Sermons on Pastoral Motives:

The Applause Of Heaven

Contributed by Craig Cramblet on Aug 22, 2003

Our motivation (why we do what we do...who we do it for) is examined. Nehemiah shows us the courage and power of doing things for God’s approval rather than the applause of men.

This is the last message in our series on Nehemiah -It has been a Book full of practical instruction and hope -It has reminded us of the consequences of SIN… -It reminds us of the difference that ONE PERSON can make if they are committed to glorifying God. -It has shown us that God LOVES and ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 13:4-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Early Signs Of Spiritual Shock And Numbness" Series

Contributed by Ken Harris on Apr 7, 2007

The purpose of this sermon is to motivate the hearers to affim to others that Resurrection Sunday 2007 find many believers looking good and strong, outwardly, when inwardly they are in shock-spiritually, and just a TURN-AROUND away from receiving instruct

8 April 2007 EARLY RISE RESURRECTION SERVICE U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris Fort Ord Chapel Seaside, California BIG IDEA: Many believers, who look good and strong, outwardly, are really in shock-spiritually, and just a TURN-AROUND away from receiving instructions from THE LORD TO GO AND DO ...read more

Scripture: John 20:9-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Surest Path To Great Reward In 2023 Series

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Dec 27, 2022

Jesus reveals the surest path to God's greatest rewards. So, Jesus begins talking about the importance of right motives in serving, in giving, in praying and in fasting. Seek first the kingdom of God and His Righteousness...

Sermon: The Surest Path To Great Reward Text: Matthew 5:20; 6:1-8; 16-18, 33 Matthew 5:20 “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven! Matthew 6:1-6 “Watch out! Don’t do ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20, Matthew 6:1-8, Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 6:33, 1 Kings 3:9-13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

No Deposit, No Return

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 24, 2024

Let's consider God's 5 investment funds; these reflect the 5 purposes of the church (5 investment funds comes from Rick Warren at: https://pastors.com/five-funds/)

HoHum: For many years, soft drink and milk companies reused their bottles. Each bottle had it’s own deposit created to motivate people to return them. Buy a soft drink, pay a deposit, and get it back when the bottle was returned. Later, ways were found to make plastic bottles that did not need to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6, 1 Timothy 6:18-19, Proverbs 3:9, Galatians 6:10, Proverbs 22:23, Proverbs 19:17, Luke 16:9, Revelation 3:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Attitude Of Gratitude Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Oct 15, 2020

In these difficult days before Jesus comes, to encourage your church family to excel, appreciate your leaders, one another, God’s plan, and God’s Spirit at work in each other.

A loaded [SUV] pulled into the only remaining campsite. Four teenagers leaped from the vehicle and began feverishly unloading gear and setting up a tent. The boys then rushed off to gather firewood, while the girls and their mother set up the camp stove and cooking utensils. A nearby camper watched ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:11-24, Romans 12:21, Romans 8:28

Denomination: Evangelical Free

From Harmony To Hypocrisy Part 1 Series

Contributed by James Lee on Dec 4, 2015

I would like to thank Pastor Jerry Shirley for sharing this series on Acts. It has been a blessing as well as a great help. I have used these for our church, as I spend my days caring for my dying father.

From Harmony to Hypocrisy Acts 4: 36-5:11 The early church is experiencing revival with thousands being saved and the devil is not happy! He has tried to destroy and stop the church through intimidation and persecution but could not. Since he was going nowhere, by unleashing outside forces ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Gather In Truth

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Apr 1, 2020

God did not call us to division and traditions.

Ephesians 4:1  I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2  With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;  3  ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6, Ephesians 4:11-16, Acts 17:10-11, John 16:13, James 1:17, John 17:20-23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Why We Preach On Giving

Contributed by Mike Garner on Aug 15, 2006

Why is it so hard for pastors to preach about giving? Why is it so hard for church members to hear about giving? Here are 3 reasons why preachers should NOT apologize for a sermon on giving - from a layperson!

