Sermons on Harmful Motives:

Be Supportive Of Other Churches Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Oct 30, 2021

If we serve the Lord with the impure motive of personal gain, instead of with the intention of leading people to faith in Christ, then we can become self-focused, critical and judgmental of other believers and other churches.

The apostle Paul once admonished the Philippians, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4). In ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:38-41

Denomination: Baptist

Called To Freedom Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jan 24, 2019

In Galatians 5:13b-15, Paul gives four purposes of God’s call to the freedom of loving Him: 1) To oppose the flesh (GALATIANS 5:13B), 2) To serve others (GALATIANS 5:13B), 3) To fulfill His moral law (GALATIANS 5:14), and 4) To avoid harming others (GALATIANS 5:15).

Recently, a labour arbitrator has ruled that the municipality of Waterloo will have to rehire a drug-addicted nurse who stole narcotics and falsified medical records. The crux of this ruling was that the municipality, as an employer, has a duty to accommodate the wayward nurse’s disease of drug ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-15

Denomination: Other

Kingdom Greatness - Matthew 5:19 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 2, 2024

People who seek glory and honor in this world are called megalomaniacs. If that’s such a bad thing in this world, why does Jesus want us to seek greatness in the kingdom? Is greatness in the kingdom ever a motivating factor for things you do?

Matthew 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:19

When To Be Stubborn

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 25, 2002

There are times to be definite, clear, even stubborn: when you know the truth, when you understand your own motives, and when you can turn your stand into good news. Parts of the sermon were drawn from testimonies solicited earlier in the service around

Indelibly etched on my mind is the photograph of one of our members, now deceased. If you go to Frances Flippen’s apartment, you can see a picture of her late husband, John, a military man, in full battle dress, helmet and all, standing with his legs spread apart and his arms folded, and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:14-17, Proverbs 25:25-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Forgiveness Of Joseph

Contributed by Kimberly Belken on Aug 30, 2020

Though Joseph's brothers intended to harm him, God intended to work through their actions for good. Ultimately this truth allowed Joseph to forgive his brothers. Forgiveness may sometimes be a decision we have to make but we can do so trusting that God will work good through it.

Like last week, we have skipped ahead a few generations in Genesis to get to today’s reading. So to quickly summarize, Abraham, whose deep desire for a son we heard about in last week’s reading, fathered a son by the name of Isaac. Isaac was the father of two children, Esau and Jacob. Jacob or ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:3-8, Genesis 37:12-22, Genesis 37:26-34, Genesis 50:15-21, Romans 8:28, Luke 6:35  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

A New Phase Of Life-2(:17-21)(2024)

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jun 4, 2024

2 of ? Joshua recognized a major benchmark in Israel’s progress toward inheriting the Promised Land. Everyone reaches benchmarks in their walk with the Lord that effect their future. But, How do we enter/begin a new phase of life? ANY New Phase of life requires...

A NEW PHASE Of LIFE-II—Joshua 24:17-21(:14-28) Attention: Last week we applied these verses to high school graduates. And so we were looking at high-school graduation as a ‘New Phase’ along a person’s timeline. Need: Everyone reaches ‘noteworthy’ benchmarks in their walk with the Lord. Throughout ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:17-21, Joshua 24:14-28

Denomination: Baptist

Warning To The Worthless - Matthew 5:13 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 8, 2024

Salt had a lot of uses in the ancient world. Which one of them did Jesus have in mind when he used the analogy of salt and light? This message will give you both insight and motivation on how to be a good witness at work and in the world.

Matthew 5:13-19 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13

How The Holy Spirit Helps Us Overcome Lackadaisical Attitudes

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

The Holy Spirit helps us overcome any lackadaisical attitudes by giving us a wholehearted motivation to demonstrate our love for God. Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all yo

1. The Holy Spirit helps us overcome any lackadaisical attitudes by giving us a wholehearted motivation to demonstrate our love for God. Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 13:23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Loose Him" Series

Contributed by Ken Harris on Sep 18, 2005

The purpose of this sermon is to motivate the hearers to affirm to OTHERS that GOD has need of them; because, IF GOD can USE a DONKEY (to assist Him in doing Ministry); He can USE THEM TOO.

