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: U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond begins a filibuster to prevent the United States... (1957)
On August 28, 1957: U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond begins a filibuster to prevent the United States Senate from voting on the Civil Rights Act of 1957; he stopped speaking 24 hours and 18 minutes later.
On This Day: World War II: The liberation of Yugoslavia from Axis occupation continues.... (1944)
On September 12, 1944: World War II: The liberation of Yugoslavia from Axis occupation continues. Bajina Bašta in western Serbia is among the liberated cities. This historical event can serve as a po
On This Day: World War I: Germany declares war on Romania. (1916)
On August 28, 1916: World War I: Germany declares war on Romania. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider using i
On This Day: Pride's Purge removes royalist sympathizers from Parliament so that the High... (1648)
On December 6, 1648: Pride's Purge removes royalist sympathizers from Parliament so that the High Court of Justice could put the King on trial. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon il
On This Day: World War II: Soviet forces liberate the Łódź Ghetto. Of more than 200,000... (1945)
On January 19, 1945: World War II: Soviet forces liberate the Łódź Ghetto. Of more than 200,000 inhabitants in 1940, fewer than 900 had survived the Nazi occupation. This historical event can serve a
On This Day: Twelfth Council of Toledo: King Erwig of the Visigoths initiates a council in... (681)
On January 9, 681: Twelfth Council of Toledo: King Erwig of the Visigoths initiates a council in which he implements diverse measures against the Jews in Spain. This historical event can serve as a p
On This Day: American Civil War: CSS Alabama encounters and sinks the USS Hatteras off... (1863)
On January 11, 1863: American Civil War: CSS Alabama encounters and sinks the USS Hatteras off Galveston Lighthouse in Texas. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about h
On This Day: Operation Auca: Five U.S. missionaries are killed by the Waorani of Ecuador... (1956)
On January 8, 1956: Operation Auca: Five U.S. missionaries are killed by the Waorani of Ecuador shortly after making first contact. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration a
On This Day: The nationally known image of the Black Nazarene in the Philippines was... (1787)
On January 9, 1787: The nationally known image of the Black Nazarene in the Philippines was transferred from what is now Rizal Park to its present shrine in the minor basilica of Quiapo Church. This i
On This Day: Treaty of Jassy between Russian and Ottoman Empire is signed, ending the... (1792)
On January 9, 1792: Treaty of Jassy between Russian and Ottoman Empire is signed, ending the Russo-Turkish War of 1787-92. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the
On This Day: Gunmen from an offshoot of the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of... (2010)
On January 8, 2010: Gunmen from an offshoot of the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda attack a bus carrying the Togo national football team on its way to the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations
On This Day: Bowing to international pressure, President of Pakistan Zulfikar Ali Bhutto... (1972)
On January 8, 1972: Bowing to international pressure, President of Pakistan Zulfikar Ali Bhutto releases Bengali leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from prison, who had been arrested after declaring the ind
On This Day: Ahmad Shah Durrani defeats the Marathas in the Battle of Barari Ghat. (1760)
On January 9, 1760: Ahmad Shah Durrani defeats the Marathas in the Battle of Barari Ghat. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of h
On This Day: President Lyndon B. Johnson declares a "War on Poverty" in the United States. (1964)
On January 8, 1964: President Lyndon B. Johnson declares a "War on Poverty" in the United States. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impa
On This Day: British Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger introduces an income tax of two... (1799)
On January 9, 1799: British Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger introduces an income tax of two shillings to the pound to raise funds for Great Britain's war effort in the Napoleonic Wars. This h
On This Day: World War I: The Battle of Gallipoli concludes with an Ottoman Empire victory... (1916)
On January 9, 1916: World War I: The Battle of Gallipoli concludes with an Ottoman Empire victory when the last Allied forces are evacuated from the peninsula. This historical event can serve as a po
On This Day: World War I: The Battle of Rafa is fought near the Egyptian border with... (1917)
On January 9, 1917: World War I: The Battle of Rafa is fought near the Egyptian border with Palestine. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through th
On This Day: The French Academy of Sciences announces the Daguerreotype photography process. (1839)
On January 9, 1839: The French Academy of Sciences announces the Daguerreotype photography process. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's creation and human di
On This Day: Umberto I becomes King of Italy. (1878)
On January 9, 1878: Umberto I becomes King of Italy. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider using it when preaching about le
On This Day: Mississippi becomes the second state to secede from the Union before the... (1861)
On January 9, 1861: Mississippi becomes the second state to secede from the Union before the outbreak of the American Civil War. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration abou
On This Day: Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson receives a state funeral and is interred in St... (1806)
On January 9, 1806: Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson receives a state funeral and is interred in St Paul's Cathedral. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works
On This Day: The Portuguese prince Pedro I of Brazil decides to stay in Brazil against the... (1822)
On January 9, 1822: The Portuguese prince Pedro I of Brazil decides to stay in Brazil against the orders of the Portuguese King João VI, beginning the Brazilian independence process. This historical
On This Day: World War II: Supplies begin to reach the Republic of China over the newly... (1945)
On January 28, 1945: World War II: Supplies begin to reach the Republic of China over the newly reopened Burma Road. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God wo
On This Day: The Kingsland munitions factory explosion occurs as a result of sabotage. (1917)
On January 11, 1917: The Kingsland munitions factory explosion occurs as a result of sabotage. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact.