Sermons on Negative Motivation:

"The Father's Heart"

Contributed by Ken Harris on Mar 14, 2010

The purpose of this sermon is to motivate the hearers to affirm to others that God looks for opportunities to lovingly forgive and rejoice at the return of his happy-go-lucky and wasteful child.

U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris, Jr. West Fort Hood Chapel First Worship Service since Iraq ”Men Program” Killeen, TX 14 March 2010 Big Idea: The Heart of the Father Watches, Loves, and Rejoices at the return of his carefree and wasteful child. Scriptural References: EAI ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:15-22

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Sovereignty Of God

Contributed by Ken Pell on Mar 22, 2010

Sermon Objective: God’s sovereignty (from a Wesleyan-Arminian perspective) is showcased and illustrated in The Book of the Revelation providing motivation o remain faithful and confident.

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD: THE REVELATION IN REVIEW Rev. 3:19 - 4:11 Sermon Objective: God’s sovereignty (from an Arminian perspective) is showcased and illustrated in The Book of the Revelation providing motivation o remain faithful and confident. REVELATION 3:19 – 4:11 3:19Those whom I love I ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

The King's Defense

Contributed by Sean Harder on Aug 29, 2013

Many questions we ask are not really coming from a place of curiosity but have ulterior motives, and we’re going to see that in action today.

The middle part of Matthew chapter 22 is incredible. Three groups are going to use questions to try and trap Jesus into saying something that will get him killed. They all, government, the Pharisees, and Sadducees all wanted to get rid of Him. The Herodians represent the secular, political and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:23-33

Not As Earthling, But Holy Human Being

Contributed by Efren V. Narido on Aug 7, 2018

Considering ourselves as new creation in Christ is enough motivation to live differently. But there are other additional reasons, why we need to live holy and godly lives.

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:10-13

Denomination: Baptist

Mentoring Discipleship – How To Develop Fully Devoted Followers Of Jesus

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Mar 12, 2022

This course covers the following: I. THE BASICS AND MOTIVATION FOR MENTORING DISCIPLESHIP II. THE PRINCIPLES OF MENTORING DISCIPLESHIP III. THE NATURE OF A DISCIPLE IV. THE PRACTICE OF MENTORING DISCIPLESHIP

INTRODUCTION – A Life Well Lived I fell in love with Jesus when I was a troubled teenager while attending Topanga Community Church in California. One person stood out among all others, a silver-haired senior saint named Doris Shumate. She was an unassuming, kind, and gentle soul who always ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:1, Philippians 3:17, John 3:16, Matthew 28:18-20, 2 Timothy 2:2, Mark 3:13-14, Mark 6:6-13, Luke 5:10, Luke 10:1-20, Colossians 1:28-29  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Good Employer Series

Contributed by Kevin Brady on Sep 13, 2021

The owner of a vinyard pays all of his workers the same amount. How can this be fair? The motivations of the employer are explored within the cultural context of the first century.

The Good Employer (Matt. 20:1-16) Harvest time. The morning sun burned just below the hillside and backlit the ancient vines rising up from the even more ancient earth. The ground was parched and packed. Only the grapes held the promise of moisture, the pulp near bursting through their skins. A ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

He Taught Them Many Parables… (The Fig Tree) # 16

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 14, 2022

The Lord taught many parables. But to fully understand these parables as we study them, we need to examine what motivated Him to teach that particular parable.

In order to do this, you generally have to read the verses that precede the parable He spoke. For example, following Jesus' comments about the widow giving her two small coins in the temple, He teaches about: • The destruction of the temple • The coming of the end of the age Look at Luke 21: ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:29-33

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Announces His Mission, From Which We Can Announce Our Own.

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Jan 25, 2016

This is a subtle sermon to motivate and thank the congregation, based on why Jesus chose his own readings in the temple; and how the church can gain from that announcement?

This sermon was delivered to St Oswald’s in Maybole, Ayrshire, Scotland on the 24th January 2016; St Oswalds is a Scottish Episcopal Church in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries. Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a Luke 4:14-21 Psalm 19 “Please be seated, and join me ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:14-21

Denomination: Episcopal

Look Who Came To Church

Contributed by Jason Duhon on Mar 5, 2016

On a typical Sunday, who will you find in our churches? Just about every cross-section of our population shows up, each with their own motives.

Who do we find in church? 1. The Heathen a) The Seeker This is the typical sinner. He or she comes to church, not desiring to become part of the fellowship, but for the sake of attendance. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:4

Denomination: Baptist

The Holy Family Of Jesus, Mary, And Joseph: A Timeless Model For Modern Families Series

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Dec 15, 2023

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph serves as a timeless example for families in the current era, offering insightful guidance and motivation for overcoming the challenges of modern life.

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph: A Timeless Model for Modern Families The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph serves as a timeless example for families in the current era, offering insightful guidance and motivation for overcoming the challenges of modern life. The virtues of the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 15:1-6, Genesis 21:1-3, Luke 2:22-40, Colossians 3:12-21

Denomination: Other

For Growing Love Series

Contributed by Scott Jewell on Feb 18, 2024

Paul's love for the church of Philippi motivated his prayers for them. What does this demonstrate for us as we pray for our churches today?

This past Wednesday, we celebrated Valentine’s Day. So it seems appropriate that we talk about a prayer about growing love since the idea of love is on people’s minds. I had to chuckle when I saw this meme on Facebook and shared it with someone who had posted to see if anyone would like ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Can How You Love Tell Who You Serve? PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 18, 2024

This sermon explores the call to emulate Christ's boundless, transformative love, manifesting mercy, mimicking His love, and being motivated by His mandate to love others.

Welcome, beloved, to this place where we gather to share in the fellowship of faith, a place where we seek to understand the mysteries of God's love and grace, a place where we strive to become more like our Savior, Jesus Christ. Today, we explore a theme that is as old as creation itself, yet as ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35

Topics: Love, Despite

Words Are Full Of Power

Contributed by James Dina on Oct 4, 2020

When you speak, heaven begins to work because there is power in the words you declare. Every word that comes out of your mouth should be a word of life, to edify, motivate, and bring comfort.

WORDS ARE FULL OF POWER "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." (Proverbs 18:21) “.....The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life..” (John 6:63) Words are full of power, both to wound and to heal, to break ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:21, Psalm 141:3

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Three C's Of Salvation - Part 2 Confession Series

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Oct 15, 2003

Easy believism has permeated our churches. We moved away from talking about three C’s of salvation in an attempt to avoid negativity. True Biblical salvation consists of conviction, confession, and conversion.

THE THREE C’S OF SALVATION PART 2 - CONFESSION Romans 10:8-13 INTRODUCTION: We have stated that the biblical formula for salvation is conviction plus confession plus conversion equals salvation. Simply put the design of true salvation consists of conviction leading to confession followed by ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:8-13

Denomination: Baptist

Can I Get A Lift?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 6, 2009

August 1989: If we want to be lifted up out of our unhappiness through worship, we must bring our whole selves to the worship experience and must pray passionately even our negative wishes.

I recently became aware that some folks shop for a church much as you would shop for a car or a home appliance. In talking with some people about joining our church, they said that they were shopping – that’s their word, not mine -- that they were shopping for a church by systematically attending ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 28:1-9

Denomination: Baptist