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: World War I: U.S. President Warren G. Harding signs the Knox-Porter Resolution... (1921)
On July 2, 1921: World War I: U.S. President Warren G. Harding signs the Knox-Porter Resolution formally ending the war between the United States and Germany. This historical event can serve as a pow
On This Day: Cold War: The Warsaw Pact is officially dissolved at a meeting in Prague. (1991)
On July 1, 1991: Cold War: The Warsaw Pact is officially dissolved at a meeting in Prague. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of
On This Day: Ghana becomes a republic and Kwame Nkrumah becomes its first President as Queen... (1960)
On July 1, 1960: Ghana becomes a republic and Kwame Nkrumah becomes its first President as Queen Elizabeth II ceases to be its head of state. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illu
On This Day: Battle of Adrianople: Constantine I defeats Licinius, who flees to Byzantium. (324)
On July 3, 324: Battle of Adrianople: Constantine I defeats Licinius, who flees to Byzantium. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events
On This Day: The Aden Emergency: The Battle of the Crater in which the British Argyll and... (1967)
On July 3, 1967: The Aden Emergency: The Battle of the Crater in which the British Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders retake the Crater district following the Arab Police mutiny. This historical event
On This Day: Hugh Capet is crowned King of France, the first of the Capetian dynasty that... (987)
On July 3, 987: Hugh Capet is crowned King of France, the first of the Capetian dynasty that would rule France until the French Revolution in 1792. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermo
On This Day: American Revolutionary War: The Iroquois, allied with Britain, massacre 360... (1778)
On July 3, 1778: American Revolutionary War: The Iroquois, allied with Britain, massacre 360 Patriot soldiers during the Battle of Wyoming. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illust
On This Day: War of 1812: American forces capture Fort Erie from British troops in Upper... (1814)
On July 3, 1814: War of 1812: American forces capture Fort Erie from British troops in Upper Canada. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the
On This Day: Ketanji Brown Jackson is confirmed for the Supreme Court of the United States,... (2022)
On April 7, 2022: Ketanji Brown Jackson is confirmed for the Supreme Court of the United States, becoming the first black female justice. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustra
On This Day: A Spanish squadron, led by Pascual Cervera y Topete, is defeated by an American... (1898)
On July 3, 1898: A Spanish squadron, led by Pascual Cervera y Topete, is defeated by an American squadron under William T. Sampson in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba. This historical event can serve a
On This Day: Pactum Sicardi, a peace treaty between the Principality of Benevento and the... (836)
On July 4, 836: Pactum Sicardi, a peace treaty between the Principality of Benevento and the Duchy of Naples, is signed. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pu
On This Day: World War II: The Royal Navy attacks the French naval squadron in Algeria, to... (1940)
On July 3, 1940: World War II: The Royal Navy attacks the French naval squadron in Algeria, to ensure that it will not fall under German control. Of the four French battleships present, one is sunk, t
On This Day: Austro-Prussian War is decided at the Battle of Königgrätz, enabling Prussia to... (1866)
On July 3, 1866: Austro-Prussian War is decided at the Battle of Königgrätz, enabling Prussia to exclude Austria from German affairs. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration
On This Day: United States Navy warship USS Vincennes shoots down Iran Air Flight 655 over... (1988)
On July 3, 1988: United States Navy warship USS Vincennes shoots down Iran Air Flight 655 over the Persian Gulf, killing all 290 people aboard. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon il
On This Day: American Revolutionary War: US forces under George Clark capture Kaskaskia... (1778)
On July 4, 1778: American Revolutionary War: US forces under George Clark capture Kaskaskia during the Illinois campaign. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how G
On This Day: The "Indian Independence Bill" is presented before the British House of Commons,... (1947)
On July 4, 1947: The "Indian Independence Bill" is presented before the British House of Commons, proposing the independence of the Provinces of British India into two sovereign countries: India and P
On This Day: The Treaty of Lancaster, in which the Iroquois cede lands between the Allegheny... (1744)
On July 4, 1744: The Treaty of Lancaster, in which the Iroquois cede lands between the Allegheny Mountains and the Ohio River to the British colonies, was signed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This hist
On This Day: Santiago, Chile, is attacked by indigenous warriors, led by Michimalonco, to... (1541)
On September 11, 1541: Santiago, Chile, is attacked by indigenous warriors, led by Michimalonco, to free eight indigenous chiefs held captive by the Spaniards. This historical event can serve as a po
On This Day: Ulrich of Augsburg is canonized as a saint. (993)
On July 4, 993: Ulrich of Augsburg is canonized as a saint. 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: The forces of the Sultanate of Muscat occupy the last strongholds of the Imamate... (1959)
On January 30, 1959: The forces of the Sultanate of Muscat occupy the last strongholds of the Imamate of Oman, Saiq and Shuraijah, marking the end of Jebel Akhdar War in Oman. This historical event c
On This Day: Ottoman-Hungarian wars: The Siege of Nándorfehérvár (Belgrade) begins. (1456)
On July 4, 1456: Ottoman-Hungarian wars: The Siege of Nándorfehérvár (Belgrade) begins. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of his
On This Day: Jan Hus is condemned by the assembly of the council in the Konstanz Cathedral as... (1415)
On July 6, 1415: Jan Hus is condemned by the assembly of the council in the Konstanz Cathedral as a heretic and sentenced to be burned at the stake. This historical event can serve as a powerful serm
On This Day: Battle of Malplaquet: Great Britain, Netherlands, and Austria fight against... (1709)
On September 11, 1709: Battle of Malplaquet: Great Britain, Netherlands, and Austria fight against France. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works throug
On This Day: Pope John Paul II receives a delegation from the Polish trade union Solidarity... (1981)
On January 15, 1981: Pope John Paul II receives a delegation from the Polish trade union Solidarity at the Vatican led by Lech Wałęsa. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustratio