Whether you call them homilies, sermons, or talks, there’s a lot you can learn from the spiritual leaders in our community. While in a perfect world, you’d have time to listen to everyone, that simply isn’t possible for most with limited time to spare. To help, we’ve surfaced and summarized the teachings from the audio sermons of some of the most influential priests and pastors from around town and in the Christian sphere.
You can skip to a specific section by clicking the links below.
Jump to:
- Fr. Mike Schmitz
- Buckhead Church
- Cathedral of Christ the King
- Passion City Church
- Trinity Anglican Church
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Fr. Mike Schmitz
Fr. Mike Schmitz’s homily, “More Faith,” uses the inspiring life of St. Gianna Beretta Molla to illustrate the true nature of faith. St. Gianna, a pediatrician, faced a life-or-death choice during her fourth pregnancy when she was diagnosed with a tumor. She chose to forgo a hysterectomy to save her unborn child, stating, “If you must decide between me and the child, do not hesitate; choose the child.” She died a week after giving birth, having lived by her personal mantra, “Whatever God wants,” which Fr. Schmitz presents it as the ultimate model of obedience and faith.
The homily challenges the common misconception that faith is merely a feeling. Fr. Schmitz likens emotions to the weather, emphasizing that they are fleeting and unreliable. He argues that basing one’s faith on feelings is a mistake, because it makes “God… just my mood.” True faith, he asserts, is a solid foundation built on obedience rather than emotional highs or lows. This distinction is a crucial theme throughout the homily, providing a practical framework for understanding faith beyond mere sentiment.
Fr. Schmitz then delves into the concept of faith as an act of obedience, drawing parallels to key figures in scripture. He points to Abraham, the “father of faith,” highlighting that Abraham’s greatness came not from strong feelings but from his actions and obedience when God called upon him. This theme is further reinforced by the story of the Israelites in the desert, who followed the pillar of cloud and fire without knowing the destination, trusting solely in God’s guidance. The homily uses these examples to demonstrate that faith is a continuous act of trust and submission to God’s will.
Finally, the homily provides a practical, three-part guide to living a holy life, based on a quote from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: “Do God’s will; do it as He wills; do it because He wills it.” Fr. Schmitz encourages listeners to examine their own lives, asking if their actions reflect their faith. He suggests that even small acts, such as prayer or almsgiving, are powerful declarations of faith. The homily concludes by returning to the transformative power of St. Gianna’s mantra, “Whatever God wants,” which is the ultimate expression of a life committed to God through active faith and obedience.
Listen to the full version here.
Buckhead Church
Andy Stanley discusses the difference between minor mistakes and consequential “misses” that lead to deep regret. He begins by noting that while people often learn from small errors, they tend to repeat the most significant ones in vital areas like relationships, finances, and health. The sermon’s main goal is to identify the root causes of these consequential misses and provide guidance on how to avoid them, ensuring that listeners do not miss out on what is most important in life.
Stanley identifies three primary reasons why people miss out on what’s most important, the first being that they are deceived. He explains that this deception often comes from within, as people convince themselves to make choices that they know are not right. He references Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure,” to underscore this point, advising that a good decision should not require a person to talk themselves into it.
The second reason for missing out is being distracted. According to Stanley, people get sidetracked when they lack a clear vision for their future. He emphasizes the importance of having a mental picture of a “preferred future” in one’s professional, financial, and relational life. He suggests that this clear vision helps in avoiding “shiny objects and shiny people” and allows a person to choose to do the hard things in life in order to achieve the good things that matter most.
Finally, Stanley concludes by explaining that the third reason for missing out is being disobedient to God. He defines God as the one who knows what is best for us and argues that sin is a “miss” that inevitably leads to regret. He quotes Adrian Rogers, who said that “Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.” The sermon ends with a powerful call to action, urging listeners to turn away from a life of sin to prevent future regret and to live a life that does not miss out on God’s best.
Listen to the full version here.
Cathedral of Christ The King
In his homily, Father Juan Carlos explains that the heart is the center of human life, encompassing our will, understanding, and emotions. Drawing from the Gospel, he stresses Jesus’s command to guard our hearts because “where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” He clarifies that “treasure” isn’t limited to material possessions but includes our desires and priorities. Carlos warns against allowing false treasures, such as the pursuit of power or social status, to distract us from a life guided by faith.
