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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Jump to:

• Fr. Mike Schmitz
• Cathedral of Christ the King
• Passion City Church
• Trinity Anglican Church
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Fr. Mike Schmitz

This homily by Fr. Mike Schmitz addresses the fundamental question of the relationship between biblical teachings and the authority of the church, specifically whether the church is a necessary component of Christian faith. Fr. Mike emphasizes that the church is not optional but rather essential, asserting that both the Bible and the church play vital roles in understanding and living out the Christian life. He introduces a six-week series titled “Pillar and Foundation” to delve deeper into this important topic.

Fr. Mike draws upon the biblical account in Acts 15, which details the Council of Jerusalem. This pivotal event in early church history saw the apostles and elders making a significant doctrinal decision regarding the necessity of circumcision for Gentile converts before baptism. Fr. Mike highlights how this decision, made collectively by the church leaders, became a foundational teaching, illustrating the church’s inherent authority in interpreting and applying biblical scripture. He argues against the notion of “Bible alone” (sola scriptura), suggesting that this concept is not supported by the Bible itself.

Fr. Mike further elaborates on why the “Bible alone” approach is insufficient, pointing out that while scripture is undoubtedly valuable and inspired, it does not exist in isolation from tradition. He references 2 Thessalonians 2:15, which encourages believers to hold fast to both the teachings they received in writing (scripture) and through word of mouth (tradition). Fr. Mike underscores the integral role of the church in God’s overall plan for humanity and salvation.

In his concluding remarks, Fr. Mike affirms the Catholic Church as the very means through which believers are meant to connect with God, emphasizing that it is a part of God’s divine design. Drawing from the Book of Revelation, he describes the city of God as being built upon the foundation of the twelve apostles, further reinforcing the indispensable role of the church. He concludes by portraying the church as the bride and body of Christ, thereby stressing that it is not merely an optional association but a fundamental aspect of Christian identity and life.

Listen to the full version here.

Cathedral of Christ The King

Fr. Frank McNamee’s homily centers on the significance of promises, particularly as observed on Memorial Day. He underscores that the ultimate sermons have been delivered through the selfless sacrifices of those who laid down their lives for their nation, emphasizing their profound love and heroic deeds.

McNamee connects the earthly sacrifices to God’s promise of eternal life for believers, urging the congregation to actively live out their faith and to honor the memory of those who died defending freedom. He calls for a strong commitment to upholding the sanctity of human life and actively working to dismantle systems that endanger it, citing issues ranging from racism to abortion.

The homily extends beyond national concerns to emphasize the critical importance of family unity and global peace, referencing Pope Leo’s advocacy for international cooperation and mutual dependence. McNamee encourages the congregation to actively pursue a unified global community and to reject instruments of mass destruction, embracing their role as agents of peace in the world.

In his concluding remarks, McNamee reiterates that Memorial Day serves as a reminder of promises made and kept, inspiring the congregation to deepen their faith in God and to reaffirm their dedication to respecting life, building a global family, and promoting a world characterized by peace. He also reflects on the promised gift of the Holy Spirit, encouraging prayer for a renewed spirit to faithfully carry out the mission entrusted to them.

Listen to the full version here.

Passion City Church

In this sermon, Grant Partrick addresses the critical need for genuine friendships, observing a decline in deep connections within contemporary society. He underscores humanity’s inherent desire for community, referencing the creation narrative in Genesis where God declares the importance of companionship. Partrick draws from Ecclesiastes to illustrate the multifaceted benefits of friendship, including increased productivity, reliable support during challenging times, mutual protection, and the encouragement of perseverance.

Grant Partrick then delves into five key characteristics of biblical friendship, drawing insights from the book of Proverbs. These characteristics include Connection, which emphasizes the significance of shared interests and common ground; Constancy, highlighting the necessity of unwavering support through all of life’s circumstances; Candor, stressing the importance of honest and open communication between friends; Counsel, where friends play a role in guiding each other back to the principles of God’s Word; and Contend, which involves actively supporting and praying for one another, particularly during moments of struggle.

Partrick cautions against the pitfalls of shallow relationships and encourages listeners to engage in honest self-assessment regarding their own contributions to their friendships. He emphasizes the profound influence that friendships exert on personal growth and life direction, shaping individual character and the paths we follow. Furthermore, he warns against the potential dangers of isolation and highlights the crucial role of accountability within meaningful friendships in maintaining a righteous life.

Concluding his sermon, Grant Partrick posits that the quality of our interpersonal relationships is intrinsically linked to our individual relationship with God. He encourages the congregation to seek ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, whom he presents as the truest friend, whose boundless love empowers individuals to cultivate deep, meaningful, and supportive connections with those around them.

Listen to the full version here.

Trinity Anglican Church

In his sermon, Dave McCune, the kids and youth discipleship pastor, delves into the profound imagery of Revelation 21 and 22, focusing on the anticipation of God’s coming kingdom. He begins by acknowledging the community and celebrating recent achievements, including a successful fundraiser for youth trips and honoring graduates of all levels. McCune then sets the stage for understanding Revelation, explaining that it’s apocalyptic literature filled with symbolism meant to be taken seriously, not always literally, revealing God’s reality that overlaps with our own.

McCune highlights that the word “apocalypse” means revealing, or a peeling back of the curtain, illustrated by John’s vision on the island of Patmos. He connects this to personal experiences, such as witnessing a bride’s veil being lifted, as a sign pointing towards our ultimate union with Christ. McCune cautions against strictly literal interpretations of Revelation as a prophetic timeline, instead emphasizing its revelation of historical patterns, such as the contrast between the kingdom of God and earthly empires like Babylon and Rome, and its promises for the future. He encourages the congregation to look for these patterns in today’s world and to substantively pray “Your kingdom come, your will be done,” with a deeper understanding of what that entails.

Moving into the specific verses, McCune explores the symbolism of a new heaven and a new earth, referencing the creation in Genesis and the significant detail that “the sea was no more,” which he interprets as the ultimate defeat of chaos. He addresses the common misconception of believers simply going “up to heaven” upon death, clarifying that while there is an immediate presence with the Lord, the ultimate hope is in the resurrection and the coming of heaven to earth, symbolized by the new Jerusalem descending. This new Jerusalem, described as a bride, signifies a place lovingly prepared by God for His people, echoing Jesus’ words in John 14. McCune emphasizes that in this coming kingdom, suffering will be no more, and believers will have an intimate relationship with God.

Finally, McCune examines the description of the new Jerusalem, noting its immense, symbolic size representing the vastness of God’s presence, where there is no need for a temple because God Himself is the temple. He explains that the inclusion of kings and cultures bringing their glories into the city signifies a diverse unity, where the unique expressions of different peoples are welcomed and not erased. The gates of this city are perpetually open, symbolizing abundance and safety, a stark contrast to the fear-driven scarcity of our current world. McCune concludes by reflecting on the river and tree of life, symbolizing healing and eternal abundance, and the community of worship and belonging where God’s name is on His people, signifying their identity and ownership. He envisions a reign with God that is not about earthly power but about tending and cultivating, a garden within a city where interdependence and flourishing prevail, urging the congregation to pray for and participate in this coming kingdom.

Listen to the full version here.

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