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
He Leadeth Me
Fr. Mike Schmitz explores the notion of finding simple secrets in life, particularly when faced with admiration for someone else’s accomplishments or struggles. He begins by recounting various instances where people inquire about the secrets behind someone’s success or well-being, only to discover that the answers often boil down to simple truths. Fr. Mike then delves into the story of Father Walter Chizek, a Jesuit missionary who endured years of interrogation, imprisonment, and labor camps in Soviet Russia. Despite facing immense suffering, Father Chizek’s unwavering trust in God’s will sustained him through the ordeal.
Fr. Mike emphasizes Father Chizek’s revelation that the simple secret to enduring hardship lies in trusting God’s will, even in the most challenging circumstances. He explains that this trust doesn’t come from ignorance or naivety but from a profound understanding of God’s goodness and sovereignty. Drawing parallels from biblical narratives such as Joseph’s story and King David’s trials, Fr. Mike illustrates how even amidst adversity, trusting in God’s plan can lead to unexpected blessings.
Fr. Mike acknowledges the difficulty of maintaining trust in God, especially when faced with suffering or uncertainty. He reflects on Jesus’ struggles in the Garden of Gethsemane and the profound trust he exhibited despite his anguish. Through these examples, Fr. Schmitz underscores the importance of embracing trust in God’s will, even when it seems incomprehensible or challenging.
In conclusion, Fr. Mike invites his audience to consider the simplicity and profundity of trusting in God’s will. He encourages them to relinquish suspicion and embrace faith, knowing that every moment, no matter how small, is an opportunity to align oneself with God’s plan. Ultimately, Fr. Mike suggests that the true test of faith lies not in understanding every detail of God’s will but in surrendering to it with unwavering trust and confidence.
Listen to the full version here.
Buckhead Church
Ekklesia
​​In Andy Stanley’s sermon, he recounts the powerful story of the Apostle Paul’s transformation from a persecutor of Christians to one of the most influential figures in the early Christian movement. Stanley begins by describing Paul’s ruthless persecution of Christians, including the stoning of Stephen and his zealous mission to eradicate the Jesus movement. However, Paul’s life takes a dramatic turn when he encounters the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus, resulting in his conversion. Despite his past atrocities, Paul becomes a devoted follower of Christ, embracing his new identity and mission to spread the gospel.
Stanley highlights Paul’s unwavering commitment to his calling, despite facing intense opposition and persecution. Paul’s life becomes a testament to the transformative power of the gospel, as he travels thousands of miles to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ. Through Paul’s teachings, Stanley emphasizes the importance of loving one another and living out the values of the Kingdom of God. Paul’s profound insights into the significance of Christ’s death and resurrection resonate throughout his letters, offering hope and redemption to believers.
The sermon concludes with reflections on Paul’s remarkable legacy and the enduring impact of his ministry. Despite facing imprisonment, persecution, and ultimately martyrdom, Paul remained steadfast in his faith, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire believers today. Stanley challenges listeners to reclaim the wonder of God’s grace and forgiveness, reminding them that no one is beyond redemption. As the story of Paul’s life illustrates, God’s love and mercy have the power to transform even the most unlikely individuals and circumstances.
Listen to the full version here.
Cathedral of Christ The King
Archbishop Hartmayer reflects on the Gospel passage which sets the scene for Holy Week, signaling Jesus’ recognition that his preaching work is coming to an end and a final cosmic battle with Satan is imminent. The Archbishop emphasizes Jesus’ impending sacrifice and the tension surrounding it, highlighting the profound purpose behind his suffering: to defend against evil and grant humanity access to eternal life. This message challenges listeners to consider their ultimate goal in life as gaining access to eternal life through Jesus’ death and resurrection, reframing worldly ambitions in light of this eternal perspective.
