Sermons on Harmful Motives:

He Taught Them Many Parables… (The Fig Tree) # 16

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 14, 2022

The Lord taught many parables. But to fully understand these parables as we study them, we need to examine what motivated Him to teach that particular parable.

In order to do this, you generally have to read the verses that precede the parable He spoke. For example, following Jesus' comments about the widow giving her two small coins in the temple, He teaches about: • The destruction of the temple • The coming of the end of the age Look at Luke 21: ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:29-33

Denomination: Baptist

Thirteen Ways The Spirit Helps Us Exhibit Self-Control

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jul 15, 2004

The Holy Spirit motivates us to serve with love from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith by helping us to control our thoughts, emotions, and choices.

Thirteen Ways the Spirit Helps us Exhibit Self-Control Gal 5:23 - "The fruit of the Spirit is self-control." Illustration: A man from Michigan had an idea for removing a tree stump from the yard of a friend. He decided to use some dynamite he had stored away in his house. It did the trick. The ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Find The Good Shepherd Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Jun 8, 2021

The world is a very dangerous place spiritually, full of wolves that come to us in sheep's clothing, evil shepherds masquerading as good shepherds. How do we find the Good Shepherd? How do we determine the difference between good shepherds and bad? Jesus provides insight in John 10.

If you’re only casually familiar with the Bible, you might be surprised to find out that one of the major themes of the New Testament is false teachers. Under this general category fall false shepherds, false prophets and false apostles. You see, the Bible claims to be the truth about God and ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-13, John 9:13-34

Denomination: Bible Church

Radioactive Relationships Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Aug 12, 2010

One of the greatest words in the human language is the word “relationship.” Some relationships we have are wonderful and give us life, while others are harmful. Just as radiation exposure can be hazardous to your health, there are some relationships that

INTRODUCTION You may notice there is something strange about me today. I know I’m always a little strange, but look on the bright side—you get to see me at my best. I’m a pretty strange in the daytime, but as Frank Sinatra said, I’m even stranger in the night! Okay, so ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Gifted (Part Six) Series

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jun 25, 2018

We've looked at six of the seven motivational gifts listed in Romans 12:6-8. Today we'll focus on the last one-mercy.

GIFTED (part six) We've looked at six of the spiritual gifts listed in Rom. 12:6-8. Today we'll focus on mercy. 1) The gift of mercy. The ability to minister cheerfully and appropriately to those who are suffering or undeserving; to spare them from their deserved punishment or consequences. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 78:38-39, 1 Timothy 1:13-16, Luke 10:30-37

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God’s Chosen Fast

Contributed by John Gaston on Mar 5, 2025

We look at 4 wrong motivations for Fasting, HOW we're to Fast, 7 Types of Fasts, 7 Purposes of Fasting, and 5 correct Motivations for Fasting. We also do a thumbnail sketch of Isaiah 58, where God does a critique of Israel's fasting practices.

GOD’S CHOSEN FAST Isa. 58:5 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: Modern People Know So Much 1. Did you hear the story about the lady who was talking to her friend and brought up the Bible. Her friend said, “Oh don’t start trying to tell to me about the Bible; my parents had me read it every day. I’m ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:5, Matthew 6:16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Sovereignty Of God

Contributed by Ken Pell on Mar 22, 2010

Sermon Objective: God’s sovereignty (from a Wesleyan-Arminian perspective) is showcased and illustrated in The Book of the Revelation providing motivation o remain faithful and confident.

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD: THE REVELATION IN REVIEW Rev. 3:19 - 4:11 Sermon Objective: God’s sovereignty (from an Arminian perspective) is showcased and illustrated in The Book of the Revelation providing motivation o remain faithful and confident. REVELATION 3:19 – 4:11 3:19Those whom I love I ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

Trust His Heart

Contributed by Wayne Searls on Apr 24, 2002

To motivate the hearer to trust God’s plan for his/her life even though he/she may not fully understand the why of God’s plan.

TRUST HIS HEART John 19:25-27 TEXT: Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus there-fore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!" 27 ...read more

Scripture: John 19:25-27

Denomination: Nazarene

How The Holy Spirit Helps Leaders Utilize Self-Control

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. The Holy Spirit motivates us to serve with love from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith by helping us to control our thoughts, emotions, and choices.

1. The Holy Spirit motivates us to serve with love from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith by helping us to control our thoughts, emotions, and choices. Paul wrote, "The object and purpose of our instruction and charge is love, which springs from a pure heart and a good (clear) ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unrelenting Love Series

Contributed by David Heflin on Jun 13, 2007

This sermon explores how the unconquerable love of Christ is the catalyst and motivator for our love for our fellow man, especially our enemy.

Crying Wolf Matt. 5:33-37 5/27/07 PSCOC Introduction: Ed Harris story. Last week I traveled to Austin for a seminar. As we were waiting for our bags to arrive you just won’t believe who we saw walking out of the bathroom, but I promise you it was none other than Ed Harris. I swear he wasn’t ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Can Expand The Ministry Series

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Jul 15, 2007

Ephesus has had a strong start that defined their identity. What defines our identity and how does it motivate our actions?

God can expand the ministry Ephesus - Years 2 - 4 Acts 19:9-10; Acts 19:26-27; 1 Corinthians 16:8-9 Ephesus has had a strong start that defined their identity • Competent church planters • Personal discipleship • Paul’s and Apollos’ dynamic work among them Following this vital groundwork, a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:9-10

Denomination: Mennonite

Three Marks Of An Effective Christian Series

Contributed by Bart Leger on Jul 27, 2007

What are some of the marks of an effective Christian. A look at the introduction to the letter to the Romans gives us a glimpse into the life and motives of the apostle Paul

Three Marks of an Effective Christian A quick look at any newspaper or a few moments listening to any news broadcast reminds us that in our world most news is bad and seems to be getting worse. Especially in light of the recent school shooting at Virginia Tech. Human beings are in the hold of a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:1

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Thankful Spirit Series

Contributed by Bart Leger on Jul 27, 2007

Why do people serve God? People serve the Lord from many motives. We will start by learning the thankful spirit.

The Marks of True Spiritual Service 1 A Thankful Spirit Why do people serve God? People serve the Lord from many motives. Some serve out of legalistic effort, as a means of earning salvation and God’s favor. Some serve the Lord for fear that, if they do not, they will incur His disfavor and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

"Rejoice"

Contributed by Ken Harris on Apr 7, 2006

The purpose of this sermon is to motivate hearers to REJOICE by finding the power to endure and overcome their troubles through their knowledge of Christ and their inward joy of salvation.

2 April 06 James 1:2 (KJV) Mark 1:17 (KJV) U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris CP Walker Multicultural Gospel Service Taegue, South Korea BIG IDEA: What the world means by peace and what the Bible means are two different things altogether. The peace of this world is deliverance from ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2

Denomination: Pentecostal

"Influence: With Her, He Ate" Series

Contributed by Ken Harris on Feb 11, 2007

The purpose of this sermon is to motivate the hearers to affirm to others that the person you marry has the power to influence your life NEGATIVELY or POSITIVELY.

“INFLUCENCE: With Her, He Ate” Genesis 3:1-7(KJV) 11 February 2007 U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris Presidio of Monterey (ORD Military Community Chapel) Monterey California, 93940 BIG IDEA: The person you marry has the power to influence your life NEGATIVELY or POSITIVELY. References: ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-7

Denomination: Pentecostal