Sermon Illustrations on Songs — page 3

And Can It Be

John 3:16

1. And can it be that I should gain

An int’rest in the Saviour’s blood?

Died He for me, who caused His pain?

For me, who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! how can it be

That Thou, my God shouldst die for me?

Chorus

Amazing love! how can it be

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me!

2. He left His Father’s throne above,

So free, so infinite His grace?

Emptied Himself of all but love,

And bled for Adam’s helpless race!

’Tis mercy all, immense and free,

For, O my God, it found out me.

3. Long my imprisoned spirit lay

Fast bound in sin and nature’s night.

Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray;

I woke – the dungeon flamed with light!

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

4. No condemnation now I dread;

Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!

Alive in Him, my living Head,

And clothed in righteousness divine,

Bold I approach th’eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Singing songs is an important part of childhood. Yet it seems odd that children readily learn and repeat songs they do not comprehend. They delight in the sounds and rhythms of a song, often without even trying to comprehend the lyrics or the song's message. I remember happily singing “Frere Jacques, Frere Jacques, Dormir vous? Dormir vous? Sonnez les matines” without any idea that “matines” meant “morning bells.” This is excusable since I didn't speak French, but there were songs I sang in plain English with no comprehension. While floating on my back in the ocean, my grandmother and I would sing “My bonny lies over the ocean....” When I paid any attention to the words, I assumed that Bonnie was a woman who also liked to float on her back in the sea.

Many factors lead to childish misinterpretations. Children often hear too literally. I remember staging with my brother and sister a lip-syncing performance of Marvin Gaye's “Heard it Through the Grapevine.” We associated the song with grapes and California Raisins, and had no idea it had anything to do with love or heartbreak. As we mature, we begin to grasp metaphors and understand the origins of the ones we already use.

Also, as children we lack experience to understand the emotions behind many of the songs we sing. The toddler who cries when his mother leaves him in the nursery can hardly imagine leaving his loved one across the sea. The school children who sing “My Country, Tis of Thee” cannot comprehend the lives sacrificed to purchase their freedom, nor do they anticipate what sacrifices may one day be required of them. Nevertheless, we encourage songs of patriotism and loyalty because these are virtues one must grow into. When the day comes that true gratefulness dawns in our children, we don't want them to have to search for the words to express it.

The same thing can be said of the songs of our faith. For a new believer, many of the unfamiliar words found in Scripture might as well be untranslated Hebrew or Greek. Christian language can come across as provincial jargon or the code language of those in an inner circle. But as one matures in the faith, the language and metaphors of Scripture and the hymnody of the church come alive. Our experience of the life of Christ within us lends understanding to the words of Scripture, even as the vocabulary of the faith shapes our understanding of experiences as we live them.

The young patriot may feel a chill when she sings “The Star Spangled Banner” after her first visit to a battlefield. Yet this is nothing compared to the thrill of realizing for the first time that we who sing, “When we've been there ten thousand years...” really will be in God's presence for all eternity to come. The words of the Lord's Prayer, “forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors” suddenly become weighty when we have someone to forgive. The psalmists' words of praise and despair no longer seem hyperbolic when you have climbed mountains or walked through valleys.

So we must sing these songs and pray these prayers, even the ones we haven't quite grown into. Singing hymns of faith when we are faltering is a way of saying “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). As little children imitate their elder siblings, we speak in the language of the cloud of witnesses who've gone before us even as we take our first halting steps of faith.

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Jesus Saves!

1. We have heard the joyful sound– Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Spread the tidings all around– Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Bear the news to ev’ry land, Climb the steeps and cross the waves;

Onward! ’tis our Lord’s command– Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

2. Waft it on the rolling tide– Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Tell to sinners far and wide– Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Sing, ye islands of the sea! Echo back, ye ocean caves!

Earth shall keep her jubilee– Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

3. Sing above the battle strife– Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

By His death and endless life– Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Sing it softly through the gloom, When the heart for mercy craves;

Sing in triumph o’er the tomb– Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

4. Give the winds a mighty voice– Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Let the nations now rejoice– Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Shout salvation full and free, Highest hills and deepest caves;

This our song of victory– Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Each Step of the Way

1. I’m following Jesus each step at a time,

I live for the moment in His love divine;

Why think of tomorrow? just live for today,

I'm following Jesus each step of the way.

