In Preaching Articles: "Illustrations"

An Illustration On Eternity

By Francis Chan on Oct 14, 2023

Francis Chan shares a powerful sermon illustration about living for God in the short time we have on this earth. Use this illustration in an upcoming message about the importance of living with an eternal focus.

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-15, Colossians 3:1-4, Psalm 37:18

Tags: Self, Confidence, perspective, Eternity, Love, Sacrifice, Resurrection, challenge, Perspective, Faith  (view more)  (view less)

Illustration Variation

By Peter Mead on Sep 1, 2023

Be careful that you don’t get stuck in a rut with your illustration material.

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-48

Tags: Communication, Preaching, illustration, Quotes, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

One Thing That Will Make Or Break Your Preaching In The 21st Century

By Dr. Larry Moyer on May 22, 2020

There is an item you need to be a break-through preacher--without this item, you will simply be a speaker.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15

Tags: Preaching, illustration

10 Commandments Of Sermon Illustrations

By Yuri Doroshuk on Sep 9, 2025

Thou shall be interesting! Here's guidance.

Scripture: John 1:1-20

Tags: diverse, preaching, Preaching, creative, Sensitive  (view more)  (view less)

Are Your Illustrations Fresh? Use This 9-Point Checklist

By Peter Mead on Oct 18, 2025

Every illustration should "let the light in." Do yours?

Tags: Preaching, preaching

How To Find New Sources For Sermon Illustrations

By Erik Raymond on Jun 17, 2021

Are you constantly mining the same sources for your sermon illustrations? Here are five suggestions to keep things fresh.

Tags: Read, biography, newspaper, Classic

The Power Of Vivid Description

By Peter Mead on Jul 22, 2024

Peter Mead: "I’m convinced that one of the key ingredients for effective preaching is effective and vivid description. Practice it. Learn it."

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6

Tags: Power, Preaching, illustration, descriptions, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Sermon Illustration: How Much Should We Give To God?

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 9, 2023

If you've ever taken your kids to McDonald's, then this illustration is right up your alley.

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37, 1 Chronicles 29:1-9

Tags: Giving, Tithe, Give, Tithes, amount  (view more)  (view less)

Are Your Sermon Illustrations Really Indecent Exposure? 10 Critical Checkpoints

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Nov 13, 2024

Sermon illustrations should be like letting sunlight into a window, not like putting a spotlight on a stage.

Scripture: Amos 5:4-15

Tags:

Five Preaching Applications From The Movie Gravity

By Jacob Myers on Jan 14, 2023

In "Gravity" we find a poignant portrayal of what Christian discipleship might look like.

Tags: Gravity, preaching, Faith, Preaching, Prayer, illustration  (view more)  (view less)

33 Wise Sayings From My Most Trusted Teachers

By Ray Hollenbach on Aug 25, 2022

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” ~ C.S. Lewis

Scripture: Proverbs 4:19

Tags: Gems, Quotes, Wise Words, Illustrations, e  (view more)  (view less)

Jesus Illustrated His Sermons: Shouldn't We Follow His Example?

By Justin Trapp on Dec 28, 2024

Discover how one of our Lord's faous sayings was actually a vivid, up-to-date illustration.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Change Your Sermon By Changing Your Spices

By Erik Raymond on May 19, 2023

Are you constantly mining the same sources for your sermon illustrations?

Scripture: Psalm 38:1-10, Colossians 4:1-5

Tags: Spices, Classic, preaching, Read, Preaching, Devotional  (view more)  (view less)

Preach The Past: Discover Powerful Illustrations And Lessons From Church History

By Chris Surber on Oct 1, 2025

A working knowledge of Church history teaches us to be humble. Our footprints aren’t the first tracks on this road.

Scripture: Acts 2:13-40, Acts 25:1-17

Tags:

When Illustrations Become Sermon-Killers (And What To Do About Them)

By Joe Mckeever on Jun 22, 2019

The smart preacher never tells a story that clobbers his sermon and destroys the point he is trying to make.

Tags: Preaching, preaching