Scriptures as Sermon Illustration Resource
Charles Kohler, in his book how to preach without notes, has written on the importance of using the Scripture as an resource for sermon illustrations. On page 45, he he writes, “one authority recommends only one book of illustrations, namely, the Bible.” Using the Bible as a primary source for illustrations is going to be very helpful to both the preacher and the congregation. Today we are living in an era of biblical illiteracy. In the past preachers could assume that the people knew something of the stories of the Bible.
What The Stories Do For Us?
The stories of the Bible allow people to understand their circumstances within the context of the biblical record. They learned of an almighty God who is able to allow a disobedient man to be swallowed by a fish. They learn of a powerful God who can open up a Red Sea and allow all people to walk on dry land. They learned of all of the great exploits from the past. They then learn that these powers are accessible to them. However, if we do not understand or know of these great stories then we are not able to appropriate them at the proper time.
Therefore, using sermon illustrations has a double focus. First, it teaches the grand stories of the Bible. Second, it places the Bible on a higher level in the minds of the people and the preacher. Third, as noted above, the preacher is now learning more of the Bible and that opens up avenues for preaching it in the future.
Certainly we should go to history, both modern and ancient. In addition, we can go to nature, our own experiences, and even parts of the mundane experiences of our lives to find rich illustration material. But the preachers should never lose track of the importance of using the Bible as well.
C.L. Franklin Illustrates the Principle
The power of this idea came to me as I was studying the sermon “The Eagles Stirreth Her Nest.” C.L. Franklin, in this particular sermon, illustrates a couple of his points solely by looking at the Bible. A perfect example of this is when C.L. Franklin illustrates the idea that God is swift like an eagle. He illustrates this idea by referring to Daniel who was thrown in a lions den and God swiftly dispatched an angel to save Daniel. Franklin further illustrates the idea of God’s swiftness by referring to the time that Peter was thrown in jail and the church prayed for him. God swiftly answered that prayer.
This Combats Biblical Illiteracy
A couple of things that one should keep in mind when one is illustrating the Scriptures with the Bible. The first thing you should do is recognize that because of the Biblical illiteracy we sometimes must describe the background of the Biblical story before we can use it. Many preachers spend time setting up their stories from history or nature, so why not spend a moment or two setting up your Biblical illustration? Another point the preacher who would use the Bible as a source for sermon illustrations should remember is that the preacher should not be afraid to go back to some of the common stories. Sometimes preachers feel the need to either preach on our use illustrations from the obscure passages of Scripture. However, as Franklin demonstrates, we can make use of some of the common stories. The stories that have been told over and retold. When we make use of these stories, we allow people to experience what they already know on a deeper level.
So in your next sermon, instead of pulling out sermon illustration books, and culling other folks sermons fro the perfect illustration, why not open up the Bible itself and seek to find help in not just what you are going to preach, but in your illumination of your chosen sermon.
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