Sharper Iron From Kfuo Radio

Rev. Stephen Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 19:11-27. Jesus’ impending entrance into Jerusalem and His recent encounters with a blind man and Zacchaeus have left the crowds with incorrect expectations about the coming of God’s kingdom. Jesus tells a parable in order to instruct them in the truth. Jesus is the nobleman who goes off to receive a kingdom by His death, resurrection, and ascension. He leaves His disciples with His gifts to put to use, even as His kingdom faces opposition. Jesus does return as the victorious and reigning King. He first calls His servants to Him. Two servants tell of how the Lord’s money brought a return; they were simply unworthy servants who did their duty. Yet in a surprise of grace, the Lord rewards them generously. One servant, however, knew his Lord wrongly. Though the Lord points out this servant’s inconsistency of belief and action, He gives the servant what he wanted and treats him harshly. The enemies

Rev. Carl Roth, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 19:1-10. Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem takes Him through Jericho, the home of Zacchaeus. As a tax collector, Zacchaeus is among those who have been welcomed by Jesus, yet as a rich man, Zacchaeus has been living a life of woe. His desire to see Jesus is well-placed, but he is too short to see over the crowd. He climbs a sycamore tree for just a glimpse of Jesus. The Lord calls to Zacchaeus with great urgency; he must go to this tax collector’s house. Zacchaeus receives the Lord with great joy, despite the grumbling of the crowd. Zacchaeus responds to the Lord’s mercy with the fruit of repentance, and Jesus reiterates the absolution that Zacchaeus has already received. Jesus’ mission is to seek and save lost sinners; that is why He had to come to Zacchaeus, and that is why He has to finish His journey to Jerusalem. “The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes t

Rev. Dr. Adam Koontz, assistant professor of exegetical theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 18:31-43. Jesus continues with unbroken focus on His journey toward Jerusalem. He reiterates to His disciples the necessity that He go there in order to fulfill the Scriptures. There He will be handed over to the Gentiles to suffer the deepest humiliation and most gruesome death. Though the cross looks horrific to human eyes, the divine beauty is seen through Jesus’ blood. The disciples are unable to see this truth now, but the miracle Jesus accomplishes in giving the blind man his sight indicates that their eyes will one day be opened. The blind man identifies Jesus as the true King of Israel who has come to show mercy, and mercy is precisely what He receives from the Savior through faith. “The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his wel

Rev. Dr. Adam Filipek, pastor at Holy Cross and Immanuel Lutheran Churches in Lidgerwood, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 18:15-30. The humility of the tax collector in Jesus’ previous parable is comparable to the helplessness of the infants being brought to Him. He rebukes His disciples when they attempt to stop these children from coming to Him, for only in such dependence upon the Lord will anyone enter into His kingdom. A ruler approaches Jesus with the opposite attitude. The ruler believes he has kept the Law, and so Jesus seeks to expose the man’s false trust. The ruler’s riches prove to be too great an idol, and he hears Jesus’ call in sadness. In response, Jesus teaches how great an obstacle riches are to entering the kingdom of God; only the Lord Himself can overcome the human impossibility for salvation. Jesus has accomplished this salvation by His incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension. “The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that

Rev. Ned Moerbe, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blackwell, OK, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 18:1-14. In order to encourage His disciples to pray always without losing heart, Jesus tells a parable about an unjust judge and a persistent widow. Though the judge cares neither about God’s law nor man’s opinion, he gives the widow the justice she desires due to her constant petitioning. In contrast to the unjust judge, the true God is righteous. He loves His elect, and He will surely answer their prayers because He is their heavenly Father. Jesus’ question about finding faith invites each individual to examine themselves for the faith that Jesus commends in His second parable. To those who trust in their own righteousness, Jesus speaks about a Pharisee who prays with pride and a tax collector who prays with humility. While the Pharisee is brought low in his pride, the tax collector receives the mercy and justification from God for which he pleads. “The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Accoun

Rev. David Vandercook, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in North Little Rock, AR and Shepherd of Peace Lutheran Church in Maumelle, AR, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 17:20-37. When some Pharisees ask when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus redirects their question toward Himself. The kingdom of God is not to be sought in signs, but in the King who is among them, Jesus Himself. The Lord then instructs His disciples further. When they desire to see Him as they did at that time, they should not be misled, but they should recognize that Jesus’ coming will be as evident as the flash of lightning. His second coming as King cannot take place until He completes His first coming as King in which He reigns by death and resurrection. When he returns again on the Last Day, it will be sudden. That is why the Lord gives warning now, so that sinners would repent and believe in Him to be prepared for the final judgment. Only such faith will save; no material goods will avail. When the disciples ask where

