This is the on preaching podcast with H.B. Charles Jr.

The podcast dedicated to helping you preach faithfully, clearly, and better.

Good day and thanks for listening to the podcast.

In this episode, I want to talk to you about four persons to use in your illustrations.

When you have a point or an idea or truth that you want to get across,

there are four things you can do with that point, with that principle, or with that proposition.

Basically, four things only you are doing with that point, principle, or proposition.

You can explain it, argue it, apply it, or illustrate it.

And so when you state a point of principle or a proposition in your sermon,

you should intentionally consider how you are doing all four of

those things. You want to explain it and you want to show how that point, principle,

a proposition is rooted in the text you are preaching or in the word of God.

You want to explain the meaning of the text in context. But then you also want to argue. You want to

if explanation is for understanding, argument is for agreement.

Argument is for conviction. Argument is for repentance and faith. You want to not only explain your text, you want to prove it. You want the hearer to see that what you are proposing in that truth, in that idea, in that principle is actually consistent

with reality and is consistent with the Word of God.

Of course, thirdly, you can apply that text showing how the implications of that truth work in the various areas of life,

arenas of life, or avenues of life. You want to show how God's word works. The Bible, of course, tells us James 122 to be doers of the word and not

heroes only, lest we deceive ourselves. But the fourth thing to do with the truth claim in your

sermon is to illustrate it.

Illustrate it.

That is, to help your people to visualize the truth being proclaimed.

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