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: World War II: Witold Pilecki is voluntarily captured and sent to Auschwitz... (1940)
On September 19, 1940: World War II: Witold Pilecki is voluntarily captured and sent to Auschwitz concentration camp to gather and smuggle out information for the resistance movement. This historical
On This Day: The Council of Europe is founded following a speech by Winston Churchill at the... (1946)
On September 19, 1946: The Council of Europe is founded following a speech by Winston Churchill at the University of Zurich. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about th
On This Day: War on drugs: The United Nations agrees upon and promulgates the United Nations... (1988)
On December 20, 1988: War on drugs: The United Nations agrees upon and promulgates the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, one of three maj
On This Day: The leaking oil well in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill is sealed. (2010)
On September 19, 2010: The leaking oil well in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill is sealed. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Cons
On This Day: Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistani President Ayub Khan sign... (1960)
On September 19, 1960: Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistani President Ayub Khan sign the Indus Waters Treaty for the control and management of the Indus, Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi, Sutlej a
On This Day: Cardinal Robert of Geneva is elected as Pope Clement VII, beginning the Papal... (1378)
On September 20, 1378: Cardinal Robert of Geneva is elected as Pope Clement VII, beginning the Papal schism. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works thro
On This Day: Abbasid general Ahmad ibn Kayghalagh leads a raid against the Byzantine Empire,... (906)
On October 22, 906: Abbasid general Ahmad ibn Kayghalagh leads a raid against the Byzantine Empire, taking 4,000-5,000 captives. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration abou
On This Day: The Walking Purchase concludes, which forces the cession of 1.2 million acres... (1737)
On September 20, 1737: The Walking Purchase concludes, which forces the cession of 1.2 million acres (4,900 km2) of Lenape-Delaware tribal land to the Pennsylvania Colony. This historical event can s
On This Day: The decade-long Ragamuffin War starts when rebels capture Porto Alegre in... (1835)
On September 20, 1835: The decade-long Ragamuffin War starts when rebels capture Porto Alegre in Brazil. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through
On This Day: The future King Edward VII of the United Kingdom begins the first visit to North... (1860)
On September 20, 1860: The future King Edward VII of the United Kingdom begins the first visit to North America by a Prince of Wales. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration
On This Day: The White Star Line's RMS Olympic collides with the British warship HMS Hawke. (1911)
On September 20, 1911: The White Star Line's RMS Olympic collides with the British warship HMS Hawke. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the
On This Day: The Treaty on Relations between the USSR and the GDR is signed. (1955)
On September 20, 1955: The Treaty on Relations between the USSR and the GDR is signed. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pursuit of peace in a broken world.
On This Day: Following the Battle of Burki, the Indian Army captures Dograi in during the... (1965)
On September 20, 1965: Following the Battle of Burki, the Indian Army captures Dograi in during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about
On This Day: The Cunard Liner Queen Elizabeth 2 is launched in Clydebank, Scotland. (1967)
On September 20, 1967: The Cunard Liner Queen Elizabeth 2 is launched in Clydebank, Scotland. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact.
On This Day: World War II: The Battle of Cisterna, part of Operation Shingle, begins in... (1944)
On January 30, 1944: World War II: The Battle of Cisterna, part of Operation Shingle, begins in central Italy. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works th
On This Day: South Ossetia declares its independence from Georgia. (1990)
On September 20, 1990: South Ossetia declares its independence from Georgia. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation. Consider using
On This Day: Vietnam War: In a propaganda ceremony in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, three American... (1967)
On November 11, 1967: Vietnam War: In a propaganda ceremony in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, three American prisoners of war are released by the Viet Cong and turned over to "new left" antiwar activist Tom Ha
On This Day: French Revolution: The National Convention abolishes the monarchy. (1792)
On September 21, 1792: French Revolution: The National Convention abolishes the monarchy. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of h
On This Day: During a speech in the Reichstag, Adolf Hitler makes a prediction about the end... (1939)
On January 30, 1939: During a speech in the Reichstag, Adolf Hitler makes a prediction about the end of the Jewish race in Europe if another world war were to occur. This historical event can serve a
On This Day: St. Olaf's Church, a stone church from the 16th century in Tyrvää, Finland, is... (1997)
On September 21, 1997: St. Olaf's Church, a stone church from the 16th century in Tyrvää, Finland, is burnt down by a burglar. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about
On This Day: An Aragonese cavalry force defeats a superior Castilian cavalry force in the... (1359)
On September 22, 1359: An Aragonese cavalry force defeats a superior Castilian cavalry force in the Battle of Araviana during the War of the Two Peters. This historical event can serve as a powerful
On This Day: Nathan Hale is hanged for spying during the American Revolution. (1776)
On September 22, 1776: Nathan Hale is hanged for spying during the American Revolution. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of his
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: World War II: Naval Battle of Guadalcanal between Japanese and American forces... (1942)
On November 12, 1942: World War II: Naval Battle of Guadalcanal between Japanese and American forces begins near Guadalcanal. The battle lasts for three days and ends with an American victory. This h