Sermons on Hymn Stories:

The Driving Force Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jun 6, 2004

1. Without the resurrection, the story of Christ would be just a beautiful story with a bad ending. 2. Without the resurrection, it would have meant that Evil had won. 3. The resurrection is the prelude to the second coming.

Former NFL player Pat Tillman’s name has been in the news a lot lately. He played football for Arizona State University and then the Arizona Cardinals. But he had voluntarily enlisted with the Army Rangers following the terrorist attacks on September 11; turning down a $3.6 million contract with ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:22-33

Denomination: Methodist

Love: Fruit Of The Spirit & Advent Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 10, 2007

Instead of writing new words for the Christmas story, finding new bits of humor, finding a new “angle”, this sermon shares the old words. It is all Scripture and carol lyrics put together to tell the story.

Love: Fruit of the Spirit & Advent #4 assorted December 19, 2004 Intro: As I sat down to prepare a message for today, the final Sunday of preparation for our celebration of the entry of God into human experience, I searched for stories that would remind us of the real meaning of Christmas. I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

Nobody's Perfect

Contributed by Horace Wimpey on Oct 18, 2014

In the story of Noah and his drunkenness, we see the fall of a man who was lifted up as a model for mankind show his humanity. This story shows that all mankind is in need of God's grace. Nobody is perfect.

Nobody’s Perfect Genesis 9:18-28 Intro: A story is told about Fiorello LaGuardia, who, when he was mayor of New York City. Laguardia’s nickname was "the Little Flower" because he was only five foot four and always wore a carnation in his lapel. He was a colorful character who used to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 9:18-28

Denomination: Baptist

Is Jesus Enough?

Contributed by Ken Pell on Nov 21, 2013

I use a series of movements to weave the story of Charles Colson's conversion into the story of the crowd following Jesus looking for that which lasts. I seek to show how the "Bread of Life" is the solution for the longings of humankind.

IS JESUS ENOUGH? JOHN 6:1-71 Read verses 1-15 Read verses 25-35 Read verses 60-69 "CHUCK 01" He was commonly referred to as Chuck. He was 41 years old, the first in his family to go to college (Brown University) and was one of three partners in a very successful law firm; so successful that it ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-71

Denomination: Nazarene

What Are You Seeking?

Contributed by David Owens on Dec 27, 2010

In this sermon, we separate fact from fiction with regard to the story of the wise men who came to see Jesus after his birth. Then we explore what lessons can be learned from the story

Introduction: A. Let’s have all the children who want to, to come forward for a few minutes. 1. In our sermon this morning, we are going to talk about the story of the wise men who came to see Jesus after he was born. 2. Let me ask you a few questions to see how well you know the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Father And Son

Contributed by Doug Houck on Dec 21, 2020

God shared the pathos of His sacrifice of Jesus through having Abraham sacrifice Isaac. Two storytellers are needed: [#1] will tell the story of Abraham and Isaac, and [#2] will tell the story of God the Father and Jesus.

Introduction [#1] Genesis 22:1-2 This is a story of a Father, Son, and sacrifice. Usually we understand this chapter in terms of testing, faith, obedience, commitment, surrender, substitutionary sacrifice, The Lord Will Provide. It’s all in there. [#2] It also foreshadows another Father, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14, John 3:16, Philippians 3:8-10, Romans 8:31-32, Romans 8:38-39  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Christmas Through Mary’s Eyes Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Dec 16, 2019

People see Christmas through the eyes of history. The participants of the Christmas story saw Christmas through different eyes for they did not know the end of the story. This sermon looks at Christmas through Mary’s eyes.

Christmas Through Mary’s Eyes Series: Christmas Through Their Eyes Chuck Sligh December 15, 2019 NOTE: PowerPoint or ProPresenter presentations are available for this sermon by request at chucksligh@hotmail.com. Please mention the title of the sermon and the Bible text to help me find the sermon ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon 1: Famines And Failures Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Jun 2, 2019

The time of the Judges have been referred to as “Israel’s Dark Ages.” Yet nestled in this awful, violent period of Israel's history is a beautiful love story. A story of romance, restoration, redemption.

