Sharper Iron From Kfuo Radio

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. 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. Jacob Dandy, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church and School in Terra Bella, CA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Acts 28:17-31. Paul’s time in Rome begins similarly to his visit to other cities. He addresses the Jews first. He defends his own innocence, and, at the same time, he opens the door to proclaim the fulfillment of their hope in Christ. The Jews have not heard anything about Paul particularly and are willing to give him a hearing, although they know that Christianity is spoken against as a sect by most Jews. Despite a potentially hostile audience, Paul takes the opportunity to proclaim the Gospel to the Jews. By the Holy Spirit’s work, some believe, though some do not. Paul preaches the warning from Isaiah 6 before moving on to proclaim the Gospel to the Gentiles. St. Luke concludes the book of Acts by noting how the Word of God continued to go forth in Rome for two years during Paul’s house arrest. This ending reminds us that no matter how Paul or Peter or any messengers of the Gospel die,

Rev. Jeremiah Johnson, pastor at Glory of Christ Lutheran Church in Plymouth, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Acts 28:1-16. The Lord keeps His promise and brings Paul and all his shipmates safely to Malta. There, the islanders show great hospitality. When Paul is bitten by a viper, they show forth the natural theology that clings to every sinner; they believe Paul is receiving his just rewards. Yet the Lord, as the just God over all, spares Paul according to His promise to bring the apostle to testify in Rome. The islanders are not brought to true faith by the sign, though Paul no doubt took it as an opportunity to preach the truth on Malta. As Paul finally finishes his journey to Rome, he is encouraged and strengthened by Christians who come to visit him. The Lord still strengthens us through the communion of the saints in the Church. “To the End of the Earth” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Acts. In his second volume, St. Luke records all the things that Jes

Rev. Sean Kilgo, pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lawrence, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Acts 27:21-44. All human hope has been lost after fourteen days in the Mediterranean tempest. The Lord brings hope by sending His angel to comfort Paul and his shipmates. Paul encourages the men to trust God’s promise to save everyone on the ship. As the ship draws closer to land, some sailors attempt to escape on the ship’s boat, but Paul tells them to stay, for the Lord’s promise has been made to save those on the ship with Paul. Paul speaks to the men once more and gives them food to eat, a confession that they will not die because the God who has given His promise will see them safely onto land. At daybreak, a nearby island with a suitable bay is spotted, but the ship strikes a reef before the ship can run aground. The centurion ensures that the soldiers do not kill the prisoners, but that all either swim or float on the ship’s debris to the shore. In this way, the Lord keeps His promise to save

Rev. Jason M. Kaspar, pastor at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in La Grange, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Acts 27:1-20. In this text, St. Luke gives the most detailed and accurate account of Mediterranean seafaring and shipping from antiquity; he writes as an eyewitness to the events, as he was with Paul for the trip. They take a short trip to Sidon, where Paul is given some liberty to visit friends; Paul’s return to the custody of Julius shows Paul’s desire to give testimony to Christ in Rome. The journey continues between the coast of Asia Minor and Cyprus, before they find an Alexandrian ship heading to Italy. With difficulty they make it to Crete, where they are faced with a difficult decision. Their harbor is not suitable for the winter, but further sailing during the winter is very dangerous. Against the advice of Paul, the trip continues, and disaster strikes. The dreaded northeaster wind drives them from the coast of Crete and into the open sea. No matter how hard the sailors work to sec

Rev. AJ Espinosa, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Irvine, CA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Acts 26:1-32. King Agrippa’s background in Judaism makes him the perfect candidate to listen to Paul’s testimony, for which the apostle is grateful. Paul recounts his history in Judaism. He was raised as a Pharisee, zealous for the faith that he shared with all Israel, which included the hope for the resurrection of the dead. In fact, Paul’s zeal took him too far; he persecuted the saints of God until the Lord Jesus came to him at Damascus. Jesus appointed Paul as His servant and witness to go to both Jews and Gentiles in order to turn them from darkness to light through faith in Jesus. Paul concludes his testimony before Agrippa by stating that he has preached the same thing as the prophets, that the Christ has suffered and died to bring light and life. Festus thinks that Paul has gone crazy, and Agrippa is not so quickly persuaded. Yet Paul desires that all would share in the faith that he has bee

