Sermon Illustrations on Grace

If you're preaching on Grace, here are a few dozen sermon illustrations about grace from 17 different categories to help you preach more effectively. Feel free to copy and paste. Most illustrations have sources linked, and several have images that are free to use as well.

I love preaching on grace! Over 20+ years, it's one of my favorites to preach on. If you want a free AI research assistant to help you locate and write illustrations on ANY topic, check out this course showing how I've been able to do it. You can get it here:

The Sermon Illustrator Course

Here's a video walkthrough of me showing you exactly how it works to generate 30 illustrations on grace in 30 seconds:

Now, on to the sermon illustrations:

Historical Story Illustrations About Grace

The story of John Newton

Let me tell you about a man whose life is a testimony to the saving grace of God—a man you’ve probably heard of, even if you didn’t know his full story.

His name was John Newton.

Today, we know him as the author of the hymn Amazing Grace, one of the most beloved and widely sung songs in the world. But his journey to writing that hymn is nothing short of miraculous.

John Newton didn’t grow up in Sunday school. He was raised in a seafaring home in 18th-century England and eventually became the captain of a slave ship—yes, you heard that right. He made his living trafficking human lives across the ocean. He was vulgar, violent, and by his own admission, utterly lost.

He later wrote that he lived with “a disregard for all that is holy.” At one point, he was so out of control that even hardened sailors considered him profane.

But God didn’t give up on John Newton.

During a brutal storm at sea in 1748, Newton feared for his life. He cried out to God, more out of desperation than faith. Yet something changed in him that night. The storm didn’t just beat against the ship; it broke through his heart!

That moment started a journey. It wasn’t instant. But slowly, steadily, John Newton came to faith in Christ. And the grace of God not only saved his soul—it changed his direction. He eventually left the slave trade and became a passionate preacher of the gospel and an outspoken voice against slavery.

Years later, when he sat down to write the words of a hymn, this is what flowed from his pen:

Amazing grace! how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.”

Church—if grace can save a man like that, there’s hope for every single one of us. No one is too far gone. No sin too dark. No past too stained.

Grace is amazing because it doesn’t ask if you’re worthy. It asks only if you’re willing to receive it. (Source: The Sermon Illustrator)

Here's a free graphic you can use for your sermon illustration on grace in John Newton's life:

The story of St. Augustine

Long before he became Saint Augustine—the Church Father, the theologian, the author of Confessions—he was just Augustine of Hippo. And he was lost.

Born in North Africa in 354 AD, Augustine was brilliant, charming, and morally reckless. He was raised by a devout Christian mother, Monica, who prayed for him tirelessly. But Augustine had no interest in her faith. He chased pleasure, ambition, and philosophy. He famously asked God, “Grant me chastity and self-control… but not yet.” He lived with a woman out of wedlock for years, fathered a child, and scoffed at the idea of needing saving. He tried religion, philosophy, and self-discipline, but nothing filled the hole in his heart.

Then one day, as a grown man in his early thirties, he was sitting in a garden in utter despair. He was weeping under the weight of his sin and shame—his brilliance hadn’t saved him. His pleasures hadn’t satisfied him.

And then he heard a voice. A child’s voice, over a garden wall, singing: “Take and read, take and read.” Strange words—but they struck him like thunder.

He picked up a scroll of Scripture nearby. His eyes fell on Romans 13:13-14: “Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness… But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”

That was it.

In that moment, grace broke through. Not earned. Not deserved. Just given. The Spirit of God entered a broken, brilliant man, and Augustine surrendered.

That moment began a transformation that would shape the course of Christian history. He later wrote: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”

Science Sermon Illustrations on Grace

The discovery of penicillin

Let me take you back to a cluttered lab in 1928. A Scottish scientist named Alexander Fleming was working with bacteria—messy, dangerous work. He went on vacation and left some petri dishes out. When he returned, he noticed something strange: a mold had grown, and around that mold, the bacteria had died. That mold was penicillin—the world’s first antibiotic.

