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 this homily, Fr. Mike Schmitz reflects on the meaning of being a citizen and a member of the Church. He talks about the importance of faith and how it allows God’s grace to change us.

Fr. Mike begins by expressing his love for this time of year, leading up to Independence Day. He reflects on what it means to be an American citizen. Unlike a subject of a king, a citizen has both rights and responsibilities. Fr. Mike applies this concept to the Church, stating that we are not just residents attending mass, but members of the body of Christ. This membership calls us to grow, and Fr. Mike emphasizes the importance of faith in allowing this growth to happen.

Fr. Mike uses the analogy of raincoats and umbrellas to illustrate his point. When we come to the sacraments with a raincoat or umbrella, meaning a lack of faith, God’s grace cannot touch us and change us. The Eucharist is the most unique sacrament because we receive the body and blood of Christ himself. Fr. Mike concludes by inviting all of us to approach the sacraments with faith, allowing God to change us and mold us into who he wants us to be.

Listen to the full version here.

Buckhead Church

Broken & Grateful

Andy Stanley talks about the importance of sharing the church service with others, mentioning that someone might be one invitation away from having their life transformed by Christ. An introduction is given to the worship leaders, who are described as part of the church community and not just professional singers.

The core message of the sermon is that the church should be outward-facing and welcoming to all. Andy Stanley criticizes the early church for failing to follow the Great Commission because they stayed in Jerusalem instead of going out and making disciples. He emphasizes that the increasing political and racial diversity of the church is a strength, not a weakness. He concludes by saying that the church, though imperfect, is a commercial announcement for the coming Kingdom of God.

Listen to the full version here.

Cathedral of Christ The King

Fr. Wagner talks about a story in the gospel of Mark where Jesus heals a woman who has been bleeding for 12 years. He points out that Jesus stopped to heal the woman even though he was on his way to heal the daughter of a synagogue official. This story, according to Fr. Wagner, is a reminder that Jesus is attentive to the needs of everyone, not just the important people.

In the second part of the homily, Fr. Wagner talks about the importance of slowing down in our lives. He says that our society is very hurried, and this can make it difficult for us to be attentive to the people and things around us. He recommends a few practices that can help us slow down, such as spending time in silence, simplifying our lives, and saying no to more things.

In the third part of the homily, Fr. Wagner talks about the importance of prayer. He says that prayer is a way of communicating with God and opening ourselves up to his presence. He encourages the congregation to pray for themselves, for others, and for the world.

In the fourth part of the homily, Fr. Wagner talks about the importance of giving thanks. He says that we should be grateful for all of the good things in our lives, even the small things. He encourages the congregation to give thanks to God for his love and mercy.

Listen to the full version here.

Passion City Church

All Consuming Fire

​​Louie Giglio’s sermon on Revelation 14 emphasizes key themes of grace, judgment, and faithfulness. He begins by highlighting the importance of attentively seeking God’s message, noting that John sees Jesus not as a lion or king but as the Lamb. This depiction underscores God’s grace, which Giglio describes as the fulcrum of Revelation.

Revelation 14 starts with the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, surrounded by 144,000 followers with God’s name on their foreheads. This signifies their complete dedication to God. Giglio touches on the debate regarding the Rapture, explaining two primary views: one where believers are taken before the tribulation and another where they endure through it.

Giglio underscores the harsh reality of eternal separation from God for those who reject Christ. He argues that God’s goodness is demonstrated through His grace, offered through the Lamb, and the persistent proclamation of the gospel. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness from believers, even in the face of persecution.

In conclusion, Giglio highlights the blessedness of those who die in the Lord, as they will rest from their labors, and their deeds will follow them. This assurance provides hope and motivation for believers to remain steadfast in their faith. The sermon ends with a vision of a white cloud and one like the Son of Man, symbolizing the ultimate triumph and glory of Christ.

Listen to the full version here.

Trinity Anglican Church

In the sermon by Nate Smith, based on Lamentations 3:21-33, Psalm 130, and Mark 5:21-43, the core message is finding peace and trusting in God during difficult times.

The sermon emphasizes that God is always present, even when we feel alone. An example is used of a woman healed by touching Jesus’ garment, who was unseen by the crowd but noticed and helped by Jesus. This illustrates that God sees and cares for us even when we feel invisible.

The sermon also highlights that we should not hesitate to ask God for help. The story of a synagogue ruler who approached Jesus for his daughter’s healing is used as an example. Jesus instructed the ruler to “only believe,” and then healed his daughter. This demonstrates God’s power to heal us but emphasizes the necessity of faith.

Finally, the sermon teaches that God’s timing is perfect. A woman who had been bleeding for twelve years and spent all her money on unsuccessful medical treatments is presented as an example. She was healed by touching Jesus’ garment. This story conveys that God can heal us instantly, regardless of how long we have suffered.

Listen to the full version here.

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