Explore every episode of the podcast Preaching The Text
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| What is a Sermon? Stories from a Life of Preaching | 16 Apr 2026 | 00:58:25 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson pull out some stories of preaching to illustrate an important point: what is a sermon? There are many bad ideas about what constitutes good preaching, and they are all too influential. This episode uses some amusing moments from Paulson's career as a preacher to show how a sermon must give the two words of God, law and gospel, in the proper form: to you, and for you. Show Notes: What's New from 1517:
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| Preaching the Catechism in Lent: Commandments & Creed | 21 Feb 2026 | 00:58:37 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss how to preach the Catechism during the season of Lent. This traditional practice for Lutherans is an excellent way to find God's two words, law and gospel, first in the Commandments (what God commands us to do) and then in the Creed (what God has done for us). These two words anchor our preaching and teaching of God's word. Show Notes: What's New from 1517:
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| Luke 17:1-10 – Pentecost 17 (C) | 29 Sep 2025 | 01:01:18 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the parable of the unworthy servants. Given this text's place in the history of theology and in the Lutheran understanding of law and gospel, they go into some detail on the fact that the law is a system of merit, debt, and duty. Under its rule, all things are owed. Under the gospel, there is no system of merit and duty, and its gifts are given without compulsion or requirement. Show Notes: What's New from 1517:
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| Mark 1:9-15 – Lent 1 (B) | 12 Feb 2024 | 00:56:43 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss Mark's account of the temptation of Christ by the devil in the wilderness. This episode talks at length about the nature of temptation, the way Satan accuses us, and how the Holy Spirit through God's word protects us from temptation. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Mark 9:2-9 – Transfiguration (B) | 07 Feb 2024 | 00:50:32 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the readings for Transfiguration Sunday. Here Christ appears with his disciples on the mountain with Moses and Elijah. Despite the fear of the disciples, the voice of the Father comes once again to pronounce his blessing upon Christ and the ministry of forgiveness that he has come to give. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Mark 1:29-39 – Epiphany 5 (B) | 30 Jan 2024 | 00:48:48 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss some of Christ's early healings and exorcisms from the Gospel of Mark. Here we see that Christ comes to heal and cast out demons, but above all he comes to preach. With his preaching, Christ silences the demons and forgives sin, but he also brings to an end the law's oppressive voice. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Mark 1:21-28 – Epiphany 4 (B) | 24 Jan 2024 | 00:56:48 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss one of Christ's first acts in his ministry career. Taking his disciples with him, Jesus enters the synagogue and heals a man being tormented by an unclean spirit. From this text we see what happens when the gospel comes in contact with what is unclean and unholy: in the place of impurity according to the law, the gospel gives the Holy Spirit, and therefore salvation. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Mark 1:14-20 – Epiphany 3 (B) | 15 Jan 2024 | 00:40:19 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the calling of the disciples to become fishers of men. We learn how the calling of Christ involves the presence of the kingdom of God, not as something far away but something that is present in the preaching of the gospel. The kingdom isn't something that the gospel points to, but something the gospel gives. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| John 1:43-51 – Epiphany 2 (B) | 08 Jan 2024 | 00:43:29 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss Christ's calling of his disciples, Philip and Nathaniel. Here we see the distinction between the various ordinary callings of human life in the world and our calling by Christ to salvation. With the call of Christ, he is the one who sees, calls, and finds us – and so in Christ's call we find our election and predestination to salvation. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Mark 1:4-11 – Baptism of Our Lord (B) | 02 Jan 2024 | 00:42:08 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss Mark's account of Christ's baptism by John in the Jordan. They talk not only about connection between Christ's baptism and his role as sin-bearer but also the doctrine of the Trinity. Here we see not only the saving work of Jesus but also his eternal relation with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Luke 2:22-40 – Christmas 1 (B) | 27 Dec 2023 | 00:49:28 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, Steve Paulson and John Hoyum discuss Simeon's song – known to many as the canticle sung following the Lord's Supper. In this episode we talk about the tangible presence of salvation experienced by Simeon having held the infant Christ. We also discuss the nature of sacrifice, and the way in which sacrifice meets its destination in the death of Jesus. