Every week, the sermon that impacts the lives of your congregation most is the one you deliver. This sermon will help equip you to deliver powerful sermons! Perhaps preach a story—Acts 12:1-19 is a great place to begin, or the parable of the lost sheep, or Jesus freeing the Garasene Demoniac. As much as possible, find a text that does not demand that you explain a lot of context before you can exposit it. Make sure you preach the text not an idea within the text.
Creating powerful sermons is a crucial skill for any young pastor. These short sermons will help you plan, preach and prepare your Sunday sermon. Every sermon is broken down into three-parts: The Intentional Element, The Biblical Element, and The Powerful Element. Learn how to craft an engaging message that will impact the lives of your congregation.
Powerful Short Sermon
The Power of Forgiveness
Facing the Challenge
Dear congregation, today we are gathered here to talk about the power of forgiveness. Forgiveness is something that can be difficult to understand and even harder to put into practice. However, it is a crucial aspect of our faith that we cannot ignore. Let’s turn to the Bible to explore this topic further.
Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” This verse from the book of Matthew reminds us of the importance of forgiveness in our lives. God calls us to forgive others just as He forgives us. When we hold grudges and refuse to forgive, we are not following God’s example of love and mercy.
2.Learning from Jesus
We can find the ultimate example of forgiveness in Jesus Christ. Despite being betrayed, denied, and crucified, Jesus demonstrated forgiveness to all, even to those who persecuted Him. In Luke 23:34, we read:
Luke 23:34 “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Jesus’s act of forgiveness on the cross shows us the power of letting go of resentment and choosing to forgive others. It is not easy, but it is possible with God’s help.
Practical Steps
So, how can we practice forgiveness in our daily lives? Here are a few practical steps to consider:
- Reflect on times when you have been forgiven by others and by God.
- Pray for the strength to forgive those who have hurt you.
- Seek reconciliation and offer forgiveness, even if the other person does not apologize.
- Let go of bitterness and resentment, and choose to focus on healing and restoration.
Remember, forgiveness is not a one-time event but a continuous choice we make. As we forgive others, we experience the freedom and peace that come from following God’s commandments. Let us strive to be like Jesus in extending forgiveness to all.
More Powerful Short Sermon
Matthew 4:12-17
12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:
15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 the people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.”
17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
CONSIDER THIS
Scratch John off Israel’s most wanted list and move Jesus to the top. They shut John down which sent Jesus into stealth mode. John had spoken truth to power one too many times and it would cost him dearly. Fresh from a season of speaking truth to Satan, now Jesus would go to speak truth into darkness. It would have the effect of a great light dawning on those “living in the land of the shadow of death.”
He will literally be on the run from this point on. He will have a hometown—Capernaum—just not a home. He’s going to opt for unschooled fishermen instead of seminary graduates and despised tax collectors instead of esteemed business men. He will relish secrecy around his miraculous work. Jesus knows his days are numbered. In the illustrious words of Bandit, he’s got a long way to go and a short time to get there. He has come to announce the beginning of the end of the present evil age and the dawning of the age to come. His mission was so focused he could summarize his message into nine words:
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
The rest of the Gospel will elucidate and explicate these nine words. What is the kingdom of heaven? It’s the powerful presence and passionate love of God in the midst of his people. What does “repent” mean? The good news is we don’t have to guess at it. Jesus is going to teach us exactly what it means. Matthew’s Gospel will unfold it for us in five major teaching sessions.
For now, here’s how I understand the meaning of this nine-word sermon. It means everything you would do and all the ways you would prepare if you found out Jesus was coming to your house today—not to visit, but to stay.
I think if I were leading a local church today, I would make this the mission statement: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” What do you think would happen or what difference would it make, if every church in the land scratched out their present mission statement and replaced it with these words? What if it were written over the door frame as we entered our sanctuaries and on the inside of the door so we could see it as we departed? What if it were posted on our homes and affixed to the dashboards of our vehicles? I think if I were going to engrave words into my skin it would be these nine words.
I may be wrong, but I think the whole tamale is wrapped up in these words. Ask me my mission and I will respond: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” And you?
Heart Touching Sermons Verses
Here are 10 to 12 Bible verses that can serve as the foundation for a heart-touching sermon:
1. John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
2. Psalm 23:1
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
3. Philippians 4:13
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
4. Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
5. Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
6. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
7. Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
8. Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
9. Isaiah 40:31
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
10. Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.