Sharper Iron From Kfuo Radio

Rev. Paul Pater, pastor at Shepherd of the Ridge Lutheran Church in North Ridgeville, OH and Hope Lutheran Church in Sheffield Village, OH, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Samuel 7:1-16. The LORD’s promise to establish the kingdom of David forever is a foundational Advent text. At a time of political peace in his kingdom, David sees that he is dwelling in a palace in Jerusalem while the ark of the covenant is under a tent. Thinking that the LORD’s house ought to be like his own, David tells Nathan that he would like to build the house of the LORD. The LORD graciously speaks to David to inform him that his plan, while perhaps coming from pious intentions, is wrong. The LORD’s house is not like David’s. The LORD gently rebukes David with the reminder that it is only by the LORD’s action that he has attained the place he has. Furthermore, the LORD has a better plan in mind than David ever had. The LORD promises a house for David. This line of kings from David’s own flesh will be everlasting and is fulf

Rev. Chris Hull, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Tomball, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Malachi 4:1-6. Malachi closes the Old Testament with words of Law and Gospel. For all evildoers, the day of the LORD will come as a fire that burns everything in its path. In their arrogance, they have no fear of the LORD. Yet, for those who fear the LORD through faith in Christ, that same Day will bring the Sun of righteousness whose warmth brings healing. For Christians, then, that Day is full of joy as the LORD wins the victory over their greatest enemies and delivers it to them by His action. To prepare, Malachi calls the people to return to the LORD’s Word spoken through His servant Moses. He also proclaims the LORD’s promise to send a new Elijah to bring the people back to repentance in preparation for the Day of the LORD. In this, Malachi speaks of John the Baptist whose preaching called all to repentance and pointed them to Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. “Advent with th

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 Malachi 3:1-7. The prophet Malachi is the last prophet of the Old Testament; he preaches about 400 years before Christ’s birth. He foretells John the Baptist as the coming messenger who will precede the Lord’s return to His temple. The Lord’s return to His temple means that He is in His dwelling place once again; this is fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, notably in His clearing of the temple and promise of resurrection. At His coming to His temple, He will refine and purify His people so that they will bring Him offerings in faith one again. His judgment is swift against all who remain in their sin. Though all people change, the LORD does not. His steadfast love and mercy is the reason His people have not been consumed. Though they have departed from Him, He always stands ready for His people to return; He draws them to Himself

Rev. Sean Smith, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in West Point, IL and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Wine Hill, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Isaiah 40:1-11. This beloved Advent text marks a turning point in the book of Isaiah. The first 39 chapters are marked by Isaiah’s preaching of judgment against the LORD’s people; his preaching was fulfilled years after Isaiah’s ministry in the Babylonian conquest. Now the prophet turns to comfort the people mourning in exile with the Word from God that He has forgiven His people’s sins and brought their warfare to an end. Isaiah foretells the ministry of John the Baptist as one who will proclaim this good news in order to prepare the way of the Lord. Although mankind and all his ability will one day fade away, hope for salvation is found in the Word of God which endures forever. Such joyous news calls for proclamation by all who believe it. Our God comes with might to rule over us as a Shepherd who gently leads us by His Word. “Advent with the Prophet

Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church and Jesus Deaf Lutheran Church in Austin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Isaiah 35:1-10. Isaiah preaches about the coming kingdom of Christ and His Church by picturing the transformation of the wilderness into a lush garden. The LORD accomplishes this now through the preaching of His Word, where we see His glory in Christ crucified, even as we look forward to the complete fulfillment at the resurrection of the dead. Though sin, death, and the devil attack us, He strengthens us with the promise of His vindication on the Last Day. The physical healings Jesus accomplished in His earthly ministry provide a foretaste of the resurrection victory that will be ours with Him on the Last Day. He not only provides the way; He is the Way of salvation. As we walk in Him, we sing with joy even now as we await the even greater joy to come. “Advent with the Prophets” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Old Testament readings appointed

Rev. Sam Beltz, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Oskaloosa, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Isaiah 11:1-10. Isaiah preached on the cusp of events of cosmic upheaval for Israel and Judah. Although their times may not have seemed all that bad, the prophet calls them to recognize the coming destruction, repent, and look to the LORD alone for hope. The LORD promises to act for His people’s salvation through the shoot of the stump of Jesse. He will be a King perfectly anointed with the Holy Spirit; He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will preach the Word of God, by which He will rule in true righteousness and faithfulness. His reign will be entirely different than what any human being expects; under His reign, creation will be restored in ways that seem absurd to our imagination. This signal for all peoples is fulfilled in Jesus’ death on the cross, by which He draws people from all nations to Himself. “Advent with the Prophets” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Old T

