Sermon Illustrations
Why Illustrations?
Add Flesh to the Bones
When we write a sermon, we do our background work first: exegesis, translation, reading commentaries, reviewing class-work from seminary, reflecting on current topics, etc. From that work we create the bones of our message as we do our best to find what the Word is trying to say through us to our congregation.
But those bones need to come to life! That's where illustrations come in. They aren't actual pictures, they're quotes, stories, news items, and even jokes to help make our sermons more relatable. They're words that describe scenes or situations that allow our audience to hear themselves in the message, to relate to the biblical narrative, and to hear God's word speaking directly to them.
I've been collecting illustrations for over 40 years of ministry, and I share them with you so that hopefully they will speak to you and, through you, to your parishioners. Let's make our messages Good News to those in the pews, so that our hearers may go and live their best Christian lives, inspired by the Holy Spirit!
Below is an alphabetical list of topics that I will continue to add to, so please come back and see more next time. God bless you in your ministry of Word and Sacrament!
-The Rev. Dr. Jefferson Lee Hatch
Presbyterian Church (USA) Pastor, Honorably Retired
Manalapan, NJ
