Sermon Brainwave from Working Preacher

Join Profs. Matt Skinner, Karoline Lewis, and Rolf Jacobson as they explore the lectionary readings for the First Sunday of Christmas on December 28, 2025.

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Join Profs. Matt Skinner, Karoline Lewis, and Rolf Jacobson as they explore the lectionary readings for Christmas Day (Proper III), Year A.

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During Working Preacher's fall fundraising campaign, we're celebrating our website's upcoming 19th birthday! Thank you for your generous support of Working Preacher.

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Join Profs. Rolf Jacobson, Karoline Lewis, and Matt Skinner for Christmas Eve: Nativity of Our Lord on December 24, 2025.

Commentaries for Christmas Eve: Nativity of Our Lord can be found on the Working Preacher website at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/christmas-eve-nativity-of-our-lord/commentary-on-luke-21-14-15-20-28.

Join Profs. Rolf Jacobson, Karoline Lewis, and Matt Skinner for Christmas Eve: Nativity of Our Lord on December 24, 2025.

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Support Working Preacher this month!

During Working Preacher's fall fundraising campaign, we're celebrating our website's upcoming 19th birthday! Thank you for your generous support of Working Preacher.

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Join Profs. Rolf Jacobson, Karoline Lewis, and Matt Skinner for the Fourth Sunday of Advent on December 21, 2025.

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Support Working Preacher this month!

During Working Preacher's fall fundraising campaign, we're celebrating our website's upcoming 19th birthday! Thank you for your generous support of Working Preacher.

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Join hosts Rolf Jacobson, Karoline Lewis, and Matt Skinner for this Third Sunday of Advent episode as they explore John the Baptist's profound question from prison: "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" (Matthew 11:2-11)

The hosts examine John's struggle with doubt and disappointment while imprisoned by Herod Antipas, offering a deeply human perspective on faith when reality doesn't match expectations. They explore how Jesus responds not with rebuke but with evidence of the kingdom unfolding: the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, and the dead are raised.

Karoline suggests building a sermon around John's central question, exploring themes of expectation, waiting, and what we're actually looking forward to in Jesus' coming. Matt highlights how Jesus' answer reveals kingdom work happening one person at a time rather than through dramatic displays of power, connecting this back to the vision of the Sermon on the Mount from just four chapters earlier.

The conversation delves into the meaning of "blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me" and discusses how this might be a subtle correction to John's expectations about the pacing and style of messianic work. The hosts emphasize the importance of "go and tell what you hear and see" as an Advent practice of noticing where God is already at work.

The James reading introduces patience as a necessary Advent practice, though the hosts humorously acknowledge how difficult it is to hear "just be patient" when you're suffering or waiting for change. They explore the tension between John's radical immediacy and James' call to patient endurance.

Commentaries for the Third Sunday of Advent can be found on the Working Preacher website at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/third-sunday-of-advent/commentary-on-matthew-112-11-7.

⏰Timecodes⏰ 00:00 Introduction to Advent and Scripture Readings 01:15 John the Baptist's Doubts and Expectations 04:49 Jesus' Response to Doubts and the Nature of His Mission 10:16 Exploring Isaiah's Prophetic Message 18:45 The Role of the Psalm in Advent 22:06 Patience and Waiting in Advent 23:34 Outro

* * *

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share to stay connected with more insightful lectionary discussions!

Reminder: We have commentaries for the Revised Common Lectionary, the Narrative Lectionary, and Evangelio (Spanish-language Gospel). We're here for you, working preachers!

ABOUT SERMON BRAINWAVE: Sermon Brainwave is a production of Luther Seminary's Working Preacher, which has been providing trusted biblical interpretation and preaching inspiration since 2007.

Find more episodes and resources by visiting https://www.workingpreacher.org/.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/Q0ZtcMuVm2U.

Join hosts Rolf Jacobson, Karoline Lewis, and Matt Skinner for this Third Sunday of Advent episode as they explore John the Baptist's profound question from prison: "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" (Matthew 11:2-11)

The hosts examine John's struggle with doubt and disappointment while imprisoned by Herod Antipas, offering a deeply human perspective on faith when reality doesn't match expectations. They explore how Jesus responds not with rebuke but with evidence of the kingdom unfolding: the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, and the dead are raised.

