What do you think?
Rate this book
Insurmountable: An in-depth look at Jesus’ teachings in The Sermon on the Mount
Whether you know it or not, you have access to the greatest, most impactful talk in the history of mankind.
In The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus delivered a breathtaking guide for how to be a good person in the eyes of our heavenly Father. It was the most influential teaching in the human race, and nothing else is even close. The Sermon on the Mount has impacted ethical conversations, influenced renowned leaders and thinkers, and has served as a marker for followers of Jesus for centuries.
And it’s what we get to study together in this book. In “Insurmountable,” John Ortberg masterfully weaves together theology, story, and practical application to help readers understand Jesus’ teachings in a fresh and relatable way.
When you read this book, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of Jesus’ instructions and new ideas for how to put them into action. Not to mention, your faith will grow all the while.
In The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus delivered a breathtaking guide for how to be a good person in the eyes of our heavenly Father. It was the most influential teaching in the human race, and nothing else is even close. The Sermon on the Mount has impacted ethical conversations, influenced renowned leaders and thinkers, and has served as a marker for followers of Jesus for centuries.
And it’s what we get to study together in this book. In “Insurmountable,” John Ortberg masterfully weaves together theology, story, and practical application to help readers understand Jesus’ teachings in a fresh and relatable way.
When you read this book, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of Jesus’ instructions and new ideas for how to put them into action. Not to mention, your faith will grow all the while.
- GenresChristian
267 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 17, 2024
149 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 17, 2024
A great companion to the Sermon on the Mount
This is a great companion to the Sermon on the Mount! If you want to dig a little deeper into Jesus’ mountaintop message, then this is your chance. Or if you’ve tried to tackle Dallas Willard’s “A Divine Conspiracy” but it’s left you scratching your head, then here’s your explanation. John’s dry humor, quick wit, and simple clarity is such a gift to us. Dallas Willard once suggested that Christians should consider focusing only on the Sermon on the Mount, and no other part of the Bible, until we master it! Now, he didn’t mean that literally, but we get the point. If you master this incredible message of Jesus then PLEASE teach the rest of us. Until then, let’s use John’s book to help us travel together.
This is a great companion to the Sermon on the Mount! If you want to dig a little deeper into Jesus’ mountaintop message, then this is your chance. Or if you’ve tried to tackle Dallas Willard’s “A Divine Conspiracy” but it’s left you scratching your head, then here’s your explanation. John’s dry humor, quick wit, and simple clarity is such a gift to us. Dallas Willard once suggested that Christians should consider focusing only on the Sermon on the Mount, and no other part of the Bible, until we master it! Now, he didn’t mean that literally, but we get the point. If you master this incredible message of Jesus then PLEASE teach the rest of us. Until then, let’s use John’s book to help us travel together.
July 29, 2024
Excellent! What shines through in this book is both a depth of understanding of Jesus' teachings in his "sermon on the mount", and Ortberg's appreciation of the challenges ordinary people have in ordinary lives in actually putting legs on these teachings.
I also appreciate his dry sense of humour and sarcasm which I have no doubt is in part riffing off of the humour and wit of Jesus that we so easily miss 2000 years removed.
I am sure I will be coming back and dipping into this book frequently.
I also appreciate his dry sense of humour and sarcasm which I have no doubt is in part riffing off of the humour and wit of Jesus that we so easily miss 2000 years removed.
I am sure I will be coming back and dipping into this book frequently.
December 6, 2024
powerful life transforming
I red this book as a supplement to a series of sermons I heard in church about the Sermon on the Mount. I did not expect to learn too much more. Our pastors were quite thorough. Little did I know how shallow my understanding was, and worse yet, how ineffective I have been putting it into practice. Through this book my understanding has increased 100 fold and now I know how to put Jesus teachings on the mount into practice day by day one day at a time. Praise be to God!
Thank you, John Ortberg
I red this book as a supplement to a series of sermons I heard in church about the Sermon on the Mount. I did not expect to learn too much more. Our pastors were quite thorough. Little did I know how shallow my understanding was, and worse yet, how ineffective I have been putting it into practice. Through this book my understanding has increased 100 fold and now I know how to put Jesus teachings on the mount into practice day by day one day at a time. Praise be to God!
Thank you, John Ortberg
September 4, 2024
The Sermon on the Mount today
In true stewardship of Dallas Willard’s The Divine Conspiracy, Ortberg clarifies and condenses the message of the ”upside down kingdom” Jesus taught and Willard expounded on. Many have written about
“The sermon,“ considered Jesus’ greatest; this is another good contemporary, easily understood study of the kingdom now at hand.
In true stewardship of Dallas Willard’s The Divine Conspiracy, Ortberg clarifies and condenses the message of the ”upside down kingdom” Jesus taught and Willard expounded on. Many have written about
“The sermon,“ considered Jesus’ greatest; this is another good contemporary, easily understood study of the kingdom now at hand.
May 12, 2025
So Approachable
John Ortberg explores this profound and important sermon with a logical, and at times, humorous approach. The book and occasional side-stories flow at a gentle pace. It made the book a joy to read.
John Ortberg explores this profound and important sermon with a logical, and at times, humorous approach. The book and occasional side-stories flow at a gentle pace. It made the book a joy to read.
September 6, 2024
Convicting
Can’t say I “enjoy” the Sermon on the Mount, but it is so important to embrace. John helps you digest this and apply it to your life. The concluding chapter - excellent!
Can’t say I “enjoy” the Sermon on the Mount, but it is so important to embrace. John helps you digest this and apply it to your life. The concluding chapter - excellent!
June 2, 2025
I want to tell everyone about this book! Then I'm going to read it again.
Laugh out loud funny too, which was a great bonus!
Laugh out loud funny too, which was a great bonus!
August 10, 2024
Very good read!
Thoroughly enjoyed this book! It has humor and a lot of insight into The Sermon On The Mount. John Ortberg never disappoints!
Thoroughly enjoyed this book! It has humor and a lot of insight into The Sermon On The Mount. John Ortberg never disappoints!
December 8, 2024
Beautiful!
I wish I could write like this! The authors’ style is insightful and delightfully entertaining, explaining deep truths in a “right on,” applicable way. This is not only a “keeper,” but a “must-reread.” Caution: It will transform you!
I wish I could write like this! The authors’ style is insightful and delightfully entertaining, explaining deep truths in a “right on,” applicable way. This is not only a “keeper,” but a “must-reread.” Caution: It will transform you!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews