Non-denominational Illustrations
Biblical simplicity, contemporary relevance, practical application.
Key question: โWhat is the plain meaning and practical application of this text?โ
14828 illustrations found
On This Day: The United States concludes Operation Fishbowl, its final above-ground nuclear... (1962)
On November 4, 1962: The United States concludes Operation Fishbowl, its final above-ground nuclear weapons testing series, in anticipation of the 1963 Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. This historica
On This Day: Council of Trent: Pope Paul III sends out letters to his bishops, delaying the... (1539)
On June 10, 1539: Council of Trent: Pope Paul III sends out letters to his bishops, delaying the Council due to war and the difficulty bishops had traveling to Venice. This historical event can serve
On This Day: In Saint Petersburg, Bartolomeo Rastrelli presents the newly built Catherine... (1756)
On July 30, 1756: In Saint Petersburg, Bartolomeo Rastrelli presents the newly built Catherine Palace to Empress Elizabeth and her courtiers. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illu
On This Day: Qantas Flight 32, an Airbus A380, suffers an uncontained engine failure over... (2010)
On November 4, 2010: Qantas Flight 32, an Airbus A380, suffers an uncontained engine failure over Indonesia shortly after taking off from Singapore, crippling the jet. The crew manage to safely return
On This Day: Lenin calls for the October Revolution. (1917)
On November 5, 1917: Lenin calls for the October Revolution. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider using it whe
On This Day: Thirty Years' War: Battle of Zรกblatรญ, a turning point in the Bohemian Revolt. (1619)
On June 10, 1619: Thirty Years' War: Battle of Zรกblatรญ, a turning point in the Bohemian Revolt. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the event
On This Day: Jacobite risings: Battle of Glen Shiel. (1719)
On June 10, 1719: Jacobite risings: Battle of Glen Shiel. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider using it when p
On This Day: The Teatro di San Carlo, the oldest working opera house in Europe, is... (1737)
On November 4, 1737: The Teatro di San Carlo, the oldest working opera house in Europe, is inaugurated in Naples, Italy. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly
On This Day: First Barbary War: Yusuf Karamanli signs a treaty ending the hostilities between... (1805)
On June 10, 1805: First Barbary War: Yusuf Karamanli signs a treaty ending the hostilities between Tripolitania and the United States. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustratio
On This Day: World War II: Military resistance to the German occupation of Norway ends. (1940)
On June 10, 1940: World War II: Military resistance to the German occupation of Norway ends. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about persevering through trials and tri
On This Day: World War II: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt orders the United States... (1939)
On November 4, 1939: World War II: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt orders the United States Customs Service to implement the Neutrality Act of 1939, allowing cash-and-carry purchases of weapons b
On This Day: An explosion kills 17 people and injures at least 46 at a hotel in Peshawar,... (2009)
On June 9, 2009: An explosion kills 17 people and injures at least 46 at a hotel in Peshawar, Pakistan. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through t
On This Day: World War II: Ninety-nine civilians are hanged from lampposts and balconies by... (1944)
On June 9, 1944: World War II: Ninety-nine civilians are hanged from lampposts and balconies by German troops in Tulle, France, in reprisal for maquisards attacks. This historical event can serve as
On This Day: Christopher Columbus reaches the Leeward Islands. (1493)
On November 4, 1493: Christopher Columbus reaches the Leeward Islands. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider us
On This Day: First Balkan War: The Ottomans lose the cities of Thessaloniki and Skopje. (1912)
On October 26, 1912: First Balkan War: The Ottomans lose the cities of Thessaloniki and Skopje. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's creation and human discov
On This Day: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opens its priesthood to "all... (1978)
On June 9, 1978: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opens its priesthood to "all worthy men", ending a 148-year-old policy of excluding black men. This historical event can serve as a po
On This Day: Eighty Years' War: In Flanders, Spain captures Antwerp (which is nearly... (1576)
On November 4, 1576: Eighty Years' War: In Flanders, Spain captures Antwerp (which is nearly destroyed after three days). This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how G
On This Day: World War II: Operation Pheasant, an Allied offensive to liberate North Brabant... (1944)
On November 4, 1944: World War II: Operation Pheasant, an Allied offensive to liberate North Brabant in the Netherlands, ends successfully. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illust
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: Georgian-Seljuk wars: At the Battle of Basian the Kingdom of Georgia defeats the... (1202)
On July 27, 1202: Georgian-Seljuk wars: At the Battle of Basian the Kingdom of Georgia defeats the Sultanate of Rum. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly lead
On This Day: Pope Honorius III issues the bull Vineae Domini custodes in which he approves... (1225)
On June 10, 1225: Pope Honorius III issues the bull Vineae Domini custodes in which he approves the mission of Dominican friars to Morocco. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illus
On This Day: Chinese Civil War: The Battle of Dengbu Island occurs. (1949)
On November 3, 1949: Chinese Civil War: The Battle of Dengbu Island occurs. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consid
On This Day: Vietnam War: The Viet Cong commences combat with the Army of the Republic of... (1965)
On June 9, 1965: Vietnam War: The Viet Cong commences combat with the Army of the Republic of Vietnam in the Battle of ฤแปng Xoร i, one of the largest battles in the war. This historical event can serv
On This Day: Kosovo War: The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and NATO sign a peace treaty. (1999)
On June 9, 1999: Kosovo War: The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and NATO sign a peace treaty. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pursuit of peace in a broken