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 Jeremiah 23:5-8. The final years of Judah were characterized by unrighteous kings who did not faithfully shepherd the people of God. That’s why the LORD promises He will raise up the righteous King for His people from the line of David. King Zedekiah falsely bore the name, “The LORD is righteous,” but the promised King rightly bears the name, “The LORD is our righteousness.” True faith is placed in Him alone. The deliverance that He accomplishes will be even greater than the deliverance from slavery in Egypt. In this righteous Branch for David, God’s people will be gathered to their home from every nation. This has been fulfilled in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, even as we wait for Him to return to take us to our eternal home. “Advent with the Prophets” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Old Testament readings appointed fo

Rev. Steve Andrews, pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee’s Summit, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 33:14-16. Jeremiah is often called the Weeping Prophet. He suffered greatly for his faithful preaching to Judah concerning the judgment that the LORD was bringing upon Jerusalem. Jeremiah actually lived through that destruction; he and other faithful residents of Judah mourned greatly. Yet Jeremiah’s preaching also includes words of promise and hope for these exiles. The LORD promises the days when He will fulfill His promise to place a king on David’s throne forever. This promise is not fulfilled by a man who sits in Jerusalem, but by Jesus, who reigns over all things as the crucified, risen, and ascended Lord. He is the righteous Branch that sprouted forth from a dead line, who has executed justice and righteousness for our sins in His death on the cross. He has taken our sins away in forgiveness and bestowed upon us His holiness, so that He truly bears the name: “The LORD is Our R

Rev. Matt Ulmer, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bishop, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Isaiah 64:1-9. Although Isaiah lived and preached over one hundred years before the Babylonian exile, the second part of his book speaks prophetically to Judean exiles. This text is a portion of a prayer that the prophet leads the exiles to offer to God, asking Him to come down with His aid as He had done in the days of the Exodus. Those who would set themselves up as the LORD’s enemies will receive His coming as condemnation, but those who approach the LORD with confession and repentance receive His coming as salvation. The people pray in such confession, calling upon the LORD knowing that even their righteous deeds are polluted. Yet they trust in the LORD as their Father because He has given them a Brother, Jesus Christ. In Jesus, the LORD has come down to reign for the salvation of sinners. “Advent with the Prophets” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Old Testament readings appoin

Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Isaiah 2:1-5. The prophet Isaiah is sometimes called “The Fifth Evangelist” because of his beautifully clear pictures of Jesus’ saving ministry. As Isaiah preached to the rebellious people of Judah and Jerusalem, he called them to repentance for their gross sin and idolatry, all the while showing them glorious pictures of the forgiveness found in the Gospel. In this text, the picture is the mountain of the LORD being raised higher than all others. This happens in the latter days when Christ is crucified and raised, when the Church proclaims the Gospel, and when Christ returns again in glory. People from all nations will stream to this mountain as the LORD’s saving Word flows forth from it. As the LORD delivers His justice, the tragedy of Cain and Abel is reversed and brother no longer will turn his hand against his brother, a reality that is fully realized only on the Last Day. The people of God are ca

Rev. Mark Barz, pastor at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Deuteronomy 18:15-19. The Old Testament texts for the season of Advent point us to the hope of Jesus as the fulfillment of all of God’s promises. As a new generation of the people of Israel prepared to enter into the Promised Land, Moses reminds them of all the wonderful things that the LORD has done for His people. The LORD promises that He will send from among the people of Israel a prophet like Moses. The prophets who follow Moses all bear similarities to his ministry as they faithfully speak the Word of God that He places into their mouths. Jesus is the fulfillment of this promise; He is the Prophet par excellence. In fact, Jesus is more than a prophet; He is the Word of God made flesh. He continues this work through the ministry of His Church as His Word is proclaimed to all nations still today. “Advent with the Prophets” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Old Testament

“Advent with the Prophets” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Old Testament readings appointed for the season of Advent. This holy season of repentance focuses our attention on Christ’s coming. As we spend time hearing the words of the prophets, the saints who waited patiently in the years before Christ’s coming in the flesh at Christmas, we too are prepared to receive Christ now in His Word and Sacrament, even as we wait for Him to come again in glory. 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. Sam Wirgau, pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ossian, IN joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 17:11-19. This is a rebroadcast from November 20, 2019. 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

Rev. John Bussman, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cullman, AL joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Philippians 4:6-20. This is a rebroadcast from November 28, 2019. 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, wheth