2. The pathway is narrow, but He leads me on,

I walk in His shadow, my fears are all gone;

My spirit grows stronger each moment, each day,

For Jesus is leading each step of the way.

Join All the Glorious Names

1. Join all the glorious names

Of wisdom, love and pow’r

That ever mortals knew,

That angels ever bore:

All are too poor to speak His worth,

Too poor to set my Saviour forth.

2. Great Prophet of my God,

My tongue would bless Thy name;

By Thee the joyful news

Of our salvation came:

The joyful news of sins forgiv’n,

Of hell subdued, and peace with heav’n.

3. Jesus, Thou great High Priest,

Thou gav’st Thy blood and died;

My guilty conscience seeks

No sacrifice beside:

Thy pow’rful blood didst once atone

And now it pleads before the throne.

4. Divine, almighty Lord,

My Conq’ror and my King,

Thy sceptre and Thy sword,

Thy reigning grace I sing:

Thine is the pow’r – behold I sit

In willing bonds beneath Thy feet.

5. Now let my soul arise

And tread the tempter down;

My Captain leads me forth

To conquest and a crown:

A feeble saint shall win the day,

Though death and hell obstruct the way.

[Tune “Darwell”]

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Now Thank We All Our God (see #1887 For Background)

1. Now thank we all our God

With hearts and hands and voices,

Who wondrous things hath done,

In whom His world rejoices;

Who from our mothers' arms

Hath blessed us on our way

With countless gifts of love,

And still is ours today.

2. O may this bounteous God

Through all our life be near us,

With ever joyful hearts

And blessed peace to cheer us;

And keep us in His grace,

And guide us when perplexed,

And free us from all ills

In this world and the next.

3. All praise and thanks to God

The Father now be given,

The Son and Him who reigns

With them in highest heaven–

The one eternal God

Whom earth and heav’n adore–

For thus it was, is now,

And shall be evermore.

[Tune: “Nun Danket”]

What If It Were Today?

Luke 21:28

1. Jesus is coming to earth again–

What if it were today?

Coming in power and love to reign–

What if it were today?

Coming to claim His chosen Bride,

All the redeemed and purified,

Over this whole earth scattered wide–

What if it were today?

Chorus:

Glory, glory! Joy to my heart ’twill bring,

Glory, glory! When we shall crown Him King;

Glory, glory! Haste to prepare the way–

Glory, glory! Jesus will come some day!

2. Satan’s dominion will then be o’er–

O that it were today!

Sorrow and sighing shall be no more–

O that it were today!

Then shall the dead in Christ arise,

Caught up to meet Him in the skies;

When shall these glories meet our eyes?

What if it were today?

3. Faithful and true would He find us here

If He should come today?

Watching in gladness and not in fear,

If He should come today?

Signs of His coming multiply,

Morning light breaks in eastern sky;

Watch, for the time is drawing nigh–

What if it were today?

I Would Be Like Jesus

1. Earthly pleasures vainly call me–

I would be like Jesus;

Nothing worldly shall enthrall me–

I would be like Jesus:

Chorus:

Be like Jesus – this my song –

In the home and in the throng;

Be like Jesus all day long!

I would be like Jesus.

2. He has broken ev’ry fetter–

I would be like Jesus;

That my soul may serve Him better–

I would be like Jesus:

3. All the way from earth to glory–

I would be like Jesus;

Telling o’er and o’er the story–

I would be like Jesus:

4. That in heaven He may meet me,

I would be like Jesus;

That His words “Well done” may greet me,

I would be like Jesus:

At the Cross

1. Alas! and did my Saviour bleed?

And did my Sov’reign die?

Would He devote that sacred head

For such a worm as I?

Chorus:

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light

And the burden of my heart rolled away–

It was there by faith I received my sight,

And now I am happy all the day!

2. Was it for crimes that I have done

He groaned upon the tree?

Amazing pity! grace unknown!

And love beyond degree!

3. Well might the sun in darkness hide

And shut his glories in,

When Christ, the mighty Maker, died

For man the creature’s sin.

4. But drops of grief can ne’er repay

The debt of love I owe:

Here, Lord, I give myself away–

’Tis all that I can do!

