Sermon Brainwave 1039: Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost - August 31, 2025
Working Preacher's Sermon Brainwave
In this episode of Sermon Brainwave, Karoline Lewis, Matt Skinner, and Rolf Jacobson discuss the readings for August 31st, 2025. They focus on themes of inclusivity in church communities, the social dynamics of Jesus' teachings, and the implications of Jeremiah's messages. They explore how meals serve as a metaphor for community, the importance of hospitality, and the theological insights from Psalms and Hebrews. Commentaries for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost can be found on the Working Preacher website at . * * * Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share to stay connected...
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Sermon Brainwave 1038: Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost - August 24, 2025
Working Preacher's Sermon Brainwave
Join Matt Skinner, Karoline Lewis, and Rolf Jacobson on Sermon Brainwave as they explore the readings for the 11th Sunday after Pentecost (August 24, 2025). This episode dives deep into Luke 13:10-17, the powerful story of Jesus healing a woman with a crooked back on the Sabbath - a healing that's really about liberation and freedom. The hosts unpack the unique aspects of this healing story, including why the woman is called a "daughter of Abraham" (the only time this phrase appears in Luke), what it means that she's "set free" rather than simply "healed," and how this story challenges our...
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Sermon Brainwave 1037: Tenth Sunday after Pentecost - August 17, 2025
Working Preacher's Sermon Brainwave
Join Karoline Lewis, Matt Skinner, and Rolf Jacobson as they dive deep into the lectionary readings for the 10th Sunday after Pentecost (August 17, 2025). In this episode, they explore the challenging theme of division that Jesus brings, not as his goal, but as an inevitable result of following his way. Our hosts unpack Luke 12:49-56, where Jesus speaks of bringing fire rather than peace, and discuss how this passage connects to the realities of following Christ today. Whether you're a preacher preparing for Sunday or someone seeking a deeper understanding of these challenging texts, this...
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Sermon Brainwave 1036: Ninth Sunday after Pentecost - August 10, 2025
Working Preacher's Sermon Brainwave
Join Rolf Jacobson, Karoline Lewis, and Matt Skinner for another episode of Sermon to Brainwave as they dive deep into the lectionary texts for August 10th, 2025. In this episode, our hosts explore the rich connections between Genesis 15:1-6 (Abraham's covenant and the promise to count the stars), Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 (God's call for justice over empty worship), Psalm 33:12-22, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 (faith as a journey without a round trip), and Luke 12:32-40 (the little flock, treasure, and watchful servants). Whether preparing a sermon or simply wanting to go deeper into Scripture, this episode...
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Sermon Brainwave 1035: Eighth Sunday after Pentecost - August 3, 2025
Working Preacher's Sermon Brainwave
The Rich Fool, Ecclesiastes, and Finding True Wealth. Join Matt Skinner, Karoline Lewis, and Rolf Jacobson as they dive deep into the challenging texts for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost (August 3rd, 2025). This episode explores Luke's parable of the rich fool, examining what this wealthy man actually did wrong and why Jesus calls him "fool" rather than "sinner." The hosts tackle tough questions about wealth, possessions, and what it means to be "rich toward God." They discuss how the parable connects to our modern struggles with storage units, financial security, and the subtle ways greed...
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#1034: Seventh Sunday after Pentecost - July 27, 2025
Working Preacher's Sermon Brainwave
Join Profs. Karoline Lewis, Matt Skinner, and Rolf Jacobson as they delve into the multifaceted nature of prayer, exploring its significance, the role of trust, and the importance of teaching prayer within the Christian faith. Together, they discuss various biblical texts, their interpretations, and how they relate to contemporary spirituality and church practices. They emphasize the need for a deeper understanding of prayer as a response to God's will and the centrality of Christ in shaping belief and practice. Commentaries for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost can be found on the Working...
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Sermon Brainwave 1033: Sixth Sunday after Pentecost - July 20, 2025
Working Preacher's Sermon Brainwave
In this episode of the Sermon Brainwave podcast, Profs. Karoline Lewis, Matt Skinner, and Rolf Jacobson discuss the readings for July 20th, 2025, focusing on the themes of discipleship, hospitality, humor, judgment, and the sufficiency of Christ. They explore the story of Martha and Mary, the significance of hospitality in ancient culture, the humor in Genesis 18, the prophetic messages in Amos, and the theological implications of Colossians. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding these texts in their broader contexts and the relevance they hold for contemporary faith...
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#1032: Fifth Sunday after Pentecost - July 13, 2025
Working Preacher's Sermon Brainwave
In this episode of the Sermon Brainwave podcast, Profs. Karoline Lewis, Matt Skinner, and Rolf Jacobson discuss the biblical texts for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, focusing on the Good Samaritan parable, the themes of neighbor love, compassion, and the connections to Deuteronomy and Amos. They explore the implications of these texts for understanding discipleship and the nature of God's commandments, emphasizing the importance of seeing and responding to the needs of others. Commentaries for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost can be found on the Working Preacher website at . * *...
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Sermon Brainwave 1031: Fourth Sunday after Pentecost - July 06, 2025
Working Preacher's Sermon Brainwave
Join Karoline Lewis, Matt Skinner, and Rolf Jacobson as they dive deep into the lectionary texts for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (July 6, 2025). This episode explores the fascinating dynamics of Jesus sending out the seventy disciples in Luke 10, where traditional concepts of hospitality get flipped upside down. The hosts bring their trademark blend of scholarly insight, practical preaching wisdom, and occasional humor as they wrestle with these ancient texts and their relevance for today's church. Whether you're a preacher preparing for Sunday or someone interested in deeper biblical...
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#1030: Third Sunday after Pentecost (Ord. 13C) - June 29, 2025
Working Preacher's Sermon Brainwave
Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of Sermon Brainwave! This week, our hosts Karoline Lewis, Matt Skinner, and Rolf Jacobson discuss the readings for the third Sunday after Pentecost, focusing on the Gospel of Luke and its themes of discipleship, urgency, and the cost of following Jesus. They explore the significance of Elisha's inheritance and leadership, the prayerful reflections in Psalm 16, and the implications of freedom in Galatians. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the context and urgency of Jesus' message, as well as the communal aspects of...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Sermon Brainwave podcast, Profs. Karoline Lewis, Matt Skinner, and Rolf Jacobson reflect on the profound significance of Good Friday, diving into the assigned texts from Isaiah 52–53, Psalm 22, and the Passion narrative in John.
Together, they unpack the emotional weight of the day and the challenge of preaching on such a solemn occasion. From Jesus’ final words to the deep context behind these powerful scriptures, this conversation invites preachers—and all listeners—to engage with the themes of suffering, love, and the human experience.
📖 Whether you're preparing a sermon or seeking spiritual insight, this episode offers meaningful reflections on the depth of Good Friday.
Commentaries for Good Friday can be found on the Working Preacher website at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/good-friday/commentary-on-john-181-1942-17.
⏰Timecodes⏰
00:00 Welcome to Holy Week 2025
01:20 Exploring Good Friday Texts
03:19 The Significance of Jesus' Last Words
07:20 The Challenge of Good Friday Preaching
09:14 Understanding Psalm 22 in Context
11:23 Insights from Isaiah 52-53
14:08 Discipleship and Denial at the Cross
15:32 Outro
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Reminder: We have commentaries for the Revised Common Lectionary, the Narrative Lectionary, and Evangelio (Spanish-language Gospel). We're here for you, working preachers!
Learn more by visiting https://www.workingpreacher.org/.
Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/ba-hBYLZmc0.