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Luke 1:26-38 – Advent 4 (B) | 19 Dec 2023 | 00:46:36 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss Luke's account of the annunciation where the angel Gabriel appears before Mary to announce that she will conceive a child by the Holy Spirit. Mary's first reaction to this good news is that of fear and skepticism. This indicates how the gospel when it is preached often elicits fear and doubt, but that it also creates faith apart from the evidences of reason and experience. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| John 1:6-8, 19-28 – Advent 3 (B) | 12 Dec 2023 | 00:43:05 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss John the Baptist once again – this time his appearance at the beginning of John's gospel. They discuss the difference between a sign and a sacrament, with the prophets signifying Christ, but Christ being the thing itself when it comes to the gospel. This episode also examines what it means for John to hold the preaching office, which means that he doesn't merely point to Christ, but that John also hands him over to his hearers. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Luke 16:19-31 – Pentecost 16 (C) | 22 Sep 2025 | 00:49:00 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the difference between heaven and hell. To our common imagination, heaven is a good place for good people, and hell a bad place for bad people. Christ's teaching disrupts this common conception, showing that works and righteousness count for nothing in the end, but only the promise of Christ for sinners. Show Notes: What's New from 1517:
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| Mark 1:1-8 – Advent 2 (B) | 05 Dec 2023 | 00:47:26 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson examine the opening words of the Gospel of Mark. This introduces the rest of the gospel as well as the figure of John the Baptist. Among the things discussed include the nature of baptism, the role of John as the forerunner of Christ, and the identification of Jesus as true God and true man. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Mark 13:24-37 – Advent 1 (B) | 28 Nov 2023 | 00:50:00 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss one of the end times sayings of Christ from the Gospel of Mark. During Advent, the lectionary tries to fix our attention on the end times. This episode discusses some of the perils of end times fixations, and how to properly distinguish law and gospel when it comes to preaching the end of all things in Christ. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Matthew 25:31-46 – Christ the King (A) | 22 Nov 2023 | 00:48:36 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the parable of the sheep and the goats. We learn how this often frightening parable describes the final judgment of the law and the gospel, with the law telling us to depart forever from Christ and the gospel welcoming sinners into his kingdom. The key point is to see how salvation isn't a transition from sinfulness to holiness, but the total gift of unmerited salvation in Christ. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Matthew 25:14-30 – Pentecost 25 (A) | 14 Nov 2023 | 00:42:07 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the parable of the talents. We learn the difference between law and gospel in the context of this parable. Now we can see how this parable should be preached: the talents God gives are not his commands, but his promises. And so God's promise isn't meager, but fruitful and abundant. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Matthew 25:1-13 – Pentecost 24 (A) | 07 Nov 2023 | 00:57:20 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the parable of the wise and foolish virgins – although Paulson has a suggestion about how we might rename it. We learn here how to trust in the promises of the gospel while we wait for Christ to return in his kingdom. For the waiting, we rely on the promise of Christ and his Holy Spirit instead of our good works. Only in this way are we sustained in the hope of Christ's coming again. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Matthew 5:1-12 – All Saints (A) | 30 Oct 2023 | 01:00:31 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson talk about the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. We learn how these characteristics of the Christian aren't virtues to be conjured by hard work and devotion, but are descriptions of what happens to the Christian once faith in the promise has been given. We also learn how the Beatitudes link with the Lord's Prayer, and therefore learn how Christians are to speak back to God under the condition of suffering and evil. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| John 8:31-36 – Reformation (A) | 25 Oct 2023 | 00:48:53 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the appointed readings for Reformation Sunday. At the center of the Reformation is the doctrine of justification by faith alone, apart from works of the law. Using all the texts given for Reformation, this episode examines how preachers can emphasize the difference between law and gospel, and how to give an unconditional promise to those who listen. