Sharper Iron From Kfuo Radio

(Enjoy some favorite previous Sharper Iron episodes as Pastor Appel moves to a new call. A new series for Advent begins November 28!) Rev. James Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Proverbs 17:7-24. Solomon continues to teach the benefit of the way of divine wisdom in contrast to the harm that comes from following the way of folly. The mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. Each of us must examine, then, both what we speak and what we hear. Where conflict arises, Christian wisdom does not seek escalation, for growing strife is from the devil. Instead, Christian wisdom seeks after reconciliation, covering the neighbor’s sin with the forgiveness won by Christ. Such wisdom cannot be purchased with money. In a tragic irony, an abundance of money may lead only to folly. The company one keeps is of utmost importance; Christians need to be surrounded by Christian friends who will fill their ears with the Word of God. This begins at home, as pare

(Enjoy some favorite previous Sharper Iron episodes as Pastor Appel moves to a new call. A new series for Advent begins November 28!) 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 Psalm 105. Psalm 105 calls upon God’s people to praise Him for His grace shown to them throughout their history. The psalmist traces all that the LORD has done for His people starting with the covenant made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The LORD was gracious even when He summoned a famine and sent Joseph in chains to Egypt. The LORD’s grace persevered through Israel’s enslavement in Egypt and deliverance after the plagues. The LORD gave His people their daily bread and more as He brought them through the wilderness and into the Promised Land. At each turn, Psalm 105 teaches us to praise God by recounting the specific things God has done for us throughout history. This praise continues in the Church

(Enjoy some favorite previous Sharper Iron episodes as Pastor Appel moves to a new call. A new series for Advent begins November 28!) Rev. David Appold, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Paducah, KY, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Proverbs 16:25-17:6. Solomon repeats a previous proverb as he warns against following after whatever seems right in human sight. Only when our thoughts are shaped by the LORD in His Word can we walk the way of life. When a man’s heart is worthless or dishonest, his words will match. Wisdom recognizes both when silence is necessary and when speaking up in defense of a neighbor is required. A life of wisdom generally leads to long life, for it is guided by the strength found in self-control, which is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Trusting in Him as individuals and within our households is true wisdom, a better goal rather than any earthly wealth. This is a rebroadcast from September 24, 2020. “Wisdom and Instruction” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes th

(Enjoy some favorite previous Sharper Iron episodes as Pastor Appel moves to a new call. A new series for Advent begins November 28!) Rev. Chris Hull, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Tomball, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 96. The Church’s song is always new because the Church sings of the saving works that God has done in bringing about His new creation. Though the world sings a loud song for its idols, this song can offer nothing but emptiness. The Church’s song cuts through the noise with true hope in Christ. We sing together with all creation for what God does as our gracious King and righteous Judge. This is a rebroadcast from July 21, 2022. Join Sharper Iron during the month of July to study several Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

(Enjoy some favorite previous Sharper Iron episodes as Pastor Appel moves to a new call. A new series for Advent begins November 28!) Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Proverbs 14:1-35. Solomon continues to write concerning the wisdom founded on the fear of the LORD. This basis is a necessary lens through which to see each individual proverb. The wisdom by which anyone builds a lasting household is more than economic or social principles; a lasting household is built upon the wisdom of forgiveness that is found in Christ alone. Such upright living only comes when we bow in humility before the LORD. Because He has made Himself our Brother in Christ Jesus, He knows the bitterness and sorrows of our hearts. Though sometimes we do not see the reality of these proverbs in this temporal life, faith trusts what God’s Word says. In this, the fear of the LORD provides a refuge for us and our children. The fear of the LORD is the true fount

Rev. Jason Kaspar, pastor at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in La Grange, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Joshua 24:16-33. The people respond to Joshua’s charge by promising their faithfulness, which is the right response. Joshua reminds them that such faithfulness is only possible through the LORD’s faithfulness to them; Israel must not place their hope in their own willpower. Joshua says that Israel’s answer will be a witness against them, and he sets up a stone as a witness as well. If Israel falls into unfaithfulness, these witnesses may serve as an opportunity to call them to repentance. Joseph’s bones are finally buried in accordance with his instructions as a reminder of the hope of the resurrection to come. The death of Joshua and Eleazar at the end of the book of Joshua remind us that even with the faithfulness of these men, the Savior is still coming. Therefore, we keep reading the Scriptures to meet Him when He comes: Jesus Christ. “The Promised Land Delivered” is a series on Sharpe

Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Joshua 24:1-15. Joshua gives his final farewell address to Israel at Shechem, a key location in the history of God’s promise to Abraham. There, Joshua reminds the people of the way God called Abraham out of his idolatry and made him the promise of many offspring. The LORD fulfilled that promise to Abraham, even when Jacob and his children went to Egypt. The LORD sent Moses and Aaron to rescue Israel from slavery in Egypt, and then the LORD provided for Israel in the wilderness. The LORD defeated Israel’s enemies before them in order to give them the Promised Land. Over and over, Joshua focuses the people on what the LORD has done for them. He then puts the charge to them. Are any idols better than the LORD? Of course not. Only the LORD is the true God who saves His people; Joshua pledges faithfulness to the LORD as the only response. “The Promised Land Delivered” is a series on Sharper Iron that

