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 reflects on the tragedy of “wasted potential” through the remarkable story of Daryl Woods Sr. Woods grew up in a difficult environment in Detroit, became a teenage father and drug dealer, and was eventually sentenced to life in prison for a murder he did not commit. Fr. Mike defines real potential not as a mere future possibility, but as having exactly what you need in the present moment and choosing whether or not to use it. He emphasizes that everyone, regardless of age or past mistakes, possesses unique potential that God has already validated through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
Fr. Mike explains that as Christians, we often live as if we are waiting for God to “choose” or “claim” us, but the cross is proof that He has already made His choice. He argues that the true tragedy is not our past sins—which do not surprise God—but the “wasted potential” of receiving God’s grace and failing to use it. He encourages the faithful to make a daily declaration: “Jesus, I am not going to let what you did for me go to waste on me.” This shift in mindset transforms one’s relationship with prayer, the Mass, and scripture from chores into active uses of divine potential.
Drawing from the Gospel, Fr. Mike highlights Jesus’ description of His followers as the “salt of the earth” and “light of the world.” He notes that salt is meant to bring out the goodness already present in the world, while light is meant to reveal the truth of reality to others. This potential is not something we might have in the future; it is something we “are” right now. Using Daryl Woods as an example, Fr. Mike shows how Woods began his ministry in prison, refusing to wait for better circumstances to start his mission of bringing love to at-risk youth.
The homily concludes with a call to action: to ensure that God’s work does not “end with us.” Fr. Mike warns that becoming “indistinguishable” or “ineffective” is the ultimate waste of the Holy Spirit’s power within us. By the end of his story, Daryl Woods was not only exonerated but became a leader in oversight for the very system that imprisoned him. Fr. Mike challenges his audience to start their mission exactly where they are, transforming what could have been a story of wasted potential into one that serves the glory of God.
Listen to the full version here.
Buckhead Church
Matt Noblitt explores how false beliefs can lead to real, negative consequences in a person’s life. He uses the analogy of a technical dispute between major companies to show how misunderstandings cause frustration, then applies this to spirituality. Noblitt suggests that a primary strategy of the enemy is not necessarily to make people deny God, but to seed subtle misconceptions that transform a grace-filled relationship into a performance-based burden, eventually leading to spiritual exhaustion.
The central focus of the message is debunking the idea that following Jesus should result in an immediate end to all personal struggle with sin. Noblitt explains that this misconception creates a cycle of shame when believers inevitably fail. By referencing the Apostle Paul’s honest admission in the Book of Romans—where Paul describes doing the very things he hates—Noblitt reassures the audience that the presence of a struggle is actually evidence of spiritual life rather than a sign of failure.
Noblitt describes the “merry-go-round” of sin, which starts with tailored temptations and ends in a state of condemnation. He makes a vital distinction between conviction and condemnation: conviction is the Holy Spirit’s way of building a person up and guiding them toward change, while condemnation is an attack from the enemy designed to keep a person stuck in their past. He encourages listeners to move beyond self-loathing and toward the breakthrough found in Christ’s deliverance.
To conclude, Noblitt challenges the congregation to shift their goal from simply “sinning less” to “becoming more like Jesus.” He offers practical advice for “struggling well,” such as identifying the moments that lead to temptation and being mindful of one’s environment and influences. He calls for a church community that is honest about its flaws, where members reject the pressure of perfection and instead commit to supporting one another through their ongoing spiritual battles.
Listen to the full version here.
Cathedral of Christ The King
In his homily for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Monsignor Frank McNamee uses the metaphor of “salt of the earth” and “light of the world” to call the faithful to a life of visible, active discipleship. He begins with a humorous anecdote about an empty seat at the Super Bowl to illustrate that our faith, much like a prime ticket, is a gift meant to be fully utilized and shared rather than kept private or hidden. McNamee emphasizes that while faith has a personal dimension, it must never be purely private; it is a public witness that shines through actions and service to others.
Drawing from the day’s readings, McNamee highlights that being a disciple means illuminating the world through faithfulness in hardship and mercy in the face of betrayal. He notes that light does not need to shout or argue; it simply shines by revealing truth and hope that cannot be explained by human circumstances alone. Similarly, salt serves to purify, protect, and give flavor to the world. He asserts that the Church exists for the glory of God and the salvation of souls, and that individual faithfulness is the primary way to draw others to the Father.
