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HOMILETICS 14 - SERMON AND ILLUSTRATION
I. DEFINITION.
Illustration is an act of giving explanation through examples, pictures etc. A.S. Hornby contends that illustration is often more useful than definition for giving the meaning of words.
The role played by illustration in a fruitful sermon can not be over emphasized. But the preacher must first have something to illustrate.
II. IMPORTANCE.
a. Illustration aid the memory: The hearer may forget the message but it is not easy to forget the illustration. The hearer will always remember the message through the illustration.
b. Truth is driven home by illustration. Henry Ward Beecher said “illustrations are windows used to let light in on a subject.
Macaulay, commenting on the importance of illustration says” logicians may reason about abstractions, but the great mass of men must have images.” Illustrations make the truth to become more easily grasped by the hearer.
c. Conviction of sin. The illustration given by Nathan to David made him to realize and see himself as a sinner who needs forgiveness.
KINDS OF ILLUSTRATION
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Simile. This is the use of comparison of one thing to another e.g. He is as brave as lion. It is a more extended picture with the features of likeness named e.g. The saying of Jesus “the kingdom of God is like a grain of mustard seed “like a merchant” etc.
Metaphor. This is the use of words to indicate something from the literal meaning, as in, I will make him eat his words or he has a heart of stone. It is a favorite figure of speech, most effective with orators.
Certain words are in themselves a whole picture e.g. Moses said “Lord thou hast been our dwelling place in all generation before the mountains were brought forth. Another example is the saying of John the Baptist to the Israelite,
“ye generation of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”
SOURCES OF ILLUSTRATION:
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Christian literature. Moral observations and religious discussions abound in these literature. They are very useful for illustration.
The secular literature. The secular literature should not be totally neglected. Although there must be extra ordinary watchfulness as to what you read and whom you read. There are good and bad papers, but the thoughtful and prayerful preacher can choose his paper with discretion.
Personal experiences. Our experience is full of rich field for reflective thought and usable illustration. All things that happen in our life are good material for illustration.
History. God is in absolute control of human affairs. Things that happen in history is an embodiment of cause and effect. If these things are carefully studied, they become a good material and usable for illustrations.
The common affairs of every day life are good sources of illustration. Jesus made use of it on His message e.g. the sower, sowing grain, the stony places; the birds picking up the grains the field white as harvest etc.
The sight and scene and incident of travel are sources of illustration. All things that happen there contribute their portion to build up and instruct a preacher and fit him for His work.
In conclusion, ministers who anticipate success in his ministry should endeavor to picture his message with good illustration.
END of series on Homiletics. Thanks for following.