Rev. Richard Mittwede, pastor at University Lutheran Church in Austin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Acts 25:1-27. Now governor in place of Felix, Festus works to make friends with the Jews in Jerusalem in order to keep tensions from flaring. Yet he does not fall for their attempt to get Paul to Jerusalem. In Caesarea, the case against Paul is heard yet again, but Paul sees through the kangaroo court. He takes the opportunity to appeal to Caesar for the sake of proclaiming the Gospel in Rome. Festus knows that Paul is innocent, but he takes the easy out by making preparations to send Paul to Caesar. As he recounts the history to Agrippa, Festus correctly recognizes that the case turns on whether or not Jesus is risen from the dead. In great human pomp, Agrippa and Festus will hear what is truly glorious: the Gospel that Paul proclaims. “To the End of the Earth” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Acts. In his second volume, St. Luke records all the things that J

Rev. James Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Acts 24:1-27. Paul’s case is tried yet again before Felix in Caesarea. The Jews employ a spokesman named Tertullus to flatter the governor in hopes that he will find Paul guilty of their trumped up charges. Though the Jews claim that Paul is a troublemaker and a member of a sect, Paul ably defends himself against their charges, both from a legal and a theological perspective. He opens the door to evangelize Felix, but Felix puts the apostle off and is alarmed at his preaching. Felix leaves Paul in prison for two years, hoping for a bribe, until he is replaced by Festus. “To the End of the Earth” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Acts. In his second volume, St. Luke records all the things that Jesus continued to do through the ministry of His Church. By the end of the book, the proclamation of the Lord’s Word that began in Jerusalem grows all the way to Rome. By God’s

Rev. Carl Roth, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Acts 23:12-35. Paul’s enemies conspire to kill him, Paul’s nephew learns of their plot and reveals it to Claudius, the tribune. The tribune recognizes that the delicate peace in Jerusalem could be quickly shattered, so he provides an enormous guard of soldiers to transfer Paul safely to Caesarea. Claudius writes a letter to the governor, Felix, with the facts of the case, including Paul’s innocence. The soldiers bring Paul safely and quickly to Caesarea, where he awaits a trial before Felix in Herod’s praetorium. Through the human actors in this text, the Lord is at work to fulfill His promise to Paul that he will proclaim the Gospel in Rome. “To the End of the Earth” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Acts. In his second volume, St. Luke records all the things that Jesus continued to do through the ministry of His Church. By the end of the book, the proclamation of the Lord

Rev. Dr. Adam Koontz, pastor and evangelist at Trinity Lutheran Church in Denver, CO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Acts 22:22-23:11. Paul’s mention of his mission to the Gentiles reignites the crowd’s murderous intent against him. The tribune once again intervenes; this time, he has Paul prepared for interrogation by flogging. Paul makes use of his rights as a Roman citizen, not only so that he avoids an unlawful beating, but also for the sake of proclaiming heavenly citizenship in Christ. The next day, the tribune gathers the Sanhedrin to make their case against Paul. The apostle ignites the division between Sadducees and Pharisees when he mentions the resurrection of the dead in Jesus. The tribune must once again quickly remove Paul from a potentially dangerous situation. Yet the Lord Himself comes to stand beside Paul and calm his fears; it is necessary that Paul will go to Rome to testify to Jesus. “To the End of the Earth” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of A

Rev. Dr. Adam Filipek, pastor at Holy Cross and Immanuel Lutheran Churches in Lidgerwood, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Acts 21:37-22:21. When Paul uses Greek to address the tribune who arrested him, the tribune is confused as to who Paul is and what is happening. The tribune therefore grants Paul the opportunity to address the crowd; Paul does so in Hebrew in an effort to bring his fellow Jews to faith in Jesus Christ. Paul recounts his shared history with the Jews; he was zealous for God and even persecuted the Way. Yet Jesus had come to Paul on the road to Damascus and brought him to salvation. Another faithful Jew, Ananias, had been the one to receive Paul as a brother and administer the forgiving gift of baptism. In a different visit to Jerusalem, the Lord had been the One to come to Paul and send Him to the Gentiles. Throughout Paul’s address, he shows his heart for the salvation of his brothers according to the flesh, that they too might trust in Christ as Savior. “To the End of th

Rev. James Neuendorf, church planting missionary in Puerto Rico, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Acts 21:17-36. Tensions in Jerusalem between Jews and Gentiles were running high in Jerusalem when Paul arrived there after his third missionary journey. While the Church together rejoices over God’s work among both Gentiles and Jews, they are concerned over the false rumors being spread about Paul. They attempt to navigate an explosive situation by having Paul sponsor the completion of the vows for four men, an expensive proposition. Paul agrees, but the liars still lie about Paul. The situation explodes into a riot in the temple, but the tribune is quick to act lest the situation devolve further. He arrests and binds Paul, as had been foretold, as the crowd shouts with the same murderous desire they had against the Lord Himself. Even as the situation seems to go south, however, the Lord of the Church shows Himself faithful to spread His Word. “To the End of the Earth” is a mini-series on Sharper Iro

