Sharper Iron From Kfuo Radio

Rev. Dr. Adam Filipek, pastor at Holy Cross and Immanuel Lutheran Churches in Lidgerwood, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezekiel 11:1-25. Ezekiel’s vision of events in Jerusalem concludes. He hears the wicked leaders in Jerusalem claim that they are safe in Jerusalem as the cream of God’s crop. The LORD turns their slogan upside down and promises that they will fall by the sword that they have feared. When Ezekiel sees one of these leaders die in the midst of his vision, he cries out with an intercessory heart, asking about the remnant. The LORD responds with one of the clearest proclamations of the Gospel thus far in Ezekiel. He promises that He will be the sanctuary for His people even in exile. He will give them a new spirit and an undivided, living heart so that they will be His people and He will be their God. The hope of this promise remains even as Ezekiel sees the glory of the LORD leave the Temple entirely and come to rest on the Mount of Olives. Jesus’ journey into Jerusalem for His dea

Rev. Gaven Mize, pastor at Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hickory, NC, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezekiel 10:1-22. Ezekiel again sees the four living creatures and now recognizes that they are cherubim. They are bearing the throne of the LORD as Ezekiel sees the glory of the LORD move farther away from the Holy of Holies. The LORD’s self-imposed exile from His temple, combined with His instruction to the man clothed in linen to scatter burning coals over Jerusalem, is a sign of judgment against the blatant idolatry practiced by His people. At the same time, the movement of the glory of the LORD from a building in Jerusalem points forward to the glory of the LORD revealed in the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. As He comes to be present among His people in Word and Sacrament still today, we see His glory and share in the beautiful vision of Ezekiel. “The Faithful Watchman” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Ezekiel. Just when Ezekiel should have begun h

Rev. Caleb Adams, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bend, OR, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezekiel 9:1-11. Ezekiel’s vision of events in Jerusalem continues. He sees the beginning of the LORD’s departure from His own house. Though the LORD will not hear the cries of His people, He still cries out to Ezekiel concerning the executioners who are coming into Jerusalem. These six figures are likely angels. They come from the north, the normal direction of the enemies of God’s people, in order to bring destruction upon the city. The seventh figure is different; this one is clothed in linen and carries a writing case. Though he too is likely an angel, he is given a task that points us clearly to Christ. The LORD instructs the man clothed in linen to mark the faithful people of God with the Hebrew letter “tau,” which would have looked very similar to a cross. Those who bear this mark are spared the destruction from the six executioners, who go into the city with no pity. When Ezekiel wonders if the LORD

Rev. Andy Wright, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezekiel 8:1-18. Fourteen months after Ezekiel’s call to be a prophet, he has come to be known as a prophet among the exiles. He receives another vision from God, in which the LORD gives Ezekiel a glimpse into the wickedness happening in the temple in Jerusalem. The prophet sees four abominations that increase in evil. The north gate stands open to Canaanite idolatry, and an image of jealousy stands opposed to the glory of God. Seventy elders are usurping the priestly roles and worshiping images of creatures in the dark, fooling themselves that the LORD will not see them. Women are engaged in Babylonian idol worship. Even the priests have turned their backs on the LORD in order to worship the sun. The LORD’s judgment is rightly harsh; He will visit His people with His wrath and will not hear their cries for pity. “The Faithful Watchman” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of E

Rev. Andrew Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Haven, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezekiel 7:1-27. Ezekiel preaches with great urgency concerning the coming judgment of the LORD. He will bring the end upon His people; He will visit them with His disaster. His day is coming quickly; His appointed time has come. The people of Judah have forsaken the way of the LORD and turned to the way of idolatry, and so He will bring His anger upon them. No amount of wealth will save when the time comes; the LORD will punish His people for using His holy things for idolatrous worship. The word of the prophet will be silenced, and the law will perish from the priest, and the people will know that the LORD is God. Such words of condemnation calls the people of God to repentance and to seek refuge in the Savior, Jesus, whom the LORD has struck with His wrath in our place. “The Faithful Watchman” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Ezekiel. Just when Ezekiel should have be

