Well illustrated sermon

One thing that people remember most easily from a sermon is an illustration. So if a preacher can give a good illustration, he can be more confident that the truth will be more 'accessible' to the hearer throughout the week. Obviously the HS is the one who will convict and apply, but the pastor is called to be a 'workman' and has the responsibility to illustrate and apply the truth-not simply explain what the passage means (that's the first part).

One preacher who uses them as well as anyone to communicate deep biblical truth is Jean Larroux, pastor of Lagniappe Pres. His stories connect you to him, and then he points you to really deep and challenging truths. A good illustration connects the hearer with the preacher. From there he can more effectively lead him/her to drink more deeply from Christ. And since Jesus, the prophets, and Paul all made use of illustration (for teaching, correcting, rebuking, training in righteousness), Jean is in good company.

And you know you're a gifted preacher when folks can do fine with only the audio. A lot of communication is non-verbal, but I don't feel like I'm missing that much by not being present. And since Jean didn't preach when we visited Lagniappe on our mission trip last year, I don't know what I'm missing (since I've never had a visual).

Amy and I have really been 'enjoying' (being challenged as well as encouraged) his sermon series on The Lord's Prayer. I-pods are great. He's called this payer the hardest prayer you'll ever pray. And so far he's "backed it up" from the passage. This one is on "Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven" but you can also click here to find more with their podcast. I often use these sermons for my devotional time on Mondays.