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 II: The Drama uprising against the Bulgarian occupation in northern... (1941)
On September 28, 1941: World War II: The Drama uprising against the Bulgarian occupation in northern Greece begins. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God wor
On This Day: World War II: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt denounces Italy's actions in... (1940)
On June 10, 1940: World War II: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt denounces Italy's actions in his "Stab in the Back" speech at the graduation ceremonies of the University of Virginia. This histor
On This Day: Philippine-American War: Filipino guerrillas kill more than forty American... (1901)
On September 28, 1901: Philippine-American War: Filipino guerrillas kill more than forty American soldiers while losing 28 of their own. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustrat
On This Day: American Revolution: Samuel Huntington is elected President of the Continental... (1779)
On September 28, 1779: American Revolution: Samuel Huntington is elected President of the Continental Congress, succeeding John Jay. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration
On This Day: World War II: The Lidice massacre is perpetrated as a reprisal for the... (1942)
On June 10, 1942: World War II: The Lidice massacre is perpetrated as a reprisal for the assassination of Obergruppenführer Reinhard Heydrich. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon ill
On This Day: The Battle of Aliwal, India, is won by British troops commanded by Sir Harry... (1846)
On January 28, 1846: The Battle of Aliwal, India, is won by British troops commanded by Sir Harry Smith. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through
On This Day: Greek judge and archeologist Panagiotis Poulitsas is appointed Prime Minister of... (1946)
On April 4, 1946: Greek judge and archeologist Panagiotis Poulitsas is appointed Prime Minister of Greece in the midst of the Greek Civil War. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon ill
On This Day: Moriscos are expelled from the Kingdom of Valencia. (1609)
On April 4, 1609: Moriscos are expelled from the Kingdom of Valencia. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider using it when p
On This Day: American Civil War: Battle of Brice's Crossroads: Confederate troops under... (1864)
On June 10, 1864: American Civil War: Battle of Brice's Crossroads: Confederate troops under Nathan Bedford Forrest defeat a much larger Union force led by General Samuel D. Sturgis in Mississippi. T
On This Day: Rama IV is crowned King of Thailand after the death of his half-brother, Rama... (1851)
On April 3, 1851: Rama IV is crowned King of Thailand after the death of his half-brother, Rama III. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its i
On This Day: Hundred Years' War: A French army defeats the English at the Battle of La... (1423)
On September 26, 1423: Hundred Years' War: A French army defeats the English at the Battle of La Brossinière. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works thr
On This Day: Cold War: Ronald Reagan suspends construction of the new U.S. Embassy in Moscow... (1988)
On October 27, 1988: Cold War: Ronald Reagan suspends construction of the new U.S. Embassy in Moscow due to Soviet listening devices in the building structure. This historical event can serve as a po
On This Day: Franco-Prussian War: The Siege of Paris ends in French defeat and an armistice. (1871)
On January 28, 1871: Franco-Prussian War: The Siege of Paris ends in French defeat and an armistice. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pursuit of peace in a
On This Day: The Edict of Torda prohibits the persecution of individuals on religious grounds... (1568)
On January 28, 1568: The Edict of Torda prohibits the persecution of individuals on religious grounds in John Sigismund Zápolya's Eastern Hungarian Kingdom. This historical event can serve as a power
On This Day: Friso-Hollandic Wars: Frisians defeat Holland in the Battle of Warns. (1345)
On September 26, 1345: Friso-Hollandic Wars: Frisians defeat Holland in the Battle of Warns. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events o
On This Day: The Mozambican War of Independence against Portugal begins. (1964)
On September 25, 1964: The Mozambican War of Independence against Portugal begins. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation. Consider
On This Day: The Austro-Hungarian battleship SMS Szent István sinks off the Croatian coast... (1918)
On June 10, 1918: The Austro-Hungarian battleship SMS Szent István sinks off the Croatian coast after being torpedoed by an Italian MAS motorboat; the event is recorded by camera from a nearby vessel.
On This Day: World War I: The Second Battle of Champagne begins. (1915)
On September 25, 1915: World War I: The Second Battle of Champagne begins. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Conside
On This Day: American Revolutionary War: Benedict Arnold's expedition to Quebec sets off to... (1775)
On September 25, 1775: American Revolutionary War: Benedict Arnold's expedition to Quebec sets off to join the American invasion. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration abo
On This Day: Chaco War ends: A truce is called between Bolivia and Paraguay who had been... (1935)
On June 10, 1935: Chaco War ends: A truce is called between Bolivia and Paraguay who had been fighting since 1932. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God work
On This Day: Walk to Canossa: The excommunication of Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor, is lifted... (1077)
On January 28, 1077: Walk to Canossa: The excommunication of Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor, is lifted after he humbles himself before Pope Gregory VII at Canossa in Italy. This historical event can se
On This Day: Ottoman Emperor Bayezid I defeats a Christian army at the Battle of Nicopolis. (1396)
On September 25, 1396: Ottoman Emperor Bayezid I defeats a Christian army at the Battle of Nicopolis. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the enduring nature of fa
On This Day: Representatives of 71 nations sign the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty at... (1996)
On September 24, 1996: Representatives of 71 nations sign the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty at the United Nations. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the
On This Day: Spanish-American War: In the Battle of Guantánamo Bay, U.S. Marines begin the... (1898)
On June 10, 1898: Spanish-American War: In the Battle of Guantánamo Bay, U.S. Marines begin the American invasion of Spanish-held Cuba. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustrati