Preaching The Text

Preaching The Text examines the weekly Bible Readings from the three-year lectionary. Dr. Steven Paulson and pastor John Hoyum present these Scripture readings with a particular emphasis on how the Gospel is proclaimed and heard in weekly preaching.

Luke 8:26-39 – Pentecost 2 (C) 06/16/2025

Luke 8:26-39 – Pentecost 2 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the exorcism of the Gerasene demoniac. This man, inhabited by many demons and the object of derision for his neighbors, is iconic of a person trapped under the burden of the law. Paulson and Hoyum show how the healing ministry of Jesus sets people free from such burdens into a new life of faith. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/37025650

John 8:48-59 – Holy Trinity (C) 06/09/2025

John 8:48-59 – Holy Trinity (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the texts for Holy Trinity Sunday. The doctrine of the Trinity is known as the first of the majestic articles of the Christian faith, and stands at the center of the gospel itself. In the teaching that God is one, yet three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – the truth of our salvation comes not as an idea, but as the reality of new life and freedom for sinners redeemed by Christ. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/36921735

John 14:23-31 – Pentecost (C) 06/02/2025

John 14:23-31 – Pentecost (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson take up the texts for Pentecost. Here we ground the promise of Pentecost not in an ecstatic experience of the Spirit unclothed in the word, nor in the law which requires obedience, but rather in the gift and promise of baptism to which the Holy Spirit is attached. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/36620845

John 17:20-26 – Easter 7 (C) 05/26/2025

John 17:20-26 – Easter 7 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson continue their discussion of Christ's preaching in John during Holy Week. The unity of the church is an often-disputed topic that has elicited numerous opinions from theologians and church officials about how to achieve it. In this text, we see how the gospel of Christ is the ground of the church's unity in him – unity is therefore not something we accomplish through our own efforts, but something Christ bestows on the church as a gift. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/36620810

John 16:23-33 – Easter 6 (C) 05/19/2025

John 16:23-33 – Easter 6 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steven Paulson continue their discussion of Jesus' so-called "farewell discourse" from John's gospel. They suggest instead that this be understood as Christ's arrival discourse, or sermon. The key truth of this text is Christ's declaration: "I have overcome the world." That is its main comfort, and what any sermon on this reading should focus upon. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/36620680

John 16:12-22 – Easter 5 (C) 05/12/2025

John 16:12-22 – Easter 5 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. In this text, the Holy Spirit is witness is only to Jesus Christ and no other. To speak in the Spirit is to speak only of Jesus Christ and his forgiveness. No other word will do. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/36433370

John 10:22-33 – Easter 4 (C) 05/05/2025

John 10:22-33 – Easter 4 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steven Paulson discuss the great saying of Jesus that he is the Good Shepherd. We learn from Christ that his choice of us is irrevocable, but those apart from him are to be lost due to their unfaith. Should anyone doubt their salvation and Christ's assurance, they must be directed back to this great promise of the Shepherd that no one will be lost from his hand. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/36433260

John 21:1-19 – Easter 3 (C) 04/30/2025

John 21:1-19 – Easter 3 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the story of Christ and Peter going fishing with the disciples and having breakfast. Peter displays his ongoing misunderstanding of the ministry of Jesus for an earthly kingdom rather than a spiritual kingdom. John's account delights in Peter's misapprehension, given that he is the beloved disciple for no merit or reason at all. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/36376000

John 20:19-31 – Easter 2 (C) 04/21/2025

John 20:19-31 – Easter 2 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the charter of all evangelical proclamation: Christ's appearance to the disciples on Easter according to John's telling. Here we learn that the purpose of the church is the forgiveness of sins, and that Christ's work of giving peace to troubled consciences convinces us of the truth that he has taken our sins and defeated them in his suffering and death. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/36155970

Luke 24:1-12 – Easter Sunday (C) 04/15/2025

Luke 24:1-12 – Easter Sunday (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss Luke's account of the empty tomb. What we learn from this story is that the prospect of Christ's absence from the tomb is initially perplexing and frightening for both the women and the apostles. This is because the law remains in their consciences, threatening them with punishment for their betrayal. Resurrection will only become good news when Christ appears and applies his word of forgiveness. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/36155935