Think about that for a second: something that could heal infections, stop death in its tracks… was discovered completely by accident. Fleming didn’t create penicillin through sheer brilliance. It was a gift of discovery. And when it was finally produced and distributed, it didn’t matter who the patient was—rich or poor, kind or cruel, moral or immoral. Penicillin healed without asking for credentials.

That’s grace.

God’s grace is like that. You don’t earn it. You don’t deserve it. And yet, when your soul is infected by sin and you’re heading toward death, grace is the miracle that destroys the infection. You don’t have to be worthy—you just have to receive it.

The first successful organ transplant in humans

In December 1954, a groundbreaking medical miracle took place—a moment that reshaped our understanding of grace in both medicine and in Christ.

Richard Herrick, a 23-year-old man living with severe kidney failure, faced imminent death. His body was failing, and without intervention—he had no future.

Then came a gift: an identical twin brother, Ronald Herrick, stepped forward and donated one of his kidneys. Because they were identical twins, the rejection risk was minimal.

On December 23, 1954, surgeons at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston performed the world’s first successful human organ transplant—a kidney transplant between twin brothers. The operation saved Richard’s life and gave him eight more years of full, active living, until his passing in 1963. (Source: Unos.org)

Social Sciences and Psychology Illustrations About Grace

The Stanford Forgiveness Project

Back in the late 1990s, a psychologist named Dr. Fred Luskin launched something called the Stanford Forgiveness Project. It started with a simple, profound question: What happens to people when they choose to forgive?

He and his team studied people from all walks of life—those who had suffered betrayal, loss, even trauma. And what they found was astounding.

When people learned to forgive... not just say the words, but to release resentment and truly let go... they became healthier. Blood pressure dropped. Sleep improved. Anxiety and depression lifted. Relationships healed. Forgiveness didn’t just make them feel better emotionally—it changed them physically. It made them new!

Grace is like that. You don’t achieve it. You don’t work for it. You just open your hands and let go of pride and pain—and receive what you could never earn. Just like forgiveness heals emotional wounds, saving grace heals spiritual wounds—the ones that nothing else can reach.

You might say: “But I don’t deserve it.” That’s the point. Grace isn’t for the deserving. It’s for the desperate. And once you’ve experienced it—like those people in the Forgiveness Project—you’re never the same.

Grace and Attachment Theory

In the world of psychology, there’s a field called attachment theory. It studies how human beings form bonds—especially in the early years of life—and how those bonds shape our emotional well-being.

Researchers found something stunning: children who grow up with a secure attachment—who know they are loved, not because they perform or behave perfectly, but simply because they belong—those kids grow up healthier. They’re more resilient, more confident, and more able to trust others.

But when love is conditional—when it’s based on approval or perfection—it breeds anxiety, fear, and shame.

Now hear this, church: Saving grace gives us secure attachment with God.

The gospel doesn’t say, “Behave and you’ll belong.” It says, “You belong, and I’ll help you become.”

Sermon Illustrations on Grace from Art or Music

Rembrandt's painting "The Return of the Prodigal Son"

There’s a painting hanging in the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia—massive, brooding, tender. It’s called “The Return of the Prodigal Son” by the Dutch master Rembrandt.

In it, the father is bent over, arms wrapped around his son—who kneels before him, ragged and barefoot, his head buried in his father’s chest. The son’s clothes are torn, his hair is shaved, and one of his shoes has fallen off. You can tell—he’s been broken by life.

But what makes the painting so powerful… is the father’s hands.

One hand is strong, masculine. The other, gentle and feminine. It’s Rembrandt’s way of saying: this is a father who is both just and tender, strong and gracious.

And the most important part? The son is not standing. He’s kneeling—because grace doesn’t lift us because we’re worthy. It lifts us because we’re willing to return.

You see, Rembrandt didn’t just imagine this scene—he lived it.

He painted this near the end of his life, after burying three of his children and his wife, after squandering money, suffering scandal, and experiencing rejection. In many ways, Rembrandt was the prodigal. And that painting wasn’t just his art—it was his confession.