Rev. John Bussman, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cullman, AL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Joshua 23:1-16. After some time has passed, Joshua is old and advanced in years, and he knows that his death will be coming soon. He reminds Israel of all that God has done for them in giving them the Promised Land and driving out the idolaters from Canaan. He encourages Israel to be faithful to the Word of the LORD and to avoid mixing with the remaining Canaanites, lest they lead Israel astray. Joshua reminds the people that the LORD kept every promise He made to them without fail. This serves both as encouragement and warning, lest Israel prove unfaithful to the LORD and so that He keeps His promise to remove them from the land. “The Promised Land Delivered” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Joshua. After the death of Moses, the LORD remains with His people to bring them into the Promised Land under Joshua. Throughout the book, the LORD proves that not one of His Wor

Rev. Vance Becker, LCMS missionary to Kenya, serving as a theological educator at Neema Lutheran College in Matongo, Kenya, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Joshua 22:1-34. Learn more about Rev. Becker and how to support his work in Kenya at lcms.org/becker. Now that the land has rest, it is time for the eastern tribes to go home. Joshua sends them back across the Jordan River with compliments for their faithfulness, encouragement for continued faithfulness, and his blessing from the LORD. Their super-sized model of the LORD’s altar causes confusion among the western tribes. These nine-and-a-half tribes send a delegation to the eastern tribes in accordance with Moses’ instructions, investigating whether idolatry is occurring in Israel. The eastern tribes assure their brothers that no such idolatry is taking place, and they have every intention of worshiping the LORD only at His chosen place. The altar they have built is intended as a witness to Israel on both sides of the Jordan River that the LORD

Rev. Brian Flamme, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Roswell, NM, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Joshua 21:1-45. The LORD did not forget about the Levites in the distribution of land. He scatters them throughout the land of Israel in forty-eight different cities so that they might live among all the tribes of Israel. There they will serve the proclamation of the Gospel through the sacrifices that point forward to Jesus. They live by faith in the promises of God, knowing that He will provide for them as the people of Israel bring their tithes. The LORD gives rest to His people under Joshua as a proclamation of the fullness of the rest that is ours in Christ and His Word. God’s Word proves true; not one of His promises fails. “The Promised Land Delivered” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Joshua. After the death of Moses, the LORD remains with His people to bring them into the Promised Land under Joshua. Throughout the book, the LORD proves that not one of His Word fa

Rev. Joel Heckmann, pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Okarche, OK, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Joshua 19:32-20:9. Naphtali and Dan are the last tribes of Israel to receive their inheritance in the Promised Land. Joshua, the faithful spy, receives his inheritance just as Caleb had previously; both men stand as examples of patience and faith in God’s promises. After the division of land is finished, the LORD tells Joshua to establish the three cities of refuge on the western side of the Jordan River. These cities foreshadow the work of our Lord Jesus Christ to be our refuge from sin and death. By the justice of God poured out on Christ, we are justified. “The Promised Land Delivered” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Joshua. After the death of Moses, the LORD remains with His people to bring them into the Promised Land under Joshua. Throughout the book, the LORD proves that not one of His Word falls unfulfilled. Today, the Church has the same confidence that all

Rev. Nate Hill, pastor at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Winchester, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Joshua 19:1-31. The tribes of Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, and Asher are next in line to receive their inheritance within the Promised Land. Even though they do not receive their inheritance first, the fact that they are in the Promised Land in fulfillment of God’s Word is better than even having the best land elsewhere. A variety of places within these four tribes are important elsewhere in the Scriptures. Through sections like this part of Joshua 19, the LORD reminds us that He keeps His promises to bring a Savior to the whole world. “The Promised Land Delivered” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Joshua. After the death of Moses, the LORD remains with His people to bring them into the Promised Land under Joshua. Throughout the book, the LORD proves that not one of His Word falls unfulfilled. Today, the Church has the same confidence that all of God’s promises find t

Rev. Sam Wirgau, pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ossian, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Joshua 18:1-28. A change in location to Shiloh and mention of the tent of meeting serve as reminders that the LORD is giving Canaan to His people in order to dwell among them. Joshua encourages the seven tribes who have not yet received their inheritance to trust in the LORD’s promises and take possession of His gift. Joshua sends surveyors out into the land to describe it to him before it is divided by lot, according to the LORD’s will. This serves as an example of the way the LORD works through His people in their vocations. Of the seven remaining tribes, Benjamin receives his allotment first, a small but significant portion of land among the people of God. “The Promised Land Delivered” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Joshua. After the death of Moses, the LORD remains with His people to bring them into the Promised Land under Joshua. Throughout the book, the LORD prove

