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
• Want to add your church? Request that here

Fr. Mike Schmitz

Fr. Mike Schmitz’s homily is about how we should eliminate the things in our lives that are killing our joy, love, and freedom. He uses the analogy of a man who is trapped in a canyon and has to cut off his arm to get free. He says that we are often willing to tolerate the things that we know are killing our joy, love, and freedom. He also says that we are often willing to tolerate the things that we know are restricting our freedom and even making us slaves. He says that we are okay with tolerating these things because we know that if they stay, we will be stuck. He says that we might have heard about a man named Aaron Ralston who was trapped in a canyon for 6 days. He says that Ralston had to cut off his arm to get free. Fr. Schmitz says that Ralston’s story is a reminder that we are often stuck in our lives and that we need to take action to free ourselves. He says that we need to be ruthless with our environment and take the first steps towards freedom. He says that the first step towards freedom is restriction. He says that we need to cut off the things in our lives that are killing our joy, love, and freedom. He says that we need to be courageous and take the first steps towards freedom. He says that we need to remember that we are made for freedom and that God has destined us for love and life.

Fr. Schmitz then goes on to talk about the importance of discipline. He says that discipline is the strongest form of self-love. He also says that discipline is the key to freedom. Fr. Schmitz says that we need to be disciplined in order to achieve our goals. He also says that we need to be disciplined in order to overcome our temptations.

Fr. Schmitz concludes the homily by talking about the importance of hope. He says that we should never give up on our dreams. He also says that we should always have hope for a better future. Fr. Schmitz says that God has a plan for our lives and that we should trust in him.

Listen to the full version here.

Buckhead Church

The Power of a Made Up Story

 The sermon focuses on the parable of the sower from Mark 4:1-20, which Jesus uses to illustrate the different ways people respond to God’s word. Joel Thomas explains that the seed represents God’s word, and the soil represents the hearts of people. He emphasizes that the condition of our hearts determines how we receive and respond to God’s message.

Joel Thomas identifies four types of soil: the path, the rocky ground, the thorns, and the good soil. The path represents those who hear the word but do not understand it. The rocky ground represents those who hear the word and initially accept it, but their faith is shallow and they do not persevere. The thorns represent those who hear the word but are distracted by worldly cares and desires. The good soil represents those who hear the word, understand it, and produce a fruitful harvest.

Joel Thomas concludes the sermon by encouraging the congregation to examine their own hearts and determine which type of soil they resemble. He challenges them to cultivate good soil in their hearts by being open to God’s word, removing obstacles that hinder their faith, and nurturing their relationship with God.

Listen to the full version here.

Cathedral of Christ The King

Father Richard Lopez starts the homily with the story of when he was teaching at St. Paschal High School and conducted a survey among students about heaven, hell, and purgatory. He was pleasantly surprised by their knowledge and mentioned some of the responses from the survey, such as hell is real and those who are in hell are those who rejected God.

Father Lopez then talks about why Christ spoke so often about hell in the gospels, mentioning the example of parents warning their children to avoid danger. He also shares stories of people who chose the right path and stayed away from hell, such as St. Thomas More and King Baldwin.

Father Lopez emphasizes the importance of living a good life and seeking God’s love, as it prepares us for eternal life.

He concludes the homily by reminding everyone that what matters most is not gaining the whole world but saving one’s soul.

Listen to the full version here.

Passion City Church

All Consuming Fire

Grant Partrick begins by introducing the topic of endurance and persistence, which is the central theme of the Book of Hebrews. He mentions that the book was written to encourage Christians with a Jewish background who were facing challenges and temptations to give up their faith. Grant Partrick then highlights the importance of paying close attention to the message of the book and not drifting away. He emphasizes that the message is relevant for today’s believers as well, especially in light of the end times.

Grant Partrick then delves into the specific advice given by the author of Hebrews for believers to be ready for the day of Christ. The author encourages believers to draw near to God with a sincere heart and full assurance of faith, having their hearts cleansed and bodies washed. He also emphasizes the importance of considering how to spur one another on toward love and good deeds, meeting together regularly for encouragement.

Grant Partrick further explains the significance of the holiest place and the access granted to believers through the blood of Jesus. He highlights the transformative power of Jesus’ sacrifice and the tearing of the curtain, which symbolizes the removal of barriers between believers and a holy God.

In conclusion, Grant Partrick emphasizes the importance of community and relationships in living out the message of the book. He encourages believers to connect with one another, support each other, and be a part of a vibrant community of faith. He reminds them that their unique gifts and contributions are essential to the body of Christ, and encourages them to actively participate and be involved in the life of the church.

Listen to the full version here.

Trinity Anglican Church

Kris McDaniel begins his sermon by acknowledging the challenging nature of the text and the need to address the sensitive topics of demons, dismemberment, and hell. He emphasizes the importance of listening to Jesus’ message while acknowledging the difficult language. McDaniel highlights the shift from scarcity and control to generosity and empowerment as the central theme of the passage. He addresses the reality of demons and angels and his personal experiences with demonic oppression.

McDaniel discusses the importance of Jesus’ message regarding the expansion of authority and the inclusion of diverse believers. He emphasizes the need to move beyond tribalism and embrace a broader understanding of the body of Christ. He also addresses the concept of stumbling blocks and the responsibility to remove them from the lives of others.McDaniel highlights the vulnerability of individuals and the importance of recognizing and addressing our own vulnerabilities.

McDaniel further explains the necessity of promoting growth in ourselves and others. He emphasizes the power we possess to influence the lives of others and the need to use that power for good. He encourages the congregation to examine their own lives and identify areas where they need to make changes. McDaniel emphasizes the importance of recognizing the consequences of our choices and the need to pursue a trajectory of growth and usefulness.

Finally, McDaniel concludes the sermon by inviting the congregation to reflect on their own lives and identify areas where they need to grow and change. He encourages them to seek God’s guidance and support in their journey towards a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

Listen to the full version here.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on our site are written by our local community of contributors as a reflection of their personal experiences. All information is researched and provided in good faith, however, it does not necessarily represent the views of the organization they’re writing about nor that of the City on Purpose staff, and/or any/all contributors of this site. If there are issues with the accuracy of this piece, we want to fix them. Please contact City on Purpose to submit a request for an update. We strive to be an honest resource for all those in the city – thanks for helping us make that possible! You can also review our full Disclaimer, Terms and Conditions, and Privacy Policy.