Sharper Iron From Kfuo Radio

Rev. Chris Hull, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Tomball, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 John 4:7-16. Love begins with God, because He is love. He has manifested His love among us by sending His only Son into the world to give us life by being the propitiation for our sins. From the love that God has given us in His Son, our love for each other flows forth. This love is not a generic feeling; rather, this love is a commitment to another person that is grounded in the truth of who Jesus is and what He has done for us sinners. When we abide in His love, God abides in us. “Advent with the Apostles” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Epistle readings for the season of Advent. This holy season of repentance and joy focuses on the coming of Christ. As the apostles write to us concerning Christian doctrine and life in light of what Christ has done in His first coming in the flesh, they strengthen us to live and wait in hope for His second coming in glory on the Last Day.

Rev. Sean Daenzer, director of worship for the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod and chaplain for the International Center, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Hebrews 10:5-10. The text for this section of the sermon that is the letter of Hebrews is Psalm 40. The author of Hebrews, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, teaches us to understand this section as a conversation between Jesus and the Father. Jesus speaks in obedience to His Father’s will, acknowledging that the purpose of His incarnation is to give His Body as the once for all sacrifice for sinners. The sacrifices of the Old Testament are no longer needed. They are shadows of the Body of Jesus Christ; because He has come in our flesh, we cling to Him as our salvation from sin, death, and the devil. “Advent with the Apostles” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Epistle readings for the season of Advent. This holy season of repentance and joy focuses on the coming of Christ. As the apostles write to us concerning Christian

Rev. Zelwyn Heide, pastor at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Hannover, ND and Zion Lutheran Church in New Salem, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Romans 16:25-27. St. Paul concludes his epistle to the Romans with a glorious doxology of praise to God. He ties together his themes from the entire epistle, centering them all in the Gospel. He glorifies God as the One who strengthens the people He has called to Himself by the Gospel, the good news of what He has done in Christ that is preached to sinners for their salvation. This mystery, taught all along in the Old Testament, has been revealed clearly with the advent of Jesus in the flesh and in the preaching of His Word in the Church. This has happened because of God’s loving will to bring about the obedience of faith according to His will and work. For all of this good news, God receives all praise. To God be the glory! “Advent with the Apostles” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Epistle readings for the season of Advent. This hol

Rev. Shawn Linnell, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blair, NE, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Romans 1:1-7. As St. Paul begins his epistle to the Romans, he defines his calling and theirs. St. Paul has been called as a slave and apostle of Christ Jesus; the Lord is his master who has sent him to proclaim the Gospel. The Romans have been called to belong to Jesus Christ as saints who have been declared holy by what He has done for them. St. Paul has God’s authority to write, and the Roman Christians have God’s authority to listen. St. Paul is writing to them concerning Jesus Christ, who is both true man, descended from the line of David, and true God, raised from the dead. Through this epistle, Paul’s intention is that the Lord would bring about among the Romans Christians the obedience of faith in Jesus Christ. “Advent with the Apostles” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Epistle readings for the season of Advent. This holy season of repentance and joy focuses on the coming

Rev. Dr. Jeff Dukeman, pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Gulfport, MS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 4:1-5. The city of Corinth was well-known for its problems, and the same could be said for the church in Corinth. Yet St. Paul writes to them as Christians. As he addresses their divisions over which teacher they follow, he clearly elevates Christ as primary. He and Apollos are servants of the one Lord, Christ; they are stewards of what He has given them. He names these mysteries, that is, all of the things that the Triune God has done in order to save sinners. Pastors still today are these servants and stewards, handing over the gifts of God to the people of God. Faithfulness is the key, not the individual personality. In this, God alone stands as Lord and Judge; no human court can give the verdict. As pastors and hearers alike rightly discern truth from error and rebuke sin and falsehood as necessary, they do so as those who are justified by grace through faith in Christ. “Ad

Rev. Dr. Rick Marrs, professor of practical theology at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Philippians 4:4-7. St. Paul’s joy comes through loud and clear even from prison as he draws his epistle to the Philippians to a close. The joy of the Christian is more than inward happiness that fades with sadness. The joy of the Christian comes from the outside and is found in the Lord, so that even during times of suffering, grief, and complaint, Christian joy remains. This joy shows forth in gentle reasonableness that does not lash out at others, but seeks to respond to others according to the mind of Christ. His coming is near; therefore, our anxiousness is relieved as we take all our prayers to Him in thanksgiving. The peace that He gives us with God is beyond all understanding; by this peace He guards us our entire beings from every enemy that threatens us. “Advent with the Apostles” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Epistle readings for the season o

Rev. Sam Wirgau, pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Churches in Ossian, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24. St. Paul concludes his first epistle to the Christians in Thessalonica with short yet powerful imperatives. Christians rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances because God is accomplishing His will for them in Christ Jesus. The Spirit is at work among them through the Word, which they must not despise. Rather, they hold fast to the good things from the Word of God and abstain from all that is contrary to it. God Himself will accomplish this for them; He is the One who makes his people wholly holy. There is no doubt that He will accomplish this in totality at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. “Advent with the Apostles” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Epistle readings for the season of Advent. This holy season of repentance and joy focuses on the coming of Christ. As the apostles write to us concerning Christian doctr

