Day1 Weekly Podcast

Join us for Episode 4206 with Rev. Susan Sparks, senior pastor of Madison Avenue Baptist Church (New York, NY). In “Pray. Work. Rest. Repeat.” on 2 Thessalonians 1:1–4, 11–12, Susan invites us into a Christ-centered rhythm that keeps us aligned with God’s call: begin in prayer, serve with purpose, and honor holy rest. This All Saints Sunday (Year C) frames our perseverance and joy within the commu...

Join us for Day1 Episode 4205 as Rev. Dr. Sam Wells, vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields (London), preaches “The Light We Cannot See” on Luke 18:9–14. Drawing on the Pharisee and the tax collector, Wells explores humility, grace, and the dangers of self-righteousness—inviting us to see one another as gifts rather than rivals. In this Proper 25, Year C message, he weaves story and theology into a hope...

Join us for Episode 4204 with Rev. Grace Imathiu of First United Methodist Church (Evanston, IL). In “Prayer as Prophetic Imagination,” rooted in Luke 18:1-8, Grace invites us to see prayer not as passive pleading but as a resilient, justice-seeking life with God. Drawing on themes of lament, hope, and persistence, she explores how prayer strengthens us against despair—especially in this season af...

Join us for Day1 Episode 4203 featuring Rev. Dr. Charles Qualls, senior pastor of Franklin Baptist Church in Franklin, VA. In his sermon “Called to Trust God,” based on 2 Kings 5:1-14, Dr. Qualls reflects on Naaman’s healing and the importance of asking “why” rather than “how” when it comes to faith. Exploring themes of trust, humility, and God’s surprising ways, this message speaks to the heart o...

Join us for Episode 4202 with Rev. Mark Birch, Canon Rector of Westminster Abbey (London), preaching “Keep Faith and Guard the Good Deposit” on 2 Timothy 1:1–14. Drawing on coronation imagery and baptismal themes, Rev. Birch reflects on handing down a rich, sometimes mysterious faith—beyond metrics, success, or failure. In this Proper 22 (27), 17th Sunday after Pentecost (Year C) message, he encou...

Episode 4201 features Rev. Jody Andrade (Presbytery of Greater Atlanta) with “Dinner with a Prophet,” on Jeremiah 32:1–3a, 6–15. Let’s be honest—Jeremiah is the last person you’d invite to a cozy dinner party. He’s intense, unfiltered, and not much for small talk. Yet Rev. Andrade reminds us that around his table we find the real feast: truth-telling, inconvenient hope, and the call to love our ne...

Join us for Day1 Episode 4200, “Insisting on Praise: Reading Psalm 79 Together,” featuring Rev. Dr. Jason Byassee of Timothy Eaton Memorial Church and Rabbi Yael Splansky of Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto, the first Jewish voice ever featured on Day1 in its 80-year history. Byassee preaches “Through not For” and Splansky offers “Insisting on Song: Cracking the Code on Psalm 79.” Together they refl...

Join us for Day1 Episode 4199 with the Rev. Dr. Theodore A. Gill of San Francisco Theological Seminary. In his sermon, "Our Lover's Quarrel with the World," based on John 3:13-17, Dr. Gill explores how Christians are called to both critique and cherish the world, holding together the tension of God’s judgment and God’s love. Originally preached in 1963, this message still speaks powerfully to Holy...

Join us for Episode 4198 of Day1 with Rev. Dr. Barry Jones, Senior Pastor of Irving Bible Church in Dallas-Fort Worth. In his sermon “Seen, Known, Loved,” based on Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18, Dr. Jones explores what it means to be fully seen, deeply known, and unconditionally loved by God. Speaking into the chaos, shame, and suffering we face, he reminds us of God’s abiding presence and grace, as mark t...

Join us for Episode 4197 of "Day1 Classics" featuring Rev. Dr. Jorge Lara-Braud, founding director of the Hispanic American Institute in Austin, Texas. In his powerful 1976 sermon, "In Search of Another City," based on Hebrews 13:10-16, Lara-Braud calls us to live as pilgrims pursuing God's future, challenging nationalism, religious complacency, and false superiority. This bold message is especial...

Join us for Day1 Episode 4196 with Rev. Shuna Dicks, minister of Cults Parish Church in Aberdeen, Scotland. Her sermon, "Thanksgiving and Gratitude, Despite the Mess of Life," based on 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24, explores how gratitude can ground us—even in life’s most chaotic moments. Preaching with warmth and wisdom, Rev. Dicks reflects on covenant, community, and God’s abiding presence. Tune in fo...

Join us for Episode 4195 of Day1 featuring Dr. Ryan Bonfiglio, Old Testament scholar and professor at Emory’s Candler School of Theology. In his sermon “Daughters of Zelophehad,” based on Numbers 27:1-11, Dr. Bonfiglio explores how five courageous women shaped biblical tradition by seeking justice within their community. Through this message, he invites us to embrace difference, and challenge echo...

