When an Image Kills You...

One of the hardest things for a pastor to do is to communicate Scripture in such a way that it accurately reflects the meaning of the original author 2000 years ago and connects with people living in contemporary culture. A lot of times, we accomplish this by using an illustration or "image" that helps take the message/lesson across the bridge to today, while keeping the message in tact.

Illustrations have a way of making sermons relatable, memorable, and applicable, but they can also sabotage the effectiveness of your sermon if you're not pretty selective.

I worked with a pastor at one point who used to like to start his sermons with a joke, whether or not it was related to his sermon. He told jokes really well, and tried to use it to gain attention and kill his nervousness before diving into his message. The problem was, later in the week if you asked someone what his message was about, they couldn't have told you. Everyone could tell you the punch-line of his joke.

I struggle with the same thing sometimes, because I'm usually fairly good at coming up with illustrations to weave throughout my messages. And, my strongest trait as a communicator is storytelling. But, I'm hit and miss when it comes to making sure those illustrations are inextricably tied to the main point in the sermon, so when people remember the story/illustration they immediately remember the Truth from the sermon. If all your congregation remembers is the story about the diving board, the message failed. You want them to be able to recall the Truth the diving board illustrated so they can apply it to their life.

A great illustration will absolutely kill your sermon/lesson by completely stealing focus from the point. That would be a tragedy, because it is Scripture that is alive and powerful (Hebrews 4:12) - not your stories.