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: Capital punishment in the United Kingdom, already abolished for murder, is... (1998)
On November 9, 1998: Capital punishment in the United Kingdom, already abolished for murder, is completely abolished for all remaining capital offences. This historical event can serve as a powerful
On This Day: The Great Swamp Fight, a pivotal battle in King Philip's War, gives the English... (1675)
On December 19, 1675: The Great Swamp Fight, a pivotal battle in King Philip's War, gives the English settlers a bitterly won victory. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustratio
On This Day: Armenia and Azerbaijan sign a ceasefire agreement, ending the Second... (2020)
On November 10, 2020: Armenia and Azerbaijan sign a ceasefire agreement, ending the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, and prompting protests in Armenia. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermo
On This Day: Serbia declares independence from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. (2006)
On June 5, 2006: Serbia declares independence from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation
On This Day: The United Kingdom holds its first country-wide referendum on membership of the... (1975)
On June 5, 1975: The United Kingdom holds its first country-wide referendum on membership of the European Economic Community (EEC). This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration a
On This Day: Warsaw is awarded the Virtuti Militari by the Polish government-in-exile. (1940)
On November 9, 1940: Warsaw is awarded the Virtuti Militari by the Polish government-in-exile. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact.
On This Day: The Allied Control Council, the military occupation governing body of Germany,... (1945)
On June 5, 1945: The Allied Control Council, the military occupation governing body of Germany, formally takes power. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly lea
On This Day: World War II: More than 1,000 British bombers drop 5,000 tons of bombs on German... (1944)
On June 5, 1944: World War II: More than 1,000 British bombers drop 5,000 tons of bombs on German gun batteries on the Normandy coast in preparation for D-Day. This historical event can serve as a po
On This Day: The United States receives rights to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. (1887)
On November 9, 1887: The United States receives rights to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's heart for justice and righteousness. Cons
On This Day: Japanese prime minister Eisaku Satō becomes the first post-World War II sitting... (1965)
On August 19, 1965: Japanese prime minister Eisaku Satō becomes the first post-World War II sitting prime minister to visit Okinawa Prefecture. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon il
On This Day: World War II: Four thousand Chongqing residents are asphyxiated in a bomb... (1941)
On June 5, 1941: World War II: Four thousand Chongqing residents are asphyxiated in a bomb shelter during the Bombing of Chongqing. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration a
On This Day: The Six-Day War begins: Israel launches surprise strikes against Egyptian... (1967)
On June 5, 1967: The Six-Day War begins: Israel launches surprise strikes against Egyptian air-fields in response to the mobilisation of Egyptian forces on the Israeli border. This historical event c
On This Day: Spain, France and Great Britain sign the Treaty of Seville. (1729)
On November 9, 1729: Spain, France and Great Britain sign the Treaty of Seville. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pursuit of peace in a broken world. Consid
On This Day: Cold War: Marshall Plan: In a speech at Harvard University, the United States... (1947)
On June 5, 1947: Cold War: Marshall Plan: In a speech at Harvard University, the United States Secretary of State George Marshall calls for economic aid to war-torn Europe. This historical event can
On This Day: World War II: The United States declares war on Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania. (1942)
On June 5, 1942: World War II: The United States declares war on Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the even
On This Day: A major earthquake strikes Zagreb and destroys many buildings, including Zagreb... (1880)
On November 9, 1880: A major earthquake strikes Zagreb and destroys many buildings, including Zagreb Cathedral. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works t
On This Day: Cambodia gains independence from France. (1953)
On November 9, 1953: Cambodia gains independence from France. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation. Consider using it when preach
On This Day: Cuban Missile Crisis: Adlai Stevenson shows the United Nations Security Council... (1962)
On October 25, 1962: Cuban Missile Crisis: Adlai Stevenson shows the United Nations Security Council reconnaissance photographs of Soviet ballistic missiles in Cuba. This historical event can serve a
On This Day: Louis Brandeis is sworn in as a Justice of the United States Supreme Court; he... (1916)
On June 5, 1916: Louis Brandeis is sworn in as a Justice of the United States Supreme Court; he is the first American Jew to hold such a position. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon
On This Day: Trần Duệ Tông succeeds his brother Trần Nghệ Tông as King of Vietnam. (1372)
On November 9, 1372: Trần Duệ Tông succeeds his brother Trần Nghệ Tông as King of Vietnam. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Con
On This Day: World War II: After a brief lull in the Battle of France, the Germans renew the... (1940)
On June 5, 1940: World War II: After a brief lull in the Battle of France, the Germans renew the offensive against the remaining French divisions south of the River Somme in Operation Fall Rot ("Case
On This Day: Battle of New Ross: The attempt to spread the United Irish Rebellion into... (1798)
On June 5, 1798: Battle of New Ross: The attempt to spread the United Irish Rebellion into Munster is defeated. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works t
On This Day: American Civil War: Union General Ambrose Burnside assumes command of the Army... (1862)
On November 9, 1862: American Civil War: Union General Ambrose Burnside assumes command of the Army of the Potomac, after George B. McClellan is removed. This historical event can serve as a powerful
On This Day: As the Treaty of Saigon is signed, ceding parts of southern Vietnam to France,... (1862)
On June 5, 1862: As the Treaty of Saigon is signed, ceding parts of southern Vietnam to France, the guerrilla leader Trương Định decides to defy Emperor Tự Đức of Vietnam and fight on against the Euro