Why Today is a Good Day to Die - Dr. John Ortberg

About this sermon

Today is a good day to die. Which means it's a good day to come alive. In this reflection on Psalm 51, John Ortberg explores an old Christian word that doesn't get used much anymore: mortification. It sounds miserable. But properly understood, mortification isn't about becoming miserable. It's about becoming free. John describes two selves within us: the impulsive self, driven by whatever we happen to want right now, and the valuing self, shaped by what we most deeply believe matters: love, joy, peace, patience and generosity. The goal of the spiritual life isn't to spend every day desperately resisting everything we want. It's to increasingly become the kind of person who is no longer controlled by destructive desires. Drawing from Psalm 51, Romans 8, and Flannery O'Connor's A Good Man Is Hard to Find, John explores Jesus' strange invitation to die in order to truly live. To mortify is to liberate. And it can begin with one very small act today. In this episode: What “mortification” actually means Jesus' paradox of dying in order to live Samuel Johnson on how death clarifies life Flannery O'Connor's A Good Man Is Hard to Find Psalm 51 and David's prayer of repentance The impulsive self vs. the valuing self Why following Jesus isn't endless miserable resistance How destructive desires lose their power Mortification as liberation A simple practice for becoming more free today Scriptures: Psalm 51 • Romans 8:13 • 2 Samuel 11–12 • Matthew 16:25 #Psalm51 #JohnOrtberg #Psalms #SpiritualFormation #Freedom #DyingToSelf #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Jesus #Transformation 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.com GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Today Is a Good Day to Die 00:32 Why Mortification Is a Good Thing 01:01 Which of Your Two Selves Needs to Die? 01:29 Death Concentrates the Mind 01:56 Flannery O'Connor & A Good Man Is Hard to Find 02:52 Meet the Grandmother 03:37 The Misfit 04:08 A Strange Moment of Grace 04:37 “You're One of My Children” 04:59 What Facing Death Did to Her 05:23 What Needs to Die in Me? 05:58 Romans 8: Put It to Death and Live 06:21 Psalm 51 & David's Sin 06:54 Our Sin Isn't Always Before Us 07:17 Create in Me a Pure Heart 07:43 Mortification Isn't Misery 08:05 The Life of the Spirit 08:31 Your Two Selves 08:51 The Valuing Self 09:17 To Mortify Is to Liberate 09:25 Freedom From Destructive Desires 10:10 Addiction, Resentment & Approval 10:44 What Real Freedom Looks Like 11:15 A Good Day to Die 11:38 Practice One Small Act of Mortification

Topics

• Heaven & Eternity