Sermons on Be Genuine:

The Heart Matters Most - Lessons From Matthew 15 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Jun 12, 2025

GOD cares more about the condition of your heart than the traditions you keep. GOD desires genuine inner purity and authentic faith, not religious performance. True righteousness comes from a transformed heart, not outward tradition.

2025.06.15.Sermon Notes. The Heart Matters Most – Lessons from Matthew 15 When Religion Misses the Point William Akehurst, HSWC Reminder: It’s Father’s Day Scripture: Matthew 15:1-39, Isaiah 29:13, Psalms 51:10, Psalms 139:23-24 INTRODUCTION: JESUS confronts the religious leaders for honoring ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-39, Isaiah 29:13, Psalm 51:10, Psalm 139:23-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God’s Christmas Tree

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 16, 2025

In 1659 Christmas was banned. More recently, genuine Christmas has been supplanted by a commercial Christmas with the Christmas tree as its center. Yet strange to tell, long ago, God picked out a Christmas tree for His Son.

GOD’S CHRISTMAS TREE 1 Pet. 2:24 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. In one Dennis the Menace cartoon, Dennis rushes into the living room. His mother is standing there with her mouth open and Dennis is holding a large box. 2. He announces with a loud voice, “We’d better tell Santa Claus to forget about ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:24

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Persevering Faith

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Jan 5, 2014

John 3:36 says, “He who believes (present active tense) in the Son has everlasting life...” The difference between dead faith and genuine saving faith is that saving faith is a persevering faith. Consider the characteristics of a persevering faith

Persevering Faith Hebrews 11:39-12:3 Faith is synonymous with belief and trust. There is however a difference between genuine saving faith and spurious, superficial, disingenuous faith. This difference is crucial. Intellectual assent, a head belief or knowledge does not save. James 2:19 tells us ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Worshipers Wanted: Apply In Person

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Jan 27, 2014

God is seeking out worshipers who will worship Him the way He desires. I. Genuine Worshipers Come Clean With God (17-18). II. Know Who They Worship (19-26). III. Worship God on a Spiritual Level (24). IV. Get Real in Their Worship (24).

WORSHIPERS WANTED: Apply in Person John 4:17-26 Review: 13 Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." 15 The ...read more

Scripture: John 4:17-26

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Believer Is Not To Continue In Sin (Part 1): Series

Contributed by Mark Engler on Dec 7, 2004

The believer who is justified is to work toward holiness and righteousness. The believer is to live a holy life and become a servant of righteousness. A genuinely saved person cannot abuse the mercy of God. He cannot walk in sin; he cannot make a habit

By: Mark Engler Mt. Vernon Christian Church, Mt. Vernon MO. Sermon done with help from the Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. The Believer is Not to Continue in Sin (Part 1): He is to Know His Position in Christ Rom. 6:1-10 Intro: Saving Private Ryan clip (scene on bridge when Captian Miller tells ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Joy Of The Lord Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Jan 3, 2003

Today, amid all the laughter of entertainment, parties and such we are a joyless society. I like joy; I like the genuine kind that starts deep down within and bubbles up to the surface. It is irrepressible, unstoppable and it is what Jesus died to bring

January 5, 2003 1And all the people gathered as one man at the square which was in front of the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the LORD had given to Israel. 2Then Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women and all who ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-18

Denomination: United Methodist

Test 3: Works Test Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Oct 23, 2007

We don’t work for our faith—true Christians work as a result of our faith. The right kind of works are always a sure test to prove the genuineness of faith. James continues with the third test of faith—the works test.