The homily delves into the significance of Jesus’ interaction with the Greeks, symbolizing the widening scope of his ministry beyond the Jewish people. Despite Jesus’ immediate ministry being primarily directed toward the Jews, his mission extends to all humanity, fulfilling the divine plan of salvation. Hartmayer underscores the importance of surrendering to God’s will, acknowledging the constant battle between good and evil in daily life and the necessity of relying on God’s grace to resist temptation.
Furthermore, the Archbishop explores the concept of sacrifice and suffering as integral to spiritual growth and holiness, drawing parallels between Jesus’ sacrifice and the challenges faced by individuals in embracing God’s will. He encourages listeners to trust in God’s plan, even in moments of confusion or suffering, and to seek strength and transformation through communion with Christ. Ultimately, the homily emphasizes the transformative power of surrendering to God’s will and growing in obedience, with the assurance of God’s presence and peace throughout life’s journey toward eternal life.
Listen to the full version here.
Passion City Church
The sermon delivered by Brad Jones begins with a personal anecdote about his experience delivering newspapers as a child in Canyon, Texas. He reminisces about the simplicity of that time, reflecting on the decline of physical newspapers and the prevalence of digital media like TikTok for news consumption today. Despite his dislike for the paper route’s duties, Jones emphasizes his commitment to ensuring the timely delivery of the newspapers to the community, drawing parallels between this responsibility and the sharing of the gospel.
Transitioning to the central theme of the sermon, Jones parallels his childhood paper route with the task of delivering the good news of Jesus Christ. He emphasizes the importance of not only receiving the gospel but also actively sharing it with others. Using examples from Luke chapter 8, Jones highlights Jesus’ travels and encounters with individuals in need, illustrating how the good news brings healing, transformation, and freedom.
Jones delves into the story of Jesus healing the demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes. He emphasizes the power of Jesus to bring about complete transformation, both internally and externally, in individuals’ lives. Through this story, Jones underscores the significance of embracing the good news of Jesus and allowing it to bring about radical change.
In the concluding part of the sermon, Jones challenges the congregation to consider their response to the good news of Jesus. He encourages them to overcome fear and embrace Jesus’ vision for their lives, which may involve stepping out of their comfort zones to share the gospel with others. Drawing inspiration from the early apostles in Acts, Jones emphasizes the importance of steadfastly proclaiming the good news, regardless of opposition or challenges, echoing the apostles’ unwavering commitment to spreading the message of Jesus.
Listen to the full version here.
Trinity Anglican Church
Nate Smith begins by unpacking the complexities of the passage, likening it to a “Rubbe Goldberg machine” with various elements interacting. Smith delves into the significance of the Greeks approaching Philip to see Jesus, pondering whether they were Greek Greeks or Hellenistic Jews. Drawing from personal experiences meeting notable figures, he reflects on the sense of anticipation and being out of place that the Greeks may have felt. Smith highlights the Greeks’ representation of the world outside Judaism, akin to the Magi at Jesus’s birth, symbolizing a broader audience for Jesus’s message.
As Smith delves into Jesus’s response to the Greeks’ request, he emphasizes the significance of Jesus’s proclamation that “the hour has come,” signifying the pivotal moment of his glorification through death. Jesus’s metaphor of the grain of wheat falling to the Earth and dying, only to bear much fruit, serves as a profound expression of the Gospel message. Despite the crowd’s confusion, Smith suggests that the Greeks may have understood Jesus’s message, drawing parallels to the Eleusinian Mysteries in Greek mythology.
Smith explores the multifaceted meaning of dying to self, encompassing pride, preferences, and plans, and invites listeners to embrace a life of dark fruition—a journey from darkness to new life through patient endurance. He emphasizes the communal aspect of dying to self, highlighting the paradox that true community emerges from individuals dying to themselves. Smith concludes by inviting listeners to embody the themes of confession, communion, and peace as a reflection of the transformative message of Jesus’s death and resurrection. Through these practices, Smith suggests, believers participate in the ongoing narrative of dying to self and rising to new life in Christ.
Listen to the full version here.
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