Sermon illustrations that actually worked

• Have you done a sermon illustration that worked the way you intended?

Mike opens with a question: has anyone done a sermon illustration that landed exactly as intended? Dan recalls a French-toast illustration using imitation vanilla meant to teach authentic faith, which backfired - people only remembered to buy real vanilla. He is also reminded of his glued-boards illustration of two becoming one in marriage, where the splintered wood made a lasting impression. Ben shares his one story that worked: a mountain climber who had to amputate his trapped arm, tied to Jesus's teaching about cutting off the arm that sins. Mike shares a youth-group illustration he heard elsewhere: life is a garden where people control the seeds, the watering, and keeping predators out, but the Holy Spirit provides the growth through photosynthesis and the sun, which no one controls. This leads to a discussion of parables: Jesus proves the point he wants to prove (the dishonest manager, the prodigal son) without tying up every loose end, and parables must be kept in their context or they can prove the wrong point.