Additional verse, to go after 3., above:

Thus might I hide my blushing face

While Calv’ry’s cross appears,

Dissolve my heart in thankfulness

And melt my eyes to tears.

I Really Want To Worship You, My Lord

You laid aside Your majesty,

gave up ev’rything for me,

suffer’d at the hands of those

You had created.

You took all my guilt and shame,

when You died and rose again;

now today You reign

in heav’n and earth exalted.

I really want to worship You, my Lord,

You have won my heart and I am yours,

for ever and ever; I will love You.

You are the only One who died for me,

gave Your life to set me free,

so I lift my voice to You in adoration.

Tis Midnight - and On Olive's Brow

Luke 22:39

’Tis midnight—and on Olive’s brow

The star is dimmed that lately shone;

’Tis midnight—in the garden now

The suff’ring Saviour prays alone.

’Tis midnight—and from all removed

The Saviour wrestles lone with fears;

E’en that disciple whom He loved

Heeds not His master’s grief and tears.

’Tis midnight—and for others’ guilt

The man of Sorrows weeps in blood;

Yet He that hath in anguish knelt

Is not forsaken by His God.

’Tis midnight—and from heaven’s plains

Is borne the song that angels know;

Unheard by mortals are the strains

That sweetly soothe the Saviour’s woe.

Make Me A Servant

Make me a servant,

humble and meek,

Lord, let me lift up

those who are weak,

And may the pray’r

of my heart always be:

Make me a servant,

make me a servant,

Make me a servant today.

There Is A Green Hill Far Away

Mark 15:22

1. There is a green hill far away,

Outside a city wall,

Where the dear Lord was crucified,

Who died to save us all.

Chorus

O dearly, dearly has He loved!

And we must love Him too,

And trust in His redeeming blood,

And try His works to do.

2. We may not know, we cannot tell,

What pains He had to bear;

But we believe it was for us

He hung and suffered there.

3. He died that we might be forgiv’n,

He died to make us good,

That we might go at last to heav’n,

Saved by His precious blood.

4. There was no other good enough

To pay the price of sin;

He only could unlock the gate

Of heav’n and let us in.

My Saviour's Love

Acts 4:20

1. It only takes a spark

to get a fire going,

And soon all those around

can warm up in its glowing;

That’s how it is with God’s love,

once you’ve experienced it:

You spread His love to ev’ryone,

you want to pass it on.

2. What a wondrous time is spring–

when all the trees are budding,

The birds begin to sing,

the flowers start their blooming;

That’s how it is with God’s love,

once you’ve experienced it;

You want to sing, its fresh like spring,

you want to pass it on.

3. I wish for you, my friend,

this happiness that I’ve found–

You can depend on Him,

it matters not where you’re bound;

I’ll shout it from the mountain top,

I want my world to know;

The lord of Love has come to me,

I want to pass it on.

Saviour, Again To Thy Dear Name

Luke 8:48

1. Saviour, again to Thy dear name we raise

With one accord our parting hymn of praise;

Once more we bless Thee ere our worship cease,

Then, lowly kneeling, wait Thy word of peace.

2. Grant us Thy peace upon our homeward way:

With Thee began, with Thee shall end the day;

Guard Thou the lips from sin, the hearts from shame,

That in this house have called upon Thy name.

3. Grant us Thy peace, Lord, through the coming night;

Turn Thou for us its darkness into light;

From harm and danger keep Thy children free,

For dark and light are both alike to Thee.

4. Grant us Thy peace throughout our earthly life,

Our balm in sorrow, and our stay in strife;

Then, when Thy voice shall bid our conflict cease

Call us, O Lord, to Thine eternal peace.

[Tune “Ellers”]

What A Wonderful Saviour

Acts 2:11

1. Christ has for sin atonement made—

What a wonderful Saviour!

We are redeemed, the price is paid—

What a wonderful Saviour!

Chorus:

What a wonderful Saviour is Jesus, my Jesus!

What a wonderful Saviour is Jesus, my Lord!

2. I praise Him for the cleansing blood—

What a wonderful Saviour!

That reconciled my soul to God—

What a wonderful Saviour!

3. He cleansed my heart from all its sin—

What a wonderful Saviour!

