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.
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- Fr. Mike Schmitz
- Buckhead Church
- Cathedral of Christ the King
- Passion City Church
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Fr. Mike Schmitz
Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into the concept of confronting past mistakes and painful memories, drawing a powerful parallel with the biblical account of Peter’s denial of Jesus. He emphasizes that the path to healing and growth does not lie in simply ignoring or trying to forget these “places of ruin.” Instead, Fr. Mike suggests that true restoration is found in revisiting these difficult moments, much like Jesus intentionally brought Peter back to the very charcoal fire where his denial had occurred.
Fr. Mike explores the common human tendencies when grappling with past failures, such as making excuses, downplaying the significance of our actions, or becoming consumed by regret. He argues that these approaches ultimately hinder genuine transformation. True change, according to Fr. Mike, necessitates repentance, which he defines as a fundamental shift in one’s mind and a willingness to respond differently. In the Gospel, Jesus offers Peter the opportunity for this changed response by asking him three times if he loved Him, directly mirroring Peter’s three prior denials.
Using a compelling analogy, Fr. Mike likens Jesus’ work in our lives to deb breedment, a medical procedure focused on removing dead or infected tissue to promote healing. Similarly, by revisiting our “places of ruin” and engaging in sincere repentance, we allow Jesus to remove the harmful remnants of our past. This process of revisiting and repenting paves the way for genuine restoration and profound transformation in our lives.
Fr. Mike concludes by encouraging the audience to embrace the sacrament of confession as a tangible way to revisit their own “charcoal fires.” He urges them to name their mistakes openly and to declare their love for Jesus. The homily serves as an invitation to make a conscious decision to return to that place of vulnerability and encounter God’s mercy, suggesting the practice of monthly confession as a means of surrendering the past to allow God to transform the present, ultimately empowering individuals to become agents of positive change rather than being defined by their past failures.
Listen to the full version here.
Buckhead Church
Andy Stanley addresses the common experience of feeling distracted in daily life, distinguishing between busyness and distraction. He defines distraction as feeling pulled in multiple directions without a clear focus, emphasizing that unchecked distraction can derail one’s path toward a fulfilling life. Stanley argues that this can lead to unintended and undesirable outcomes.
Stanley challenges the idea that simply becoming less busy will automatically lead to less distraction, arguing that the core issue is being divided, not just busy. He uses the analogy of adjusting to new glasses to illustrate how life changes can cause a feeling of being off-balance, making it easy to become distracted.
Referencing the biblical story of Martha and Mary, Stanley highlights how Martha, preoccupied with preparations, became distracted, while Mary chose to sit and listen to Jesus. Jesus gently redirects Martha, emphasizing that sometimes even good things can distract from what is most important. Stanley encourages listeners to recognize “Martha, Martha” moments in their own lives, where distractions cause them to miss something of greater value.
Stanley concludes by proposing spiritual practices as the most effective way to deal with distraction, particularly in one’s faith. Using an illustration of a bucket filled with ping pong balls (representing distractions) and water (representing spiritual practices), he explains how consistently engaging in practices like prayer, Bible reading, and community can create a foundation that allows distractions to rise to the surface and lose their power. Stanley encourages the audience to draw near to God, emphasizing that God is available and wants to meet them where they are.
Listen to the full version here.
Cathedral of Christ The King
Deacon Sam Fraundorf’s homily opens by considering upcoming events for the Catholic Church and questions whether the qualities expected of a Pope differ from those we expect of ourselves. He emphasizes that as Catholics, our path to heaven involves more than just being good or nice.
Referencing the Gospel, Deacon Sam highlights the importance of baptism, consuming Christ’s body and blood, professing Jesus as Lord, and demonstrating that we are truly His followers. He draws a parallel with Peter’s denial and subsequent reaffirmation of his love for Jesus, emphasizing the chance for renewal when we stray from God.
Deacon Sam explores the nuances of love, differentiating between agape (a singular, all-encompassing love for God) and filia (a brotherly love). He acknowledges that while we strive for agape, it’s acceptable to offer filia when that’s the extent of our capacity, trusting that God uses our offerings to create His divine plan.
In conclusion, Deacon Sam reiterates the need to strengthen our brethren, profess Jesus as Lord, and love others more than ourselves. He encourages listeners to move closer to these ideals, supported by God’s love, recognizing that we are all part of God’s masterpiece.
Listen to the full version here.
Passion City Church
Dr. Crawford Loritts’ sermon centers on the purpose and mission of family, emphasizing the crucial role families play in shaping future generations. He underscores that everyone has an influence on others and contributes to the continuum of shaping future generations. Dr. Loritts outlines three main points: the purpose of family, the mission of family, and seven investments in shaping the future.
Dr. Loritts explains that the purpose of family is twofold: to model the intertrinitarian love and community of heaven within human history and to steward the image of God from one generation to the next. He presents family as a mission, part of a grand continuum where actions taken today have an impact on future generations. This mission involves passing on both the character of God and the content of scripture, integrating these principles into every aspect of life.
The sermon identifies seven key investments that parents can make in shaping their children. These include: modeling a vibrant, authentic walk with God; modeling repentance and forgiveness; avoiding perfectionism and legalism; giving the gift of consequences; incrementally releasing children to independence; prioritizing children without idolizing them; and helping children discover their unique purpose from God.
Ultimately, Dr. Loritts emphasizes that effective parenting relies on dependence on God, seeking His guidance and wisdom. He encourages parents to bring all concerns regarding their family to God, trusting in His power and intervention across generations.
Listen to the full version here.
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