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: Three weeks after the death of King Henry I of England, Stephen of Blois claims... (1135)
On December 22, 1135: Three weeks after the death of King Henry I of England, Stephen of Blois claims the throne and is privately crowned King of England, beginning the English Anarchy. This historic
On This Day: Cornwallis Valley Railway begins operation between Kentville and Kingsport, Nova... (1890)
On December 22, 1890: Cornwallis Valley Railway begins operation between Kentville and Kingsport, Nova Scotia. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership
On This Day: World War II: Adolf Hitler signs the order to develop the V-2 rocket as a... (1942)
On December 22, 1942: World War II: Adolf Hitler signs the order to develop the V-2 rocket as a weapon. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through t
On This Day: Cultural Revolution: People's Daily posted the instructions of Mao Zedong that... (1968)
On December 22, 1968: Cultural Revolution: People's Daily posted the instructions of Mao Zedong that "The intellectual youth must go to the country, and will be educated from living in rural poverty."
On This Day: American Civil War: Battle of Mill Springs: The Confederacy suffers its first... (1862)
On January 19, 1862: American Civil War: Battle of Mill Springs: The Confederacy suffers its first significant defeat in the conflict. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustratio
On This Day: Acteal massacre: Attendees at a prayer meeting of Roman Catholic activists for... (1997)
On December 22, 1997: Acteal massacre: Attendees at a prayer meeting of Roman Catholic activists for indigenous causes in the small village of Acteal in the Mexican state of Chiapas are massacred by p
On This Day: United Nations Security Council Resolution 2397 against North Korea is... (2017)
On December 22, 2017: United Nations Security Council Resolution 2397 against North Korea is unanimously approved. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God work
On This Day: World War I: Australian and New Zealand troops arrive in Cairo, Egypt. (1914)
On December 23, 1914: World War I: Australian and New Zealand troops arrive in Cairo, Egypt. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events o
On This Day: The Russian parliament approves the name change of Leningrad back to Saint... (1991)
On September 6, 1991: The Russian parliament approves the name change of Leningrad back to Saint Petersburg. The change is effective October 1. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon il
On This Day: World War I: Battle of Magdhaba: Allied forces defeat Turkish forces in the... (1916)
On December 23, 1916: World War I: Battle of Magdhaba: Allied forces defeat Turkish forces in the Sinai Peninsula. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God work
On This Day: World War II: Union of South Africa declares war on Germany. (1939)
On September 6, 1939: World War II: Union of South Africa declares war on Germany. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.
On This Day: Seven Japanese military and political leaders convicted of war crimes by the... (1948)
On December 23, 1948: Seven Japanese military and political leaders convicted of war crimes by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East are executed by Allied occupation authorities at Sug
On This Day: The North Tower of the World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York, New York is... (1970)
On December 23, 1970: The North Tower of the World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York, New York is topped out at 417 metres (1,368 ft), making it the tallest building in the world. This historical e
On This Day: Voyager, piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, lands at Edwards Air Force Base... (1986)
On December 23, 1986: Voyager, piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, lands at Edwards Air Force Base in California becoming the first aircraft to fly non-stop around the world without aerial or grou
On This Day: Mongolia gains independence from the Qing dynasty, enthroning 8th Jebtsundamba... (1911)
On December 29, 1911: Mongolia gains independence from the Qing dynasty, enthroning 8th Jebtsundamba Khutughtu as Khagan of Mongolia. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration
On This Day: The Lateran Council ends by condemning the Council of Hieria and anathematizing... (769)
On April 15, 769: The Lateran Council ends by condemning the Council of Hieria and anathematizing its iconoclastic rulings. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how
On This Day: Battle of Ayn Shams: The Fatimids under Jawhar defeat the Qarmatians at the... (971)
On December 24, 971: Battle of Ayn Shams: The Fatimids under Jawhar defeat the Qarmatians at the gates of Cairo, putting an end to the First Qarmatian invasion of Egypt. This historical event can ser
On This Day: Pope Boniface VIII is elected, replacing St. Celestine V, who had resigned. (1294)
On December 24, 1294: Pope Boniface VIII is elected, replacing St. Celestine V, who had resigned. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the eve
On This Day: World War II: Pope Pius XII makes a Christmas Eve appeal for peace. (1939)
On December 24, 1939: World War II: Pope Pius XII makes a Christmas Eve appeal for peace. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pursuit of peace in a broken worl
On This Day: World War II: U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower is named Supreme Allied... (1943)
On December 24, 1943: World War II: U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower is named Supreme Allied Commander for Operation Overlord. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about
On This Day: World War II: The Belgian Troopship Leopoldville was torpedoed and sank with the... (1944)
On December 24, 1944: World War II: The Belgian Troopship Leopoldville was torpedoed and sank with the loss of 763 soldiers and 56 crew. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustrat
On This Day: Vietnam War: Viet Cong operatives bomb the Brinks Hotel in Saigon, South Vietnam... (1964)
On December 24, 1964: Vietnam War: Viet Cong operatives bomb the Brinks Hotel in Saigon, South Vietnam to demonstrate they can strike an American installation in the heavily guarded capital. This his
On This Day: Chartres Cathedral is dedicated in the presence of King Louis IX of France. (1260)
On October 24, 1260: Chartres Cathedral is dedicated in the presence of King Louis IX of France. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impac
On This Day: Battle of Glenmama: The combined forces of Munster and Meath under king Brian... (999)
On December 30, 999: Battle of Glenmama: The combined forces of Munster and Meath under king Brian Boru inflict a crushing defeat on the allied armies of Leinster and Dublin near Lyons Hill in Ireland