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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Jump to:

• Fr. Mike Schmitz
• Buckhead Church
• Cathedral of Christ the King
• Passion City Church
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Fr. Mike Schmitz

In this homily, Father Mike discusses the common misconception that the church is merely an optional or man-made institution, contrasting it with the belief that Jesus Christ himself founded the Catholic Church. He references a “Dear Abby” clipping his mother had, which stated that Jesus Christ founded the Roman Catholic Church in 33 AD, a fact corroborated by modern tools like Siri. This sets the stage for his central argument: unlike other religions, the Catholic Church is presented as divinely instituted, not man-made. He emphasizes that while the Bible is the infallible word of God, it was given to us by the Church, asserting that “Jesus didn’t give us a Bible, Jesus gave us a church.”

Father Mike acknowledges the challenges and criticisms leveled against the Church, particularly its perceived invasiveness and “messiness” throughout history. He addresses the scandals and failings of individuals within the Church, noting how such actions have led to a significant decline in church attendance in places like Ireland. Despite these issues, he argues that the Church itself has remained on the path toward holiness and truth, with the failures stemming from individuals not adhering to its teachings. He highlights the continuous call to trust the Church, not because of its human perfection, but because it is guided by the Holy Spirit.

He further supports the necessity of the Church by citing 1 Corinthians chapter 12, which describes the Church as the body of Christ with various designated roles like apostles, prophets, and teachers, all meant to help believers grow closer to God. Father Mike also refers to Ignatius of Antioch, a disciple of St. John the Beloved, who in 107 AD emphasized the indispensable roles of bishops, priests, and deacons, stating that “apart from these there is no church.” This historical perspective underscores the idea that for the first 1500 years of Christianity, the Church was understood as a tangible entity with authority to teach, not an invisible spiritual reality.

Finally, Father Mike articulates that God, in His desire for humanity to know Him, not only provided an infallible book (the Bible) but also an infallible interpreter: the Church. He posits that an infallible book without an infallible interpreter would be ultimately useless, as it would lead to varied and potentially incorrect interpretations of God’s identity. Thus, the Church, though messy and human, is presented as holy and essential, guided by Jesus’s promise to lead it into all truth, serving as the “pillar and foundation of truth.”

Listen to the full version here.

Buckhead Church

Challenge Accepted

​Pastor Joel Thomas then shared a personal story about a painful belly flop during a high dive competition, using it as a metaphor for life’s trials. He referenced James 1:2, which advises finding joy in trials, acknowledging how this can seem insensitive given humanity’s pursuit of comfort. He emphasized that trials produce perseverance, leading to maturity, and that God often works in these tension points.

The sermon addressed the difficulty of responding to trials, quoting James 1:5 about seeking wisdom from God. Pastor Thomas contrasted earthly wisdom, which leads to disorder, with heavenly wisdom, which is pure and peace-loving. He explained that pain can make us self-focused and that emotions, if unchecked, can distort the truth.

Pastor Joel Thomas challenged the audience to consider whether their lack of peace stems from unmet desires and highlighted James 4:2-3, suggesting that they often focus on changing external circumstances rather than internal ones. He stressed that internal changes might be necessary before external situations improve and that unhealthy coping mechanisms only distract from genuine healing, which comes from looking to God for comfort. The sermon concluded with a prayer for healing and guidance through life’s challenges.

Listen to the full version here.

Cathedral of Christ The King

During the homily on Pentecost Sunday, the priest, Monsignor Frank McNamee, began by sharing a humorous anecdote about a newly appointed priest and his housekeeper, Miss Skellyy. He then transitioned to the main theme of the homily, emphasizing that Pentecost is a time to reflect on the “gift of the spirit” that each person receives through the sacramental life of the church, including baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist. He likened this spiritual gift to any good gift that needs to be appreciated and understood, highlighting that the spirit of God resides within every individual.

The homily further elaborated on the multifaceted role of the Holy Spirit in believers’ lives. Monsignor McNamee explained that the Spirit provides clarity in times of confusion, reveals God’s presence during doubt and suffering, and teaches individuals how to pray and forgive. He stressed that the Spirit opens minds to scripture, transforming the word of God into a living message that directly impacts their lives. However, he noted that the Spirit requires openness and humility, urging listeners to recognize that they don’t possess all answers and to listen to God’s voice in silence.

The second truth of Pentecost, according to Monsignor McNamee, is that the Holy Spirit imparts divine wisdom, shaping believers into true disciples of Christ who think, speak, and act with the mind of Christ. He underscored that the Spirit separates individuals from worldly distractions and reminds them of Jesus’ teachings and promises. The priest emphasized the importance of this reminder, particularly in the modern world’s complexity, where it’s easy to forget core Christian commands such as loving enemies and recognizing the blessedness of the poor and meek.

In conclusion, Monsignor McNamee highlighted that the Spirit’s reminder is not a mere nostalgic recall but an active representation, bringing Jesus’ words and presence into the present moment. He encouraged regular prayer, scripture engagement, and participation in the sacramental life of the church to experience the Spirit’s work. He urged the congregation to open their hearts to the Advocate, welcoming the gift of the Spirit into their lives to be taught, guided, and sent forth, ultimately leading to holiness and eternal life.

Listen to the full version here.

Passion City Church

In this sermon on “Marriage on Mission,” the pastor, Louie Giglio, discusses key principles for a marriage that honors God. He emphasizes that marriage is not about finding completion in another person, but rather about two already complete individuals complementing each other. He draws on Genesis 1 and 2, highlighting that humans are created in God’s image and are “very good” from the start. Therefore, one’s worth and identity are found in Christ, not in a spouse. This understanding allows individuals to enter marriage as whole beings, ready to complement their partner rather than needing them for completion.

The pastor stresses the importance of marrying someone with a shared mission, specifically a passion for Jesus. He differentiates this from simply being a “Christian” by background, advocating for a partner who is genuinely “drenched in the spirit, rooted in the word, eager to worship, engaged to share and serve.” He shares a personal anecdote about his 39-year marriage to Shelley, noting that their shared mission to live for Jesus was foundational from the beginning, even before knowing their future path. This shared mission, he argues, fosters collaboration, prevents drift, accelerates momentum, increases impact, and leads to more meaningful conversations within the marriage.

The pastor also advises against trying to change one’s spouse. While encouraging growth, he emphasizes accepting and appreciating unique differences, highlighting how “opposites attract” and can multiply strength when moving towards a common mission. Furthermore, Giglio underscores the importance of understanding the highest needs of a spouse: for men, often respect, and for women, love. He cites Ephesians 5 and a study from the book “Love and Respect” to support these points, defining respect for men as being honored and given a chance to lead, and love for women as being valued, listened to, and having their opinions and gifts honored.

Finally, Giglio emphasizes the simple yet profound principle of kindness in marriage, encouraging forgiveness and the ability to be right while remaining kind. He concludes by reiterating that marriage ultimately is about the glory of God and modeling Christ’s relationship with the church. For those not yet married, he strongly advises waiting until both individuals have a passionate commitment to following Jesus. For those already married, he offers hope that it’s never too late for God to transform hearts and for couples to align their marriage with God’s mission, making Jesus famous through their family.

Listen to the full version here.

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