What is On Your Mind? One of the most intriguing challenges for anyone who steps behind one of these (pulpits) is trying to figure out what¡¦s going on in your minds. What are you thinking as we speak? It¡¦s not always easy to read. But there is one time where it¡¦s really not all that hard to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Commitment: A Disappearing Animal

Contributed by Kelly Durant on Apr 12, 2015

The thing about church is quite often people do not sacrifice much at all for it and then they get frustrated thinking it is the pastor or somebody’s fault when something is lacking or the problems appear but the reality they may be the problem!

Commitment: A Disappearing Animal Kelly Durant 2 Samuel 24:24 And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 24:24

Denomination: Salvation Army

Grace Transforms

Contributed by David Swensen on Jan 9, 2002

As we allow ourselves to be moved and motivated by God’s amazing tranforming grace, wonderful, life-giving changes occur. Let us learn more about God’s Transforming Grace.

Victor Hugo wrote a great novel, Les Miserables. The novel opens with a young man named John Valjean, who had been unjustly imprisoned for seven years for a small offense. He left the prison with a rage in his soul. In the musical this is portrayed in the opening scenes as Valjean tries to find ...read more

Scripture: John 1:6-18

Denomination: Baptist

Will Your Work Stand In God's Judgment?

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Nov 18, 2002

What motivates our work will determine whether it will stand before God’s judgment. Christians are encouraged to examine their own work now rather than experience embarrassmnet at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

WILL YOUR WORK STAND GOD’S JUDGMENT? “For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether it be good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:14 I. THE PHARISEE WORKED TO BE SEEN AND PRAISED BY MEN. “But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:14

Denomination: Baptist

"Free Access" Series

Contributed by Ken Harris on Aug 27, 2005

The purpose of this sermon is to motivate the hearers to affirm to others that they have FREE ACCESS to God’s kingdom - which authorizes them to have keys to binding their barriers/obstacles and loosing their blessings through PRAYER.

28 August 2005 by Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris Ulchi Focus Lens Busan, South Korea Big Idea: Prayer is a key tool which grants ACCESS to bind barriers/obstacles and to loose blessings for believers. References: Esther 1:14 (And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Pursuit Of Excellence

Contributed by Mike Spain on Apr 2, 2002

Here is a motivational message that will drive home the point that pursuing excellence is not always fun, and may not bring instant results. However, the end result (if found in Christ) is worth more than gold.

The proof of your DESIRE is in your PURSUIT! Daniel 1:8-17 Daniel 3:13-18 Four theorems from the text 1. The pursuit of excellence will most always seem foreign to those on the OUTSIDE looking IN! (See Dan. 1:10 and 3:14) In 1:10 - The official didn’t understand why Daniel would not eat the ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:3-20, Daniel 3:1-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Live For God, Not For Sin

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

E. (6:12-14) APPLICATION: LIVE FOR GOD, NOT FOR SIN -- EXHORTATION AND MOTIVATION TO USE GOD'S GRACE TO RESIST FULFILLING THE DESIRES OF SIN AND TO OFFER OURSELVES TO GOD AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR DOING GOOD 1.

E. (6:12-14) APPLICATION: LIVE FOR GOD, NOT FOR SIN -- EXHORTATION AND MOTIVATION TO USE GOD'S GRACE TO RESIST FULFILLING THE DESIRES OF SIN AND TO OFFER OURSELVES TO GOD AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR DOING GOOD 1. (:12-13) The Exhortation that we are to carry out a. Resist fulfilling the desires of sin ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:12-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

"Shout" Series

Contributed by Ken Harris on Nov 26, 2003

The purpose of this sermon is to motivate the hearers to affirm to others that God’s divine plan of blessings, for our lives, mandates that we HAVE FAITH AND DIVINE CONFIDENCE in Him when we PRAISE HIM.

“When Praises Go Up, Blessings Come Down” U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris CP Walker’s Multicultural Gospel Service, Taegu Korea BIG IDEA: GOD HAS A DIVINE PLAN OF BLESSINGS, FOR EACH OF US, THAT REQUIRES faith and divine confidence WHEN WE ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 6:15-21

Denomination: Pentecostal