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: World War II: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt denounces Italy's actions in... (1940)
On June 10, 1940: World War II: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt denounces Italy's actions in his "Stab in the Back" speech at the graduation ceremonies of the University of Virginia. This histor
On This Day: World War II: The Lidice massacre is perpetrated as a reprisal for the... (1942)
On June 10, 1942: World War II: The Lidice massacre is perpetrated as a reprisal for the assassination of Obergruppenführer Reinhard Heydrich. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon ill
On This Day: Club Cinq-Sept fire in Saint-Laurent-du-Pont, France kills 146 young people. (1970)
On November 1, 1970: Club Cinq-Sept fire in Saint-Laurent-du-Pont, France kills 146 young people. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the eve
On This Day: American Civil War: Battle of Brice's Crossroads: Confederate troops under... (1864)
On June 10, 1864: American Civil War: Battle of Brice's Crossroads: Confederate troops under Nathan Bedford Forrest defeat a much larger Union force led by General Samuel D. Sturgis in Mississippi. T
On This Day: Cold War: Ronald Reagan suspends construction of the new U.S. Embassy in Moscow... (1988)
On October 27, 1988: Cold War: Ronald Reagan suspends construction of the new U.S. Embassy in Moscow due to Soviet listening devices in the building structure. This historical event can serve as a po
On This Day: The Maastricht Treaty takes effect, formally establishing the European Union. (1993)
On November 1, 1993: The Maastricht Treaty takes effect, formally establishing the European Union. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its imp
On This Day: The Austro-Hungarian battleship SMS Szent István sinks off the Croatian coast... (1918)
On June 10, 1918: The Austro-Hungarian battleship SMS Szent István sinks off the Croatian coast after being torpedoed by an Italian MAS motorboat; the event is recorded by camera from a nearby vessel.
On This Day: Chaco War ends: A truce is called between Bolivia and Paraguay who had been... (1935)
On June 10, 1935: Chaco War ends: A truce is called between Bolivia and Paraguay who had been fighting since 1932. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God work
On This Day: Norway and Sweden sign the Karlstad Treaty, peacefully dissolving the Union... (1905)
On September 23, 1905: Norway and Sweden sign the Karlstad Treaty, peacefully dissolving the Union between the two countries. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about t
On This Day: Spanish-American War: In the Battle of Guantánamo Bay, U.S. Marines begin the... (1898)
On June 10, 1898: Spanish-American War: In the Battle of Guantánamo Bay, U.S. Marines begin the American invasion of Spanish-held Cuba. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustrati
On This Day: Swedish War of Liberation: Swedish troops defeat a Danish force in the Battle of... (1521)
On April 29, 1521: Swedish War of Liberation: Swedish troops defeat a Danish force in the Battle of Västerås. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freed
On This Day: World War II: Units of the British Army land at Walcheren. (1944)
On November 1, 1944: World War II: Units of the British Army land at Walcheren. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Co
On This Day: Plymouth Colony governor Josiah Winslow leads a colonial militia against the... (1675)
On November 2, 1675: Plymouth Colony governor Josiah Winslow leads a colonial militia against the Narragansett during King Philip's War. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustrat
On This Day: The United States imposes economic sanctions against Sudan in response to its... (1997)
On November 3, 1997: The United States imposes economic sanctions against Sudan in response to its human rights abuses of its own citizens and its material and political assistance to Islamic extremis
On This Day: World War II: Bombing of the Vatican. (1943)
On November 5, 1943: World War II: Bombing of the Vatican. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider using it when
On This Day: Battle of the Standard between Scotland and England. (1138)
On August 22, 1138: Battle of the Standard between Scotland and England. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider
On This Day: French Revolution: Following the arrests of Girondin leaders, the Jacobins gain... (1793)
On June 10, 1793: French Revolution: Following the arrests of Girondin leaders, the Jacobins gain control of the Committee of Public Safety installing the revolutionary dictatorship. This historical
On This Day: Lebanese Christian militias kill at least 1,000 in Karantina, Beirut. (1976)
On January 18, 1976: Lebanese Christian militias kill at least 1,000 in Karantina, Beirut. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the enduring nature of faith through
On This Day: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines gains its independence from the United Kingdom. (1979)
On October 27, 1979: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines gains its independence from the United Kingdom. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and l
On This Day: King George III expands on his Proclamation of Rebellion in the Thirteen... (1775)
On October 27, 1775: King George III expands on his Proclamation of Rebellion in the Thirteen Colonies in his speech from the throne at the opening of Parliament. This historical event can serve as a
On This Day: A federal grand jury in Houston, Texas indicts former Enron chief financial... (2002)
On October 31, 2002: A federal grand jury in Houston, Texas indicts former Enron chief financial officer Andrew Fastow on 78 counts of wire fraud, money laundering, conspiracy and obstruction of justi
On This Day: Philip II is crowned as 'King of France'. (1179)
On November 1, 1179: Philip II is crowned as 'King of France'. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider using it when preachin
On This Day: King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I) of Siam (modern day Thailand) is crowned. (1782)
On June 10, 1782: King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I) of Siam (modern day Thailand) is crowned. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impac
On This Day: Copenhagen is surrounded by the army of Frederick I of Denmark, as the city will... (1523)
On June 10, 1523: Copenhagen is surrounded by the army of Frederick I of Denmark, as the city will not recognise him as the successor of Christian II of Denmark. This historical event can serve as a