Sermon Central
-
When Rules Can’t Save
Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 27, 2025 (message contributor)
Summary: Tolstoy’s brilliance and self-denial could not quiet his conscience, proving that only God’s grace—not rules—can renew the human heart.
---
The great Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy inherited vast wealth
and hundreds of serfs.
Though he freed them and gave away his book royalties, he was tormented by guilt and could not find peace.
He invented endless rules—rise early, eat little, conquer lust—to perfect himself, but slid deeper into despair.
He asked his wife to hide ropes and guns lest he take his life.
John Updike once wrote that Tolstoy’s beautiful art never penetrated the thick walls of his own soul.
Despite inspiring Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., Tolstoy died at a remote railway station, estranged from family and haunted by failure.
Tolstoy shows what happens when we try to obey without grace.
Rules cannot make the heart new.
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
A Woman Decided To Have Her Portrait Painted. She ... PRO
Contributed by Thomas Black on Jan 28, 2005
A woman decided to have her portrait painted. She told the artist, "Paint me with diamond rings, a diamond necklace, emerald bracelets, a ruby broach, and gold Rolex." "But you are not wearing any of those things," he replied. "I know," she said. "It’s in case I should die before my husband. ...read more
-
Road Rage
Contributed by Tom Burkholder on Sep 2, 2005
Illustration: “Road Rage” By Dan Betzer It happened just a couple of blocks from my study yesterday afternoon; it was about 4 o’clock with rush hour traffic. Iti our burgeoning county, it sometimes seems like every car on earth is in my lane. A young fellow kept weaving in and out of traffic, ...read more
-
The Christmas Tree PRO
Contributed by Jennifer Mathews on Dec 28, 2004
The Christmas tree: It was on a Tree that God hung His greatest gift to humankind. The Christmas tree is symbolic of a broken curse, its evergreen branches representing everlasting life. Our exchange of gifts isn’t a surrender to commercialism, but ...read more
-
In The Book The God Chasers, Tommy Tenney ...
Contributed by Chip Monck on Feb 15, 2005
In the book The God Chasers, Tommy Tenney writes, "I don’t know about you, but I am tired of just being ‘another somebody’ to the lost around me. I have made a decision. I made up my mind and set my heart to declare, ‘I am going to pursue the presence of God in my life. I am going to get so close ...read more
-
The Meanest Mother PRO
Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Sep 27, 2004
The Meanest Mother We had the meanest mother in the whole world! While other kids ate candy for breakfast, we had to have cereal, eggs, and toast. When others had a Pepsi and a Twinkie for lunch, we had to eat sandwiches. And you can guess our mother fixed us a dinner that was different from ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Power Of Obedience
Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 25, 2017
Obedience is inherit in the relationship of man (as a created being) with God, the Creator. The New Covenant does not do away with the need for obedience to God. In fact, it supply the strength to live that way. Heaven will be a place of obedience to God.
-
The Power Of Forgiveness
Contributed by Bishop Prof. Julius Soyinka on Oct 30, 2021
God forgives us our sins, and He commands us to always forgive those that offend us in any way of the other. When we do, we have a lot of blessings to enjoy.
-
You Have Not Passed This Way Before
Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 18, 2017
Are you ready for the new season God has for you? In Joshua 3 an event was about to happen that would change their lives forever. How would they walk through that transition successfully?
-
Hope In A Covenant Of Faith Series
Contributed by Dean Courtier on Feb 18, 2018
A Covenant of Faith and a man named Abraham. Romans 4:3, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
-
A Better Tomorrow
Contributed by Tesh Njokanma on May 24, 2015
When you sit, eat, fellowship and walk closely with the King of Glory, increase is guaranteed; the kind of testimony you can’t even ask or imagine will be given you and your tomorrow will certainly be better than your today..
