A good sermon illustration fleshes out your sermon outline.

They give it life!

A great sermon illustration can take a person from “I think I sort of get it” to “Aha, I see exactly what you mean!” 💡

Our purpose in preaching is life change. When we’re drawing up our sermon outlines we’re thinking,

“How can I make them see this and feel it and be changed by it?“

Our sermons can be thought through and well-structured but life change will only happen if we connect with the hearts and minds of our listeners.

We need to connect on an emotional level.

The key here is to connect, not just communicate.

Connecting opens the door to life change and great sermon illustrations empower us to do just that.

A good sermon illustration will reach out and grab your listeners and pull them into your content. It will make them care.

Jesus Always Used Sermon Illustrations

In Learn How To Preach Like Jesus we looked at Jesus’ preaching style and saw that Jesus used illustrations in his messages all the time.

Parable: an earthly story with a spiritual truth

In fact, Matthew 13:34 says that Jesus never preached without illustrating his point.

And while we’re looking at Matthew 13, in this one chapter alone, Jesus gives 6 different illustrations or pictures to show us the Kingdom of God is like:

• A farmer who planted good seed…
• A nut that grows into a huge pine tree…
• Yeast a woman uses to make for dozens of loaves…
• Treasure hidden in a field…
• A jewel merchant on the hunt for excellent pearls…
• A fishnet cast into the sea…

Illustrations are used by teachers, preachers, parents, or anyone who is trying to get a message across effectively.

Stories are powerful; they give your listeners a visual picture of what you’re saying.

People remember mental pictures. If people can remember your sermons then they’ll take them with them. As the saying goes – memorable is portable.

I think we all agree that sermon illustrations are important to highlight and illuminate your message, but how do you use illustrations?

There are plenty of websites and resources on where to find sermon illustrations, but I want to talk about how to use them.

You can tell a brilliant story but tell it wrong and it loses its impact…

You can give a great illustration at the wrong time and your meaning is lost…

So here are 5 recommended tweaks for powerful and effective sermon illustrations:

1. Ensure Your Illustration Fits Your Flow

You and I have different ways of sharing and expressing an idea but when it comes to preaching point we explain, teach, illustrate and apply it.

But should we illustrate, teach, explain and apply it or teach, apply illustrate and explain?

I think the key here is to find what works for you and your natural flow the most.

Maybe you teach your insights and observances before moving into a sermon illustration which emphasises your point.

After that, you might want to flow naturally into life application.

The main thing is to be intentional and think through each point before stepping up to the pulpit.

So how can you know which works best for you?

Simple!

Practice out loud a few times.

Record yourself if you’d like.

Make your point, explain it, teach it, apply it, and illustrate it.

Each time you practice change up the order and see what flows the most naturally.

This doesn’t mean you can’t change it up in the moment, but the process of thinking it through means I already have a sense of where it will fit best with the sermon flow.

2. Dive Right In

When it comes to impactful sermon illustrations just dive right into it. You don’t need to give an introduction to your illustration.

Okay, this might be a pet peeve of mine but maybe you’ve listened to preachers saying things like…

“And now I’m going to give you an illustration to illustrate this point.”

If you give this wordy, unnecessary introduction, then your illustration is probably dead before you even get started.

Just say it.

Just tell the story.

Just give the example.

Just give the illustration.

Your listener’s brains are working much faster than your mouth is moving. They will connect the dots if the illustration is effective and makes sense.

3. Make Sure It Supports Your Point

Your sermon illustration should support your sermon point and not the other way around.

However great an illustration may be, don’t try to force it into your message if it doesn’t fit.

If you have to force how it connects to your point, don’t use it.

Overstretching yourself to try and connect your sermon illustration with your point is like having to explain the punchline to a joke – it loses its impact.

Remember that your illustration, whether it be a story or visual illustration, is supposed to support and enhance the point of your sermon.

Anything other than this just causes confusion and muddies the water, leaving your listeners scratching their heads and trying to connect the dots.

If you want to be sure it connects, test it out ahead of time.

Run it by your preaching team and get feedback.

4. Keep It Interesting

There are few things worse than being forced to listen to a boring sermon.

One of the major advantages of an illustration that’s used well is that it captures and holds the attention of your congregation. We already know that everyone loves a good story.

On the flip side of the coin, if your illustration is too academic or boring then you’ve missed a good opportunity.

Always try and tell personal and memorable stories.

If appropriate, add a healthy serving of humour too.

Personal stories almost always deliver, but vary your approach and keep them fresh.

5. Show (Don’t Tell)

This last tweak follows on from the previous point of making sure that the stories and illustrations you use in your sermons succeed in captivating your audience’s attention.

Don’t just tell; show.

I’ll show you what I mean…

Taken from emmadarwin.typepad.com, here are 3 examples showing the difference between telling and showing:

• Telling/informing: The temperature had fallen overnight and the heavy frost reflected the sun’s rays brightly.

• Showing/evoking: The morning air was bitter ice in her nose and mouth, and dazzling frost lay on every bud and branch.

• Telling/informing: The taller man was a carpenter, complete with the tools of his trade.

• Showing/evoking: A saw and hammer dangled from his belt and an adze was hooked into it, one thumbnail was black, and when he bowed she saw several long wood shavings caught in his curly hair.

• Telling/informing: They stood close and wrapped their arms around each other in a passionate embrace so that she became aware that he had been riding, and then that he was as nervous as she was.

• Showing/evoking: They gripped each other and the tweed of his jacket was rough under her cheek. His hand came up to stroke her hair; she smelled leather and horses on the skin of his wrist. He was trembling.

Again, it’s all about giving people a mental image.

Whilst telling just gives basic facts about what’s happening, showing takes the person there. It explains the thoughts, sounds and smells.

It helps them to see the story and not just hear it.

Which is better?

a) “I missed the bus.” (telling)

Or

“I raced down the road, wildly waving my hands, and yelling, “Stop, stop!” but the bus travelled on down the road without stopping.” (showing)

Sharing the story enables your church members to make a personal connection with what you’re saying which increases the likelihood of them remembering and applying what you’ve said.

Make Your Next Sermon Your Best One Yet

The #1 secret to growing your church is the ability to prepare and present memorable and engaging sermons week after week.

That’s why investing in yourself as a preacher will be the biggest game-changer in terms of unlocking your church’s growth potential.

If you’re ready to transform your preaching and reclaim your Saturdays back then here are the best preaching courses we’ve found so far…

Any Other Sermon Illustration Tips?

Scroll down and let us know in the comments.