and audience and the contemporary audience. Illustrations are one major way of constructing such a bridge. Effective and clear illustrations enable both the speaker and hearer to more firmly grasp spiritual truths in ways that make those truths come alive both to the mind and to the heart. There is, however, a danger in the use of illustrations, and that is allowing them to become an end unto themselves. Illustrations are designed to illustrate, not simply to entertain. Thus, they need to be tethered