Sermons on Ulterior Motive:

What Motivated Paul Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Sep 23, 2023

Paul was extraordinarily determined to take the gospel to the Gentile world. He was full of passion and drive. He got knocked down but he got up and kept going. Why? What motivated him?

WHAT MOTIVATED PAUL We live in a world where a lot of people don’t believe in God. But not only that, many people who do believe in God are not exactly passionate about telling those who don’t believe in God about him. What will motivate us to tell people about Jesus? That’s our subject ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-21

Denomination: Baptist

Paul Was A Motivational Speaker

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jun 11, 2025

Vince Lombardi, the football coach, goes down in the history books as one of the all-time greats, if not the greatest, coach ever.

Today we have a lot of MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS in the pulpit. The reason they are motivational speakers they do not know enough of the Word of God to be a Bible preacher. But the apostle Paul was a MOTIVATIONAL PREACHER, and we can see that clearly in his writing to the THESSALONIANS. Illus: Vince ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Denomination: Baptist

Foundational And Motivational Gifts

Contributed by Steven W. Satterfield on Jul 23, 2025

This is different from 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4 (offices)

v. 1 present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship v. 2 do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind v. 3 not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to; we need to be humble v. 4 we, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-8

Denomination: Vineyard

Motivate, Model, Mentor PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2023

The importance of motivating fellow believers, modeling Christ-like behavior, and mentoring others in their faith journey.

Introduction Greetings, beloved in Christ! Today, we will dive into the scripture to explore three power-packed themes: motivating senior saints, modeling Christ-like behavior, and mentoring others in faith. These themes are drawn from Acts 17:14, Philippians 2:22, and 2 Timothy 1:3-4. In Acts, we ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:14, Philippians 2:22, 2 Timothy 1:3-4

Topics: Encourage, Motivate, Mentor

Friendship: I Have Called You Friends Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Oct 28, 2012

Our motivation is love, because Christ gave His. Be open and share your life, for Christ shared His and we are blessed.

Relationships define life - relationship with God and relationships with people. • You take that away and you’ll be left with an existence, not life. • You take relationships away, and your home will be just a house, this church will be just a building. Jesus summed up the Commandments with two ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Cost Of Freedom Series

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Nov 17, 2007

To help us understand that with freedom there comes a cost.

Title: The Cost of Freedom Theme: To help us understand that with freedom there comes a cost. Text: Opening Quote In remembrance of what we are celebrating today let me read you this quote from Jowett," Liberty was infinitely precious to our fathers, because it bore the marks of sacrifice. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:18

Denomination: Church Of God

Guarding Against Deception Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jan 7, 2022

Once we cast a vision and begin laying hold of the Promised Land, we need to watch out for deceptive people; those who creep into the fold to snatch away our vision, and plunder our hard-earned spoils in an act of spiritual piracy.

Once we cast a vision and begin laying hold of the Promised Land, we need to watch out for dream catchers! Now, when I speak of dream catchers, I am not referring to the round wooden frame resembling a spider’s web, which was handcrafted by the Ojibwa tribe of Native Americans for the purpose of ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 9:3-15

Denomination: Baptist

An Age Of Nonsense: "The Futility Of Labor" [part Three]

Contributed by Reverend Cooper Mcwhirter on Sep 29, 2016

Passing the baton. Establishing proper motives

Sermon Preached at Grace Community Church (EPC) Sun City Grand, Surprise, AZ Sunday, August 19, 2001 by the Reverend Cooper McWhirter An Age of Nonsense: “The Futility of Labor” Ecclesiastes 2:18-26 Many competitive sports are designed for the individual athlete [e.g., snow skiing, ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:18-26

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Prevent Being Out Of Order

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

With the motivation of love man can turn problems into blessings and bring order out of chaos, and harmony out of discord. By cooperation men can make plans where everyone comes out a winner.

After World War II there were five army dumps in France full of machinery. It was too good to throw away, and yet not good enough to hall back to the United States. It was a major problem. The Quakers saw an opportunity for service, and so they offered the United States Army 200,000 francs for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6

A New Year In October?

Contributed by Jason Jones on Jun 10, 2024

This is where we are as a church. This morning I want to look at their motivation, their mission, and the means to accomplish it.

Background to passage: Pentecost, lame man and preaching on Solomon’s portico; now it gets real - Sadducees, rulers of the people, temple guards, priests, scribes, elders, a night in jail. The church/apostles are called to continue to minister in the name of the risen Christ, and in the face of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

If I've Got It - Why Can't I Flaunt It? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 12, 2004

God hates boastfulness. But what so wrong with a little bragging if you’ve got a special talent or ability?

OPEN: An older woman was cruising a busy parking lot in her new Mercedes-Benz looking in vain for a parking space. She finally saw someone loaded with packages heading for a car, so she followed him, put on her blinker and waited patiently until he pulled out. Just as he pulled out a young man ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 9:23-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Uncovering Hatred And Jealousy Behind The Smile. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on May 27, 2024

Have you ever encountered someone who seemed friendly and approachable, but beneath their charming smile lay a heart full of hatred and jealousy?

Have you ever encountered someone who seemed friendly and approachable, but beneath their charming smile lay a heart full of hatred and jealousy? The Bible warns us about such individuals, and in this sermon, we’ll explore the characteristics of these masked enemies and how to identify them. 1. ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 27:4, Psalm 28:3-5, Psalm 101:5, Proverbs 29:5

The Great Pretender

Contributed by David Mcgowin on Mar 30, 2006

We often pretend to be someone that we’re not, but probably someone we would really like to be.

The Great Pretender Mt. 27:1-5 03/26/06 You are all familiar with the 1956 song by the Platters ‘The Great Pretender’ with the lyrics, “Oh yes, I’m the great pretender, pretending that I’m doing well; My need is such, I pretend too much; I’m lonely but no one can tell.” I’m sure that this song ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:1-5

Denomination: Methodist

The Only Thing That Matters Series

Contributed by Carl Willis on Sep 5, 2007

The centrality of the cross. Our works, deeds and actions do not make us righteous. It is only in the cross of Christ that we can boast.

The Only Thing that Matters Galatians 6:11-18 Galatians 6:11-12 (NLT) Notice what large letters I use as I write these closing words in my own handwriting. [12] Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised are doing it for just one reason. They don’t want to be persecuted for teaching ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:11-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Genuine Servants Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Aug 5, 2010

In order to be effective servants helping the church be all that God called it to be, we must be genuine servants. That is to say, we must be serious, sincere, sober and straightforward in our service for Christ.

Just a few years ago, Larknews.com carried the following fictional piece of satire on its website. In the form of a news release, it reported: Julie and Bob Clark were stunned to receive a letter from their church in July asking them to “participate in the life of the church” ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:8-13

Denomination: Evangelical Free