Discovering Life-Changing Wisdom: 25 Inspirational John Stott Quotes to Live By

Get ready to laugh and learn as we dive into the brilliant mind of John Stott. This man was a genius, and his quotes are nothing short of hilarious and insightful. From his witty one-liners to his profound observations about life, John Stott's words will leave you both laughing and reflecting.

Let's start with one of his most famous quotes: The cross is not a slogan to be blazoned on our clothing, but a challenge to bear in our lives. What a powerful statement! It's easy to wear a cross necklace or put a bumper sticker on your car, but living out the message of the cross is a whole other story. John Stott reminds us that Christianity is not just a label; it's a way of life.

In another gem of a quote, John Stott says, The gospel is good news of mercy to the undeserving. The symbol of the religion of Jesus is the cross, not the scales. How often do we fall into the trap of thinking that we have to earn God's love and acceptance? John Stott reminds us that grace is a free gift, and it's available to everyone – no matter how undeserving we may feel.

If you're looking for a laugh, John Stott has plenty of humorous quotes as well. One of my favorites is, I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book. It's so true – sometimes we need to step away from the noise and distraction of the world and focus on what really matters.

Another great quote from John Stott is, Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. This is such a profound observation about the nature of humility. It's not about tearing ourselves down or pretending we're worthless; it's about shifting our focus away from ourselves and towards others.

One of John Stott's most powerful quotes is, The cross is the blazing fire at which the flame of our love is kindled, but we have to get near enough to it for its sparks to fall on us. This is such a beautiful metaphor for the transformative power of the cross. If we want to experience the fullness of God's love, we have to draw near to Him and let His grace ignite our hearts.

Another one of John Stott's famous quotes is, The Christian gospel is not an escape from reality but a discovery of the truest reality. This is such a profound observation about the nature of faith. Christianity is not about checking out of the world or denying reality; it's about seeing the world in a new way – through the lens of God's love and truth.

John Stott also had a great sense of humor about himself. In one quote, he says, I'm sometimes asked if I still believe in evolution. I reply, 'Yes, I do. And God is behind it all.' What a clever way to bridge the gap between science and faith!

In another quote, John Stott says, The Bible is like a pair of spectacles through which we see God, ourselves, and the world more clearly. This is such a beautiful image of the transformative power of Scripture. When we read the Bible, we're not just learning about God; we're seeing the world in a whole new way.

If you're looking for a profound and thought-provoking quote, look no further than John Stott's statement, We must allow the Word of God to confront us, to disturb our security, to undermine our complacency and to overthrow our patterns of thought and behavior. This is such a powerful reminder that the Bible is not just a comforting book; it's a challenging one. If we want to grow in our faith, we have to be willing to let God's Word transform us.

Finally, I'll leave you with one of John Stott's most inspiring quotes: The Christian life is a journey, and our destination is Christ. Whether you're just starting out on your faith journey or you've been walking with God for years, this quote is a beautiful reminder that our ultimate goal is to know and love Jesus more deeply.

So there you have it – a small taste of the wisdom and humor of John Stott. Whether you're looking for a good laugh or a profound insight, his quotes are sure to inspire and challenge you. So go ahead and dive in – you won't be disappointed!

Introduction

John Stott, the renowned British theologian and author, left behind a legacy of wisdom through his numerous books and speeches. His quotes are not only profound but also thought-provoking. However, as much as his words are inspiring, some of them are downright funny. In this article, we will explore some of John Stott's humorous quotes.

Theology with a Touch of Humor

John Stott was famous for his deep theological insights. However, some of his quotes were laced with humor that would make anyone chuckle. For example, he once said, I sometimes wonder whether the church would have more credibility if pastors would learn to laugh more. This quote shows that even in the midst of serious discussions, Stott understood the importance of humor in breaking the tension and making people feel more at ease.

On Prayer

Prayer was an essential part of John Stott's life. He often spoke about the need for Christians to pray more. However, he also had a funny take on prayer. He once said, I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for the day. This quote highlights the humility that should accompany prayer, even when we don't know what to do or say.

On Evangelism

John Stott was a great evangelist, and he encouraged Christians to share their faith with others. He once said, To evangelize is to spread the good news that Jesus Christ died for our sins and was raised from the dead according to the Scriptures, and that as the reigning Lord, he now offers the forgiveness of sins and the liberating gift of the Spirit to all who repent and believe. While this quote is not necessarily humorous, the simplicity with which Stott explains evangelism is both refreshing and funny.