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Matthew 22:15-22 – Pentecost 21 (A) | 17 Oct 2023 | 00:49:12 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the famous conversation of Jesus with the Jewish authorities concerning taxation. We learn that there are two different kinds of authorities to which people submit, not just one. Caesar represents the law in its highest form: taxation, money owed to the state. But God takes from us not our taxes, but our faith, and so rules our hearts by the gospel of his mercy instead of the rule of the law. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Matthew 22:1-14 – Pentecost 20 (A) | 11 Oct 2023 | 00:47:16 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, Steve Paulson and John Hoyum discuss Christ's parable of the wedding garment. Here, we learn that God invites all – both good and bad – to the wedding feast of the Son. But even more than just extending an invitation, God gives the clothing to wear for the banquet – which is the righteousness of Christ. All this we receive apart from our own merit or worthiness, but only because of the mercy of Jesus Christ. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Matthew 21:33-46 – Pentecost 19 (A) | 03 Oct 2023 | 00:44:07 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the parable of the master and the vineyard. We learn from Luther that this parable really is about the unification of Jew and gentile in Christ on the basis of the gospel instead of the law. The parable picks up on the Old Testament image of Israel as a vineyard planted by God – but not at the expense of the Jews as many interpreters might think, but rather as their unification around the one gospel which saves both. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Luke 16:1-15 – Pentecost 15 (C) | 15 Sep 2025 | 00:38:05 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the parable of the dishonest manager in Luke's gospel, which they rename it as the parable of the "wiley pastor." The commendable manager uses the absolution – the forgiveness of debt – as generously as he can, in order to gain friends for himself. Likewise, preachers ought to give the absolution as frequently as possible, since it is the best thing in life. Show Notes: What's New from 1517:
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| Matthew 21:23-32 – Pentecost 18 (A) | 26 Sep 2023 | 00:48:44 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson examine an encounter of Jesus with the authorities in Jerusalem who wonder where his authority comes from. Being in the position of skepticism regarding Jesus, we see how Christ reveals how they can think of authority in terms of the law alone. But the gospel has an authority to forgive sin, which is what we see in the preaching of John the Baptist and the reception of forgiveness on the part of sinful people like prostitutes and tax collectors. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Matthew 20:1-16 – Pentecost 17 (A) | 19 Sep 2023 | 00:52:30 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the Parable of the Vineyard Workers. However, at the end of the parable, we find that the owner of the vineyard compensates the workers all the same – which means that their reward is based on the right choice of the owner instead of the labor of the workers. Here we see just how the kingdom of Christ is different from the kingdom of this world, ruled by the law: Christ gives freely and chooses freely without respect to work. But here in the old world, both hierarchy and labor remain for a little while. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Matthew 18:21-35 – Pentecost 16 (A) | 12 Sep 2023 | 01:03:46 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steven Paulson talk about forgiveness. Peter comes to Jesus with a question about how often he should forgive – just after hearing about the office of the keys from Jesus. Jesus tells a parable about forgiveness, which shows us that there can be no limits placed on the absolution. Instead, forgiveness must be given freely for the sake of sinners. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Matthew 18:1-20 – Pentecost 15 (A) | 05 Sep 2023 | 00:58:37 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson examine a number of topics brought up by Jesus in Matthew 18. Some of the discussion between Jesus and his disciples includes who is greatest in the kingdom of God. But as Jesus indicates, the kingdom of God doesn't use the law's measurement to grade hierarchy. This episode also touches on the instructions Jesus gives for dealing with excommunication and reconciliation with those in need of the forgiveness of sins. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Matthew 16:21-28 – Pentecost 14 (A) | 28 Aug 2023 | 01:01:35 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss two important items from Matthew's gospel: Christ's rebuke of Peter and the importance of self-denial. We learn from Christ about how to address the devil when he enters a person to give a temptation. We also talk about how self-denial and taking up the cross happen in the life of vocation and service to neighbor. