Sermons on Impure Motives:

Godly Ambition Series

Contributed by Bob Myers on Sep 8, 2020

Ambition is a common human motivation. We see it played out in the lives of countless men and women throughout history. In our text today, we observe two kinds of burning ambition. While the passion to achieve desired ends is similar, the motivation sets them worlds apart.

Who Is This Man? Godly Ambition Mark 10:32-45 Ambition We often talk about people going through “phases.” That’s especially true for those who are growing through adolescence or some other dynamic season of life. “Oh, don’t worry about it,” we tell ourselves, “it’s just a phase.” Grown adults ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:32-45

Denomination: Baptist

Making Wise Decisions Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jan 25, 2019

10 Questions from Proverbs to Help us Make Wise Decisions

Making Wise Decisions Proverbs 3:5-6 Rev. Brian Bill January 26-27, 2019 An HR manager advertised a job opening and a large group of applicants showed up in the waiting room. The first man was ushered into her office, and she began explaining the job to him: “We need someone who can make fast ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 19:2, Proverbs 21:5, Proverbs 16:2, Proverbs 11:4, Proverbs 22:1, Proverbs 6:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

"a Resounding Tribute To Pastors.”

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Oct 3, 2025

Pastors equip the saints for the work of ministry and for building up the body of Christ. This involves guiding their flock to pursue their divine purpose, thereby fulfilling the Great Commission: empowering people to share the Gospel and live out their faith with passion and purpose.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (Jeremiah 3:15) "Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding." (Hebrews 13:17) “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:17, Proverbs 14:4, Proverbs 15:17, 1 Timothy 5:18, Numbers 18:19, Jeremiah 3:15, Nehemiah 6:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

God's Blueprint For Ministry

Contributed by Steven Dow on Oct 9, 2002

From this passage we will discover God’s blueprint for effective ministry modeled for us by the apostle Paul.

God’s Blueprint For Effective Ministry Paul’s Ministry Manual 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16 October 13, 2002 Introduction: (v. 1) Too many churches today are doing ministry their way instead of doing it God’s way. In fact so many of us have been doing ministry our way for so long that we don’t even ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

A 'good Enough' Sermon Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 13, 2007

Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican - The church is full of ’good people’ who need to know the difference between self-righteousness and God’s righteousness. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

A Good Enough Sermon Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican Luke 18:9-14 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/GoodEnough.html You get to write the introduction to this sermon. I need help, and this is just the right crowd to assist me… Honestly, in your own words, write a brief answer to the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

Restoring The Church In The Likeness Of Christ

Contributed by Fred Sigle on Jan 23, 2007

Having grown up in "The Restoration Movement", our emphasis has been restoring today’s chuch in the likeness of the early church. We should be imitating Christ, not the church.

RESTORING THE CHURCH INTO THE LIKENESS OF CHRIST! A. Modern Day Parable: ILLUSTRATION: Around the turn of the last century, there was a man who lived alone with his 5 year-old son. The boy’s mother died shortly after giving birth. The boy was greatly ADMIRED by his father. He was especially ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:18-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What You See May Not Be The Truth

Contributed by Paul George on Jun 9, 2006

Because of our tendency to pass quick and critical judgment on others, our Lord has chosen to address this issue. Chapter 7 verses 1-12 addresses an issue plaguing the religion of Jesus’ day and of ours, that of misdirected effort.

What You See May Not Be The Truth Matthew 7:1-12 A while back, I read the very distressing account of an incident in the life of a young bachelor. He worked in an office where every year the boss gave each employee a turkey as a bonus for the holiday season. Of course, the bachelor could never ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-12

Denomination: Holiness

Live In Our Unchanging Inheritance

Contributed by Chad Wright on Apr 25, 2002

This sermon focuses on the comfort the resurrection gives believers and the motive it gives us to remain in and rejoice in our eternal inheritance in Christ.

