#1026: Seventh Sunday of Easter - June 01, 2025
Working Preacher's Sermon Brainwave
Release Date: 05/19/2025
Sermon Brainwave 1043: Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost - September 28, 2025
Working Preacher's Sermon Brainwave
Join Karoline Lewis, Matt Skinner, and Rolf Jacobson for Sermon Brainwave as they dive deep into the lectionary readings for the 16th Sunday After Pentecost (September 28, 2025). In this thought-provoking episode, the hosts explore the parable of the rich man and Lazarus from Luke 16:19-31, examining themes of wealth, justice, and what it truly takes for someone to repent. They discuss how this challenging parable connects to broader themes in Luke's Gospel, from the Sermon on the Plain to stories of transformation like Zacchaeus. The conversation also covers the prophetic voices of Amos...
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Sermon Brainwave 1042: Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost - September 21, 2025
Working Preacher's Sermon Brainwave
Join Rolf Jacobson, Karoline Lewis, and Matt Skinner for another insightful episode of Sermon Brainwave as they dive deep into the challenging lectionary readings for September 21st, 2025. This week's discussion tackles some of the most complex biblical texts around wealth, justice, and faithful living. Our hosts offer practical preaching insights while acknowledging the complexity of these texts, especially the puzzling parable in Luke 16. They emphasize the importance of understanding Jesus's teachings on wealth within Luke's broader theological framework. Commentaries for the Fifteenth...
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Sermon Brainwave 1041: Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost - September 14, 2025
Working Preacher's Sermon Brainwave
Join Profs. Matt Skinner, Karoline Lewis, and Rolf Jacobson for another insightful episode of Sermon Brainwave as they dive deep into the lectionary texts for the 14th Sunday after Pentecost (September 14, 2025). In this episode, the hosts explore the powerful contrast between grumbling and joy found in Luke 15:1-10, where Jesus tells the parables of the lost sheep and lost coin. They discuss how these stories reveal God's character as one who celebrates finding the lost, and examine why the Pharisees and scribes struggled with Jesus's radical inclusivity at the table. The conversation also...
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Sermon Brainwave 1040: Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost - September 07, 2025
Working Preacher's Sermon Brainwave
Join Karoline Lewis, Matt Skinner, and Rolf Jacobson as they dive deep into the challenging texts for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost (September 7, 2025). This Rally Sunday episode tackles some of the most difficult discipleship passages in Scripture, including Jesus' radical call to "hate" family in Luke 14:25-33 and the powerful "choose life" message from Deuteronomy 30. The hosts explore what it truly means to count the cost of discipleship, examining Jesus' hyperbolic language about hating family members and giving up all possessions. They discuss how these challenging texts might actually...
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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...
info_outlineWelcome to another thought-provoking episode of Sermon Brainwave! This week, our hosts Karoline Lewis, Matt Skinner, and Rolf Jacobson discuss the texts for the Seventh Sunday of Easter, focusing on John 17's Priestly Prayer, the significance of glory in John's Gospel, and the challenges faced by Paul in Acts 16. They explore the story of the enslaved girl, the power of prayer and praise in adversity, and provide liturgical reflections on the Psalm and Revelation, emphasizing God's presence and promise amidst trials.
✨ Whether you’re preparing to preach or simply longing to deepen your spiritual insight, this episode will equip you with fresh angles, biblical depth, and a few laughs along the way.
Commentaries for the Seventh Sunday of Easter can be found on the Working Preacher website at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/seventh-sunday-of-easter-3/commentary-on-john-1720-26-6.
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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/T6Paog8Pd6M.