Sermon Brainwave from Working Preacher

Working Preacher from Luther Seminary
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Sermon Brainwave from Working Preacher is a weekly conversation on upcoming Revised Common Lectionary readings. The conversations (featuring Luther Seminary faculty) are fun, informative, and creative—and just may give you the spark that ignites your own sermon brainwave!

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Sermon Brainwave 1072: Third Sunday in Lent - March 8, 2026

    This conversation between hosts Karoline Lewis, Matt Skinner, and Cody Sanders for the Sermon Brainwave podcast delves into the readings for the third Sunday in Lent, focusing on John 4:1-42, Exodus 17, and Psalm 95. The discussion highlights the significance of the woman at the well as a model of evangelism, the role of the disciples, and the importance of the incarnation. It also connects the themes of wilderness experiences and divine provision, emphasizing the need for witness and testimony in faith, and reflecting on endurance in light of Romans 5:1-5.

    25 min

  2. 3 FEB

    Sermon Brainwave 1071: Second Sunday in Lent - March 1, 2026

    In this episode of Sermon Brainwave, hosts Cody Sanders, Karoline Lewis, and Matt Skinner delve into the readings for the Second Sunday in Lent, focusing on the Gospel of John, particularly the encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus. The conversation highlights the complexities of faith, the nature of understanding Jesus' teachings, and the significance of personal journeys in faith. Cody shares his insights on the Gospel of Mark and the importance of recognizing the subtlety of Nicodemus' confusion rather than labeling it as outright resistance. The hosts explore themes of light versus darkness, the nature of eternal life, and the relational aspect of faith, emphasizing that faith is an active journey rather than a mere cognitive exercise. Mentioned in this episode: Support the Working Preacher This Lent

    26 min

  3. 30 JAN

    Sermon Brainwave 1070: First Sunday in Lent - February 22, 2026

    Sermon Brainwave dives into the First Sunday in Lent exploring Jesus' testing in the wilderness from Matthew 4:1-11. Hosts Matt Skinner, Karoline Lewis, and new co-host Cody Sanders examine what this familiar text reveals about power, identity, and God's empire versus earthly empire. The conversation moves through wilderness, temple, and mountain—locations that speak to where we expect to find God and how Jesus manifests divine authority through self-giving ministry rather than control. The team explores Warren Carter's insights on empire and political critique, connecting the devil's temptations to Jesus' ministry of compassion versus power-seeking. Dostoevsky's Grand Inquisitor makes a surprising appearance, highlighting themes of freedom versus control that resonate in our current moment of rising authoritarianism. The discussion extends to Genesis 2-3, examining knowledge of good and evil not as moral abstraction but as the capacity to manipulate both for advantage. Psalm 32 offers a confessional counterpoint about concealing versus confessing sin, while Romans 5:12-19 frames the cosmic scope of reconciliation God pursues in Jesus. Join the conversation as these biblical scholars and preachers help you prepare for sermon preparation during this Lenten season of risk and revelation, precarity and possibility.

    24 min

  4. 30 JAN

    Sermon Brainwave 1069: Ash Wednesday - February 18, 2026

    Sermon Brainwave Episode 1069: Ash Wednesday — Practicing Righteousness in Times of Crisis Join hosts Karoline Lewis, Matt Skinner, and new co-host Cody Sanders for this Ash Wednesday podcast as they explore the lectionary readings for February 18, 2026. This episode introduces Cody Sanders, Associate Professor of Congregational and Community Care Leadership at Luther Seminary, who brings a Baptist perspective and pastoral care voice to the Sermon Brainwave team. The hosts examine Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, Psalm 51:1-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, and Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21, exploring critical questions about righteousness, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Karoline highlights the significant translation shift in Matthew 6:1 from "piety" to "righteousness" in the NRSVUE, connecting it to the Sermon on the Mount's opening theme of hungering and thirsting for righteousness. Matt and Cody discuss the distinction between forgiveness and reconciliation, emphasizing the importance of careful, compassionate preaching on these topics, particularly in contexts of abuse and violence. Cody draws on historic faith communities—including enslaved people in hush arbors and LGBTQ believers exiled from their churches—to illustrate what it means to be "treated as imposters yet are true, having nothing yet possessing everything." This episode provides practical sermon preparation insights while addressing the affective dimension of faith in challenging times, making it essential listening for preachers navigating Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season. Mentioned in this episode: Support the Working Preacher This Lent

