Sermons on Harmful Motives:

What's So Great About Gratefulness?

Contributed by Don Jaques on Dec 1, 2005

When we choose to give thanks to God in all circumstances, we reap the benefits of God’s blessings. The hearer will understand WHY he/she should give thanks to God and be motivated to develop the discipline of grateful living.

INTRO In “The Hiding Place”, Dutch woman Corrie ten Boom wrote of her family’s experience undergoing the trial of concentration camps under the Third Reich in World War II. Though not Jews themselves, she, her father, and her sister, Betsie, were sent to a series of prison camps for harboring Jews ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don’t Be A Mule Repent Before The Rod Falls - Psalm 32:3-5, 8-10 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 30, 2025

If there is some sin that your heart keeps clinging to and you’re reluctant to give up, this message will motivate you to repent and will show you how to learn the easy way instead of the hard way (like a mule).

You will learn how to know when you are experiencing God’s rod and what to do when it happens. This message destroys once for all the insanity that says, “I’ve already blown it for today—might as well get it out of my system and start fresh tomorrow.” When you find yourself saying that, ask, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 32:3-10

Attending Your Own Funeral Conclusion Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 1, 2004

It’s A War! Christians should not take sin lightly, but need to focus on developing their relationship to God as the best way to win the battles. Paul offers several arguments to convince us of this. There are other motivations besides merit and fea

Please note: this is part two; part one is simply called, "Attending Your Own Funeral." In part two, I summarized material I covered in part one and added some new material. Attending Your Own Funeral Conclusion (Romans 6:1-23 concluded) 1. The War in Iraq keeps dragging on. 2. We hear both ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Applause Of Heaven

Contributed by Craig Cramblet on Aug 23, 2003

Our motivation (why we do what we do...who we do it for) is examined. Nehemiah shows us the courage and power of doing things for God’s approval rather than the applause of men.

This is the last message in our series on Nehemiah -It has been a Book full of practical instruction and hope -It has reminded us of the consequences of SIN… -It reminds us of the difference that ONE PERSON can make if they are committed to glorifying God. -It has shown us that God LOVES and ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 13:4-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Custodians Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 28, 2022

Serving the Lord is not all that complicated. Just serve Him faithfully and humbly. Every day, just humbly do what He asks you to do and leave the results up to Him.

I’ve had some experience in signing contracts with various musicians over the years to do concerts in the church. Those contracts spell out the details of what each party expects, and they contain few, if any, surprises. That’s not the case with some of the big-name entertainers. For example, Van ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-7, Matthew 11:29-30, Matthew 10:42, Matthew 25:21, Matthew 25:23, Luke 16:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Coming King: Living In The Hope Of His Return Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Dec 13, 2025

As believers, we live between two worlds: the now and the not-yet. Jesus Christ, the King of kings, has promised He will return, and when He does, everything will be made right.

The Coming King: Living in the Hope of His Return” Introduction Imagine standing on a hilltop at dawn, watching the first rays of sunlight break over the horizon. The darkness flees, shadows scatter, and the world is bathed in a new light. This is a glimpse, a shadow, of what it will be like when ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:9-11, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Revelation 19:11-16, Matthew 24:30-31, Revelation 22:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Body Is The Lord’s Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Apr 9, 2011

Sexual sin: 1) Is harmful to everyone involved (1 Corinthians 6:12a); 2) It gains control over those who indulge in it (1 Corinthians 6:12b); and 3) It perverts God’s purpose for the body (1 Corinthians 6:13-20).

