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.

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• Fr. Mike Schmitz
• Buckhead Church
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Fr. Mike Schmitz

Fr. Mike Schmitz discusses the concept of optimism, sharing his personal journey from being an “optimistic pessimist” to an “optimistic realist.” He emphasizes the importance of optimism, citing research by Daniel Kahneman which highlights its benefits, including increased happiness, resilience, and longevity.

Fr. Mike explores the story of the Magi in the Gospel, emphasizing their courageous decision to embark on a perilous journey despite the uncertainty of their destination. He contrasts this with his own tendency towards pessimism, which often leads him to avoid risks.

Fr. Mike shares the story of Admiral Jim Stockdale, a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. Stockdale’s resilience stemmed not from blind optimism, but from a deep-seated faith in his eventual triumph, coupled with an unflinching acceptance of his current reality. This contrasts with the “optimists” in the POW camp who clung to false hopes and ultimately succumbed to despair.

Fr. Mike concludes by differentiating between optimism and hope. While optimism is a positive outlook on the future, hope is a deeper trust in God that transcends personal limitations and circumstances. He emphasizes that even in the face of adversity, God is with us and will never abandon us. This message of hope, rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, offers a profound sense of peace and assurance in the midst of life’s uncertainties.

Listen to the full version here.

Buckhead Church

This sermon by Andy Stanley is about the importance of self-improvement and finding your purpose in life. He encourages listeners to reflect on their goals and aspirations, and to consider what they were made for. He emphasizes that progress is a good thing, and that we should all strive to be better versions of ourselves. He also introduces the concept of “kingdom of God good,” which is doing good works that benefit others and advance the cause of God’s kingdom on Earth. He encourages listeners to find their own “more” and to use their talents and gifts to make a difference in the world.

Andy begins by reminding listeners that it is the time of year when we are all focused on self-improvement. We are confronted with where we are and where we want to be, and we often set new goals and resolutions. However, many of us fail to stick to these goals, and we end up feeling disappointed and discouraged. He encourages us to embrace this time of year as an opportunity to reflect on our lives and make positive changes.

Andy then introduces the question “What was I made for?” He argues that we were all created for a specific purpose, and that we should strive to discover and fulfill that purpose. He emphasizes that when we are doing what we were made for, we experience a deep sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. He also cites author Daniel Pink, who argues that our purpose is a combination of autonomy, mastery, and purpose.

Finally, Andy discusses the concept of “kingdom of God good.” He argues that Christians are called to do good works that benefit others and advance the cause of God’s kingdom on Earth. He emphasizes that this is not just about being a good person, but about using our talents and gifts to make a difference in the world. He encourages listeners to find their own “more” and to use their gifts to serve others.

Listen to the full version here.

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