Sermons on Ortberg:

God Of 2nd Chances

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Sep 29, 2015

Our sins can never be greater than the grace of God. Our failure can never be greater than the love of God. Our failure in the past does not determine what we will become in the future.

God of 2nd Chances Intro: A little boy went out to the ball field by himself, wearing his baseball cap and carrying a bat and ball. In his eye was the look of steely determination. He was so full of confidence that he put his bat on his shoulder, tossed the ball into the air, and said, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

To Tithe Or Not To Tithe, There Is No Question

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Feb 8, 2012

The word tithe comes from the Hebrew word which means ONE-TENTH. Literally, a tithe is one-tenth of anything. In the OT a tithe was more than just giving one-tenth of your money to God.

TITLE: TO TITHE OR NOT TO TITHE, THERE IS NO QUESTION SCRIPTURE: MALACHI 3:7-15 / I CORINTHIANS 16:1-2 We have an exciting month ahead of us as we look forward to celebrating – BLACK HISTORY MONTH. We are off to a wonderful start this morning with other great worship opportunities in ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:7-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Great Acquittal Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Feb 19, 2020

The bad news is that we are guilty before God; the good news is that Jesus paid the price for our redemption, and now we are acquitted of all our sins by receiving it by faith.

THE GREAT ACQUITTAL Text: Rom. 3:21-26 Introduction 1. Illustration: Back during the Civil War Era there was a law where a black slave could earn money for his work, and after they had saved up enough money, they could actually buy their freedom from their master. During Sherman’s infamous march ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-26

Denomination: Methodist

Who Is Keeping Score?

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Aug 31, 2018

God want us to use our precious time wisely and not foolishly and we use it wisely by investing it in eternal things rather than temporal things.

Theme: Time Management Introduction to Theme: Benjamin Franklin said, “Do you love life? Then do not squander time, for that’s the stuff that life is made of.” The world we live in knows the importance of Time Management but where they miss the mark is on what they prioritize - which usually is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unhurried Spirituality Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 26, 2025

We want microwave spirituality – we want the feeling – The God High – the emotion when we worship God. We want fast results, and we want it on demand, but God does not work that way.

Video Illustration: Meant for Good! Series for the year – quick review – Come Alive in 2025 Thesis: We can come back to life – nothing is too dead for God to bring life back into it – nothing is too lifeless for God to breath His life back into it! He is the Creator and He can bring anything back ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unhurried Spirituality Pt 2 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Nov 2, 2025

A hurried life will make your soul and spirit unhealthy and even toxic. Jesus was never in a hurry and we need to learn from Him how to live our lives with His rhythm.

Video transition: Finding Peace from this frenzied life - sermoncentral.com Series for the year: Come Alive in 2025 Thesis: We can come back to life – nothing is too dead for God to bring life back into it – nothing is too lifeless for God to breath His life back into it! He is the Creator and He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:25-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Flying Closer To The Flame Series

Contributed by Chip Kelly on Sep 22, 2003

The first in a 3-part series on embracing the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Acquire The Fire #1 – Flying Closer To The Flame 9.3.03 Over the next few weeks, we’re going to look at the central character of the Book of Acts.. the Holy Spirit. And I want to say a word up front about ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-41, Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Closing The Loose Ends Of Your Life

Contributed by Scott Sharpes on Aug 27, 2003

A message dealing with all the loose ends of life that tend to zap our energy, leaving nothing behind for revival. What can you do to change it?

Title: Closing the Loose Ends of Your Life: Preparation for Revival: 08/31/03 West Side A.M. Service Text: Matthew 8:18 and 19:16-22 Labor Day Purpose: A sermon of preparation for revival, as well as a message dealing the all the loose ends of life that tend to zap our energy, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:18-22, Matthew 19:16-22

Denomination: Nazarene

Seize The Day

Contributed by Wes Humble on Jan 20, 2003

God has a plan He wants us to follow.

Seize the Day Ephesians 5:15-17 In March of 2000, the small town of Fruita, Colorado, received a unique new sculpture on a downtown corner. Lyle Nichols unveiled his four-foot masterpiece of Mike the headless chicken. It’s a reminder of what happened in Fruita sixty years earlier. Lloyd Olsen, a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-17

Denomination: *other

The Fear Of Failure Series

Contributed by Bradford Robinson on Feb 2, 2003

This sermon takes a look at how many respond to the fear of failing and how we can overcome that fear.

One of the scariest moments of my life happened during my first few years of ministry here. Denise had just given birth to our first daughter and after about 6 months of maternity leave, Denise went back to work three days a week, which left me to watch our new girl. One Wednesday morning I had ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:54-60, Romans 8:15

Denomination: Methodist

Be Distinctive! Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Mar 1, 2003

Christians are to walk worthy of our call by being different from the world around us.

Be Distinctive! Ephesians 4:17-5:2 Focus: Christians are to walk worthy of our call by being different from the world around us. Function: To challenge & call Christians to holy living in their minds, speech and attitudes. Several years ago a good friend invited me to come and watch him ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Shattering Illusions Series

Contributed by Louis Bartet on Mar 16, 2003

Are you seeking God or seeking to be god? Do you love people or are you disquising your selfishness

TITLE: Shattering Life’s Illusions TEXT: Luke 22:24-34 TOPIC: Reality, Faith, Sanctification, delusional beliefs Preached by Louis Bartet at Point Assembly of God, March 16, 2003 at 11:00 A.M. -- An illusion is an erroneous perception of the way things really are. It is a false belief or concept ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:24-34

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Fellowship Of The Mat

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jun 13, 2003

Four men formed a fellowship around a paralyzed man lying on a mat. Just as men were involved in a small caring community men are needed to care for their families and be spiritual leaders in the home.

Fellowship of the Mat (Outline Theme resource – “Everybody’s Normal Till You Get to Know them” by John Ortberg) Luke 5:17-26 TOP 10 Lame-brained, Foot-in-mouth Compliments from a Husband to His Wife 10. “You look great for a woman who has had four kids.” 9. “This is almost as good as mom used to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:17-26

Denomination: Free Methodist

Can You Hear Me Now?

Contributed by Wes Humble on Nov 17, 2006

Sermon on prayer

Prayer is without doubt the most underrated and unused force in today’s world. I am convinced that everyone prays sometime or the other. We pray when the tragedy strikes. We pray when that unexpected phone call comes that threatens to turn our world upside down. We pray when life seems to spin ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 7:1-14

Denomination: *other

The Practice Of Prayer Series

Contributed by Matthew Stoll on Oct 1, 2007

The practice of prayer helps us grow spiritually to know God better and become more like him.

[Background Image: Fresco of Michael Angelo on the Sistine Chapel, Imago Dei] Last week we looked at our need to grow spiritually, the Apostle Paul tells us in Col. 2:6-7, “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to live in obedience to him. Let your roots grow ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-24

Denomination: Methodist