In his book "Christ-Centered Preaching" Bryan Chapell offers some very helpful words regarding the use of illustrations in preaching. Not only would I wholeheartedly recommend this book but I consider it one of the greatest contributions to the field of homiletics. Regarding the "wrong reasons to illustrate" he writes:
"Preachers who illustrate primarily to entertain ultimately destroy the foundation of their messages. An entertainment ethic creates shallow congregations and hollow pulpits. People who attend such a church are implicitly taught that their own desires and sensations are to be the objects of their worship. Such people learn to evaluate the success of a sermon not by the conviction of spirit it brings but by the lightness of heart it offers. This shallow expectation is matched by the hollowness of purpose behind the pulpit: personal acclaim. Such preaching inevitably fails over time. Congregations realize that no one always entertains well. They grow to resent the manipulation of their emotions in a world in need of deep spiritual discernment. Though the dynamic may take years to unfold, ministries that compromise truth for appeal lose their allure."
Many times preachers are frustrated with the self-centeredness of their congregation and they fail to realize that through their own self-centered preaching they have contributed to that which creates greatest frustration in their own lives. It is good to be reminded that the goal of preaching God's word is not to be well liked but to declare God's truth. There is a subtle desire in us all to be well received but let us not forget the preaching of Jeremiah, Paul, and of course, Jesus. Cross-centered preaching may or may not cost you your life but it will at times cost you some popularity.
"But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." Galatians 6:14
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