Sermons on material pleasure:

Carefully Taught

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jun 6, 2018

Racism, materialism, and all the other "isms" in our experience must be taught.

Carefully Taught Mark 3: 20 - 35 Intro: 1949 – South Pacific – song that nearly derailed the debut of the musical. “You’ve got to be taught to hate and fear. You’ve got to be taught from year to year. It’s got to be drummed in your dear little ear. You’ve got to be carefully taught. You’ve ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-35

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Not Playing Favorites PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Feb 13, 2024

This sermon encourages Christians to love without bias, bear each other's burdens, and value spiritual richness over material wealth, reflecting God's heart in all relationships.

Welcome, dear family in Christ, to this blessed gathering where we stand on the common ground of God's grace, united in our pursuit of His wisdom and truth. We are here, not by accident, but by divine appointment. Yes, we are here because our Heavenly Father has a message for us, a message that can ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

Topics: Materialism, Spirituality

"What's Wrong With Pleasure?" Ecc. Pt 2 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 22, 2007

What is wrong with the pursuit of pleasure? Answer: It will become a tyrannical god – an idol that will never satisfy – it will never bring eternal meaning to your life.

“What is wrong with pleasure?” Ecclesiastes Pt. 2 Illustration: My timer is set for 30 minutes again: You may be thinking, “How many people will die in the world in 30 minutes?” The answer is 3,240 people. But here is a major problem - It is estimated that only 7% of the world’s population is ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Warnings On Prioritizing Family Over Material Possessions Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Apr 10, 2025

As we explore this sermon, we are reminded of the importance of prioritizing our loved ones and valuing them above material possessions.

In the pursuit of riches, many individuals often find themselves sacrificing the very things that bring true fulfillment and joy. The Bible warns us that the relentless chase for wealth can lead to devastating consequences, including the loss of family, children, and everything that truly matters. ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-6, 1 Kings 11:1-8

Living For The Pleasure Of God - Matthew 6:1 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 27, 2024

We all know hypocrisy is evil. But few people understand the remedy Jesus gave. How does living for reward cure the disease of hypocrisy?

Matthew 6:1-18 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1

God's Bountiful Buffet

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 16, 2009

Juy 31, 1988. When we don’t have enough, materially, it’s easy to be spiritual, and we respond with gratitude. When we have enough, materially, it’s still easy to be spiritual, and we respond with responsibility.

You may not know it, but we may be in the vicinity of a piece of history. We may be in the neighborhood that gave rise to a revolution in the restaurant business. I cannot really document this, but at least in my limited observation, it was right here in this neighborhood that one enterprising ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

How's Your "i" Problem? Series

Contributed by Donald Mcculley on Dec 5, 2011

We all have it.

HOW’S YOUR “I” PROBLEM? ECCLESIASTES 2:1-26 Introduction: How’s your “I” problem? I don’t have an eye problem. My vision is 20/20 thank you. I used to have a problem but I went from cataracts to contacts. You have an “I” problem! How dare you tell me I have an eye problem. I’m not talking ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Delights Of Deity

Contributed by John Newbaker on Oct 14, 2017

What brings God pleasure, joy, delight? Scripture tells us.

The Delights of Deity Psalm 115:3 says, “Our God is in heaven; he does whatever he pleases.” Have you ever thought about that? Have you ever thought about what pleases the Lord? he does whatever he pleases What is it that pleases the Lord? The word please in the Bible means to take delight ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

David In His Old Age Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Mar 5, 2021

First Kings 1:1-10 shows us what happens when we wrongly desire preeminence.

Scripture Last week, we concluded our study of 2 Samuel but not of “The Life of David.” The first one and a half chapters of 1 Kings tells us about the sunset of David’s life. Let’s read about David in his old age in 1Kings 1:1-10: 1 Now King David was old and advanced in years. And although ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 1:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Pleasing To God Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 23, 2021

It is impossible to please everyone, of course, and so Paul chose it as his master motive to please God.

Probably the most magnificent estate in the Western World is the California ranch of William Randolf Hearst. It is not a mere matter of film like the Ponderosa, but it is a matter of fact. It covers a quarter of a million acres of land, and stretches for 50 miles along the coast of the ocean. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:10

Enjoyability - Ecclesiastes 1:4-2:26 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 12, 2025

Why is it that sometimes you are capable of enjoying God’s gifts, and other times you just can’t seem to get any enjoyment out of those very same gifts? And if we are to find our joy in the Lord, what role do the pleasures of this world play?

Ecclesiastes 1:1 The words of the Preacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 "Absolute futility," says the Preacher. "Absolute futility. Everything is futile." 3 What does a man gain for all his efforts that he labors at under the sun? 4 A generation goes and a generation ...read more

Liking Life For The Love Of God - Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 13, 2025

Is there any Biblical reason why we should ever watch a movie or a ball game? Or go on vacation or play a game or have some dessert? Or take $2000 that could feed a third world family for a year and spend it on a kitchen remodel? What's the right way to enjoy earthly pleasures?

Ecclesiastes 2:24 There is nothing better for man than to eat, drink, and enjoy his work. I have seen that even this is from God’s hand, 25 because who can eat and who can enjoy life apart from Him? 26 For to the man who is pleasing in His sight, He gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy, but to ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:24-26

The Futility Of Wealth Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 4, 2016

Materialism ensures that we can never fully enjoy the blessings of God

“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Treasure Seekers

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Oct 18, 2020

What comes to mind when you hear the term, treasure seekers? Pirates, movies like, The Goonies? The world views treasure much differently than God does. Let's see what constitutes real treasure and determine if we want to be treasures seekers today.

TREASURE SEEKERS When you think of treasure seekers what do you typically think of? Pirates searching for buried treasure? Movies like Raiders of the Lost Ark, National Treasure or one of my personal favorites-The Goonies? I was reading an article this past week that mentioned treasures. That got ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24, 1 Timothy 6:17-19, Proverbs 2:1-5, Proverbs 11:4, 2 Corinthians 4:6-7, Matthew 13:44, Matthew 19:21, Hebrews 11:24-26, Philippians 3:7-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Commands Us To Enjoy The Greatest Pleasure!

Contributed by Efren V. Narido on May 3, 2007

Our OWN idea of pleasure could be loving the self, money, or being proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, etc.

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-4

Denomination: Baptist