1. Works that show compassion for God’s creation (14-17) 2. Works that show trust in God’s Word (18-19) 3. Works that show hope in God’s promises (20-24) 4. Works that show service to God’s people (25-26) JAMES 2:26 Men, I want you to try this when you get home. Go into your wife’s favorite ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Denomination: Baptist

Helping Christians Rely On Grace

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Sep 22, 2006

Most people want to be treated in a kind, gracious and respectful way. When one learns how to appropriate the grace of God, interpersonal relationships are developed in a genuine spirit of love. Without a proper appropriation of God’s grace to our communi

Helping Christians Rely On Grace 2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV, NIRV, TNIV, KJV) HELPING CHRISTIANS RELY MORE ON GOD’S GRACE THAN ON LAW Learning how to balance the Bible’s emphasis of truth and grace is a continual struggle for most people working with legalists. There is such a thing as ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A New Vision For Giving

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 6, 2007

let’s see a better and clearer picture (vision) of the results of genuine Biblical Christian giving. Main Scripture is 2 Corinthians 9:7-15. Outline taken from Gil Rugh in Giving: A Result of Grace, Chapter 3

Sermon for 8/5/2007 2 Corinthians 9:7-15 A New Vision for Giving Introduction: A. Visualization is so important these days. Basketball (shot like James) , baseball (hit like Bonds), football (pass like Manning). B. Visualize success in our lives. If we are successful what will it look ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:7-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Real Christianity Series

Contributed by Rule Digal on Aug 11, 2008

Was the Lord teaching salvation by works here? No, rather He is teaching us what true and genuine Christianity is. He is teaching us how we ought to live our faith out if we are truly His followers.

Real Christianity Matt.25: 31-46 nOTE: Some materials of this sermon are taken from sermoncentral.com What is Christianity? It is a religion of love –love to God expressed in loving and serving people. Serving people out of their needs is the hallmark and the essence of the ministry of Jesus. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"The Burden Of God”

Contributed by Dennis Deese on Jul 22, 2009

The driving force of this word to God’s people is to bring them back to the place of genuine gratitude, respect, reverence, honor and love for the Lord (1:6, 11, 14; 2:5; 3:5, 16; 4:2, & 5).

MALACHI 1:1-5 This book is filled with Theological lessons, Christological (about Jesus) lessons, Eschatological (end times) lessons and practical lessons - we will focus on the later. It will jolt your modesty. But it’s a Word from God. This book is written in time when you would have thought ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 1:1-5

"Be Reconciled"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Sep 2, 2010

Jesus has provided us with a blueprint—with a new way of being fully, genuinely, and gloriously human. It’s a way that goes down deep into the roots of our personalities and produces a different kind of behavior altogether.

Ephesians 2:1-10 Matthew 5:21-26 “Be Reconciled” By: Ken Sauer, Pastor Of East Ridge United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN I hate it when I make a mistake. I just hate it when I do something that makes someone angry at me. It’s like a heavy load on my back. And ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-26

Denomination: United Methodist

Contending For The Faith

Contributed by John Gaston on Sep 24, 2012

We should not accept any form of Christianity except that which contains the original power and life experienced by the New Testament Church. We are exhorted to "contend for that faith" until we achieve it. The genuine article will have the same results a

CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH Jude 1-3 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: THE PROS & CONS OF IMITATING 1. A new missionary recruit went to Venezuela for the first time. He was struggling with the language and didn't understand a whole lot. He attended the church he hoped to serve in, but arrived late and the ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:1-3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Challenge Through Discipleship Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jun 15, 2016

Being a genuine disciple of Christ is a very tall order. We are to live in such a way that reflects His character and grace. How is that possible? We must pattern our lives after Christ. We are challenged to imitate the Lord we serve.

The Challenge through Discipleship 2 Timothy 1: 12-14 As we consider discipleship, and our responsibility to follow Christ while investing in others, the Lord Himself stands as the great example. He was fully surrendered to the Father’s will and spent much of His time investing in the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:12-14

Denomination: Baptist

Conflict Resolution God’s Way

Contributed by Craig Condon on Apr 17, 2015

If we remember the words of Jesus, especially when we are in conflict with our fellow man, we will change the world. Loving our neighbour fulfills any and every other divine command, for genuine love does no harm to its neighbour.

There was a church where the pastor and the minister of music were not getting along. As time went by, this began to spill over into the worship service. The first week the pastor preached on commitment and how we all should dedicate ourselves to the service of God. The music director led the song, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20

Denomination: Anglican