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 Learjet 35 crashes in Mina near Aberdeen, South Dakota, killing all six people... (1999)
On October 25, 1999: A Learjet 35 crashes in Mina near Aberdeen, South Dakota, killing all six people on board, including PGA golfer Payne Stewart and golf course designer Bruce Borland. This histori
On This Day: Tvrtko I is crowned the first king of Bosnia. (1377)
On October 26, 1377: Tvrtko I is crowned the first king of Bosnia. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider using it when prea
On This Day: The Byzantine civil war of 1341-1347 formally begins with the proclamation of... (1341)
On October 26, 1341: The Byzantine civil war of 1341-1347 formally begins with the proclamation of John VI Kantakouzenos as Byzantine Emperor. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon ill
On This Day: The Treaty of Ripon is signed, restoring peace between Covenanter Scotland and... (1640)
On October 26, 1640: The Treaty of Ripon is signed, restoring peace between Covenanter Scotland and King Charles I of England. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about
On This Day: King Oscar II recognizes the dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden. (1905)
On October 26, 1905: King Oscar II recognizes the dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its
On This Day: American Civil War Maryland Campaign: General Robert E. Lee takes the Army of... (1862)
On September 4, 1862: American Civil War Maryland Campaign: General Robert E. Lee takes the Army of Northern Virginia, and the war, into the North. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermo
On This Day: In the Treaty of Salynas, Lithuania cedes Samogitia to the Teutonic Knights. (1398)
On October 12, 1398: In the Treaty of Salynas, Lithuania cedes Samogitia to the Teutonic Knights. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pursuit of peace in a bro
On This Day: Partition of India: The Maharaja of Kashmir and Jammu signs the Instrument of... (1947)
On October 26, 1947: Partition of India: The Maharaja of Kashmir and Jammu signs the Instrument of Accession with India, beginning the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-1948 and the Kashmir conflict. This h
On This Day: Hungarian Revolution: In the towns of Mosonmagyaróvár and Esztergom, Hungarian... (1956)
On October 26, 1956: Hungarian Revolution: In the towns of Mosonmagyaróvár and Esztergom, Hungarian secret police forces massacre civilians. As rebel strongholds in Budapest hold, fighting spreads thr
On This Day: Jordan and Israel sign a peace treaty. (1994)
On October 26, 1994: Jordan and Israel sign a peace treaty. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pursuit of peace in a broken world. Consider using it when prea
On This Day: The United States and Spain sign the Treaty of Madrid, which establishes the... (1795)
On October 27, 1795: The United States and Spain sign the Treaty of Madrid, which establishes the boundaries between Spanish colonies and the U.S. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon
On This Day: American Civil War: Union forces led by General William F. Smith defeat... (1863)
On October 27, 1863: American Civil War: Union forces led by General William F. Smith defeat Confederate forces in the Battle of Brown's Ferry, opening up a supply line to the besieged city of Chattan
On This Day: Franco-Prussian War: Marshal Bazaine surrenders to Prussian forces at the... (1870)
On October 27, 1870: Franco-Prussian War: Marshal Bazaine surrenders to Prussian forces at the conclusion of the Siege of Metz along with 140,000 French soldiers. This historical event can serve as a
On This Day: Cold War: The Soviet submarine S-363 runs aground on the east coast of Sweden. (1981)
On October 27, 1981: Cold War: The Soviet submarine S-363 runs aground on the east coast of Sweden. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the e
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 lower town of Smyrna is captured by Latin Christians in response to Aydınid... (1344)
On October 28, 1344: The lower town of Smyrna is captured by Latin Christians in response to Aydınid piracy during the Smyrniote crusades. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustr
On This Day: Second Ottoman-Mamluk War: Mamluks fail to stop the Ottoman advance towards... (1516)
On October 28, 1516: Second Ottoman-Mamluk War: Mamluks fail to stop the Ottoman advance towards Egypt at the Battle of Yaunis Khan. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration
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: King George II of Great Britain grants the Ohio Company a charter of land around... (1749)
On May 19, 1749: King George II of Great Britain grants the Ohio Company a charter of land around the forks of the Ohio River. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about
On This Day: World War II: A German submarine makes the first attack of the war against a... (1941)
On September 4, 1941: World War II: A German submarine makes the first attack of the war against a United States warship, the USS Greer. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustrat
On This Day: John XXIII is elected Pope. (1958)
On October 28, 1958: John XXIII is elected Pope. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider using it when preaching
On This Day: The 28 October 2009 Peshawar bombing kills 117 and wounds 213. (2009)
On October 28, 2009: The 28 October 2009 Peshawar bombing kills 117 and wounds 213. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history
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