18 September 2005 Zechariah 9:9 (KJV) Numbers 22: 27-30 (KJV) Mark 11:2-7 (KJV) U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris CP Walker Multicultural Gospel Service Taegue, South Korea BIG IDEA: God will use anything and anyone (including a DONKEY) to ASSIST Him in HELPING us HELP, EMPOWER, and DELIVER ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 9:9

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Miracles In John: Lesson 4: Healing A Crippled Man At Bethesda

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Oct 20, 2005

John’s purpose is belief. John doesn’t include 50 weeks of Jesus’ life to include events to motivate belief. “These things (signs) are written that ye might believe” (20:31).

A. INTRODUCTION: JOHN 5:1-18 1. Springtime and Passover. “There was a feast of the Jews and Jesus went up” (John 5:1). 2. John’s purpose is belief. John doesn’t include 50 weeks of Jesus’ life to include events to motivate belief. “These things (signs) are written that ye might believe” (20:31). 3. ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Benefits Of Fearing The Lord Series

Contributed by Don Jaques on Jul 5, 2005

Those who fear the Lord are blessed with God’s protection. Those who hear this message will be motivated to live in the fear of the Lord because of the many promises God makes to those who will do so.

The Benefits of Fearing the Lord (Part 2) July 2/3, 2005 Don Jaques MAIN IDEA: Those who fear the Lord are blessed with God’s protection. AIM: Those who hear this message will be motivated to live in the fear of the Lord because of the many promises God makes to those who will do so. INTRO: Two ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 10:27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Benefits Of Fearing The Lord (Part 3) Series

Contributed by Don Jaques on Jul 7, 2005

Those who fear the Lord are blessed with God’s provision. Those who hear this message will be motivated to live in the fear of the Lord because of the many promises God makes to those who will do so.

The Benefits of Fearing the Lord (Part 3) July 9/10, 2005 Don Jaques MAIN IDEA: Those who fear the Lord are blessed with God’s provision. AIM: Those who hear this message will be motivated to live in the fear of the Lord because of the many promises God makes to those who will do so. INTRO: God ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 26:3-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"The War Is On"

Contributed by Ken Harris on Dec 14, 2003

The purpose of this sermon is to motivate the HEARERS TO ARM THEIR HOMES WITH TRAINED PRAYER WARRIORS, THAT ARE PREPRARED TO pursue and engage their spiritual enemies (through God’s Word and Prayer) in order to take back their love ones AND POWs.

“ BIG IDEA: PEOPLE OF FAITH SHOULD USE THEIR SPIRITUAL RESOURCES TO AFFECT THE OUTCOME OF WAR - LONG BEFORE IT AFFECTS THEM PERSONALLY. REFERENCES: Genesis 11 (The start of nationalism); Genesis 14:1-24 (The First War … was fought with Abraham – our patriarch of faith); Ephesians 6:10-18 ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 14:11-20

Denomination: Pentecostal

Spirit-Filled Life Series

Contributed by Steven Chapman on May 7, 2007

Paul’s point is that the Holy Spirit is the controlling influence motivating and directing the lives of believers. As we sort through these participles, we can identify at least three results of the Holy Spirit’s influence.

The Spirit-Filled Life Ephesians 5:15-21 Quick Discussion: What are the two most significant influences on your life? “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead be filled with the Spirit.” At the heart of this contrast is a life lived under the influence of … those influences, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Exodus 15 - How To Sing In A Desert Situation Rather Than Complain! Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Dec 27, 2009

It interests me that God tests me by allowing me to go through difficult situations in order to prove the quality of my character, the genuineness of my worship and the motivations of my service. What is your Marah?

Exodus 15 - Singing and Suffering Exodus 15 is an anthem of praise to God for Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. It’s often called the song of Moses and the men got a choir together and sang it. Then in antiphonal response the women under the leadership of Miriam sang as well. As soon as they are ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:1-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational