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: The European Community recognizes the independence of the Baltic states of... (1991)
On August 27, 1991: The European Community recognizes the independence of the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about t
On This Day: Theodoric, king of the Ostrogoths, defeats Odoacer at the Battle of Isonzo,... (489)
On August 28, 489: Theodoric, king of the Ostrogoths, defeats Odoacer at the Battle of Isonzo, forcing his way into Italy. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godl
On This Day: Second English Civil War: The Siege of Colchester ends when Royalist Forces... (1648)
On August 28, 1648: Second English Civil War: The Siege of Colchester ends when Royalist Forces surrender to the Parliamentary Forces after eleven weeks. This historical event can serve as a powerful
On This Day: Napoleonic Wars: The French Navy accepts the surrender of a British Royal Navy... (1810)
On August 28, 1810: Napoleonic Wars: The French Navy accepts the surrender of a British Royal Navy fleet at the Battle of Grand Port. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration
On This Day: The launch of HMS Warrior, with her combination of screw propeller, iron hull... (1860)
On December 29, 1860: The launch of HMS Warrior, with her combination of screw propeller, iron hull and iron armour, renders all previous warships obsolete. This historical event can serve as a power
On This Day: The military coup of Gen. Martinez Campos in Sagunto ends the failed First... (1874)
On December 29, 1874: The military coup of Gen. Martinez Campos in Sagunto ends the failed First Spanish Republic and the monarchy is restored as Prince Alfonso is proclaimed King of Spain. This hist
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: 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
On This Day: Queen Anne's War: James Moore, Governor of the Province of Carolina, abandons... (1702)
On December 30, 1702: Queen Anne's War: James Moore, Governor of the Province of Carolina, abandons the Siege of St. Augustine. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about
On This Day: The Treaty of St. Louis between the United States and the Shawnee Nation is... (1825)
On December 30, 1825: The Treaty of St. Louis between the United States and the Shawnee Nation is proclaimed. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pursuit of pe
On This Day: Following the Wounded Knee Massacre, the United States Army and Lakota warriors... (1890)
On December 30, 1890: Following the Wounded Knee Massacre, the United States Army and Lakota warriors face off in the Drexel Mission Fight. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illust
On This Day: Subhas Chandra Bose raises the flag of Indian independence at Port Blair. (1943)
On December 30, 1943: Subhas Chandra Bose raises the flag of Indian independence at Port Blair. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberat
On This Day: The Guatemalan Air Force sinks several Mexican fishing boats alleged to have... (1958)
On December 30, 1958: The Guatemalan Air Force sinks several Mexican fishing boats alleged to have breached maritime borders, killing three and sparking international tension. This historical event c
On This Day: Battle of Englefield: The Vikings clash with ealdorman Æthelwulf of Berkshire.... (870)
On December 31, 870: Battle of Englefield: The Vikings clash with ealdorman Æthelwulf of Berkshire. The invaders are driven back to Reading (East Anglia); many Danes are killed. This historical event
On This Day: Representatives from the United States and Iraq meet at the Geneva Peace... (1991)
On January 9, 1991: Representatives from the United States and Iraq meet at the Geneva Peace Conference to try to find a peaceful resolution to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. This historical event can
On This Day: Karl Benz, working in Mannheim, Germany, files for a patent on his first... (1878)
On December 31, 1878: Karl Benz, working in Mannheim, Germany, files for a patent on his first reliable two-stroke gas engine. He was granted the patent in 1879. This historical event can serve as a
On This Day: World War II: Operation Nordwind, the last major Wehrmacht offensive on the... (1944)
On December 31, 1944: World War II: Operation Nordwind, the last major Wehrmacht offensive on the Western Front, begins. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how Go
On This Day: The Soviet Union recognizes the independence of the Baltic states Estonia,... (1991)
On September 6, 1991: The Soviet Union recognizes the independence of the Baltic states Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gif
On This Day: Second Bishop's War: King Charles I's English army loses to a Scottish... (1640)
On August 28, 1640: Second Bishop's War: King Charles I's English army loses to a Scottish Covenanter force at the Battle of Newburn. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration
On This Day: Anglo-Zulu War: Cetshwayo, last king of the Zulus, is captured by the British. (1879)
On August 28, 1879: Anglo-Zulu War: Cetshwayo, last king of the Zulus, is captured by the British. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its imp
On This Day: Guillaume de Nogaret takes Pope Boniface VIII prisoner on behalf of Philip IV of... (1303)
On September 7, 1303: Guillaume de Nogaret takes Pope Boniface VIII prisoner on behalf of Philip IV of France. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works th
On This Day: Revolutions of 1848 in the Austrian Empire: After a month-long siege, Venice,... (1849)
On August 28, 1849: Revolutions of 1848 in the Austrian Empire: After a month-long siege, Venice, which had declared itself independent as the Republic of San Marco, surrenders to Austria. This histo
On This Day: World War II: Marseille and Toulon are liberated. (1944)
On August 28, 1944: World War II: Marseille and Toulon are liberated. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation. Consider using it whe
On This Day: Pope Leo XIII publishes the encyclical Humanum genus, condemning Freemasonry. (1884)
On April 20, 1884: Pope Leo XIII publishes the encyclical Humanum genus, condemning Freemasonry. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and libera