Sermons on Motives Behind Sacrifices:

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

Contributed by Rich Hadley on Dec 17, 2001

A sermon for pastors and church leaders. It is a message on leadership illustrated from the interactions between Samuel and Saul.

I Samuel 14:47: After Saul had assumed rule over Israel, he fought against their enemies on every side: Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment on them. Saul was a fighting King. He was a great general. He dealt all kinds ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:1-29

Denomination: Holiness

I Desire Mercy Not Sacrifice Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon explores the concept of mercy as the heart of God, demonstrated through Jesus' interactions in Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, emphasizing the importance of compassion and kindness in our own interactions with others.

Good morning/evening church! Before we get going today, I have a question for you… Have you ever wondered what really matters to God? Have you ever stopped to consider what kinds of things get God, the Creator of the cosmos, really excited? If we’re honest, it might not be something we think about ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Topics: Mercy, Compassion, Kindness

Communion: Remember His Sacrifice

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Nov 6, 2025

1) The Command to Love (John 15:12), 2) The Standard of Love (John 15:13), 3) The Evidence of Love (John 15:14-15) 4) The Fruit of Love (John 15:14-15)

John 15:12-16. [12]"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. [13] Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. [14] You are my friends if you do what I command you. [15] No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-16

Denomination: Other

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

Contributed by John Gaston on Feb 11, 2021

We look at the fall of King Saul. We see how he rationalized his sins by selective obedience, shifting blame, and subterfuge. Then we study the true nature of obedience and end with an enlightening story.

TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE 1 Sam. 15:1-30 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: KNOWING IS NOT DOING 1. United Press International (UPI) reported that termites had eaten through a large stack of documents entitled, “Control of Termites” in the mail room of the University of California at Berkley. 2. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:1-30

Denomination: Assembly Of God

What’s Behind The Door? Series

Contributed by James Lee on Nov 22, 2013

Adapted from a series done by Joseph Rodgers "A Journey to the Cross"

How many of you watch “Let’s Make a Deal” You have no idea what’s behind door #1 or door #2. It could be something great or a Zonk, which NOT something great. Well, in this passage of Scripture we find two different people behind two different doors with two completely ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

Love And Sacrifice, Part 2

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Feb 24, 2003

Perhaps on Friday of this past week, you assured your valentine that you would climb high mountains to be near them; swim wide oceans to sit at their feet; cross burning deserts in the heat of day in order to sing love songs to them in the moonlight. But

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: Perhaps on Friday of this past week, you assured your valentine that you would climb high mountains to be near them; swim wide oceans to sit at their feet; cross burning deserts in the heat of day in order to sing love songs to them in the moonlight. But somehow on ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-21

Law, Sacrifice,tabernacle And Jesus Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Jul 20, 2022

This sermon focuses on God's giving of His Law, the Tabernacle, and the sacrificial system to prepare his people to enter into the Promised Land, and through Christ continues to do the same for all believers today.

Today, we are continuing our series called The Story. If you are visiting with us today, basically The Story is a 31-week overview of the Bible. The goal is helping you connect the different stories of the Bible together and ultimately to see how your story connects up to God’s story. Last ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 19:2, Hebrews 10:1, John 3:5, Matthew 5:17, Romans 12:1, 1 Peter 2:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian Church

Transformed Into The Image Of Christ Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Jan 27, 2009

This sermon looks at three catalysts that God uses to transform us. I. God Uses PEOPLE To Transform Us. II. God Uses CIRCUMSTANCES To Transform Us. III. God Uses SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES To Transform Us. (Sermon 2 in this series)

Transformed Into The Image Of Christ Let me tell you right up front - the title of this sermon may be misleading to many of you. When I use the word “Transformed” – many of you think that being tranformed into the image of Christ is something that happens to you without any effort or input on ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Working Of All Things Series

Contributed by Larry M. Treat on Nov 22, 2010

The Word of God says that all things work together for good, but how do they work. Are we tired of bearing the burden of all things?

The Working of All Things Romans 8:24-28; 8:35-38 • “All Things” aren’t always good things o Yet “all Things” is something that we must go through • I would be a fool tonight if I stood here to say you would not go through the burdens and trials of them ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:24-38

Denomination: Pentecostal

Like A Good Neighbor Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Oct 21, 2019

Compare current views of being good neighbors with that of the bible.

1. Do you remember when neighbors knew one another? When they might sit on their front porches and talk? When they invited one another over for meals or games? 2. Things have really changed, haven’t they? 3. The Boston Globe ran this story some time back: It can never be said that Adele Gaboury’s ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 19:9-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Spurring One Another PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 3, 2025

The sermon emphasizes the vital role of gathering as a church community to encourage, support, and strengthen one another in love and faith as we follow Christ.

There’s a sacred sweetness in the sound of gathered voices. A familiar face across the aisle. A hug that lingers just a moment longer than usual. Coffee cups, creaky pews, and kind words. It all whispers a truth our souls know well: we are meant to be together. Life presses in with long weeks and ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:24-25

Topics: Encouragement, Motivation

Sermon # 27 - The Supreme Sacrifice Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Mar 16, 2023

When Abraham willingly offered his son Isaac on the altar, he had no clue that this was a fore-shadow of the supreme sacrifice that God would make many years later. This sermon explains what that supreme sacrifice was, and how this could alter our lives for eternity.

We continue to ponder on Psalms 77:11-12, “I will remember your great deeds, LORD; I will recall the wonders you did in the past. I will think about all that you have done; I will meditate on all your mighty acts.” (GNB) The Psalmist made it his ambition to remember and recall, all of the great ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 77:11-12, Genesis 22:13, Genesis 22:2, Genesis 22:4-7, Hebrews 11:17-19, Job 1:21, Luke 1:32, John 3:16, John 19:17, Luke 24:7, Luke 23:34, Matthew 27:46  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

A Living Funeral – A Living Sacrifice

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 23, 2025

There’s a new kind of funeral that is beginning to be used by those facing death. It’s called a “living funeral” or a “pre-funeral.” This sermon was requested by a man given a few months to live on the topic of being a "living sacrifice."

Synopsis: There’s a new kind of funeral that is beginning to be used by those facing death. It’s called a “living funeral” or a “pre-funeral.” In this kind of funeral the “dearly departed” is still alive and is present at the ceremony. This kind of service become very popular in Japan and is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus, Our Atoning Sacrifice

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Jun 10, 2018

This message asks: "What's the big deal about sin? Why does God care about what comes naturally to us?" And this message looks at the hope and joy we have because we trust that Jesus is our atoning sacrifice.

June 10/18 Sermon - 1 John 2:1-2 Today is the third in a series where we are looking at the book of first John. Pastor Bill Ryan did an excellent introduction to the book 2 weeks ago, and Pastor Arleen spoke on the balance of chapter 1 last week. If you missed those messages, and you want to ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Soldiers Never Leave A Man Behind Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Aug 6, 2003

Soldiers for the Kingdom of God will not leave one of their own stranded.

"We Were Soldiers" Soldiers Never Leave A Man Behind (3 of 3) Deut. 2:24-36 April 6, 2003 FBC, Chester, IL Mike Fogerson Speaker Introduction: I The first command that God has given us is to go to war. A God told Israel to pick a fight. (vv:24) 2:24 "Set out now and cross the Arnon ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 2:24-36

Denomination: Baptist