Sermons on Harmful Motives:

Godly Ambition Series

Contributed by Bob Myers on Sep 8, 2020

Ambition is a common human motivation. We see it played out in the lives of countless men and women throughout history. In our text today, we observe two kinds of burning ambition. While the passion to achieve desired ends is similar, the motivation sets them worlds apart.

Who Is This Man? Godly Ambition Mark 10:32-45 Ambition We often talk about people going through “phases.” That’s especially true for those who are growing through adolescence or some other dynamic season of life. “Oh, don’t worry about it,” we tell ourselves, “it’s just a phase.” Grown adults ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:32-45

Denomination: Baptist

Making Wise Decisions Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jan 25, 2019

10 Questions from Proverbs to Help us Make Wise Decisions

Making Wise Decisions Proverbs 3:5-6 Rev. Brian Bill January 26-27, 2019 An HR manager advertised a job opening and a large group of applicants showed up in the waiting room. The first man was ushered into her office, and she began explaining the job to him: “We need someone who can make fast ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 19:2, Proverbs 21:5, Proverbs 16:2, Proverbs 11:4, Proverbs 22:1, Proverbs 6:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

"a Resounding Tribute To Pastors.”

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Oct 3, 2025

Pastors equip the saints for the work of ministry and for building up the body of Christ. This involves guiding their flock to pursue their divine purpose, thereby fulfilling the Great Commission: empowering people to share the Gospel and live out their faith with passion and purpose.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (Jeremiah 3:15) "Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding." (Hebrews 13:17) “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:17, Proverbs 14:4, Proverbs 15:17, 1 Timothy 5:18, Numbers 18:19, Jeremiah 3:15, Nehemiah 6:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

I Know Your Schemes Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 29, 2002

Poetic reflection for Maundy Thursday, in which the Jesus who is about to go to the cross tells His disciples that He knows their schemes to harm, their unwillingness to travel difficult roads, and their failure to accept the burden of testimony, so that

"Oh, I know your thoughts, and your schemes to wrong me. ... Have you not asked those who travel the roads, and do you not accept their testimony?” ‘Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me." They began to be distressed and to say to him one ...read more

Scripture: Job 21:27-29, Mark 14:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

Our Confidence In God Series

Contributed by David Phaneuf on Jul 31, 2003

"I shall not want... I will not fear... I will dwell..." -- three great affirmations expressing confidence in God who provides for our needs, protects us from harm, and promises us abundant and eternal life.

GREAT STORIES OF THE OLD TESTAMENT: OUR CONFIDENCE IN GOD (The Shepherds Psalm) Psalm 23 We have been looking at some of the Great STORIES of the Old Testament, stories of people and their encounters with God, stories of how God worked in someone’s life. Today’s sermon, however, is not strictly ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: United Methodist

The Invasion Of Islam, Pt. 2

Contributed by Dave Kinney on Jul 22, 2007

Jesus raised the dead and Mohammad killed the living. Jesus healed the sick and Mohammad harmed the healthy. Jesus released the oppressed and Mohammad enslaved the free! And it’s still happening today somewhere around the world!

I just want to go on record again as saying; these 2 weeks have not been a Muslim bashing, but rather it’s been an exposing of the mystery behind the veil that makes Islam so intriguing to its 1.5 billion followers. Last week we found out the complexity of the Muslim messenger and the confusion of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:15-20

Denomination: Baptist

Threats From Without - Dangers From Within Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Dec 18, 2005

Do you fear external forces will harm you? You are not alone, but you also don’t need to fear in Jesus. But - perhaps you are not aware of an internal danger that the enemy seeks to use against you.

What do you fear? One website lists the top ten fears among humans: 1-Fear of spiders, 2-Fear of people, 3-Fear of flying, 4-Fear of open spaces, 5-Claustrophobia, 6-Fear of vomiting, 7-Fear of heights, 8-Fear of cancer, 9-Fear of thunder & lightning, 10-Fear of death. The top five fears that ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-17

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Reacting Or Responding?

Contributed by Jerry Smith on Feb 6, 2014

The disciples ‘reacted’ to the behavior of the Samaritans by wanting to harm them: Bad for bad, tit-for-tat. And is it not true of us today too? But what did Jesus say to His disciples and us today about it?