Join us for Day1 Episode 4194 with Rev. Dr. Ebby Arnold of Candler School of Theology, Emory University. In her sermon, “Go Outside and Play!” based on Genesis 15:1-6, Dr. Arnold explores how stepping outside—literally and spiritually—expands our imagination and renews our hope in God’s promises. Through vivid storytelling and theological insight, she invites us to consider the prophetic call to s...

Join us for another "Day1 Classics" Episode #4193 featuring Dr. James A. Wharton, beloved professor and Presbyterian pastor, with his timeless sermon “King’s X,” based on Hosea 11:1-9. Originally preached in 1972, this powerful message explores divine love, idolatry, and God’s refusal to give up on us—even when we choose death over life. With commentary by Rev. Dr. Thomas G. Long.

Join us for Day1 Episode 4192 as Rev. Leon Stevenson of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Cleveland, Ohio, brings a powerful message titled “Shameless Audacity: Learning to Pray with Jesus,” based on Luke 11:1-13. In this sermon for the 7th Sunday after Pentecost, Rev. Stevenson explores what it means to pray with boldness, humility, and trust in God's goodness—even in seasons of grief and wa...

Join us for Episode 4191 of Day1 with the Rev. Robb Webb, director of the Rural Church Division of The Duke Endowment in Charlotte, NC. In his sermon, “Truth Shared in Song,” based on Colossians 1:15-28, Rev. Webb explores the power of hymns to shape belief and reveal divine truth. Drawing from Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he highlights how singing together opens our hearts to the fullness of...

Join us for Day1 Episode 4190 as Rev. Adam Mixon, pastor of Zion Spring Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL, delivers his sermon "Who Is My Neighbor?" based on Luke 10:25-37. In this timely message for the 5th Sunday after Pentecost (Year C), Rev. Mixon explores how labels, compassion, and justice intersect in the call to love our neighbors. With honesty and humility, he invites us to examine our hea...

Join us for Day1 Episode 4189 featuring Rev. Dr. Jenny Shultz-Thomas, pastor of Countryside Community Church, UCC and part of the Tri-Faith Initiative in Omaha, Nebraska. In her sermon "Shake the Dust, Share the Peace," based on Luke 10:1-11, 16-20, she reflects on Jesus' call to share God’s inclusive love without coercion, embracing spiritual abundance, and carrying peace into a divided world.

Join us for Day1 Episode 4188 as Rev. Dr. Charles Qualls, senior pastor of Franklin Baptist Church in Franklin, VA, delivers his sermon, "Called to Connection," based on 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14. In this thoughtful message for the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost, Dr. Qualls explores the deep bonds of mentorship, the power of spiritual legacy, and our God-given need for connection. Reflecting on Elijah and E...

Join us for Episode 4187 of Day1 with Rev. Juan Carlos Huertas, Minister of Proclamation & Practice of Justice at First-Plymouth Congregational Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. In his sermon, “The Journey Will Be Too Much,” based on 1 Kings 19:1-15a, Rev. Huertas explores exhaustion, fear, and the quiet ways God sustains us on the long road of faith. As we move through the second Sunday after Pent...

Join us for Day1 Episode #4186 with Rev. Danny Lybarger, Founding Pastor of The Well United Methodist Church in Weldon Spring, Missouri, as he preaches “Hope That Doesn’t Quit,” unpacking Romans 5:1-5 in the context of Trinity Sunday (Year C). Through a moving story of shifted expectations at a hockey game, Danny explores how suffering shapes endurance, builds character, and leads to an unwavering...

Join us for Day1 Episode 4185 as we welcome Rev. Rebecca Gurney, pastor of Reems Creek-Beech Presbyterian Church in Weaverville, NC. In her Pentecost sermon, “Risen and Making a Racket,” based on Acts 2:1-21, 32-33, 36-39, Rev. Gurney reflects on natural disaster, resurrection hope, and the noisy, beautiful mess of the Spirit’s movement. With humor and theological depth, she invites us to witness...

Join us for Episode 4184 with Rev. Dr. Ozzie E. Smith, Jr. of Covenant United Church of Christ as he delivers “Being A Witness When Rome Won’t Do” (Acts 16:16–34). In this 7th Sunday of Easter reflection, Dr. Smith explores how faith resists empires, transforms jail cells into places of praise, and calls believers to stay alert to the movement of the Gospel. Discover again how prayer equips us to...

Join us for Day1 Episode 4183 featuring Rev. Dr. Cynthia Campbell, distinguished theologian and former president of McCormick Theological Seminary. Her sermon, “Welcome One Another,” based on Acts 16:9-15, explores the transformative power of hospitality through the story of Lydia—the first documented Christian convert in Europe. In this powerful message for the 6th Sunday of Easter, Dr. Campbell...

Join us for Day1 Episode #4182 featuring writer, activist, and preacher Sara Miles of St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco. In her sermon “Among Mortals,” based on Acts 11:1-18, Sara explores what it means to truly embrace God’s inclusive love in the messy, broken world we inhabit. Preaching on the 5th Sunday of Easter, she invites us to let the Spirit tear down our walls and rev...