On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson examine a number of topics brought up by Jesus in Matthew 18. Some of the discussion between Jesus and his disciples includes who is greatest in the kingdom of God. But as Jesus indicates, the kingdom of God doesn't use the law's measurement to grade hierarchy. This episode also touches on the instructions Jesus gives for dealing with excommunication and reconciliation with those in need of the forgiveness of sins.

Show Notes:

• 1517 Podcast Survey

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• 1517 Podcasts

• The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

• 1517 on Youtube

What's New from 1517:

• Faith and Reason Exchange @ 1517.org

• 2023 HWSS Conference Livestream Signup

• Join the 1517 Academy

• Faith in the Face of Tyranny

More from the hosts:

• John Hoyum

• Steven Paulson

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss two important items from Matthew's gospel: Christ's rebuke of Peter and the importance of self-denial. We learn from Christ about how to address the devil when he enters a person to give a temptation. We also talk about how self-denial and taking up the cross happen in the life of vocation and service to neighbor.

Show Notes:

• 1517 Podcast Network Survey

• Support 1517

• 1517 Podcasts

• The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

• 1517 on Youtube

What's New from 1517:

• Faith and Reason Exchange @ Apple Podcasts

• Faith and Reason Exchange @ 1517.org

• Join the 1517 Academy

More from the hosts:

• John Hoyum

• Steven Paulson

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the confession of Peter concerning the true divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ. We learn that Peter's confession is the foundation of the church, against which the power of hell cannot prevail. But the power of confession isn't found in the ones making the confession; rather, the power of confession is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

Show Notes:

• 1517 Podcast Network Survey

• Support 1517

• 1517 Podcasts

• The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

• 1517 on Youtube

What's New from 1517:

• Join the 1517 Academy

• Freedom Lessons Street Team

• Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment by Bradley Gray

More from the hosts:

• John Hoyum

• Steven Paulson

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the story of the Canaanite woman who begs that he heal her daughter. Though Jesus at first sounds like he's giving a word of condemnation, this woman's faith allows her to extract a promise from Christ. So we learn that faith always seeks a promise from Christ even when it sounds like he's giving a message of judgment.

Show Notes:

• 1517 Podcast Network Survey

• Support 1517

• 1517 Podcasts

• The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

• 1517 on Youtube

What's New from 1517:

• Join the 1517 Academy

• Freedom Lessons Street Team

• Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment by Bradley Gray

More from the hosts:

• John Hoyum

• Steven Paulson

On this episode of Preaching the Text, Steven Paulson and John Hoyum discuss the story of Christ walking on water and the drowning of Peter. Contrary to a common image of the church as a ship in which we are safe, this text shows how faith in Christ resists and survives the trials and tribulations of life. Instead of making this text about Peter as our example, this episode emphasizes the chasm between faith and unfaith.

Show Notes:

• Support 1517

• 1517 Podcasts

• The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

• 1517 on Youtube

What's New from 1517:

• Join the 1517 Academy

• Freedom Lessons Street Team

• Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment by Bradley Gray

More from the hosts:

• John Hoyum

• Steven Paulson

On this episode of Preaching the Text, Steve Paulson and John Hoyum unpack the story of the feeding of the 5000, or the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. The highlights of this episode include a discussion of how this text has been abused in reference to the Lord's Supper. This episode shows how in this gospel reading, Christ demonstrates his compassion for both body and soul. His grace includes both our earthly need for food and our spiritual need for his salvation.

Show Notes:

• Support 1517

• 1517 Podcasts

• The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

• 1517 on Youtube

What's New from 1517:

• Join the 1517 Academy

• Freedom Lessons Street Team

• Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment by Bradley Gray

More from the hosts:

• John Hoyum

• Steven Paulson

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the parable of buried treasure. Here we see that Jesus compares us to the buried treasure, and God to the hired servant who gives all he has to purchase the field. The goal of the sermon isn't to draw peoples' attention to the comparison, but to give them the gospel promise that Christ has indeed given all he has to rescue us from sin and death.

Show Notes:

• Support 1517

• 1517 Podcasts

• The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

• 1517 on Youtube

What's New from 1517:

• Freedom Lessons Street Team

• The New Quest for Paul and His Reading of the Old Testament by Timo Laato

• Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment by Bradley Gray

More from the hosts:

• John Hoyum

• Steven Paulson

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the parable of the seed that grows while the hired men are sleeping. We learn from this parable that the growth of the gospel in those who hear it doesn't depend on the hard work and diligence of the preacher, but on the power of the word of God given as a promise. Like Luther once said, we preached and drank Wittenberg beer, but God gave the growth to the word of the gospel preached.

Preaching the Text:

Show Notes:

• Support 1517

• 1517 Podcasts

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What's New from 1517:

• Freedom Lessons Street Team

• The New Quest for Paul and His Reading of the Old Testament by Timo Laato

• Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment by Bradley Gray

More from the hosts:

• John Hoyum

• Steven Paulson

On this episode of Preaching the Text, Steve Paulson unpacks the famous parable of the sower. Because of technical difficulties, this week's episode is a monologue and so is somewhat shorter than usual. Paulson contends that preaching this text requires us to focus on Christ's explanation of why he speaks in parables – which is to confuse and condemn, rather than to illuminate and justify. The goal of preaching this parable is to make your hearers into the good soil but giving them the promise of Christ.

Show Notes:

• Support 1517

• 1517 Podcasts

• The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

• 1517 on Youtube

What's New from 1517:

• Freedom Lessons Street Team

• The New Quest for Paul and His Reading of the Old Testament by Timo Laato

• Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment by Bradley Gray

More from the hosts:

• John Hoyum

• Steven Paulson

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the way in which Christ relieves us of our burdens, whether burdens of sin or burdens of suffering. Christ reveals the mystery hidden from the wise and understanding, which is that the final judgment is not the law's judgment, but the gospel's forgiveness. And the forgiveness of sins is good news both for the wicked and those who suffer.

Preaching the Text:

Show Notes:

• Support the Podcast Network Fundraiser

• 1517 Podcasts

• The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

• 1517 on Youtube

What's New from 1517:

• The New Quest for Paul and His Reading of the Old Testament by Timo Laato

• Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment by Bradley Gray

More from the hosts:

• John Hoyum

• Steven Paulson