The sermon, based on Psalm 34, emphasizes the importance of cultivating tenderness in our relationships with God and others, especially for men. The pastor begins by explaining how Psalm 34 is written under duress by David, who was fleeing from Saul and pretended to be insane to escape. Despite his difficult circumstances, David begins the Psalm with praise, showing that our praise for God is a learned practice that strengthens us in adversity.

Key verses, such as Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit,” highlight the need for emotional and spiritual brokenness before God. The sermon emphasizes that brokenness (a crushed and contrite spirit) is essential for growth in the Christian life, as it allows God to work in us and through us.

The pastor challenges the cultural stereotype that men should not show tenderness, explaining that true strength comes from being tender and responsive, not only to others but to God. He stresses the importance of being tender as fathers, spouses, and leaders, arguing that tenderness involves understanding the needs of those around us and responding with care and humility. As a pastor, he shares personal examples of how being tender means making decisions with the well-being of others in mind, even when it’s difficult.

The sermon continues by examining why people, especially men, struggle with tenderness, attributing it to pride, hardened hearts, fear of vulnerability, and worldly distractions. Pride, the pastor explains, keeps men from admitting their mistakes or humbling themselves before others. Hardened hearts prevent them from feeling conviction or responding to God’s call, often because of past hurts or emotional scars. The fear of vulnerability makes people resist tenderness because it exposes them to potential pain or rejection. Lastly, worldly distractions, such as the pursuit of money, power, or immorality, shift our focus away from God and the people around us, causing us to lose our tenderness and sensitivity.

Throughout the sermon, the pastor urges men and women to adopt a posture of humility, allowing themselves to be broken before God so that they can be made whole and useful in His service. He reminds the congregation that true joy and fulfillment come from fearing and revering the Lord, as expressed in Psalm 34:8, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusts in Him.” The message concludes with a call to reflect on personal priorities and motivations, encouraging believers to let go of worldly distractions and cultivate tenderness in their relationship with God and others.

In sum, the pastor stresses that we must be tender-hearted and vulnerable before God, trust in His deliverance from all troubles, and apply His teachings to our lives. True strength, he argues, lies in humility, tenderness, and reliance on God, which leads to blessings and spiritual growth.

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