Mercy Archives - Sermon Illustration Ideas

Extending Mercy

Forgiven, Forgiveness, Forgiving Others, Grace, Mercy

This powerful scene from Invictus (directed by Clint Eastwood [Warner Bros., 2009]) recounts the story of Nelson Mandela insisting that his leaders extend forgiveness…

Coming To The Father

Child of God, Confession, God Our Father, Mercy, Repentance

Admitting we are wrong is an incredibly hard thing to do. And when we are in the presence of someone who is powerful and…

Have Mercy

Grace, Judgment, Mercy, Second Chances

Mike Howerton tells a story about how grace works. He recounts the time that he received a second ticket in two years for expired…

Boiling Point

Anger, Disobedience, God's Character, God's Sovereignty, God's Wrath, Mercy, Patience, Slow to Anger, Wrath

Imagine a pot of water, full to the brim, boiling on the stove. The water in the pot goes through several stages of heat…

Before & After

Death, Destruction, Fixer UPper, God's Love, Grace, Life, Mercy, New Life, Repentance, Restoration, Salvation, Sin

This before-and-after photo comparison from the TV show Fixer Upper shows the incredible restoration of an old, dilapidated house (https://www.hgtv.com/shows/fixer-upper/fixer-upper-takes-on-a-vintage-tiny-house-pictures). This isn’t just an…

Jesus, Our Advocate

1 John 1:9, 1 John 2:1, 1 Timothy 2:5, Advocate, Faith, Jesus, John 14:16, John 3:16, Kindness, Mark 5:21-43, Mediator, Mercy, Romans 5:12

In our foster-care system today, many young children are left to navigate a maze of court hearings and new schools all on their own. Through…

Reckless Mercy

2 Corinthians 12:8-9, 2 Peter 1:2, Comforter, Ephesians 2:8-9, Ephesians 4:7, Forgiveness, Grace, John 1:14, Love, Mercy, Redemption, Romans 3:20-24

My Refuge House is a home for survivors of commercial sexual exploitation in the Philippines. This organization provides incredible support to girls who have…

Leave It To God

1 Thessalonians 5:15, Ephesians 4:26-27, Ephesians 4:32, Getting Back, God's Judgment, Hebrews 10:30, Judgment, Leviticus 19:18, Mark 11:25, Matthew 18:21-22, Matthew 5:38-39, Mercy, Retribution, Revenge, Romans 12:19, Submission, Surrender, Vengeance

At the end of the movie, Matilda, the main antagonist, Ms. Trunchbull gets what she deserves, after spending the entire movie harassing the children and…

Grace + Nothing

2 Corinthians 12:8-9, Acts 15:11, Cross, Ephesians 2:8-9, Ephesians 4:7, Forgiveness, Grace, Hebrews 13:9, James 4:6, Jesus, Jesus' Death, John 1:14, Mercy, Redemption, Romans 1:1-5, Romans 1:16, Romans 3:20-24, Romans 6:14, Titus 2:11

Truly believing something changes our behavior. The issue some people get confused about is which comes first: works before salvation or salvation before works?…

Costly Forgiveness

2 Corinthians 12:8-9, Acts 15:11, Cross, Ephesians 2:8-9, Ephesians 4:7, Forgiveness, Grace, Hebrews 13:9, James 4:6, Jesus, Jesus' Death, John 1:14, Mercy, Redemption, Romans 1:1-5, Romans 1:16, Romans 3:20-24, Romans 6:14, Titus 2:11

Matthew West’s song “Forgiveness” is a radio hit because of its powerful message. It was inspired by an amazing true story about a woman…

Grace For Good

1 Peter 1:2, 1 Peter 3:8, Advantage, Challenge, Colossians 3:12, Faith, Generosity, Grace, Mercy, Musical, Novel, Proverbs 11:16, Psalm 145:8, Security, Theme