The central message of the homily is the paramount importance of keeping Jesus as our greatest treasure. By opening our hearts to His truth and mercy, we undergo a transformation that allows us to share His love with others. Father Carlos explains that the Holy Spirit, given as a gift, empowers us to embrace and cherish God’s love in our daily lives and to extend that love to those around us. This spiritual transformation is key to aligning our hearts with our true treasure.
The homily calls for a re-evaluation of our priorities. Father Carlos urges listeners to shift their focus away from the “false treasure of status and appearance” and instead find God’s greatest treasure in the people in their lives, including family, friends, and those in need. He emphasizes that a life of faith is one dedicated to loving and serving others as God does, which is the ultimate expression of a heart set on Jesus.
Finally, the homily provides a call to action, mentioning the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal as a way to practically share this treasure with others. Contributions to the appeal are said to support various archdiocesan ministries and vocations. The homily concludes with a prayer to Mary, the mother of God, asking for her intercession to help keep our hearts firmly focused on Jesus, our greatest and most enduring treasure.
Listen to the full version here.
Passion City Church
Louie Giglio details the “Above and Beyond” giving season at Passion City Church, with a financial goal of $10 million. Giglio states that the purpose of this initiative is to ensure the church has the resources to act instantly on God’s call and to go “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” The funds will be allocated to a range of ministries, including furnishing the new Trilith Live location, supporting global and local partnerships, and funding Passion Equip and future Passion Global Gatherings.
A significant portion of the “Above and Beyond” funds is dedicated to key initiatives that extend the church’s reach. The new Trilith Live location, which will include an auditorium, movie theaters, and various spaces for different ministries, requires funding for its interior outfitting. Additionally, 10% of all donations will be directed to partners such as Illuminations, A21, Convoy of Hope, City of Refuge, and Atlanta Mission. The funds will also support Passion Equip, a free resource offering theological content to people in 206 countries, as well as Passion Global Gatherings and events like Passion 2026.
Giglio frames the giving season as a generational movement, highlighting the church’s work not just for the present but for the future. He introduces the Greek concepts of time, “kronos” (sequential time) and “kairos” (an opportune, divinely appointed moment), and suggests the church is in a “kairos moment” of spiritual awakening. Giglio references research and media reports to support this “religious resurgence,” particularly among Gen Z. He also shares the story of Kay Dossi, a young woman who was an inspiration for the Passion movement’s focus on college students.
The sermon underscores that the Passion movement’s first conference in 1997 coincided with the birth of the first person in Gen Z, establishing a symbolic connection to this generation. Giglio encourages all generations to participate in the “Above and Beyond” giving, emphasizing that their contributions will resource future generations and ensure the movement’s continuity. The sermon concludes with a call to action, urging listeners to join the generational movement and live out the anthem of following Jesus in a new day.
Listen to the full version here.
Trinity Anglican Church
In his sermon, Pastor Brad Malton explores a passage from Luke, chapter 12, verses 22-34, focusing on Jesus’s teachings about worry and materialism. Malton begins by referencing the preceding “parable of the rich fool,” where a man is called a fool for accumulating wealth in bigger barns rather than investing in his soul. This sets the stage for Jesus’s message to his disciples, urging them not to worry about their lives, food, or clothing, and highlighting that God provides for creation, making people of far greater value.
The sermon’s central message challenges listeners to redirect their focus from material possessions to God’s kingdom. Malton explains that Jesus encourages his followers to strive for God’s kingdom, promising that all other needs will be met. This includes the radical call to sell their possessions and give to the poor, a practice that builds a “treasure in heaven” that is secure and lasting. Malton notes that this message is both comforting and challenging, as it requires a deep trust in God and a shift away from self-reliance.
Malton then delves into the concept of “big faith versus little faith,” clarifying that Jesus is not insulting his followers by calling their faith “little.” Instead, he is describing a reality and inviting them to grow into a “bigger faith.” This bigger faith is defined as a deeper confidence and trust in God’s character, goodness, and will. It is a faith that moves beyond worry and into a reliance on divine provision and guidance.
Finally, the sermon offers practical steps to cultivate this bigger faith. Malton suggests several practices, including gratitude to remember God’s past provisions; lamentation, to voice struggles to God; fellowship, to find support from other believers; and risk-taking, such as being transparent and giving away resources. He concludes by encouraging listeners to bring their uncertainties and challenges to God, reinforcing the idea that faith is a journey of growth and trust, supported by intentional practices.
Listen to the full version here.
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