Sermons on Material Pleasure:

What Does "morality" Even Mean?

Contributed by Ian Hyde on Nov 24, 2019

How do we define morality in an increasingly relativistic, materialistic world? When we realize our inherent blind spots, we find that morality must be rooted in something outside of ourselves, and only the example of the incarnate Christ is firm foundation enough for discerning right from wrong.

A CLASH OF WORLDVIEWS In our passage this morning, Paul is speaking to the faithful in the church at the Greek colony of Colossae, now in modern day Turkey. Many of these believers came from a pagan background. They didn’t grow up with the benefit of stories about God’s providence or saving work ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-23, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Denomination: Nazarene

Debt Is A Taskmaster

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Aug 16, 2020

You can own stuff or stuff can own you.

Do you own your house or does your house own you? We tend to love the American dream and that usually translates as having bigger and more expensive stuff with swapping it often. That stuff can own us. If you were to be unemployed tomorrow due to layoff or illness how long would you last before ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:7, 1 Timothy 6:9

Denomination: Baptist

Can The Rich Be Saved?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 4, 2021

Do we value the things of God more highly than the things of this world? What is Jesus’ opinion on the most valuable things in life? Let’s look at Jesus’ instructions after a rich man turned away from Him in Mark 10:17-31.

Prelude Do we value the things of God more highly than the things of this world? Purpose: What is Jesus’ opinion on the most valuable things in life? Plan: Let’s look at Jesus’ instructions after a rich man turned away from Him in Mark 10:17-31. The Advantages of Wealth The wealthy are often ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Gospel Of Contentment

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Mar 31, 2025

Do not let discontentment rob you of enjoying and being grateful for what you have.

After WWII, the economy exploded as the technology for war could create fantastic items for peace. Factories turned out a myriad of products at a reasonable price that the average person never comprehended. Thus the age of materialism erupted around the world. People that had survived the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:5, Luke 3:14, Philippians 4:11, 1 Timothy 6:8

Denomination: Baptist

Sticky Fingers Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 25, 2022

This commandment teaches us that keeping our hands off our neighbor’s things is as important as keeping our hands off our neighbor’s neck.

One of my favorite movies ever is a little gem called “The Gods Must Be Crazy.” It starts out with an idyllic look at society among the stone age tribesmen of the Kalahari desert. They have absolutely no possessions. Not one. Not even so much as a loin cloth. They spend most of their time hunting ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 5:19, Deuteronomy 22:1-4

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How To Please God

Contributed by Colin Coombs on Oct 12, 2005

God finds pleasure in the company of certain people. Who are they?

HOW TO PLEASE GOD A. FEAR THE LORD & B. HOPE IN THE LORD Psalm 147:11 The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. It is an impressive thought that God should, not only be at peace with some people, but He even finds pleasure in their company! Who are ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 147:11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

You Can't Take It With You

Contributed by Curtis E. Nester on Aug 10, 2016

Jesus teaches a lesson about covetousness and then illustrates it with the parable of the Rich Fool. How to avoid the destructive effects of covetousness and lay up treasures in Heaven

TITLE: You Can't Take it With You TEXT: Luke 12:13-21 INTRO: One of Aesop's fables tells about a dog who was carrying a bone. He came to a bridge and as he crossed, he saw his reflection in the water. He thought it was another dog with a bone. He opened his mouth to snap at the other dog and the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:13-21

Denomination: Baptist

Four Great Questions Of Jesus I: "how Do You Benefit If You Lose Your Soul?" Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Sep 7, 2019

Many of life's concerns about short-term material benefits precipitate undue worry, but the "real you" - your soul - needs your immediate attention for your long-term benefit.

FOUR GREAT QUESTIONS OF JESUS I A Series of Devotional Sermons First Great Question: ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:36-37

Sex And The Christian

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

The pleasure found in sex is not embarrassing. While the movies portray marital sex as routine and ordinary, the Bible considers the lifetime sexual union between one man and one woman as both sacred and profoundly pleasurable.

Adultery recently made the news. Iran has sentenced a 43-year-old widow and mother of two for “illicit relationships” with two men After receiving 99 lashes, she was sentenced for stoning. After much pleading from the United States and Great Briton, Iranian courts have relented and are considering ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

God's Plan For Financial Freedom

Contributed by Jim Twamley on Apr 2, 2003

Much of the material used in this sermon was gleaned from Larry Burkett’s teaching on finances. Two thirds of the parables that Christ used in teaching deal specifically with finances.

GOD’S PLAN FOR FINANCIAL FREEDOM (Note: Much of the material used in this sermon was gleaned from Larry Burkett’s teaching on finances. Crown Ministries has more material available for further study.) Shortly after his death, someone asked John D. Rockefeller Jr’s chief financial advisor, “He was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:15, Matthew 6:19-21, Matthew 6:17

Denomination: Pentecostal

Our Forefathers' Legacy Of Abundance

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jun 16, 2025

Abundance is not always material.

1. Some years ago, a radio station invited people to call in and tell them the first thing they had said in the morning, and the third caller would win a cash prize. One guy said, "Do I smell coffee burning?" Another one said, "Oh no, I'm late for work." The winner that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:34-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It's A Soul Thing Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Feb 10, 2007

Man was not created to be either strictly material or spiritual. He is only complete when the material and spiritual are united in a living soul.

1. Man was made with a material body 2. Man was made with an imparted spirit 3. Man was made to be a living soul Have you ever seen any of the old Puritan sermons? They were amazing. They would preach for over an hour. And many of their sermons would have dozens of points. The sermon this ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:4-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Search For Satisfaction Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 22, 2024

We will never find our purpose in life if we put the pursuit of our pleasures above God’s priorities.

The Search for Satisfaction Rev. Brian Bill Ecclesiastes 2:1-17 July 20-21, 2024 According to the 2024 World Happiness Report, the U.S. ranks 23rd on a global measure of happiness across 143 countries in the world. This is worse than last year, when we came in at number 15. Americans under 30 ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

By Faith: Refuse And Choose

Contributed by Gary Holt on Sep 23, 2023

Moses made the choice to reject the pleasures of the world, rather choosing to side with God by faith

“By faith: refuse and choose.” Hebrews 11:24-26 Moses is the greatest prophet and teacher in the Bible: - born to Hebrew parents - who were at that point slaves in Egypt - he was born a nothing and became a faithful servant of God, - a leader of all God’s people prior to and during the Exodus ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:24-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why Do Accusers Try To Discredit The People Of God?

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. Accusers find pleasure in trying to find fault with someone or their ideas.

1. Accusers find pleasure in trying to find fault with someone or their ideas. In this passage we read about men who tried to discredit Peter and the apostles who had just received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. Peter said, "These men are not drunk as you suppose." (Acts 2:15) Ignorant ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:14-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational