Show Love
The sermon emphasizes the importance of kindness and love in lubricating hard places in life and bringing sunshine to sad hearts.
Charles E. Cowman preaches about the importance of kindness and being a source of light and encouragement in the lives of others. He shares the story of an old man who carried a can of oil to lubricate the hard places he encountered, symbolizing the need for us to spread kindness and compassion wherever we go. Cowman emphasizes the impact of small acts of kindness, like a word of encouragement or a gesture of help, in softening the hearts of those around us and preparing them for the grace of the Savior.
Text
"Put on as the elect of God, kindness" (Col. 3:12).
There is a story of an old man who carried a little can of oil with him everywhere he went, and if he passed through a door that squeaked, he poured a little oil on the hinges. If a gate was hard to open, he oiled the latch. And thus he passed through life lubricating all hard places and making it easier for those who came after him.
People called him eccentric, queer, and cranky; but the old man went steadily on refilling his can of oil when it became empty, and oiled the hard places he found.
There are many lives that creak and grate harshly as they live day by day. Nothing goes right with them. They need lubricating with the oil of gladness, gentleness, or thoughtfulness. Have you your own can of oil with you? Be ready with your oil of helpfulness in the early morning to the one nearest you. It may lubricate the whole day for him. The oil, of good cheer to the downhearted one--Oh, how much it may mean! The word of courage to the despairing. Speak it.
Our lives touch others but once, perhaps, on the road of life; and then, mayhap, our ways diverge, never to meet again, The oil of kindness has worn the sharp, hard edges off of many a sin-hardened life and left it soft and pliable and ready for the redeeming grace of the Saviour.
A word spoken pleasantly is a large spot of sunshine on a sad heart. Therefore, "Give others the sunshine, tell Jesus the rest."
"We cannot know the grief
That men may borrow;
We cannot see the souls
Storm-swept by sorrow;
But love can shine upon the way
Today, tomorrow;
Let us be kind.
Upon the wheel of pain so many weary lives are
broken,
We live in vain who give no tender token.
Let us be kind."
"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love" (Rom. 12:10).
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Kindness
- The Power of a Word
- The Call to Be Kind
- We should give others the sunshine of kindness
- We should tell Jesus the rest of our burdens
Key Quotes
“A word spoken pleasantly is a large spot of sunshine on a sad heart.” — Charles E. Cowman
“We cannot know the grief that men may borrow; We cannot see the souls storm-swept by sorrow; But love can shine upon the way today, tomorrow; Let us be kind.” — Charles E. Cowman
“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love.” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- We should strive to be kind and helpful to those around us, lubricating hard places in life with our words and actions.
- A word spoken pleasantly can bring sunshine to a sad heart, so let us be mindful of the words we speak to others.
- We should show love and kindness to those around us, even if we don't know the full extent of their struggles and sorrows.