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 23:27-43 – Christ the King 11/17/2025

Luke 23:27-43 – Christ the King On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson take up Christ the King Sunday texts. Here, they try to speak of Christ's true kingship as the sovereign of a new kingdom ruled by God's grace instead of the law. For those oppressed by accusation and judgment, this is surely good news. Paulson and Hoyum also provide an update on the future of the show. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/39067355

Luke 21:5-36 – Pentecost 23 (C) 11/11/2025

Luke 21:5-36 – Pentecost 23 (C) On this episode, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson talk about the end of times according to Jesus in the gospel of Luke. Much of the problem with the end times revolves around the issue of preparation, which the legalist assumes means preparation of the self through holiness which will be vindicated in the end times. But Christ warns against this, since he alone as giver of grace and forgiveness stands at the end of history itself. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/38989675

Luke 20:27-40 – Pentecost 22 (C) 11/04/2025

Luke 20:27-40 – Pentecost 22 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the question of marriage and the resurrection. The Saduccees are skeptics of the resurrection, but Jesus teaches the resurrection from the books of Moses. However, we see that the resurrection is not a matter of the law and obedience but of the gospel and faith. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/38905005

Luke 19:1-10 – All Saints (C) 10/27/2025

Luke 19:1-10 – All Saints (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson suggest taking the readings for the Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost to preach All Saints. They go through the story of Zacchaeus the tax collector who goes out to see Jesus. In return, Zacchaeus finds out that Christ was coming out to find him and bring salvation to his house. This is how Christ makes saints: by justifying the sinner by his grace. The Virgil Thompson essay mentioned can be found Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/38798040

John 8:31-36 – Reformation (C) 10/20/2025

John 8:31-36 – Reformation (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the texts for Reformation Sunday. Specifically, they focus on Christ's words about freedom from John 8, where Jesus is disputing with the Jews in the temple. Here we find that freedom in the gospel is freedom from sin and the law's power to accuse. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/38699055

Luke 18:1-18 – Pentecost 19 (C) 10/13/2025

Luke 18:1-18 – Pentecost 19 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the nature of prayer in connection to the parable of the unjust judge. Here we see what it means to pray in faith that God will grant what we ask, since we ask on the basis of what he has already promised. The lesson of the parable isn't the insistence of prayer or the reluctance of God, but rather speed and generosity of God's answers to prayer. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/38568590

Luke 17:11-19 – Pentecost 18 (C) 10/06/2025

Luke 17:11-19 – Pentecost 18 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss Luke's account of Christ's healing of the ten lepers. Jesus directs the ten to go and show themselves to the priests in accord with the prescriptions of the law. But only one, a Samaritan, returns to give thanks to God. It is through this one that we see the working of healing outside the law and in the word of the gospel and faith which claims this message. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/38487200

Luke 17:1-10 – Pentecost 17 (C) 09/29/2025

Luke 17:1-10 – Pentecost 17 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the parable of the unworthy servants. Given this text's place in the history of theology and in the Lutheran understanding of law and gospel, they go into some detail on the fact that the law is a system of merit, debt, and duty. Under its rule, all things are owed. Under the gospel, there is no system of merit and duty, and its gifts are given without compulsion or requirement. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/38399705

Luke 16:19-31 – Pentecost 16 (C) 09/22/2025

Luke 16:19-31 – Pentecost 16 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the difference between heaven and hell. To our common imagination, heaven is a good place for good people, and hell a bad place for bad people. Christ's teaching disrupts this common conception, showing that works and righteousness count for nothing in the end, but only the promise of Christ for sinners. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/38303080

Luke 16:1-15 – Pentecost 15 (C) 09/15/2025

Luke 16:1-15 – Pentecost 15 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the parable of the dishonest manager in Luke's gospel, which they rename it as the parable of the "wiley pastor." The commendable manager uses the absolution – the forgiveness of debt – as generously as he can, in order to gain friends for himself. Likewise, preachers ought to give the absolution as frequently as possible, since it is the best thing in life. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/38219960

Luke 15:1-10 – Pentecost 14 (C) 09/08/2025

Luke 15:1-10 – Pentecost 14 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss Luke's parable of the Lost Sheep. With the shepherd who seeks out the one lost sheep, leaving the other ninety-nine, we see the scandal of God's grace and the recklessness of Christ who seeks out the sinner. We also see that repentance is not something we do, but something that is properly done to us by Christ with his words of law and gospel. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/38124630

Luke 14:25-35 – Pentecost 13 (C) 09/01/2025

Luke 14:25-35 – Pentecost 13 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss taking up one's cross, hating father and mother, and being a disciple of Christ. What we find in Christ's preaching of the law is that the law will eventually bring sinners to the point of hating parents, hating self, and hating God himself. Once the law has worked this despair of all works and their righteousness, only then can we hear the gospel come in and testify to a different kind of righteousness given in Jesus Christ. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/38043335

