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: France invades the Austrian Netherlands (present day Belgium and Luxembourg),... (1792)
On April 28, 1792: France invades the Austrian Netherlands (present day Belgium and Luxembourg), beginning the French Revolutionary Wars. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustra
On This Day: Haitian Revolution: Battle of Port-Républicain: British troops capture the... (1794)
On June 5, 1794: Haitian Revolution: Battle of Port-Républicain: British troops capture the capital of Saint-Domingue. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God
On This Day: JVC introduces its VHS videotape at the Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago. It... (1977)
On June 4, 1977: JVC introduces its VHS videotape at the Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago. It will eventually prevail against Sony's rival Betamax system in a format war to become the predominant
On This Day: Treaty of Granada: Louis XII of France and Ferdinand II of Aragon agree to... (1500)
On November 11, 1500: Treaty of Granada: Louis XII of France and Ferdinand II of Aragon agree to divide the Kingdom of Naples between them. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illust
On This Day: Battle of the Chesapeake in the American Revolutionary War: The British Navy is... (1781)
On September 5, 1781: Battle of the Chesapeake in the American Revolutionary War: The British Navy is repelled by the French Navy, contributing to the British surrender at Yorktown. This historical e
On This Day: Battle of Posada ends: Wallachian Voievode Basarab I defeats the Hungarian army... (1330)
On November 12, 1330: Battle of Posada ends: Wallachian Voievode Basarab I defeats the Hungarian army by ambush. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works
On This Day: American Revolutionary War: Patriot revolutionary forces under Gen. Richard... (1775)
On November 13, 1775: American Revolutionary War: Patriot revolutionary forces under Gen. Richard Montgomery occupy Montreal. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about h
On This Day: Theodora is crowned Byzantine empress and marries then emperor Theophilos in the... (830)
On June 5, 830: Theodora is crowned Byzantine empress and marries then emperor Theophilos in the Hagia Sophia. She is credited with restoring Christian orthodoxy and icons. This historical event can
On This Day: Battle of the Gulf of Naples: Roger of Lauria, admiral to King Peter III of... (1284)
On June 5, 1284: Battle of the Gulf of Naples: Roger of Lauria, admiral to King Peter III of Aragon, destroys the Neapolitan fleet and captures Charles of Salerno. This historical event can serve as
On This Day: Major Henry Wirz, the superintendent of a prison camp in Andersonville, Georgia,... (1865)
On November 10, 1865: Major Henry Wirz, the superintendent of a prison camp in Andersonville, Georgia, is hanged, becoming one of only three American Civil War soldiers executed for war crimes. This
On This Day: Solidarity's victory in the 1989 Polish legislative election occurs, the first... (1989)
On June 4, 1989: Solidarity's victory in the 1989 Polish legislative election occurs, the first election since the Communist Polish United Workers' Party abandoned its monopoly of power. It sparks off
On This Day: Tonga gains independence from the British Empire. (1970)
On June 4, 1970: Tonga gains independence from the British Empire. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation. Consider using it when p
On This Day: Henry Morton Stanley locates missing explorer and missionary, David Livingstone... (1871)
On November 10, 1871: Henry Morton Stanley locates missing explorer and missionary, David Livingstone in Ujiji, near Lake Tanganyika, famously greeting him with the words, "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?
On This Day: Women's rights: The U.S. Congress approves the Nineteenth Amendment to the... (1919)
On June 4, 1919: Women's rights: The U.S. Congress approves the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which guarantees suffrage to women, and sends it to the U.S. states for ratifica
On This Day: World War II: The United States Fifth Army captures Rome, although much of the... (1944)
On June 4, 1944: World War II: The United States Fifth Army captures Rome, although much of the German Fourteenth Army is able to withdraw to the north. This historical event can serve as a powerful
On This Day: Hungary loses 71% of its territory and 63% of its population when the Treaty of... (1920)
On June 4, 1920: Hungary loses 71% of its territory and 63% of its population when the Treaty of Trianon is signed in Paris. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about th
On This Day: The first day of the seven-day 1972 Iran blizzard, which would kill at least... (1972)
On February 3, 1972: The first day of the seven-day 1972 Iran blizzard, which would kill at least 4,000 people, making it the deadliest snowstorm in history. This historical event can serve as a powe
On This Day: The Indian National Congress promulgates the Purna Swaraj (the Declaration of... (1929)
On December 19, 1929: The Indian National Congress promulgates the Purna Swaraj (the Declaration of the Independence of India). This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about
On This Day: World War II: Germany invades Vichy France following French Admiral François... (1942)
On November 10, 1942: World War II: Germany invades Vichy France following French Admiral François Darlan's agreement to an armistice with the Allies in North Africa. This historical event can serve
On This Day: Tutush, brother of Seljuk sultan Malik Shah, defeats Suleiman ibn Qutalmish, the... (1086)
On June 5, 1086: Tutush, brother of Seljuk sultan Malik Shah, defeats Suleiman ibn Qutalmish, the Turkish ruler of Anatolia in the battle of Ain Salm. This historical event can serve as a powerful se
On This Day: World War II: During the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign, U.S. Army and... (1944)
On February 3, 1944: World War II: During the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign, U.S. Army and Marine forces seize Kwajalein Atoll from the defending Japanese garrison. This historical event can
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: Thirteen Years' War: The Secret Council of the Prussian Confederation sends a... (1454)
On February 4, 1454: Thirteen Years' War: The Secret Council of the Prussian Confederation sends a formal act of disobedience to the Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights, sparking the Thirteen Years'
On This Day: World War II: The Dunkirk evacuation ends: the British Armed Forces completes... (1940)
On June 4, 1940: World War II: The Dunkirk evacuation ends: the British Armed Forces completes evacuation of 338,000 troops from Dunkirk in France. To rally the morale of the country, Winston Churchil