And now He reigns and rules therein—

What a wonderful Saviour!

4. He gives me overcoming pow’r—

What a wonderful Saviour!

And triumph in each trying hour—

What a wonderful Saviour!

Lift Up Your Heads

Luke 21:28

Lift up your gates to the coming King.

Bow before Him and adore Him, sing

To His Majesty;

Let your praises be

Pure and holy,

giving glory to the King of kings.

Begin, My Tongue, Some Heavenly Theme

1. Begin, my tongue, some heav’nly theme

And speak some boundless thing:

The mighty works or mightier name

Of our eternal King.

2. Tell of His wondrous faithfulness

And sound His pow’r abroad;

Sing the sweet promise of His grace,

The love and truth of God.

3. His very word of grace is strong

As that which built the skies;

The voice that rolls the stars along

Speaks all the promises.

4. O might I hear Thy heav’nly tongue

But whisper, “Thou art mine!”

Those gentle words shall raise my song

To notes almost divine.

[Tune “Manoah”]

I'll Fly Away

1. Some glad morning when this life is o’er,

I’ll fly away;

To a home on God’s celestial shore,

I’ll fly away.

Chorus:

I’ll fly away, O glory, I’ll fly away;

When I die, hallelujah, by and by, I’ll fly away.

2. When the shadows of this life have gone,

I’ll fly away;

Like a bird from prison bars has flown,

I’ll fly away.

3.

Just a few more weary days and then,

I’ll fly away;

To a land where joys shall never end,

I’ll fly away.

If You Will Only Let God Guide You

1. If you will only let God guide you,

And hope in Him through all your ways,

Whatever comes, He'll stand beside you

And bear you through the evil days;

Who trusts in God's unchanging love

Builds on the Rock that will not move.

2. Only be still and wait his leisure

In cheerful hope, with heart content

To take whate'er the Father's pleasure

And all discerning love have sent;

Nor doubt your inmost wants are known

To Him who chose you for His own.

3. Sing, pray, and keep His ways unswerving

So do your part to prove Him true;

Trust in His word, no self reserving

Let Him fulfill His work in you;

God never yet forsook at need

The soul that trusted Him indeed.

The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power

1. The blood that Jesus shed for me,

Way back on Calvary–

The blood that gives me strength from day to day–

It will never lose its pow’r,

Chorus:

It reaches to the highest mountain,

It flows to the lowest valley;

The blood that gives me strength from day to day–

It will never lose its pow’r,

2. It soothes my doubts and calms my fears,

And it dries all my tears;

The blood that gives me strength from day to day–

It will never lose its pow’r,

The Sweetest Name of All

Acts 4:12

1. Jesus, You’re the sweetest name of all.

Jesus, You always hear me when I call,

Oh, Jesus, You pick me up each time I fall,

You’re the sweetest, the sweetest name of all.

2. Jesus, how I love to praise Your name.

Jesus, You’re still the first, the last, the same.

Oh, Jesus, You died and took away my shame,

You’re the sweetest, the sweetest name of all.

3. Jesus, You’re the soon and coming King.

Jesus, we need the love that You can bring.

Oh, Jesus, we lift our voices up and sing,

You’re the sweetest, the sweetest name of all.

God Has Spoken

John 1

1. God has spoken by His prophets,

Spoken His unchanging Word,

Each from age to age proclaiming

God, the one, the righteous Lord.

In the world’s despair and turmoil

One firm anchor holds us fast:

God is King, His throne eternal,

God the First and God the Last.

2. God has spoken by Christ Jesus,

Christ the everlasting Son,

Brightness of the Father’s glory,

With the Father ever one;

Spoken by the Word incarnate,

God of God, ere time was born;

Light of Light, to earth descending,

Christ as God in human form.

3. God is speaking by His Spirit,

Speaking in our hearts again;

In the ageless Word expounding

God’s own message, now and then.

Through the rise and fall of nations

One sure faith yet standing fast:

God abides, His Word unchanging,

God the First and God the Last.

[Tune “Beecher” or “Austrian Hymn” 8.7.8.7D]

The Light of the World Is Jesus

John 6:12

1. The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin–

The Light of the world is Jesus;

Like sunshine at noonday His glory shone in–

The Light of the world is Jesus.

