007

This is the introductory sermon in a series of ten on Motivational Spiritual Gifts which communicates the three categories of spiritual gifts in order to lay the foundation for communicating the characteristics of the 7 Motivational Spiritual Gifts.

In some respects the church today is like a football game. Bud Wilkinson, football coach of the Oklahoma Sooners before he joined the President’s Physical Fitness Program and later became a commentator for ABC, was asked, “What contribution does professional sports make to the physical fitness of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

Denomination: Baptist

Law And Gospel Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 29, 2021

A knife is good for cutting your meat, but bad for cleaning your eyes and ears. Every good thing can be used in a way that is improper, and then it become harmful and dangerous, and so it is with the law.

There is mystery enough in life without us adding unnecessary mysteries of our own making. For example, like the woman who evicted a man from her boarding house, and when she was asked why she did it she said, "Something mysterious is going on when a man hangs his hat over the key hole every ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:7

What Is A Friend? PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 18, 2025

The sermon emphasizes choosing wise, loving friendships that nurture faith and character, trusting God’s guidance to build relationships that help us flourish and avoid harm.

If you want to see tomorrow, look at the faces around your table today. The people who share your coffee and your commute, your prayers and your plans—these voices shape the volume of your soul. Companions can calm our fears or kindle them. Counsel can steady our steps or scatter them. God cares ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 12:26

Topics: True Friends, Fake Friends

Keep Coming To Jesus

Contributed by Efren V. Narido on Oct 27, 2017

What should motivate us to keep on coming to Jesus? Just to supply our needs?

“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, the living Stone — rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him — you also, like living stones, are being built into a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Confront And Conquer

Contributed by Daniel Olukoya on Sep 21, 2005

If you require only three bullets to finish the enemy and you take 1,000 with you, there is no harm in that; you will bring back the rest.

Matthew 11:12: And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. Matthew 17:21: Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. MFM has been accused of subjecting people to fasting and prayers but here is an ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:12

Denomination: Pentecostal

You're In Good Hands Series

Contributed by Kyle Meador on Sep 8, 2001

It all depends whose hands its in... Invite God to bring his hand in your life to keep you from harm and evil!

You’re In Good Hands That your hand would be with me and keep me from evil… IT DEPENDS WHOSE HANDS IT’S IN A basketball in my hands is worth about $19 A basketball in Shaquille O’Neal’s hands is worth about $19 million a year. It depends whose hands it’s in A baseball bat in my hands is worth ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, Psalm 31:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Obtaining Your Destiny Part 2 Series

Contributed by Greg Cooper on Oct 26, 2007

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Title: Obtaining Your Destiny II Text: I Sam. 17:20-24 Intro: God has a destiny for each and everyone of us here today. Jer 29:11 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (NIV) God sets the plan into ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:20-24

Denomination: Pentecostal

12 Steps To Recovery Part 9 Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Apr 17, 2008

Step 9 focuses on our actually making amends to those we have harmed through our addictions. This message also focuses on reconciliation.

Twelve Steps To Recovery Part 9 Scripture: Matthew 5:23-24; Genesis 33:1-4; Luke 19-8-9 Introduction To date in this series we have discussed the first seven steps in the twelve steps to recovery process. We began by admitting that we were powerless over our dependencies and that there was a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:23-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Does The Bible Say About Angels Demons And Satan Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 10, 2009

Are angels, demons and the devil the result of superstition or reality? A myriad mix of superstition, truth and opinion can easily confuse, entice, harm or belittle the truth.

Angels, demons & Satan In an increasingly secular world, there is still a surprisingly large attention to Angels. Cards, gifts, jewellery, art, ornaments, decorations, clothing and even TV dramas feature angels. Many people even use the term ‘guardian angel’ with sincerity. Many popular films ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Step Up To A New Level Of Giving Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Oct 24, 2009

Far too often we do NOT give as we should and we harm our witness and God’s work when we are disobedient!

Sermon Brief Date Written: October 21, 2009 Date Preached: October 25, 2009 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Sermon Series: Steppin’ UP to the Next Level Sermon Title: Steppin’ UP to a new level of Giving… Sermon Text: 2 Cor 9:1-15 [NKJV] Introduction: I once heard of a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

In Due Time

Contributed by Jon Lipka on Jul 9, 2014

God presently relents in destroying evil to permit more people time to turn to Him and to not harm those who already have accepted Him.

Back in early February, I was feeling…unusual. Something wasn’t quite right. I made an appointment to see the doctor and, without undue scrutiny he declared that I had a hernia. Having received the diagnosis…it didn’t go away. I had to make an appointment with another ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-43

Denomination: Anglican