Bryan Wilkerson

Ah, those blasted and blessed sermon illustrations! We know they're important to good preaching. As Haddon Robinson always said good illustrations gain attention, clarify truth, aid memory, stir emotion, and establish rapport. So how do you find them? And then how do you use them in your sermon. After 30 years of effective preaching, our friend Bryan Wilkerson from Boston has distilled his five most important discoveries about illustrating your sermon. Here's a sample from his article: "Illustrations, like songbirds, are all around us, and even in our heads. We have to tune our ears to hear them. Then, with enthusiasm and directness, point them out to our listeners, so we can all thrill to the music of heaven."

Bryan Chapell

Speaking of good illustrations, Bryan Chapell begins his sermon on Psalm 117 with this opening line: "On a Sunday morning in 2013, two Muslim suicide bombers entered All Saints' Church in Peshawar, Pakistan and detonated the explosives, killing 127 men, women, and children." Chapell continues by telling us that the people of that church came back the next Sunday and worshipped. Why? What motivated them? And what could possibly motivate the church in the West to continue worshipping and reaching the nations with the gospel, even in the midst of suffering? Check out his beautiful and moving sermon on the shortest chapter in the Bible—"A Song for All People."

Also, check out these new resources:

• Featured Illustration: 'Mothers' Voices' Ad Campaign in Columbia
• Featured Video: God's Love for You: This video looks at God's love for you and the plan he has for you.
• Featured Sermon: "A Song for All People" by Bryan Chapell
• Featured Skills Article: "5 Surprises about Illustrating Sermons" by Bryan Wilkerson

Matt Woodley
Editor, PreachingToday.com
mwoodley@christianitytoday.com

Matt Woodley is the pastor of compassion ministries at Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton, Illinois.