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: Battle of São Vicente takes place off Portuguese Brazil where three English... (1583)
On February 3, 1583: Battle of São Vicente takes place off Portuguese Brazil where three English warships led by navigator Edward Fenton fight off three Spanish galleons sinking one in the process. T
On This Day: World War II: Greece rejects Italy's ultimatum. Italy invades Greece through... (1940)
On October 28, 1940: World War II: Greece rejects Italy's ultimatum. Italy invades Greece through Albania a few hours later. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about ho
On This Day: The Portuguese navy defeats a joint fleet of the Ottoman Empire, the Republic of... (1509)
On February 3, 1509: The Portuguese navy defeats a joint fleet of the Ottoman Empire, the Republic of Venice, the Sultan of Gujarat, the Mamlûk Burji Sultanate of Egypt, the Zamorin of Calicut, and th
On This Day: The ferry MV Rabaul Queen sinks off the coast of Papua New Guinea near the... (2012)
On February 2, 2012: The ferry MV Rabaul Queen sinks off the coast of Papua New Guinea near the Finschhafen District, with an estimated 146-165 dead. This historical event can serve as a powerful ser
On This Day: Mexican-American War: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed. (1848)
On February 2, 1848: Mexican-American War: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pursuit of peace in a broken world. C
On This Day: The Tartu Peace Treaty is signed between Estonia and Russia. (1920)
On February 2, 1920: The Tartu Peace Treaty is signed between Estonia and Russia. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pursuit of peace in a broken world. Consi
On This Day: Sri Lankan Civil War: Sri Lankan Army soldiers slaughter 158 civilians. (1990)
On September 5, 1990: Sri Lankan Civil War: Sri Lankan Army soldiers slaughter 158 civilians. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events
On This Day: Bohemia is granted freedom of religion through the Letter of Majesty by the Holy... (1609)
On July 9, 1609: Bohemia is granted freedom of religion through the Letter of Majesty by the Holy Roman Emperor, Rudolf II. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the
On This Day: American Revolutionary War: The Battle of Groton Heights takes place, resulting... (1781)
On September 6, 1781: American Revolutionary War: The Battle of Groton Heights takes place, resulting in a British victory. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how
On This Day: World War II: The Battle of Königsberg, in East Prussia, ends. (1945)
On April 9, 1945: World War II: The Battle of Königsberg, in East Prussia, ends. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. C
On This Day: Partitions of Poland: Stanisław August Poniatowski, the last king of independent... (1795)
On November 25, 1795: Partitions of Poland: Stanisław August Poniatowski, the last king of independent Poland, is forced to abdicate and is exiled to Russia. This historical event can serve as a powe
On This Day: The first successful adding machine in the United States is patented by William... (1888)
On August 21, 1888: The first successful adding machine in the United States is patented by William Seward Burroughs. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's cre
On This Day: The siege of Mantua ends after eight months when Count Dagobert Sigmund von... (1797)
On February 2, 1797: The siege of Mantua ends after eight months when Count Dagobert Sigmund von Wurmser surrenders the fortress of Mantua to Napoleon Bonaparte. The fall of Mantua secures French cont
On This Day: World War II: The Battle of Stalingrad comes to an end when Soviet troops accept... (1943)
On February 2, 1943: World War II: The Battle of Stalingrad comes to an end when Soviet troops accept the surrender of the last organized German troops in the city. This historical event can serve as
On This Day: World War I: Prime Minister of Australia Billy Hughes is expelled from the Labor... (1916)
On November 13, 1916: World War I: Prime Minister of Australia Billy Hughes is expelled from the Labor Party over his support for conscription. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon il
On This Day: Wars of the Roses: The Battle of Mortimer's Cross results in the death of Owen... (1461)
On February 2, 1461: Wars of the Roses: The Battle of Mortimer's Cross results in the death of Owen Tudor. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works throug
On This Day: Funeral of Queen Victoria. (1901)
On February 2, 1901: Funeral of Queen Victoria. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider using it when preaching about leaders
On This Day: The Holland Tunnel opens to traffic as the first Hudson River vehicle tunnel... (1927)
On November 13, 1927: The Holland Tunnel opens to traffic as the first Hudson River vehicle tunnel linking New Jersey to New York City. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustrati
On This Day: Scotland in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms: Battle of Inverlochy. (1645)
On February 2, 1645: Scotland in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms: Battle of Inverlochy. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Conside
On This Day: Vietnam War: The execution of Viet Cong officer Nguyễn Văn Lém by South... (1968)
On February 1, 1968: Vietnam War: The execution of Viet Cong officer Nguyễn Văn Lém by South Vietnamese National Police Chief Nguyễn Ngọc Loan is recorded on motion picture film, as well as in an icon
On This Day: Alaric II, eighth king of the Visigoths, promulgates the Breviary of Alaric... (506)
On February 2, 506: Alaric II, eighth king of the Visigoths, promulgates the Breviary of Alaric (Breviarium Alaricianum or Lex Romana Visigothorum), a collection of "Roman law". This historical event
On This Day: The Battle of Lincoln, at which Stephen, King of England is defeated and... (1141)
On February 2, 1141: The Battle of Lincoln, at which Stephen, King of England is defeated and captured by the allies of Empress Matilda. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustrat
On This Day: American Revolutionary War: Patriot revolutionary forces under Gen. Richard... (1775)
On November 13, 1775: American Revolutionary War: Patriot revolutionary forces under Gen. Richard Montgomery occupy Montreal. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about h
On This Day: Fire and sinking of SS Yarmouth Castle, 87 dead. (1965)
On November 13, 1965: Fire and sinking of SS Yarmouth Castle, 87 dead. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider using it when