Sermon Brainwave from Working Preacher

Matt Skinner, Karoline Lewis, and Cody Sanders unpack Matthew 21:23-32, where Jesus confronts the chief priests and elders in Jerusalem. They explore what Jesus's "non-answer" about his own authority reveals about power, hypocrisy, and who really enters the kingdom.
The team also digs into Ezekiel 18 as trauma literature, Exodus 17's cry for water in the wilderness, and the radical humility of Philippians 2. Together, these texts ask a haunting question: Is the Lord among us or not? This conversation offers preachers fresh angles on authority, repentance, and unity as resistance for the 18th Sunday after Pentecost. Listen in for insightful exegesis and practical preaching insight.

The parable of the workers in the vineyard raises an uncomfortable question: what if God's grace isn't fair?
On this episode of Sermon Brainwave, Karoline Lewis, Cody Sanders, and Matt Skinner dig into Matthew 20:1-16 and explore why this story about a generous landowner makes us so angry. They unpack fairness, retributive justice, and what it means to see as God sees. The conversation also covers Jonah's fury at God's mercy, Exodus 16 and the daily bread that sustains a hungry people, Psalm 145's unsearchable greatness, and the opening chapter of Philippians. Preachers will find fresh angles on prophetic preaching, grace that offends our sense of power, and the four-week journey into Philippians that begins this week.

Peter asks Jesus a simple question: how many times should I forgive? Jesus answers with the parable of the unforgiving servant, and the answer gets uncomfortable fast.
In this episode of Sermon Brainwave, Cody Sanders, Karoline Lewis, and Matt Skinner dig into Matthew 18:21-35 for the 16th Sunday after Pentecost. They explore why forgiveness is never a one-time decision and why the parable's financial imagery still stings today. The team also connects this hard teaching to Genesis 50, Exodus 14, Psalm 103, and Romans 14, tracing a single thread of forgiveness, patience, and community across all four texts.
They wrestle honestly with the parable's violent ending and its risk of being misapplied to survivors of abuse. This episode gives preachers real tools for handling one of Matthew's toughest parables with honesty and care.

Church conflict is inevitable, but how should Christians actually handle it?
In this episode, hosts Cody Sanders, Karoline Lewis, and Matt Skinner dive into Matthew 18 explained through the lens of accountability, reconciliation, and protecting the vulnerable. They unpack why Jesus pairs this teaching with the parable of the lost sheep and what that reveals about who the text is really trying to protect. The conversation also covers Ezekiel 33's watchman imagery, the Exodus 12 Passover narrative, Psalm 119, and Romans 13's call to put on the armor of light.
Whether you're preaching this Sunday or just want a richer grasp of these lectionary texts, this discussion offers practical, pastoral insight you can bring straight into your sermon prep.

What happens when preachers get their first-ever shot at Feast of Creation texts?
Matt Skinner, Karoline Lewis, and Cody Sanders dig into Season of Creation preaching for this brand-new addition to the lectionary. They explore John 1's cosmic logos, wrestle with chaos and order in Genesis 1, and unpack Genesis 2's dust-formed humanity. The team connects Psalm 148's cosmic praise to Paul's Areopagus speech in Acts 17. They challenge preachers to move beyond creation care language toward genuine relationality with the wider web of life. Scholars like Ellen Davis and Rabbi Julia Watts Belser inform the conversation throughout. Preachers gain fresh angles on humanity's place within creation, not above it.
Watch for practical insights you can bring straight into your Season of Creation sermon. Subscribe for weekly lectionary commentary from Working Preacher's Sermon Brainwave team.
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