Sermons on Motive Of A Pastor:

The Worse Homecoming Ever

Contributed by Larry Turner on Oct 24, 2016

A church in decline. A pastor discouraged. A congregation wanting to party as if all were well. Not exactly a great recipe for me to get a sermon. But the Lord spoke to me and took some weight off my shoulders in this sermon.

Welcome to our 2nd Annual Homecoming Dinner. This is actually my sixth October as pastor and the church itself has existed for 14 years. The reason it is the second homecoming dinner is because we decided to start having one last year. This year 30 past and present members were invited. Eleven ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-6

Denomination: Foursquare

The Unhindered Gospel In The Hindered Church Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 9, 2009

I wrote this sermon to preach in a church where the pastor had just died on Wednesday night before. God wanted to demonstrate how His timing and His power is more important than the humans in charge.

The Unhindered Gospel in the Hindered Church A 20th century philosopher, Gamaliel Bradford, once said that “Life is hope triumphing over experience.” In those words, he summed up 20th century optimism. He implied that humanity would learn from its experience and improve. His hope was in the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-26

Denomination: *other

The Good Shepherd

Contributed by Daniel Ray Ortega on Jun 7, 2023

There was once a great actor, who graced the theatres reciting popular literary passages. In one of his performances, an old Pentecostal pastor challenged the man and asked him to recite Psalm 23, to which he obliged.

I am the Good Shepherd Sermon The Good Shepherd Read - John 10: 11-16 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf ...read more

Scripture: John 10:11-16, 1 Samuel 17:34-36, 2 Samuel 12:1-3

Denomination: Free Methodist

Sermon: Celebrating God’s Watchman

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Oct 25, 2025

We are here again to celebrate God’s gift to the church. A pastor is like a watchman because both are spiritual guardians who are vigilant, provide warnings, and speak God's word to protect their community.

Sermon: Celebrating God’s Watchman Scripture: Isaiah 21:11-12 “The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come.” Introduction: We are ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 21:11-12, Philippians 4:13-14, John 15:16, Zechariah 4:7, John 8:32  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Called To Serve

Contributed by Michael Bates on Sep 14, 2023

Every Christian is called to serve in the ministry. Only a select few are called into full-time pastoral ministry, but many others are called to serve God in other capacities. This short sermon explores that calling a little further.

The Bible says in 1 Peter 4:10-11: Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10-11, Luke 10:12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Positive Giving

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Aug 8, 2011

What motivates you to give? The Corinthians had an easy time setting unrealistic giving goals that set them up for failure, but a hard time giving in a way that released the gift to God and brought Him glory. In this chapter Paul gives us some valuable le

Giving is one of those subjects that pastors either ignore or really focus on. For us at Calvary Chapel, we teach through the Scriptures so when a chapter comes along on any particular subject then we teach it. Giving should be a part of every growing Christian’s experience, and I’m not ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-24

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

If I Were The Devil

Contributed by Kelvin Mckisic on Feb 16, 2025

As a pastor, it is my job to guard your souls from the evil one and sometimes from yourselves. The evil one, the devil, is crafty and knows each of us very well. So, to guard your souls I need to arm you with some of the tactics of the devil.

As a pastor, it is my job to guard your souls from the evil one and sometimes from yourselves. The evil one, the devil, is crafty and knows each of us very well. So, to guard your souls I need to arm you with some of the tactics of the devil. To do this I will be role-playing, showing you what I ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-13, Matthew 13:31-32, Mark 10:29-31, Proverbs 22:6, 2 Timothy 3:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Invitation To The Table Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on Oct 2, 2025

We look at Communion 1 dimensionally and have reduced it to a cold, formal requirement. We sit. The pastor and elder tell us some stuff and the deacons pass us a tiny wafer and a minute glass of grape juice – job done. Communion over. Now potluck.

October 04, 2025 Jesus calls us to remember and partake in the Communion meal with him. However, we look at Communion 1 dimensionally and have reduced it to a cold, formal requirement. We sit. The pastor and elder tell us some stuff and the deacons pass us a tiny wafer and a minute glass of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:28

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Not Ashamed Of The Gospel Series

Contributed by Michael Gardner on Mar 2, 2006

Dr. Gardner visited Rome in January 2006 and studied the life of the Apostles Peter and Paul late in their ministries before they were martyred. This two sermon series explores two little-known Pastoral letters Paul wrote from Prison in a series Dr. Gard

How many of you remember ever receiving a chain letter? Chances are, if you are over fifty like I am, you do. I asked my twenty-five year old son if he had ever received a chain letter and he said he’d never heard of them. I asked him if he ever received a piece of junk email, and he said, “I get ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:2-12

Denomination: Methodist

Don't Do Your Own Thing! Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jun 25, 2020

In these dark and foggy times, submit to God’s authority first in your home, then in the household of God, then in the community at large.

There is an old story about a captain on a ship, who looked into the dark night and saw faint lights in the distance. Immediately he told his signalman to send a message: “Alter your course 10 degrees south.” Promptly a return message was received: “Alter your course 10 degrees north.” The captain ...read more

Scripture: Judges 17:1-13, Judges 18:1-31, Ephesians 2:14-16, 2 Timothy 4:3-4

Denomination: Evangelical Free

A Fragile Faith: Handle With Care Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

Restrict Your Rights for the Sake of the Gospel.

Many of you love to measure your progress. Tools are available to measure your Body Mass Index where you assess your body fat. You have tools available where you can measure your carbon footprint so to know your impact upon the climate. Athletes will measure the size of their biceps. You can even ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Judgment Please, Hold The Mercy - James 2:8-13 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 28, 2021

Showing mercy means giving people what they need rather than what they deserve. This message will help you enjoy receiving God’s mercy every day and will motivate you to show mercy to others—especially in your thoughts toward people.

James 2:8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of ...read more

Scripture: James 2:8-13

"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

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

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