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

In this homily, Fr. Mike Schmitz focuses on the purpose of Lent as a period of training, or “the place of the way,” to become more like Jesus. He challenges the idea of simply repeating past Lenten practices, emphasizing that true growth requires doing something new to achieve a different result. Fr. Mike draws a parallel to the Israelites’ journey through the desert, highlighting that God led them through this difficult place to train them to live as free people, not just to take them to the promised land.   

Fr. Mike Schmitz describes the desert of Lent as a place where we put down our comforts and crutches – the distractions and diversions we use to avoid acknowledging our shortcomings. It’s a time for testing and trial, where we confront what we trust more than God. He acknowledges that this process is difficult, equating it to the “learning space” or “training space” between not knowing and knowing, not being able and being able. This space is often marked by frustration, but it’s essential for growth.   

To navigate this challenging period, Fr. Mike Schmitz encourages embracing the feeling of frustration as a sign of learning and growth. True success, he argues, comes from the length of time we can spend in this training space, not from rushing through it. He references Blaise Pascal, who advises those seeking faith to “act as if they believed,” suggesting that engaging in practices like prayer and fasting can lead to genuine belief.

Ultimately, Fr. Mike Schmitz invites boldness and courage during Lent, urging listeners to put down their comforts and crutches to truly learn what it means to be free. Just as God led the Israelites through the wilderness, He leads us through Lent, and we must trust in His guidance to transform us. The only way to achieve the goal of looking and living like Jesus is to go through the desert, the place of the way.

Listen to the full version here.

Buckhead Church

Deeper Wider

This sermon emphasizes the importance of generosity as a lifestyle, not just a one-time act. Andy Stanley challenges the common “spend, save, give” mentality, suggesting it reflects a “me first” approach, contrary to Christian values. He references the well-known statement “it is more blessed to give than to receive,” clarifying that prioritizing giving over receiving is the core message.

Stanley introduces the “deeper wider” initiative, aimed at maximizing generosity within the church community to expand their impact locally, nationally, and globally. He shares a personal anecdote about realizing that wealth cannot eliminate fear, advocating for a shift in perspective where God is prioritized over financial security.

The sermon challenges the audience to adopt a “give, save, live” approach for two months, urging them to give a percentage of their income within a week or two of receiving it. Stanley encourages self-reflection on the internal resistance to this challenge, suggesting that it often stems from fear, insecurity, or misplaced priorities rather than genuine financial constraints.

In conclusion, Stanley reiterates that a life oriented around giving leads to greater fulfillment. He encourages the congregation to embrace this principle, teaching it to their children and recognizing that collective generosity can lead to unprecedented accomplishments. He extends an invitation to an Advanced Commitment Night for those ready to lead the way in the “deeper wider” initiative.

Listen to the full version here.

Cathedral of Christ The King

In his homily, Fr. Frank McNamee focuses on the temptations of Jesus in the desert and their relevance to our lives, drawing from the Gospel of Luke. He emphasizes that God permits temptation to strengthen faith, while the devil aims to destroy and corrupt. Fr. Frank stresses that the final decision to resist temptation always lies with us.

Fr. Frank McNamee highlights that the three temptations of Jesus—for bread, power, and testing God—reveal common struggles with bodily desires, worldly ambition, and presumption. Jesus’s steadfastness, relying on the word of God, teaches us to use scripture, prayer, and commitment to God’s truth as our defense against temptation.

Fr. Frank McNamee also notes that trials often follow spiritual highs, requiring vigilance. Just as Jesus was tempted after his baptism, we may face increased temptations when we are on the right path. He observes that Lent is a time for resolutions, and it’s no surprise that temptations increase during this season.

In conclusion, Fr. Frank McNamee reassures that we can overcome temptation by following Jesus’s example, relying on God’s word, and trusting in His plan. He encourages us to take courage, knowing that we do not face our temptations alone and that by remaining rooted in Him, we will emerge victorious.

Listen to the full version here.

Passion City Church

Breath on the Page

Louie Giglio’s sermon centers on the transformative power and authority of God’s word, urging listeners to actively engage with it rather than passively accept it. He emphasizes that the Bible is a unique and reliable ancient text, but more importantly, a powerful force for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training individuals in righteousness. He challenges the audience to allow scripture to shape their thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs, moving beyond a superficial understanding.

Giglio explores the concept of authority, distinguishing it from authoritarianism, and highlighting its role in empowering believers to live a life with purpose and direction. He uses Psalm 29 to illustrate the majestic power of God’s voice, and shares a personal anecdote to demonstrate how God’s word can break strongholds in one’s life. He stresses that the word of God is a force that can radically change one’s circumstances.

Giglio outlines practical steps for living an authoritative life rooted in scripture, including believing in the God of the word, submitting to its authority, applying its teachings, and using it as a spiritual weapon. He encourages listeners to demonstrate their faith through adherence to biblical principles, rather than mere declarations. He references Jesus’ Great Commission in Matthew 28, emphasizing that believers are sent with divine authority to make disciples.

In conclusion, Louie Giglio challenges listeners to honestly evaluate their belief in scripture, urging repentance and a willingness to allow God’s word to correct and guide their lives. He uses the metaphor of a boat with sails, encouraging believers to rely on the wind of God’s word to direct their path. The ultimate message is a call to embrace the full authority of God’s word, allowing it to transform individuals into the image of Christ and equip them for every good work.

Listen to the full version here.

Trinity Anglican Church

Kris McDaniel’s sermon focuses on the temptations of Jesus in the wilderness during Lent, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and confronting our own temptations. He highlights that Lent is a time for entering a “wilderness,” a space for introspection and shedding unnecessary burdens, similar to Jesus’s 40 days of fasting and temptation. He also addresses the reality of personified evil, arguing that it’s crucial to acknowledge its presence without becoming obsessed, as Jesus himself did. McDaniel points to historical atrocities as evidence of a force beyond mere human failings.

McDaniel delves into the nature of temptation, explaining that it often targets our legitimate desires—satisfaction, significance, and achievement—by offering shortcuts that lead to destructive paths. He emphasizes that Jesus, being both fully human and fully God, experienced genuine vulnerability during his temptations, being tired and hungry. This mirrors our own vulnerability when we are worn out or have experienced great victories. He urges self-awareness, asking listeners to identify their “shadow missions” and the “flooding” in their lives where desires have exceeded healthy boundaries.

The sermon identifies three primary areas of temptation: satisfaction (seeking instant gratification), significance (pursuing power and success through shortcuts), and achievement (pushing beyond limits to the point of recklessness). McDaniel argues that these temptations are not inherently bad desires, but become destructive when pursued outside of God’s intended boundaries. He uses the analogy of a river, where the banks represent healthy limits and the flood represents the devastation of unchecked desires.

In conclusion, McDaniel calls for “temperance,” understanding and respecting the boundaries around our desires. He encourages self-reflection and confession, urging listeners to name their vulnerabilities and drivers to God. He emphasizes that true strength comes from recognizing our fragility and allowing God to meet us in those vulnerable spaces. The sermon culminates in a call to community, urging listeners to push beyond their comfort zones and engage with others, underscoring that faith is not a solitary pursuit.

Listen to the full version here.

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