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Matthew 16:13-20 – Pentecost 13 (A) | 21 Aug 2023 | 00:46:08 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the confession of Peter concerning the true divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ. We learn that Peter's confession is the foundation of the church, against which the power of hell cannot prevail. But the power of confession isn't found in the ones making the confession; rather, the power of confession is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Matthew 15:21-28 – Pentecost 12 (A) | 14 Aug 2023 | 00:52:25 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the story of the Canaanite woman who begs that he heal her daughter. Though Jesus at first sounds like he's giving a word of condemnation, this woman's faith allows her to extract a promise from Christ. So we learn that faith always seeks a promise from Christ even when it sounds like he's giving a message of judgment. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Matthew 14:22-33 – Pentecost 11 (A) | 08 Aug 2023 | 00:50:47 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, Steven Paulson and John Hoyum discuss the story of Christ walking on water and the drowning of Peter. Contrary to a common image of the church as a ship in which we are safe, this text shows how faith in Christ resists and survives the trials and tribulations of life. Instead of making this text about Peter as our example, this episode emphasizes the chasm between faith and unfaith. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Matthew 14:13-21 – Pentecost 10 (A) | 01 Aug 2023 | 00:46:21 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, Steve Paulson and John Hoyum unpack the story of the feeding of the 5000, or the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. The highlights of this episode include a discussion of how this text has been abused in reference to the Lord's Supper. This episode shows how in this gospel reading, Christ demonstrates his compassion for both body and soul. His grace includes both our earthly need for food and our spiritual need for his salvation. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Matthew 13:44-52 – Pentecost 9 (A) | 24 Jul 2023 | 00:45:37 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the parable of buried treasure. Here we see that Jesus compares us to the buried treasure, and God to the hired servant who gives all he has to purchase the field. The goal of the sermon isn't to draw peoples' attention to the comparison, but to give them the gospel promise that Christ has indeed given all he has to rescue us from sin and death. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Luke 15:1-10 – Pentecost 14 (C) | 08 Sep 2025 | 00:48:16 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss Luke's parable of the Lost Sheep. With the shepherd who seeks out the one lost sheep, leaving the other ninety-nine, we see the scandal of God's grace and the recklessness of Christ who seeks out the sinner. We also see that repentance is not something we do, but something that is properly done to us by Christ with his words of law and gospel. Show Notes: What's New from 1517:
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| Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 – Pentecost 8 (A) | 18 Jul 2023 | 00:53:09 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the parable of the seed that grows while the hired men are sleeping. We learn from this parable that the growth of the gospel in those who hear it doesn't depend on the hard work and diligence of the preacher, but on the power of the word of God given as a promise. Like Luther once said, we preached and drank Wittenberg beer, but God gave the growth to the word of the gospel preached. Preaching the Text: Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 – Pentecost 7 (A) | 11 Jul 2023 | 00:28:15 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, Steve Paulson unpacks the famous parable of the sower. Because of technical difficulties, this week's episode is a monologue and so is somewhat shorter than usual. Paulson contends that preaching this text requires us to focus on Christ's explanation of why he speaks in parables – which is to confuse and condemn, rather than to illuminate and justify. The goal of preaching this parable is to make your hearers into the good soil but giving them the promise of Christ. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Matthew 11:25-30 – Pentecost 6 (A) | 03 Jul 2023 | 00:49:04 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the way in which Christ relieves us of our burdens, whether burdens of sin or burdens of suffering. Christ reveals the mystery hidden from the wise and understanding, which is that the final judgment is not the law's judgment, but the gospel's forgiveness. And the forgiveness of sins is good news both for the wicked and those who suffer. Preaching the Text: Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Matthew 10:34-42 – Pentecost 5 (A) | 26 Jun 2023 | 00:44:53 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, Steve Paulson and John Hoyum discuss the rewards of the law and the rewards of gospel. Christ contrasts the reward of a prophet and the reward of a righteous person. The reward of the prophet is that those who receive, or hear, the gospel also receive Jesus Christ – and therefore eternal life. However, this means that the rewards Christ gives go above and beyond the law, which upsets even the most basic aspects of human life, including our most basic familial relationships. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Matthew 10:5a, 21-33 – Pentecost 4 (A) | 20 Jun 2023 | 00:42:25 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the sending of the disciples to preach. We learn about the authority of the preacher to give the gospel and the natural response of rejection with which it is met. Christ teaches us not only what the gospel is, but what its effect is, which is to disrupt life under the law. What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Matthew 9:35-10:8 – Pentecost 3 (A) | 12 Jun 2023 | 00:43:26 | |