Rev. Peter Ill, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Churches in Millstadt, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study James 5:7-11. St. James begins and ends his epistle emphasizing patience. The Christian is to be patient for the Lord’s coming as the farmer is patient for the harvest. Just as the harvest will surely come, so will the Lord surely come. In fact, His coming is at hand even now. For this reason, Christians ought not grumble against each other, for the Judge over all is nearby. Instead, Christian are sustained to suffer in the midst of their patience by the example of the prophets; as they were blessed in the Lord, so are we. Job’s steadfastness is also an encouragement to Christians and a reminder of the Lord’s compassion and mercy to His people. “Advent with the Apostles” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Epistle readings for the season of Advent. This holy season of repentance and joy focuses on the coming of Christ. As the apostles write to us concerning Christian doctrine and

Rev. Sean Kilgo, pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Churches in Lawrence, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Philippians 1:2-11. Although St. Paul wrote this epistle from prison, he overflows with joy. He begins with the grace and peace that are given by God to the Christians in Philippi. His thanksgiving overflows in all things for this congregation that has partnered with him in the gospel. He knows that God will begin to completion the good work He began in them as they wait for Jesus Christ’s Day. As they wait for that day, St. Paul prays that their love would grow and that they be kept safe in the true Christian faith until Jesus returns, all to the glory and praise of God. “Advent with the Apostles” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Epistle readings for the season of Advent. This holy season of repentance and joy focuses on the coming of Christ. As the apostles write to us concerning Christian doctrine and life in light of what Christ has done in His first coming in the flesh, t

Rev. David Boisclair, pastor at Bethesda and Faith Lutheran Churches in north St. Louis County, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Peter 3:8-14. In the face of those who doubted Christ’s return because of His apparent delay, St. Peter confidently declares that the Lord is not bound by our conception of time. We should not count the days until Christ’s return as His slowness, but rather recognize His desire to bring more sinners to repentance. The salvation of all in Christ Jesus is His earnest desire and will. Yet the day of the Lord will come suddenly and unexpectedly, when the Lord will bring forth His new creation. This compels us to lives of holiness and godliness right now, as we long for the day of Christ’s return and pray that His kingdom would come quickly. “Advent with the Apostles” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Epistle readings for the season of Advent. This holy season of repentance and joy focuses on the coming of Christ. As the apostles write to us concerning

Rev. Tim Koch, pastor at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank, SD, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Romans 15:4-13. God has provided Scripture for our instruction. Through His written Word, He gives the endurance, encouragement, and hope that can come only from Him. This unites the strong and the weak, the Jew and the Gentile, to live together in Christ. St. Paul establishes this truth from the Scripture given for our encouragement. He cites four different authors who show that God has kept His promise to call all nations to Himself in Christ Jesus. St. Paul closes the text with a blessing that focuses us once again on hope, which is not wishful thinking, but the confident expectation that God will fulfill all His promises in Christ Jesus. “Advent with the Apostles” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Epistle readings for the season of Advent. This holy season of repentance and joy focuses on the coming of Christ. As the apostles write to us concerning Christian doctrine and life in l

Rev. Tim Eden, pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church in Bryan, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13. St. Paul’s time in Thessalonica had been cut abruptly short due to persecution, leading to his concern for the faith of the fledgling congregation. That’s why his thanksgiving and joy overflow upon the good report he receives from Timothy. St. Paul’s prayers had been answered; the congregation had remained faithful. Now he continues to pray for an opportunity to be with them face-to-face again and continue instructing them in the truth of the Christian faith. His prayer for his own travels is coupled with his prayer for the Thessalonians, that the Triune God would continue to increase their love and establish them in holiness as they await the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. “Advent with the Apostles” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Epistle readings for the season of Advent. This holy season of repentance and joy focuses on the coming of Christ. As the apostle

Rev. Philip Hoppe, pastor at Peace Lutheran Church in Finlayson, MN and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bruno, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 1:3-9. St. Paul sets the tone for his first letter to the Christian church at Corinth by centering them in the Lord Jesus Christ. He blesses them with the grace and peace that come from God alone. Although this congregation has its problems, St. Paul gives thanks for all that the grace of God has accomplished there. By the preaching of the Gospel of Christ’s coming in the flesh, they have not lacked in any gift of God’s grace. This prepares them for the revealing of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Last Day. His faithfulness will sustain them to that Day as they share in fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ and so with all other Christians. This is true for Christians still today as we wait for the final advent of our Lord. “Advent with the Apostles” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Epistle readings for the season of Advent.

