Sermons on hymns:

He's Alive!

Contributed by Paul Dietz on Mar 25, 2008

An Easter Season Sermon using the Hymn, "Were You There?" as a basis.

He’s Alive! (But Don’t Tell Anyone) Matthew 27 & 28: 1-10 Key Verses: Matthew 28: 6-7 Hymn Suggestions: “Were You There?,” Traditional Spiritual, Public Domain; “He Arose!,” Robert Lowry, Public Domain; “My Savior’s Love,” Charles Gabriel, Public Domain; “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us,” Stuart ...read more

Denomination: *other

Ye Are Complete In Him

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 13, 2013

An exhortation and three warnings frame what might be another Christ hymn.

YE ARE COMPLETE IN HIM. Colossians 2:6-19. I. The Apostle Paul is concerned that the Colossians should not be “beguiled with enticing words” - or “deluded with beguiling speech” (Colossians 2:4). Our enemy is subtle as a serpent, and would lure away even ‘the very elect, if that were possible’ ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In Times Like These

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Apr 23, 2012

Based on the great hymn Paul shows us that the key to the anchor is the rope.

In Times Like These Acts 27:18-44 One day in 1944, during WWII, a woman was in her kitchen doing her normal tours. Like others of her day, she was tuned into the national radio broadcast. The tragedy of the war was brought home through the news stories and she knew the incredible suffering of the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 27:18-44

Denomination: Baptist

There's A Song In The Air Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Apr 7, 2013

This is the first of a series of messages based on some of the most popular Christmas hymns.

Nothing has the ability to communicate a message as powerfully as music. In fact, Martin Luther wrote, “Next to theology I give music the highest place of honor.” It is the music that we hear that lets us know that Christmas is right around the corner. There are more songs written about ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Silent Night Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Apr 7, 2013

This is the second message in a series based on some of the most popular Christmas hymns.

No Christmas Eve candlelight service would be complete without singing the song we are going to look at today. In fact, I had expected this one to easily hold the top spot in our survey. As you have probably guessed the song is “Silent Night.” This song has the ability to bring peace to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

O’ Little Town Of Bethlehem Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Apr 7, 2013

This is the third message in a series based on some of the most popular Christmas hymns.

On December 24, 1865 at the age of thirty Phillips Brooks’ life would be changed forever by a Christmas Eve service that lasted nearly five hours. The service took place at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Brooks wrote, “I remember standing in the old church in Bethlehem close ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:3-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

O Holy Night Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Apr 7, 2013

This is the fourth message in a series based on some of the most popular Christmas hymns.

“O Holy Night” is of the most beautiful and favorite songs that tells of the Savior’s birth in Bethlehem. What many people don’t realize is that the combined talents of three much unexpected people brought us this song. In fact, this song is the result of the work a wine ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:31-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Wonder As I Wander Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Apr 7, 2013

This is the final message in a series based on some of the most popular Christmas hymns.

This is a Christmas carol written by folklorist and singer John Jacob Niles. The carol has its origins in a song fragment collected by Niles on July 16, 1933. This is the story behind the song. In the middle of the summer in 1933, the Morgans, a poor homeless family in Murphy, North Carolina, was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:16-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Oh, For A Thousand Tongues To Sing!

Contributed by Abimbola Salu on Feb 6, 2024

The title of this sermon is borrowed from the hymn written by Charles Wesley in 1739.

The title of this sermon is borrowed from the hymn written by Charles Wesley in1739. Charles had heard his friend Peter Bohler say: “If I had a thousand tongues to sing, I would praise Christ with them all”. Peter Bohler himself was quoting from the German hymn written by John Mentzner ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-4, Revelation 5:11-14

Denomination: Baptist

"hark! The Herald Angels Sing" Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jan 2, 2019

This hymn begins with an exhortation … a command … a call to action: “Hark!” “Hark!” … “Listen!” … “Listen to the angels singing!” As we are about to see, this hymn has a remarkable theological depth and richness not often found in carols.

How many of you pay attention to all the little type at the bottom of the hymns? Turn to page 240 and look at the bottom of the page. See them down there? They’re there to give you a little bit of the history of the hymn. If you look at the bottom of “Hark! 5he Herald Angels Sing,” it says that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14, Isaiah 9:6, Malachi 4:2

Denomination: United Methodist

How To Praise Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Feb 11, 2011

This Psalm is a genre of Psalms know as Hymns. The main feature of these Hymns is that they contain exuberant praise of the Lord, or they give us a reason for praising the Lord. They are a celebration that God has entered our lives and our community.

Message Series: Responding to God How To Praise A sermon on Psalm 19. You can listen to a full recording of this message at http://www.nec.org.au/listen-to-a-sermon-series/responding-to-god-psalms/ Read Psalm 19 straight away. Hymns contain exuberant praise of the Lord, or they give us a reason ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 19:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

"Will Reformation Replace All Hallowed Eve?”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Oct 22, 2024

We are not very inclined to think of Martin Luther as a hymn-writer, and yet, the great Reformer was in this gift of music and wrote some 37 hymns. Celebrating the 500th anniversary of the first Lutheran song book.

In Jesus Holy Name October 27, 2024 Text: Romans 3:23 Redeemer “Will Reformation Replace All Hallowed Eve?” This year Lutherans around the world will be celebrating Reformation while the rest of the world will be celebrating an ancient traditions we call Halloween. I doubt ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-23, Romans 5:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

Equal In Dignity, Diverse In Function Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jun 21, 2009

In our worship, we are all equal in dignity, but, as Jesus gave different ministries to his disciples, in and out of worship, we differ in function and service; that is the meaning of hierarchy.

Solemnity of Peter and Paul June 29, 2009 The readings for this solemnity help us to understand how it is that Christ left us–as a gift–a hierarchical Church. I was reading some fairly recent articles in Pastoral Music recently, and came across a rather angry one from a nun who was complaining ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-19

Denomination: Catholic

A Seed Of Matchless Worth

Contributed by Chris Surber on Jul 23, 2008

The Kingdom of God is a seed of matchless worth which has been watered by the blood of Christ and the martyrs.

A Seed of Matchless Worth, Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 Introduction The hymn writer Fanny Crosby gave us more than 6,000 gospel songs. Although blinded by an illness at the age of six weeks, she never became bitter. One time a preacher sympathetically remarked, “I think it is great pity that the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-32

Denomination: Christian Church

Joseph Hart Series

Contributed by Michael Buckingham on Oct 17, 2011

Joseph Hart is best known as a Hymn writer, but that was not his only career, he was also a prominent preacher in his day, and was a teacher of literature. He also wrote a number of books. Here is his story

Joseph Hart Joseph Hart is not so well known now as he had been in previous times and yet he is still an important part of our Church History. Joseph Hart is best known as a Hymn writer, but that was not his only career, he was also a prominent preacher in his day, and was a teacher of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist