Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas

Sermon Illustrations

Before her death, Judy Lawson became a spiritual Mother of scores of hardened criminals. "On her last Mother’s Day," according to Bill Myers, "she received 40 Mother’s Day cards from men whose life she touched." Her prison ministry began eighteen months after her son was brutally murdered. She knew it was God’s will for her to forgive the murderer, and she had spoken the words, but she continued to harbor ill will toward the man who robbed her of her son. She had agreed to never say "no" to God, so when she heard Him saying, "I want you to love the man who killed your son" she had no choice but to fight the natural rage boiling up and to practice Christian love and forgiveness.

While visiting a prison to support a friend at a parole hearing, she came face-to-face with the murderer. She fought God, but soon, in faith gave in to His leading to speak to the man. "Richard," she said, "my name is Judy Lawson--you murdered my son and I want you to know that I love you and I forgive you."

The man began sobbing and the prison guards removed her...

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
     | 57,679 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

  • Forgive Or Not To Forgive

    Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Feb 28, 2012
    based on 1 rating
     | 31,271 views

    Forgiveness is the way the Lord releases us from guilt and sets us free to continue loving God and others.

  • Forgive Or Not To Forgive

    Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Feb 28, 2012
    based on 1 rating
     | 31,271 views

    Forgiveness is the way the Lord releases us from guilt and sets us free to continue loving God and others.

  • The Goodness Of God Series

    Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Feb 2, 2010
    based on 2 ratings
     | 25,046 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

  • Core Values - Compassion

    Contributed by Paul Cull on Apr 18, 2007
    based on 6 ratings
     | 23,934 views

    Compassion is a core value in our church - why?