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
This homily draws a parallel between training montages in movies and the Lenten season, highlighting the importance of training to become like one’s teacher. Just as characters in movies undergo rigorous training to achieve their goals, Lent is presented as a time of spiritual training to become more like Jesus. The disciplines of Lent, such as prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, are framed as training exercises aimed at transforming individuals into the likeness of Christ.
The homily introduces the concept of “acesis,” a Greek word meaning “training,” to describe the true essence of aestheticism, which goes beyond mere penances and abstinences. It emphasizes that Lent is not just about working out bad habits but about intentional training with a specific goal in mind. Drawing inspiration from figures like St. Josemaria Escriva and Takashi Nagai, the homily underscores the idea of following “the way” of Jesus, even through trials and tribulations, to reveal and train one’s heart.
The speaker emphasizes the transformative power of trials and tribulations, likening them to a furnace that reveals the true nature of a clay pot or the impurities in precious metals. These challenging moments have the potential to reveal and train our hearts, exposing our weaknesses and strengthening our faith. Additionally, the homily highlights the significance of both speech and silence in revealing and training the heart, urging listeners to be mindful of their words and to embrace moments of silence for introspection.
Ultimately, the homily extends an invitation to embrace silence as a starting point for the Lenten journey, encouraging listeners to create space for God to reveal and train their hearts. It reminds them that they are not alone in this training, as Christ has conquered death, offering His grace to those who cooperate with Him. Just as a refiner refines silver or gold until he sees his own face, the goal of Lent is to allow God to refine us until we reflect His image.
Listen to the full version here.
Buckhead Church
Deeper Wider
Andy Stanley’s sermon centers on the concept of “unentangling” ourselves from past behaviors and relationships that hinder our ability to follow Jesus fully. He emphasizes that becoming a follower of Jesus requires more than just believing; it necessitates a transformation that may involve letting go of certain aspects of our lives. Stanley argues that some relationships and habits, while not inherently bad, can become entanglements that prevent us from fully embracing Christ’s teachings and living a life dedicated to him.
Stanley uses the analogy of a race, drawing from Hebrews 12:1, to illustrate how entanglements can weigh us down and impede our progress. He stresses that these entanglements are often personal and unique to each individual, requiring honest self-reflection to identify. He clarifies that this isn’t about legalism or a list of “don’ts,” but rather about recognizing what keeps us from wholeheartedly pursuing a relationship with Jesus.
He suggests that the process of unentangling requires courage and honesty, as it may involve difficult decisions and changes. Stanley underscores that God’s grace is available to help us through this process, and that the freedom gained from unentangling ourselves is far greater than the temporary comfort of clinging to old habits or relationships. He urges listeners to consider what areas of their lives might be hindering their spiritual growth and to seek God’s guidance in unentangling themselves.
Ultimately, Stanley’s message is one of hope and liberation. He encourages his audience to focus on the future and the potential for a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with Jesus, rather than dwelling on the past. He emphasizes that unentangling is not about losing something, but about gaining everything that Christ has to offer.
Listen to the full version here.
Cathedral of Christ The King
Archbishop Hartmayer’s homily begins by exploring the concept of “blind spots,” both physical and spiritual, and how these blind spots can hinder our perception of reality. He stresses the necessity of self-examination, urging listeners to confront their own shortcomings before judging others. Drawing from the readings in Sirach, Archbishop Hartmayer uses vivid imagery, such as a civ, a kiln, and a tree, to illustrate how our speech reveals our true character.
Archbishop Hartmayer then delves into the profound impact of speech and communication, emphasizing their potential to both construct and demolish. He cautions against the misuse of language for manipulation or harm, advocating for thoughtful consideration of our words’ consequences. He highlights the importance of aligning our words with our actions, emphasizing the need for inner goodness.
