Sermons on Inner Motives:

32. Lord Abner: When Power Shifts And Hearts Are Revealed Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Nov 18, 2025

A man named Abner, who secretly controlled a weak king, manipulated the kingdom for his own power, and almost reshaped the nation from the shadows. This is one of the most politically charged, tension-filled chapters in David’s rise to the throne.

Lord Abner: When Power Shifts and Hearts Are Revealed November 19, 2025 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship 2 Samuel 3:1-12 When you look back through history, there are always certain figures who never wear a crown, never win an election, and never sit on a throne — yet somehow, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-17

Denomination: Brethren

An Unadulterated Heart

Contributed by James Groce on May 2, 2001

Often, to say a thing is pure is to say that nothing else has been added to it, whether clean or unclean. In this sense, pure denotes something that is free of foreign elements.

An Unadulterated Heart Text: Mt. 5:8 The Greek adjective katharos meant "clean" or "pure." A "catharsis" is a purging or cleansing. Katharos often meant something that had been purged. A soiled garment that had been washed. Corn with the chaff winnowed out. An army purged of unacceptable ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:8

Denomination: Pentecostal

The "Me" Generation

Contributed by Bob Ashcraft on Jul 24, 2002

We live in the "ME" generation. The World has become exceedingly selfish but God’s Word calls us to be selfless rather than selfish.

The "ME" Generation - We live in the "ME" generation - Everything is about self - "Get all you can get" - "It’s my way or the highway" - "If it feels good do it" - "He who dies with the most toys, wins" - There is even a magazine called SELF - This generation can easily be called the most ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:3-4, Acts 4:32-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Preparing For The Second Coming

Contributed by Dean Morgan on Feb 18, 2005

John’s job was to prepare the way for the public ministry of Jesus. His teaching and preaching would set the stage for Jesus’ teaching and preaching. Just as Jesus came the first time He is coming the second time. The world wasn’t ready for Him the 1

It was predicted in the OT that Jesus, the Messiah would come the first time. Isaiah 7:14 – “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Isaiah 40:3-5 – “(3) The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-3

Denomination: Pentecostal

Matthew 6 – Part 8 – Can’t I Serve God And Have Money Too? Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Feb 5, 2010

The simple answer to that question is “You may have it, but just remember it’s not yours!” In Luke 14:33 (NLT) Jesus says “...you cannot become My disciple without giving up everything you own.”

Matthew 6 – Part 8 – CAN’T I SERVE GOD AND HAVE MONEY TOO? The simple answer to that question is “You may have it, but just remember it’s not yours!” In Luke 14:33 (NLT) Jesus says “...you cannot become My disciple without giving up everything you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Acceptance And Rejection Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jan 3, 2015

The Magi come to worship the King, but Herod rejects Jesus' claim to the throne.

Matthew 2:1-12 “Acceptance and Rejection” INTRODUCTION The glittering packages that were neatly arranged under the Christmas tree have been transformed into brown boxes, clothing and other items, which now lay in a helter skelter pattern. Gifts have been given and received. Many ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

God Will Reward Everyone According To Their Work

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Aug 6, 2025

The work of the Lord is not in vain. Every act of service, no matter how little, is recorded before the throne of God. Our God is a righteous Judge who does not forget the labour of love we show toward His name.

GOD WILL REWARD EVERYONE ACCORDING TO THEIR WORK By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Revelation 22:12 “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Supporting Texts: 1 Corinthians 3:8-15, Galatians 6:7-9, Hebrews 6:10, Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Unity Factor Series

Contributed by Keith Crouch on Feb 21, 2005

This is the second in a series on Becoming a Great Kingdom Church.

The Unity Factor Philippians 2:1-5 I. The Commissioning of Church Unity (v. 1-2) A. Paul Commissioned Them to Be Like-Minded 1. This does not mean being carbon-copies 2. This does not mean we all will have the same ideas 3. This does mean that we will be agreeable even when we disagree B. Paul ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Rendering Honor

Contributed by Mitch Davis on Jun 25, 2007

Honor is one of those words that we use regularly put can’t quite put our finger on it when giving an accurate definition of what it is.

Rendering Honor Theme: Honor to whom honor belongs INTRODUCTION A. “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” Prov. 14:34 1. The very idea of a nation being exalted brings about the concept of honor. 2. On an individual scale, the one who does what is right is exalted, or ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Dare 2 B Different In Your Ministry Series

Contributed by Michael Stover on Oct 2, 2007

How can we imitate Christ in our ministry? Follows the Dare 2 B Different outline: Embody His Name, Embrace His Mission, Emulate His Word.

DARE 2 B DIFFERENT: In Your Ministry 1 Corinthians 3:5-4:6 “Ministry” – the act of serving. Use of a person’s gifts, talents, time, and energy in the service of others. (See 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4 for lists of spiritual gifts.) I. Embody His Name – Reflect His Character in Your ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

All The World Is A Stage

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 28, 2013

The deed is done before the all-seeing God. His approval is reward enough in itself.

ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE. Matthew 6:1-6; Matthew 6:16-21. “All the world’s a stage,” Shakespeare reminds us, “and all the men and women merely players.” “And one man,” continues the playwright, “in his time plays many parts…” Jesus’ teaching on almsgiving, prayer and fasting in the Sermon on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-21, Matthew 6:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Love Looks For Ways To Forgive. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Nov 14, 2021

Proverbs 10:12 says "Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.

Proverbs 10:12 says "Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. This proverb is an example of antithetical parallelism in Hebrew poetry. "Hatred" is contrasted with "love." The "stirring up" is contrasted with a "covering over." And ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 10:12

Love Without Pretend Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Sep 9, 2022

The definition of love by Paul appears in two letters, one is here and another is in 1 Corinthians. Of course, he cites various occasions to explain the love of Christ and the love among the disciples.

Romans 12:09-21 Love without Pretend The definition of love by Paul appears in two letters, one is here and another is in 1 Corinthians. Of course, he cites various occasions to explain the love of Christ and the love among the disciples. Love sincerely - Romans 12:9-15 Paul urges the Romans, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-21

Denomination: Methodist

Right Does Not Always Equal Righteous

Contributed by Don Campbell on Nov 19, 2025

There are two extremes regarding judging. The first is the hypocritical speck hunters who have a beam in their own eye. The second are the "I'm okay, you're okay," who hear no evil and see no evil. because we are all okay.

INTRODUCTION A. The words “right” and “righteous” come from the same Greek word. B. The suffix “ous” means “full of” or “characterized by.” C. Therefore, righteousness is characterized by what is right. I. THREE SCENARIOS INVOLVING JUDGING A. Bildad the spinner of proverbs (Job 8:1-7). 1. ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11, Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Happy Are The Forgiving And Pure Series

Contributed by Darrell Stetler Ii on Sep 22, 2004

This is the world’s thinking turned on its head! The world will tell you, "Happy is the man who insists on his rights" and "Happy is the man who thinks of himself". . . but JESUS SAYS. . . *HANDOUT INCLUDED*

Mt 5:1 ¶ And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: 3 ¶ "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7-8

Denomination: Holiness