This past week has given the world a preview of the demise of the entertainment industry. Charlie Sheen and Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, as one commentator said, stood on its coffin and hammered in nails, one in Detroit (where Mr. Sheen was booed off the stage) and the other at Rutgers University ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Denomination: Other

Seeing Clearly Series

Contributed by Tim White on Mar 5, 2012

Jesus' healing of the blind man in Mark 8 illustrates four points: 1) Some people just want to come out of the darkness. 2) Our ministry can sometimes only lift the darkness. 3) The religious expectations of others can be harmful. 4) There are times when

Seeing Clearly Mark 8:22-26 Seeing is a strange thing. An infant can see a john deer tractor and not benefit from it. A farmer can see a jar of smashed carrots and not be drawn to it. A doctor can see blurry images on a glass slide and be excited about what it tells him. A preacher can see three ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:22-26

Denomination: Baptist

9 Marks Of The Demonic (Revelation 9:1-11, 20-21) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jun 4, 2023

A second look at the 5th trumpet-- the demonic, trans locust horde, released to harm people, and bring them to their senses. Despite this, people still serve demons. By themselves, God's judgments don't do what's needed.

Last week, we worked our way through Revelation 8 and 9, covering six of the seven trumpets. I tried to give you the big picture, and cover a lot of ground. But if I'm honest, I did so as a coward. At one critical point, I got nervous, and decided to teach it in a way that wouldn't be ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 9:1-11, Revelation 9:20-21

Why We Fear Everything Else?

Contributed by Samuel M on Jan 31, 2024

Fear of God is missing in our lives because of which we fear everything. When we fear God, we can live in peace in the midst of all the terrifying events that surround us. We fear something because it is powerful or has the power to harm or kill us.

Why we fear everything else? The reason we fear everything else, like COVID, earthquakes, and destructions, because we don’t fear God. God does not make us tremble, and we are not scared of him(reverence for God). Fear of God is missing in our lives because of which we fear everything. When we ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:31

Substitutes For Love Series

Contributed by Chris Talton on Dec 3, 2002

In our attempts to serve God, we use words, spirituality, and offerings. But without love as the motivation for all these, they are useless substitutes for what God desires and what the worlds needs.

November 3, 2002 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 ¡§Substitutes for love¡¨ INTRODUCTION This Tuesday is election day. Candidates tell us that we should not be satisfied with the way that things are. There is a better way, and it is their way. - in the world - at the job - in the church - in your ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Tale Of Two Tithers Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Aug 21, 2004

When Satan messes with the motives of members of the church, he makes my money more meaningful than my membership. But the cost is high! Hidden sin has an unhappy ending.

The Tale of Two Tithers An older man was walking on the beach and found a magic lamp. He picked it up, rubbed it, and a genie appeared. "Because you have freed me," the genie said, "I will grant you a wish." The man thought for a moment and then responded, "My brother and I had a fight 30 years ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Tribute To Dr. Mlk: "Hidden In The Shadow Of God's Hand"

Contributed by Ken Harris on Jan 20, 2008

The purpose of this sermon is to motivate hearers - in the midst of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday Celebration - to affirm to others that God calls, protects, and hide us in the Shadow of His hand.

20 January 2008 U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris Ord Military Chapel Seaside, CA BIG IDEA: God calls, protects and hides us in the shadow of His hand. REFERENCES: Isaiah 49:1-7 (NLV) 2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-7

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Compelling Gospel

Contributed by Greg Addison on Nov 3, 2008

Sharing the gospel is a struggle for most christians. But why? This sermon will explain three of the most compelling reasons why we share our faith. These motivations will stir us on in our mission.

The Compelling Gospel 2 Corinthians 5:12-21 I recently heard a preacher say, “If the church building burned down tonight, then the church would wake up tomorrow.” That is a powerful statement. We respond well to a crisis. We become motivated and do amazing things. Why then do we not share the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:12-21

Denomination: Baptist

Defeating Discouragement

Contributed by C Jordan on Jul 17, 2007

We all get discouraged and feel like quitting – we lose our motivation, confidence and optimism. I have good news for you this morning: discouragement can be defeated!

DEFEATING DISCOURAGEMENT JOKE: When our lawn mower broke and wouldn’t run, my wife kept hinting to me that I should get it fixed. But, somehow I always had something else to take care of first, the truck, the car, playing golf - always something more important to me. Finally she thought of a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:6

Denomination: *other