Sermon Context:
Since I briefly mention my grandfather's funeral, I have included a photo of my grandmother and him a few years before his passing. I had the opportunity to bring everyone's attention to a rare alignment of a solar eclipse, Easter season, the approach of Earth Day, a snippet of my grandfather's faith, and the wonderful story of a favorite hymn. I prepared an outline, rather than a manuscript for this sermon, to make it more conversational. As you listen to the sermon, I invite you to follow along with the outline to get a feeling for how one delivers a non-manuscript sermon. After hearing the sermon and perusing the outline, scroll to the bottom for "further reading" with articles that tell more about "How Great Thou Art"
Link to Sermon:
Ephesians 1:7-14 NRSVUE:
"7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight 9 he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11 In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance,[a] having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, 12 so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; 14 this[b] is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory."
Sermon Outline:
“O Lord My God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the works they hand hath made. I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, thy power throughout the universe displayed. Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, how great Thou art.”
“God has made known to us the mystery of God’s will according to God’s good pleasure that God set forth in Christ. A Plan in the fullness of time to gather up all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on earth, all into Christ.” Verses 9-10
Intro
Grandpa’s funeral and “How Great Thou Art” sung by George Beverly Shea
Inspired by creation
Verses 9-10 and the solar eclipse. As we stare up at the vanishing sun, how can we not declare, “God, how great thou art!”
Story of the hymn
C. Michael Hawn’s “History of Hymns ‘How Great Thou Art’” and Jon Little’s “Behind the Song: Carl Boberg, “How Great Thou Art” offer the full story of the song.
Carl Boberg – 1886 – Sweden – “O Store Gud”
Manfred Von Glehn – 1907 – German – “Wie gross bist du”
Ivan Prokhanoff – 1927 – Russian
Stuart K Hine – 1927 – hears in Ukraine, translates into English back in England, published in “Grace and Peace” missionary magazine.
J. Edwin Orr – 1954 – hears in India, brings back to America.
Tim Spencer – 1954 – hears in America at conference by Orr, buys song rights and publishes through his company, Mana Music, Inc.
George Beverly Shea – 1955 – encounters song after Mana Music circulates it, sings it live on radios and while on crusade tours with Billie Graham, millions hear it
Carrie Underwood and Elvis Presley cement song in our memories
The buildup of an Easter song
The Resurrection was a moment that has made us realize God’s work in all creation, realized through the life of Christ, and celebrated and shared by all who are moved by this. A song from one soul can grow to be echoed by millions because it contains the collective holy experience
Conclude
What will be the song for our age, for these Easter people?
Further Reading:
"Behind The Song: Carl Boberg, 'How Great Thou Art" by Jon Little in American Songwriter
"History of Hymns: 'How Great Thou Art'" by C. Michael Hawn in Discipleship Ministries
"The Story Behind 'How Great Thou Art'" by Michael Ireland in CBN
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