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: Vietnam War: Independent investigative journalist Seymour Hersh breaks the story... (1969)
On November 12, 1969: Vietnam War: Independent investigative journalist Seymour Hersh breaks the story of the My Lai Massacre. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about
On This Day: The United States Air Force begins Operation Looking Glass, and over the next 30... (1961)
On February 3, 1961: The United States Air Force begins Operation Looking Glass, and over the next 30 years, a "Doomsday Plane" is always in the air, with the capability of taking direct control of th
On This Day: The London Protocol of 1830 establishes the full independence and sovereignty of... (1830)
On February 3, 1830: The London Protocol of 1830 establishes the full independence and sovereignty of Greece from the Ottoman Empire as the final result of the Greek War of Independence. This histori
On This Day: The Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified,... (1870)
On February 3, 1870: The Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, guaranteeing voting rights to male citizens regardless of race. This historical event can serve as a powerf
On This Day: World War I: The American entry into World War I begins when diplomatic... (1917)
On February 3, 1917: World War I: The American entry into World War I begins when diplomatic relations with Germany are severed due to its unrestricted submarine warfare. This historical event can se
On This Day: A team of rock climbers led by Warren Harding completes the first ascent of The... (1958)
On November 12, 1958: A team of rock climbers led by Warren Harding completes the first ascent of The Nose on El Capitan in Yosemite Valley. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illus
On This Day: Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on STS-74 to deliver the Mir Docking Module to... (1995)
On November 12, 1995: Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on STS-74 to deliver the Mir Docking Module to the Russian space station Mir. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration a
On This Day: Vietnam War: Operation Jefferson Glenn begins: The United States 101st Airborne... (1970)
On September 5, 1970: Vietnam War: Operation Jefferson Glenn begins: The United States 101st Airborne Division and the South Vietnamese 1st Infantry Division initiate a new operation in Thừa Thiên-Huế
On This Day: World War II: As part of Operation Thunderclap, 1,000 B-17s of the Eighth Air... (1945)
On February 3, 1945: World War II: As part of Operation Thunderclap, 1,000 B-17s of the Eighth Air Force bomb Berlin, a raid which kills between 2,500 and 3,000 and dehouses another 120,000. This his
On This Day: World War II: The United States and the Philippine Commonwealth begin a... (1945)
On February 3, 1945: World War II: The United States and the Philippine Commonwealth begin a month-long battle to retake Manila from Japan. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illust
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: Following the death of the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus at Eboracum (modern... (211)
On February 4, 211: Following the death of the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus at Eboracum (modern York, England) while preparing to lead a campaign against the Caledonians, the empire is left in the
On This Day: Pakistan suggests a six-point agenda with Kashmir after the Indo-Pakistani war... (1966)
On February 2, 1966: Pakistan suggests a six-point agenda with Kashmir after the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works thro
On This Day: First Balkan War: King George I of Greece makes a triumphal entry into... (1912)
On November 12, 1912: First Balkan War: King George I of Greece makes a triumphal entry into Thessaloniki after its liberation from 482 years of Ottoman rule. This historical event can serve as a pow
On This Day: Israeli archaeologists discover the tomb of Herod the Great south of Jerusalem. (2007)
On April 27, 2007: Israeli archaeologists discover the tomb of Herod the Great south of Jerusalem. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's call to courage in the
On This Day: José de San Martín defeats a Spanish royalist army at the Battle of San Lorenzo,... (1813)
On February 3, 1813: José de San Martín defeats a Spanish royalist army at the Battle of San Lorenzo, part of the Argentine War of Independence. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon i
On This Day: The Burmese military establishes the State Administration Council, the military... (2021)
On February 2, 2021: The Burmese military establishes the State Administration Council, the military junta, after deposing the democratically elected government in the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état. This
On This Day: After the 1986 People Power Revolution, the Philippines enacts a new... (1987)
On February 2, 1987: After the 1986 People Power Revolution, the Philippines enacts a new constitution. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through t
On This Day: Pope Benedict XVI becomes the longest-lived pope, 93 years, four months, 16... (2020)
On September 4, 2020: Pope Benedict XVI becomes the longest-lived pope, 93 years, four months, 16 days, surpassing Pope Leo XIII, who died in 1903. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermo
On This Day: Italy and the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes sign the Treaty of Rapallo. (1920)
On November 12, 1920: Italy and the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes sign the Treaty of Rapallo. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its
On This Day: American Revolutionary War: British forces seize the Dutch-owned Caribbean... (1781)
On February 3, 1781: American Revolutionary War: British forces seize the Dutch-owned Caribbean island Sint Eustatius. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God
On This Day: Soviet-Afghan War: The last Soviet armoured column leaves Kabul. (1989)
On February 2, 1989: Soviet-Afghan War: The last Soviet armoured column leaves Kabul. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of histo
On This Day: Spanish Civil War: Largo Caballero forms a war cabinet to direct the republican... (1936)
On September 4, 1936: Spanish Civil War: Largo Caballero forms a war cabinet to direct the republican war effort. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works
On This Day: During the Battle of Fraustadt Swedish forces defeat a superior... (1706)
On February 3, 1706: During the Battle of Fraustadt Swedish forces defeat a superior Saxon-Polish-Russian force by deploying a double envelopment. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon