WHAT MOTIVATES US?

Introduction:
   1. Our actions are usually the results of the various ideas
      or philosophies which we embrace.
   2. Prov. 23:7 -- "For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is
      he.."
   3. A husband one time said, "I've quit trying to figure out
      what makes my wife tick. Now I just try to figure out what
      gets her wound up."
   4. What makes you tick?? What motivates us to do what we do?
   5. God's Word gives us understanding to some of the basic
      motives seen in mankind.
   6. Let us examine some of these:

  I. SOME ARE MOTIVATED BY PROSPERITY AND POSSESSIONS:

       1. I Kings 21 -- Ahab was distraught because he wanted
               Naboth's vineyard. His wicked wife, Jezebel,
               schemed to obtain the vineyard for him.
       2. Luke 12:13-21 -- Rich fool thought the needs of the
               soul could be satisfied with goods in his barns.
       3. NOTE: Jesus said there must be a higher motive than the
               "abundance of things which we possess."
       4. This is the subject for the Radio Lesson next Sunday.

 II. SOME ARE MOTIVATED BY THE DESIRE FOR PRIORITY STATUS:
       1. 3 John 9-10 -- Diotrophes loved "preeminence." He
               wanted to be "first."
       2. Selfishness is the basic cause of this trait.
       3. Some just will not take second place.
       4. Mt. 23:6 -- Pharisees loved the chief seats.

III. SOME ARE MOTIVATED BY THE DESIRE FOR PRIVILEGES:
       1. They want VIP status.
       2. Luke 22:24 -- Some of the disciples contended about who
               would be the greatest among them.
       3. Mt. 20:20-21 -- The mother of Zebedee's children came
               to Jesus, expressing the desire that her two sons
               would have exalted positions.
       4. Ill: A woman came to a new President and requested a
          cabinet position for her husband. "It will take a big
          man to fill that position." She replied, "If he gets
          the position, he will be a big man." Often we forget
          that a person must bring bigness to a job, not depend
          on the job to bring bigness to him.

 IV. SOME ARE MOTIVATED BY DESIRE FOR POPULARITY:
       1. 2 Sam. 15:1-6 -- Absalom stole the hearts of the people
               from David, his own father, by making insinuations
               that would boost his own popularity with them.
       2. Jn. 12:42-43 -- Some believed in Christ, but would not
               confess it for fear of losing the praise of men.
       3. How tragic it is for men to love the praise of men more
               than the praise of Jehovah.
       4, Do not care too much about what the Lord thinks, but
               will my fellow worker hold me in high esteem.

  V. SOME ARE MOTIVATED BY PRIDE:
       1. Acts 5:1-11 -- Annanias and Sapphira desired the honor
               that was bestowed upon others (like Barnabas).
               They were willing to lie in order to receive the
               praise of men.
       2. Acts 8:9-10 -- Simon tried to bribe the apostles for
               the power that would cause him to be some great
               person. Just look what they would think of me if I
               could do what the apostles were doing.

 VI. SOME ARE MOTIVATED BY THE DESIRE FOR PLEASURE:
       1. Ecc. 2:1-11 --Solomon tried it all in search for a
               satisfying life. But, it all failed.
       2. 1 Tim. 5:6 -- Those who live only for pleasure are
               "dead while they live."
       3. 2 Tim. 4:10 -- Demas loved present world.
       4. This is not to say that the Christian should have no
               pleasure nor joys, but these must be proper.

 VI. SOME HAVE FOUND THE GREATEST MOTIVE -- THE CONCERN ABOUT THE
     NEEDS OF OTHERS:
       1. Notice what motivated Jesus:
           (1) Phil. 2:5-8 -- His concern was for others.
           (2) Acts 10:38 -- Went about doing good.
           (3) Very often the Scriptures point out that Jesus was
               moved with compassion.
       2. Christ teaches us that we should be concerned about the
          needs of others also.
           (1) Mt. 7:12 -- The golden rule.
           (2) Jn. 13:33-34; 15:11-14 -- Christians are to have a
               great love for others.
           (3) Acts 11:27-30 -- The early church was concerned
               about their needy brethren.
           (4) Eph. 4:28 -- Let him that stole, steal no more...
               working with hands... give to others....

Conclusion:
   1. The more knowledge we have of God's Book, the more we learn
      of the importance of getting our motives under control.
   2. Mt 7:21 --"Why call me Lord...do not the things which I say
   3. If we would be a follower of the Lord, we must be willing
       to submit to Him in all things.
   4. That which motivates us will be wholesome and in harmony
      with His Will.

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