Rev. Dr. Christopher Jackson, pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Algoma, WI and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Forestville, WI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Titus 3:9-15. The Judaizing tendencies that were present among the Christians at Crete must be avoided. Nothing can be added to the salvation that is given by grace through faith in Christ. Controversy that contends for this true faith is needed; however, controversy over family history or simply for the sake of fighting is useless and foolish. Those who are intent upon stirring up division should be rebuked for refusing to let love accompany the truth. Such a rebuke, even if it leads to excommunication, is needed for the sake of the Christian congregation and for the sake of the individual, that he might be drawn anew to repentance. Paul mentions some of his coworkers in the Gospel as he concludes his epistle, encouraging Titus and the Cretan Christians to devote themselves to the good works that God has given them. “The Word is Trustwor

Rev. Jacob Dandy, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church and School in Terra Bella, CA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Titus 3:1-8. Christian living at home extends into Christian living in the world. The order that God provides under civil authority is intended for our good; Christians are submissive in thanksgiving to God’s gifts. Not only in relation to governing authorities, but in relation to all people the Christian’s life stands in complete contrast to the way of the world. The pattern of life set by the world is absolutely horrible. Although neither Paul nor Titus nor any person can save himself from this emptiness, God can and does. He has done so completely out of His mercy. This grace has appeared in the water and Word of Holy Baptism, which has taken us out of the worthless ways of the world and brought us into the new life that is found in Jesus alone. “The Word is Trustworthy” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the three pastoral epistles: 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus. T

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 Titus 2:1-15. Healthy doctrine and godly living go hand-in-hand for Christians. Depending on a person’s station in life, certain temptations are more alluring. Paul instructs Titus to teach Christians accordingly, whether they are older men, older women, younger women, or younger women. Through each station in life, self-control serves as an overarching fruit of the Spirit. Christians strive toward such a holy life in order to adorn the truth from God our Savior. He has appeared as a baby born in Bethlehem in order to save us, and He will appear again on the Last Day to raise us and take us to our eternal home. As we Christians wait for His second appearing, we remain zealous for the good works He has given us to do. “The Word is Trustworthy” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the three pastoral epistles: 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus. Thes

Rev. Dr. Adam Koontz, assistant professor of exegetical theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Titus 1:10-16. Those who refuse to live under God’s order in the church and the world fall into vanity and deception. Though they may give the appearance of order by all that they command, they only follow the commands of man and so prove themselves insubordinate to God. This teaching showed itself in a demand for circumcision in Paul’s day; it shows itself today in a demand for obedience to any human command. Titus was stationed in Crete to silence such teaching, even though Paul reminds him not to be surprised when it pops up in multiple places. He, and all faithful pastors, must give a sharp rebuke to this false teaching, lest such deadly doctrine lead to bear fruit in an ungodly life. Though the false teachers think they know God, their works prove otherwise. Paul gives such a sharp rebuke because the stakes are high. Only the healthy doctrine of the

Rev. Dr. Adam Filipek, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church and Immanuel Lutheran Church, both in Lidgerwood, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Titus 1:1-9. As Paul writes to Titus, the pastor he left to serve on the island of Crete, he identifies himself as a servant of God. He is bound to do what his master says to do; he is bound to do what his master gives him to say. That message is the gospel of Jesus Christ, who is the Truth of salvation for sinners. In Him, we have the hope of eternal life which God promised before the ages and now gives in time through the preaching of the Word by Paul, by Titus, and by all pastors. Paul reminds Titus of his task of appointing pastors there on Crete to bring order to the Church through their preaching of sound doctrine according to God’s Word. Throughout the qualifications listed for these men, the theme is clear that they ought not to give any obstacle to the preaching of the Word. Instead, they are to cling to that trustworthy word and preach it plainly s

Rev. Jeff Hemmer, pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Fairview Heights, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Timothy 4:9-22. Paul concludes his second letter to Timothy with final encouragement to the young pastor. Paul’s human emotions are clear as he speaks of those who have left him and his desire for Timothy to do his best to come for a visit. As Paul lists many different individuals in this conclusion, the warning against love for the world and falling into false teaching is made plain. Most striking is the way Paul’s words preach the hope of God’s rescue in the resurrection to himself. Echoing the Lord’s Prayer, the Apostle knows that he and all who trust in Christ will at last be delivered from evil when the Lord returns and raises His people to everlasting life. “The Word is Trustworthy” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the three pastoral epistles: 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus. These three letters are named after their recipients, two young pastors in the Christian Chur