Michael Wolfe CM151 – Preparing and Delivering Christ Centered Sermons 1 Response   My chosen topic is the importance  and empowerment of biblical truth in the use of illustrations in the expository sermon layout. The three common elements of expository preaching (explanation, application, and illustration) are all important throughout the history of preaching and have stood the test of time. In my understanding these components build credibility through connection to the audience of the speaker. Also, the heart of the pastor towards  the church members pours through clearly.  I have found full understanding of the text by the speaker’s expository message is reached more easily by the hearers using these three elements blended together. Being true to the text guides the people to transformation in mind and heart as both are reached. Illustrations are crucial and must be utilized with guidance by the Holy Spirit and His wisdom that they can have the desired effect. I believe first and foremost is the attitude towards the use of illustrations by the speaker. This was well described by the phrase quoted in the course, ”Little tales for little minds”.  How insulting and pride ridden that statement is!  Illustrations are powerful and unfold glorious truths of the Word of God if used by a humble heart sharing common human experience to unfold them. It brings the minds and hearts of the listeners into the biblical story and gives them life. This concept changed my view on sermon illustrations from knowing they seem to engage the people, to why and how they accomplish this. I am looking forward to seeing the transformation in my life and the lives of those  to whom the Word is preached. The segment on the cautions that surround the presentation of illustrations also resonated in my heart. We are not in the pulpit to entertain and humor the people to accept our message which is wrapped up in it. This actually has the opposite effect. Lowering the expectations of the listeners, it damages the credibility of my sermons and the biblical text. It also completely  misses the purpose of the text I am trying to illustrate. My heart desires to use illustrations through the correct attitude and mind towards the people. These are important and crucial because I can now see through this course how we are living in the time of visual literacy and must work through this venue to reach the audiences “picture thinking”, as the course brings to light. I was amazed at the statistics. Wrapping my mind around the concept that only 50 hours per year are spent in a church environment and 2000 hours spent in front of their TV’s at home brings a sadness to my heart. How important it is to not compromise or overuse illustrations just to captivate the minds of the people. I feel a poignant urgency to be careful to not slip into the temptation of bringing entertainment and therefore compromising the text. Another point I feel strongly is the importance of identifying specific concepts through illustrations, not vague and wandering points. This keeps the solid principle we are seeking to relate to the audience clear and focused.  Some speakers use poor timing in introducing an illustration. If it isn’t used to present the point just made it makes the sermon feel choppy and unfocused. This causes confusion in the listeners, in my experience. The solid flow and continual lifting up of the understanding of the hearers is crucial. Another concept I really like and use in many  parts of my sermons is using a pause to indicate a shift. Changing thoughts and more effectively to shift smoothly to another illustration topic draws in the listener immediately. Presenting a picture in the power point presentation for the visual aspect of the listener has provided its own illustration to complement the verbal ones used in the sermon. Balancing the weight of the illustrations and the biblical text has been a focus for me to keep the importance to the scriptures paramount but accenting these with the illustrations to engage but not entertain. The audience is reached through the careful usage of all elements and keeping the importance of their differing types of learning in view. Honesty in keeping things real between my text, the listeners, and myself as an expository preacher drives the sermon. Application of biblical truth is best illustrated through precise and complete through the text, the delivery, and the illustrations which focus on how to apply these concepts in the audience’s current lives and situations.