Non-denominational Illustrations
Biblical simplicity, contemporary relevance, practical application.
Key question: “What is the plain meaning and practical application of this text?”
16579 illustrations found
On This Day: American Civil War: George B. McClellan's Army of the Potomac halts the first... (1862)
On September 17, 1862: American Civil War: George B. McClellan's Army of the Potomac halts the first invasion of the North by Robert E. Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia in the single-day Battle o
On This Day: An F-104 Starfighter collides with XB-70 Valkyrie prototype no. 2, destroying... (1966)
On June 8, 1966: An F-104 Starfighter collides with XB-70 Valkyrie prototype no. 2, destroying both aircraft during a photo shoot near Edwards Air Force Base. Joseph A. Walker, a NASA test pilot, and
On This Day: The Battle of Vilanova is fought between Portugal and Spain during the... (1658)
On September 17, 1658: The Battle of Vilanova is fought between Portugal and Spain during the Portuguese Restoration War. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the t
On This Day: The Treaty of Fort Pitt is signed. It is the first formal treaty between the... (1778)
On September 17, 1778: The Treaty of Fort Pitt is signed. It is the first formal treaty between the United States and a Native American tribe. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon ill
On This Day: Liberian President Edward James Roye is deposed in a coup d'état. (1871)
On October 26, 1871: Liberian President Edward James Roye is deposed in a coup d'état. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Conside
On This Day: The Holocaust: In occupied Poland, the Nazis close off the Warsaw Ghetto from... (1940)
On November 16, 1940: The Holocaust: In occupied Poland, the Nazis close off the Warsaw Ghetto from the outside world. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God
On This Day: General Douglas MacArthur establishes the International Military Tribunal for... (1946)
On January 19, 1946: General Douglas MacArthur establishes the International Military Tribunal for the Far East in Tokyo to try Japanese war criminals. This historical event can serve as a powerful s
On This Day: Sweden wins a major victory at the Battle of Breitenfeld against the Holy Roman... (1631)
On September 17, 1631: Sweden wins a major victory at the Battle of Breitenfeld against the Holy Roman Empire during the Thirty Years' War. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illust
On This Day: The Treaty of Bergerac is signed between King Henry III of France and the... (1577)
On September 17, 1577: The Treaty of Bergerac is signed between King Henry III of France and the Huguenots. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership an
On This Day: World War II: The Allies commence the Syria-Lebanon Campaign against the... (1941)
On June 8, 1941: World War II: The Allies commence the Syria-Lebanon Campaign against the possessions of Vichy France in the Levant. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration
On This Day: The Battle of Myriokephalon is the last attempt by the Byzantine Empire to... (1176)
On September 17, 1176: The Battle of Myriokephalon is the last attempt by the Byzantine Empire to recover central Anatolia from the Seljuk Turks. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon
On This Day: During the Let Yet Kone massacre, the Burmese military kills 13 villagers,... (2022)
On September 16, 2022: During the Let Yet Kone massacre, the Burmese military kills 13 villagers, including eight children, after attacking a school in Sagaing Region, Myanmar. This historical event
On This Day: Nero dies by suicide after quoting Vergil's Aeneid, thus ending the... (68)
On June 9, 68: Nero dies by suicide after quoting Vergil's Aeneid, thus ending the Julio-Claudian dynasty and starting the civil war known as the Year of the Four Emperors. This historical event can
On This Day: Salvadoran priest José Matías Delgado rings the bells of La Merced church in San... (1811)
On November 5, 1811: Salvadoran priest José Matías Delgado rings the bells of La Merced church in San Salvador, calling for insurrection and launching the 1811 Independence Movement. This historical
On This Day: Papua New Guinea gains independence from Australia. (1975)
On September 16, 1975: Papua New Guinea gains independence from Australia. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation. Consider using i
On This Day: World War II: Italian troops conquer Sidi Barrani. (1940)
On September 16, 1940: World War II: Italian troops conquer Sidi Barrani. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider
On This Day: Marriage of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent to Katharine Worsley at York Minster. (1961)
On June 8, 1961: Marriage of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent to Katharine Worsley at York Minster. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events
On This Day: With the Grito de Dolores, Father Miguel Hidalgo begins Mexico's fight for... (1810)
On September 16, 1810: With the Grito de Dolores, Father Miguel Hidalgo begins Mexico's fight for independence from Spain. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the
On This Day: James Francis Edward Stuart, sometimes called the "Old Pretender", becomes the... (1701)
On September 16, 1701: James Francis Edward Stuart, sometimes called the "Old Pretender", becomes the Jacobite claimant to the thrones of England and Scotland on the death of his father, James II. Th
On This Day: World War II: The two-day Battle of Porta between the Royal Italian Army and the... (1943)
On June 8, 1943: World War II: The two-day Battle of Porta between the Royal Italian Army and the Greek People's Liberation Army begins. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustrat
On This Day: The Saint-Germain bombing ushers France into the Ère des attentats (1892-1894). (1892)
On March 11, 1892: The Saint-Germain bombing ushers France into the Ère des attentats (1892-1894). This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the ev
On This Day: Physicist Augustin Fresnel reads a memoir on optical rotation to the French... (1818)
On March 30, 1818: Physicist Augustin Fresnel reads a memoir on optical rotation to the French Academy of Sciences, reporting that when polarized light is "depolarized" by a Fresnel rhomb, its propert
On This Day: Avar-Byzantine wars: The Avars lift the siege at the Byzantine stronghold of... (598)
On March 30, 598: Avar-Byzantine wars: The Avars lift the siege at the Byzantine stronghold of Tomis. Their leader Bayan I retreats north of the Danube River after the Avaro-Slavic army is decimated b
On This Day: Bluff Cove Air Attacks during the Falklands War: Fifty-six British servicemen... (1982)
On June 8, 1982: Bluff Cove Air Attacks during the Falklands War: Fifty-six British servicemen are killed by an Argentine air attack on two landing ships, RFA Sir Galahad and RFA Sir Tristram. This h