ILLUSTRATION

I-nteresting (illustrations are to grab attention or make the point memorable; beware of being one-dimensional–always quotes, poems, sports, etc.)
L-asting (preacher joke is that you can re-preach most sermons, you’ve just got to change the illustrations. Why? We remember good illustrations. An illustration can help make the sermon live on in people’s hearts)
L-earning (the purpose of the illustration is to aid in teaching the lesson; the illustration is not an end in itself. It is a means to an end)
U-nderstandable (in that [a] people understand why the illustration was used where it was; does it fit and help establish the point; [b] especially older illustrations or illustrations taken from those who speak formally or loftily need to adapted to your vernacular and way of speaking and not sound like you copied it out of an illustration book)
S-upportive (Don’t overdo illustrations; it’s not about the illustrations, but about the Bible lesson you are delivering; Some get this concept backwards)
T-ruthful (Be careful that your illustration will pass the truth test; Some people are jaded about “preacher stories,” finding them hard to believe or learning themselves they aren’t true; Verify as best you can the illustration you use and if you cannot be careful not to pass it off as a “true story.”)
R-ealistic (In addition to truthful, make sure the illustration is “reasonable,” something people can relate to; Ex.–In cross-cultural situations, especially in 3rd-world countries, illustrations about extravagances or items said to cost “X” when the same item is either much cheaper there or is so extravagant that your audience can’t relate;
A-ssorted (Vary types of illustrations: poem, current events, historical events, quotes, parables, fables, jokes [in moderation], Bible accounts)
T-asteful (avoid overly shocking, graphic, suggestive, morbid, salacious illustrations; Winkler, “Avoid creating in one’s mind what you are trying to condemn [re: illustration about sexual immorality or the like])
I-lluminating (The purpose of the good illustration is to shed light on a Bible truth; It should help produce an “aha” that drives home your point)
O-pportunistic (Take advantage of current events, congregational situations, holidays, etc. Use wisdom, common sense, and discernment to know what is and isn’t off-limits; Note: Concerning “congregational situations,” only in exceptional circumstances would I use a “negative” one rather than a positive or neutral one).
N-ecessary (Without them, sermons are dry and lifeless; Like windows without curtains; They can make all the difference in whether or not the point sinks in, convicts, and moves the heart of the hearer).