Sermon Brainwave from Working Preacher

What does "eternal life" actually mean? In this episode, Matt Skinner, Karoline Lewis, and Cody Sanders dig into the texts for the Seventh Sunday of Easter (May 17, 2026): Acts 1:6–14, Psalm 68:1–10, 32–35, 1 Peter 4:12–14 and 5:6–11, and John 17:1–11.The conversation opens with a close look at the High Priestly Prayer in John 17 and a reframe of eternal life as a quality of relationship with God rather than a quantity of time. Cody's Working Preacher commentary on this passage shapes much of the discussion, including the insight that eternal life is a matter of identity, not duration.The hosts also explore the Ascension text in Acts 1, where wonder becomes a spiritual posture and witness becomes a charge to the whole church. On Psalm 68, the group pushes back against triumphalism by centering the psalm's vision of God as protector of orphans, widows, and the desolate. And in 1 Peter, a sharp discussion of solidarity and suffering asks what it truly means to stand beside those whose backs are against the wall.New episodes of Sermon Brainwave drop weekly. Subscribe and visit workingpreacher.org for commentaries, sermon resources, and more.Mentioned in this episode:May 2026 WP CampaignSupport Working Preacher

What does Jesus actually mean when he says "I am the way, the truth, and the life"? And what about those troubling words: "no one comes to the Father except through me"?In this episode of Sermon Brainwave, Cody Sanders, Karoline Lewis, and Matt Skinner explore the Fifth Sunday of Easter texts: John 14:1–14, Acts 7:55–60, Psalm 31, and 1 Peter 2:1–10. Together, they unpack the farewell discourse as a post-Easter text, the meaning of "dwelling places" and the Greek root meno (abide), the mysticism of John's Gospel, and what it means to hear Jesus' "I am" statements as a promise rather than an act of exclusion.They also discuss Stephen's martyrdom in Acts 7, its striking parallels to the death of Jesus in Luke's Gospel, and how Psalm 31 bridges the two texts. They close with 1 Peter 2 and how a letter written to exiles can speak to communities facing questions of identity, belonging, and solidarity, without tipping into Christian exceptionalism or nationalism.Mentioned in this episode:May 2026 WP CampaignSupport Working Preacher

What does it mean to recognize the risen Christ? And why is resurrection faith never automatic? In this episode of the Sermon Brainwave podcast, Matt Skinner, Karoline Lewis, and Cody Sanders dig into the Third Sunday of Easter texts: the Emmaus road story in Luke 24, Peter's Pentecost sermon in Acts 2, Psalm 116, and 1 Peter 1.The disciples on the road to Emmaus don't recognize Jesus, and the hosts explore why that matters for preaching today. Resurrection reveals itself slowly, through long walks, honest grief, and the intimacy of a shared meal. The table becomes the place of recognition, connecting Emmaus to the Feeding of the 5,000 and the Lord's Supper. The conversation also surfaces a provocative question from Margaret Ami's commentary: what does it mean that the risen Christ appears as a migrant or resident foreigner?From Acts, the hosts ask what "repentance" really means in response to the resurrection, and how Peter's audience models the question preachers still face: What should we do? Psalm 116 and 1 Peter 1 deepen that question, pointing toward holy living, genuine mutual love, and a faith grounded in the living word of God.Mentioned in this episode:Support Working Preacher

In this episode of Sermon Brainwave, hosts Karoline Lewis, Cody Sanders, and Matt Skinner dig into the lectionary texts for Easter Sunday and explore what it means to preach resurrection to a congregation carrying both fear and joy.Mentioned in this episode:May 2026 WP Campaign

Love, Feet, and the Table.What if Maundy Thursday isn't just somber — but also joyful? In this episode, Cody Sanders, Karoline Lewis, and Matt Skinner explore the rich intimacy of John 13 and its foot washing scene, unpacking why embodiment matters in preaching, how Judas's betrayal is really an act of walking away from intimacy, and why the farewell discourse (chapters 14–17) is essential context for understanding the night's meaning.They also dig into Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 11, reading the Lord's Supper not as liturgical formula, but as a communal act of resistance against social fracture — and a source of strength in the face of coming trauma. Plus: how Mary's anointing of Jesus connects to his washing of the disciples' feet, and why a jail chapel hymn sing brings it all home.Mentioned in this episode:May 2026 WP Campaign

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:May 2026 WP Campaign

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:May 2026 WP Campaign

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:May 2026 WP Campaign

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:May 2026 WP Campaign

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.Mentioned in this episode:May 2026 WP Campaign

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).Mentioned in this episode:May 2026 WP Campaign

Join hosts Rolf Jacobson, Karoline Lewis, and Matt Skinner as they explore the profound themes of divine guidance, resistance, and illumination in the story of the Magi for the Day of Epiphany, January 6th. This episode unpacks how the Magi's journey represents not just a physical pilgrimage but a theological model for following God's leading—even when it requires non-compliance with earthly powers and going "by another road."The conversation examines how Matthew's Gospel presents multiple pathways to knowing Jesus: through celestial signs, scriptural interpretation, and the accumulated wisdom of seekers from beyond Israel's borders. The hosts discuss the Magi's act of resistance when they refuse to return to Herod, highlighting how Christmas and Epiphany demand non-cooperation with tyrannical agendas. Dreams and divine warnings play crucial roles as God redirects the Magi and the Holy Family, demonstrating how God persistently seeks to guide us through various means.Drawing on Warren Carter's commentary, the discussion emphasizes how "the other way" the Magi take thwarts the tyrant's will and refuses cooperation with empire. The episode also explores the rich intertextuality between Matthew's narrative and the Old Testament readings, particularly Isaiah 61's themes of illumination and wealth, and Psalm 72's vision of an ideal Davidic king fulfilled in Jesus—a very different type of lordship than political dominance.The hosts wrestle with the nature of the Magi's act of prostration (proskuneo), discussing whether it represents worship, homage, respect, or political acknowledgment, and how this ambiguity enriches our understanding of who Jesus is. They also reflect on what it means to follow God when competing voices and apparent certainties pull us in different directions, acknowledging the human tendency to stop listening or refuse God's direction.Mentioned in this episode:May 2026 WP Campaign