Sermon preparation question?

Question

Are there any good books out there on sermon illustrations?

There are only so many real-life illustrations that one can come up with.

I'm not saying that every message needs to have an illustration....but it does help paint a clearer picture to the congregation sometimes.

Answer 1

Do you use powerpoint for your sermons?
http://www.oxygen-multimedia.com/
Oxygen-multimedia does a monthly free download when you sign up....
I realize those aren't illustrations....but sometimes a visual will help.
My pastor uses jokes sometimes...you could go to a Christian store and get a sermon joke book. (Joel Olsteen starts his messages with a joke.)
Do you subscribe to Guideposts? It is also available on-line and gives real stories from real people.
Devotionals quite often have stories of real people too.
Does that help?

Answer 2

My friend, if you can't think of the illustration, do you really know the passage?

Don't be like the other pastors who are like a man working a jigsaw puzzle. Each piece is held up and closely examined only to be put down into the pile of unconnected pieces. Be the pastor that puts the pieces together for his hearers so they can work the puzzle for themselves and show others how to work the puzzle.

There are not several gospel messages. As Luke 1:1-4 will say, the purpose of the messages is to prove Jesus is the Messiah. In proving this, Luke had to also be the benchmark for truth that his hearers would know if what if what they have been taught is true or not. You have the same mandate.

If you are to follow the great commission, your goal can not be just to teach them a lesson. Nor can you just teach them as teachers. You have to teach others to teach everything that the Lord has taught them as you are doing when you preach.

So leaving them "Wowed" with a great illustration isn't as important as getting them to be able to use and teach what you are teaching them. A great illustration is something that God gives you to help them apply your message in their lives. I would recommend you using something you are familiar with as God will help you bring what He has prepared you to do to mind.

Trust God and not a book for you illustrations.

Answer 3

i actually saw some god quality books at barnes and noble and half price book store on building sermons,one was even building them around hymns so you could match the hymn to the sermon.

Answer 4

According to our preaching Practice professor at College, Fred B. Craddock is V. good. Sorry, but can't really help with any more. God bless.

Answer 5

check:
online
christian book stores
ask some pastors

Answer 6

http://www.crosssearch.com/Reference/Sermons/

http://www.sermonhelp.com/

http://www.sermoncentral.com/