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Rev. Clint Poppe, pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lincoln, NE, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 3:19-4:4. Although His people have been faithless, the LORD remains faithful. He desires to call them back to Himself in true repentance and faith. The dialogue between the LORD and Israel indicates how the LORD works this by His Word. Israel returns to the scene of their idolatry in recognition of its lies. Their idolatry has only brought them shame from which they are powerless to escape; their only hope and salvation is the LORD their God. He calls them to return in truth, justice, and righteousness, His gifts by the work of the Holy Spirit. Having gone through this liturgy with the northern tribes of Israel, the LORD calls Judah to the same repentance. They need, not just of going through the motions, but the difficult, God-given breaking of their hard hearts in repentance that leads to true faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ. “A Time to Destroy and a Time to Build” is a mini-series o

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 Jeremiah 3:1-18. The LORD seals His case against His people Judah. Their chasing after other gods is adultery of the highest degree. They have become completely calloused to the LORD’s repeated calls to repentance, choosing unfaithfulness over and over again. They had seen their big sister to the north, unfaithful Israel, destroyed by Assyria, yet Judah did not learn her lesson. Instead, she showed herself to be treacherous, as the return of many people during Josiah’s reforms proved only to be for show. Still, the LORD calls His people to return. He calls to Israel in order to shame Judah, in order that both might return. They must admit their idolatry and sin, something they have refused to do so far. Yet if they do, the LORD will prove Himself faithful, giving leaders after His own heart and bringing the nations together in Jerusalem, promises tha

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 Jeremiah 2:20-37. The LORD continues His case against His people, leaving them without excuse for their idolatry. Though He had freed them from slavery in Egypt, they chose further slavery for themselves by their blatant idolatry. They did not simply stumble into their idolatry; they sought it out with the eagerness of a young female animal in heat. The LORD mocks their idolatry, challenging His people to let their multitude of false gods provide help in time of trouble. They have not responded to the LORD’s discipline; they have forgotten the joy of having the LORD as their husband. Their wickedness knows no bounds as they refuse to admit their sin; for this, judgment is coming. “A Time to Destroy and a Time to Build” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Jeremiah. The prophet calls the people of Judah and Jerusalem to repent of th

Rev. Shawn Linnell, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blair, NE, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 2:1-19. As Jeremiah’s preaching begins, the LORD recalls the honeymoon period with His people as the exodus from Egypt. Though they certainly rebelled in their wilderness wanderings, they came back to the LORD in repentance. All of that has changed by Jeremiah’s time; these words are a long time coming. Though the LORD has committed no wrong against His people, they have forsaken Him to follow after other gods. In so doing, they have not only left the source of living water, but they have dug wells that only leak. Destruction is coming, says Jeremiah, and salvation will not be found in the help of any foreign nations. The people’s sin will be its own punishment when Babylon destroys them. The only solution is to return to that which they have forsaken: the fear of the LORD. “A Time to Destroy and a Time to Build” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Jeremiah. The prop

Rev. Dr. Timothy Saleska, professor of exegetical theology and dean of ministerial formation at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 1:4-19. The LORD called Jeremiah to be a prophet during the reign of King Josiah; even during the faithful king’s religious reforms, the LORD’s Word was needed to bring repentance from the rampant idolatry in Judah and Jerusalem. Therefore, the LORD set Jeremiah apart as a prophet in the line of Moses. Even before Jeremiah was born, the LORD appointed him as a prophet to the nations. The LORD answers Jeremiah’s protests with His promises. He places His Word into Jeremiah’s mouth, His Word of Law and Gospel, of judgment and salvation. The examples of an almond branch and a boiling pot show Jeremiah that the LORD says what He does and does what He says, particularly, the judgment that is coming at the hands of Babylon. Yet the LORD makes Jeremiah to stand firm in the midst of that coming judgment and the rejection of the people of J

Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing, professor of theology and ministry at Concordia University in St. Paul, MN and author of the forthcoming book, Overcoming Life’s Sorrows: The Book of Jeremiah, from Concordia Publishing House, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 1:1-3. Jeremiah preaches to the people of Judah and Jerusalem during their waning years leading up to the horrific Babylonian conquest in 587 BC. During his forty-year ministry spanning five kings, Jeremiah’s preaching exposes the faithless idolatry of the people of God and calls them to repent, warning them that destruction is coming. Yet Jeremiah does not speak from the outside; he lived through the evil days of conquest and exile. Jeremiah knew the heartache and horror of that evil time, yet he also knew the hope of the never-failing promises of the LORD. Those promises made Jeremiah a survivor through all his troubles, as he took to heart the hope that he preached. That hope is found in the righteous Branch from the line of David, Jesus Christ.

