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. 14H AGO

    Sermon Brainwave 1075: Sunday of the Passion (Palm Sunday) - March 29, 2026

    "The Passion story is a story about us." This episode of the Sermon Brainwave podcast explores the significance of Palm Sunday and Passion narratives, emphasizing the earth's role in biblical stories, the political and theological implications of Jesus' trial, and how these texts challenge our understanding of power, trust, and God's presence.

    23 min

  2. 1D AGO

    Sermon Brainwave 1074: Fifth Sunday in Lent - March 22, 2026

    The Intersection of Grief and Faith. In this episode of Sermon Brainwave, hosts Karoline Lewis, Matt Skinner, and Cody Sanders discuss the readings for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, focusing on the raising of Lazarus from the dead, the complexities of grief, and the interplay between the divine and human aspects of Jesus. They explore how these themes relate to the community's understanding of resurrection and the importance of acknowledging grief in the context of faith. The conversation also delves into Ezekiel's vision of dry bones and the significance of the body in spiritual life, culminating in a discussion of Romans 8 and the promise of life and peace through the spirit. Mentioned in this episode: 2026 Ghost Ranch Preachers Retreat

    28 min

  3. FEB 26

    Sermon Brainwave 1073: Fourth Sunday in Lent - March 15, 2026

    In this episode of Sermon Brainwave, Karoline Lewis, Matt Skinner, and Cody Sanders discuss the readings for the Fourth Sunday in Lent, focusing on the Gospel of John 9:1-41, Psalm 23, and Ephesians 5:8-14. They explore themes of healing, disability, community, and the role of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. The conversation delves into the implications of the blind man's healing, the significance of testimony in faith communities, and the challenges of interpreting scripture in the context of leadership and moral dualism. The hosts emphasize the importance of recognizing God's initiative in choosing leaders and the call to awaken to the light of Christ in a world filled with darkness. Mentioned in this episode: 2026 Ghost Ranch Preachers Retreat

    27 min

  4. FEB 19

    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. Mentioned in this episode: 2026 Ghost Ranch Preachers Retreat

    25 min

  5. FEB 3

    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: 2026 Ghost Ranch Preachers Retreat

    26 min

  6. 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. Mentioned in this episode: 2026 Ghost Ranch Preachers Retreat

    24 min

  7. 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. Mentioned in this episode: 2026 Ghost Ranch Preachers Retreat

    26 min

  8. 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. Mentioned in this episode: 2026 Ghost Ranch Preachers Retreat

    25 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
33 Ratings

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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