Rev. John Bussman, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cullman, AL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezekiel 6:1-14. In the plains of Babylon, memories of the mountains of Israel brought yearning memories to mind for the exiles. Yet Ezekiel is told to preach against the mountains of Israel, for these high places were often the site of idolatrous worship. The prophet speaks with biting sarcasm concerning these idols, referring to them as excrement. Those who trust in such worthlessness will find themselves slain along with their powerless idols. Whether by sword, famine, or pestilence, the LORD will execute His judgment upon His people, and their idols will show themselves entirely unable to rescue from death. Yet the LORD once again promises that He will keep for Himself a remnant. He will bring all of this about so that people will know that He is the LORD, the only true God. “The Faithful Watchman” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Ezekiel. Just when Ezekiel should

Rev. Rick Jones, chaplain and director of spiritual life at the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch in Minot, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezekiel 5:1-17. Priests were not to cut their hair, and yet the LORD tells Ezekiel to do precisely that as a part of another action prophecy. Each third of the prophet’s hair showed forth what would happen to the people of Jerusalem in the upcoming destruction of the city. A third of the people would die by pestilence and famine in the city, a third of the people would die by the sword in the city, and a third of the people would be scattered only to die by the sword later. This was the LORD’s judgment against His people because of the blatant idolatry of Judah; they had been even more wicked than the pagan nations around them. In the midst of the LORD’s scathing condemnation of His people, He does speak one promise. A few strands of Ezekiel’s hair are tucked into his robe; this is a reminder that the LORD will spare His faithful remnant according to His Word. “Th

Rev. Steve Andrews, pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee’s Summit, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezekiel 4:1-17. The LORD gives Ezekiel an action prophecy in order to preach to His people concerning the coming siege and destruction of Jerusalem. First, Ezekiel is to build a model of Jerusalem under siege and then lie on his sides for designated periods of time. Second, Ezekiel is to eat and drink a strictly rationed diet of bread and water for the duration of this action prophecy. Though some details are difficult to pinpoint precisely, the picture of Ezekiel’s prophecy remains plain. The LORD wants His people to know that Jerusalem will fall; the exile of God’s people will not come to a quick end as false prophets claimed. The conditions for the people in Jerusalem during the siege will be absolutely horrific. The LORD is the One bringing this destruction about because of the sin of His own people against Him. With such preaching clear, the people must ask: “Where is our hope?” Ezekiel’

Rev. Matt Ulmer, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bishop, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezekiel 3:12-27. The Spirit of the LORD lifts Ezekiel away and transports him to the exiles at Tel-abib. Ezekiel’s bitterness and anger may indicate his recognition of the difficult task that is ahead of him and his sharing of the LORD’s anger against the sin of Israel. His seven day time of being overwhelmed may be indicative of the seven day period during a priest’s ordination. At the end of seven days, the LORD characterizes Ezekiel’s prophetic ministry as being a watchman. A watchman must cry out, and a watchman must do so faithfully. Ezekiel must speak up to warn the people in exile to repent, and he must do so faithfully. As the LORD begins to give Ezekiel His Word to proclaim, He does so in seemingly strange ways. He silences Ezekiel so that the prophet is mute--except when the prophet has the Word of God to speak. In the same way, pastors today must proclaim only the Word of God, and those who he

Rev. Mark Squire, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Ansgar, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezekiel 2:1-3:11. Seeing the glory of the LORD left Ezekiel fallen on his face; now the LORD speaks to Ezekiel, and the Spirit lifts the prophet to his feet. By addressing Ezekiel as “son of man,” the LORD emphasizes both the prophet’s humanity and the LORD’s own status as God over all. The LORD calls Ezekiel to be a prophet to the rebellious house of Israel. They have not listened to the LORD in the past, and Ezekiel should not expect that to change all that much. Yet the LORD strengthens His prophet for the task of speaking His Word faithfully in the face of such opposition. He gives Ezekiel His Word to eat, and He hardens Ezekiel’s face to preach His Word. Ezekiel’s success will only be found in his faithfulness. “The Faithful Watchman” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Ezekiel. Just when Ezekiel should have begun his service as priest in the temple in Jerusalem, th

