Some things take time.  This is true in all areas of life, and it is especially true in preaching.  Ideas take time to form in the minds of your listeners.  Description takes time to take effect.  Applications take time to visualize. 

We must avoid the temptation to rush through a sermon in order to cram in as much “content” as possible.  It is better to communicate one thing well, than three things poorly.  So before preaching a sermon, ruthlessly cut anything that does not serve and support the big idea.

Just because a clear image comes into your mind as you read a text, do not assume others see it clearly or at all.  Take time to describe what the text is referring to, not only so people have the facts, but so they can see it in their minds.  Careful and vivid, specific and focused description will eventually lead to an image emerging in the shadows of their minds.  This will take some time.  If you are preaching about Paul’s thorn in the flesh, take the time to help people enter into the reality of a thorn in the flesh.  If you are preaching a story with a terrifying storm, do what it takes for people not only to know about bad storms, but see the waves in their minds, to feel their hearts racing and their breathing become shallow.

Take the time to help people visualize themselves applying the message in their own lives.  Great Bible study worked into a great message can easily miss the target because the application is left vague and brief.  You can tell people to trust Jesus, and if you do they will nod and maybe even say “Amen!”  But what will that look like in real life tomorrow?  Wednesday morning at work?  Thursday evening at home?  Friday night when their daughter is not home and the curfew time has passed?  Take the time to describe application in glorious technicolor . . . because as you are describing, gradually an image will form, and they will know how the message, the idea, the text can change them, and by God’s power, it will.