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
In his homily, Father Mike Schmitz begins by sharing a personal struggle with Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis, which has kept him from running a half marathon for 15 years. Despite receiving clear advice from multiple physical therapists, including his own sister, he admits to inconsistently following their recommendations. This personal anecdote highlights the common human tendency to know what needs to be done but fail to act on that knowledge, leading to a cycle of pain and inaction.
Father Mike expands on this theme by quoting Dr. Peter Kreeft, who posits that while life can be complex, 99% of the time, individuals already possess the knowledge of what they ought to do. He provides several practical examples of widely known beneficial actions that are often neglected, such as reducing screen time, ensuring adequate sleep, staying hydrated, engaging in prayer, reading the Bible, and fostering family connections. He underscores that divine commands are not obscure but are “written on your heart,” emphasizing that “knowledge is nice, but doing makes the difference.”
The homily then connects this concept to the Gospel reading, where a scholar of the law questions Jesus about how to inherit eternal life. The scholar already knows the answer: to love God and one’s neighbor, which Jesus affirms with the instruction, “Do this and you will live.” Father Mike observes that the scholar, in an attempt to “justify himself,” then asks, “Who is my neighbor?” This exchange illustrates how people rationalize their inaction, offering excuses like lack of time, fear of negative consequences, or a belief that their efforts will be inconsequential.
Concluding, Father Mike references a psychological study at Princeton Theological Seminary where students, on their way to deliver a sermon about the Good Samaritan, encountered a person in distress. The study revealed that the most significant factor influencing whether students offered help was not their inherent knowledge or compassion, but their perceived availability of time. He urges listeners to identify one action they know they should be taking but are not, and to consider what support—whether a plan, a friend, or assistance—they might need to overcome obstacles and translate knowledge into action. He reiterates the central message: “knowing is nice, but doing makes the difference.”
Listen to the full version here.
Buckhead Church
​​​April Farmer’s sermon begins with her deeply personal testimony of a life-threatening hemorrhagic stroke she suffered on Thanksgiving Day in 2018. She vividly describes the sudden onset of an excruciating headache, the emergency hospital transport, and the subsequent days of confusion and memory loss. Diagnosed with a brain bleed in two locations and experiencing seizures, the extent of the damage to her brain was initially unknown. At 41, at a peak in her life with a new marriage, a recently completed master’s degree, and a thriving career and ministry, her life was abruptly turned upside down.
During her arduous recovery, her husband consistently played a particular song in her hospital room. Despite her severe memory impairment and inability to recall words, she miraculously remembered the lyrics of this song, which were directly from Psalm 34. This profound experience of worship, even in her weakened state, helped her brain connect with the lyrics, serving as a powerful reminder that these ancient words, penned by David, were a testament to God’s enduring goodness. She emphasizes that worship is a fundamental expression of reverence and adoration to God, and it was through this act that she found both connection and remembrance.
Farmer then delves into the specifics of Psalm 34, beginning with David’s resolute declaration in verse one: “I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.” She highlights that this is a conscious and unwavering decision to praise God in every season of life—not just during favorable times, but especially amidst fear, depression, confusion, and hardship. She stresses that this praise must be “audible praise,” meant to be spoken and sung, rather than merely thought. This audible praise, as described in verse two, is intended to be heard by the afflicted, encouraging them to find joy in God’s goodness and faithfulness.
Concluding her sermon, Farmer extends David’s timeless invitation from Psalm 34:8, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” She uses a relatable anecdote about trying guacamole for the first time to illustrate the critical importance of personal experience in truly knowing God’s goodness. She firmly asserts that God is inherently good in all circumstances—through highs and lows, sickness and health, joy and sorrow. For believers, she encourages a steadfast remembrance of God’s unwavering goodness, and for non-believers, she extends an earnest invitation to “taste and see” for themselves, emphasizing that God’s immense love led Christ to die for humanity’s sins, offering access to life through Him. She concludes by reiterating her own testimony of healing and her daily commitment to proclaiming God’s goodness.
Listen to the full version here.
Cathedral of Christ The King
Fr. Frank McNamee’s homily opens with a humorous anecdote about a carpenter’s confession, transitioning into the parable of the Good Samaritan. He reorients the central question from “Who is my neighbor?” to “To whom must I become a neighbor?,” urging listeners to overcome societal divisions and the biases fostered by echo chambers that encourage loving only those who are similar to us. The man left for dead on the road represents humanity in suffering, stripped of labels, demanding to be seen for his intrinsic worth.
McNamee critiques the inaction of the priest and Levite in the parable, arguing that their adherence to religious law overshadowed the deeper call to mercy. He describes this as “religious acidity,” where faith is reduced to rigid rules without genuine compassion, echoing James’s teaching that “faith without works is dead.” He observes a modern religious indifference, where individuals lament societal ills but fail to take concrete action or address issues within their own circles. The homily challenges listeners to active involvement, even at personal inconvenience, allowing the “law of love” to guide their daily lives and enable the Church to be a beacon of witness through acts of mercy.