Rev. Chris Hull, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Tomball, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 17:11-19. Jesus’ journey toward the cross puts the healing of the ten leprous men into its full context. As Jesus cleanses these men from the sickness that corrupts their skin, so He goes to cleanse all sinners from the sin that corrupts their nature by His death and resurrection. They pray for the Lord’s mercy, a prayer in which Christians still join today. One of the ten men recognizes that Jesus is the Source of this marvelous gift, and so he returns to worship Jesus as God. Though this man was a Samaritan, he truly was a member of God’s people because his faith was in Jesus Christ. Jesus marvels at this truth and sends the man on his way in peace, because his faith has saved him. “The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection

Rev. Andrew Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Haven, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 17:1-10. Jesus continues His teaching against greed and pride as He turns to His disciples. Obstacles to saving faith will be present in this world, and the consequences to those who set them up by false doctrine or false living are severe. Yet, at the same time, the Lord shows how much He values His little ones. His disciples should value them similarly by taking care both to rebuke sin and forgive sin. The apostles recognize the necessity of faith for this task, and Jesus teaches that faith alone is powerful to do these things. This faith is active in patience, suffering, and cross-carrying, as Jesus’ disciples live as unworthy servants of their master. “The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection so that Theophilus wo

Rev. Dr. Jeff Dukeman, pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Gulfport, MS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 16:19-31. Jesus continues to seek after the lost Pharisees by using the illustration of Lazarus and the rich man. Though Lazarus is poor in this life, he is known to God by name, and his faith results in the riches of eternal life. The fact that the angels carry Lazarus to Abraham’s side at death brings comfort to Christians as we face death. Though the rich man has all he wants in this life, he is unknown to God by name, and his unbelief results in the poverty of hell. Here Jesus portrays the great reversal that happens in the kingdom of God. The one who was sure his heritage or deeds would keep him in the kingdom found out that he was actually outside. The truth for salvation is found in the Word of God; those who would be saved must listen to God in His Word and nowhere else. “The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel

Rev. Jason M. Kaspar, pastor at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in La Grange, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 16:1-18. The parable Jesus tells about an unjust steward is challenging. Focusing on the mercy of the master is a helpful key to understand the parable consistently with the rest of Holy Scripture. In his actions, the dishonest manager banks shrewdly on the master’s merciful reputation among his debtors. Similarly, Jesus’ disciples should use their money and possessions with a view toward their Lord’s mercy. They can freely give of their money and possessions to those in need because their Father has given freely to them an even greater gift, the Word of God. The Pharisees see this as foolishness, and their opposition to Jesus grows from grumbling to scoffing. Jesus confronts their self-justification with the Law of God, which stands true for all people. “The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke.

Rev. Sam Wirgau, pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ossian, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 15:11-32. Jesus’ third parable in response to the Pharisees’ grumbling brings His teaching on the grace of God to a grand climax. Jesus speaks of a father and his two sons. The younger son asks for his inheritance ahead of time. The father responds to this terrible insult by agreeing to his son’s demand. The son liquidates his property and goes to a foreign land, providing a picture of the distance from God inherent in our sin and idolatry. The younger son hits rock bottom and comes to his senses, though he still thinks he will work his way back until he sees the love of his father. The father sees his son at a distance and runs to him; he forgives him, receives him back as a son, and throws a party. At this point, the older son shows that he too is lost. He refuses to go into his dad’s celebration, another terrible insult to the father. Yet the father goes to him as well, calling him into the sa

Rev. Peter Ill, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 15:1-10. When the Pharisees disapprove of Jesus’ dinner company, the Lord takes the opportunity to teach them in parables concerning the grace of God that seeks and finds lost sinners. His first parable speaks of a shepherd who has one hundred sheep under his care. Perhaps surprisingly, he is willing to go to great lengths to search and find just one lost sheep. When he finds that sheep, his joy overflows into a party for his friends and neighbors. Jesus’ second parable grows in intensity; now a woman has ten coins and spares no effort to find one that is lost. Her joy similarly overflows when the lost is found. In both of these parables, Jesus teaches the shame and suffering that God is willing to endure in order to rescue sinners from death, and then the joy that overflows in heaven when His people are restored into His kingdom. “The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on

Rev. Matt Wietfeldt, Director of Admissions and the Christ Academy program at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 14:25-35. Jesus turns to a broader audience of the great crowds who are journeying with Him but not yet His disciples. He speaks to let them know what following Him entails. To be a disciple of Jesus is to choose Him above all else, even over the closest earthly relationships or over the self. To be a disciple of Jesus is to carry a cross, following after Him as the Crucified One. Jesus’ disciples live with a view toward the end, desiring to build a tower that stands the test of time and to fight a war that ends in success. Only with Jesus as the foundation will the tower stand; only with Jesus fighting for you as your Savior will victory be won. Earthly possessions play no role in this, for they will be gone at death anyway; Jesus’ disciples are free to renounce them now. In this way, Jesus’ disciples remain salt that flavors and preserv