    26 min

  5. 29 JAN

    Sermon Brainwave 1068: Transfiguration of Our Lord - February 15, 2026

    In this Sermon Brainwave episode, hosts Rolf Jacobson, Karoline Lewis, and Matt Skinner explore the Transfiguration of Jesus from Matthew 17:1-9 for Transfiguration Sunday (February 15, 2026). The team examines how this pivotal moment bridges the season of Epiphany and the journey into Lent, highlighting God's voice declaring "This is my son, the beloved" and the crucial addition: "listen to him." The conversation unpacks why the disciples are terrified not by seeing Jesus transformed, but by hearing God's voice—and how Jesus' compassionate touch and words "get up and do not be afraid" offer reassurance for facing the unknown. The hosts discuss the significance of Moses and Elijah as eschatological figures, the narrative context following Jesus' predictions of suffering, and how the glory of the mountaintop contrasts with the immediate return to ministry in the epileptic boy's healing. Drawing on Mark Throntveit's powerful sermon framework, the team contrasts two mountains: the Transfiguration's radiant glory with Moses and Elijah versus Calvary's darkness with two thieves. Both mountains declare "This is my son," yet reveal the Jesus we want versus the Jesus we get. In a special moment, Rolf Jacobson announces his departure from the podcast to focus on his academic dean responsibilities and launch a new podcast series on Rudolf Bultmann, with colleague Cody Sanders stepping in to continue Sermon Brainwave's work. Mentioned in this episode: Support the Working Preacher This Lent

    26 min

  6. 26 JAN

    Sermon Brainwave 1067: Fifth Sunday after Epiphany - February 8, 2026

    Join hosts Rolf Jacobson, Matt Skinner, and Karoline Lewis as they explore the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany lectionary readings for February 8, 2026. This episode dives into Matthew 5:13-20, where Jesus declares "You are the salt of the earth" and "You are the light of the world" - not as invitations, but as statements of fact about Christian identity. The hosts unpack what these metaphors meant in the ancient world. Salt served as both a flavor enhancer and a crucial preservative in a society without refrigeration, making it essential for sustaining life. Light represents the impossibility of keeping faith private in a pluralistic world. These aren't suggestions for what Christians might become, but declarations of who they already are. The conversation explores how believers manifest the kingdom of heaven through their identity as salt and light. The discussion connects this gospel passage with Isaiah 58:1-9a, which challenges fasting practices and calls for genuine justice, Psalm 112:1-9 about those who fear the Lord, and 1 Corinthians 2:1-12, where Paul discusses God's hidden wisdom revealed through the Spirit. Rolf shares insights from his new book "God Meets Us in Our Suffering," connecting Paul's theology of the cross to how God meets us not primarily in our glory and success, but in the places where we think it's impossible for God to be. The conversation emphasizes that having "the mind of Christ" means participating in God's life through the Spirit, not just receiving benefits from Christ's death. Discover how these ancient texts speak to modern questions about public faith, Christian identity, and what it means to be caught up in the life of God.

    26 min

  7. 9 JAN

    Sermon Brainwave 1066: Fourth Sunday after Epiphany - February 1, 2026

    Join Matt Skinner, Karoline Lewis, and Rolf Jacobson for an exploration of the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany lectionary texts. This episode unpacks the Beatitudes as Jesus' mission statement and inaugural address, revealing where God's kingdom breaks into the world. The hosts discuss how Matthew's Beatitudes function as Jesus' announcement of the people he will be found with—those the world overlooks or considers unblessed. Matt Skinner explores how these verses bracket Matthew's entire gospel ministry with deep compassion and mercy. Karoline Lewis highlights the transition in the Beatitudes from blessing to action, showing how disciples participate in God's alternative community. Rolf Jacobson connects the Beatitudes to the crowds of suffering people who followed Jesus at the end of Matthew chapter 4. The conversation tackles Micah 6:1-8, examining its powerful indictment and the call to justice, kindness, and humble walking with God. The hosts place this famous verse back into its original context, challenging surface-level readings. The discussion of 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 focuses on Paul's theology of the cross. Rolf explains how Paul argues that the world cannot know God through human wisdom alone—the cross is God's fundamental revelation. Matt introduces Michael Gorman's concept of "cruciformity," exploring what it means to be a cross-shaped community. The hosts connect Paul's message about God choosing the foolish, weak, and lowly to the Beatitudes' vision of blessing. This episode offers preachers and biblical educators practical insights for sermon preparation, showing how these texts speak to contemporary issues of power, blessing, and God's upside-down kingdom.

    28 min

  8. 6 JAN

    Sermon Brainwave 1065: Third Sunday after Epiphany - January 25, 2026

    Join hosts Matt Skinner, Karoline Lewis, and Rolf Jacobson for Sermon Brainwave as they explore the readings for the Third Sunday after Epiphany (January 25, 2026).

    27 min
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About

Sermon Brainwave from Working Preacher is a weekly conversation on upcoming Revised Common Lectionary readings. The conversations (featuring Luther Seminary faculty) are fun, informative, and creative—and just may give you the spark that ignites your own sermon brainwave!

Information

  • Creator
    Working Preacher from Luther Seminary
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    1.1K
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Working Preacher podcast episodes are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 License.
  • Show Website
    Sermon Brainwave from Working Preacher

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