Rev. Matt Ulmer, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bishop, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Joshua 16:1-17:18. The two tribes of Joseph receive their allotment next. Because Jacob adopted Joseph’s two sons as his own, Joseph receives a double inheritance in Israel. Ephraim, the younger, receives the inheritance ahead of his older brother, Manasseh, as a reminder that God chooses according to His own will and not according to human wisdom. The fact that both Ephraim and Manasseh fail to drive Canaanites out entirely foreshadows the trouble Israel faces in Judges. Rather than receiving the fullness of God’s gift, they did not trust His complete promises. The daughters of Zelophehad serve as an example of boldness and prayer, and Joshua’s encouragement to the sons of Joseph reminds us to receive the fullness of God’s promises. “The Promised Land Delivered” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Joshua. After the death of Moses, the LORD remains with His people to bring th

Rev. Dr. Adam Koontz, pastor and evangelist at Trinity Lutheran Church in Denver, CO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Joshua 15:13-63. The allotment to Judah continues with a beautiful account of Caleb and his daughter Achsah and his son-in-law Othniel. These faithful saints serve as examples of courage in God’s promises and boldness in prayer. As Caleb gave generously to his daughter and son-in-law, so God gives lavishly to His children. The people of Judah receive extensive consideration in Joshua 15 as a reminder of their prominence theologically. Though politically they may have been less significant, the fact that the Christ will come from this tribe gives them great importance. “The Promised Land Delivered” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Joshua. After the death of Moses, the LORD remains with His people to bring them into the Promised Land under Joshua. Throughout the book, the LORD proves that not one of His Word falls unfulfilled. Today, the Church has the sam

Rev. Sam Beltz, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Oskaloosa, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Joshua 14:1-15:12. As Joshua begins to allot the land on the west side of the Jordan River, Caleb receives his inheritance first. The faithful spy lived by faith in the promises of the LORD throughout his eighty-five years. The LORD brought Caleb out of slavery in Egypt, sustained Caleb during the wilderness wandering, and now is bringing Caleb into the Promised Land. Caleb’s patience and courage serve as an example to Christians. As the land continues to be allotted, Judah receives their portion as the tribe through whom the promised Messiah will come. “The Promised Land Delivered” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Joshua. After the death of Moses, the LORD remains with His people to bring them into the Promised Land under Joshua. Throughout the book, the LORD proves that not one of His Word falls unfulfilled. Today, the Church has the same confidence that all of God’s p

Rev. David Boisclair, pastor at Bethesda and Faith Lutheran Churches in north St. Louis County, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Joshua 13:1-33. Although there remains unconquered land in Canaan, the LORD instructs Joshua to divide the land among the people already. The LORD’s promise means that possession of the land is certain, for He will drive the Canaanites out in order to give His people their inheritance. Joshua first recounts the way that the land on the east side of the Jordan River has been allotted to Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh. “The Promised Land Delivered” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Joshua. After the death of Moses, the LORD remains with His people to bring them into the Promised Land under Joshua. Throughout the book, the LORD proves that not one of His Word falls unfulfilled. Today, the Church has the same confidence that all of God’s promises find their “Yes” in Christ.

Rev. Jacob Dandy, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church and School in Terra Bella, CA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Joshua 12:1-24. While a list of defeated kings may seem tedious to modern readers, this chapter serves as a reminder that the LORD is King of kings without rival or equal. Neither mighty Sihon nor gigantic Og stood a chance on the east side of the Jordan, and the kings on the west side of the Jordan River aren’t even named as the LORD lists His victories through Moses and Joshua. As the kings of Canaan fell before the LORD one by one, so our enemies sin, death, and the devil have fallen before our Lord Jesus Christ. As we hear of the LORD’s victories in Joshua 12, we are led to rejoice all the more in Jesus’ victory over our enemies for the sake of our eternal salvation. “The Promised Land Delivered” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Joshua. After the death of Moses, the LORD remains with His people to bring them into the Promised Land under Joshua. Throughout

Rev. Jeremiah Johnson, pastor at Glory of Christ Lutheran Church in Plymouth, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Joshua 11:1-23. As the kings in northern Canaan hear of Israel’s victories elsewhere, they band together to fight against Israel in ways that are reminiscent of Egypt and in ways that look forward to the final battle of the enemies of God against the people of God. Yet the LORD is stronger than all His enemies; He is with Joshua and Israel to defeat their enemies with no trouble at all. As Israel finishes the conquest of northern Canaan, devoting to the LORD those things that He commands, the land begins to have rest from war, and the LORD gives the land to the people as an inheritance. This points us forward to the final rest and inheritance that is ours in Christ Jesus. “The Promised Land Delivered” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Joshua. After the death of Moses, the LORD remains with His people to bring them into the Promised Land under Joshua. Througho

Rev. Sean Kilgo, pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lawrence, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Joshua 10:28-43. Joshua recounts the conquest of southern Canaan in rapid succession. He tells of the victories against several towns one after another as a reminder that the outcome of these battles was never in doubt. The people of Israel had the LORD’s promise that they would conquer the land, and there was no question that the LORD would make good on His promise. As they listened to His Word and faithfully carried it out, He gave the land into their hands. Even when the LORD’s Word seemed counterintuitive to human wisdom, the LORD’s Word always proved true. “The Promised Land Delivered” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Joshua. After the death of Moses, the LORD remains with His people to bring them into the Promised Land under Joshua. Throughout the book, the LORD proves that not one of His Word falls unfulfilled. Today, the Church has the same confidence that all of