OPENING > And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:51-56

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Blessed & The Perverted Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Feb 16, 2012

The righteous are blessed for they receive & obey God’s Word & therefore walk in safety & will be well remembered. The wicked bring about strife, hurt, & harm. Since they sought the downfall of others their remembrance & work will be cast down

PROVERBS 10: 6-10 THE BLESSED AND THE PERVERTED [or the Blesser and the Perverter] Here we have two characters -the wicked and the just- contrasted. They represent the two great classes of mankind. From their opposite characters, there springs an opposite way of living which leads to ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 10:6-10

Denomination: Baptist

Family Secrets Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Mar 22, 2018

Family secrets harm families. In Jacob's family, there was disunity and favoritism. Family secrets need to be brought into the open, where they can be dealt with. Families can change the way they deal with issues: truth, attitudes, and actions.

FAMILY SECRETS—Genesis 26:34-27:45 Are you familiar with the phrase, “the elephant in the room”? Imagine some people in a room, with an elephant in the middle of the room, but no one wants to recognize that the elephant is there. The people in the room talk about a lot of things, but no one ever ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Sermon # 39 - Eradicate Envy Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Jun 15, 2023

Are we targets of envy or do we sometimes envy others? Jealousy is a strong emotion that can cause much harm, and God’s word teaches us how to deal with it and be rid of it from our lives.

We read in Hebrews 13:5, Don't love money. Be happy with what you have because God has said, "I will never abandon you or leave you." (GW) One of the crucial emotions that a majority of people struggle with, is that of jealousy, though many feel uncomfortable to accept this fact. If ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:5, Genesis 26:12, Proverbs 14:30, Proverbs 10:22, Proverbs 27:4, Genesis 37:20, Psalm 106:16, Numbers 16:1, Numbers 16:3, Numbers 16:12, Numbers 16:15, Numbers 16:26, Genesis 37:11, Genesis 26:14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

The Dangers Of Compromise

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on May 19, 2025

Compromise is a dangerous path that erodes spiritual strength, destroys testimony, breeds confusion, harms our relationship with God, and jeopardizes eternal rewards. The Christian life demands unwavering commitment to God’s holiness and truth.

THE DANGERS OF COMPROMISE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Joshua 24:15 Supporting Texts: 1 Kings 11:1-6, James 4:4, Proverbs 30:5-6, Revelation 3:15-16 INTRODUCTION: Compromise may seem like an easy way to avoid conflict or to fit in, but in the spiritual realm, it is a dangerous path that ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:15, 1 Kings 11:1-6, James 4:4, Proverbs 30:5-6, Revelation 3:15-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Ambassadors For Christ

Contributed by John Gaston on Jun 20, 2013

We are “ambassadors for Christ.” We see 3 things in this text: Ambassadors have a Mandate from Christ, A Message to carry, and a Motive – the love of Christ.

AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST 2 Cor. 5:18-21; Lk. 14:31-33 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Have you ever known people who exaggerated? What are some examples? 2. SMALL TOWN a. One comedienne said, “You know, I was visiting a small town last week.” And the audience said with one voice, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:18-21

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Positive Side Of The Ten Commandments: The Eighth Commandment Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 15, 2002

The hidden motive back of each commandment is worship. Since everything a Christian does should praise God, all of the Ten Commandments revolve around worshipping God.

EIGHTH COMMANDMENT “Thou shalt not steal” (Ex. 20:15). A. INTRODUCTION: HOW DOES GOD WANT US TO GET STUFF? 1. Work. How does God want us to get STUFF? “Let him that stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something good” (Eph. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:15

Denomination: Baptist

The Paraclete Series

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Jun 2, 2001

A motivational message geared to inspire Christians to continue allowing the Holy Spirit to fill their lives with God’s power and authority.

MOST OF US WHO HAVE COMPUTERS KNOW THAT ON THE SCREEN OF OUR MONITOR IS AN ICON, OR A PICTURE, THAT IS ENTITLED: "MY COMPUTER." IF YOU "CLICK-ON" THIS ICON IT WILL SOON OPEN A FILE THAT REVEALS THE CONTENTS OF EVERYTHING YOU HAVE SAVED ON YOUR COMPUTER. THE SAME IS TRUE FOR US AS GOD’S ...read more

Scripture: John 14:16-17

Denomination: Free Methodist