Throughout history, differing opinions have surfaced on the use of illustrations in preaching. Some have come out to oppose the use of illustrations claiming that it perverts the meaning of the text. Others have argued that the use of illustrations merely seek to entertain the fleshly whims of people. What camp is right in order that we may pitch our tent with them? Are illustrations in preaching a bad thing? Why should we be concerned with this subject anyway?
First, it should be noted that some of the cautions in the anti-illustration camp do have merit. However, before we cross over into that camp and start to point fingers back toward those who condone the use of illustrations, we should see the value of illustrative speech. All through history, faithful men of God have used illustrations in their preaching. From the famous sermon, “Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards to the colorful preaching of Charles Haddon Spurgeon – we see illustrations used in a constructive and healthy manner. The famous hymn writer, John Newton, who penned the powerful hymn that we all love and sing in our services titled, “Amazing Grace” was a pastor. He was one who used colorful speech and illustrations in his sermons that pierced the heart of his congregation. Jesus also used stories and illustrations in His preaching. The parables that Jesus would use to convey His message was a popular way of illustration. Therefore, from history and from the Word of God – we cannot outright deny the use of illustrations in preaching.
While we should not throw out the baby with the bathwater, we should point out that not all ways of illustration are healthy and constructive. For instance, in a recent attempt to illustrate a point in a relevant manner, a pastor had staged a motorcycle on the platform before the congregation. At the planned point, he crawled onto the seat and started the engine. When he let out the clutch, evidently he slipped it a bit resulting in him and the motorcycle landing on the front pew. Not only did the stunt fail causing his illustration to break down – it also broke his ankle and ended his sermon completely. While not all sermon illustrations are so radical – many do end in a similar manner. For instance, when the congregation leaves the building on Sunday remembering the colorful story of the tribal chief who discarded his robe and headdress to save someone who fell down into the tribe’s well rather than the point of Jesus discarding His position of glory and power to come to a sin filled earth to rescue sinners – the illustration has failed. The point of all illustrations is to elevate the meaning of the text rather than overshadowing it.
Another caution is in regard to the meaning of the text. Many preachers have used vivid stories to illustrate their sermons, but in the end, they changed or altered the meaning of the text. It should be noted that while illustrations can be extremely helpful tools, they can likewise be destructive forces that rip apart the Holy text leaving people with a perverted understanding of God’s Word. In an attempt to have a great point to the sermon – the preacher could actually do harm to God’s inerrant Word. That is an extremely dangerous position that all preachers must avoid.
While the use of illustrations in bridging the gap between the ancient text and the modern world is a profitable way of communicating – one use of illustration that is becoming more popular can often do more harm than good. The use of video illustrations are the latest buzz among those who seek to become relevant to their congregations. Everything from Everybody Loves Ramond to clips from The Andy Griffith Show are presented as supporting illustrations in the middle of the sermon. With everything set in place and the sound technician prepared – the sign is given by the preacher during his sermon, the lights dim, and the video clip appears. Two major concerns arise from this type of sermon illustration. (1) The modern society is so bombarded by fancy electronics and presentations that this type of interruption can often provide more of a distraction than a sermon help (illustration). For one, some of the people will be trying to process the old clip of Andy and Barny while remembering their favorite episode of Earnest T. Bass while the preacher is trying to continue his message after the clip ends. (2) The preacher today is of no comparison to the slick presentations of the Hollywood celebrities in communication ability. Therefore, even the most sincere people in the pew will often struggle with unfair comparisons that lead to boredom when the preacher is back to the task of preaching or when he chooses to not use a video clip in his message next week. Therefore, if a video clip needs to be used in a sermon, it would be wise to use it as an opener or in closing to avoid such problems. Even then, if used at the end, it could overshadow the main idea of the sermon in the minds of the people. Therefore, the use of video sermon illustration should be approached with extreme caution.
In the end, illustrations are helpful tools of accenting the sermon, but they should be used in a careful manner. The role of the preacher is to preach the Word rather than entertain people. The amount of laughs, claps, or AMENS each sermon should not dictate success in the mind of the preacher. The successful sermon is one that sends the people away with the single meaning of the text in such a way that it produces change in the heart. Therefore, in my own approach to preaching, although I typically use the deductive approach to my sermon layout – I make use of illustrations in order to connect with the congregation. Illustrative preaching is not a bad thing if used properly to elevate the text of Holy Scripture backed by sound exegesis.
For His Glory and Praise!
Pastor Josh Buice
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2 Responses to “Speaking With Illustrative Words”
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Jesus used illustrations and parables all the time in His teaching.
I think if people are arguing over illustrations, they dont have enough to do and dont have a true value of the responsibility we have as Believers.
Josh,
all good, and right on.
I use a lot of stories in preaching, but avoid TV clips. Also I find sermon powerpoint helpful. Interesting, when I started using the screen people began commenting that the sermon was very “clear.” Nothing in my preaching changed, they were just now SEEING the point, not just hearing it. I also put a lot of pictures on the powerpoint. It’s a TV generation, so it helps to speak to them visually.
I once saw Ed Young bring a full size bed into the sanctuary to preach on sex. I was a taken aback.