Become New with John Ortberg Why the Birth of Jesus Changed Everything | John Orbterg
Dec 21, 2025
This reflection dives deep into the life of Jesus, an uneducated carpenter whose influence reshaped compassion, education, and human rights. Discover how Jesus' teachings catalyzed the founding of hospitals and universities, and how art, music, and literature were inspired by his story. The talk also explores the radical notion of loving enemies and offers insights into why Jesus remains relevant today. John Ortberg invites listeners to consider the profound and lasting impact of one extraordinary life.
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City Names Reveal Jesus' Cultural Reach
- John Ortberg uses city names like Santa Barbara and San Francisco to show how Jesus inspired saints and movements remembered in place names.
- These local stories illustrate Jesus' unexpected cultural reach across time and geography.
Birth Of An Inclusive Movement
- Jesus began an unprecedented, all-inclusive community that crossed ethnicity, status, and gender boundaries.
- That movement introduced the idea of a universal spiritual family into history in a way no prior institution had done.
Jesus As The Hinge Of History
- The Jesus story reframed history from cyclical reigns to a forward-moving timeline centered on his life.
- Dating events to the birth of Jesus asserted that human existence has meaning and moves toward a goal.