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
Father Mike Schmitz shares a personal anecdote about accidentally ruining a choir recording in Israel with his own singing. This experience leads him to reflect on how even well-intentioned offerings might not always be desired or could even detract from something beautiful.
He connects this to the Gospel reading about Martha, who was “burdened with much serving.” Father Mike clarifies that Martha’s acts of hospitality were not inherently wrong, but rather the issue lay in the manner or motivation behind her actions.
Father Mike then recounts a story about Father Seth’s seminary training, where he was repeatedly asked by Father Tom Foster about his motivation for pursuing the priesthood. After several incorrect answers, Father Seth realized the true answer was “for love of Jesus.” This revelation became the central message of the homily: all our actions, including serving, working, and even suffering, should stem from a place of love for Jesus.
He reinforces this idea with quotes from saints like St. Francis de Sales and St. Teresa of Avila, who emphasized that the love behind an action is more significant than the action itself. He also references St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, highlighting that even great deeds are meaningless without love. Father Mike concludes by stating that everything we do can be an act of love for Jesus. He refers to St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians, explaining that our sufferings, when united with Christ’s, allow us to participate in the redemption of the world. He emphasizes that Martha’s core issue was her question, “Lord, do you not care?”, suggesting that our actions matter because God loves us and cares, even in our weakness. He revisits his initial anecdote, noting that while he ruined the recording, he didn’t ruin the moment, as his small, imperfect offering still contributed to the praise of God.
Listen to the full version here.
Buckhead Church
​​​This sermon by Joel Thomas from Buckhead Church, titled “Spirit of God,” explores the nature and work of the Holy Spirit, beginning with a worship session and baptisms that underscore God’s active presence. Thomas emphasizes that “holy” signifies being “set apart” and that God is unique, with the baptisms serving as tangible evidence of the Spirit’s movement within the church community.
The sermon delves into understanding the Holy Spirit, acknowledging diverse theological perspectives and using an analogy of viewing a 3D object to illustrate how different viewpoints can describe the same Spirit. Thomas highlights that the Holy Spirit’s work often transcends logical explanation, manifesting in supernatural events, extraordinary abilities, inner peace, and acts of forgiveness, courage, and wisdom.
Thomas references Jesus’s promise in Luke 24 regarding the Holy Spirit’s coming and the outpouring at Pentecost, which empowered believers to speak in other languages. He contrasts the Old Covenant’s law-based governance with the New Covenant, which is Spirit-governed and founded on God’s “I will” promises. The New Covenant, mediated by Jesus, is presented as superior because God takes responsibility for transforming hearts, forgiving sins, and leading to abundant life.
The sermon concludes by emphasizing that the Holy Spirit’s power resides within believers and is accessed through surrender and obedience, rather than human effort. Thomas connects this to the song “Spirit of God,” framing its lyrics as a prayer for revival—defined as restoration and bringing life to broken situations—which begins with a posture of surrender. He also encourages participation in community groups, where God’s Spirit often works powerfully to guide individuals.
Listen to the full version here.
Cathedral of Christ The King
In the homily for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Archbishop Hartmayer reflects on the Gospel reading of Mary and Martha, highlighting their contrasting approaches to Jesus’s visit. Martha is depicted as busy with preparations and serving, while Mary chooses to sit at Jesus’s feet, listening to his words. Martha’s frustration with Mary for not helping is presented as a relatable experience.
Jesus’s response to Martha, that she is “anxious and upset about so many things” and that “only one thing is required,” which Mary has chosen, is a central theme. The homily delves into the meaning of this “better portion,” suggesting that discipleship begins with attention to the word of God, not solely with preparations for service. It serves as a reminder for the Christian community to balance active ministry with quiet, reflective, and prayerful spirituality.
The Archbishop warns against the dangers of imbalance, where an overemphasis on service can lead to frustration and a missed understanding of the core purpose of gathering, which is to listen to God’s word and participate in the Mass. He defines the “better portion” as a relationship with Jesus that forms the foundation of one’s spirituality and inspires all ministerial expressions. Without this rooted personal relationship, ministry can become an “empty shell” and lose its meaning.
The homily concludes by posing the question of who feeds whom, ultimately asserting that Jesus was feeding Mary and the others with his word and presence, which is what attendees come to church to receive. Mary’s actions are seen as expressing a desire to teach and preach the good news, emphasizing that all are called to participate in the mission of evangelization, regardless of gender. The Archbishop encourages listeners to take what they have heard and been fed with to evangelize and feed others.
Listen to the full version here.
Passion City Church
This sermon, titled “Astonishing Obedience,” by Grant Partrick, emphasizes that obedience to God is not merely an invitation but a command, serving as the “activating agent” for living an astonishing life.
Partrick highlights several key points about astonishing obedience, including that it reveals our true allegiance to God, especially when there’s a conflict between human authority and divine commands. He stresses that living like Jesus is only possible if one has first “been with Jesus,” meaning actively engaging with and living in the word of God.
Furthermore, Partrick explains that obedience creates a cycle of deeper knowledge and revelation of God, leading to a heart more attuned to His will. He clarifies that while salvation is by grace through faith, obedience serves as the tangible evidence that one has truly received the gospel, not as a means to earn God’s love, but as a response to it.
Partrick concludes by stating that following Jesus will come at a cost, but it’s a cost without regret, given the “surpassing worth of knowing Christ.” He cautions against treating Jesus merely as a means to an end (like an Uber driver to heaven), emphasizing that true discipleship involves trusting Jesus as both the journey and the ultimate destination.
Listen to the full version here.
Trinity Anglican Church
This sermon by Matthew Brown, based on Colossians 1:15-23, focuses on three core aspects of Jesus Christ. First, Brown emphasizes that Jesus is the Source and Sum of All Things, being the image of the invisible God through whom and for whom all creation exists and is held together. He highlights that this expansive understanding of Jesus’s centrality was a foundational belief for early Christians and that everything ultimately exists for God’s glory, defined as the experience of His character.
Second, Brown explains that Jesus Christ is the Reconciler and the Sacrifice. He clarifies that Jesus actively restores all things that have fallen into chaos, signifying a comprehensive reconciliation that extends beyond individual salvation to all of creation. Brown contrasts this with a more individualistic view of salvation, stressing that God repairs and renews suffering rather than erasing it, citing examples like his aging father’s pain and Jesus’s proclamation of liberty to captives.
Third, Brown presents Jesus Christ as the Mystery and the Hope. He states that Jesus is the tangible evidence of this coming renewal and reconciliation, with his resurrected body and its scars serving as a sign that God can transform even the most terrible and shameful things into beauty. Jesus is the “first fruits of the resurrection,” a preview of what awaits all believers. The mystery, as Paul reveals, is “Christ in you, the hope of glory,” signifying that humanity’s deep longing for complete acceptance and love will be fulfilled through Christ.
Brown concludes by encouraging listeners to remain steadfast in this hope, urging them not to be distracted by worldly concerns but to choose the “better thing” of grounding their lives in Christ.
Listen to the full version here.
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