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
- Want to add your church? Request that here
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Fr. Mike Schmitz begins his homily by discussing how the desire for fame has become the primary goal for many young people, leading to a culture of living life on display. He cites an article that found that when asked what they want to be when they grow up, young people increasingly answer “famous.” This desire to be known, he argues, leads people to post their every thought, meal, and adventure online. He gives the example of people posting birthday wishes to their spouses on social media instead of simply telling them in person. He also shares a personal anecdote about tweeting from a plane, which made him realize how easily he was falling into the trap of living life on display.
Fr. Schmitz then contrasts this modern tendency with the life of the Holy Family. He argues that the Holy Family, particularly Jesus, did not live their lives on display. He cites St. Paul’s advice in 1 Thessalonians 4:11 to “make it your ambition to live a quiet life, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands.” Fr. Schmitz emphasizes that this does not mean avoiding doing great things for the Lord or sharing the gospel, but rather focusing on internal validation and genuine relationships. He argues that a child who has no desire to be famous is a sign of good parenting because they have an internal system of validation rather than relying on external approval from strangers.
Fr. Schmitz further emphasizes the importance of living a life of service to those closest to us, as Jesus did. He points out that we know very little about Jesus’s life before his public ministry, suggesting that he spent those years “minding his own affairs” and working with his hands. He argues that Jesus prioritized deep relationships with his disciples and spent most of his time in close proximity to them. Fr. Schmitz concludes by urging listeners to imitate Jesus and the Holy Family by making it their ambition to live a quiet life, to mind their own affairs, and to work with their hands. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the people closest to us and building deep, meaningful relationships with them.
Listen to the full version here.
Buckhead Church
In this sermon, Joel Thomas talks about the importance of being grateful for the blessings in our lives, even in the midst of challenges. He encourages us to focus on the positive and to be thankful for the good things that are happening in our lives. Thomas also talks about the importance of forgiveness and how it can help us to heal from past hurts. He encourages us to forgive others, even if they have wronged us, and to let go of resentment.
Overall, the sermon is a message of hope and encouragement. It reminds us that even in difficult times, there is always something to be grateful for. By focusing on the positive and forgiving others, we can find peace and joy in our lives.
Listen to the full version here.
Cathedral of Christ The King
The homily begins by discussing the Feast of the Holy Family and the opening of the Jubilee Year of Hope. Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer emphasizes the importance of hope, especially in times of war and disorder, and encourages parishioners to respond to the reason for their hope. He highlights the theme of the Jubilee Year, “Hope does not disappoint,” and emphasizes the importance of spiritual renewal and transformation of the world.
The Archbishop then delves into the story of the Holy Family, focusing on their challenges and hardships. He recounts the flight to Egypt to escape Herod’s persecution and the episode of Jesus’s separation from his parents in the temple. He emphasizes that the Holy Family was not perfect, but rather a model of human family life with its joys and struggles. He highlights the importance of forgiveness and mercy in overcoming difficulties and strengthening family bonds.
The Archbishop further emphasizes the importance of hospitality and openness to God in our lives. He encourages parishioners to open the doors of their hearts to Jesus, allowing him to enter and transform their lives. He emphasizes the importance of encountering Jesus in a true and meaningful way, building a deep relationship with him. He invites parishioners to embrace the Jubilee Year as a time of Grace and to open their hearts to receive God’s love and share it with others.
Finally, the Archbishop concludes the homily with a call to action. He encourages parishioners to live out the example of the Holy Family by prioritizing their families and cultivating strong family bonds. He emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, mercy, and hospitality in building strong and loving families. He invites parishioners to embrace the Jubilee Year as a time of spiritual renewal and transformation and to work towards building a more just and compassionate world.
Listen to the full version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjnyA_2gfsI&t=270shere.
Passion City Church
Louie Giglio reflects on the past year at Passion City Church, acknowledging both the joys and sorrows experienced by the church community. He highlights the impact of the “Grace and Glory” gatherings, particularly the Christmas Grove, which deeply moved him. Giglio expresses gratitude for the church’s generosity, exceeding their $7 million fundraising goal, enabling them to continue their ministry. He shares the inspiring news of nearly 100 people placing their faith in Jesus at one location in the past two months.
Giglio then transitions to the core message of the sermon, drawing from Psalm 81. He emphasizes the importance of “opening wide” to God, inviting Him to fill their lives. He uses the analogy of baby birds eagerly opening their mouths for food as an illustration of this concept. Giglio encourages the congregation to trust in God’s provision and to receive the abundance He offers, acknowledging that true fulfillment comes from seeking God above all else.
The sermon highlights the potential for spiritual growth and transformation when individuals surrender their lives to God. It emphasizes the need to overcome the tendency to rely on oneself and to embrace God’s guidance and provision. Giglio emphasizes the importance of faith and trust in God’s promises, encouraging listeners to open their hearts and lives to receive the fullness of God’s blessings.
Ultimately, the sermon serves as a call to action, urging the congregation to enter the upcoming year with a renewed sense of hope and expectancy. It encourages them to embrace God’s invitation to experience the fullness of His love and to live a life characterized by faith, trust, and surrender to His will.
Listen to the full version here.
Trinity Anglican Church
In this sermon, Anna Beth Havenar talks about the importance of being grateful for the blessings in our lives, even in the midst of challenges. She encourages us to focus on the positive and to be thankful for the good things that are happening in our lives. Havenar also talks about the importance of forgiveness and how it can help us to heal from past hurts. She encourages us to forgive others, even if they have wronged us, and to let go of resentment.
Overall, the sermon is a message of hope and encouragement. It reminds us that even in difficult times, there is always something to be grateful for. By focusing on the positive and forgiving others, we can find peace and joy in our lives.
Listen to the full version here.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on our site are written by our local community of contributors as a reflection of their personal experiences. All information is researched and provided in good faith, however, it does not necessarily represent the views of the organization they’re writing about nor that of the City on Purpose staff, and/or any/all contributors of this site. If there are issues with the accuracy of this piece, we want to fix them. Please contact City on Purpose to submit a request for an update. We strive to be an honest resource for all those in the city – thanks for helping us make that possible! You can also review our full Disclaimer, Terms and Conditions, and Privacy Policy.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on our site are written by our local community of contributors as a reflection of their personal experiences. All information is researched and provided in good faith, however, it does not necessarily represent the views of the organization they’re writing about nor that of the City on Purpose staff, and/or any/all contributors of this site. If there are issues with the accuracy of this piece, we want to fix them. Please contact City on Purpose to submit a request for an update. We strive to be an honest resource for all those in the city – thanks for helping us make that possible! You can also review our full Disclaimer, Terms and Conditions, and Privacy Policy.