Luke 14:1-14 – Pentecost 12 (C) 08/25/2025

Luke 14:1-14 – Pentecost 12 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the way of humility, and the false theories about how to become humble. Though we often are tempted to humble ourselves before God in order to gain his approval, true righteousness and justification comes from God. There we can see that humility is something God lays upon us – not something we take up ourselves. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/37906950

Luke 13:22-30 – Pentecost 11 (C) 08/20/2025

Luke 13:22-30 – Pentecost 11 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss divine election. From this text – where Jesus gets a question about the number of people who will be saved – we see that sinners approach God's choice in terms of the law, the only thing they know. But those who come to God with no works or law-keeping to offer know in faith that God chooses by giving a promise to those who do not deserve it. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/37893385

Luke 12:49-53 – Pentecost 10 (C) 08/13/2025

Luke 12:49-53 – Pentecost 10 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss Christ's teaching that he comes to bring judgment, not peace. Jesus arrives with both law and gospel, and in this text, he proclaims the judgment of God against human sin and the division between people that arises because of it. This is the baptism of judgment he undergoes at the cross, making way for the baptism of death and life bestowed upon the Christian in the holy sacrament. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/37806685

Luke 12:22-34 – Pentecost 9 (C) 08/05/2025

Luke 12:22-34 – Pentecost 9 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson take up Christ's teaching on anxiety. Jesus tells the disciples, first of all, not to be afraid about their life day by day. This doesn't take away the anxiety, but intensifies it. But it's his concluding, direct statement which casts out all anxiety: fear not, little flock, for it is the Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/37688200

Luke 12:13-21 – Pentecost 8 (C) 07/28/2025

Luke 12:13-21 – Pentecost 8 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson take up an inquiry of the crowd with Jesus in which a man asks him to divide his inheritance between himself and his brother. In the course of their conversation, Jesus tells a parable to teach about the danger of coveteousness, and the problem of placing faith in earthly goods. Such goods are gifts of God alone whom faith trusts. This text also brings out the question of Jesus' status as our judge – not according to the law, but according to the gospel. Essay: Gerhard O. Forde's "The Apocalpytic No and the Eschatological Yes: Reflections, Suspicions, Fears, and Hopes" can be found in A More Radical Gospel: Essays on Eschatology, Authority, Atonement, and Ecumenism, edited by Mark C. Mattes and Steven D. Paulson (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2017). Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/37582035

Luke 11:1-13 – Pentecost 7 (C) 07/21/2025

Luke 11:1-13 – Pentecost 7 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss Luke's account of Christ's teaching of the Lord's Prayer. With each of these petitions, we see how Christ teaches us to pray for all the good gifts that God promises. In this way, we can see how true holiness in prayer is not according to law and merit but gospel and grace. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/37487330

Luke 10:38-42 – Pentecost 6 (C) 07/14/2025

Luke 10:38-42 – Pentecost 6 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the story of Mary and Martha. One of the important things Jesus emphasizes here in his discussion with Martha is the value of the passive life: true life in God is found not in the activity of service, or life under the law, but in the passivity of hearing. To have the better portion is to be a listener of God's gracious word, not one who strives for obedience. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/37401430

Luke 10:25-37 – Pentecost 5 (C) 07/08/2025

Luke 10:25-37 – Pentecost 5 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss Luke's account of Christ's conversation with the lawyer and the parable of the Good Samaritan. Though we normally think of this parable as an example to us in serving the neighbor, we see that Jesus is in fact indicting this man for his sin and his own failure before the law's judgment. Then we can see that Christ is the true Good Samaritan who rescues people from their sins. Show Notes: Fundraiser! What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/37341020

Luke 10:1-20 – Pentecost 4 (C) 06/30/2025

Luke 10:1-20 – Pentecost 4 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the sending of the seventy-two preachers. We learn here that Christ's word is met often with rejection, which should not discourage the preacher. Rather, the word of the gospel will create faith in the sinner, and instigate rejection in the proud. Show Notes: Fundraiser! What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/37215300

Luke 9:51-62 – Pentecost 3 (C) 06/23/2025

Luke 9:51-62 – Pentecost 3 (C) On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the two words the preacher is called to give: the binding word, and the loosing word. Though it is not always the time to bind up the sins of the dead, the main word of the gospel is that of resurrection. The righteousness of the dead is the forgiveness of sins into the life of Christ's kingdom which does not operate according to the law. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/1a402272-440f-4780-bcf2-a22817006ef4/id/37110155

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

Preaching The Text

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