Sermons on More Than Rituals:

3 More Than Stuff Series

Contributed by Steve Pearman on Dec 11, 2025

Christmas tells us that more presents equal more joy… but is that really true? In this message, we explore the story of the shepherds in Luke 2:1–20 and see how they discovered a joy far better than anything the world could wrap. Real joy isn’t something you open — it’s Someone you meet.

INTRODUCTION It’s great to be able to share our Christmas series Beyond the Hype — looking at how God invites us into something so much deeper and longer-lasting than the pressure-filled version of Christmas the world often sells us. Today we’re looking at a theme we all know too well this time of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

4 More Than A Moment Series

Contributed by Steve Pearman on Dec 17, 2025

Today we’re celebrating the real heart of Christmas with familiar carols, words about Christmas – published 100’s of years before it happened, and a message that reminds us that Christmas is more than a day on the calendar, it’s the beginning of a hope that lasts.

PART ONE (for earlier in the service) Title: When the Moment Isn’t What You Expected Christmas is full of moments, isn’t it? Moments that we look forward to… and moments we dread. • The tree going up. • The first mince pie. • That moment of thinking “I really should have started shopping ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Love Is More Than A Theory Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 4, 2023

Love requires action, not just theories. It's about stepping out of our comfort zones and loving those around us, despite the messiness and challenges.

You know how you have all these ideas about what you're going to do when you grow up? You've got it all planned out, right? But then reality hits, and it's not as easy as you thought. That's kind of like love. We all talk about love, we hashtag it, we post about it, but do we really know what it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:35-40, Proverbs 14:4

Topics: Compassionate Living, Unconditional Love, Empathy, Altruism

Nothing More Than Feelings PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2023

Understand and internalize the significance of Christ's suffering as prophesied in Isaiah 53:3, and to prioritize and cherish God's Word in our lives to deepen our faith.

Good morning, church family. Today, we're gonna dive deep into the heart of the Gospel as we focus on Isaiah 53:3, a profound prophecy that foretells the suffering of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This passage, which reads, "He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:3

Topics: Faith, Emotions

Love Is More Than A Theory Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 8, 2023

This sermon introduction explores the concept of love as an action rather than a theory, encouraging followers to emulate Jesus' love for broken and messy individuals.

We’ve all had theories. Here are a few of mine that I’d like to share with you as we get going; Before I was married, I had theories about how to have an amazing marriage. I thought my spouse would be blessed to be with such an enlightened husband. Before I pastored, I thought I knew how to handle ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:35-40, Proverbs 14:4

Topics: Active Love, Grace And Truth, Brokenness

Sermon Series: Love Has A Name

If God Is For Us Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jan 13, 2014

Paul explains how God is for us and not against us. 1- God is for us - He gave up His son for us 2- God is for us - He graciously gives to us 3- God is for us - He grants victory over all

INTRO.- ILL.- During quail season in Georgia, an Atlanta journalist met an old farmer hunting with an old pointer at his side. Twice the dog ran rheumatically ahead and pointed. Twice his master fired into the open air. When the journalist saw no birds rise, he asked the farmer for an ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:31-39

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Footwashing - Example Or Ritual?

Contributed by Frank Gallagher on Nov 29, 2000

Footwashing was an EXAMPLE for believers to follow, not a ritual to observe like the Lord’s Table!

FOOT WASHING - EXAMPLE OR RITUAL? (John 13:3-17) [HTTP formatted version of this sermon is located at http://members.aol.com/abidingitw/footwash.html] The Bible does NOT command New Testament believers to observe foot washing as a Church ritual. 1. The washing of the apostles’ feet by ...read more

Scripture: John 13:3-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Relationship, Ritual Or Both?

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Feb 10, 2016

Lent is coming! Lent is coming! Why do we have Lent? Why do some observe this ritual while others do not? How do we discern which rituals are beneficial and which are harmful to our walk with the Lord? To Lent or not to Lent, that is the question!

