3 Sermon Illustrations on Preaching Methods

3 illustrations

Preaching methods encompass the various styles and techniques used to communicate God's Word effectively, highlighting the importance of adaptability and creativity in ministry. Illustrations often use humorous or unconventional examples, such as unique writing styles or storytelling approaches, to show how different methods can engage and instruct diverse audiences (1 Corinthians 9:22).

Illustrations, How to Use

Lord Timothy Dexter humorously left punctuation out, illustrating diverse approaches to preaching and teaching.

When the eccentric Lord Timothy Dexter of Newburyport wrote his famous book, entitled "A Pikel for the Knowing Ones," there happened to be many doctrines abroad in the land regarding punctuation; and as many diverse systems appeared for the location of commas, semicolons, periods, dashes, &c., as there were works published. To obviate this difficulty, and to give every one an opportunity of suiting himself, his lordship left out all marks of punctuation from the body of his work and, at the ending of the book, had printed four or five pages of nothing but stops and pauses with which he said the reader could pepper his dish as he chose. American Anecdotes.

"With Great Discretion."

Illustrations in preaching require as much discretion in making as in using.

Mr. Spurgeon once met a High Churchman, who told him that he had purchased Feathers for Arrows. Said he, "Some of the illustrations are very telling; but they have to be used with great discretion." His words seemed to imply that the expressions were possibly a little too strong, and perhaps somewhat rough and unpolished here and there. "Well," said Mr. Spurgeon, "that is how I wrote them." "He looked at me," says Mr. S., "but he said nothing; probably it had never occurred to him that the same kind of discretion was necessary in making the illustrations as in using them."

PREACHING—Best Manner of

Advice on the best manner in which a sermon ought to be delivered.

The celebrated actor Garrick having been requested by Dr. Stonehouse to favour him with his opinion as to the manner in which a sermon ought to be delivered, sent him the following judicious answer:—

The Importance of Preaching - Part 2

by W.H. Griffith Thomas

The importance of preaching lies in its ability to unveil Christ, convey a clear message, and bring people to salvation, sanctification, and service.