Dear heirs of eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord, Introduction: If you died tonight, are you sure that your family would be financially secure without you? Would your wife or husband have trouble paying the bills and debts which you have incurred? If you still have children at home, would ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Denomination: Lutheran

The Paraclete Series

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Jun 2, 2001

A motivational message geared to inspire Christians to continue allowing the Holy Spirit to fill their lives with God’s power and authority.

MOST OF US WHO HAVE COMPUTERS KNOW THAT ON THE SCREEN OF OUR MONITOR IS AN ICON, OR A PICTURE, THAT IS ENTITLED: "MY COMPUTER." IF YOU "CLICK-ON" THIS ICON IT WILL SOON OPEN A FILE THAT REVEALS THE CONTENTS OF EVERYTHING YOU HAVE SAVED ON YOUR COMPUTER. THE SAME IS TRUE FOR US AS GOD’S ...read more

Scripture: John 14:16-17

Denomination: Free Methodist

"Living Single”

Contributed by Ken Harris on Dec 14, 2003

The purpose of this sermon is to motivate the Singles to affirm to others that Living Single is a Special Calling of God to a deeper level of spiritual devotion.

BIG IDEA: LIVING SINGLE IS A SPECIAL CALLING OF GOD. REFERENCES: I Cor. 7:25-40; I Cor. 7:1-24; Matthew 19:8-12 (Because of the hardness of mans heart, Moses wrote the bill of divorcement … Not all men can receive this except for who is given … enuchs who have been so from birth …); Isaiah ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:1-2

Denomination: Pentecostal

It Only Takes A Few

Contributed by Michael Hensley on Sep 22, 2001

Two small groups turned the world upside down. Compares Paul and Silas and the hijackers of the Attack on America. Speaks of motive.

Making a BIG difference is not as unlikely as it may seem. We have before us, today, two examples of small groups that turned the world upside down. The first group: The hijackers. 19 hijackers have turned the world upside down. (Think about that number, only 19!)  Less people than it ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:6

Denomination: Baptist

Compelled By Love

Contributed by Jerry Vargo on Oct 16, 2002

This message takes a close look at our motives. It calls us to make Love and Gratitude the basis for everything we do.

If you use any or all of this message--would you be willing to fire off a quick email to:pastorjerryvargo@juno.com? I would like to have an idea of how often my sermons are actually being preached to strengthen the Body of Christ. Thanks! Compelled by Love Pastor Jerry C. Vargo I. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:22-24

Denomination: Pentecostal

Prescription For Rearing Children

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Mar 4, 2008

The concept of Training is not corporal punishment but 3 main ideas are involved here. (a) Dedication (b) Instruction and (c) Motivation.

Introduction: What are you investing in today? Is it houses, bank balances, stock etc.! In verse 6 we see 2 ingredients in the prescription to rear children. • Train up a child ……….. • When he is old ………... The command of God involves 3 parts:- 1. The concept of Training [‘Train up’] – It is not ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Generational Challenges Equal Futuristic Blessings”

Contributed by Ken Harris on Jan 1, 2007

The purpose of this sermon is to motivate the hearers to look forward to affirming to others that Jesus, like His ancestors, also descended into Egypt.

“Generational Challenges Equal Futuristic Blessings” Matthew 2:13-23 (KJV) Deuteronomy 11:26-28 (KJV) 31 December 2006 U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris Presidio of Monterey (ORD Military Chapel) Monterey California, 93940 BIG IDEA: BELIEVERS need to empathize with Jesus’ life journey. For ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

"You Must Be Born Again" Series

Contributed by Ken Harris on Feb 8, 2007

The purpose of this sermon is to motivate the grieving family to affirm to others that they must “BE BORN AGAIN” in order to receive eternal life.

“You Must Be Born Again” Funeral Sermon for SFC (ret.) Oscar Herndon John 3:1-3;14-16 (KJV) U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris Fort Ord, California BIG IDEA: THE LATE SFC OSCAR HERNDON’S FAVORITE SCRIPTURE INDICATES THAT GOD HIMSELF MUST WORK A MIRACLE IN OUR HEART AND RENEW IT IN ORDER ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-16, John 3:1-5

Denomination: Pentecostal