Sermons on Inner Motives:

A Perfect Heart

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 25, 2014

Perfection does not mean a sinless, flawless heart. Man judges by outward appearances, by what he sees. But God judges the heart; the unseen motives. David was said to have had a perfect heart toward God "all the days of his life," yet he failed the Lord.

11-18-04 A Perfect Heart It is possible to walk before the Lord with a perfect heart! God said to Abraham, "I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect" (Genesis 17:1). God also said to the children of Israel, "Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord your God" (Deuteronomy 18:13). David ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

A Matter Of The Heart

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Nov 3, 2015

Unless and until you believe in your heart that Jesus rose from the dead you will not be changed from a sinner to a Saint. For many people is it the 18 inches between the head and the heart that is the obstacle to their faith in Christ.

A Matter of the Heart Romans 10:8-9 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:8-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Messiah's Rules For Living Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Aug 28, 2011

Jesus calls us to place value on the things in life that are truly important.

A Messiah's Rules For Living Text: Matt. 22:13-36 Introduction 1. Illustration: Rules of chocolate: a. If you’ve got melted chocolate all over your hands, you’re eating it too slowly. b. Chocolate covered raisins, cherries, orange slices and strawberries all count as fruit, so eat as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:13-36

Denomination: Methodist

Your Righteousness Must Exceed That Of The Pharisees: Good Fruit Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Feb 2, 2008

Three primary tests we can apply in order to recognize a false prophet: 1) Character, 2) Creed, and 3) Converts.

Some high-profile leaders who have professed to be Christians, have come under fire recently for alleged misdeeds, with their stories played out prominently in the media. Richard Roberts, son of evangelist Oral Roberts, resigned recently as president of Oral Roberts University in Tulsa amid ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:16-20

Denomination: Other

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

Be Willing To Enter The Valley (Part 2 Of 3) Series

Contributed by Dana Visneskie on Nov 10, 2005

Today some Christians are living in fear, intimidation and comfortableness and not trusting in God. David when faced with the problem of Goliath willing ran down to the valley to defeat the enemy. I give 3 points that show what motivated David to do that

Title: Be Willing To Enter The Valley (Part 2) Text: I Sam 17:1-58 (Key Verse is 38-48) Pray!!! Read Text!!! Introduction: - (Recap from last week’s message (Fighting Bears and Delivering Cheese)) - There was 3 points that I gave from this message about how God prepares us in life for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:38-48

Denomination: Pentecostal

"Before"

Contributed by Ken Harris on Aug 29, 2004

The purpose of this sermon is to motivate the hearers to affirm to others that God has selected beforehand(prior to the believers very first moment of existence) the goal (OF LOVINGLY SERVING HIM) which He is going to move everyone towards that BELIEVES i

U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris Taegu, South Korea Sunday, 22 August 2004 BIG IDEA: GOD’S PURPOSE FOR BELIEVERS WAS PREARRANGED FOR THEM TO LOVE AND SERVE HIM. REFERENCES: Predestination: This subject has been the reason for major divisions in Protestantism – Protestants are classified as ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

Do Not Be Afraid

Contributed by Karl Eckhoff on Jun 28, 2002

Fear can be a powerful motivating factor that can keep us from living out our Christian faith, life and responsibilities. Jesus assures us that we do not need to be afraid and releases us from fear’s bondage.

Pentecost 5 A Matthew 10:24-33 Do Not Be Afraid 06/23/02 During his years as premier of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev denounced many of the policies and atrocities of Joseph Stalin. Once, as he censured Stalin in a public meeting, Khrushchev was interrupted by a shout from a heckler in the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:24-33

Denomination: Lutheran

When Did We?

Contributed by Steve Smith on Jan 31, 2010

This message helps the church ask why we do the acts of mercy we do? What is our motive? Last in a series of 4, we are reminded that all opportunities of service are to be done as though we are doing them for the Master Himself!

Introduction Today, we end our study of preparation for the Vision of our church for the year 2010. We’ve talked about: 1. Recognizing the Open Doors (Rev. 3:7-8) 2. Effective Prayer (Col. 6:2-6) 3. Effective Giving (2 Cor 8:1-15) And now today the question, “When Did ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-40

Denomination: Baptist

Part 6 -- Overwhelmed With The Person Of God Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Nov 2, 2009

As we come to the conclusion of the book of Habakkuk, we see the prophet of God overwhelmed by His God. Habakkuk has moved from a selfishly motivated question request of God to a personal state of spiritual harmony. A position of trust in what will happ

OVERWHELMED WITH THE PERSON OF GOD Habakkuk 3:16-19 INTRODUCTION: As we come to the conclusion of the book of Habakkuk, we see the prophet of God overwhelmed by His God. Habakkuk has moved from a selfishly motivated question request of God to a personal state of spiritual harmony. A position of ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:16-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Cream Rises To The To Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 14, 2008

For most of us, the idea that the Messiah will judge each of us and the idea that God does not change -- and therefore we must adapt to Him and not He to us -- motivates us to surface as His followers. We recognize the wisdom of aligning ourselves to Him

The Cream Rises to the Top (Malachi 3:1-7) 1. Sometimes people say, "It doesn’t matter what we believe, as long as we all believe there is one God?" 2. We were shocked to hear about the polygamous sect in Texas this past week. 3. According to the Associated Press, "Authorities searching the ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:1-7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Bread And Swords Series

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Apr 7, 2014

This is the ninth message in my series on David. The house of the Lord always adds much to us when we come to worship. Sometimes our motives are not the best but God still works out the rough places of our character by His grace.

DAVID—A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART 09—BREAD AND SWORDS TEXT: 1 Samuel 21:1-6, 8-9 1 Samuel 21:1-6 KJV Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee? [2] And David ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 21:1-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Disguised: Feeling Trapped In This Trial.

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Feb 16, 2022

Often blessings come disguised as trials and problems. Life is not just how you are building. Life can be about what you are building. This problem and trial could be a disguised blessing. The victory opportunity is before you. Check your motives.

DISGUISED: FEELING TRAPPED IN THIS TRIAL? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com Hazard, Kentucky is in Perry County. We stopped to grab a hamburger and the sign in the window said, “REVIVAL IN HELL FOR CERTAIN.” We enquired about the sign. We were informed that Perry County has a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:10-16, Proverbs 17:3, James 1:2

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Living In The Will Of God Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 22, 2012

Jesus said His food was to do the will of His Father. It is what moved, motivated and mattered to Jesus. God’s will was what engergized Jesus. If we are filled with His Spirit our desirses should be His. What is the will of God? We will learn for the

Intro: The centerpiece of the gospel is the crusifixion. It stands between life for ourselves and life surrendered to God. If we are to follow Jesus we must be crucified with Him. In this daily crucifixion that Paul talks about our will, emotions, and mind are no longer our own we were bought ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:50

Denomination: Baptist