He knew what it meant to be welcomed home by a grace he didn’t deserve. (Source: https://haventoday.org/blog/return-prodigal-son/)

The Story of Amazing Grace

You’ve heard the song—Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me… But have you ever stopped to consider why that song still brings tears to people’s eyes, centuries after it was written?

It’s not just because of the melody. It’s because those lyrics tell our story.

When John Newton penned those words in 1772, he wasn’t writing a hymn for the polished or the proud. He was writing a confession—a declaration that God’s grace had saved a man who didn’t deserve saving.

But what’s amazing is that those words didn’t stay stuck in history. They found their way into prisons and cathedrals, war zones and hospital rooms, whispered in hospital beds and shouted in revival tents. They’ve been sung at funerals and baptisms, on street corners and in stadiums.

Why?

Because every soul knows what it feels like to be lost. Every heart knows the ache of needing grace.

And this song gives voice to the miracle of salvation: that we don’t save ourselves. God saves wretches—people like John Newton. People like us. When we sing “I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see,” we’re not just quoting lyrics—we’re quoting our testimony.

Illustrations from Roman Culture

Sermon Illustration on Roman Patronage

In the world of the New Testament, the Roman Empire was a society built on something called patronage. It was all about status, loyalty, and power.

If you wanted to get ahead in life, you needed a patron—a wealthy, powerful person who could open doors for you. But it came at a price. You had to constantly prove your loyalty. Show up at their home every morning. Sing their praises in public. Support their interests. If you failed to honor them… the favor could be withdrawn.

And here’s the key: you had to earn their approval. Nothing was free. Even a “gift” came with strings attached.

Now picture this: into that world steps a message so radical, so upside-down, it turned everything on its head.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves—it is the gift of God, not by works…” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

That’s not how the Roman world worked. God didn’t say, “Perform well and I’ll bless you.” He said, “You’re dead in your sins—and I’m coming to raise you to life, just because I love you.”

It wasn’t patronage. It was pure grace. In a culture where everything was transactional, where every favor had a cost, the gospel offered something scandalous: salvation that couldn’t be bought and didn’t have to be earned.

Illustrations on Gentile Inclusion in Grace

Imagine you’re a first-century Jew. You’ve grown up knowing you’re part of God’s chosen people. You’ve kept the Law, honored the traditions, and stayed far away from the Gentiles—those outside the covenant, those seen as unclean.

Then suddenly… everything changes.

Jesus rises from the dead. The Holy Spirit falls. And then one day, a Roman soldier named Cornelius—a Gentile—believes in Jesus, and the Holy Spirit comes on him just like He did on you.

And Peter, the Jewish fisherman turned apostle, stands up and says something that rocks the religious world to its core: “God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean… God does not show favoritism.” (Acts 10:28, 34)

Do you feel the shock? The early church had to wrestle with the idea that God’s salvation was no longer just for people who looked like them, ate like them, worshiped like them, or followed their rules.

The dividing wall was torn down. And grace became the great equalizer.

Paul would later write, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

This is saving grace: not just that it rescues sinners, but that it welcomes outsiders.

It doesn’t check your background at the door. It doesn’t care about your resume. It says, “You belong here, not because of who you are… but because of who Jesus is.”

And if it welcomed Gentiles in the first century… it will welcome you today.

Biblical Parallels

The Thief on the Cross

It’s one of the rawest, most grace-filled scenes in all of Scripture.

Jesus is hanging on the cross—beaten, bleeding, barely breathing. And on either side of Him are two criminals. One mocks Him: “If You’re really the Messiah, get us down from here!”

But the other… he’s different.

He looks at Jesus through bloodied eyes and a broken heart. And with a voice strained by pain, he says something stunning: “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42)

That’s it. No long prayer. No baptism. No list of good deeds. Just a desperate plea from a dying man.

And Jesus turns to him—His own body wracked with pain—and answers with a promise that echoes through the ages: “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

That’s saving grace. That thief didn’t earn it. He didn’t clean himself up first. He had nothing to offer but his brokenness and belief. And Jesus said, That’s enough.

