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 Schmitz’s homily delves into the topic of ambition. He begins by highlighting examples of remarkable achievements, such as the iPhone, the Transcontinental Railroad, and advancements in medicine, all of which were made possible by individuals driven by ambition. However, Fr. Mike cautions against the pitfalls of selfish ambition, a pursuit motivated by personal gain and marked by self-preservation. He uses the biblical account of the apostles arguing over who is the greatest to illustrate the dangers of this type of ambition.
Fr. Mike emphasizes the significance of being loved rather than admired. He suggests that true love involves vulnerability and a willingness to share one’s imperfections. This contrasts with the desire for admiration, which often involves concealing flaws.
In conclusion, Fr. Mike calls upon his audience to cultivate a spirit of ambition that is free from self-protection, self-absorption, and selfish motives. He asserts that everyone is called to greatness, even in ordinary endeavors.
Listen to the full version here.
Buckhead Church
The Power of a Made Up Story
Jesus, a master storyteller, used parables to convey profound spiritual truths. His stories featured relatable characters and employed symbolism to illustrate important concepts. One such parable, the story of the king and the two servants, prompts listeners to consider their roles in God’s kingdom.
The sermon emphasizes the significance of forgiveness, echoing Jesus’ teachings on the importance of forgiving others as we have been forgiven by God. It also encourages audience members to actively participate in the church community by joining a starting point group to deepen their understanding of faith.
The overall message of the sermon highlights the power of storytelling and the importance of understanding the symbolism and lessons embedded in Jesus’ parables. It invites listeners to reflect on their own lives in the context of these stories and to embrace the principles of forgiveness and community involvement.
Listen to the full version here.
Cathedral of Christ The King
Fr. Jared Kleinwaechter’s homily on the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time addresses the pervasive issue of conflict, both on a global and personal level. He emphasizes that the root of the conflict lies in human selfishness and draws parallels between the conflicts depicted in the news and the internal struggles individuals face. Kleinwaechter proposes that humility is the key to resolving these conflicts, recognizing one’s limitations and dependence on God. He uses Jesus as a model of humility, even in the face of suffering.
Fr. Kleinwaechter encourages the congregation to seek God’s grace through the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist, as a means to overcome their own selfishness and contribute to a more peaceful world. He highlights the importance of recognizing one’s limitations and turning to God for help, rather than relying on one’s own strength or understanding.
The homily serves as a reminder that true peace begins within the individual heart and that by cultivating humility and seeking God’s grace, individuals can play a role in fostering a more harmonious society.
Listen to the full version here.
Passion City Church
All Consuming Fire
Louie Giglio’s sermon on Revelation 17 and 18 focuses on the contrast between the fallen city of Babylon and the heavenly city of God. He begins by reminding the congregation that the story of humanity begins in a garden and ends in a city. The garden represents the original state of paradise, where humanity walked in a relationship with God. However, the introduction of doubt and temptation fractured this relationship, leading to the fall of humanity and the brokenness of the world.
Giglio then delves into the symbolism of the woman on the beast in Revelation 17, interpreting it as a representation of Babylon, the great city that embodies the world’s fallen state. He emphasizes that Babylon is characterized by its pursuit of power, wealth, and pleasure, and its ultimate destruction is inevitable. In contrast, Giglio highlights the vision of the New Jerusalem, the heavenly city that represents God’s ultimate restoration of all things.
The sermon concludes with a call to action, urging the congregation to choose the heavenly city over the fallen city. Giglio emphasizes that this choice involves rejecting the values and pursuits of the world and embracing the values of the kingdom of God. He encourages the congregation to fall in love with Jesus and to walk in relationship with him, even in the midst of the fallen world.
Ultimately, Giglio’s sermon offers a message of hope and encouragement, reminding the congregation that despite the brokenness of the world, there is a heavenly city awaiting them. By choosing Jesus and embracing his values, they can find true life and purpose even in the midst of the fallen world.
Listen to the full version here.
Trinity Anglican Church
Brad Mauldin begins by explaining how Jesus often uses stories to teach important lessons and that understanding the context is crucial. In this particular text, Jesus is describing the nature of the Kingdom of God and emphasizing the importance of humility.
Mauldin defines humility as a proper view of oneself, neither too small nor too big. He contrasts true humility with false humility, which involves self-deprecation. He highlights that humility is beautiful because it reflects the nature of God’s Kingdom and is something we are naturally drawn to.
Mauldin points out that God himself demonstrates remarkable humility, from creating humanity to becoming human through Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that we often struggle to accept this idea and tend to revert to our own understanding of power and control when faced with difficult situations.
Finally, Mauldin encourages us to embrace a childlike posture, which involves humility, trust, and openness. He emphasizes that this posture allows us to receive God’s presence and healing in our lives.
Listen to the full version here.
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