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In this episode, Smith and Southerland walk backward to the beginning point for creating powerful, high-impact illustrations.  We give 2 audio examples of our own attempts from live sermons.

An illustration (as used in a sermon) is "a concrete analogy of an abstract spiritual truth."  An illustration appeals to the imagination of the listener because it, by its very nature, contains imagery.  That’s why illustrations are often given in the form of a story — a favorite technique of Jesus Himself.

A good illustration has a high "correlation factor" to the abstract principle that it illustrates.  We discuss how to insure that the picture you paint in the concrete analogizes well (man, we hope that’s a real word) with the principle that you’re illustrating.  It has to correlate as much as possible. 

Mentioned in this show:

• 12 Essential Skills For Great Preaching by Dr. Wayne McDill