LOVE MOTIVATES

You can serve without loving but you can’t love without serving.

John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

God loved us so much that He sacrificed His only begotten Son on the Cross. He didn’t just sit back and talk about His love toward us. He didn’t brag to His angels about it. He didn’t carve it in a mountain side or an old oak tree. He sacrificed His Son on a tree on Calvary’s mountain. His love was the motivation of His sacrifice. Romans 5:8, But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Why do you sacrifice for your spouse? Why do you sacrifice for your children? Why do you sacrifice for your church? We do it out of love friend! Love is the greatest motivator!

Do you love the Lord; put it on display by keeping His Commandments! Do you love your spouse and children; put it on display! Serve them and love them unconditionally! You see friend, love motivates!

DO IT FOR HIM NOT THEM

There are many of us that are willing to do great things for the Lord, but few of us are willing to do little things. - D.L. Moody

1 Corinthians 10:31, Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Fame and fortune have been the motivators of the masses for generations. People want to be seen or paid. Their motivation is ill placed and if seen or paid it’s never enough. They strive for what will get the pics or what will fill the pockets.

What about doing the little things just for the glory of God? What about being a blessing to those in your circle of influence? What about being a good husband or wife, mother or father, sister or brother? What about being a good church member? What about being a good pastor? What about being a good neighbor? Don’t do it for them but do it for Him!

WHAT’S YOUR DRIVE IN MISSIONS?

Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter. -Spurgeon  

Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. 3 John 1:7

Drive is just another way of saying motivation. Our motivation should be the love of Jesus Christ. His compassion, His longsuffering, His mercy, and His grace should motivate us to tell others about Him. It should provoke us unto good works. It should spark a desire to stand up, speak up, and proclaim the Gospel to every person we come in contact with.

John told Gaius, “…for his name’s sake they went forth.” What’s your drive in Missions? Just look to Calvary and it tells the old, old story of Jesus and His love!

NEED A LITTLE MOTIVATION?

Motivation founded upon faulty information will lead to failure!

            By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. Hebrews 11:24-26

            Each time I read through the 11th chapter of Hebrews a little adrenaline begins to flow through my veins. I believe it’s because of the truth found in those 40 verses. Look at the description of Moses’ faith; He was motivated by faith, refused to be identified with wickedness, chose to suffer rather than celebrate in sin, and He chose Jesus over the riches of this world! Why? Because of his motivation! His motivation was his eyes, by faith, were fixed on the promises of God not on the premise of worldly lies!

What’s your motivation this morning? Read through Hebrews 11 and get a little touch of what those Faith Champions have!

MUSIC- THE GREAT MOTIVATOR OF MAN

Music is the universal language of mankind. –Longfellow

            Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. Psalm 150:1-6

            Music has been used to motivate mankind since the days of Cain. It has been used in worship of our Lord and Saviour since the beginning of time. It can make you cry and laugh…at the same time! It can motivate one to power lift record breaking amounts. It can create a mood of fear, honor, and anger. Music is a strong tool and in the hand of the wicked will motivate people to sin.

            Child of God, it is important to protect your ears! Letting music in that motivates the flesh will create a division between you and our Saviour. If you attend a church service where the emphasis is on the music, whether it be contemporary, bluegrass, gospel, or any other, you need to flee! There is nothing wrong with music! However, when it takes the place of the preaching there has been a failure of the Biblical Method in which one gets saved. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18