In this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the sending of the disciples to preach. Christ sends laborers into the harvest, which is what preaching is all about. God plants the seed, and the preacher harvests it. Though we often think of preaching as sowing seed or putting people in touch with their inner light, we learn from Christ that preaching gets all its power from God alone. Preaching the Text: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Matthew 9:9-13 – Pentecost 2 (A) | 05 Jun 2023 | 00:44:57 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the so-called "Call of Matthew" the tax collector into discipleship of Jesus. We learn how Christ desires mercy, not sacrifice. And he comes to call sinners instead of righteous people. In connection to Paul's teaching in Romans, we learn how God doesn't run away from sinners, but runs toward them. Christ does something more than just reverse the values of the law: he gives a promise of eternal life outside the law altogether. Show Notes The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts More from the hosts
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| Matthew 28:16-20 – Holy Trinity (A) | 29 May 2023 | 00:53:37 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steven Paulson discuss the so-called Great Commission at the conclusion of Matthew's gospel. They correct some of the abuses of this text, which often make Christ's words into a program for missional theology or discipleship programs. They show how to teach the Trinity from baptism, where the name of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is given to sinners. | |||
| John 7:37-39 – Pentecost (A) | 23 May 2023 | 00:54:12 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the texts for Pentecost. On Pentecost, the church receives the gift of the Holy Spirit with tongues of fire, enabling the apostles to preach in many languages. Though many interpreters focus on the way in which Pentecost connects to the giving of the law at Sinai, or the reversal of Babel's confusion of tongues, this episode emphasizes how Pentecost marks a transition. Before, the coming of Christ was always future-tense: he's coming. But at Pentecost, the word changes: now Christ is here. At Pentecost we receive a present Christ, not an absent one. | |||
| John 17:1-11 – Easter 7 (A) | 16 May 2023 | 00:59:32 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss church unity. In John 17, Jesus prays to the Father that his saints would be one. Normally, this text is used as evidence for the ecumenical idea that church unity is something we must achieve through mutual reconciliation between divided churches. But as we learn today, this prayer of Christ to the Father pledges that the church will be one according to the promise and work of Christ who gathers his church through the word of forgiveness. The unity of the church isn't a fact of the visible church, but a promise held in faith. | |||
| Luke 14:25-35 – Pentecost 13 (C) | 01 Sep 2025 | 00:52:14 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss taking up one's cross, hating father and mother, and being a disciple of Christ. What we find in Christ's preaching of the law is that the law will eventually bring sinners to the point of hating parents, hating self, and hating God himself. Once the law has worked this despair of all works and their righteousness, only then can we hear the gospel come in and testify to a different kind of righteousness given in Jesus Christ. Show Notes: What's New from 1517:
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| John 14:15-21 – Easter 6 (A) | 09 May 2023 | 00:57:24 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson examine Christ's teaching in John 14 that if someone loves him, that person will keep Christ's commandments. Though usually heard as a warning to keep the commandments of Christ, lest one fall from grace, in this episode we reverse the order of things. Christ gives his love to us, and that love gives us obedience to his commandments as a gift. | |||
| John 14:1-14 – East 5 (A) | 01 May 2023 | 00:56:43 | |
In this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss an important story from the gospel of John that is often used for funerals. John 14 is sometimes called a farewell discourse, but this episode explores how Christ gives and bestows peace to his hearers. Christ isn't just an example to us, but is a sacrament – meaning he delivers salvation and the hope of eternal life. Therefore, Christ isn't absent from us, but very much present for us. | |||
| John 10:1-10 – Easter 4 (A) | 24 Apr 2023 | 00:49:24 | |
On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the conversation of Jesus with the Pharisees in which Jesus identifies himself as the shepherd of the sheep. In contrast, he identifies the Pharisees as wolves who attack the sheep. Since there is no word of gospel in this text, we show the difference between a parable and a promise: a parable will kill you, but a promise will give you life. | |||