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. JAN 30

    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.

    25 min

  2. JAN 30

    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.

    27 min

  3. JAN 29

    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.

    26 min

  4. JAN 26

    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.

    27 min

  5. JAN 9

    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.

    29 min

  6. JAN 6

    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).

    28 min

  7. JAN 4

    Sermon Brainwave 1064: Second Sunday after Epiphany - January 18, 2026

    Join hosts Matt Skinner, Karoline Lewis, and Rolf Jacobson for Sermon Brainwave as they explore the readings for the Second Sunday after Epiphany (January 18, 2026). This episode examines how John the Baptist serves as the primary witness to Jesus' identity in John's Gospel, highlighting the importance of testimony and discipleship. The hosts dive deep into John 1:29-42, examining how John the Baptist functions not as the one who baptizes Jesus, but as the testifier and witness to who Jesus is. Unlike the Synoptic Gospels where Jesus performs signs before people follow him, in John's Gospel, people are drawn to Jesus simply because of who he is—revealed through testimony. The conversation explores the significance of the "Lamb of God" title, connecting it to Passover imagery and God's provision and protection throughout Israel's history. The hosts discuss how this passage invites contemporary disciples to consider: What have you seen? What will you see? And to whom will you testify? They emphasize that in John's Gospel, revelation comes not primarily through divine acts but through Jesus' identity being witnessed to and shared among people. The episode also explores translation challenges in Psalm 40's opening ("I waited and waited") and the communal nature of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians. This is the first of four consecutive weeks featuring readings from 1 Corinthians, offering preachers an opportunity to develop a thematic series during this short Epiphany season (only four Sundays this year).

    29 min

  8. 12/19/2025

    Sermon Brainwave 1063: Baptism of Our Lord - January 11, 2026

    Join Karoline Lewis, Matt Skinner, and Rolf Jacobson as they explore the lectionary texts for the Baptism of Our Lord (January 11, 2026), diving deep into what makes this pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry more than just a baptismal event. The hosts examine why this Sunday marks the beginning of Epiphany rather than simply a theology of baptism. Jesus undergoes John's baptism of repentance—not Christian baptism—which troubled the early church and explains why John's Gospel omits Jesus' baptism entirely. Matt Skinner suggests John the Baptist served as a teacher to Jesus, with repentance signaling Jesus' readiness to embrace God's calling rather than washing away sins. The conversation emphasizes the Holy Spirit's central role: the Spirit's arrival empowers Jesus for ministry and leads him into the wilderness. This is Matthew's first instance of God speaking directly, publicly affirming "This is my Son, the beloved, with whom I am well pleased." The hosts connect this voice to Psalm 2's coronation language and explore whether God's voice thundered like Psalm 29 describes or arrived as a quiet whisper. Isaiah 42's servant songs provide crucial context for understanding Matthew's gentle yet justice-oriented Jesus. The hosts preview how this passage becomes essential for navigating Matthew's gospel, which balances Jesus' easy yoke with uncompromising demands. The discussion touches on how the early church searched scriptures post-resurrection to understand Jesus' identity. Acts 10:34-43 offers Peter's thumbnail sketch of Jesus' ministry, emphasizing God's anointing with the Holy Spirit and power. The hosts note this Sunday functions as a "mini-Pentecost" in Jesus' life, examining how baptism sets a particular way of life in motion—both for Jesus and for contemporary Christians reflecting on their own baptismal calling.

    24 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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