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: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts T...
Nov 22, 2023•49 min
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: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Freedom Lessons Album...
Nov 14, 2023•42 min
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: Support 1517 1517 Podcast...
Nov 07, 2023•57 min
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: Support 15...
Oct 30, 2023•1 hr 1 min
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: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple...
Oct 25, 2023•49 min
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: Support 1517 151...
Oct 17, 2023•49 min
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: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 P...
Oct 11, 2023•47 min
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. Sho...
Oct 03, 2023•44 min
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 an...
Sep 26, 2023•49 min
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 ...
Sep 19, 2023•53 min
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: 1517 Podcast Survey Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podc...
Sep 12, 2023•1 hr 4 min
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: 1...
Sep 05, 2023•59 min
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: 1517 Podcast Network Survey Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcast...
Aug 28, 2023•1 hr 2 min
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: 1517 Podcast Network Survey Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Networ...
Aug 21, 2023•46 min
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: 1517 Podcast Network Survey Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Po...
Aug 14, 2023•52 min
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: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Po...
Aug 08, 2023•51 min
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: Support 1...
Aug 01, 2023•46 min
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: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Pod...
Jul 24, 2023•46 min
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: Supp...
Jul 18, 2023•53 min
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 o...
Jul 11, 2023•28 min
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: Support the Podcast Network Fundraiser 1517 Podcasts...
Jul 03, 2023•49 min
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 famili...
Jun 26, 2023•45 min
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. Support the Podcast Network Fundraiser 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: The New Quest f...
Jun 20, 2023•42 min
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: Support the Podcast Network Fundraiser 1517 Podcasts The 1517 P...
Jun 12, 2023•43 min
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 altog...
Jun 05, 2023•45 min
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. Support this show 1517 Podcasts Craft of Preaching...
May 29, 2023•54 min
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...
May 23, 2023•54 min
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 w...
May 16, 2023•1 hr
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. Support this show 1517 Podcasts Craft of Preaching...
May 09, 2023•57 min
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. Support this show 1517 Podcasts Cr...
May 01, 2023•57 min
