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
Fr. Mike Schmitz’s sermon centers on the idea that our culture often fixates on “highlight reels”—the mountaintop experiences—while neglecting the essential “valley” moments of training and struggle. He illustrates this point with the story of Moses, emphasizing the 40 years Moses spent in obscurity before his encounter with God on Mount Horeb. This concept is then connected to the season of Lent, which Fr. Mike describes as a period of “acesis,” a time for training and discipline that prepares us to become more like Jesus, a process that inherently involves navigating difficult times.
To further expound on this idea, Fr. Mike Schmitz shares the story of Takashi Nagai and the hidden Christians of Japan. He recounts the intense persecution these Christians endured, particularly highlighting the 26 martyrs of Nagasaki. These individuals, like Jesus, demonstrated extraordinary forgiveness and unwavering faith in the face of suffering. This enduring faith, forged in the “valley” of persecution, allowed Christianity to survive in Japan for 250 years, even without the presence of priests.
Fr. Mike Schmitz then transitions to the devastating atomic bombing of Nagasaki, focusing on the profound impact it had on the Urkami Valley and its inhabitants. Despite the immense suffering, Takashi Nagai interpreted this catastrophe as a participation in God’s redemptive plan, choosing forgiveness and peace over resentment. This perspective challenges the notion that the bombing was a “necessary evil,” suggesting that true understanding and redemption come from those who, like Christ, are willing to be the sacrifice, not merely offer it.
Ultimately, Fr. Mike Schmitz emphasizes that while moments of triumph and exaltation exist, true growth and transformation occur in the “valley.” He reiterates that becoming like Jesus requires journeying through the “place of the way,” the difficult and challenging periods of life. The story of Nagasaki, in his view, serves as a powerful testament to how profound faith, forgiveness, and peace can emerge from the depths of suffering, transforming a place of immense loss into a symbol of hope and reconciliation.
Listen to the full version here.
Buckhead Church
Deeper Wider
Andy Stanley welcomes attendees to Buckhead Church, introducing the “deeper wider initiative,” which aims to expand the church’s impact locally, nationally, and globally. He shares stories, including one about Peter the fisherman and a personal experience with his wife, Sandra, to illustrate the importance of trusting in Jesus, even when the path ahead is uncertain.
Drawing parallels between Peter’s obedience to Jesus’s requests and the church’s generosity initiative, Stanley emphasizes that following Jesus often involves stepping out in faith, even when it seems illogical. He recounts how Peter’s willingness to trust Jesus led to an abundant catch of fish, symbolizing the potential for unexpected blessings when one obeys God’s call. He also shares personal anecdotes highlighting the importance of faith and obedience in his journey.
Stanley reflects on the church’s 30-year journey, emphasizing the importance of continued risk-taking and faith-based decisions. He shares a personal story about a financial sacrifice he and his wife made, illustrating how their faith intersected with God’s faithfulness, leading to unexpected outcomes. He encourages the congregation to participate in the generosity initiative, viewing it as an act of worship and an opportunity to impact lives.
In conclusion, Stanley expresses gratitude for everyone’s participation and invites them to a celebration Sunday. He highlights the transformative power of witnessing God’s work when individuals offer their resources and trust in Him. He encourages the congregation to continue being the church in their daily lives and invites them to return the following week for another message.
Listen to the full version here.
Cathedral of Christ The King
Deacon Sam Fraundorf’s homily centers on the readings for the Third Sunday of Lent, emphasizing the imperative for change and repentance. He begins by connecting the day’s readings to the Lenten season, drawing parallels between the Hebrew people’s journey and the universal call to avoid sin and transform one’s life.
Delving into the Gospel reading, Deacon Fraundorf addresses the incidents involving the Galileans and the tower of Siloam, clarifying that these tragedies were not divine punishments for specific sins. Instead, they serve as stark warnings to all to repent. He emphasizes the true meaning of repentance, or metanoia, as a profound reorientation of one’s life, a decisive turning away from sin and toward God.