John 19:17-30 – Good Friday (C) 04/15/2025

John 19:17-30 – Good Friday (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the main reading from John's gospel concerning the death of Christ. Here we see that Christ's death brings to an end the punishment for sin in the work of the law, which is why Christ says, "It is finished," and dies. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/36155890

Luke 22:7-20 – Maundy Thursday 04/15/2025

Luke 22:7-20 – Maundy Thursday On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss Luke's account of the institution of the Lord's Supper. Here we learn that Christ's testament for us is not simply a remembrance of a past act brought to mind by merely symbolic gestures, but the real presence of Christ's body and blood, given and shed for us to eat and drink for the forgiveness of sins. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/36155825

Luke 22:39-46 – Palm Sunday 04/08/2025

Luke 22:39-46 – Palm Sunday On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss Luke's account of Christ's prayer in Gethsemane. Here we see Christ's obedience to the Father outside of and apart from the law. Though Christ is under the law and its punishment on the cross, the power of his forgiveness comes from the mercy, not the judgment, of God. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/36055405

Luke 20:9-20 – Lent 5 (C) 04/01/2025

Luke 20:9-20 – Lent 5 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson take up Christ's parable of the wicked tenants. We see in this text a reference to Isaiah's image of Israel as a vineyard planted by the Lord which is taken over by wicked tenants. The heart of this passage is the ground of our election: though sinners are tempted to believe that their obedience to the law is the source of election, Christ teaches that his mercy for sinners is the basis of his choice. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/35962145

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 – Lent 4 (C) 03/25/2025

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 – Lent 4 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the parable of the Prodigal Son. As with all parables, our task is to place ourselves in them and learn something. This episode goes through the story Jesus tells to reveal how law and gospel should be distinguished, and how this parable can be applied to you for the sake of gospel comfort. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/35858490

Luke 13:1-9 – Lent 3 (C) 03/18/2025

Luke 13:1-9 – Lent 3 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss a story of Jesus in which he speaks of a tree not bearing fruit. In this parable, the fruitless tree is threatened with being cut down. But the vinedresser intercedes for the tree, asking to dig around it and put manure on the tree. This is the gospel, which bears fruit in us by faith apart from the law. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/35751075

Luke 13:31-35 – Lent 2 (C) 03/12/2025

Luke 13:31-35 – Lent 2 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss Christ's encounter with some disingenuous Pharisees who warn him that Herod intends to kill him. Jesus then describes how he must eventually go to Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets, because his death is coming soon. But we also hear from Jesus a clear teaching about repentance, in which the law and the gospel work together on the sinner who repents passively before God. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/35656055

Luke 4:1-13 – Lent 1 (C) 03/04/2025

Luke 4:1-13 – Lent 1 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the temptation of Christ in the wilderness according to Luke's narrative. As Luke's story indicates, Jesus exemplifies how the devil misunderstands the distinction of law and gospel, since he thinks he can use the law to tempt Christ to hand over his divinity. Christ counters the devil at each turn with God's word, which is the encouragement that we require when dealing with temptation ourselves – especially during the Lenten season. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: Take 20% Off Our Lenten Devotionals until March 5th: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/35530930

Luke 4:1-13 – Lent 1 (C) 03/04/2025

Luke 9:28-36 – Transfiguration (C) 02/26/2025

Luke 9:28-36 – Transfiguration (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss Luke's account of the Transfiguration. We see here the culmination of the Epiphany season, because this is the greatest revelation of Christ's identity to the disciples prior to Holy Week. The voice of the Father directs us to find the revelation of God – fully and finally – in Christ alone, and nowhere else. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: Take 20% Off Our Lenten Devotionals until March 5th: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/35444230