Famines and Failures Series: Sermon 1 of the book of Ruth Chuck sligh June 2, 2019 NOTE: A PowerPoint presentation is available for this sermon by request at chucksligh@hotmail.com. Please mention the title of the sermon and the Bible text to help me find the sermon in my archives. TEXT: Please ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Cycles Of Loss And Victory Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Aug 19, 2023

Life is full of joy and sadness. It has victories and defeats. Everyone would like to move on with successes but the human errors ruin the life feats. The story of Judges is full of such real stories. Lessons for every generation.

Text: Judges 2, Theme: Cycles of Loss and Victory Introduction: This chapter gives, of their degeneracy and apostasy. Israel failed, tribe by tribe, to drive the Canaanites from the land as God had commanded them. Judges 2:6 re-introduces the storyline of this book. He provides a key to ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Ruth, Boaz And Redemption Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Jan 7, 2024

So why is it so important that we have a book of the Bible named Ruth? Because of the redemption story. It parallels our own redemption story. Ruth was cursed as a Moabite. We are cursed as children of Adam.

Why is it so important for us that we have a book of the Bible named Ruth? Why are the last verses of the book of Ruth almost the first ones opening the New Testament? The first three chapters of Ruth start to answer these questions, but chapter 4 gives us clarity on the reasons why. The Book of ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 4:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Belonging In The Father's House Series

Contributed by Paul Robinson on Sep 14, 2022

The parable of the Prodigal Son is an amazing story, one of love, abandonment, and grace. It is the story of one man’s journey to find his ultimate fulfillment only to realize that the fulfillment was right there at home all along.

We see in this story three specific destinations: Destination 1: The Far Country (v. 13) The far country represents the world and all of its attractions. It looks so alluring with all of its big lit-up signs. “Pleasures!” “Do whatever you want!” “Follow your heart!” “Join us, we will show you a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Parable Of The Mom And Two Children

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Sep 13, 2017

The Parable of the Two Sons retold in a modern way for children. This is set up as a play, but can easily be told as a story or sermon illustration. The modern context helps create a gateway for children to see themselves in the story.

The Parable of the Mom and Two Children Narrator: There once was a Mom who had two children (The mom walks out and waves to people). Narrator: Her oldest daughter, Emily, loves sports (The reader pauses and lets Emily walk out. They wait five seconds. She walks out and waves to the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-32

Denomination: Lutheran

Sleeping Through A Garden Moment

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Oct 18, 2022

This is the story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. No doubt we have all heard this story preached, read it ourselves, or seen movies regarding the Crucifixion of Christ. He was the perfect Son, in perfect union, with the perfect Father.

Was Jesus attempting to escape the performance of his undertaking? Jesus was communicating his actual sentiments however he did not deny or oppose God's will. He reaffirmed his desire to do what God needed him to do. His petition features the awful enduring he needed to suffer, and desolation ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:32-42, Matthew 26:36-46, Luke 22:39-46

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Wherever He Leads, I'll Go

Contributed by Dan Mahan on Feb 26, 2007

Jesus calls each of us DAILY to follow Him. He is always leading us to new territory, new tasks, new responsibilities and new service. He daily calls us to deeper understanding. Jesus’ calling to us never ends. Sadly though, our response to Him often

Wherever He Leads, I’ll Go By Rev. Dan Mahan Luke 9:23 “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross DAILY and follow me.” A man was out fishing in his boat, when he hooked into a large bass. He fought the fish for quite awhile, and finally got it reeled into the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Welcome Jesus Into Your Home

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Aug 28, 2001

The familiar story about Jesus visiting Mary and Martha serves as an encouragement for us to clear the clutter that keeps Jesus out of our homes and lives.

“For Christian homes, O Lord we pray.” Hymn 500 in our hymnal begins with those words. Whether we are married or single, whether we have children or not, whether we live in a home or an apartment that is our prayer isn’t it? We want our homes to be Christian homes. But what makes the place ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Lutheran