To facilitate this process of transformation, Deacon Fraundorf introduces the spiritual practice of the examine, a method of self-reflection. He encourages listeners to contemplate questions such as: “Where did I see God today?”, “Where did I fall short?”, and “Who needs my prayers?”. These questions are designed to foster a deeper awareness of God’s presence and one’s own actions, aiding in the journey of repentance.
Deacon Fraundorf concludes his homily by reiterating the challenge to live radically different lives, embodying the Gospel not just during Lent, but every day. He issues a call to action, urging the congregation to embrace change and orient their lives fully towards God.
Listen to the full version here.
Passion City Church
Breath on the Page
Louie Giglio’s sermon focuses on the core doctrine of salvation, emphasizing that it’s a profound transformation beyond simply reciting a prayer. He begins by establishing the necessity of understanding sound doctrine, particularly soteriology, the study of salvation, which he grounds in scripture rather than denominational tradition. He highlights that salvation is God’s redemptive plan, received through faith, and not earned by human works.
Giglio elaborates on key theological concepts such as depravity (the universal condition of sinfulness), God’s wrath against sin, God’s immense love and mercy, atonement through Jesus’s sacrificial death, forgiveness as the cancellation of sin’s debt, and justification, the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to believers. He uses Ephesians 2:1-10 to illustrate these points, contrasting humanity’s state of spiritual death in sin with God’s life-giving grace through Christ.
He stresses that Jesus is unique among religious figures, not merely a moral teacher or prophet, but a savior. Drawing from the Old Testament sacrificial system, he explains how Jesus’s sacrifice atones for sin, enabling forgiveness and justification. Giglio underscores that salvation is a gift of God’s grace, received through faith, challenging the notion that a simple prayer equates to genuine salvation. He emphasizes the necessity of a transformative testimony, akin to a detailed account of a miraculous recovery, rather than a mere acknowledgment of a past prayer.
Ultimately, Giglio aims to clarify the depth and richness of salvation, urging his audience to grasp its true meaning and ensure they possess a genuine, transformative encounter with Christ. He contrasts human effort with God’s merciful intervention, emphasizing that salvation is fundamentally an act of God’s love, not human achievement. He encourages a deeper understanding of one’s standing in Christ, highlighting the transfer of righteousness and the ongoing process of sanctification.
Listen to the full version here.
Trinity Anglican Church
Kris McDaniel’s sermon, rooted in Luke 13, emphasizes the Lenten themes of repentance and bearing fruit, challenging the congregation to confront their own shortcomings rather than judging others. He begins by addressing the common human tendency to assume that suffering is a direct consequence of sin, a notion Jesus refutes by calling for universal repentance. McDaniel urges listeners to introspectively examine their own lives, rather than distancing themselves from the individuals mentioned in the Gospel.
He then transitions to the parable of the fig tree, highlighting its focus on the tension between justice and mercy. McDaniel explains that the fig tree’s lack of fruit, despite ample time and opportunity, represents a failure to fulfill its purpose. He stresses that God’s response is not immediate condemnation, but a patient offer of further investment and cultivation. This, McDaniel suggests, mirrors God’s approach to humanity, offering both forgiveness and intervention to facilitate growth.
McDaniel underscores that the parable is not predictive but invitational, encouraging listeners to identify areas in their lives where they need God’s intervention. He highlights the importance of specific, rather than vague, prayers, advocating for honest self-reflection and acknowledgment of personal limitations. He emphasizes that God’s desire is for individuals to respond to His investment and bear fruit, rather than simply existing.
Concluding with the practice of communion, McDaniel frames it as daily nourishment, not a rare ritual, emphasizing the constant need for God’s strength. He invites the congregation to approach communion with hearts open to confession and renewal, recognizing their dependence on God’s grace to navigate life’s challenges.
Listen to the full version here.
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