Les Misérables is one of the most popular novels turned musical turned movie (twice). One of the overarching themes is grace. Jean Valjean, the…

Supplemental Faith

2 Corinthians 12:8-9, Acts 15:11, Cross, Ephesians 2:8-9, Ephesians 4:7, Grace, Hebrews 13:9, James 4:6, Jesus, Jesus' Death, John 1:14, Mercy, Redemption, Romans 1:1-5, Romans 1:16, Romans 3:20-24, Romans 6:14, Titus 2:11

Research by experts at Johns Hopkins University has found that half of all American adults take a multivitamin every day, spending a total of…

Protecting The Vulnerable

Commitment, Faith, Fight, Isaiah 1:17, Mercy, Ministry, Obedience, Predatory, Protect, Proverbs 24:11-12, Proverbs 31:8-9, Psalm 82:3-4, The Church, Works, Zechariah 7:10

The Ordinance is a documentary by Deidox Films that shows church communities in Texas working together to protect people from predatory payday loans. These…

Paradigm Shift

2 Corinthians 5:17, Colossians 1:21-22, Ephesians 4:22-24, Ezekiel 18:31, Ezekiel 36:26, Grace, Influence, Mercy, New Life, Outlook on Life, Perception, Psalm 51:10, Redemption, Romans 12:2, Salvation, Titus 3:5

“Christianity isn’t something you add. It is an explosion that changes everything you had” (Timothy Keller [@timkellernyc], Twitter, November 10, 2017, 1:30 p.m.)To follow…

Waiter Gets College Bills Paid For

Atonement, Ephesians 2:8-9, Forgiveness, Grace, Jesus's Death, Loving Others, Luke 22:39-46, Mercy, Romans 1:16, Romans 3:20-24, Salvation, Sin, Titus 2:11

Working as a waitress in Pennsylvania, a nursing student named Melissa received a tip that would change her life. While talking to a stranger…

The Prodigal Returns

2 Corinthians 5:19, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Colossians 1:21, Connection, Enemy, Grace, Love, Luke 15:24, Mercy, Prodigal, Repentance, Romans 5:10, Sin, Support, Welcome

A recent episode of the podcast Invisibilia covered a story of how one small Danish town responded to young Muslim men leaving to go…

Psalm 23 (Surely Goodness, Surely Mercy)

1 Timothy 4:4, Blessing, Dwelling, God's Promise, Goodness, Hebrews 12:10, Help, Love, Mercy, Presence, Provision, Psalm 135:3, Psalm 34:8, Psalm 73:1, Song

“Surely goodness surely mercy right beside me all my days and I will dwell in Your house forever and bless your Holy Name”- Shane…

It’s Never Too Late

2 Corinthians 7:9, Acts 20:21, Acts 3:19, Forgiveness, Grace, Hosea 14:1, Hosea 6:1, Jeremiah 24:7, Job 22:23, Joel 2:13, Mercy, Prodigal Son, Redemption, Restoration, Return to God, Salvation, Sin, Zechariah 1:3

A recent episode of the podcast Invisibilia covered how one small Danish town responded to young Muslim men leaving to join ISIS in Syria….

“The Qualities of ‘Mercy'”

Colossians 1:13-14, Deliverance, Dwell, Ephesians 1:7, Forgiveness, Galatians 3:13, Hebrews 9:12, Incarnation, Injustice, Mercy, Ministry, Presence, Redemption, Relationship, Titus 2:14

“When Jesus came to us, the Father sent him as one of us: to dwell with us, to sit with us in our misery…

Living In Community

Acceptance, Colossians 3:12, Community, Empathy, Hospitality, Humility, James 2:13, Kindness, Luke 6:36, Mercy, Micah 6:8, Sacrifice, Selflessness, Titus 3:5, Welcome

One episode of the podcast Invisibilia highlighted the efficacy of community-based treatment for mental illness. In Geel, Belgium, families have “fostered” those with mental…