Rev. John Bussman, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cullman, AL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 14:1-24. A Sabbath meal at the house of a Pharisee provides Jesus the opportunity to correct misunderstandings concerning the kingdom of God. The Lord cuts right through the confusion of Pharisaical traditions by healing a man with dropsy on the Sabbath. He holds together true love of God and true love of neighbor in opposition to the legalism of the Pharisees. As Jesus watches the Pharisees jockey for positions of honor, He teaches that honor is not something earned but a gift bestowed by the Father in the kingdom of God. Because all depends on God’s gift, there is no need to use others to gain honor for ourselves, but we are set free to show love to even the lowest of neighbors. Those who are included in the feast of God’s kingdom are blessed indeed, but they come only through the invitation of Jesus. To reject the Lord’s invitation is disastrous, yet He longs to fill His table with His fai

Rev. Caleb Adams, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bend, OR, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 13:22-35. Jesus’ journey toward Jerusalem continues through towns and villages on the way. When someone questions the number of those saved, Jesus redirects toward the question of “How?” more than “How many?” The door to salvation is narrow because Jesus is the only Way. This makes the matter of repentance and faith in Jesus urgent. The door is open now, but the day will come when the door is shut. Those who had mere familiarity with Jesus but no saving faith will be left outside. The patriarchs and prophets of the Old Testament will be in the kingdom of God along with all those from all over the world who share their faith in the Savior. Jesus brings them into His kingdom by completing His work for our salvation. Neither the Pharisees nor Herod can stand in His way from getting to Jerusalem where He will die. Though He longs to gather Jerusalem in love, their refusal of Him will lead to their destr

Rev. Jonathan Walla, pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church in Bismarck, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 13:10-21. A woman with a disabling spirit is in the synagogue where Jesus is teaching one Sabbath. Though Satan had afflicted her for eighteen years, Jesus sets her free from the devil’s grip and the accompanying sickness. She glorifies God, but the ruler of the synagogue shames her and anyone else who would seek after healing on the Sabbath. Jesus rebukes him sharply, identifying the Sabbath day as the appropriate time for God to bring rest and release to His creation. This leads Jesus into two short parables concerning the kingdom of heaven. As a mustard seed grows into a tree, and as leaven works through an entire batch of flour, so the kingdom of God grows by the power of God’s Word. “The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched account of Jesus’ life, death, and r

Rev. Philip Hoppe, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Colby, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 12:54-13:9. Jesus turns to the crowds and rebukes their hypocrisy in correctly reading the signs of the weather but failing to recognize the signs that He is the Christ. If they continue in that hypocrisy, they will align themselves with the false teaching of the Pharisees. Instead, they must recognize for themselves that Jesus is the Righteous One, the only One who can give settlement to God so that they are free from the penalty of their sins. When the crowds attempt to discern the times by bringing to Jesus’ attention an atrocity committed by Pilate, the Lord instead points them to their own repentance as the necessary response. God’s mercy is long-suffering, as the parable of the fig tree shows, but the time is drawing short. The day for repentance and faith is today. “The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. L

Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 12:35-53. Jesus continues to speak forthrightly as He prepares His disciples for His second coming. His servants are called to faithfulness, for they know they have a master who has come to serve them. Yet they dare not take this grace for granted; the master returns at an unexpected hour, and unfaithfulness will be met with His judgment. Jesus shows how quickly small unfaithfulness grows into outright evil, a strong warning for all who have been given faith right now. Jesus reveals that there is no middle ground; even within earthly families, He is the dividing line. By His Baptism of blood on the cross, He wins salvation and establishes Himself as the only way to eternal life. “The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection

Rev. Mark Barz, pastor at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 12:22-34. On the heels of the parable of the rich fool, Jesus teaches His disciples that there is no need to worry. When they are rich toward God, He will give them all that they need for this life. Besides, this life is more than food and clothing, all of which are gifts from God’s hand in the first place. He cares for birds and flowers; certainly He will take care of His people. That removes anxiousness and frees us to seek after God’s kingdom, which He promises to give to us according to His good pleasure. His heavenly treasure can never be taken away or destroyed; when our heart is with Christ, our treasure is there with Him as well. “The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection so that Theophilus would have certai

Rev. AJ Espinosa, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Irvine, CA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 12:1-21. As the crowds around Jesus grow, the Lord takes the opportunity to warn the disciples against the leaven of the Pharisees. Their hypocrisy is seeking to please people only. Not only is such a task ultimately futile before men, but God will make all hidden things plain. Such fear of men is short-sighted, for their power is only over this physical life. Only God has authority over eternal life; He is the One to be feared. Because He acts as a loving Father, the right fear of God takes away all fear of men. That sets Jesus’ disciples free to confess Him before men and live in repentance right now; one day, it will be too late. The parable of the rich fool reinforces this point. Neither the praise of men nor possessions can give eternal life. Only the riches that God give last forever; only through Jesus will these riches of eternal life come to us. “The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Ac