You want to know what grace looks like? It looks like the Savior of the world promising heaven to a dying criminal—because mercy triumphs over judgment.

And if grace could reach him in his final moments, it can reach you right now.

The Woman Caught in Adultery

It’s early morning, and Jesus is teaching in the temple courts when a group of religious leaders barges in, dragging a woman behind them.

She’s not just accused—she’s caught in the act of adultery. Humiliated. Exposed. Thrown into the dust at Jesus’ feet. She doesn't even try to defend herself.

And then the trap is set. “Teacher,” they say, “this woman was caught in adultery. The Law of Moses commands us to stone such a woman. What do you say?” (John 8:4–5)

They’re not just putting the woman on trial. They’re putting Jesus on trial. If He says let her go, He breaks the law. If He says stone her, He loses the very reputation of mercy and grace that draws people in.

But Jesus doesn’t answer with a lecture.

He kneels down… and starts writing in the dirt. No one knows exactly what He wrote. Maybe the names of the accusers. Maybe their own sins. Maybe just a line in the sand.

Then He stands up and says words that have echoed through history: “Let the one who is without sin cast the first stone.” (John 8:7)

One by one, from the oldest to the youngest, the stones fall. The accusers walk away.

And then Jesus turns to the woman and says, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, Lord,” she replies, “Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.”* (John 8:10–11)

That is saving grace. She deserved judgment. The law was clear. But Jesus offered something greater: mercy in place of condemnation, and a new beginning instead of an ending.

Grace didn’t excuse her sin. It just refused to let her be defined by it.

And maybe that’s your story, too. You’re not proud of where you’ve been. But Jesus isn’t waiting with a stone—He’s offering you a hand.

Current Events Illustrations about Grace

Conversion of Chuck Colson

In the 1970s, Chuck Colson was known as the “hatchet man” of the Nixon administration—fierce, ruthless, and willing to destroy reputations to protect political power. He was deeply involved in the Watergate scandal, and for a time, it seemed like his name would forever be associated with corruption and disgrace.

But then, grace intervened.

After resigning, as the walls of his world were collapsing, Colson met with a friend—Tom Phillips—who handed him a copy of C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity. Colson read it, and the Spirit of God pierced his heart. One night, sitting in his car, he broke down in tears. The tough political operator—the man who once said he’d run over his own grandmother for the President—was undone by the realization that he was a sinner in need of forgiveness.

He gave his life to Christ.

And here’s the incredible part: grace didn’t just forgive Colson’s past. It transformed his future. He went to prison—not as a victim, but as a man ready to own his guilt. And after prison, he didn’t fade into obscurity. Instead, he founded Prison Fellowship, which became the largest prison ministry in the world. The man who once helped orchestrate crimes now spent the rest of his life serving criminals with the love of Christ.

Conversion of ISIS Fighters

It sounds unbelievable. Like something out of a movie. But it’s true.

In recent years, organizations working in the Middle East have shared testimonies of former ISIS fighters—men who were once filled with hate and committed acts of terror—encountering Jesus Christ and becoming followers of Him.

One such story is of a man who had been deeply involved in violence. He had blood on his hands. He was feared, even by his own people. But something started to happen—he had dreams. Night after night, he kept seeing a man in white. A man who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

Eventually, he met a Christian who dared to share the gospel with him, at great risk. And instead of responding with rage, he broke down. He had been haunted by guilt. By faces. By the weight of everything he had done.

And when he heard about Jesus—about a Savior who not only forgives sinners, but loves enemies—it shattered him.

He gave his life to Christ.

He now lives in hiding—not from Christians, but from his former brothers in arms. (Source: persecution.org)

Illustrations from Other Cultures

Japan's Kintsugi Art

In Japan, there’s an ancient art form called kintsugi. It means “golden joinery.” When a piece of pottery breaks—say, a bowl or a vase—they don’t throw it away.

Instead, they gather the broken pieces, and then a master craftsman carefully repairs it using a special lacquer mixed with powdered gold. The cracks aren’t hidden—they’re highlighted. The scars shine. The fractures are lined with brilliance.