Chorus

Come to the Light, ’tis shining for thee!

Sweetly the Light has dawned upon me;

Once I was blind, but now I can see–

The Light of the world is Jesus.

2. No darkness have we who in Jesus abide–

The Light of the world is Jesus;

We walk in the Light when we follow our Guide–

The Light of the world is Jesus.

3. No need of the sunlight in heaven, we’re told–

The Light of the world is Jesus;

The Lamb is the Light in the City of Gold–

The Light of the world is Jesus

The Christian Life As A Song

Psalms 40:3

The Lord Gives a Song: “And He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear, And will trust in the LORD.” (Psalms 40:3 NAS)

We have a Song even in the Night when Things are Dark: “The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; And His song will be with me in the night, A prayer to the God of my life.” (Psalms 42:8 NAS)

God is our Song: “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation." (Isaiah 12:2 NAS)

We are to Sing our Song: “Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, And His praise in the congregation of the godly ones.” (Psalms 149:1 NAS)

Our Song Comes from a Melodious Heart: “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;” (Ephesians 5:19 NAS)

“And behold, you are to them like a sensual song by one who has a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not practice them.” (Ezekiel 33:32 NAS)

Context:

1. God denounces the people, but commends Ezekiel

2. Ezekiel's character and speech so lovely that the ople desired to listen to him, yet would not take heed to him

3. Our lives should be a song (seasoned with salt, with grace), wooing people to the Lord

What things can we learn from the making of a melody to apply to the shaping of a beautiful character in the Christian life?

1. Start on pitch

a. too high or too low and the song cannot be sung

b. start with Christ: He is the straight gate, the only door; only by trust in Him can we properly start the song of the Christian life

2. Keep from going flat

a. the tendency to sing flat is from laziness; must compare our pitch to the standard (eg., piano)

b. tendency is to fall below or to lower our standards; to keep from going flat, make reference to the 'standard pitch', the Bible

3. Keep in the right time

a. importance of staying together

b. keep in time with God; do not run before Him, do not lag behind; God's time is right

4. Take your place in the harmony

a. different voices, different timbre, different parts (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass)

b. but together they form a harmony

c. Christians should seek their place in God's song and sing their part best, working for the harmony of the whole

d. some like to go off on some notes, sing their own tune

e. some Christians do not want to give up for the good of others some pet idea that they have

5. We sing in different ways at different times

a. solo, duet, trio, quartet, choir, congregation

b. Christian life a song when alone, as part of a couple, as part of a family, as part of a local church body, as part of God's great congregation

Let Earth and Heaven Combine

1. Let earth and heaven combine,

Angels and men agree,

To praise in songs divine

The incarnate Deity,

Our God contracted to a span,

Incomprehensibly made man.

2. He laid his glory by,

He wrapped him in our clay;

Unmarked by human ey,

The latent Godhead lay;

Infant of days he here became

And bore the mild Immanuel's name.

3. Unsearchable the love

That hath the Saviour brought;

The greace is far above

Or man or angels thought;

Suffice for us that God, we know,

Our God, is manifest below.

4. He deigns in flest to appear,

Widest extremes to join;

To bring our vileness near,

And make us all divine:

And we the life of God shall know,

For God is manifest below.

5. Made perfect first in love,

And sanctified by grace,

We shall from earth remove,

And see his glorious face:

Then shall his love be fully showd,

And man shall then be lost in God.

126 Sermon Illustrations on Songs

And Can It Be

Songs of Faith

Jesus Saves!

Each Step of the Way

Join All the Glorious Names

Now Thank We All Our God (see #1887 For Background)

What If It Were Today?

I Would Be Like Jesus

At the Cross

I Really Want To Worship You, My Lord

Tis Midnight - and On Olive's Brow

Make Me A Servant

There Is A Green Hill Far Away

My Saviour's Love

Saviour, Again To Thy Dear Name

What A Wonderful Saviour

Lift Up Your Heads

Begin, My Tongue, Some Heavenly Theme

I'll Fly Away

If You Will Only Let God Guide You

The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power

The Sweetest Name of All

God Has Spoken

The Light of the World Is Jesus

The Christian Life As A Song

Let Earth and Heaven Combine