Non-denominational Illustrations
Biblical simplicity, contemporary relevance, practical application.
Key question: “What is the plain meaning and practical application of this text?”
14828 illustrations found
On This Day: British forces under Edward Despard complete the reconquest of the Black River... (1782)
On August 23, 1782: British forces under Edward Despard complete the reconquest of the Black River settlements on the Mosquito Coast from the Spanish. This historical event can serve as a powerful se
On This Day: Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama Roy Moore is suspended after... (2003)
On August 22, 2003: Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama Roy Moore is suspended after refusing to comply with a federal court order to remove a rock inscribed with the Ten Commandments from t
On This Day: Pope Paul VI arrives in Bogotá, Colombia. It is the first visit of a pope to... (1968)
On August 22, 1968: Pope Paul VI arrives in Bogotá, Colombia. It is the first visit of a pope to Latin America. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's creation
On This Day: Russian homage to the King of Poland, Sigismund III Vasa. (1611)
On October 29, 1611: Russian homage to the King of Poland, Sigismund III Vasa. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider using
On This Day: French Revolution: The French National Convention initiates the Reign of Terror. (1793)
On September 5, 1793: French Revolution: The French National Convention initiates the Reign of Terror. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through th
On This Day: World War II: The Battle of Britain ends, causing Germany to abandon Operation... (1940)
On October 31, 1940: World War II: The Battle of Britain ends, causing Germany to abandon Operation Sea Lion. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works thr
On This Day: The land that would become the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is... (1960)
On November 3, 1960: The land that would become the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is established by an Act of Congress after a year-long legal battle that pitted local residents against Port Au
On This Day: Odoacer, chieftain of the Germanic tribes (Herulic - Scirian foederati), is... (476)
On August 23, 476: Odoacer, chieftain of the Germanic tribes (Herulic - Scirian foederati), is proclaimed rex Italiae ("King of Italy") by his troops. This historical event can serve as a powerful se
On This Day: William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy is crowned king of England, at... (1066)
On December 25, 1066: William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy is crowned king of England, at Westminster Abbey, London. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly l
On This Day: Siege of Jerusalem: The city surrenders to the Khwarazmiyya, ending Christian... (1244)
On August 23, 1244: Siege of Jerusalem: The city surrenders to the Khwarazmiyya, ending Christian control of the Jerusalem for the next 672 years. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon
On This Day: Grigori Perelman is awarded the Fields Medal for his proof of the Poincaré... (2006)
On August 22, 2006: Grigori Perelman is awarded the Fields Medal for his proof of the Poincaré conjecture in mathematics but refuses to accept the medal. This historical event can serve as a powerful
On This Day: Turkmenistan achieves independence from the Soviet Union. (1991)
On October 27, 1991: Turkmenistan achieves independence from the Soviet Union. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation. Consider usi
On This Day: The lower town of Smyrna is captured by Latin Christians in response to Aydınid... (1344)
On October 28, 1344: The lower town of Smyrna is captured by Latin Christians in response to Aydınid piracy during the Smyrniote crusades. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustr
On This Day: Norman mercenaries land at Bannow Bay in Leinster, marking the beginning of the... (1169)
On May 1, 1169: Norman mercenaries land at Bannow Bay in Leinster, marking the beginning of the Norman invasion of Ireland. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about god
On This Day: Ethnic clashes over grazing rights for cattle in Kenya's Tana River District... (2012)
On August 22, 2012: Ethnic clashes over grazing rights for cattle in Kenya's Tana River District result in more than 52 deaths. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about
On This Day: Franco-Prussian War: Marshal Bazaine surrenders to Prussian forces at the... (1870)
On October 27, 1870: Franco-Prussian War: Marshal Bazaine surrenders to Prussian forces at the conclusion of the Siege of Metz along with 140,000 French soldiers. This historical event can serve as a
On This Day: Nicaraguan Revolution: The FSLN seizes the National Congress of Nicaragua, along... (1978)
On August 22, 1978: Nicaraguan Revolution: The FSLN seizes the National Congress of Nicaragua, along with over a thousand hostages. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration a
On This Day: The Battle of Tagliacozzo: The army of Prince Conradin is nearly destroyed by... (1268)
On August 23, 1268: The Battle of Tagliacozzo: The army of Prince Conradin is nearly destroyed by Charles of Anjou, ending Hohenstaufen control over the Kingdom of Sicily and leaving the Angevins in c
On This Day: Cold War: The Soviet submarine S-363 runs aground on the east coast of Sweden. (1981)
On October 27, 1981: Cold War: The Soviet submarine S-363 runs aground on the east coast of Sweden. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the e
On This Day: Second Ottoman-Mamluk War: Mamluks fail to stop the Ottoman advance towards... (1516)
On October 28, 1516: Second Ottoman-Mamluk War: Mamluks fail to stop the Ottoman advance towards Egypt at the Battle of Yaunis Khan. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration
On This Day: Iceland is the first nation in the world to recognize the independence of the... (1991)
On August 22, 1991: Iceland is the first nation in the world to recognize the independence of the Baltic states. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of fr
On This Day: The District of Columbia Voting Rights Amendment is passed by the U.S. Congress,... (1978)
On August 22, 1978: The District of Columbia Voting Rights Amendment is passed by the U.S. Congress, although it is never ratified by a sufficient number of states. This historical event can serve as
On This Day: Jordan and Israel sign a peace treaty. (1994)
On October 26, 1994: Jordan and Israel sign a peace treaty. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pursuit of peace in a broken world. Consider using it when prea
On This Day: The Act of Union joining England and Scotland to form the Kingdom of Great... (1707)
On May 1, 1707: The Act of Union joining England and Scotland to form the Kingdom of Great Britain takes effect. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadersh