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
- Passion City Church
- Trinity Anglican Church
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Fr. Mike Schmitz
Holy Moments
Fr. Mike Schmitz delivered a homily focusing on the serious issue of distracted driving, prompted by a tragic accident involving a former student who became a focus missionary. The accident resulted from distracted driving, a phenomenon responsible for a significant percentage of automobile fatalities annually. Fr. Mike draws parallels between distracted driving and distracted living, emphasizing the dangerous tendency to be mentally absent from the present moment.
He connects this concept to the Christian understanding of holiness and the series titled “Holy Moments,” based on Matthew Kelly’s book. Fr. Mike challenges the misconception that holiness is unattainable or reserved for special individuals. He asserts that holiness is not only possible but desirable, as it allows individuals to live with purpose, meaning, and joy. Holiness, in this context, refers to being present in ordinary moments where God is active.
The homily delves into the idea that distractions are the enemy of holy moments, and in the contemporary era, distractions are more pervasive than ever. Fr. Mike discusses the difference between optional interruptions (distractions) and obligatory interruptions, with the latter often leading to new holy moments. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing and embracing these interruptions, even when they deviate from our planned moments of prayer or reflection.
Listen to the full version here.
Buckhead Church
Heaven, Hell, and Everything In Between
In Joel Thomas’ sermon, he delves into the ancient war that predates humanity, occurring in heaven, as mentioned in various biblical references. This war involves Lucifer, the morning star, and a high-ranking angel, leading a rebellion against God’s governance. Described as a governance war, Lucifer’s desire for autonomy and ultimate authority led to his defiance of God’s order and a third of the cherubim following him. This rebellion set the stage for ongoing conflicts between the forces of heaven and hell, which Jones likens to seen and unseen realms influencing human reality.
Thomas highlights the continuous battle between these two opposing forces, emphasizing their impact on personal lives. He relates biblical teachings to contemporary experiences, stating that individuals are not free to carry out their own good intentions due to the constant struggle between the forces of heaven and hell. Drawing parallels to a dumpster fire, he illustrates the consequences of aligning with hellish influences, such as sexual immorality, idolatry, and division. The sermon concludes with a call to deliberate intentionality in aligning with the forces of heaven, bringing God’s order and blessings into one’s life while avoiding the destructive consequences of hellish choices. Thomas teases upcoming practical discussions on how to experience the fullness of heaven and avoid the destructive outcomes associated with hell.
Listen to the full version here.
Passion City Church
Louie Giglio’s message revolves around the idea of what comes next after a period of fasting and seeking God. The fasting, as explained, is a means to draw closer to God and witness breakthroughs in personal and collective lives. However, Giglio emphasizes that fasting is not merely a seasonal exercise; it is intended to become a way of life.
The key concept presented is that fasting is more about attitude than action. It is not just about refraining from certain activities but about cultivating a mindset, altitude, and attunement. Using the analogy of a symphony, Giglio describes how instruments tune to a specific frequency, much like believers tuning their lives to the Spirit, Word, and voice of Jesus through fasting. The oboe, representing the Holy Spirit, sets the frequency, and everyone tunes in, enabling them to play different parts but within the same spiritual frequency.
The sermon delves into the biblical story of Jesus healing a man at the pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath. Jesus, being attuned to the Father’s voice through fasting, performed miracles that defied religious norms. This narrative serves as a reminder that being in tune with God’s frequency leads to divine intervention and living in alignment with His will.
Giglio urges the audience not to cease fasting just because a designated period is ending. He encourages a continual lifestyle of fasting, praying, and seeking God’s voice. The overarching message is a call to cultivate a desire for God, carve out time for stillness, focus on spiritual matters, and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. The goal is to live attuned to God’s frequency, allowing believers to navigate life’s complexities with divine guidance and purpose.
Listen to the full version here.
Trinity Anglican Church
In Kris McDaniel’s sermon, he takes the audience through an exploration of the biblical passage in Mark 1, where Jesus encounters a man with an unclean spirit in a synagogue in Capernaum. McDaniel states that his sermon has two main purposes: to convince the audience of the reality of the devil and to emphasize the power of Jesus. He acknowledges that this may be challenging for some, but he encourages the audience to open their minds to the possibility.
McDaniel emphasizes Jesus’ authority in teaching and the impact it has on those who witness it. He argues that Jesus’ authority extends beyond mere words and calls for a deep submission to Jesus, allowing His words to shape and form individuals. The sermon also delves into the concept of spiritual beings in a spiritual world, challenging the audience to suspend skepticism and recognize the presence of an adversary, the devil.
The preacher draws parallels between the Rwandan genocide and other conflicts, suggesting that a spiritual perspective is necessary to understand such atrocities. McDaniel introduces the idea that there are different forms of prejudice, including chronological bias and cultural elitism, emphasizing the need to recognize spiritual realities that extend beyond intellectual understanding.
McDaniel quotes Alexander Schmiemann, an Orthodox scholar, to support the notion that evil is a dark, irrational, and very real presence that the church has always known. He argues against reducing evil to mere absence or ignorance and asserts that understanding the irrational requires acknowledging the reality of the devil.
The sermon concludes with an emphasis on Jesus’ authority over the demonic, urging the audience to confront the darkness and evil in their lives. McDaniel encourages individuals to seek protection and freedom in Jesus, who has the power to silence lies, accusations, and confusion. The sermon encourages introspection on where darkness may be present in one’s life and prompts a response of seeking freedom and protection from Jesus.
Listen to the full version here.
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