The Samaritan is presented as a “shocking hero” due to the historical animosity between Jews and Samaritans, yet he exemplifies profound mercy. His detailed actions—seeing, being moved with compassion, approaching, dressing wounds, and providing ongoing care—are highlighted as deliberate, costly, and sacrificial choices. McNamee explains that true compassion involves not just feeling but also time, risk, and sacrifice, as the Samaritan faced potential danger or accusation. He encourages modern mercy through practical charity, such as advocating for social policies, supporting crisis centers, mentoring youth, welcoming strangers, and assisting lonely relatives or struggling coworkers. The Samaritan’s selfless act, performed without expectation of thanks, is held up as a vocation for all believers: to embody mercy as a way of life.
Finally, the homily draws a powerful connection between the Samaritan’s actions and Christ himself, portraying Jesus as the ultimate Good Samaritan who saw humanity “beaten and stripped by sin,” descended from heaven, bound wounds with grace, and paid the ultimate price on the cross. Jesus’s mercy serves as both a profound model and a vital mission for every individual. The homily concludes by reiterating that inheriting eternal life involves not merely observing commandments but actively engaging in merciful deeds, echoing Jesus’s direct command: “Go and do likewise.”
Listen to the full version here.
Passion City Church
Louie Giglio draws inspiration from Acts chapter 4, highlighting how ordinary men like Peter and John astonished religious leaders through their bold preaching and the healing power of Jesus. The overarching theme of his sermon series is to live a life that makes others question, “What is your deal?” Giglio shares a compelling anecdote about a young man whose remarkable life led a Muslim woman in the Middle East to embrace Christianity, underscoring God’s unexpected work globally, even amidst persecution.
Giglio then transitions to the core concept of “astonishing forgiveness,” rooted in God’s nature and Christ’s crucifixion. He explains that Peter and John preached repentance and turned to God for sins to be completely “wiped out.” Giglio emphasizes Jesus’ ultimate act of forgiveness on the cross, likening God’s removal of transgressions to casting them as far as the east is from the west, never to be remembered again. He challenges the audience to consider if they have truly received this profound forgiveness, urging them to release any lingering guilt, shame, or condemnation.
Louie Giglio asserts that our willingness to forgive others, as God in Christ forgave us, is the clearest demonstration of our grasp of the gospel. He clarifies that forgiveness does not negate accountability but rather signifies transferring final judgment to God. A key point Giglio makes is that freedom from unforgiveness is attained not when the other person receives it, but when we offer it. He warns that harboring unforgiveness can tether us to the past, negatively impacting present relationships and future generations.
Finally, Giglio encourages listeners to confront two practical questions: “Is there anyone you need to forgive?” and “Is there anyone you need to ask to forgive you?” He suggests that forgiveness doesn’t always necessitate confrontation, and can be a private act of releasing the person to God, even through writing a letter. Giglio shares a personal experience of making amends, stressing the importance of living in peace with everyone, to the extent it depends on us. He concludes by highlighting forgiveness as a gateway to genuine intimacy and worship with God, prompting listeners to respond to the Holy Spirit’s leading to release past hurts and embrace freedom.
Listen to the full version here.
Trinity Anglican Church
The sermon, delivered by guest speaker Matthew, centers on the powerful idea that “faith in Jesus and hope in the future is a powerful source of love in the present.” He explains that faith in Jesus, as understood by Paul, transcends mere intellectual assent to theological doctrines; it’s a profound trust and dependence on Christ’s past actions and ongoing work through the Holy Spirit. This fundamental reliance on Jesus eliminates any sense of individual superiority or comparison, fostering a baseline of equality where everyone is utterly dependent on God’s mercy and grace. This understanding, Matthew argues, compels believers to approach those on the margins with a spirit of kinship, recognizing that all people, regardless of their circumstances, are equally in need of God’s handouts and mercy.
Matthew then expands on the second crucial element: hope in the future. He connects this to the prayer “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” asserting that this is the life calling of Christians—to embody and cultivate the coming kingdom of God. Drawing from Philippians 3:20, he emphasizes that believers’ primary citizenship resides in heaven, not in earthly empires. This heavenly allegiance necessitates resisting the divisive and fear-mongering spirit prevalent in the current age, which often seeks to incite hatred and fear between different people groups.
The speaker encourages listeners to resist the urge to demonize entire groups of people and to individually reorient their thinking about others, particularly those with whom relationships have become strained or awkward. He shares a personal practice of visualizing difficult individuals at a table in heaven, envisioning a future where all unforgivable things are forgiven and all pain is healed. This profound hope in a shared future, where everyone will finally see clearly and be known fully as God knows them, empowers believers to extend unconditional love in the present.
Finally, Matthew underscores that this call to love requires both wisdom and a deep, experiential knowledge of God. He explains that God’s love is not a blind acceptance but is incredibly precise and wise, often saying “no” to fervent prayers for reasons that become apparent only later. By aligning with God’s heart and understanding His work in the world, believers can become cooperative friends and partners with Him in love, embodying the future good kingdom as a tangible sign of hope. He concludes by posing two reflective questions for the congregation: “Who have I written off that I can try to reimagine through the lens of our shared future?” and “How does the gospel compel me to move towards someone in my life or to reorient my thinking about a group of people or to challenge my feelings of superiority over another?”
Listen to the full version here.
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