Sermon Illustrations

Ministry Resources for Pastor/Teachers from our Preaching Professor Dr. Tony Guthrie

Ministry Resources for Pastor/Teachers

Bryan Chappell cites two surveys in his book on preaching: one of religious professionals and the other of lay persons. The results are quite revealing and, even humbling, to the expositor of Scripture.

CLYDE REID’S SURVEY OF RELIGIOUS PROFESSIONALS:

1. Preachers tend to use complex, archaic language.
2. Most sermons are dull, boring and uninteresting.
3. Most preaching today is irrelevant.
4. Preaching today is not courageous preaching.
5. Preaching does not communicate.
6. Preaching does not lead to change in persons.
7. Preaching has been overemphasized.

REUEL HOWE’S INTERVIEWS OF LAY PEOPLE:

1.   Sermons contain too many complex ideas.

2.   Sermons have too much analysis and too little answers.

3.   Sermons are too formal and too impersonal.

4.   Sermons use too much theological jargon.

5.   Sermons are too propositional, not enough illustrations.

6.   Sermons give no guidance to commitment and action.

Good illustrations are clearly one of the most important aspects…

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