Karoline suggests building a sermon around John's central question, exploring themes of expectation, waiting, and what we're actually looking forward to in Jesus' coming. Matt highlights how Jesus' answer reveals kingdom work happening one person at a time rather than through dramatic displays of power, connecting this back to the vision of the Sermon on the Mount from just four chapters earlier.

The conversation delves into the meaning of "blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me" and discusses how this might be a subtle correction to John's expectations about the pacing and style of messianic work. The hosts emphasize the importance of "go and tell what you hear and see" as an Advent practice of noticing where God is already at work.

The James reading introduces patience as a necessary Advent practice, though the hosts humorously acknowledge how difficult it is to hear "just be patient" when you're suffering or waiting for change. They explore the tension between John's radical immediacy and James' call to patient endurance.

Mentioned in this episode:

Support Working Preacher this month!

During Working Preacher's fall fundraising campaign, we're celebrating our website's upcoming 19th birthday! Thank you for your generous support of Working Preacher.

Support Working Preacher

Join Profs. Matt Skinner, Karoline Lewis, and Rolf Jacobson as they explore the lectionary readings for the Second Sunday of Advent, Year A, featuring John the Baptist's prophetic ministry and Isaiah's vision of the peaceable kingdom.

In this episode, the hosts examine John the Baptist's dramatic appearance in Matthew's gospel, styled after Elijah as the forerunner to the Messiah. They discuss why John positions himself in the wilderness, his confrontational message to the religious authorities ("brood of vipers"), and how his call to repentance mirrors Jesus' own first words of ministry. The conversation explores John's anti-establishment stance, his popularity in first-century Palestine, and how his expectations of Jesus differed from the ministry that actually unfolded.

The discussion of Isaiah 11 delves into the promise of a righteous ruler from Jesse's stump and the beautiful poetry of the peaceable kingdom where wolves dwell with lambs and lions eat straw like oxen. The hosts reflect on how this impossible vision confronts the tragic reality of human nature and our inability to solve our own brokenness, pointing to God's solution in Jesus. Karoline highlights the image of righteousness and faithfulness as the very clothing of the Messiah.

The Romans passage brings Paul's climactic call for radical welcome and unity between Jewish and Gentile believers, with Rolf emphasizing the power of blessing as a way God's preferred future breaks into the present moment. The hosts explore two benedictions that offer steadfastness, encouragement, hope, joy, and peace through the Holy Spirit.

⏰Timecodes⏰

00:00 Introduction to Advent and Scripture Readings

03:02 The Role of John the Baptist

05:58 John's Message and Expectations

09:02 The Imagery of Judgment and Mercy

12:00 Isaiah's Vision of the Peaceable Kingdom

18:05 Psalm 72: The Ideal King

19:59 Paul's Call for Unity in Romans

* * *

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share to stay connected with more insightful lectionary discussions!

Reminder: We have commentaries for the Revised Common Lectionary, the Narrative Lectionary, and Evangelio (Spanish-language Gospel). We're here for you, working preachers!

ABOUT SERMON BRAINWAVE:

Sermon Brainwave is a production of Luther Seminary's Working Preacher, which has been providing trusted biblical interpretation and preaching inspiration since 2007.

Mentioned in this episode:

Support Working Preacher this month!

During Working Preacher's fall fundraising campaign, we're celebrating our website's upcoming 19th birthday! Thank you for your generous support of Working Preacher.

Support Working Preacher

Join Matt Skinner, Karoline Lewis, and Rolf Jacobson for the Sermon Brainwave podcast as they explore the texts for the First Sunday of Advent, Year A. This episode kicks off the new church year with a deep dive into themes of watchfulness, waiting, and Christ's coming in history, mystery, and majesty.

