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: A major earthquake hits Syria, badly damaging towns such as Hama and Shaizar and... (1170)
On June 29, 1170: A major earthquake hits Syria, badly damaging towns such as Hama and Shaizar and structures such as the Krak des Chevaliers and the cathedral of St. Peter in Antioch. This historica
On This Day: Indonesian National Revolution: The Netherlands officially recognizes Indonesian... (1949)
On December 27, 1949: Indonesian National Revolution: The Netherlands officially recognizes Indonesian independence. End of the Dutch East Indies. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon
On This Day: Raymond of Poitiers is defeated and killed at the Battle of Inab by Nur ad-Din... (1149)
On June 29, 1149: Raymond of Poitiers is defeated and killed at the Battle of Inab by Nur ad-Din Zangi. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through t
On This Day: Iraq War: Sovereign power is handed to the interim government of Iraq by the... (2004)
On June 28, 2004: Iraq War: Sovereign power is handed to the interim government of Iraq by the Coalition Provisional Authority, ending the U.S.-led rule of that nation. This historical event can serv
On This Day: Sverre is crowned King of Norway, leading to his excommunication by the Catholic... (1194)
On June 29, 1194: Sverre is crowned King of Norway, leading to his excommunication by the Catholic Church and civil war. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the en
On This Day: France annexes Tahiti, renaming the independent Kingdom of Tahiti as... (1880)
On June 29, 1880: France annexes Tahiti, renaming the independent Kingdom of Tahiti as "Etablissements de français de l'Océanie". This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration abo
On This Day: At the Battle of Konotop the Ukrainian armies of Ivan Vyhovsky defeat the... (1659)
On June 29, 1659: At the Battle of Konotop the Ukrainian armies of Ivan Vyhovsky defeat the Russians led by Prince Trubetskoy. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about
On This Day: Autocephaly officially granted by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople... (1850)
On June 29, 1850: Autocephaly officially granted by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople to the Church of Greece. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the
On This Day: The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization disbands. (1977)
On June 30, 1977: The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization disbands. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pursuit of peace in a broken world. Consider using it wh
On This Day: Korean War: U.S. President Harry S. Truman authorizes a sea blockade of Korea. (1950)
On June 29, 1950: Korean War: U.S. President Harry S. Truman authorizes a sea blockade of Korea. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impac
On This Day: Jan van Essen and Hendrik Vos become the first Lutheran martyrs, burned at the... (1523)
On July 1, 1523: Jan van Essen and Hendrik Vos become the first Lutheran martyrs, burned at the stake by Roman Catholic authorities in Brussels. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon i
On This Day: U.S. President Warren G. Harding appoints former President William Howard Taft... (1921)
On June 30, 1921: U.S. President Warren G. Harding appoints former President William Howard Taft as Chief Justice of the United States. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustrati
On This Day: Malta is officially subdivided into 68 local councils by the Local Councils Act. (1993)
On June 30, 1993: Malta is officially subdivided into 68 local councils by the Local Councils Act. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the ev
On This Day: World War I: In "the day Sussex died", elements of the Royal Sussex Regiment... (1916)
On June 30, 1916: World War I: In "the day Sussex died", elements of the Royal Sussex Regiment take heavy casualties in the Battle of the Boar's Head at Richebourg-l'Avoué in France. This historical
On This Day: John Rogers is burned at the stake, becoming the first English Protestant martyr... (1555)
On February 4, 1555: John Rogers is burned at the stake, becoming the first English Protestant martyr under Mary I of England. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about
On This Day: Pope Paul VI issues the Credo of the People of God. (1968)
On June 30, 1968: Pope Paul VI issues the Credo of the People of God. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the enduring nature of faith through history. Consider us
On This Day: Battle of Dorylaeum: Crusaders led by prince Bohemond of Taranto defeat a Seljuk... (1097)
On July 1, 1097: Battle of Dorylaeum: Crusaders led by prince Bohemond of Taranto defeat a Seljuk army led by sultan Kilij Arslan I. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration
On This Day: Seven Years' War: Habsburg Austrian forces destroy a Prussian reinforcement and... (1758)
On June 30, 1758: Seven Years' War: Habsburg Austrian forces destroy a Prussian reinforcement and supply convoy in the Battle of Domstadtl, helping to expel Prussian King Frederick the Great from Mora
On This Day: The Battle of La Higueruela takes place in Granada, leading to a modest advance... (1431)
On July 1, 1431: The Battle of La Higueruela takes place in Granada, leading to a modest advance of the Kingdom of Castile during the Reconquista. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon
On This Day: The United States Department of Justice formally comes into existence. (1870)
On July 1, 1870: The United States Department of Justice formally comes into existence. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's heart for justice and righteousne
On This Day: War of the Grand Alliance: Marshal de Luxembourg triumphs over an Anglo-Dutch... (1690)
On July 1, 1690: War of the Grand Alliance: Marshal de Luxembourg triumphs over an Anglo-Dutch army at the battle of Fleurus. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about h
On This Day: Protests begin around Egypt against President Mohamed Morsi and the ruling... (2013)
On June 30, 2013: Protests begin around Egypt against President Mohamed Morsi and the ruling Freedom and Justice Party, leading to their overthrow during the 2013 Egyptian coup d'état. This historica
On This Day: François-Jean de la Barre, a young French nobleman, is tortured and beheaded... (1766)
On July 1, 1766: François-Jean de la Barre, a young French nobleman, is tortured and beheaded before his body is burnt on a pyre along with a copy of Voltaire's Dictionnaire philosophique nailed to hi
On This Day: Vietnam War: Operation Chopper, the first American combat mission and first... (1962)
On January 12, 1962: Vietnam War: Operation Chopper, the first American combat mission and first American helicopter assault in the war, takes place. This historical event can serve as a powerful ser