The Curious Case of the Illusive Illustration

2. Television and Movies

• News broadcasts may contain stories that connect with your listeners, though you should avoid using specific names.

• You might occasionally refer to characters in a television show, but be careful to choose those that are appropriate for

children. Too, such references should be self-contained; don’t assume everyone is watching the same show.

• Movies and movie clips can help tell a story but only if you don’t have to re-tell the movie plot in order for hearers to understand the point. Too, avoid any movie with a rating that would raise eyebrows or lower respect.

3. Internet and E-mails

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• The Internet can be a treasure chest of illustrations as long as you are not researching illustrations. By that I mean do not go to Web sites of sermons or sermon illustrations as your first resort. Instead, do a search of stories, quotations or statistics related to the topics or ideas contained in the scriptural text. Double-check the validity of anything you choose to use.

• Widen the scope of your search. I discovered testimonies by educators at a secular university in the west. The school had given Christian professors a page on which they could record their thoughts. Six months later I used one testimony in a message to college students at my church.

• Be wary of forwarded e-mail material since it often is spurious, such as the perennial claims about Madalyn Murray O’Hair.

• Many electronic newsletters can give you valuable information for illustrations. From Michael Duduit’s PreachingNow newsletter I regularly pick up humorous lists and great stories. Max Lucado, Jack Graham, Rick Warren, John Piper, Charles Stanley and others also have electronic newsletters that contain quotes or stories worthy of repeating (with credit). Culture Connection, ChurchReportDaily and CTDirect (Christianity Today Direct) keep me informed of newsworthy religious and cultural issues from the contemporary scene. The Christian History Connection newsletter reminds me of historical issues and characters. Prisoner Alert and Voice of the Martyrs offer stories of faith in the face of persecution. Newsletters from the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention also keep me informed about God’s work around the world, sharing many stories of faith to encourage my congregation. LifeWay Christian Resources also offers various helpful e-letters, including Pastors Today and The Bivocational Pastor.

4. Everyday Life

• Watch people around you. If you really want to connect, next time you are at the mall, go to the food court and spend an hour people watching. Take a notebook because what you see and hear will be priceless.

• Observe signs on billboards, trucks and bumper stickers as you drive; but wait until you are at home to record the illustration!

• Spend time with people of all ages. Listening to them will provide wonderful insight into human nature, build deeper relationships and (with their permission) possibly yield additional anecdotes for future sermons.

• Be on the lookout for appropriate metaphors. Postmodern listeners perk their ears to well-formed metaphors or similes. Although that should not be really new—Chestor Swor and Vance Havner were using sweet turns of phrases to make one-sentence illustrations long before most postmoderns were born.

However you discover and file your illustrations, remember that the primary point is the Bible and its application to your people’s lives. Illustrations are not the main thing; they merely help us understand the main thing. A well-balanced sermon has solid exposition of the biblical text, practical application to the lives of real people in the pews and powerful illustrations that connect with your congregation. To which Holmes replied, “Elementary, dear preacher, elementary.”