In this episode, the hosts discuss: * Isaiah 2:1-5 and the vision of peace among nations * Psalm 122 and Jerusalem as a means of grace * Romans 13:11-14 on waking from sleep and walking in the light * Matthew 24:36-44 and the mystery of Christ's coming

The conversation addresses common misinterpretations of the "rapture" theology, examines what it means to be ready and watchful during Advent, and reflects on the contested reality of Jerusalem today in contrast to the biblical vision of peace. Plus, hear about Matt Skinner's new resources for Advent and the Year of Matthew!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• "Voices of Advent" by Matt Skinner - https://www.cokesbury.com/voices-of-advent"
• "Matthew: The Gospel of Promised Blessings" by Matt Skinner - https://www.abingdonpress.com/product/9781791030162/
• "Paul Among the People" by Sarah Ruden - https://sarahruden.com/book/paul-among-the-people/

Commentaries for the First Sunday of Advent can be found on the Working Preacher website at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/first-sunday-of-advent/commentary-on-matthew-2436-44-7.

⏰Timecodes⏰ 00:00 Introduction to Advent and New Beginnings 03:03 Understanding the Meaning of Advent 05:49 Theological Reflections on Readiness and Watchfulness 08:53 Exploring Isaiah's Vision of Peace 16:42 Psalm 122 18:04 The Role of Jerusalem in Advent 21:58 The Significance of Romans 13 in Advent -- Being Awake 25:50 Walking Decently and Sarah Rudin's "Paul Among the People" 26:45 Outro

* * *

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share to stay connected with more insightful lectionary discussions!

Reminder: We have commentaries for the Revised Common Lectionary, the Narrative Lectionary, and Evangelio (Spanish-language Gospel). We're here for you, working preachers!

ABOUT SERMON BRAINWAVE: Sermon Brainwave is a production of Luther Seminary's Working Preacher, which has been providing trusted biblical interpretation and preaching inspiration since 2007.

Find more episodes and resources by visiting https://www.workingpreacher.org/.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/9f29qmFOdbA.

Join Rolf Jacobson, Caroline Lewis, and Matt Skinner for Sermon Brainwave as they explore the texts for Christ the King/Reign of Christ Sunday (November 23, 2025) - the final Sunday of the church year and Year C.

In this episode, the hosts dive deep into what it means for Jesus to be called "king" and how we understand Christ's reign in a world unfamiliar with monarchies. They examine the Gospel reading from Luke 23:33-43, where Jesus is crucified alongside two criminals, asking: What kind of king is this? A crucified king who sees those we overlook and extends mercy to the marginalized.

The conversation also explores Jeremiah 23:1-6 and its promise of a righteous shepherd-king who will execute justice, Luke 1:68-79 (Zechariah's Benedictus) and how it bookends the liturgical year, and Colossians 1:11-20's cosmic vision of Christ's reign.

Key themes include: * Unpacking the language of "king," "lord," and "reign" for contemporary contexts * The contrast between earthly kingdoms and the kingdom of God * How Christ's reign is realized person by person through tender mercy * The significance of Jesus riding a donkey as a symbol of peace, not war * God's faithfulness in keeping promises to God's people

This episode invites preachers and listeners to reimagine citizenship in Christ's kingdom and what it means to live under a reign marked by justice, righteousness, and mercy.

Commentaries for the Christ the King Sunday can be found on the Working Preacher website at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/christ-the-king-3/commentary-on-luke-2333-43-6.

⏰Timecodes⏰ 00:00 Introduction to Christ the King Sunday 03:01 Understanding Christ as King 05:54 The Significance of the Crucifixion 09:03 Theological Reflections on the Cross 12:02 Exploring the Nature of Jesus' Kingship 14:56 Jeremiah's Prophetic Vision of Kingship 18:04 The Role of Mercy in Christ's Reign 20:52 The Cosmic Christ in Colossians 24:08 Conclusion and Reflections on Preaching

* * *

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share to stay connected with more insightful lectionary discussions!

Reminder: We have commentaries for the Revised Common Lectionary, the Narrative Lectionary, and Evangelio (Spanish-language Gospel). We're here for you, working preachers!

ABOUT SERMON BRAINWAVE: Sermon Brainwave is a production of Luther Seminary's Working Preacher, which has been providing trusted biblical interpretation and preaching inspiration since 2007.

Find more episodes and resources by visiting https://www.workingpreacher.org/.

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/O9ff_wp4X0w.

Mentioned in this episode:

Support Working Preacher this month!

During Working Preacher's fall fundraising campaign, we're celebrating our website's upcoming 19th birthday! Thank you for your generous support of Working Preacher.

Support Working Preacher