Sermon Illustrations

Some like to come down hard on sin, and so they come down hard on people. To be forgiven and walk away scott-free is hard to understand. And when it comes to others, we don’t like to believe that it is for them. But Robert Farrar Capon, in the book Between Noon and Three, said this: You’re worried about permissiveness—about the way the preaching of grace seems to say it’s okay to do all kinds of terrible things as long as you just walk in afterward and take the free gift of God’s forgiveness. . .While you and I may be worried about seeming to give permission, Jesus apparently wasn’t. He wasn’t afraid of giving the prodigal son a kiss instead of a lecture, a party instead of probation; and he proved that by bringing in the elder brother at the end of the story and having him raise pretty much the same objections you do. He’s angry about the party. He complains that his father is lowering standards and ignoring virtue—that music, dancing, and...

Continue reading this sermon illustration (Free with PRO)

Related Sermon Illustrations

Related Sermons

  • The Prodigal Son's Brother

    Contributed by Sean Harder on Jul 6, 2012
    based on 4 ratings
     | 55,128 views

    Chapter 15 of Luke is the start of a new discussion as Jesus makes his way into Jerusalem to fulfill his ultimate sacrificial mission. It begins with the Scribes and Pharisees grumbling because Jesus always allowed sinners to listen to him and eat with hi

  • 2 Kings 6:8-23 – "Open His Eyes And Let Him See"

    Contributed by Matt Stone on Sep 7, 2016
    based on 4 ratings
     | 52,655 views

    Elisha's servant sees God's presence, protection and provision when Elisha prays, 'Open his eyes and let him see." How might we see as God sees?

  • The Author And Finisher

    Contributed by Mark Baker on Mar 13, 2008
    based on 4 ratings
     | 32,181 views

    His Word says He will never leave us or forsake us. He is always there assisting, encouraging, leading, comforting, giving direction, and disciplining, as needed.

  • What Is In Your House

    Contributed by Odon Bulamba on Dec 30, 2013
    based on 3 ratings
     | 25,432 views

    LIFE is about learning. From childhood until the day you die, you must keep learning. God created us so we can learn and understand who He is, what He wants, etc. There is a blessing in your house. Do you know? Discover it today...

  • The Goodness Of God Series

    Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Feb 2, 2010
    based on 2 ratings
     | 22,424 views

    Today, I want us to consider the goodness of God. The goodness of God is designed to appeal to our better nature and cause us to respond favorably to God. The purpose of God's goodness and forbearance is not to encourage sin, but to appeal to man's better

Browse All Media

Related Media