Sermons on Wrong Motives:

A World Gone Wrong Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 20, 2023

In a world gone wrong, fear God and Praise Him even in the fire, and so find joy in life even when life is unpredictable, unfair, and unjust.

Upon accepting an award, the late Jack Benny once remarked, “I really don't deserve this. But I have arthritis, and I don't deserve that either” (Haddon Robinson, www.PreachingToday.com). People often don’t get what they deserve. So how do you live in such a world? How do you live in a ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 8:1-15, Romans 13:1-2, James 1:2-4, Exodus 33:18-23

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Play That Goes Wrong

Contributed by David Western on Nov 19, 2025

Just like the Off-Broadway play, life is not always going to go right. But if you trust the Director, He is going to direct your path.

There is actually a play named, “The Play That Goes Wrong.” I was hesitant at first to go see it, but Allen wanted to see in while we were in NY, and so I obliged. It was hysterical. The play is supposed to be a murder mystery, but the whole point of the production is well…everything goes wrong. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-8

Praying In God's Will For God's Will To Be Done. Series

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Jun 21, 2023

Do we pray with the right motivation, well we need to for our prayers to be answered.

Praying within God’s will. Tool of the faith is that in praying we hear God’s will, and as such, we long to live in his will and in doing so we check the motives for our prayers. When Jesus taught his disciples to pray he taught them this; Matthew 6:5-15. 5 “And when you pray, you must not be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:22, John 14:14, 2 Corinthians 5:1-5, Philippians 4:6-7, 1 John 3:22, 1 John 5:14-15, John 9:31, James 4:3, Acts 4:31, Matthew 6:5-15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

"The Motives And Means Of Ministry"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jul 14, 2009

Doing minstry Jesus’ Way.

Mark 6:30-44 “Motives and Means of Ministry” By: Rev. Ken Sauer, Pastor of East Ridge United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN As we look at our Scripture passage for this morning, one thing which is apparent is that ministry is not necessarily convenient. It’s not neat and tidy and wrapped up ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-44

Denomination: United Methodist

"When Someone Has Done You Wrong"

Contributed by Dennis Deese on Aug 17, 2002

When you are in the position of leadership, you will be provoked. David had 4 motivating thoughts to help keep him on track (to make the right decision) when most would have been easily diverted from God’s will. What were the four thoughts that led to h

Dr. Dennis Deese “WHEN SOMEONE HAS DONE YOU WRONG” (The Leader’s Self-Control) I SAMUEL 24:1-22 When you are in the position of leadership, you will be provoked. David had 4 motivating thoughts to help keep him on track (to make the right decision) when most would have been easily diverted ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:1-22

What Motivates Us Pray? Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Sep 20, 2017

We need prayers most when we are most blessed. It is those times the enemy of our souls is hardest at work. He hates the blessings of the blessed.

Colossians 1:9 What motivates you to pray? Is it needs? Is it stresses? Do you pray primarily when it’s time to eat, taking advantage of an opportunity to give thanks and ask blessings? Do you pray just because you love the Lord and want to commune with Him & ask His will? Whatever it is that ...read more

Denomination: *other

How To Turn Criticisms Into Motivations

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 12, 2001

The Lord teaches us how to use criticisms as motivations for greater godliness, holiness and maturity through the life of Paul

How To Turn Criticisms In to Motivations (Acts 17:1-9) Illustration:How to Bury a Good Idea It will never work, We’ve never done it that way before. We’re doing fine without it. We can’t afford it. We’re not ready for it. It’s not our responsibility. Bits & Pieces, June 23, 1994, p. 10. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Letter Of Concern- Your Motivation Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Apr 3, 2022

This is the 93rd sermon in the series "Action". This is the 24th sermon from 1 Corinthians.

Series: Action [#93] A LETTER OF CONCERN- YOUR MOTIVATION 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Introduction: We have heard over and over again how we need to be faithful to God in all that we do. We have heard over and over again how we need to be unified as a Church. We have heard over and over again how we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Your Motives And Your Money Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Sep 21, 2025

Discover Jesus’ teaching on giving, prayer, and fasting in Matthew 6. God cares more about why you give than what you give.

Your Motives and Your Money (Matthew 6) Good morning! Please open your Bibles to Matthew 6. The English language is full of oxymorons — you know, a phrase the sounds self-contradictory. Here are some of my favorites. I hope some of you will add to my collection after the service! • Jumbo ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Motivation: It's The Bottom Line! Series

Contributed by Johann Neethling on Oct 14, 2006

Christian disciples seek to live their lives for an audience of ONE. God’s opinion, God’s approval or disapproval is ultimately all that matters. The applause of heaven is the deciding factor in their life.

MOTIVATION: IT’S THE BOTTOM LINE! Matthew 6:1-18 1. A father wrote a letter to apologize to a certain young man for not allowing him to marry his daughter. The letter went as follows: Dear Marty, I have been unable to sleep since I broke off your engagement to my daughter. Will you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18

Denomination: United Methodist

What Is Your Motivation With Jesus?

Contributed by Michael Bolin on Dec 27, 2010

Discerning your reasoning for being a Christian.

What is your motivation with Jesus? Have you ever noticed some things in the world look the same? Have you watched the winter Olympics? On the downhill slope ski slope all participants look exactly the same. They will each ware a white helmet, blue uniform and a white vest that said Vancouver. ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:16-18

Denomination: United Methodist

Can I Really Do All Things Through Christ?

Contributed by Je Layugan on Jun 12, 2022

Philippians 4:13 does not mean God will support whatever a person does. It means - God will give us, his followers, the strength to do whatever he asks us to do.

<Introduction> Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) says I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. It is said that this is one of the most misinterpreted and misapplied verses in the Bible. • The text can be seen printed in sports apparel and normally being quoted by athletes. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:13

Denomination: Pentecostal

What's Your Motivation For Obedience? Series

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Oct 30, 2002

Why do you obey Christ? Jesus says if you love Him you will obey Him? Is yours a "loving obedinece? Don’t answer too quickly! A look at our motives for obedience and what loving obedience to Christ and His commands really looks like.

· One of my all time favorite cookies is an oreo. Eating an oreo cookie is an art to be perfected. Some folks give little thought to the art of eating an oreo cookie; they just eat them. Others, however, take the time to study the oreo by perfecting the art of twisting the two cookies apart to ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:14, John 14:15-24

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Motivation Of One Who Forgives Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Aug 19, 2016

In this lesson we examine the motivation of one who forgives.

Scripture Three weeks ago I started a short sermon series called “Forgiveness and Reconciliation” on the letter of Paul to Philemon. I plan to conclude this series today. Philemon was a wealthy, godly Christian who lived in the city of Colossae. He had a slave named Onesimus. Some ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:19-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Why Is As Important As What

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Jun 27, 2004

An examination of the importance of motives.

WHY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT The story is told of a young family that went to visit some friends. The couple’s young son kept running around the house and wouldn’t settle down. The boy’s dad told him to sit down several times. The young boy would sit down for a minute and then he’d be up ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18

Denomination: Baptist