Rev. Kyle Mietzner, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Anchorage, AK, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezekiel 1:4-28. Ezekiel’s prophetic ministry begins with a fantastic vision of the glory of the LORD. At times, the awesome details the prophet describes concerning such amazing sights like the four living creatures and their wheels are hard to picture. Yet the LORD’s intention in coming to Ezekiel in this way remains clear. Although the prophet and other citizens of Judah find themselves far away from the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem, He is not far from them. He has brought His glory near to them even in exile. The LORD shows His people that He is not some regional deity, but He remains the King enthroned above the cherubim to reign over all creation. By showing His presence among His people in such an awesome way at the outset of Ezekiel’s ministry, He prepares His prophet to hear and to preach words of judgment and deliverance, words that find fulfillment in Jesus. “The Faithful Watchman” is a

Rev. Dr. Daniel Paavola, professor of theology and chair of the theology department at Concordia University, Wisconsin, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezekiel 1:1-3. The LORD called Ezekiel to be a prophet in exile. When he was thirty years old, the year Ezekiel should have begun his full priestly duties in the temple in Jerusalem, the LORD showed His glory to Ezekiel, even though he was in Babylon. Ezekiel’s priestly background colors much of his ministry, as the LORD shows Ezekiel that His presence is not limited to the temple in Jerusalem. Ezekiel dates various points in his ministry according to the year of King Jehoiachin’s exile. This serves as a reminder for Ezekiel and the exiles that even without a king on the throne in Jerusalem, the LORD remains King over all. Both of these themes are key ways that Ezekiel preaches Christ; Jesus is God who is present among us and the King in the line of David who reigns for the salvation of sinners. “The Faithful Watchman” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron

“The Faithful Watchman” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Ezekiel. Just when Ezekiel should have begun his service as priest in the temple in Jerusalem, the LORD called him to be a prophet in exile in Babylon. Through fantastic visions and attention-grabbing action prophecies, the prophet Ezekiel is a faithful watchman who proclaims the word of the LORD to bring people to repentance over their sins and to faith in the coming Savior, Jesus Christ, the glory of the LORD made flesh. 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. Tim Storck, pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Chesterfield Township, MI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Zephaniah 3:9-20. After so many words of dark judgment, Zephaniah closes his prophecy with words of joyous salvation. The LORD promises to transform His people’s speech to call upon Him in true faith. These worshipers will come from the farthest places as the LORD gathers His people to Himself. He will remove their shame as He brings down the prideful but exalts the lowly. He will give His people refuge in the only place possible: His name. Such a great salvation calls for the greatest joy. The people of God break forth into singing because He is in their midst. He is with His people not as a casual observer, but as One who rejoices over His own people. Their oppressors will be no more, and He will save His people to the uttermost. This has been fulfilled through the work of Jesus Christ, who rejoiced to call sinners to Himself and sent His Holy Spirit to gather His people from the na

Rev. Jacob Dandy, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church and School in Terra Bella, CA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Zephaniah 3:1-8. On the heels of preaching against several foreign nations, Zephaniah sets his sights on the rebellious, defiled, and oppressing city. Surely to the people’s surprise, the prophet was not still speaking about Nineveh; he was speaking about Jerusalem. They had hardened their hearts against the LORD’s Word, leading to the pollution of their vocations in civil and religious life. This stands in contrast to the LORD’s righteousness in their midst; He only does justice. Though He had looked for His people to repent in response to what happened to the nations around them, they only grew more eager for evil. Therefore the LORD will act against His people as well. This text calls us to repent of any ways we have hardened our hearts against the LORD and His Word and to look to our Savior, Jesus, on whom God has poured out His indignation in our place. “Majoring in Minors” is a mini-s

