Sermon Illustrations

Category: John Ortberg

  • Flame out or rust out

    Flame out or rust out

    There used to be a saying among hyperactive preachers: “I’d rather flame out than rust out.” The problem with this is that either way they’re out. One we’re out it doesn’t matter much how we got there. Dr Martyn Lloyd Jones – American Pastor (1957 – )Click to TweetFrom the book “Spiritual Depression” Available on…

  • The link between suffering and joy

    Often it is the people closest to suffering who have the most powerful joy. Friends of Mother Teresa say that instead of being overwhelmed by the suffering around her, she fairly glows with joy as she goes about her ministry of mercy. One of the English officers imprisoned at Flossenberg with Dietrich Bonhoeffer said of…

  • Arrange life

    We must arrange life so that sin no longer looks good to us. John Ortberg – American Pastor (1957 – )Click to TweetFrom the book “The life you've always wanted: Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People” Available on amazon.co.uk*Available on amazon.com*

  • To miss out on joy…

    To miss out on joy…

    To miss out on joy, is to miss out on the reason for your existence John Ortberg – American Pastor (1957 – )Click to Tweet

  • What if God approached work like we often do?

    Imagine Genesis if God approached his work as we so often do: In the beginning, it was nine o’clock, so God had to go to work. He filled out a requisition to separate light from darkness. He considered making stars to beautify the night, and planets to fill the skies, but thought it sounded like…

  • Boredom

    Boredom

    Walker Percy described boredom as “the self stuffed with self.” John Ortberg – American Pastor (1957 – )Click to TweetFrom the book “The life you've always wanted: Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People” Available on amazon.co.uk*Available on amazon.com*

  • Season of life no barrier to growth in Christ

    There is more good news in that our season of life is not a barrier to spiritual growth. A mother in our small group suggested that it was easier for her to “work on her spiritual life” before she became a mom. As we talked, it became clear what she meant.To her, reading the Bible…

  • A disciplined Christian

    A disciplined follower of Jesus is someone who discerns when laughter, gentleness, silence, healing words or prophetic indignation is called for, and offers it promptly, effectively and lovingly. John Ortberg – American Pastor (1957 – )Click to TweetFrom the book “The life you've always wanted: Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People” Available on amazon.co.uk*Available on amazon.com*

  • Enjoyable spiritual disciplines

    Many of us have got the impression somewhere that for an activity to count as a spiritual discipline it must be something that we would rather not do. However if we are training for a life characterised by joy, peace, and affection, we should assume that some of the practices are going to be downright…

  • Suffering and God

    Suffering and God

    If you ask people who don’t believe in God why they don’t, the number one reason will be suffering. If you ask people who believe in God when they grew most spiritually, the number one answer will be suffering. John Ortberg – American Pastor (1957 – )Click to Tweet