Sermons on Hymn Stories:

Don't Lose Your Joy

Contributed by Jon Daniels on May 22, 2006

Answers question, "What causes us to lose our joy?" Uses hymn "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus."

“DON’T LOSE YOUR JOY” Gal. 4:8-20 INTRO – Don’t you hate it when you lose something important? Folks are always losing things – keys, money, homework, glasses, their Bible, umbrella, or the most annoying, yet most important thing we lose…the TV remote control! Then there are other less ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

God Values Mom

Contributed by James Lee on Nov 10, 2014

we used some videos and hymns to honor Mom. The message was adapted from one of Pastor Jeff Strite's messages.

[1Samuel 1:11 NIV] “And she made a vow, saying, "LORD Almighty, if you will only look on your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:11

Denomination: Baptist

These Are The Days Of Elijah Part 1 Series

Contributed by David Petticrew on Mar 16, 2004

Number one in a series looking at the imagery in the modern Hymn These are the days of Elijah, looking at Elijah and being faithful to the word of God.

Introduction These are the days of Elijah. It’s a popular modern hymn. Sorry, but I refuse to call a song a chorus when it has two verses and a chorus just because it was written later than the 18th century. But anyway its quite a popular modern hymn. However, as with so many of our hymns and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:1-7, 1 Kings 18:1-46

Denomination: Holiness

There Is A Purpose In The Storm Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Jun 9, 2002

This story in the life of Jesus and His disciples, in the boat upon the sea, conveys another world, a world where storms rise up out of nowhere and life itself is put at peril.

A Study of the Book of Luke Sermon # 20 There Is A Purpose In The Storm. Luke 8:22-25 In 1976 Gordon Lightfoot recorded a haunting ballad entitled “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” [1976, Moose Music, Ltd.] The Edmund Fitzgerald ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:22-25

Denomination: Baptist

These Are The Days Of Elijah Part 2: John The Baptist Series

Contributed by David Petticrew on Mar 16, 2004

Number two in a series looking at the imagery in the modern Hymn These are the days of Elijah, looking at John the Baptist and repentance and holiness.

Introduction As we said this morning we are going to be looking at some of the imagery from These are the Days of Elijah to help us understand the idea of renewal and how it is God can move on us. The imagery from These are the Days of Elijah is all Biblical, which is good, but unfortunately it ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:3-5, Matthew 3:1-17

Denomination: Holiness

Christ A-Rose Series

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Feb 20, 2008

This message can be summed up in the words of the hymn - "Sweet rose of Sharon, blooming for me, Jesus it is the emblem of Thee."

TEXT "I am the rose of Sharon". INTRODUCTION Roses are the most popular flower on Valentine’s Day. They are an expression of love. Not many people would give a dandelion or a daffodil to their beloved! Just as the rose is a token of earthly love, the rose of Sharon is a token of heavenly love. ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 2:1, Song of Songs 4:1-12

Inconveniencing Ourselves For Others Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jun 18, 2016

When we wake up in the morning, let’s make our prayer a hymn of praise to God

Thursday of 12th Week in Course The critical question Jesus–and Amos for that matter–raises today is one we all have to answer: “why do you think evil in your hearts?” Whether it be the Jeroboams of the world or the Pharisees, or you and I, we human beings think evil in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:1-8

Denomination: Catholic

No Turning Back: Following Jesus In A World That Pulls You Away

Contributed by Antonio Manaytay on May 27, 2025

This sermon revisits the old hymn, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, which is a powerful testimony of faith in Jesus.

My dear brothers and sisters, We live in a world of constant pressure—to perform, to conform, and to compromise. Standing firm for our faith in this world can feel not just difficult—but dangerous. Some of you feel it in the workplace, in school, in your own homes. Some of you feel it online, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Pentecostal

Awesome God Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Aug 21, 2008

Sermon #6 in the Hymn-writers series is about Rich Mullins who wrote such popular songs as "Awesome God" and "Step by Step"

Awesome God CHCC: August 24, 2008 INTRODUCTION: Phil. 1:21, “For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Today I’m finishing up a series of sermons on hymn writers. I’ve talked about several great Christian song writers from the past. But today I want to talk about someone who wrote ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"o Come, O Come, Emmanuel" Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Dec 16, 2018

I have always wanted to so an Advent series based on traditional Christmas carols/hymns. We've gotten so used to them that I think we miss the depth of the theology contained within in them. One of the most ancient is the beautiful hymn that contains the ancient names of Jesus.

I love the way that Pastor and author Robert J. Morgan describes hymns: “Hymns help us praise God. They’re shafts of brilliant sunlight through the clouds. They provide an almost mystical connection with the endless anthems of praise raising at this very moment before the heavenly throne. They ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 9:2, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 11:1

Denomination: United Methodist

I Cherish The Old Rugged Cross

Contributed by Ray Swift on Jul 29, 2017

Based on the hymn "The Old Rugged Cross" by George Bernard. Focuses on the purpose of God, the submission of Jesus and the glory of God's children.

FB, Lafayette July 16, 2017 Sunday Evening I Cherish The Old Rugged Cross Philippians 2:8-11; Galatians 6:14 Intro.: I can only recall his first name as Alister, yet his name is really not all that important tonight but I wish I had a picture of Alister because -- if a picture is worth a thousand ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

Experiencing Hardship And Heartbreak Series

Contributed by David Owens on May 16, 2022

The story of Naomi and Ruth is about how, as the old hymn says, "God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform." As dark and bleak as things looked in Naomi's life, little did she know that God was at work to bring blessings, to her and through her.

A. How many of you have ever had a bad day? Certainly, all of us have had bad days. Right? 1. Let’s have a little fun by starting with some “You know you’ve having a bad day when…” sayings: a. Your horn sticks on the highway behind 32 Hell’s Angels on their motorcycles. b. Your birthday cake ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Beauties Of Bethlehem

Contributed by Davon Huss on Dec 12, 2014

Let's talk about the beauties of Bethlehem from Ruth 4 and Matthew 1 (Ties in with hymn, O Little Town of Bethlehem)

HoHum: The story of Christmas brings with it scenes of peace and tranquility. So when the church gathers and sings the beloved hymn O Little Town of Bethlehem, we do so with a certain vision in mind. The reality of Bethlehem, however, is much different. It was a small insignificant town; a town on ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 4:11-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Song Of The Reformation

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Oct 17, 2017

There are some TV show theme songs or commercial jingles that we can immediately recognize. Luther's "A Mighty Fortress" is one of them too, for it is the theme song of the Reformation. This sermon is based on Psalm 46, the one the song is from.

There are some theme songs that are just iconic and memorable. There are some that are so recognizable that when part of it is heard or sung, you can immediately recognize the TV show that it belongs to. For example, “Here’s a story, of a lovely lady, who had three very lovely girls…” belongs to ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

These Are The Days Of Elijah Part 5: David And Worship Series

Contributed by David Petticrew on Mar 16, 2004

Number 5 in a series looking at the imagery in the modern Hymn These are the days of Elijah, looking at David and what worship is really all about.

Introduction BULLETIN: Church information, read only during the sermon. PEW: A medieval torture device still found in most churches. HYMN: A song of praise, usually sung in a key three octaves higher than that of the congregation’s range. CHOIR: A group of people whose singing allows the rest of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 6:1-21, 1 Samuel 4:1-22

Denomination: Holiness