Please stand with me as we read our recent memory Scripture together! John 1:1-4 NIV “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. “Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23

Denomination: Nazarene

Legitimate Use Of Rituals Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 29, 2024

For a person to be declared righteous by God, rituals/sacraments are unnecessary. Justification is by faith alone. So, what is the value of rituals like water baptism and the Lord's Supper? Using Romans 4:11, this message seeks to answer that question.

Intro Last week we expounded Romans 4:9-12. There Paul used Abraham’s experience to prove circumcision is not a prerequisite for justification. In that study, we did not have time to talk about why God gave Abraham the rite of circumcision. If it is of no value for justification, then what is its ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-25, Genesis 17:1-14, Genesis 9:12, Exodus 12:13, Jeremiah 31:31-33, Colossians 2:1-13, 1 Corinthians 9:2, Deuteronomy 30:1-6, Acts 2:38  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Lent: A Ritual Or Preparation

Contributed by Dr. Madana Kumar, Phd on Mar 22, 2019

Evangelical Congregations do not observe the practice of fasting during Lent. But is there meaning beyond the ritualistic nature of the Lent season? How are you preparing to meet the resurrected Lord of the Easter?

Lent: A Ritual or Preparation? We are part of an evangelical congregation and hence many of us do not observe the Lenten season as done in the mainline churches. But many of you who have grown up , or are used to the ways of the mainline churches will certainly remember the Lenten season. Those of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5, 1 Corinthians 11:28, Psalm 139:23-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

More Than Hatch, Match, And Dispatch Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 13, 2000

The church is for far more than empty ceremony on occasions demanded by tradition; it is the steward of new life, with a rich and full experience that employs the diversity of gifts God has given it.

Last week you seemed to get a big charge out of my little story about going to a wedding rehearsal and wasting time waiting for a key person to arrive. When I said that I didn’t know what we’d do on Sunday afternoon if he didn’t show up, you let out a belly laugh. You assumed I was talking about ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

More Than Hatch, Match, And Dispatch Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 20, 2003

People expect only the ceremonial from the church. But God wants to give us a rich, varied, and outward-reaching life.

Last week you seemed to get a big charge out of my little story about going to a wedding rehearsal and wasting time waiting for a key person to arrive. When I said that I didn’t know what we’d do on Sunday afternoon if he didn’t show up, you let out a belly laugh. You assumed I was talking about ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

"There Is "More,” Always More Than The Surface Reality.”

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Nov 14, 2001

Year C. Christ the King Luke 23: 33-43 November 25, 2001 Title: “There is “more,” always more than the surface reality.”

Year C. Christ the King Luke 23: 33-43 November 25, 2001 Title: “There is “more,” always more than the surface reality.” Jesus is crucified between two criminals and insulted by Jewish leaders and Roman soldiers and one of the criminals. The inscription over his head, both his title and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:33-43

Denomination: Lutheran

More Precious Than Silver And Gold

Contributed by John Pingel on May 8, 2020

The precious blood of Christ of more value than silver and gold

Peter 1: 18-20 “Silver and gold, silver and gold, everyone wishes for silver and gold.” Burl Ives sang about silver and gold in a famous Christmas song. But silver and gold were revered as being precious far before that song’s debut in the l965 Christmas special. Historians tell us that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:18-20

Denomination: Lutheran

More Than Just Saying "Thankyou"

Contributed by Keith Maynard on Jan 3, 2009

God is tired of lipservice, show Him "thankyou" not just saying it.

MORE THAN JUST SAYING THANKYOU GIVE ME THAT OLD TIME RELIGION James 1:27 IT IS THANKSGIVING SEASON, IN JUST A FEW DAYS WE WILL CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAY. BUT I ASK YOU THIS MORNING, WHAT MEANS MORE TO YOU. SOMEONE JUST SAYING THANK YOU OR SOMEONE SHOWING YOU “THANK YOU” I BELIEVE IT’S THE SAME ...read more

Scripture: James 1:27

Denomination: Church Of God