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
The homily begins with a relatable anecdote about being a “fair weather fan” of the Minnesota Vikings, which means being a dedicated fan only when they are winning. This introduces the broader theme that being a fan costs nothing, and therefore, it is worth nothing. This is contrasted with things of true value, which always prompt two questions: “How much does it cost?” and “Can I afford it?” Fr. Mike Schmitz explains that this concept applies to many things in life, from material possessions to relationships, setting the stage for the Gospel reading.
Fr. Mike Schmitz transitions from the theme of being a fan to being a disciple of Jesus, drawing on a passage from the Gospel of Luke. He explains that just as fans followed Jesus during his ministry, Jesus is inviting them to a deeper relationship as disciples. However, becoming a disciple comes at a cost, which is the willingness to put Jesus before all other relationships, including family and even one’s own life. He clarifies that this “hate” for others means that in comparison to one’s love for Jesus, all other loves should seem like hate. If Jesus were just a man, this would be terrible advice, but because he is God, he has a claim on every person and everything.
Fr. Mike Schmitz then delves into the relationships Jesus names—parents, spouses, siblings, and children—noting that they are intrinsically good and powerful in our lives. These relationships influence how we see the world, ourselves, and how we make decisions. Jesus is inviting us to a relationship with him that is even more influential, one that is the lens through which every decision is made and one that is more rooted in love than any other.
In conclusion, Fr. Mike Schmitz revisits the two questions: “How much does it cost?” and “Can I afford it?” He states that becoming a disciple of Jesus costs “nothing less than everything” and admits that we do not know if we can afford it. Fr. Mike Schmitz encourages the listener to consider the invitation to follow Jesus by using a framework from Harvard professor Arthur Brooks: an invitation that is worth pursuing will evoke 80% excitement, 20% fear, and 0% deadness. The homily ends by emphasizing that while being a fan of Jesus demands nothing and gives nothing, being in a relationship with him demands everything and, in return, gives everything.
Listen to the full version here.
Buckhead Church
Andy Stanley begins by introducing Bruce Deel, the founder and CEO of the City of Refuge in West Atlanta. He explains that the City of Refuge has been a partner of the Be Rich initiative for many years, as it’s located in the city and serves its community well. The City of Refuge addresses various issues, such as poverty, addiction, homelessness, and human trafficking, by providing comprehensive services in one location. Stanley shares Bruce’s motto: “We don’t do good things for people; we do good things with people.”
Bruce Deel shares his journey from being a pastor to founding the City of Refuge. He recounts how, over 28 years ago, he and his wife were asked to help close a struggling church. Instead, they were moved to help people in crisis who started showing up, which led them to move into the church building with their five daughters and eventually expand their services to address multiple needs in the community. He explains that their approach evolved organically by saying “yes” to each new need, which surprisingly mirrored a comprehensive model identified by a Brookings Institute study. This research showed that addressing safe housing, quality education, health and wellness, and job training simultaneously gives people a 90% chance of escaping poverty.
Deel describes the extensive services the City of Refuge now offers, including a full-scope Christian school, a medical clinic, and various vocational training programs. They have programs for auto technicians in partnership with NAPA, culinary arts, coding, cybersecurity, and welding, with a 100% employment rate for their graduates. He proudly shares that many of the people they have helped have returned to work for the organization, creating a cycle of empowerment and hope. He highlights their work to combat sex trafficking in Atlanta, explaining that they provide safe housing and comprehensive trauma-informed care for survivors and their children.
Stanley concludes the conversation by emphasizing the importance of doing good for others as an act of devotion to God, citing a passage from 1 Timothy 6:17-18. He reminds the congregation that their generosity through the Be Rich initiative allows the church to partner with organizations like the City of Refuge, turning their financial gifts into life-changing resources. Stanley encourages everyone to participate with a one-time donation of $39.95, which will be given entirely to these partner organizations to help them continue their vital work.
Listen to the full version here.
Cathedral of Christ The King
The homily, given by Monsignor Frank McNamee, begins with a humorous anecdote about a young monk who took a vow of silence and was only allowed to speak two words every ten years. He then shares an experience from a new pastor’s installation, who joked that if anyone didn’t like what he did, they should blame the priest who taught him.
Monsignor McNamee reminds the congregation that the Gospel calls everyone to be a disciple of Christ, not just those in religious life. He notes that the Gospel of Matthew seems to contradict the fourth commandment by asking people to “hate” their family to be a disciple. He clarifies that this isn’t literal hatred, but that love for Christ should be so great that all other loves seem secondary. He uses the example of a priest, Father Peyton, who said, “The family that prays together stays together,” emphasizing the importance of family prayer to receive the grace needed to overcome challenges.
