Sermons on Wrong Motives:

Maturing In Our Faith

Contributed by Darrin Fish on May 6, 2014

How to motivate and encourage others.

Maturing in our faith INTRO.- ILL.- There once was a man whose life long dream was to sail around the world in his boat. • And as he set off on his Voyage • There was a crowd of people laughing at him on the pier • They were saying things like you’ll never make ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:16-39

Denomination: Christian Church

Christians Dead To The Law

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 24, 2022

This chapter seems to be in the wrong place.

WHY? In chapter 6 Paul told us clearly that Christians do not continue in sin, because when Christ died to sin, so did we. We are no longer "in Adam." Our victory over sin is established through the death of Christ Jesus. Now you would think that after this tremendous victory we have ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Agape One Another

Contributed by O. K. Neal on Jan 29, 2010

Love one another unconditionally

Agape One Another John 15:9-17 If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If God had a wallet, your photo would be in it. God sends you flowers every spring, and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, God will listen. God could live anywhere in the universe, but ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Sin Of Taking Advantage Of Others Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Feb 13, 2024

Taking advantage of others is like draining their soul, leaving them empty and dry. It may fill our pockets, but it drains our humanity.

In the Bible, God teaches us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to treat others the way we want to be treated. But sadly, there are those who choose to exploit and manipulate others for their own gain. In Leviticus 19:13, God says, "Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 19:13, Matthew 18:23-35

Turtle Top Theology Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 23, 2009

Is there anything wrong with wanting to be great?

OPEN: One of Dr. Seuss’s more famous poem is called “Yertle the Turtle” “ On a far away island of Salamasond, Yertle the turtle was king of the pond. A nice little pond. It was clean. It was neat. The water was warm, there was plenty to eat. Until - one day - the king of them all decided the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:46-50

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Important Things To Remember In Times Of Turmoil Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Jan 23, 2013

TIMES OF TURMOIL AND STRESS HAVE A WAY OF GETTING US TO FOCUS ON THE WRONG THINGS – IE: THE SITUATION. AS PRESSING AS THE SITUATION IS, IT IS JUST AS IMPORTANT OR MORE IMPORTANT TO TAKE A STEP BACK AND SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING “BEHIND THE SCENES” SO TO SPEA

THE IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER IN TIMES OF TURMOIL ACTS 12:1-19 INTRODUCTION: TIMES OF TURMOIL AND STRESS HAVE A WAY OF GETTING US TO FOCUS ON THE WRONG THINGS – IE: THE SITUATION. AS PRESSING AS THE SITUATION IS, IT IS JUST AS IMPORTANT OR MORE IMPORTANT TO TAKE A STEP BACK AND SEE WHAT ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

Churchill Or Church, Ill?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 29, 2009

As Winston Churchill rallied the British people, so Paul rallies Christians by urging us to review our motivations and to present something solid and not merely entertaining. Such a church will prevail and thrive.

On the fifth of June, 1940, not even a month after he became prime minister, Winston Churchill spoke to the British people to encourage them of their desperate situation. Bear in mind that in September of the previous year the Nazis had invaded Poland, with no effective resistance. Thereafter, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Bible Way Of Sanctification

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Mar 18, 2014

There is a wrong way that seems so right and a right way which at first seems so wrong in regards to sanctification

The Bible Way of Sanctification Colossians 2:20-3:11 Introduction Every Christian knows that God has standards, whether they want to acknowledge this or fight to suppress it. In fact, according to Paul in Romans 1, every human being knows God and that God has standards, because God has revealed ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Apostolic Invasion Of Europe (A Sermon On Acts 16:9-15)

Contributed by David Smith on Nov 14, 2007

Philippi was a tough place to start a mission - wrong type of people, wrong area, wrong timing! But it seems that God doesn’t need straightforward circumstances in or...

We’re reading from the diary of St Paul, as given to us in the book of Acts - a section covering Paul’s second tour of duty in Asia Minor. In Acts Chapter 16, Paul begins what we might call the Apostolic invasion of Europe! In the diary entry that follows this one, Paul and his comrade Silas are ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:9-15

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

How Does God See Me?

Contributed by Patrick Nix on Sep 1, 2010

Ask yourself… How does God see me? Not how my family does, nor my friends, nor the pastor… but God. What does He think of my actions, words, decisions, feelings, and thoughts. Look at what God says to the 7 churches… REV. 2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:1, 8, 15 Go

Ask yourself… How does God see me? Not how my family does, nor my friends, nor the pastor… but God. What does He think of my actions, words, decisions, feelings, & thoughts. Notice what God says to the 7 churches… REV. 2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:1, 8, 15 God will find you in one of these progressive ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:2-19

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 2: How God Leads Through Prayer

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 8, 2007

When prayer is wrong.

Lesson 2: How God Leads Through Prayer A. WHEN PRAYER IS WRONG 1. Can’t pray to make something right, that is wrong. 2. Can’t pray to force your will on God. 3. Can’t pray to make the impossible happen. Can’t make yesterday, not happen. 4. Can’t pray for God to do what He expects us to do. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:10

Denomination: Baptist

How God Leads Through Prayer Lesson 2 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 18, 2025

When prayer is wrong.

A. WHEN PRAYER IS WRONG 1. Can’t pray to make something right, that is wrong. 2. Can’t pray to force your will on God. 3. Can’t pray to make the impossible happen. Can’t make yesterday, not happen. 4. Can’t pray for God to do what He expects us to do. Save the unsaved without our obedience. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:10, Exodus 15:13, Psalm 118:25

Denomination: Baptist

A Messiah Who Gives Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Jun 29, 2009

Jesus tells us that the secret in giving is the motivation of our heart.

A Messiah Who Gives Text: Matthew 6:1-4 Introduction 1. Illustration: A mother wanted to teach her daughter a moral lesson. She gave the little girl a quarter and a dollar for church "Put whichever one you want in the collection plate and keep the other for yourself," she told the girl. When ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-4

Denomination: Methodist

Wanting More, And More, And More (10) Series

Contributed by Ovidiu Radulescu on Apr 25, 2011

Covetousness is wanting the wrong things or wanting the right things for the wrong reason, or at the wrong time or the wrong amount.We live in a culture today that tells us there is always something more, something better, something we have to have in ord

ILL. A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village. An American tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them. - "Not very long," answered the Mexican. - "Well, then, why didn’t you stay out longer and catch more?" asked the ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 11:4-34

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Simon Peter: Stuck In Self-Deception Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 22, 2009

We live with a self-image that we know is not true, but we like to project it anyway. We will come unstuck from self-deception when there is someone who loves us unconditionally ... the crucified and risen Christ.

Outside the gate of the great house, it is growing cold. The winter winds are not quite over, and the first breezes of a promised spring have a zip to them. It would be nice to be in there, on the other side of the gate, where a fire is blazing and the workers are keeping warm. It would be good ...read more

Scripture: John 18:15-27

Denomination: Baptist