Sermons on Harmful Motives:

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

What's Your Price?

Contributed by Carl Willis on Apr 4, 2006

Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver; the price of a slave. This message examines Judas’ motivations and causes us to ask, "What am I selling Jesus out for?"

What’s Your Price? Matthew 26:14-16 (NLT) Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests [15] and asked, "How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?" And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. [16] From that time on, Judas began looking for the right time ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:14-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Is Driving You? Is There A Heart Problem Within?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jul 21, 2006

Why do we do what we do? Seems what you love you will find time to do? What happens when good men have no motivation?

WHAT IS DRIVING YOU? DO WE HAVE HEART PROBLEMS IN THE CHURCH? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com TEXT: Joshua 14:7 Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. 8 ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 14:7-12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

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

Life, Death And An Eternal Perspective

Contributed by Nate Herbst on Sep 18, 2009

This is a great message for anyone wondering about these topics or dealing with the loss of a loved one; it gives an encouraging Biblical insight into death and eternity while focusing on the life that perspective will motivate today.

Eternal Perspective This past week was difficult. Life is short You aren’t invincible Gulvas schedule, Last week as were were sitting in this room...the story. Death is final!
 Processing and understanding death is hard. 
 Death is necessary because of sin.
 But 1 Cor.15 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Gift Of Administration Series

Contributed by Bruce Willis on Feb 6, 2007

This sermon is the eighth in a series of ten on Motivational Spiritual Gifts which communicates the characteristics of the gift of Administration in order to allow the Holy Spirit to reveal this gift to those who have it.

Well, with the gift of administration we come to the seventh motivational spiritual gift categorized in Romans 12:6-8. And in verse 8c the KJV reads, “he that ruleth, with diligence.” The NIV translates it, “if it is leadership, let him govern diligently.” The Greek word here is “proistemi” ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Gift Of Giving Series

Contributed by Bruce Willis on Feb 14, 2007

This sermon is the seventh in a series of ten on Motivational Spiritual Gifts which communicates the characteristics of the gift of Giving in order to allow the Holy Spirit to reveal this gift to those who have it.

In Romans 12:8b, the second phrase says in the KJV, “he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity or liberality.” The NIV says “if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously.” One of my favorite advertisements is the Red Cross Blood Banks appeal to “Give the Gift that ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:8-13

Denomination: Baptist

Mentoring Others Into Minisry - Allowing God To Use You To Help Others

Contributed by Jonathan Powell on Apr 1, 2009

Sermon based out of Titus 2 to help motivate congregation (old/young believers) to get involved in building the Kingdom of God. Strengthening each other through the Word of God.

Mentoring Others into Ministry – Allowing God to Work Through Us to Help Others Titus 2:1-10 Strengthening our Faith – 2009 Black Creek (3/29/09) God has richly blessed us with many new converts over the recent months and years. God has richly blessed us with new opportunities for ministry – ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Ministry Heart

Contributed by Nate Herbst on Dec 31, 2008

Joy in ministry is not only possible but guaranteed if we’re doing what He has called us to with the right motives and heart - this message to Christian workers will encourage you in the battle!

Eph.3:7-8 - “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Mt.3:11, Mk.1:7, Lk.3:16, Jn.1:27, Acts ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:7-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Because Mama Says It Doesn't Make It Right"

Contributed by Ken Harris on Jul 12, 2009

The purpose of this sermon is to motivate the hearers to affirm to others that adult Christian children are to pay attention to the advice of Christ-like parents and think twice about the guidance given by unbelieving parents.

12 July 2009 Pentecost Sunday U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris Fortress Chapel Contingency Operation Site (C.O.S.) Sykes Tall-afar, Iraq BIG IDEA: Adult Christian children are to pay attention to the advice of Christ-like parents and think twice about the guidance given by unbelieving ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:16-29

Denomination: Pentecostal

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