Sermons on Ortberg:

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

Freedom From Fear-Get Out Of Your Shell!

Contributed by Donnie De Loney on Oct 27, 2012

God"s way to live without fear in your life

FREEDOM FROM FEAR – Get Out of Your Shell! 2 Timothy 1:7 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJ) For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind. INTRODUCTION: ILLUSTRATION: John Ortberg writes in his book, If You Want to Walk on Water You’ve Got to Get Out of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Transformed

Contributed by David Owens on May 8, 2012

God can transform us and then transform the world through us. This sermon explores the "how" of transformation.

Introduction: A. The story is told of a woman who testified to the transformation in her life that had resulted from becoming a Christian. 1. She declared, “I’m so glad I became a Christian. I have an uncle I used to hate so much I vowed I’d never go to his funeral. But now that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Love Speaks The Truth Series

Contributed by David Owens on Dec 15, 2013

This is the last sermon in the series and focuses on learning to speak the truth in love.

A. There’s a story told of a four-year-old boy who came out of the bathroom screaming to his mother for help. 1. Startled, his mother ran to him asking, “What’s wrong?” 2. The little boy answered, “I dropped my toothbrush into the toilet.” 3. She calmed him ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:15-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus: He Came From Infinity And Beyond! Series

Contributed by Darren Mccormick on Dec 18, 2013

This message looks at the incredible love Jesus showed to us by leaving heaven to come to earth to die in our place.

AM Sermon preached at Central Christian Church December 2, 2012 Take the Christmas Journey Sermon Series Message #1 Jesus: He came from infinity and beyond! Philippians 2:5-8, John 1:1-14 Okay, it may sound kind of weird and out of place for a guy just over fifty to say it, but there are ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

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

Learning To Wait On God Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jul 12, 2017

In this section from the story of Abraham, we see that he and Sarah got ahead of God and tried to force God to bring an heir through Hagar. There are a lot of important lessons for us to learn from this episode.

Introduction: A. One day there was a man who was taking it easy, lying on the grass, looking up at the clouds, and having a conversation with God 1. The man said, “God, how long is a million years to you?” a. God answered, “In my frame of reference, a million years is about a minute.” 2. The man ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 16:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Victory In Defeat Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jan 4, 2019

If you want to experience victory in the place of defeat, trust in the Lord; obey the Lord; and give yourself to Him again.

Bryan Link, from Toronto, Canada, did a double-take recently when he looked at an old pothole in his neighborhood and thought he saw weeds. Upon closer examination, they turned out to be tomatoes. Someone with a good sense of humor had planted the tomatoes in the big, ugly sinkhole that had been a ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 8:1-35

Denomination: Evangelical Free

A God Worthy Of Our Love Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jul 30, 2018

In this conversation we talked about how because God is great and God is good that He is worthy of our love.

A God Worthy Of Your Love #GettingBetter The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. 3 They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. 4 Yet their voice ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-31, Psalm 19:1-4, Psalm 145:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Blessing Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jan 4, 2018

If you want your future to be better than your past, don’t give into your passions. Instead, rest in God’s provision of a King, King Jesus, the Lion from the tribe of Judah, who died to save you from your sins.

Pastor Donn Moomaw was preaching in Bel Air, Maryland, where a lady came up to him after a sermon and said, “Oh, Reverend Moomaw, I just have to tell you that every sermon you preach is better than your next.” He thanked her and then went home to think about it. It’s not really a compliment any ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Prepare For Battle Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Nov 9, 2018

If you’re going to be ready to face the spiritual battles ahead, you must let God roll away your shame, relish your salvation, and respect your Sovereign Lord.

Some time ago, a fictitious manual for Peace Corp volunteers headed for South America contained the following advice on “What to Do If Attacked by an Anaconda”: #1, If you're attacked by an anaconda, do not run; the snake is faster than you are. #2, Lie flat on the ground. #3, Put your arms ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 5:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical Free

He Must Increase Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jul 6, 2023

To conquer jealous comparisons before they conquer you, humble yourself and exalt the Savior.

An urban legend has Microsoft’s Bill Gates speaking at a COMDEX computer expo several years ago. Supposedly, he was comparing the computer industry with the auto industry. He said, “If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25 cars that got 1,000 ...read more

Scripture: John 3:22-36

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Not Your Parent's Fault Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 10, 2025

If you want to get out of the mess you’re in, take responsibility for your own actions, and with God’s help turn from your sin.

A CEO has taken on a new job, and the outgoing CEO says to him, “Sometimes you'll make wrong choices. You will. You'll mess up. When that happens, I have prepared three envelopes for you. I left them in the top drawer of the desk. The first time it happens, open #1. The second time you mess ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 18:1-32, Deuteronomy 24:16, Romans 6:5-14, 2 Corinthians 5:17

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Learning How To Stop Stress Before It Starts Series

Contributed by Chip Ingram on Jun 11, 2010

Chip Ingram arms listeners with the biblical methods needed to overcome negative emotions before they become issues in our lives.

I want you to write on the top of your notes, "AQ equals --" this is like algebra -- "AQ equals E," as in Edgar, "plus P," as in Peter, "0 -- times 0426." I wish I had a -- no, I’ll give that to again. Ready? AQ equals E plus P times 0426. AQ is your anger quotient. You know you have an IQ? ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-20

Denomination: *other