Further, Archbishop Hartmayer connects these reflections to the approaching season of Lent, framing it as a period of spiritual renewal and growth. He invites the congregation to confront their misconceptions about God and themselves, encouraging a journey towards self-knowledge and a deeper connection with the divine. He presents Lent as a time to address those blind spots that keep us from truly seeing ourselves and God.
In conclusion, Archbishop Hartmayer encourages his audience to engage in self-reflection, practice mindful communication, and commit to personal growth, particularly as they prepare for Lent. He emphasizes the importance of living with integrity, ensuring that our words and actions reflect our values, and ultimately seeking a more profound understanding of ourselves and our relationship with God.
Listen to the full version here.
Passion City Church
Breath on the Page
Grant Partrick, a student pastor and teacher, emphasizes that the Bible is not merely a book but “God’s breath,” a miracle that inspires awe and a desire for engagement. His sermon encourages deep thinking and investigation into faith, addressing how we can be confident in the Bible’s trustworthiness. Partrick references 2 Peter 1:16-21, highlighting the prophetic message’s reliability, and asserts that faith doesn’t require abandoning reason, but rather calls us to love God with our minds.
Partrick touches on historical and archaeological evidence supporting the Bible’s reliability, mentioning discoveries in Israel that align with the scriptures. He stresses the importance of exploring doubts to ensure faith is anchored and bolstered. The sermon addresses the question of the Bible’s trustworthiness, noting it was the first question in history, and encourages verifying claims about what the Bible says.
The sermon presents arguments for the Bible’s reliability, including its internal consistency despite being written by multiple authors over a long period, its status as the most vetted and scrutinized book with numerous reliable translations, and the improbability of many prophecies being fulfilled by chance. Partrick highlights that the Bible describes itself as flawless, eternal, and true, referencing Psalm 19:7-9 which lists characteristics and results of engaging with scripture.
In conclusion, Partrick encourages investigation into faith, promising it will lead to a closer relationship with God. He emphasizes the importance of knowing why you believe, standing firm in faith, and being equipped for every good work through the scripture.
Listen to the full version here.
Trinity Anglican Church
Kris McDaniel’s sermon centers on the Transfiguration of Jesus as a pivotal moment preparing the disciples, and us, for the Lenten journey. He highlights the story’s fantastical nature, emphasizing that it reveals Jesus’s true, dazzling glory, a crucial reminder as we enter a season of self-examination and acknowledging our limitations. McDaniel stresses that Jesus’s transfiguration, witnessed by Moses and Elijah, demonstrates His continuity with the Old Testament and God’s long story of salvation, suggesting a “new Exodus” where Jesus leads us from bondage to freedom.
McDaniel connects the Transfiguration to the upcoming Lenten season, describing it as a “wilderness wandering” period for spiritual preparation. He emphasizes the importance of acknowledging our mortality and limitations, as symbolized by the Ash Wednesday marking, which can be a liberating recognition of our finite nature and dependence on God. He invites the congregation to participate in a corporate fast on Wednesdays, encouraging them to consider what they can give up to create space for spiritual growth, while also reminding them that Sundays are “miniature Easters” where fasting can be paused.
The sermon delves into Peter’s reaction to the Transfiguration, highlighting his desire to build dwellings and prolong the moment of clarity. McDaniel interprets this as a relatable human longing for constant spiritual highs and certainty. He contrasts this desire with the reality of descending the mountain into uncertainty, drawing a parallel to the Lenten journey where we must carry moments of clarity into times of doubt. He encourages listeners to remember God’s glory even in challenging times, emphasizing the importance of creating “constructs” or practices to remember God’s presence.
McDaniel concludes by posing reflective questions for the congregation: how will they participate in Lent, what will they give up, and where do they need a “new Exodus” – a liberation from bondage? He emphasizes that moving into freedom, though disorienting, is God’s desire for us. He invites listeners to journal and reflect, urging them to follow Jesus into places of freedom and to embrace the Lenten season as a time for naming limitations, seeking healing, and experiencing God’s redemption.
Listen to the full version here.
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