He then discusses the second aspect of being a disciple: carrying the cross. He explains that in Jesus’s time, the cross was a symbol of shame, suffering, and execution, and by telling us to carry our cross, he is asking us to embrace suffering, sacrifice, and even death for his sake. Monsignor McNamee states that carrying the cross is not optional for Christians and is the very definition of following Christ, which means dying to oneself daily by crucifying selfishness, pride, and sin. He acknowledges that this is a difficult teaching, but insists that without the cross, there is no resurrection and encourages the congregation to accept their crosses, both big and small, and unite them with Christ’s, which transforms them into instruments of sanctification.
Finally, the priest addresses the third demand of discipleship: renouncing all possessions. He clarifies that this doesn’t mean every Christian must live in poverty, but rather, that everything we have belongs to God and we are merely stewards of it. He reminds the congregation that possessions can become chains that prevent people from following Christ and that renouncing them means being ready to give up anything that comes between us and him. He concludes by saying that these demands—putting Christ above all relationships, carrying our cross, and renouncing possessions—are not easy, but the reward is greater than the cost.
Listen to the full version here.
Passion City Church
In his sermon, Louie Giglio discusses the bright future that awaits both the church and individuals, drawing from Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you.” He emphasizes that God has a plan for each person, even if He doesn’t reveal the details upfront, because people might try to alter or run from them. Giglio states that God’s plans are for prosperity and not harm, providing hope and a future. He stresses that life isn’t always easy, filled with disappointments and challenges, but even on a broken planet, God has a hopeful and bright future for His people.
Giglio gives seven reasons why a person’s future is bright. First, God is already in the future, waiting for you in every stressful meeting and situation. Second, your future is in God’s hands, so you don’t need to carry the burden of it yourself. He illustrates this with the story of his friend David Crowder, a musician who broke his leg but ended up collaborating on a chart-topping song called “The Rock” with another artist, Forest Frank. The speaker explains that God worked in a way they never would have expected, turning a bad situation into something good.
Third, God’s promises are future promises, like the lineage of Jesus Christ, which took generations to unfold. Fourth, the best version of you is in the future, as salvation is a process of sanctification where you become sharper, more mature, and more like Christ. Fifth, your new identity is in the future, not defined by past struggles or circumstances. He shares the story of Bethany Hamilton, a surfer who lost her arm in a shark attack but is now known as a mother, not just a shark attack victim.
Sixth, your harvest is in the future. Giglio references Galatians 6, encouraging people not to grow weary in doing good because, at the proper time, they will reap a harvest if they don’t give up. Finally, heaven is in the future. The ultimate promise is the new heaven and new earth, where believers will be reunited with loved ones who have passed away in Christ. Giglio concludes by encouraging listeners to find joy today by letting go of the past and trusting that God is already holding their bright future.
Listen to the full version here.
Trinity Anglican Church
In his sermon, Kris McDaniel addresses the challenging nature of the chosen passage from Luke 14, noting that churches often skip such difficult teachings. He explains that the Anglican tradition’s three-year teaching plan ensures they confront and read these challenging passages courageously. He shares a commentary from N.T. Wright, who likens following Jesus to a dangerous expedition through a mountain pass, where one must leave behind heavy packs to make progress. This analogy introduces the central theme: the cost of being a Christian, which requires leaving things behind to follow God.
McDaniel discusses the first question the passage raises: the cost of being a Christian. While faith offers comfort and love, it also demands a costly obedience and fidelity that may be more expensive than one anticipates. The second question is about the apparent command to “hate” one’s family. McDaniel clarifies that Jesus is not advocating for a literal hatred of family, as he himself loved his own family and close friends. Instead, he is teaching about the proper ordering of loves, where God is the main priority, and every other love is subordinate to the love for God. He notes that for some, this may involve auditing or even editing relationships that hinder their spiritual walk.
The third point focuses on Jesus’s parables of the foolish builder and the king going to war, which encourage living with the end in mind. McDaniel states that God is not a foolish builder and wants to finish the good work he began in people. He challenges the congregation to reflect on their own unfinished business and to slow down from a frantic pace to live more deliberately. In the parable of the king, he interprets God as the king with 20,000 men coming against the one with 10,000, inviting people to surrender their autonomy and ask for peace with God.
Finally, the sermon concludes with Jesus’s teaching to “give up everything you have.” McDaniel explains this means not allowing “stuff” or encumbrances to get in the way of one’s life with God. This includes both material possessions and the projection of images to the world. He urges the audience to simplify their lives to be free to follow God. He leaves the congregation with a question to reflect on: “What do you hope will be true of you and said about you at your funeral?” as a way to start living in the direction they want their life to end.
Listen to the full version here.
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