And the result? The bowl is more beautiful than it was before it broke. More valuable. More treasured. Not in spite of the cracks—but because of them.

That is saving grace. When we come to Jesus, we are not flawless vessels. We are cracked. Broken. Ashamed. But God doesn’t throw us out.

He doesn’t pretend the cracks were never there. He doesn’t smooth over the damage like it never happened. He redeems it.

He fills the broken places with His mercy. He seals the fractures with His love. And when He’s done, your story isn’t uglier—it’s more radiant.

The scars tell the story of grace.

Examples from U.S. History

The Great Awakening

In the mid-1700s, the American colonies were spiritually dry. Churches were formal, sermons were cold, and people were spiritually asleep. Religion had become more about tradition than transformation.

But then… something began to stir. A movement swept across the land. It wasn’t powered by politics or programs. It was powered by grace. We call it The Great Awakening.

Men like George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards began to preach with urgency—not just to the head, but to the heart. And what was their message?

Not just law. Not fear. But grace. Edwards, famous for his sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” didn’t leave people trembling in shame—he pointed them to a God ready to forgive. He wrote about people being “melted with tears” as they came to Christ.

George Whitefield traveled thousands of miles on horseback, preaching outdoors to crowds of 10,000 or more. And his message was simple: You are a sinner—but Jesus came to save you, not because you’re good, but because He’s gracious.

And the Spirit moved. Lives were changed. Taverns emptied. Churches filled. Families healed. The colonies were transformed—not by control, but by conviction and compassion.

Sports Stories Illustrating Grace

Michael Vick Story

He had it all. Fame. Fortune. Talent. Michael Vick was one of the most electrifying quarterbacks the NFL had ever seen. But behind the highlight reels and endorsement deals… there was a dark secret. He was running a brutal dogfighting ring—funding it, participating in it, and covering it up.

In 2007, it all came crashing down. He was arrested. Convicted. Sent to federal prison. Sponsors vanished. Fans turned. His name, once celebrated, became a symbol of disgrace.

But prison did something unexpected. Michael Vick didn’t just serve time—he faced himself. He later said, “I turned to God. I asked Him to forgive me. And I promised to change.”

And change he did. He served 21 months in federal prison. And when he got out—after all the headlines, hate, and humiliation—he began the slow, painful work of rebuilding his life.

He didn’t just return to football—he returned differently. He spoke out against animal cruelty. Partnered with humane organizations. Owned his actions publicly. And slowly, many who once hated him saw something rare: a man who didn’t excuse his past—but owned it, changed, and moved forward in humility. (Source: christianitytoday.com)

Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey

In 1947, Jackie Robinson walked onto a baseball field and changed history. He was the first African American to break the color barrier in Major League Baseball.

But it wasn’t just his skill that made him great. It was the grace with which he faced hate. He was spit on. Taunted. Threatened. Pitchers threw at his head. Fans hurled slurs. Teammates resented him. But Jackie didn’t retaliate. Why?

Because before he ever wore a Dodgers uniform, he had a meeting with a man named Branch Rickey—the general manager who dared to sign him.

Rickey was a devout Christian. And he didn’t just want a great player—he wanted a man who could respond to hatred with dignity. He told Jackie, “I'm looking for a ballplayer with guts enough not to fight back.”

And Jackie agreed. For three full years, he took the abuse. Not because he was weak—but because he was anchored. He showed grace when every instinct screamed for revenge.

But here’s what’s often missed: Jackie didn’t do it alone.

Branch Rickey believed in grace. He believed that America—and baseball—needed redemption. And he gave Jackie a chance that no one else would. He opened the door—not because Jackie was perfect, but because he believed in a better story. (Source: wespath.org)

Little-known or Forgotten Characters

Charles Colcock Jones

Charles Colcock Jones was born in Georgia in 1804, into privilege, wealth… and slavery. His family owned a plantation, and Charles inherited that legacy. He was raised in a culture that treated human beings as property—and for a while, he didn’t question it.

