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
• Passion City Church
• Trinity Anglican Church
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Fr. Mike Schmitz

He Leadeth Me

Fr. Mike Schmitz reflects on a haunting passage from the Gospel of John, where Jesus would not trust himself to people because he knew them. Fr. Mike delves into the profound truth that Jesus understands the human heart, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness. He shares a poignant story of Father Burns, a missionary to Asia in the early 1900s, whose incredible witness and suffering for Christ inspired a desire for similar holiness.

Fr. Mike then transitions to the story of Father Walter Chiszek, a missionary to Russia who faced imprisonment and torture during the communist regime. Despite rigorous physical and mental preparation, Father Walter eventually succumbed to fear and signed false documents denouncing his faith and country. Fr. Mike reflects on the common human experience of overestimating our strength and virtue until faced with the harsh reality of our limitations.

The homily emphasizes that the pursuit of holiness is not solely about becoming spiritual superheroes but acknowledging our weaknesses and understanding that the greatest grace comes when we realize we are not as strong or holy as we think. Fr. Mike underscores the transformative power of accepting our brokenness and being loved by God in the midst of our failures. The homily concludes with the reminder that Lent and life are not about perfection but about recognizing the truth about ourselves and God’s boundless love, especially in moments of stumbling and falling.

Listen to the full version here.

Buckhead Church

Ecclesia

In this sermon by Andy Stanley, he delves into the pivotal moment when Peter recognizes Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ, and the Son of God. Emphasizing the importance of Jesus’ affirmation, Stanley highlights the extraordinary prediction Jesus makes about building His ekklesia upon the declaration made by Peter. He clarifies that “ekklesia” goes beyond the conventional understanding of a church building, representing an assembly and the beginning of a movement. The sermon underscores the need to adhere to Jesus’ original intent for His ekklesia to prevent drifting away from its purpose. Stanley asserts the responsibility of the present generation in local churches to maintain this legacy and uphold the fundamental principles of Christianity. He addresses the collective impact of churches on defining and representing Christianity to the wider community, emphasizing the need to stay true to Jesus’ teachings.

Stanley then focuses on three key aspects that local churches must get right: financial support, intentional inviting, and maintaining an outward-facing congregation. He stresses the importance of individuals creating and committing to a plan to support their church financially, recognizing the contributions of previous generations in building the church. Additionally, Stanley encourages the congregation to be intentional inviters, seizing opportunities to invite others to church in various life situations. The sermon underscores the crucial role of invitational behavior in ensuring the church remains inviting and outward-facing. Overall, Stanley emphasizes the collective responsibility of the church to shape perceptions of Christianity and maintain an impactful presence in society.

Listen to the full version here.

Passion City Church

Epicenter

Louie Giglio’s sermon focuses on Romans 8:28, where the apostle Paul asserts that God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Giglio begins by emphasizing the certainty and settledness of this reality, expressing the need to understand the context leading to this verse. He highlights four significant points from Romans 8:28:

Giglio delves into the concept of “all things,” explaining that it encompasses both present sufferings and blessings. He emphasizes that God works in everything, not just the positive aspects of life, and poses questions about what constitutes “good” in all situations.

The sermon connects present sufferings with the idea that God works in them. Giglio refers to verses from earlier in Romans 8, stating that believers are not to compare their current sufferings with the future glory that will be revealed to them. He stresses the transformative nature of the future glory, making present sufferings pale in comparison.

Giglio explores the identity of those who love God, drawing from verses about predestination, foreknowledge, calling, justification, and glorification. He encourages listeners to respond to God’s call and suggests that answering the call is evidence of being chosen and called according to His purpose.

The sermon concludes by addressing the question of what “good” means in all things. Giglio provides various points, such as experiencing the nearness of God in suffering, boldly proclaiming the Gospel, clarifying life’s priorities, sharing in the suffering of others, and offering true hope to the hopeless. He asserts that suffering refines believers and magnifies Christ when worship is costly, intensifying the longing for a heavenly home.

Listen to the full version here.

Trinity Anglican Church

Pastor Katie Wilson begins by greeting the congregation and expressing gratitude for the church’s mission work in the Dominican Republic, emphasizing the generosity of the church community. She then introduces the biblical passage from John 2:13-27, where Jesus cleanses the temple in Jerusalem during the Passover festival. Katie highlights the disruption caused by Jesus’ actions, challenging the notion of the temple as a place of commerce instead of worship.

The sermon unfolds in three main parts. Firstly, Pastor Katie delves into the immediate disruption caused by Jesus in the temple. She describes the scene where Jesus makes a whip, drives out animals, overturns tables, and confronts those turning the temple into a marketplace. The disruption is not just an expression of anger but a response to the desecration of God’s house.

Secondly, Pastor Katie explores the disciples’ realization after Jesus’ death and resurrection that he was speaking metaphorically about the temple of his body. This insight reframes the disruption, connecting it to Jesus’ identity as the dwelling place of God. The disciples recognize the significance of Jesus’ actions in light of his crucifixion and resurrection.

The final part of the sermon addresses the idea that following Jesus is inherently disruptive. Pastor Katie contends that embracing Christianity means living a life that stands out from societal norms. She argues that disruption, though challenging, is an invitation to a more fulfilling and purposeful life in alignment with Jesus’ teachings. Katie poses reflective questions to the congregation, urging them to consider areas of their lives where Jesus might bring disruption and how Lent can be an intentional time for personal reflection and change.

Listen to the full version here.

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