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: Mexican Revolution: Francisco I. Madero issues the Plan de San Luis Potosí,... (1910)
On November 20, 1910: Mexican Revolution: Francisco I. Madero issues the Plan de San Luis Potosí, denouncing Mexican President Porfirio Díaz, calling for a revolution to overthrow the government of Me
On This Day: The United Kingdom's membership within the European Union ceases in accordance... (2020)
On January 31, 2020: The United Kingdom's membership within the European Union ceases in accordance with Article 50, after 47 years of being a member state. This historical event can serve as a power
On This Day: World War II: German field marshal Friedrich Paulus surrenders to the Soviets at... (1943)
On January 31, 1943: World War II: German field marshal Friedrich Paulus surrenders to the Soviets at Stalingrad, followed two days later by the remainder of his Sixth Army, ending one of the war's fi
On This Day: American settlers in Nacogdoches, Mexican Texas, declare their independence,... (1826)
On December 21, 1826: American settlers in Nacogdoches, Mexican Texas, declare their independence, starting the Fredonian Rebellion. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration
On This Day: Finnish Civil War: The Suinula massacre, which changes the nature of the war in... (1918)
On January 31, 1918: Finnish Civil War: The Suinula massacre, which changes the nature of the war in a more hostile direction, takes place in Kangasala. This historical event can serve as a powerful
On This Day: World War II: The end of fighting in the Battle of Hill 170 during the Burma... (1945)
On January 31, 1945: World War II: The end of fighting in the Battle of Hill 170 during the Burma Campaign, in which the British 3 Commando Brigade repulsed a Japanese counterattack on their positions
On This Day: Cold War: In Geneva, U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet Union General... (1985)
On November 19, 1985: Cold War: In Geneva, U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet Union General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev meet for the first time. This historical event can serve as a powerful ser
On This Day: A series of accidental collisions on a misty Scottish night leads to the loss of... (1918)
On January 31, 1918: A series of accidental collisions on a misty Scottish night leads to the loss of two Royal Navy submarines with over a hundred lives, and damage to another five British warships.
On This Day: World War II: Allied forces are defeated by the Japanese at the Battle of Malaya... (1942)
On January 31, 1942: World War II: Allied forces are defeated by the Japanese at the Battle of Malaya and retreat to Singapore. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about
On This Day: World War II: About 3,000 inmates from the Stutthof concentration camp are... (1945)
On January 31, 1945: World War II: About 3,000 inmates from the Stutthof concentration camp are forcibly marched into the Baltic Sea at Palmnicken (now Yantarny, Russia) and executed. This historical
On This Day: World War II: During the Anzio campaign, the 1st Ranger Battalion (Darby's... (1944)
On January 31, 1944: World War II: During the Anzio campaign, the 1st Ranger Battalion (Darby's Rangers) is destroyed behind enemy lines in a heavily outnumbered encounter at Battle of Cisterna, Italy
On This Day: World War II: Thirty members of the Luxembourgish resistance defend the town of... (1944)
On November 19, 1944: World War II: Thirty members of the Luxembourgish resistance defend the town of Vianden against a larger Waffen-SS attack in the Battle of Vianden. This historical event can ser
On This Day: American Civil War: A secession ordinance is filed by Kentucky's Confederate... (1861)
On November 20, 1861: American Civil War: A secession ordinance is filed by Kentucky's Confederate government. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership
On This Day: The Battle of George Square takes place in Glasgow, Scotland, during a campaign... (1919)
On January 31, 1919: The Battle of George Square takes place in Glasgow, Scotland, during a campaign for shorter working hours. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about
On This Day: World War II: American forces land on Kwajalein Atoll and other islands in the... (1944)
On January 31, 1944: World War II: American forces land on Kwajalein Atoll and other islands in the Japanese-held Marshall Islands. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration a
On This Day: World War II: The Battle of Königsberg, in East Prussia, ends. (1945)
On April 9, 1945: World War II: The Battle of Königsberg, in East Prussia, ends. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. C
On This Day: US Army private Eddie Slovik is executed for desertion, the first such execution... (1945)
On January 31, 1945: US Army private Eddie Slovik is executed for desertion, the first such execution of an American soldier since the Civil War. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon
On This Day: History of Portugal: The first attempt at a Portuguese republican revolution... (1891)
On January 31, 1891: History of Portugal: The first attempt at a Portuguese republican revolution breaks out in the northern city of Porto. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illust
On This Day: The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court rules 4-3 in Goodridge v. Department of... (2003)
On November 18, 2003: The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court rules 4-3 in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health that the state's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional and gives the state l
On This Day: The Paris Agreement is signed, an agreement to help fight global warming. (2016)
On April 22, 2016: The Paris Agreement is signed, an agreement to help fight global warming. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events o
On This Day: The Treaty of Lyon ends the Italian War, confirming French domination of... (1504)
On January 31, 1504: The Treaty of Lyon ends the Italian War, confirming French domination of northern Italy, while Spain receives the Kingdom of Naples. This historical event can serve as a powerful
On This Day: Eighty Years' War and Anglo-Spanish War: The Battle of Gembloux is a victory for... (1578)
On January 31, 1578: Eighty Years' War and Anglo-Spanish War: The Battle of Gembloux is a victory for Spanish forces led by Don John of Austria over a rebel army of Dutch, Flemish, English, Scottish,
On This Day: American Civil War: The United States Congress passes the Thirteenth Amendment... (1865)
On January 31, 1865: American Civil War: The United States Congress passes the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, abolishing slavery, and submits it to the states for ratification
On This Day: Oman declares its independence from the United Kingdom. (1971)
On November 18, 1971: Oman declares its independence from the United Kingdom. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation. Consider usin