Sermons on Impure 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

Rising Or Rejecting? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 21, 2009

The man at the pool of Bethsaida had lost his will to achieve, and blamed others. Jesus, however, gave Him his self-worth as well as his health. Do not blame prejudice or racism for failure; turn to Jesus and be healed and motivated.

The day dawned like any other day ... a little chillier, maybe, than you might have expected this time of year. But still, about as gray and bleak and unpromising as any other day. After all, every day was about like every other day. What reason did he have to expect anything different? For 38 ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Resting Your Soul From Stress

Contributed by Vinnie Cappetta on Jul 26, 2011

Your life is a lot like a Rubber band...some stress is good b/c it tends to motivate us, but too much stress will break us altogether. Key is knowing when to allow the band to rest from the stress.

Mt. 11:28-30 Your life is a lot like a Rubber band Some stress is good b/c it tends to motivate us, but too much stress will break us altogether. Key is knowing when to allow the band to rest from the stress. Apostle Paul said it this way We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

French Fries, Brides And Money Series

Contributed by David Mcbeath on Dec 4, 2011

This is a semron on stewardship and tithing that connects giving with the blood of Christ shed on the cross for us. Emphasis is on God providing for his Bride (Israel and the Church). God’s good gifts should motivate us to give a portion of them back to

Series: Stewardship, Message: Brides, French Fries, and Money Topics: Money, Tithe, Heart, Love Text: Malachi 3:6-12, 2:11; Psalm 24:1, 50:10; Chronicles 29:14, Ezekiel 16 Date: Dec. 4, 2011 Pastor: David McBeath This sermon is based on an illustration in a sermon called "Whose Fries Are These" ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:6-10

Denomination: Baptist

Paul Before Agrippa Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 29, 2017

He explains why he was particularly pleased to be able to state his case to King Agrippa. Of all the high officials residing in the country, nobody knew better than the king the history, principals, and passions that motivated the Jewish people.

July 31, 2016 Acts of the Apostles By: Tom Lowe Lesson: IV.F.5: Paul Before Agrippa (Acts 26:1-32) Commentary 1 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:1-32

Denomination: Baptist

"The Subtle Sin Of Codependency"

Contributed by Jerry Depoy on Jul 31, 2008

We might assume that Eve wanted to know evil, however, was that her primary motive? It is my opinion that Eve wanted to become “God” so that she could be good, not necessarily so that she could be evil! And that is a subtle thought!

My personal definition of co-dependency for your consideration: When a person focuses on someone besides God, in an attempt to become the god of a person who is in distress, until the person they are trying to help, ultimately becomes their god. Our Church has begun a “Celebration Recovery” ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

An Excellent Wife Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Sep 25, 2020

1) The basic Matter of the submission (Ephesians 5:22a), its 2) Manner, 3) Motive (Ephesians 5:22b-23a), & the 3) Model of Submission. (Ephesians 5:23b-24).

Ephesians 5:22-24 [22] Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. [23] For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. [24] Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-24

Denomination: Other

God Given Opportunity To Do Good

Contributed by Amar Chandnani on Aug 25, 2025

The purest form of goodness is expecting nothing in return. Because there is no hidden motive. When Christ Died for Us, He gave up His very life. Expecting nothing in return from us. He did it out of love!

Galatians 6:9-10 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Let’s step back in time to the days of the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Evidence Of Spiritual Maturity Series

Contributed by Antonius Fu on Apr 25, 2022

In this passage, we learn how faith and hope and love all work together to motivate and sustain our Christian life. Paul gives thanks to the Lord for the Christian in Thessalonica because of their “work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope”

1 Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you. 2 We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. 3 We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Word, World And Void

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Dec 1, 2023

The world is void without Christ and his followers. The word became flesh and lived among us. He lives in us. He is that grace. Our nature is changed, our motive is changed and our life is full of joy and grace.

Text: John 1:1-14 Theme: The Word Became Flesh Greetings: The Lord is good and his love endures forever. I wish you a happy Christmas season. Today, the First Sunday in Advent. We celebrate our Church Anniversary which is another important significance for us. The word became flesh is the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Methodist

To Know Him

Contributed by Vicki Williamson on Mar 1, 2022

Do you really know the person closest to you? Know their hearts desires including their successes and failures? Do you know what they think and what motivates 
them with every action? Do you truly know them?

Turn with me to the book of Philippians, a letter written by the Apostle Paul ?to believers in Philippi. This is the Apostle Paul speaking his heart’s desire. Philippians 3:10-11 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, ?and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:10-11, Philippians 2:5-11, Philippians 4:4

Why Is The Gospel Of Christ Offensive?

Contributed by Doug Gorman on Apr 14, 2016

Why is the Gospel of Christ Offensive?

Our Lord Christ said in Luke 7:23: “…blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” JC Ryle wrote, “There is a common, worldly kind of Christianity in this day, which many have, and think they have enough; a cheap Christianity which offends nobody, and requires no ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Does The Bible Contradict Itself And Did Paul Invent Christianity?

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Aug 24, 2021

For over 2000 years, people have claimed that both the Old and New Testaments are plagued with numerous contradictions. Dr. Bart D. Ehrman, The King of Contradiction is discussed.

Christianity continues to grow and thrive throughout the world and remains the largest of all religions on Earth. The life of Jesus is the fundamental event of Scripture and is told from different perspectives. The central theme of the Bible is that God has provided redemption and forgiveness ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:12, 2 Peter 2:16, 2 Timothy 2:15, Mark 12:24, 2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Timothy 3:14-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Necessity Of The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Richard Tow on Aug 12, 2024

Message explores seven ways the church must be empowered by the Holy Spirit. The consequence of not having this empowerment is identified, and believers are called up to be filled with the Spirit in accordance with Ephesians 5:18.

Intro Have you ever felt like you did not have what it takes to live the Christian life? Have you ever felt overwhelmed with the challenges of life? What do you do when you feel like circumstances are pressing in on you with almost irresistible force? Perhaps you have never experienced those ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-17, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 17:6, 2 Timothy 3:1-6, Isaiah 12:3, Romans 8:26-28, Isaiah 55:1-2, James 1:5, Acts 15:1-28, Mark 16:15-18, Revelation 3:14-22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Delegation Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Nov 2, 2005

Jesus return is the motivation for remaining holy and blameless to be ready when he appears so we can join him, so we’re worthy of him. Paul’s prayer is that Jesus would provide the power to do it.

As we read this section of 1 Thessalonians we get a real sense of Paul’s love for the people he ministered to. There’s no sense of this being made up, no pretence. Rather it feels quite genuine. He really misses them. He’s distressed that he’s had to abandon them just as they were becoming a stable ...read more

Denomination: Anglican