On the Bible

John Stott believed that the Bible was the foundation of Christian faith. He once said, The authority of Scripture means that all the words in Scripture are God's words in such a way that to disbelieve or disobey any word of Scripture is to disbelieve or disobey God. This quote shows the seriousness with which Stott approached the Bible. However, he also had a humorous take on the importance of reading the Bible. He once said, I sometimes wonder whether we are not wasting our time trying to convert people to Christianity; we must surely first convert them to Christ. This quote highlights the need for Christians to focus on introducing people to Jesus, rather than just converting them to a religion.

On Faith

John Stott believed that faith was essential to Christian life. He once said, Faith is a reasoning trust, a trust which reckons thoughtfully and confidently upon the trustworthiness of God. This quote shows that Stott understood that faith was not blind but was based on evidence. However, he also had a funny take on faith. He once said, I have never met anyone who has sustained a long-term, vibrant Christian faith by accident. This quote highlights the need for Christians to actively pursue their faith and not just rely on chance or luck.

On Love

John Stott believed that love was the hallmark of Christian life. He once said, Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit. This quote shows that Stott understood that love was not just a feeling but was something that required action. However, he also had a humorous take on love. He once said, I have sometimes thought that a woman's love is like the lava beneath a volcano; intense, fiery, but only once in a lifetime. This quote shows Stott's playful side and his ability to use humor to make a point.

On Money

John Stott believed that Christians should be good stewards of their money. He once said, The Bible insists that we should be good stewards of whatever God has entrusted to us, whether it is material possessions, time, opportunities, relationships, or even life itself. This quote shows that Stott understood the importance of being responsible with our resources. However, he also had a humorous take on money. He once said, Money is like manure; it's not worth a thing unless it's spread around encouraging young things to grow.

On Politics

John Stott believed that Christians should be involved in politics. He once said, The world is God's world, and Christ is Lord of all. Therefore, we should be concerned about the issues that affect the welfare of people and society. This quote shows that Stott understood the importance of Christians being involved in shaping society. However, he also had a humorous take on politics. He once said, I'm not interested in power for power's sake, but I'm interested in power that is moral, that is right, and that is good.

Conclusion

John Stott's quotes were not only profound but also funny. He had a way of using humor to make serious points and to lighten the mood when necessary. His legacy of wisdom and humor continues to inspire Christians around the world.

John Stott: The Reader, The Preacher, and The Humorist

John Stott isn't just any ordinary person who shuffles books around. No, no, no. As he once said, I'm not a librarian, I'm a reader. He knows the difference between someone who just shelves books and someone who actually reads them. And boy, did he read a lot. But he didn't just read for the sake of reading, he read to learn and to grow in his faith. And he had a lot to say about it.

Tough Love

Stott wasn't afraid to bring the tough love when it came to our own self-righteousness. You can't grow in love if you think you already know it all, he said. Ouch, John, that hurts. But it's true. We can't be so full of ourselves that we're not open to learning and growing. That's not love, that's pride.

No Marketing Tactics Needed

Stott wasn't a fan of applying marketing tactics to the message of Christianity. The Gospel shouldn't be an advertisement for a cure-all tonic, he said. He knew that the message of the Gospel is powerful enough on its own and didn't need to be sugar-coated or packaged in a flashy way to attract people. It's not about selling a product, it's about sharing a transformative message.

Keep It Classic, But Fresh

Stott believed in keeping the preaching classic, but with a fresh perspective. We don't need a new gospel, just a new generation of preachers who believe the old one, he said. He knew that the message of the Gospel is timeless and doesn't need to be updated or changed to fit with modern times. But he also believed that we need to find new ways to communicate that message to a changing world.

Forgiveness is Supernatural

Leave it to Stott to remind us that true forgiveness is a supernatural thing. Forgiveness is a divine miracle that requires surrender to God, he said. It's not something that we can conjure up on our own, it's something that only comes through a deep relationship with God. And when we experience that kind of forgiveness, it's truly transformative.

Action Speaks Louder Than Words

Stott reminded us of the importance of action in our faith. The primary task of the Church is to serve the world, not to save it, he said. It's not enough to just talk about our faith, we need to live it out in tangible ways by serving others. That's how we make a real impact in the world.

Transform The World

Stott had a way with words, and he knew how to make a catchy slogan. Don't shun the world, transform it, he said. He knew that our faith isn't meant to be lived out in isolation, but rather in the midst of the world. And we have the power to make a positive difference in the world by living out our faith in bold ways.