Luke 6:27-38 – Epiphany 7 (C) 02/20/2025

Luke 6:27-38 – Epiphany 7 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson continue their discussion of the Sermon on the Plain. Christ preaches the law so as to show its limit. That limit gestures toward the gospel which gives a new obedience apart from the law according to faith. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: Take 20% Off Our Lenten Devotionals until March 5th: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/35361825

Luke 6:17-26 – Epiphany 6 (C) 02/10/2025

Luke 6:17-26 – Epiphany 6 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss Luke's account of the beatitudes in the Sermon on the Plain. However, we caution our hearers not to take this sermon as the manifestation, or epiphany, of Christ because it is not a revelation of the gospel, but rather a revelation of the law. If these beatitudes aren't properly identified, then Christ becomes a higher and better lawgiver than Moses, instead of our savior from sin, death, and the law's condemnation. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/35151220

Luke 5:1-11 – Epiphany 5 (C) 02/04/2025

Luke 5:1-11 – Epiphany 5 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss Luke's account of the calling of Peter and the other disciples. Christ's calling to Peter is now to take leave of fishing and instead to preach. Peter's faith is on display in this text, since he must ignore what his experience as a fisherman tells him and instead believe all things according to the word of Jesus Christ. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/35150965

Luke 2:22-40 – Presentation of Our Lord (C) 01/29/2025

Luke 2:22-40 – Presentation of Our Lord (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the song of Simeon from Luke 2. The main point of Simeon's song is that the promise of the Messiah's coming is now fulfilled in his sight, such that he can be free to die in the knowledge of the Savior. However, Simeon also identifies the response to the gospel, which is often bitter. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/35070970

Luke 4:16-30 – Epiphany 3 (C) 01/20/2025

Luke 4:16-30 – Epiphany 3 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the first sermon of Jesus in the synagogue in Nazareth. This story inaugurates the ministry of Jesus as preacher and healer. Here we see that Christ's preaching begins with a different word from the law. In fact, Christ preaches the gospel which is received by the congregation as a gracious word. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/34901455

John 2:1-11 – Epiphany 2 (C) 01/13/2025

John 2:1-11 – Epiphany 2 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson take up the story of the wedding feast at Cana. In this story, we see Christ's transformation of purity. By taking up the water used for rites of purification and turning it into wine, he shows the end of purification according to the law, and the new kind of purification that comes through the gospel. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/34759760

Luke 3:15-22 – Baptism of Our Lord (C) 01/07/2025

Luke 3:15-22 – Baptism of Our Lord (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the baptism of Jesus according to Luke's retelling. We see the connection to Epiphany in this text because of a revelation of what forgiveness of sins means. Before Christ's coming, forgiveness was given and people were baptized by John in anticipation of Christ's coming. Now being baptized, Jesus has revealed himself as savior from sin – not as one to be anticipated, but as one who has presently arrived. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/34759565

Luke 2:40-52 – Christmas 2 (C) 12/30/2024

Luke 2:40-52 – Christmas 2 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss Christ's adolescent visit at the temple where his parents leave him behind by accident. In his questioning of the rabbis at the temple, and the relationship of Jesus to the temple, we see his twofold and contradictory relationship with the law of God. As God, he is Lord of the law, capable of judging it and setting it aside; but as man, he willingly goes beneath it to be our sacrifice and atonement for sin. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/34629265

Luke 2:22-40 – Christmas 1 (C) 12/27/2024

Luke 2:22-40 – Christmas 1 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the dedication of Christ at the temple. Here the law of primogeniture – the birthright of the firstborn – is bestowed upon Christ – but not, in this case, as a blessing but as his curse. Here, we see Christ going under the law as our substitute and sacrifice, such that he promises a salvation which comes apart from the law. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/34629225

Luke 1:39-45 – Advent 4 (C) 12/19/2024

Luke 1:39-45 – Advent 4 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth while both are pregnant – Mary with Jesus, and Elizabeth with John. We see here the greeting of Mary is an effective word which creates faith in Elizabeth, and faithful joy in the baby, John, who resides in her womb. Not only is this text a story about infant faith, but it's also about God's word which creates that faith when and where God pleases. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/34528495

Preaching The Text

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