Sermons on Ortberg:

Spiritual Disciplines, Worship Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Oct 30, 2022

Worshipping God, privately and publically, draws us closer to Him and strengthens our relationship with Him

This ladies and gentlemen is a picture of a paradoxical frog. It is native to the eastern parts of South America. And what makes it a paradox is the fact that while a full-grown specimen is about 7.5 cm in length, when it’s a tadpole it can reach up to 25 cm in length. It literally is four times ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

Denomination: Wesleyan

Under The Sun Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Feb 19, 2023

If you want to find any significance in an otherwise insignificant life, look above the sun.

The movie Antz begins with an ant named Z talking to his therapist. Take a look. (Show Antz (1998)—You Are Insignificant scene). All my life I've lived and worked in the big city…. I always tell myself there has got to be something better out there. Maybe I, maybe I think too much. I think ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Hold You Peace

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Aug 8, 2022

A message on Jesus gift of peace.

Title: Hold your Peace Text: John 14. (Romans 8:6) Big idea: The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. (Rom 8:6) Subject: Where do we find genuine peace? Complement: In relationship with Jesus and his people. Introduction: The elusive(!) pursuit of peace is described in modern day ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-27, Romans 5:1, Philippians 4:6-7, Romans 5:10, Romans 8:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Called Together, Called To Discipleship!

Contributed by K. Heath Mcdougal-Deans on Jan 26, 2020

Disciple, follower, or both? Discerning your call to discipleship. Discipleship is becoming. Discipleship is showing up.

Then Jesus took his disciples up the mountain and gathering them around, He taught them saying: BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT, FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. BLESSED ARE THE MEEK. BLESSED ARE THEY THAT MOURN. BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL. BLESSED ARE THEY WHO THIRST FOR JUSTICE. BLESSED ARE YOU ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:12-23, Acts 9:1-9, Acts 9:13-19, Acts 9:21-22

Denomination: Other

A Passion For Purity Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Jul 30, 2020

Is it possible that we have concentrated on the outside of people (behavior modification) and we have really missed the point of Jesus’ words, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God?”

The Jesus Manifesto – A Passion for Purity Matthew 5:8; Psalm 24 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church 8-26-18 Your Tree Exploded When we decided to move to Pontiac nearly twenty years ago, Maxine came up with her mother to look for houses. She called and told me that she had found ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:8

Denomination: Baptist

Manure And The Problem Of Evil Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Aug 27, 2025

Jesus’ answer to the problem of evil—Repent or perish. Then demonstrate that repentance in your own life before God’s patience runs out.

The movie Forrest Gump addresses a lot of life’s issues including the problem of evil. Take a look (show Lt Dan against God; www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc374YQAjJg, stop at 48 second mark right before Lt. Dan starts using foul language). Lieutenant Dan had lost both legs in Vietnam and was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9, 1 John 1:9, Leviticus 19:23-25, 2 Peter 3:9-10, Romans 5:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Three Vital Commitments

Contributed by Louis Bartet on Jan 5, 2003

This sermon calls hearers to make three vital commitments: 1) To A Person; 2) To A Purpose; 3) To A People.

TITLE: Three Vital Commitments SUBTITLE: You Present You TOPIC: Commitment TEXT: Romans 12:1-2 [Adapted from a sermon by John Hamby, A Call To Commitment, which can be found on Sermon Central.] I want to introduce you to a hypothetical church member that we will call Kenny. § Kenny began his ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Covet God's Approval Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Apr 17, 2005

As Christ-followers, we should only be concerned about pleasing an audience of One.

(adapted from Southeast Christian Church’s series: “Living a Life of Integrity”) SERIES: “WORDS OF WISDOM FOR KINGDOM LIVING” TEXT: MATTHEW 6:1-4 TITLE: “COVET GOD’S APPROVAL” INTRODUCTION: A. I read about a person who went to a concert at a beautiful old art-deco theatre. At ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Let's Be Honest About What We Believe

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Jul 20, 2007

This message deals with aligning our actions with what we claim to believe. You can see it and hear it at www.glenvillenewlife.com

Let’s Be Honest, What Do We Really Believe Genesis 3:1-14 James 2:14-26 Let me introduce you to Rakay. Rakay believes a man is responsible for his actions. He believes a man should do all that he can for his community and his church in order to build it up. He believes that a man should ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Glory Of The New Covenant Series

Contributed by David Owens on Feb 15, 2010

The New Covenant is greater than the Old. The glory of the New Covenant includes the transformation that is possible through the work of the Spirit in us.

Introduction: A. As you know, transformation is big business on TV these days. 1. Our present love affair with reality shows has led to many TV programs that have to do with transformation. 2. There are home makeover programs that transform ugly rooms and deteriorating homes into something that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:7-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Slowing Down Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Oct 28, 2008

Every moment is scheduled in our lives. The Bible tells us that all this hurrying has dramatic negative effects on us. So how can you slow down? The strategies I’m going to share with you today to slow down your life to a more rational, reasonable pace a

Slowing Down When You’re Running On Empty Ecclesiastes 4:4-8 John Ortberg tells the story of calling a wise friend to ask for some spiritual direction not long after moving to Chicago. I described the pace of life in my current ministry. The church where I serve tends to move at a fast clip. I ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:4-8

Denomination: Methodist

Keeping Faith When Friends Fail You Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 2, 2008

What friends should do and what they shouldn’t do. Sermon ends with a focus on Jesus as Job’s faithful friend.

Keeping Faith When Friends Fail You Job 1-37 Rev. Brian Bill 3/2/08 After speaking with someone this week who is suffering severely, I received this email: “These last four weeks have been some of the most difficult that I have ever faced. There have been points of agony, doubt, despair, and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Perseverance In A Dry Place

Contributed by Noel Atkinson on Apr 29, 2010

This sermon looks at how God honours our prayers and dedication even when we are spiritually dry. When we do not 'feel' like serving him but serve him anyway. It encourages perseverance, stretching out, prayer and faith that God can do 'big things'.

Perseverance in a dry place John Ortberg from Menlo Park Presbyterian Church recalls A man I'll call Paul (because that's actually his name) told me he recently started going to church. In his mid-seventies, with no faith background, he woke up one morning with a sudden urge to hear the pope, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

Expecting A Miracle Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Nov 12, 2014

Ask God for it, have expectant faith, trust God, and he will deliver!

Expecting A Miracle Text: John 2:1-12 Introduction 1. Illustration: "The decision to grow always involves a choice between risk and comfort. This means that to be a follower of Jesus, you must renounce comfort as the ultimate value of your life. And that’s sobering news to most of us, ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

Anxious To Matter Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Aug 13, 2013

If you want to live a life that matters, sacrifice, suffer, submit and serve. These are 4 words we don't like very much, because they seem like steps down to obscurity, but in God's Kingdom they are steps up to true greatness.

The movie, Pearl Harbor, tells the story of two friends, Rafe and Danny, who survive the attack on Pearl Harbor and enter World War II as fighter pilots. In training before the war, Rafe McCawley is one of America's top fighter pilots. When America initially holds back from entering the war, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:32-45

Denomination: Evangelical Free