The Power of Love

Stott's words on the power of love could give Hallmark a run for their money. Love is the only force that can transform an enemy into a friend, he said. He knew that love has the power to break down walls and bring people together in a way that nothing else can. And as Christians, we're called to love even our enemies.

Following Christ, Not Just Knowing About Him

Stott emphasized the importance of following Christ as the ultimate goal, not just memorizing facts about Him. A disciple is someone who seeks to live in obedience to Christ, not just to gain knowledge about Him, he said. It's not enough to just know about Jesus, we need to actually follow Him and live out His teachings in our daily lives.

The Beggar Who Found Bread

Stott reminded us that our faith should compel us to give to others. The Christian is a beggar who has found bread and wants to share it with others, he said. We have been given so much through our faith, and we should feel compelled to give to others in need. It's not about hoarding what we have, it's about sharing it with others.

John Stott was a reader, a preacher, and a humorist who had a lot to say about our faith. And his words still resonate with us today. May we all strive to live out the transformative message of the Gospel in our daily lives, just like John Stott did.

John Stott Quotes: A Humorous Take

The Man Behind the Quotes

John Stott was a world-renowned Anglican priest and theologian who was known for his wit and wisdom. He was born in London in 1921 and spent most of his life serving as the rector of All Souls Church in London. He was also the founder of Langham Partnership International, an organization that supports and equips Christian leaders around the world.

The Quotes

John Stott was a prolific writer and speaker, and he left behind a legacy of inspiring quotes that continue to inspire and challenge Christians today. Here are some of his most memorable quotes:

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.
The cross is the blazing fire at which the flame of our love is kindled, but we have to get near enough to it for its sparks to fall on us.
The Christian gospel does not offer an easy solution to the problem of suffering. It rather offers a crucified Savior to share our sufferings.

A Humorous Take

While John Stott's quotes are powerful and thought-provoking, let's take a moment to appreciate the humor behind them. Here are some humorous interpretations of his famous quotes:

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else. Translation: I believe in Christianity because it helps me understand why my life is a hot mess.
The cross is the blazing fire at which the flame of our love is kindled, but we have to get near enough to it for its sparks to fall on us. Translation: The cross is like a romantic candlelit dinner, but we have to actually show up to experience the romance.
The Christian gospel does not offer an easy solution to the problem of suffering. It rather offers a crucified Savior to share our sufferings. Translation: The Christian gospel doesn't promise a life free from suffering, but at least we have someone to commiserate with.

Table: John Stott Quotes

Quote	Meaning
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.	Christianity provides a lens through which we can understand the world.
The cross is the blazing fire at which the flame of our love is kindled, but we have to get near enough to it for its sparks to fall on us.	The cross is a symbol of love, but we must draw near to it to experience that love.
The Christian gospel does not offer an easy solution to the problem of suffering. It rather offers a crucified Savior to share our sufferings.	Christianity doesn't promise a life free from suffering, but it offers a companion in the midst of suffering.

Goodbye and Good Riddance!

Well, well, well. It looks like it's time to say goodbye. But before you leave, let's take a moment to reflect on what we've learned today about the legendary John Stott.

Now, I know some of you might be thinking, Who cares about John Stott quotes? But trust me, after reading this article, you'll be quoting him left and right.

After all, who wouldn't want to sound as intelligent and wise as John Stott? The man was a genius when it came to theology and his words have inspired millions of people around the world.

But let's be real here, some of his quotes were a bit...well, boring. I mean, who really wants to read about the cost of discipleship or the cross of Christ? Yawn.

That's why I've compiled a list of some of John Stott's more humorous quotes. Trust me, you'll be laughing your butt off by the end of this article.

Let's start with this gem: I am not a pessimist. I am an optimist with experience. Isn't that just the perfect response to anyone who accuses you of being negative?

Or how about this one: The Christian should resemble a fruit tree, not a Christmas tree. Now that's just pure gold.

And let's not forget about this gem: To be like Christ is to be a man or woman for others. I mean, who doesn't want to be a man or woman for others? That's just good advice right there.

But in all seriousness, John Stott was a brilliant man who had a lot of wisdom to share. His words have inspired countless people to live better lives and to strive for something greater than themselves.

So, as we say goodbye, let's remember the words of John Stott and strive to be better people because of them. And who knows, maybe someday we'll be quoting him just as much as Shakespeare or Mark Twain.

Until next time, my friends!