“A Time to Destroy and a Time to Build” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Jeremiah. The prophet calls the people of Judah and Jerusalem to repent of their faithless idolatry and warns them of the destruction that is coming in the Babylonian exile. Yet Jeremiah does not leave us without hope in the midst of such dark days. Jeremiah and all who believe the Word of God he preached survive because of hope that is found in the righteous Branch from the line of David, Jesus Christ. 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. Luke Zimmerman, pastor at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg, PA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jude 17-25. Having warned against false teachers, Jude returns to strengthen God’s beloved people. The false teachers and their ungodliness were foretold by the apostles; therefore, Christians need not fear. Instead, they are given strength to be built up in the Christian faith through prayer in the Holy Spirit, the love of God, and waiting for Jesus’ mercy. As the wait, Christians show mercy to those who are under duress from false teaching, always speaking the truth without giving way to falsehood. Jude’s closing doxology points back to the truth of the opening of his epistle. God is the One who is able to keep His people until the day of His coming; He receives all glory and honor now and forever.  “The Imperishable Inheritance” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistles of 1 and 2 Peter and Jude. The life of the Christian Church right now is life in exile.

Rev. Andy Wright, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jude 1-16. St. Jude, a servant of Jesus and brother of James, writes to Christians in Palestine in the mid to late 60s AD in order to strengthen them to contend for the Christian faith in the midst of false teachers. These false teachers have attempted to infiltrate the Church without notice, but the Lord does know them and will bring them to condemnation. St. Jude reminds his readers how the Lord brings judgment against such evil through the examples of the Egyptians, the rebellious angels, and Sodom and Gomorrah. Unlike the archangel Michael who acted according to the Word of God, the false teachers blaspheme at every chance they get. They have aligned themselves with the Old Testament evildoers of Cain, Balaam, and Korah. Drawing pictures from nature and Enoch, Jude leaves no doubt that these false teachers are only deceptive and destructive; Christians must avoid them and cling to the truth. “The

Rev. John Bussman, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cullman, AL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Peter 3:11-18. The truth that this world is coming to an end compels Christians to holiness and godliness as we wait with eagerness for the return of Christ. At His coming, He will usher in His new creation, free from sin, evil, and death in a way that is beyond our current experience. As we wait, we diligently seek to be found by Him, put at peace with God through His cross. His patience is for our salvation. This is the same thing that St. Paul writes in his letters. Some distort his teaching, as they do all of God’s Word, but still the truth remains the foundation for Christians. The true doctrine of God’s Word prevents Christians from being carried off into lies; therefore, we seek to grow in His grace and knowledge to His glory now and forever. “The Imperishable Inheritance” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistles of 1 and 2 Peter and Jude. The life of the Christian C

Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller, pastor at St. Paul and Jesus Deaf Lutheran Churches in Austin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Peter 3:1-10. The Christian Church is a waiting Church. Jesus has made His promise to return, and so His people wait with expectant faith for Him to fulfill His Word. That Word, recorded by the prophets and apostles, sustains us as we wait. Scoffers continue to scoff at the truth, claiming that the Lord has delayed and has not intervened in this world. St. Peter points to the Old Testament examples of creation and flood in order to show that God has been active in His creation, and He will fulfill His promise to judge the world at the return of Christ. That Day of the Lord has not yet happened, not because of God’s slowness or delay, but because of His patience. His patience is for our salvation; He does not desire that any should perish but that all should reach repentance. This strengthens Christians to wait for the certain return of Christ. “The Imperishable Inheritance” is

Rev. Steve Andrews, pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee’s Summit, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Peter 2:10b-22. St. Peter continues to expose the utter sinfulness of the false teachers. In contrast to the angels who do not step outside of their God-given office, the false teachers are bold and willful in their blasphemy against God’s glory. They show themselves to be no different than animals acting on instinct. Their evil sensuality and greed knows no shame or limit as they prey particularly on weak Christians. They follow in the way of Balaam, the false prophet who attempted to curse Israel and lead God’s people astray. St. Peter is clear that judgment is coming for such false teachers. They were once Christians, and now they have abandoned the truth, leaving them in the worst possible state. Such harsh words against false teachers ought to warn Christians against following after them and encourage us to cling all the more tightly to the truth that is ours in Christ. “The Imperisha

Rev. Matt Ulmer, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bishop, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Peter 2:1-10a. As false prophets once lied to the people of Israel, so false teachers still seek to bring eternal harm to Christians. St. Peter writes against false teachers who cast aside God’s commandments in favor of their own sensuality and greed. The Apostle exposes this lie for what it truly is: a denial of Jesus as Lord. In order to bring comfort and strength to Christians in the midst of false teaching, St. Peter uses the example of God’s judgment against the evil angels, the world in Noah’s day, and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. At the same time, he also highlights God’s salvation for Noah and Lot. Christians can be certain, therefore, that God will bring false teachers to judgment and rescue His own people as He has promised. “The Imperishable Inheritance” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistles of 1 and 2 Peter and Jude. The life of the Christian Church right now