But something began to stir. As a young man, Charles was deeply impacted by a revival—a season of awakening in his own heart. He felt God’s call to ministry. But as he preached to his fellow Southerners, something wouldn’t leave him alone: the haunting contradiction between the gospel he loved and the system he benefited from.

He began preaching to the slaves on his own plantation. But over time, preaching wasn’t enough. His heart began to change. Conviction turned into action.

He eventually freed his slaves, rejected the system of slavery, and used his influence to challenge the Southern church’s silence. He wrote passionately that enslaved people were “souls for whom Christ died.”

In a culture that told him to stay quiet and enjoy the benefits of his class, Charles chose the harder path—because grace had changed him.

He didn’t just add religion to his life. He repented. He restructured his values. He let grace rewrite his legacy. (Source: Christian History Institute)

Karla Faye Tucker, the Murderer who was saved

Her name was Karla Faye Tucker. In 1983, Karla committed a brutal double murder in Houston, Texas. She was 23 years old—hooked on drugs, deep in a violent lifestyle, and completely unrepentant. She was caught, convicted, and sentenced to die.

But while sitting on death row, something happened that no one could have predicted. She found a Bible. And then… she found Jesus. Over time, Karla’s heart began to change. The hate was replaced with humility. The violence gave way to peace. She admitted her guilt. She didn’t beg for release—she asked for forgiveness.

She became a follower of Christ. And not in a shallow, last-minute way. Her transformation was deep, genuine, and lasting. Guards, lawyers, and even the families of the victims noted the change. By the time she was executed in 1998, she had become a living witness of the gospel—even leading Bible studies on death row.

Her final words? “I love all of you very much. I'm going to be face to face with Jesus now... I’ll see you all when you get there.” (Source: Grace Evangelical Society)

Court Case Illustrations about Grace

The People Vs. Wilson

In 1830, a man named George Wilson was convicted of robbing the United States mail and was sentenced to death. But something unusual happened. President Andrew Jackson decided to extend grace—he issued a pardon, sparing Wilson from the gallows.

Now here’s the twist: George Wilson refused the pardon. He didn’t want it. No one really understood why—maybe pride, maybe guilt, maybe fear. But he said he would not accept it.

That left the government in a bind. What do you do with a man who’s been pardoned, but won’t receive the pardon? So, the case went all the way to the United States Supreme Court.

Chief Justice John Marshall delivered the opinion of the court. He said this: “A pardon is a deed, to the validity of which delivery is essential, and delivery is not complete without acceptance. It may then be rejected by the person to whom it is tendered, and we have discovered no power in this court to force it upon him.”

In other words: a pardon, even from the President of the United States, is not valid unless the person receives it.

George Wilson had a pardon in his hands, and he still faced judgment because he would not accept it.

Don’t let that be your story. Today, the pardon is offered. The grace is available. But like George Wilson, it must be received. (Source: Wikipedia)

Final Thought: How to Get More Sermon Illustrations on Grace (or any topic!)

You just scrolled through a treasure trove of sermon illustrations on grace. But what if you could do that every week—on any topic?

What if you had a research assistant who worked 24/7, never needed coffee breaks, and could generate 30 powerful, categorized illustrations in 30 seconds?

That’s exactly what the Sermon Illustrator tool does—and it comes free with the course:👉 How Pastors Can Use AI for Sermon Prep (Without Selling Out or Cheating)

This course walks you through how to brainstorm faster, find richer illustrations, create compelling visuals, and extend your sermon’s impact—with integrity. You’ll get the exact prompts I use, word-for-word. It’s practical, ethical, and built for pastors who want to stay faithful and effective.

Don’t keep shouldering the whole burden of sermon prep alone. Let AI do what it does best—so you can do what only you can do: preach with fire, love your people, and feed the flock.

🎯 Click here to get started.

Explore More:

• 🔍 Sermon Illustration Complete Index – Browse every illustration hub on the site

• 💡 The Best AI Prompts for Sermon Prep – Use AI like a pro with these tested prompts

• 📚 How to Find Better Sermon Illustrations – Learn the strategy behind sourcing unforgettable stories