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 starts the homily with a story about a man on a plane who felt like his life was over. The man overheard a conversation between a wife trying to convince her husband that his life has value. This story leads Fr. Mike to discuss the concept of decline. He talks about how around our 30s and 50s, we tend to peak and experience a decline in various abilities. This decline is something we all experience, regardless of our profession.
Fr. Mike then asks the question, “What does winning mean?” He suggests that we have to redefine winning as we age. It’s not about accomplishment or achievement anymore, but about using our experiences and wisdom to serve others.
The homily then focuses on the concept of “Nunc Coepi” which means “Now I begin again.” Fr. Mike argues that this doesn’t mean simply starting over, but rather starting anew with a new perspective. He emphasizes that God calls us to love others, and this is something we can do regardless of our age or abilities.
The homily ends with a story of Chiara Badano, a young woman who offered up her suffering to Jesus. Even though her physical health declined, she found a new way to win by living a life of love. Fr. Mike concludes by saying that just like Chiara, we can all find new meaning and purpose in our lives, no matter our age or circumstance.
Listen to the full version here.
Buckhead Church
What Our World Needs Now
The core message of the sermon is the importance of kindness. The speaker criticizes shaming people through church discipline and instead points to Jesus’ kindness as an example. He recounts the story from the Bible where a woman caught in adultery is brought to Jesus by the Pharisees. The Pharisees were trying to trick Jesus into making a decision that would contradict either Jewish law or his message of forgiveness. Jesus avoided the trap and showed kindness to the woman by not condemning her and treating her with dignity.
The sermon also emphasizes the importance of both grace and truth. The speaker highlights that Jesus embodied both and that we should strive to do the same. Compromising on grace or truth is seen as unkind. The speaker concludes by urging the audience to show kindness through humility, serving others, and helping those who have made mistakes.
Listen to the full version here.
Cathedral of Christ The King
The central theme of the homily is Jesus’ command to love one another. Monsignor McNulty explains that this love is not just about affection but about self-sacrifice, just as Jesus sacrificed himself for humanity. He emphasizes that God’s love is revealed through Jesus and through the Holy Spirit. Christians are called to reflect this love in their own lives.
The homily also references readings from the Acts of the Apostles and the First Epistle of Saint John. In the reading from Acts, the Holy Spirit is poured out on Gentiles, showing that God’s love extends to everyone. The reading from First John emphasizes that God is love and that God knows those who love.
Listen to the full version here.
Passion City Church
All Consuming Fire
The sermon is about the glimpse of the throne room of God as described in Revelation chapter 4. The speaker, Louie Giglio, discusses four big ideas from this chapter.
The first big idea is that we are invited to see the throne room of God. John the Apostle is given a glimpse of the throne room in Revelation. The speaker argues that even though this happened long ago, this invitation to see the throne room of God extends to us today.
The second big idea is that God is seated on the throne. This portrays that God is confident, assured in who he is, and unfazed by anything.
The third big idea is that God dwells in perpetual praise. There are descriptions of 24 elders and four living creatures who are continually praising God.
The fourth big idea is that the reality of the throne room is our anchor in the storm. The glimpse of the throne room assures us that God is in control and has a plan, and this should give us comfort and peace.
Listen to the full version here.
Trinity Anglican Church
The sermon highlights the importance of acknowledging your need for God’s help. The two blind men, despite societal disapproval and attempts to silence them, persistently call out to Jesus for mercy. This act of vulnerability, the speaker argues, is the first step towards receiving God’s healing touch.
The sermon delves into the idea that people might try to discourage you from expressing your needs to God. McDaniel acknowledges that societal norms or even internal inhibitions can make us hesitate to be vulnerable. However, the story emphasizes that Jesus doesn’t rebuke the blind men but encourages them to express their desires.
The final part of the sermon focuses on the idea that God asks us what we want from him. Jesus asks the blind men, “What do you want me to do for you?” This question highlights God’s desire for a personal relationship with us and his willingness to address our specific needs. The sermon encourages the congregation to reflect on their own vulnerabilities and to boldly ask God for the help they need.
Listen to the full version here.
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