Rev. James Yonkers, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Danville, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Romans 13:8-14. The season of Advent is a time of waiting, repentance, and faith. As we prepare to celebrate the first coming of Christ at Christmas, we also prepare to receive Him when He comes again in glory on the Last Day. St. Paul encourages us to do precisely that in the text from Romans 13. Having already expounded at length that sinners are saved by God’s grace alone, St. Paul is now in his section of this epistle in which he instructs Christians what life under God’s grace looks like now. The word “love” summarizes his answer. The love that Christians owe others is shaped by God’s Law, so that Christians strive after what is helpful rather than harmful to our neighbor. We do this with urgency, because we know that the time is at hand. Christ has come and won salvation, and He is coming again soon. Why would we walk in the darkness of evil when we have seen His glorious light? He has clothed

“Advent with the Apostles” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Epistle readings for the season of Advent. This holy season of repentance and joy focuses on the coming of Christ. As the apostles write to us concerning Christian doctrine and life in light of what Christ has done in His first coming in the flesh, they strengthen us to live and wait in hope for His second coming in glory on the Last Day. Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Rev. Dr. Adam Filipek, pastor at Holy Cross and Immanuel Lutheran Churches in Lidgerwood, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezekiel 48:1-35. Ezekiel’s vision comes to a grand conclusion. He hears the division of the land according to the tribes. Unlike the division of the land under Joshua, the LORD here divides the land equally, a picture of the equal share of grace God gives to all His people. The LORD also reunites His divided people as He brings them back together to dwell safely in the land. The LORD’s allotment of land for Himself is in the midst of His people, along with the land for the prince. He serves to unite all God’s people, a promise fulfilled by Jesus, who draws all people to Himself by His death on the cross. All of this culminates in the holy city, which bears the name, “The LORD Is There.” The LORD will not forsake His exiles; He will dwell among them. This is what He has done for us now in Jesus, even as we await the fulness of this promise in eternity, seen by St. John in Revela

Rev. Jason M. Kaspar, pastor at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in La Grange, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezekiel 47:1-23. Ezekiel sees a river flow from the new temple. Although no tributaries join this river, it grows from a trickle into the mightiest of rivers. Because it flows from the presence of God, this river provides life all around. The saltiness of the Dead Sea is made fresh. Multitudes of fish find a home there. All kinds of trees bear all kinds of fruit for food, and their leaves give healing. The vision Ezekiel sees is fulfilled in Jesus, who is the true temple of God who gives water of eternal life in Holy Baptism. St. John sees the fullness of this vision at the end of Revelation. Ezekiel also sees the boundaries of the Promised Land. The LORD will make His people dwell securely here, and He also provides inclusion for sojourners to be made a part of His people. This is a picture of the LORD’s desire to bring salvation through Jesus Christ to all nations. “The Faithful Watchman”

Rev. Sam Wirgau, pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ossian, IN joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 17:11-19. Samaria was not a place where many Jews of Jesus’ day ventured, but that is exactly the route Jesus took to Jerusalem and His cross. There Jesus encountered ten lepers. These men not only suffered greatly physically from this terrible illness. Even more than that, they were separated from their community and worship life through the ceremonial uncleanness they endured. This served as a picture of the sin that infects all people. That’s why these ten lepers cry out to Jesus for mercy, His grace and compassion that alone can heal and save. Jesus sends them to show themselves to the priest, and as they go, His Word effects healing. One recognizes what has happened and believes. He returns to Jesus as the true Temple, the place where God dwells in human flesh. He returns to Jesus as the true Priest, the one who makes the final sacrifice for sin. He praises God by giving praise and thanks to Je

Rev. John Bussman, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cullman, AL joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Philippians 4:6-20. The church at Philippi had seen the Apostle Paul go through highs and lows during his ministry. As he writes his letter to them from prison, he proclaims to them the joy that remains theirs in Christ regardless of their circumstances. Because the LORD’s return is near, Christians live differently in the world. We are freed from anxiousness and worry through the comfort that is ours in Christ. Prayer and supplication flows from our lips to our Father’s throne of grace. His peace, given through the death and resurrection of Jesus, is our true guard from all evil. For that reason, our minds are occupied with all the good that He gives, as the Apostle learned and modeled from the Lord. Paul’s joy continues to abound through the gift that the Philippians sent. He had learned to be content in every circumstance, whether full or hungry, whether he had plenty or he had need, for Christ wa

Rev. Stephen Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezekiel 46:1-24. Ezekiel continues to see the worship life of the new temple. The prince bears an important responsibility in the regular services of the temple; he represents the people before the LORD. In this way, the prince prefigures the work of Jesus Christ, who is a mediator for us before the throne of God. The differences between Ezekiel’s vision and the regulations of the Torah are a reminder that this text, and the entire Old Testament, is looking forward to its fulfillment in Christ. The instructions concerning the prince’s inheritance recall the jubilee regulations from Leviticus 25 and strengthen God’s promise that His people will no longer be scattered. The presence of the temple kitchens is a reminder that God desires to eat with His people, a reality that is fulfilled in the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ and the ongoing celebration of His Holy Supper. “The Faithful Watchman” is a