Rev. Jason Schockman, pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in West Salem, WI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Peter 2:12-21. St. Peter tells his readers the purpose of his second epistle. He intends to remind them of the truth of the Gospel that has been preached to them. To have the Word of God dwelling in our memories and ready on our lips is of the utmost importance for us as Christians in the midst of a multitude of false teachers. The Apostle knows that he will die soon and desires to remind his hearers of the truth he had been preaching all along: Christ will come again. This is the reality that Peter, along with James and John, witnessed ahead of time on the holy mountain of Jesus’ transfiguration. They saw Jesus’ glory with their own eyes and heard the Father’s voice with their own ears. Even more than that, the Lord left no room for doubt because all of this was confirmed by His sure Word written down by the prophets. This was not any man-made interpretation, but the very Word of God g

Rev. Dr. Curtis Giese, professor of religion at Concordia University, Texas, New Testament editor of the Concordia Commentary series, and author of the Concordia Commentary on 2 Peter and Jude, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Peter 1:1-11. St. Peter writes again to the congregations in Asia Minor in order to strengthen them in their knowledge of God from the false teachers who question Christ’s divinity and second coming. Likely writing from Rome in the mid-60s, he identifies himself as “Simeon Peter,” perhaps in order to emphasize his preaching to both Jews and Gentiles. Those who have believed this Word have the same faith as this faithful servant and apostle, who prays that grace and peace be multiplied to his hearers. He begins the body of his second epistle with a short sermon. He emphasizes that Christ’s divine power has already granted to Christians all that they need for life and godliness. Christ’s gifts are effective in the lives of His people, as the Apostle calls on Christians to be dili

Rev. Tim Eden, pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church in Bryan, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Peter 5:6-14. As Christians live in humility with each other, so they live in humility before God their Creator. His mighty hand will exalt His people at the proper time because He cares for them. In their suffering, Christians cast their cares on Him alone. St. Peter again calls Christians to sober-mindedness and wakefulness in order to stand against their enemy, the devil. He prowls like a roaring lion to devour anyone he can. Christians resist him, not on their own strength, but in faith in the Savior whose mighty hand has already defeated the devil. They find further strength in the communion of saints who together share in Christ’s sufferings now, which He will one day bring to an end in the resurrection. St. Peter brings final greetings to the congregations in Asia Minor and closes with the peace that is found only in Christ. “The Imperishable Inheritance” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes t

Rev. Brian Flamme, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Roswell, NM, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Peter 5:1-5. St. Peter earlier addressed the estates of government and family in his table of duties; now he addresses the estate of the church. As Jesus once charged Peter to feed His sheep, so the Apostle now charges his fellow pastors to shepherd the flock of God. Pastors shepherd God’s flock with the Word of God. The oversight pastors exercise is not tyranny, but as those who look out over those entrusted to them in order to protect and care for them. Pastors do not act under compulsion, but willingly following the command that God has given them. Pastors do not let money be their idol, but eagerly speak God’s Word to His people. Pastors are not domineering, but set examples for their congregations. In all this, pastors remain Christians who are waiting for their Chief Shepherd to return, for Jesus is the Savior for pastors as well. Christians are called to be subject to their pastors. Together

Rev. Mark Barz, pastor at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Peter 4:12-19. St. Peter reminds Christians that they are beloved by God. Therefore, when they receive sufferings, they should not find it strange, but rejoice that they are given to share in Christ’s own sufferings. Christian joy in suffering is found in the reminder that Jesus is the One who suffered for our salvation. St. Peter recalls Jesus’ beatitude to those who suffer as the prophets who came before us. Though the world may insult, the Triune God gives us His glory. Christians are not called to suffer because they have sinned, but instead are called to suffer as those who bear the name of Christ. Judgment begins at the household of God; in Christ, we know that God judges us to be His own. Therefore, we entrust ourselves to Him as we suffer according to His will while doing what is good in His sight. “The Imperishable Inheritance” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the e

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 for Sharathon 2021 to study how God gives life to dead stones. Stones serve as a source of stability and strength, but you can also trip over them. God’s Word makes use of the image of stones in both ways, to proclaim both judgment and salvation. The prophet Isaiah proclaims God’s judgment against Israel’s unfaithfulness while also promising that the LORD will do a marvelous thing by laying Christ as His chosen cornerstone. The use of Psalm 118 at the laying of the foundation of the second temple in the time of Ezra points forward to the singing of Psalm 118 at the foundation of the true temple of Jesus’ Body during Holy Week. John the Baptist truly preaches that those who are children of Abraham are those dead stones whom God has made alive in Christ. The splitting of the rocks at Jesus’ death and the removal of the gravestone at His resurrection signal that the foun

Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel for Sharathon 2021 to study how God makes use of water to deliver His people. Water is present in the Scriptures all the way from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22. Throughout the Old Testament, water is often God’s chosen means both for bringing His judgment upon sin and for saving His people by grace through faith. Noah and his family in the ark, the people of Israel at the Red Sea, and Naaman in the Jordan River all provide evidence of God’s deliverance through water. This culminates in Jesus, who was baptized in the Jordan River in the place of sinners and who gives living water that quenches eternally. Those who are washed in the water and Word of Holy Baptism are connected to Jesus’ saving work and so are brought into eternity with Him, where the river of life flows forever. If you are grateful for Sharper Iron, consider supporting KFUO Radio with a gift today so that we can continue broadcasting the Gospel