Non-denominational Illustrations
Biblical simplicity, contemporary relevance, practical application.
Key question: “What is the plain meaning and practical application of this text?”
16579 illustrations found
On This Day: Plymouth Colony governor Josiah Winslow leads a colonial militia against the... (1675)
On November 2, 1675: Plymouth Colony governor Josiah Winslow leads a colonial militia against the Narragansett during King Philip's War. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustrat
On This Day: Napoleon's armies are defeated at the Battle of Vyazma. (1812)
On November 3, 1812: Napoleon's armies are defeated at the Battle of Vyazma. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consi
On This Day: Giuseppe Garibaldi and his followers are defeated in the Battle of Mentana and... (1867)
On November 3, 1867: Giuseppe Garibaldi and his followers are defeated in the Battle of Mentana and fail to end the Pope's Temporal power in Rome (it would be achieved three years later). This histor
On This Day: World War II: Five hundred aircraft of the U.S. 8th Air Force devastate... (1943)
On November 3, 1943: World War II: Five hundred aircraft of the U.S. 8th Air Force devastate Wilhelmshaven harbor in Germany. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about h
On This Day: Chinese Civil War: The Battle of Dengbu Island occurs. (1949)
On November 3, 1949: Chinese Civil War: The Battle of Dengbu Island occurs. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consid
On This Day: The land that would become the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is... (1960)
On November 3, 1960: The land that would become the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is established by an Act of Congress after a year-long legal battle that pitted local residents against Port Au
On This Day: Kublai Khan renames his empire "Yuan" (元 yuán), officially marking the start of... (1271)
On December 18, 1271: Kublai Khan renames his empire "Yuan" (元 yuán), officially marking the start of the Yuan dynasty of Mongolia and China. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illu
On This Day: The United States imposes economic sanctions against Sudan in response to its... (1997)
On November 3, 1997: The United States imposes economic sanctions against Sudan in response to its human rights abuses of its own citizens and its material and political assistance to Islamic extremis
On This Day: Christopher Columbus reaches the Leeward Islands. (1493)
On November 4, 1493: Christopher Columbus reaches the Leeward Islands. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider us
On This Day: Eighty Years' War: In Flanders, Spain captures Antwerp (which is nearly... (1576)
On November 4, 1576: Eighty Years' War: In Flanders, Spain captures Antwerp (which is nearly destroyed after three days). This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how G
On This Day: The Teatro di San Carlo, the oldest working opera house in Europe, is... (1737)
On November 4, 1737: The Teatro di San Carlo, the oldest working opera house in Europe, is inaugurated in Naples, Italy. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly
On This Day: World War II: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt orders the United States... (1939)
On November 4, 1939: World War II: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt orders the United States Customs Service to implement the Neutrality Act of 1939, allowing cash-and-carry purchases of weapons b
On This Day: World War II: Operation Pheasant, an Allied offensive to liberate North Brabant... (1944)
On November 4, 1944: World War II: Operation Pheasant, an Allied offensive to liberate North Brabant in the Netherlands, ends successfully. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illust
On This Day: The United States concludes Operation Fishbowl, its final above-ground nuclear... (1962)
On November 4, 1962: The United States concludes Operation Fishbowl, its final above-ground nuclear weapons testing series, in anticipation of the 1963 Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. This historica
On This Day: Qantas Flight 32, an Airbus A380, suffers an uncontained engine failure over... (2010)
On November 4, 2010: Qantas Flight 32, an Airbus A380, suffers an uncontained engine failure over Indonesia shortly after taking off from Singapore, crippling the jet. The crew manage to safely return
On This Day: Prince William III of Orange lands with a Dutch fleet at Brixham to challenge... (1688)
On November 5, 1688: Prince William III of Orange lands with a Dutch fleet at Brixham to challenge the rule of King James II of England (James VII of Scotland). This historical event can serve as a p
On This Day: In New Zealand, 1600 armed volunteers and constabulary field forces led by... (1881)
On November 5, 1881: In New Zealand, 1600 armed volunteers and constabulary field forces led by Minister of Native Affairs John Bryce march on the pacifist Māori settlement at Parihaka, evicting upwar
On This Day: Woodrow Wilson is elected the 28th President of the United States, defeating... (1912)
On November 5, 1912: Woodrow Wilson is elected the 28th President of the United States, defeating incumbent William Howard Taft. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration abou
On This Day: Lenin calls for the October Revolution. (1917)
On November 5, 1917: Lenin calls for the October Revolution. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider using it whe
On This Day: World War II: Bombing of the Vatican. (1943)
On November 5, 1943: World War II: Bombing of the Vatican. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider using it when
On This Day: André Dallaire attempts to assassinate Prime Minister Jean Chrétien of Canada.... (1995)
On November 5, 1995: André Dallaire attempts to assassinate Prime Minister Jean Chrétien of Canada. He is thwarted when the Prime Minister's wife locks the door. This historical event can serve as a
On This Day: Battle of Jemappes in the French Revolutionary Wars. (1792)
On November 6, 1792: Battle of Jemappes in the French Revolutionary Wars. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider
On This Day: The Philippine-American War begins when four Filipino soldiers enter the... (1899)
On February 4, 1899: The Philippine-American War begins when four Filipino soldiers enter the "American Zone" in Manila, igniting the Battle of Manila. This historical event can serve as a powerful s
On This Day: The AIDS Memorial Quilt is first displayed during the Second National March on... (1987)
On October 11, 1987: The AIDS Memorial Quilt is first displayed during the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustr