Required reading
Lectures to my students by Charles Spurgeon (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence Lectures to my students 'Third series: The art of illustration' by reading the 'Introductory notes' and Chapter 1 (Illustrations in preaching).
My summary
After reading the introductory comments to the volume, Spurgeon speaks about the importance of using illustrations.
Spurgeon teaches us that illustrations:
(i) make a sermon pleasurable and interesting;
(ii) enliven an audience and quicken attention;
(iii) should not be too numerous;
(iv) should really cast light upon the subject in hand;
(v) should not be too prominent;
(vi) are best when they are natural;
(vii) should not be elaborated into minute points;
(viii) should not be confused metaphors.
What grabbed me
I think Spurgeon was ahead of his time with this piece of advice: ' All our windows should open toward Jerusalem, and none toward Sodom. We will gather our flowers always and only from Emmanuel's land, and Jesus himself shall be their savor and sweetness, so that when he lingers at the lattice to hear us speak of himself he may say, "Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honey- comb : honey and milk are under thy tongue." That which grows beyond the border of purity and good repute must never be bound up in our garlands, nor placed among the decorations of our discourses.'
Crass humour is still crass humour, even if it is used in a sermon.
Next week's reading
Read Chapter 2 (Anecdotes from the pulpit).
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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