Working Preacher's Sermon Brainwave

Working Preacher's Sermon Brainwave 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!

• Sermon Brainwave 1048: Reformation Sunday - October 26, 2025

  Join Matt Skinner, Karoline Lewis, and Rolf Jacobson for another insightful episode of Sermon Brainwave as they explore the texts for Reformation Sunday (October 26, 2025). This episode dives deep into the themes of freedom, truth, and God's covenant faithfulness through the lens of Jeremiah 31:31-34, Psalm 46, Romans 3:19-28, and John 8:31-36.

  The hosts discuss the complex theological debates in John 8, often avoided in the lectionary, and explore what it truly means to be set free by Christ. They examine the difference between freedom FROM versus freedom FOR, drawing insights from Luther's "Freedom of a Christian." Karoline offers valuable commentary on the meaning of "abiding" in John's Gospel, while Rolf connects the promise of God's presence in Psalm 46 to overcoming both natural and moral evil.

  This episode provides practical preaching insights for Reformation Sunday, including how to approach the new covenant in Jeremiah, the significance of justification by grace in Romans, and the importance of understanding spiritual freedom without mischaracterizing Judaism.

  Whether you're preparing a sermon or simply interested in biblical interpretation, this conversation offers rich theological reflection perfect for Reformation season.

  Commentaries for Reformation Sunday can be found on the Working Preacher website at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/reformation-day/commentary-on-john-831-36-19.

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  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/RUi5PmcXJaU.

• Sermon Brainwave 1047: Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost - October 26, 2025

  Join Rolf Jacobson, Karoline Lewis, and Matt Skinner for another engaging episode of Sermon Brainwave as they dive deep into the lectionary texts for the 20th Sunday after Pentecost (October 26, 2025).

  In this thought-provoking discussion, the hosts wrestle with Luke's parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, exploring the complexities that make this story both challenging and rewarding for preachers. Karoline shares insights from Amy-Jill Levine's interpretation, suggesting both characters might be caricatures - and potentially both justified. The conversation reveals how this parable resists easy categorization and challenges our assumptions about righteousness and mercy.

  The team also explores the connections between the other lectionary readings, including Jeremiah's communal lament, Psalm 84's beautiful imagery of God's dwelling place, Joel's prophetic vision of the Spirit being poured out on all flesh, and Paul's testament in 2 Timothy about fighting the good fight and finishing the race.

  Key themes discussed:
  * Prayer as revelation of our relationship with God
  * The danger of creating winners and losers in parables
  * God's mercy that frustrates our human conditions
  * The democratization of prophecy in Joel
  * Living faithfully in challenging times

  Commentaries for the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost can be found on the Working Preacher website at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-30-3/commentary-on-luke-189-14-6.

  *  *  *

  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/7xL1AFORe0A.

• Sermon Brainwave 1046: Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost - October 19, 2025

  Join Karoline Lewis, Rolf Jacobson, and Matt Skinner for this episode of Sermon Brainwave as they explore the lectionary readings for the 19th Sunday after Pentecost (October 19, 2025).

  The conversation gets particularly rich around themes of persistence in prayer, wrestling with God and Scripture, and what discipleship really looks like in Luke's gospel. The hosts offer practical homiletical directions and insights that will help preachers prepare meaningful sermons for this Sunday.

  This is essential listening for pastors, preachers, and anyone interested in deep biblical interpretation and thoughtful homiletics.

  Commentaries for the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost can be found on the Working Preacher website at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-29-3/commentary-on-luke-181-8-6.

  *  *  *

  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/G5dmhjNpOg0.