Sermons on Negative Motivation:

The Giving Game.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Nov 15, 2022

The son of a Baptist preacher, J.C Penney was motivated by the golden rule. His first store was named, Golden Rule store, and he titled his autobiography 50 years with the Golden Rule.

The Giving Game. 2 Corinthians 8:7NASB I read a biography about the life and legacy of JC Penney, the founder of the department store by the same name. The C in J.C stood for cash, no kidding. But that wasn’t the motivation behind his ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:7, 2 Corinthians 8:1-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Independence - There Ain't No Such Thing

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jul 3, 2021

We Americans like to think of ourselves as independent people but we never can truly be totally independent. In the spiritual world we are slaves in the kingdom of darkness or the kingdom of light but the motivation is entirely different!

Independence? - There Ain’t No Such Thing Please stand with me as we go over our current memory Scripture: Matthew 5:6-8 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:15-23, John 8:44, John 8:34, John 3:16-18, Titus 3:3-5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Christmas: Why Did Jesus Come To Us? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 12, 2021

I’m really glad God came up with the idea of Christmas. But what did God have in mind when He created Christmas? What motivated Him to bring Christmas to us?

Christmas is really enjoyable on so many levels. But a widow names Stella has an unusual experience on Christmas. Stella’s first Christmas as a widow brought incredible loneliness. One day her doorbell rang and she was greeted by a messenger holding a box. “What’s in the box?” she asked. The ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:8-13, Genesis 12:1-3, Revelation 7:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Casting The Vision Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jan 7, 2022

In claiming the Promised Land, the toil and strain can begin taking a toll, leading to fatigue and discouragement. We must continually recast the vision, in order to strengthen and motivate people to keep pressing on.

The book of Joshua is about the Israelites doing battle to possess the land of Canaan; and by this point in the book, Joshua had already initiated the process of claiming the Promised Land and establishing new territory for the Lord. We can actually apply what we learn from the book of Joshua to ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 8:30-35, Numbers 13:25-30, Numbers 14:7-9

Denomination: Baptist

Be Supportive Of Other Churches Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Oct 30, 2021

If we serve the Lord with the impure motive of personal gain, instead of with the intention of leading people to faith in Christ, then we can become self-focused, critical and judgmental of other believers and other churches.

The apostle Paul once admonished the Philippians, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4). In ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:38-41

Denomination: Baptist

Serving Lost Friends Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jul 20, 2025

Servanthood Evangelism is motivated by love. Servanthood evangelism is a combination of simple acts of kindness followed by intentional personal evangelism. It’s where you practice acts of kindness with the intention of sharing the gospel.

This morning, I want to convince you, who are believers, to serve your unchurched friends with the intention of sharing the gospel with them. I want to see you make an impact on those closest to you through a simple campaign we are doing called Prayer, Care, Share. Find John 13 with me, if you ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-5, John 13:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

Having A Healthy Ambition

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Oct 14, 2015

We are all ambitious, in one way or another. That is how God created us. We should be ambitious for who we are.in Christ Jesus. Ambition is a healthy thing when it motivates us to reach our God-given potential.

For thse not familier with an Anglica Service: there are four Scripture readings prior to the message. Today's assigned readings are: Job 38:1-7 & Job 34:41; Psalm 104:1-9; Hebrews 5:1-10 and Mark10:35-45 What does it mean... to be ....ambitious? When is ambition.... healthy,... and when can ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: Anglican

Nine Tests Of Prophecy Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 26, 2021

Gullible believers can be misled by false prophecies. We are told in Scripture to judge all prophecy. This message equips Christians with nine tests to determine whether a prophecy, dream, vision, etc. is from God.

During the last two messages, we have addressed the need to judge prophetic ministry. Last week we learned from the story in 1 Kings 13 where the failure to judge a prophecy cost a man his life. It led him astray, and he was killed by a lion. Jesus warned about the increase in deception that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, Romans 8:14-16, Deuteronomy 13:1-5, Matthew 7:15-16, Galatians 5:1-26, John 16:13-14, Revelation 19:10, 2 Corinthians 3:6, Psalm 119:10-11, 2 Timothy 3:5-16, Isaiah 8:20, Matthew 10:16, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Matthew 16:24, 1 Corinthians 14:1-40, Genesis 3:1, Matthew 24:4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Uriah’s Be Careful

Contributed by Samuel M on Jun 24, 2024

Uriah blindly trusted David because of his reputation and position, without discerning his intentions and motives. Uriah worked hard and had a good reputation at work, yet he died as a result of David's grave sin. Uriah’s only mistake was blindly believing David.

And David wrote in the letter, saying, “Set Uriah in the forefront of the [c]hottest battle, and retreat from him, that he may be struck down and die.” 2 Samuel 11:15 When a man of God is living in sin, he is more dangerous than Satan. Run away from a man of God who is living in sin; he is ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:15

Artaxerxes's Generous Giving

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Apr 6, 2013

I. EXORDIUM: Are you a cheerful giver? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that our motivation should be out of love not of fear when it comes to giving. IV. TEXT: Ezra 7:21-23 (New Living Translation, Second Edi

I. EXORDIUM: Are you a cheerful giver? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that our motivation should be out of love not of fear when it comes to giving. IV. TEXT: Ezra 7:21-23 (New Living Translation, Second Edition) “I, Artaxerxes the king, hereby send this ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 7:21-23, Ezra 8:24-30

Denomination: Pentecostal

Have Faith In God

Contributed by Mark Baker on Jun 1, 2010

Reading through the Bible from the very beginning, there is one consistent theme, God’s great love and compassion towards us. He is unchangeable, and in this we can have great confidence. It seems there is no greater motivation for faith than knowing thi

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Reading through the Bible from the very beginning, there is one consistent theme, God’s great love and compassion towards us. He is unchangeable, and in this we can have great confidence. It seems there is no greater ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Warning To The Worthless - Matthew 5:13 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 8, 2024

Salt had a lot of uses in the ancient world. Which one of them did Jesus have in mind when he used the analogy of salt and light? This message will give you both insight and motivation on how to be a good witness at work and in the world.

Matthew 5:13-19 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13

My Testimony Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Nov 2, 2011

Let's think about Paul's personal testimony and how it relates to our lives. (two positives and a negative) 1- He did not preach a made-up gospel 2- He did persecute believers in the past 3- He did receive a call from God

INTRO.- Do you have a testimony? Yes, whether you realize it or not. Every human has a testimony or is a living testimony. ILL.- For example, let me name some people and you say the word or words that immediately come to your mind that reminds you of these people: Babe Ruth, Lance Armstrong, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:11-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Godly Mother

Contributed by Patrick Nix on Jan 5, 2012

John 20:20-23 records when Salome (mother of James and John) approached Jesus on behalf of her two sons. Although we often emphasize the negative in this situation, she was not rebuked by Christ. In fact, we see Salome as a godly example of what a mother

John 20:20-23 records when Salome (mother of James and John) approached Jesus on behalf of her two sons. Although we often emphasize the negative in this situation, she was not rebuked by Christ. In fact, we see Salome as a godly example of what a mother should be throughout the gospel ...read more

Scripture: John 20:20-23

Denomination: Baptist

Play God Day Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 10, 2016

Play God Day is "celebrated" on January 9th and encourages people to do something nice for others. That's good. But "playing God" also has a negative side. What's wrong with "playing God" and how do I recognize if I'm falling into that trap?

This is the 2nd in our series of “holidays” in January you probably haven’t heard of. This one is called the “Play God Day” and its “observed” on January 9th each year. According to www.cute_calendar.com: “The day encourages you to do something ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