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 Revolution: The First Continental Congress adjourns in Philadelphia. (1774)
On October 26, 1774: American Revolution: The First Continental Congress adjourns in Philadelphia. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's creation and human dis
On This Day: The Chinese Communist Party begins a persecution campaign against Falun Gong,... (1999)
On July 20, 1999: The Chinese Communist Party begins a persecution campaign against Falun Gong, arresting thousands nationwide. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about
On This Day: World War II: U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Wasp is sunk by Japanese torpedoes... (1942)
On September 15, 1942: World War II: U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Wasp is sunk by Japanese torpedoes at Guadalcanal. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God
On This Day: Nazi Germany announces two new laws related to race and the rights of Jews. ... (1935)
On September 15, 1935: Nazi Germany announces two new laws related to race and the rights of Jews. These became known as the Nuremberg Race Laws. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon
On This Day: Vietnam War: Nine-year-old Phan Thị Kim Phúc is burned by napalm, an event... (1972)
On June 8, 1972: Vietnam War: Nine-year-old Phan Thị Kim Phúc is burned by napalm, an event captured by Associated Press photographer Nick Ut moments later while the young girl is seen running naked d
On This Day: Franco-Prussian War: The last Imperial German Army troops leave France upon... (1873)
On September 15, 1873: Franco-Prussian War: The last Imperial German Army troops leave France upon completion of payment of indemnity. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustratio
On This Day: Constitutionalist revolution in Lisbon, Portugal. (1820)
On September 15, 1820: Constitutionalist revolution in Lisbon, Portugal. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider
On This Day: World War II: The final attempt of the Imperial Japanese Navy to win the war... (1944)
On October 25, 1944: World War II: The final attempt of the Imperial Japanese Navy to win the war climaxes at the Battle of Leyte Gulf. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustrati
On This Day: Third Taiwan Strait Crisis: The People's Liberation Army begins firing missiles... (1995)
On July 21, 1995: Third Taiwan Strait Crisis: The People's Liberation Army begins firing missiles into the waters north of Taiwan. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration ab
On This Day: Ten Kingdoms: Li Bian usurps the throne and deposes Emperor Yang Pu. The Wu... (937)
On November 10, 937: Ten Kingdoms: Li Bian usurps the throne and deposes Emperor Yang Pu. The Wu State is replaced by Li (now called "Xu Zhigao"), who becomes the first ruler of Southern Tang. This h
On This Day: Napoleonic Wars: The Battle of Champaubert ends in French victory over the... (1814)
On February 10, 1814: Napoleonic Wars: The Battle of Champaubert ends in French victory over the Russians and the Prussians. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about ho
On This Day: American Revolutionary War: British forces land at Kip's Bay during the New York... (1776)
On September 15, 1776: American Revolutionary War: British forces land at Kip's Bay during the New York Campaign. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works
On This Day: Seven Years' War: Battle of Signal Hill. (1762)
On September 15, 1762: Seven Years' War: Battle of Signal Hill. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider using it
On This Day: Sri Lankan Civil War: The LTTE uses suicide attacks on the Sri Lankan Army for... (1987)
On July 5, 1987: Sri Lankan Civil War: The LTTE uses suicide attacks on the Sri Lankan Army for the first time. The Black Tigers are born and, in the following years, will continue to kill with the ta
On This Day: Death of Queen Elizabeth II: The Queen's coffin is taken from Buckingham Palace,... (2022)
On September 14, 2022: Death of Queen Elizabeth II: The Queen's coffin is taken from Buckingham Palace, placed on a gun carriage of The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and moved in a procession to
On This Day: The first two German post-war rockets, designed by the German engineer Ernst... (1958)
On September 14, 1958: The first two German post-war rockets, designed by the German engineer Ernst Mohr, reach the upper atmosphere. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration
On This Day: Friedrich Barbarossa arrives at Niš, the capital of Serbian King Stefan Nemanja,... (1189)
On July 27, 1189: Friedrich Barbarossa arrives at Niš, the capital of Serbian King Stefan Nemanja, during the Third Crusade. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about go
On This Day: SMS Emden is sunk by HMAS Sydney in the Battle of Cocos. (1914)
On November 9, 1914: SMS Emden is sunk by HMAS Sydney in the Battle of Cocos. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Cons
On This Day: Battle of Baltimore: The poem Defence of Fort McHenry is written by Francis... (1814)
On September 14, 1814: Battle of Baltimore: The poem Defence of Fort McHenry is written by Francis Scott Key. The poem is later used as the lyrics of The Star-Spangled Banner. This historical event c
On This Day: Napoleonic Wars: The French Grande Armée enters Moscow. The Fire of Moscow... (1812)
On September 14, 1812: Napoleonic Wars: The French Grande Armée enters Moscow. The Fire of Moscow begins as soon as Russian troops leave the city. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon
On This Day: War of the League of Cambrai: In the Battle of Novara, Swiss troops defeat the... (1513)
On June 6, 1513: War of the League of Cambrai: In the Battle of Novara, Swiss troops defeat the French under Louis II de la Trémoille, forcing them to abandon Milan; Duke Massimiliano Sforza is restor
On This Day: American Revolutionary War: Review of the French troops under General Rochambeau... (1782)
On September 14, 1782: American Revolutionary War: Review of the French troops under General Rochambeau by General George Washington at Verplanck's Point, New York. This historical event can serve as
On This Day: Roger of Salerno's Crusader army defeats a numerically superior Seljuk army in... (1115)
On September 14, 1115: Roger of Salerno's Crusader army defeats a numerically superior Seljuk army in the battle of Sarmin This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how
On This Day: World War II: HMS Vestal is the last British Royal Navy ship to be sunk in the... (1945)
On July 26, 1945: World War II: HMS Vestal is the last British Royal Navy ship to be sunk in the war. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the