Preaching The Text

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss Christ's sermon on the bread of life. Unlike the manna given to the Israelites, Christ himself is the bread which endures to eternal life. This episode discusses the scandal of this claim, and what it means in the doctrine of the Trinity. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast N...

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the crowds seeking Jesus in John 6 for bread. We learn that Jesus is the bread of life who satisfies the spiritual need of sinners for salvation. It's not the crowds who know where to seek this bread, but the work of God which makes faith in the heart. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube...

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson talk about the story of Christ walking on the water. Reminiscent of Moses' encounter with God in the rock, and Elijah's encounter with God on the mountain, in this text, Jesus walks on water with the intention to pass by the disciples in the boat. Not only is this a revelation of Jesus' divine identity, but is also accompanied by...

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson talk about the feeding of the five thousand according to Mark's gospel. We see here the purpose of the office of the ministry, which is to shepherd the people with the good news of the gospel. This text is about the preaching office, and therefore the doctrine of the church – not according to the law or politics, but according to...

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the martyrdom of John the Baptist according to Mark's account. Here, we see that the preacher of law and gospel is always the object of scorn and persecution by those who will not hear the message. John thinks his power over life and death is limitless, and cannot accept that the power of the sword belongs ultimately to Go...

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson explore how Jesus sends out his disciples with both keys – binding and loosing. Jesus also causes offense by preaching forgiveness, which is the key matter of this reading. The detractors attack the person of Jesus rather than his proclamation – engaging in ad hominem arguments rather than countering Jesus directly. Show Notes: Su...

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the story of the woman with the flow of blood healed by touching the garment of Jesus. The healing of Jairus's daughter is also included in this week's reading. Here we learn about the nature of worship according to the gospel, which means to seek Christ in bodily means for healing and resurrection. Show Notes: Support 151...

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the story of Jesus falling asleep in the boat. Here we learn how the disciples exercise faith in Christ as the divine power who controls the sea – one of the most frightening images of chaos and death in scripture. Their attention to Jesus shows how faith grasps Christ and turns him against the power of sin and death. Show...

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the Parable of the Sleeping Farmer, as Paulson likes to call it. The growth of the seed in this parable refers to the power of the gospel to produce its fruit unseen from the preacher who plants. This parable reveals the power of the gospel to do its work on its own and without our help or free will. Show Notes: Support 15...

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss Mark's account of Christ countering the accusations of the Pharisees that he has a demon. This episode discusses the way in which demons are cast out today through the preaching of the gospel.   Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network Fundraiser! 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Ac...

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss a story from Mark's gospel in which Jesus' disciples are accused of violating the Sabbath commandment for picking heads of grain on the holy day. Jesus explains, however, the true meaning of the Sabbath, which is God's blessing to human beings, not a human act of obedience toward God. Here we see where the law ends and the...

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the texts for Holy Trinity Sunday, chiefly, the encounter of Jesus and Nicodemus in John 3. Here they discuss the proper way to preach on the Trinity, which is to use the doctrine of baptism as the entry point. To learn about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as one true God, we must begin with the promise of eternal life g...

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the gospel reading from John for the Sunday of Pentecost. They focus upon the way in which the risen Christ isn't absent from his church, but present in a new way. Christ "spreads" himself out and remains bodily present in the Lord's Supper. And through the Holy Spirit, his word of absolution is preached. Show Notes: Suppo...

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss Christ's prayer to the Father before his betrayal and crucifixion. In this prayer, we overhear the Son's address to his Father in love. To preach on Christ's prayer, they talk about how to take the address of Son to Father concerning those Christ has won, and turn it around into a promise given to those who belong to Chris...

On this episode, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson talk about Christ's command that we love one another as he has loved us. Unlike the usual interpretation of this passage, Paulson and Hoyum talk about the necessity of good works and service to the neighbor that come forth naturally from faith in Christ. They also discuss some of the ways that preaching about love and friendship loses sight of Christ's...

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steven Paulson discuss Christ's famous statement that he is the vine, we are the branches. They also talk about Christian suffering and the way in which faith bears fruit in good works. In this way, God glorifies himself through suffering and the work of the gospel that forgives sins. Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517...

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the section of John's gospel where Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd. We learn how it is that Christ calls to his sheep through his word, which makes him our true shepherd against the false ones who refuse to preach the gospel. They also talk a little bit about what this means for the Christian life. Show Notes: Suppor...

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss Luke's account of Christ's appearance to the disciples. We learn a little bit about the difference between preaching and dialogue – as well as the difference between education and proclamation. We also see how Christ shows the disciples his person and work in the Old Testament scriptures. Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podc...

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the charter of all evangelical proclamation: Christ's appearance to the disciples on Easter according to John's telling. Here we learn that the purpose of the church is the forgiveness of sins, and that Christ's work of giving peace to troubled consciences convinces us of the truth that he has taken our sins and defeated t...

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss Mark's account of the resurrection. Specifically, they focus on the way in which after Christ's crucifixion, everything seems to go on just as before – even though Jesus has brought an end to sin and death through the cross. They talk about how the message of the young man – do not be afraid – is incomplete without an appe...

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the main reading from John's gospel concerning the death of Christ. Here we see that Christ's death brings to an end the punishment for sin in the work of the law, which is why Christ says, "It is finished," and dies. For preaching on Good Friday, we recommend being brief and to the point about this death for the sins of t...

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the gospel reading for Maundy Thursday. Here, we see Christ's institution of the Lord's Supper, and discuss how to preach and teach about this sacrament. They emphasize the character of the sacrament as a gift, talk about the differences between Passover and the Supper, and offer an explanation of the last will and testame...

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss Mark's account of the suffering and death of Christ. We learn some of the limitations of the lectionary, which encourage people not to attend services during Holy Week, but offer instead some preaching tips for making the death of Christ for our sins the focus of the sermon for those who come the Sunday before Easter. Show...

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss one of Christ's predictions of his death, this time from Mark 10. Here we learn how Jesus dies as a ransom for the sins of the world. We too will join Christ in death and resurrection, but only after he has first taken away sin by dying on the cross. Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple...

On this episode of Preaching the Text, Steve Paulson and John Hoyum talk about one of the most famous passages of scripture which speaks of salvation through the death of Christ. They also talk about the bronze serpent, which healed the Israelites despite being a symbol of their judgment by God. Likewise, the cross becomes for us not only an image of God's judgment but also the way of our salvatio...