Rev. Andrew Jagow, pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Alexandria, VA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Zephaniah 2:4-15. Zephaniah looks toward each point of the compass in order to proclaim the Word of the LORD to the nations around Judah. To the west, the LORD tells the Philistines that the day of the LORD will bring desolation. To the east, the LORD condemns Moab and Ammon for their prideful boasting against His people. To the south, the LORD tells the Cushites that they will be slain by the sword. To the north, the LORD proclaims that Assyria’s claim of divinity will bring about complete destruction. The LORD speaks to these foreign nations because He loves all mankind and desires all sinners to be saved through repentance and faith in His Son Jesus Christ. This truth comes through in Zephaniah’s words concerning the remnant of Judah and the people from every nation who will come to bow down in faith before the LORD.

Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Zephaniah 1:14-2:3. To the complacent people of Judah, Zephaniah proclaims that the wrath of God is real and is coming on the day of the LORD. Though Judah looked for that day to be one of victory for them, their idolatry means that it will be one of destruction and defeat. The LORD will bring this upon them, and fortifications, technology, and money will provide no escape. Instead, the prophet calls upon the people to humble themselves before the LORD. It is true that the day is coming quickly, but there is still time right now for the people to seek the LORD, righteousness, and humility, casting themselves entirely upon His mercy. This mercy has been shown fully in the day of the LORD that Jesus endured on Good Friday in our place, so that as we wait for the day of the LORD on the Last Day, we do so in repentant faith that trusts in His grace alone. “Majoring in Minors” is a mini-series on Sharper

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 Zephaniah 1:1-13. Zephaniah served as a prophet during the reign of Josiah, the faithful king of Judah. Although he does not name Babylon, Zephaniah speaks very clearly concerning the judgment that the LORD will bring through this foreign nation. Zephaniah’s ministry begins with words of utter condemnation. His language echoes the language of the book of Genesis; the LORD will “de-create” and sweep everything away. Judah and Jerusalem are particularly in view. Their idolatry has earned the wrath of God; before Him, they must remain silent. They have no justification of their own that they can offer; they will be justly punished. The LORD will search out those who see Him as inactive; through His judgment, He will show that He is the Sovereign over all creation. Zephaniah calls all to repent of such apathy and place our trust, not in our self-justification, bu

Rev. Dr. Ryan Tietz, associate professor of exegetical theology and dean of students at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Habakkuk 3:16-19. Habakkuk’s psalm concludes with his “Job moment.” The prophet recognizes that the LORD Himself has answered, and Habakkuk trembles. God is God, and the prophet is not; who is Habakkuk that the LORD should reveal His Word and will to him? Yet Habakkuk banks on the hope that the LORD has given. The LORD will deal with evil, and His wrath against His people will lead to His mercy for them. For that reason, even if everything needed for life is taken away, Habakkuk calls for joy in the LORD. The hope in which Habakkuk speaks points us forward to the salvation that He has accomplished in the Savior, Jesus Christ. “Majoring in Minors” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Obadiah, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah. These three prophets all spoke the Word of God in the days leading up to the fall of Jerusal

Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing, professor of theology and ministry at Concordia University in St. Paul, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Habakkuk 3:1-15. Habakkuk closes his book with a psalm that puts the LORD’s Word concerning the life of faith into practice. Drawing imagery from the LORD’s previous deliverance for His people in the Exodus, He calls upon the LORD to act in such mercy yet again. As the LORD veiled His power in the pillar of fire and cloud, so Habakkuk expects the LORD to act with hidden might once more, an expectation ultimately fulfilled in Christ incarnate, crucified, and risen. Though all the armies of the world would be arrayed against Him, the LORD’s chariot of salvation, His Word, is powerful over all. He has worked salvation for the sake of His people in order to keep His promise through His anointed One, His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. “Majoring in Minors” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Obadiah, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah. These three prophets all