Sermons on Hymn Stories:

Go Tell It On The Mountain - A Mandate Into The New Year

Contributed by Brandon Queen on Jan 4, 2025

The hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” stirred my heart amid years of losses. His reminder: Christ came for you, no matter your sorrow or unworthiness. Let His birth spark hope in 2025; share His light with the world.

Go Tell it on the Mountain - A Mandate into the New Year December 29, 2024 Brandon Michael Queen / General Advent / Isaiah 52:7–10; Luke 2:8–20; Matthew 28:18–20 Introduction: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel I want to go back to the beginning of Advent. Hank started us with a gospel-centered sermon on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-17, Isaiah 7:14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Joseph (Pt.1) When Life Rips You Off Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Sep 22, 2006

Intro: Story (Paul Harvey’s ‘The Rest of the Story’ p.115 of Col. Herland Sanders) wouldn’t you like to know the REST OF THE STORY? But, in those times when we’re down, it’s not easy to see any future to believe in the rest of the story; to believe ther

Intro: Story (Paul Harvey’s ‘The Rest of the Story’ p.115 of Col. Herland Sanders) wouldn’t you like to know the REST OF THE STORY? But, in those times when we’re down, it’s not easy to see any future to believe in the rest of the story; to believe there is a story at all. - Those times when ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What's Your Struggle?

Contributed by Robert Rust on Oct 18, 2000

Our story this week takes us to the city of Philippi, a Roman colony within Macedonia.

Our story this week takes us to the city of Philippi, a Roman colony within Macedonia. Luke, who is the author of the Book of Acts tells us that Paul and some of his followers were evangelizing in the surrounding area when they become embroiled in a conflict that pits religious, economic and class ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34

Preparing For Easter: An Outline For A Message From The Song, "Where He Leads Me”

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 22, 2023

Great hymns can be a source of inspiration for sermons. The song, "Where He Leads Me", is appropriate not only as an invitation song but also as a guide through the Easter season. To the best of my knowledge, the song is in the public domain and has no current copyright.

Introduction: The song, “Where He Leads Me”, is often sung as an invitation song. Take a closer look at the lyrics, though, and every verse could be an illustration or picture of the Easter season! Here are the verses for “Where He Leads Me” with outline material to follow: 1 I can hear my Savior ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-47

Denomination: Baptist

When Wee Encounters Grace

Contributed by Troy Horne on Mar 28, 2009

The story of Zacchaeus with a new twist. Interview sermon for Faith Church of the Nazarene.

Lk. 19.1-10 “When Wee Encounters Grace” 1. A friend of mine interviewed recently at a medium sized church. At the close of the service, after he had preached, he stood by the back door to greet the people as they left. One by one they passed by him, many with a nod, or a smile, or a good ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Holiness

Christianity And Service

Contributed by Ezekiel Ette on Aug 30, 2020

The story of Paul in the Areopagus in Athens will be a nice one for philosophers and the intellectuals of the times

The story of Paul in the Areopagus in Athens will be a nice one for philosophers and the intellectuals of the times and to some extent the postmodern folks of today who neither think much about science or of religion. Yet this story is also the story of our time and of ordinary folks who are ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:22-31

Denomination: United Methodist

Faith On Autopilot – Going Through The Motions Without Heart Series

Contributed by Dr. John D. Wentworth on Sep 27, 2025

There’s comfort in routine. Singing the same hymns, praying the same prayers, sitting in the same pew each Sunday—it all feels safe. But these familiar patterns can lull us into a dangerous place: performing religion instead of pursuing Jesus.

Title: Faith on Autopilot – Going Through the Motions Without Heart Text: Matt. 15:8-9 ‘This people honors me with their lips but their heart is far from me; 9 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ “When routine replaces relationship” Introduction: “When faith ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:8-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Behold The Lamb

Contributed by Keith Foskey on Jun 8, 2006

Re-telling the story of the first Passover as the introduction to today’s lesson

“Behold the Lamb” John 1:29-36 OPENING JOKE: INTRODUCTION: March 24th we will be celebrating our annual Passover celebration with a Seder meal. Today I would like to begin by retelling the story of the first Passover as the introduction to today’s lesson Illustration: “The story of the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:29-36

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Prone To Wander Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Apr 27, 2012

The human heart is deceitful and will lead us astray. From the Hymn writer who said, "Prone to Wander, Lord I feel it. Prone to Leave the God I love. HERE'S MY HEART Lord, take and seal it."

How to Do Life Prone To Wander - #23 of 24 Jerry Watts James 5:19-20 * I begin by reminding you that James is writing to ‘believers in the faith.’ * The last verse of the hymn “Come Thou Fount” is very revealing. It reveals something about us which we don’t really ...read more

Scripture: James 5:19-20

Denomination: Baptist

Funeral Sermon For Lucille Austin

Contributed by Doug Koehler on Mar 10, 2009

This funeral message speaks upon how the hymns we sing today can bless us for years to come, even as Christ’s promise to prepare a place for us can provide us comfort upto our last day.

I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. Thomas said to him, Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way? ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

Softly And Tenderly Jesus Is Calling

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Jan 12, 2012

Having a relationship with God is paramount in your calling as a believer. God comes to you, God discovers you he is calling you. There is on old hymn which proclaims it so clearly: Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, Calling for you and for me;

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service; there are four Scripture Readings before the Sermon. The Scripture Readings for this day were: 1 Samuel 3:1-20; Psalm 139:1-5,12-17; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 and John 1:43-51. In her book, .....A Man Called Peter, .....Catherine Marshall ...tells how ...read more

Scripture: John 1:43-51, 1 Samuel 3:1-20

Denomination: Anglican

How Great Thou Art

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Nov 4, 2018

The 2nd most well-known song in the English language, after Amazing Grace, is How Great Thou Art. Interestingly, Psalm 145 mirrors the verses of this great hymn. This sermon extols God's greatness and goodness.

How Great Thou Art March 27, 2022 Chuck Sligh NOTE: A PowerPoint is available for this sermon upon request by requesting it at chucksligh@hotmail.com. TEXT: Psalm 145:1-9 – “I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. 2 Every day will I bless thee; and I will ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 145:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

In Times Like These (A Covid-19 Sermon)

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Aug 30, 2020

Years ago, a woman wrote a song in the most trying time during World War II that became one of the most beloved hymns in the Church. This sermon was meant to bring comfort and peace to our people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Times Like These (A COVID-19 sermon) Chuck Sligh August 30, 2020 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 in my archives. TEXT: 2 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Salvation Causes Our Praise! Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Feb 24, 2025

God’s promises that His people will be given a hymn of praise for all He has done for us. Isaiah saw it, John saw it, and Jesus confirmed it ... so why would we not live with this hope and excitement today?

Isaiah, Part 8 God’s Salvation Causes Our Praise! Isaiah 11:1-16 and Isaiah 12:1-6 Introduction - Welcome to Seasons! We are so glad that you’ve chosen to worship with us - Last week, Ch 10, saw a vivid demonstration of God keeping His promises -- He will always protect, comfort, and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-16, Isaiah 12:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Looking At The Impossible

Contributed by Scott Sutton on Oct 3, 2024

Did you know, the Bible truly is full of amazing, and exciting stories? There're stories of giants, there are stories about spies, stories of huge whales, of ships and of shipwrecks, huge dragon-like beasts, and so many other incredible things we can read in the pages of God's Word.

The story we're going to read from the Bible today has exciting parts in it, there are spies, there are giants in this story. But sadly, in this story we're going to see how something that could have been so incredible for God’s people turned out to be something very tragic because of their ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 13:25-33

Denomination: Baptist