The homily transitions into the context of the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal, which McNamee frames not as a financial goal, but as a shared participation in the mission of a “missionary church.” He clarifies that supporting such appeals is an investment in the “salvation of souls”—the ultimate goal of Catholic life. He points to the growth of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, specifically noting the hundreds of young adults in RCIA and the over 50 seminarians currently in formation, as evidence of the vibrant life that this collective support fosters.
Concluding with a strong spiritual challenge, McNamee urges his parishioners to see their contributions as an investment in eternal life rather than a mundane obligation. He warns against complacency, noting that other dioceses are facing decline and school closures, while Atlanta remains in a “good bubble” that requires ongoing focus and responsibility. Ultimately, he calls the congregation to embrace their mission to “get each other into heaven,” reminding them that they have been entrusted with a divine path that must be prepared for themselves and for others.
Listen to the full version here.
Passion City Church
In his sermon “And The Walls Came Down—My God is With Me,” Louie Giglio explores the opening of the Book of Joshua, focusing on the transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua and the Israelites’ move into the Promised Land. Giglio emphasizes that God has a “fullness of life” prepared for every believer, which is characterized by freedom and the assurance that He is greater than any circumstance. He explains that Joshua’s story begins with a clear announcement from God that “Moses is dead,” signaling that it is time for the people to stop looking back at past leadership and instead step forward into the promises God made to their ancestors.
A central theme of the message is the tension between God’s gift and man’s responsibility, encapsulated in the command to “go in and take possession” of the land God has already given. Giglio distinguishes between a “profession of faith”—merely stating a belief or checking a box—and the “possession of faith,” which involves actively living out that belief through trust and obedience. He argues that many Christians fail to experience the “milk and honey” of the abundant life not because God hasn’t provided it, but because they have not yet physically and spiritually stepped into what has been promised.
Giglio also addresses the role of fear, referencing the 12 explorers (spies) in the Book of Numbers who were paralyzed by the sight of giants and fortified cities. He points out the irony that while the Israelites viewed themselves as “grasshoppers” in their own eyes, the people in the Promised Land were actually “melting in fear” because they had heard of God’s power. Giglio encourages the congregation to resize their self-perception based on God’s view of them rather than their own insecurities or the opinions of others. He highlights that courage is often more necessary than clarity, urging listeners to move forward even when the future seems risky or unknown.
Ultimately, Giglio reveals that the true hero of the story is not Joshua, but Jesus, whose name is the Greek form of the Hebrew “Yeshua” (Joshua), meaning “Yahweh is salvation.” He explains that believers do not have to conquer their own “Jerichos” or defeat their own enemies by their own strength; rather, they are called to step into the victory Jesus has already achieved. By trusting and obeying Christ, the “greater Joshua,” believers can find a profound rest—not as an absence of activity, but as the deep peace of knowing that God has already secured their inheritance and is with them wherever they go.
Listen to the full version here.
Trinity Anglican Church
Matthew Browne provides an in-depth exploration of the biblical narrative of the fall of Jericho from Joshua 6, extracting timeless spiritual principles for modern believers. He emphasizes that the “walls” we face—whether they be mental strongholds, addiction, or seemingly insurmountable life circumstances—are not moved by human might but by unconventional obedience to God’s specific instructions. Browne argues that God often requires us to take steps that seem illogical to the world before we see the miraculous breakthrough we are praying for.
A significant portion of the message focuses on the power of silence and the discipline of the “walk.” Browne highlights that the Israelites were commanded to march around the city in silence for six days, illustrating that some of our greatest battles are won when we stop complaining and start positioning ourselves in faith. This period of quiet waiting is presented not as a delay, but as a divine preparation of the heart, teaching believers that consistency in the routine is what often precedes the spectacular collapse of the obstacles in their lives.
Browne also delves into the concept of the “Shout of Victory,” which occurred while the walls were still standing. He challenges the congregation to offer a “sacrifice of praise” in the midst of their trials rather than waiting for the evidence of the miracle. By shouting before the walls fell, the Israelites demonstrated a proactive faith that claimed the promise as finished before it was physically manifest. This, Browne suggests, is the key to spiritual authority: believing God’s word so firmly that your worship isn’t dictated by your environment.
In his conclusion, Browne reminds the audience that once the walls fall, the responsibility shifts to the believer to “go up into the city” and take territory for the Kingdom. He warns against spiritual complacency after a victory, noting that the purpose of the walls coming down is to enable progress and transformation. He closes with a powerful call to action, encouraging everyone to identify their specific “Jericho” and begin the walk of obedience, confident that the same God who leveled the walls of old is actively working to demolish the barriers in their lives today.
Listen to the full version here.
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