Rev. Charles St-Onge, missionary pastor at Ascension Lutheran Church in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Acts 21:1-16. Paul and his companions continue their journey toward Jerusalem, taking short trips by sea along the coast before a long voyage across the Mediterranean Sea to Tyre. Those who encounter Paul along the way know the same thing he knows: suffering awaits him in Jerusalem. From Tyre, they make their way to Ptolemais and Caesarea, where they stay with Philip the evangelist. There, Agabus confirms yet again through a visual prophecy that Paul will be bound in Jerusalem. While everyone else urges Paul to avoid this suffering, Paul is ready to suffer and die, if necessary, for the name of Jesus. As the church prays for God’s will to be done, Paul and his companions finish their trip to Jerusalem. “To the End of the Earth” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Acts. In his second volume, St. Luke records all the things that Jesus continu

Rev. James Sharp — pastor, teacher, and missionary in Montevideo, Uruguay, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Acts 20:17-38. Paul calls the Ephesian pastors to Miletus where he addresses them in person for the final time. He reminds them of his ministry among them in which he proclaimed Law and Gospel faithfully to all people. He now must go to Jerusalem, even if it means suffering, for his only aim is to preach Christ crucified for sinners. As he faithfully proclaimed the whole counsel of God, so he charges the Ephesians pastors to do the same as they care for the flock of God. He warns them against false teachers from within and without. He commends them to God and His Word of grace. Paul and the Ephesian pastors part with prayer and weeping, for they know they will not see each other in this life again. “To the End of the Earth” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Acts. In his second volume, St. Luke records all the things that Jesus continued to do through the minist

Rev. Luke Zimmerman, pastor at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg, PA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Acts 20:1-16. By this point in his third missionary journey, Paul has his face to return to Jerusalem. He leaves Ephesus to visit churches in Macedonia and Achaia. Several companions travel with Paul, including Luke. In Troas, Paul stays an entire week, allowing him and his companions to worship with the saints there. The extended worship service leaves Eutychus tired; he falls asleep, falls out of a window, and dies. Yet Paul, through the power of Jesus, restores life to Eutychus. From Troas, Paul and his companions continue their journey at a brisk pace in an attempt to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost. As Israel once celebrated this harvest festival, so Paul desires to bring news of the harvest of the Lord among the Gentiles. “To the End of the Earth” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Acts. In his second volume, St. Luke records all the things that

Rev. Sean Daenzer, director of worship for the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod and chaplain at the International Center in St. Louis, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Acts 19:21-41. Paul’s lengthy ministry in Ephesus was not without controversy and trouble. A silversmith named Demetrius has felt economic pain from Christian preaching, and he rightly sees that Paul’s preaching of the one true God cannot stand together with idols made by human hands. The crowd works itself into a riot, chanting the praises of Artemis and seeking to harm anyone they can find. Christians in Ephesus keep Paul from physical harm as the crowd continues mindlessly and violently for two hours. Finally, a town clerk appeals to the greatness of Artemis and a desire to avoid the charges of rioting in order to calm the commotion. “To the End of the Earth” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Acts. In his second volume, St. Luke records all the things that Jesus continued to do through the ministr

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 Acts 19:1-20. Paul’s third missionary journey takes him to Ephesus, as he had previously hoped. In visiting with the Christians there, he finds some who have been inadequately taught concerning the Holy Spirit and Christian baptism. Paul remedies the situation and continues his ministry in Ephesus, initially by reasoning with Jews in the synagogues and later by preaching in the hall of Tyrannus. Paul’s ministry in the city expanded throughout the region of Asia for two years, even through miracles of healing and exorcisms in Jesus’ name. When the sons of Sceva attempted to use Jesus’ name as a magic token, demons sent them away hurt and shamed. As news spread throughout Ephesus, people began to forsake their demonic arts, even to their economic disadvantage. This fruit of repentance was evidence of the growth of the Word of God. “To the End of the Ear

Rev. Shawn Linnell, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blair, NE, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Acts 18:18-28. Luke narrates the end of Paul’s second missionary journey in quick succession. The apostle leaves Corinth and stops briefly in Ephesus, where he leaves Priscilla and Aquila. Paul continues on to Caesarea and Jerusalem before returning to Antioch. After a while, he starts on his third missionary journey by heading toward Galatia and Phrygia to strengthen the disciples there. Meanwhile in Ephesus, Apollos arrives and begins to speak accurately about Jesus from the Scriptures. Priscilla and Aquila recognize that Apollos still had teaching to learn, so they teach him the Christian faith even more accurately. Having humbly learned from these faithful tentmakers, Apollos goes to Achaia with the blessing of the Church. There he powerfully preaches that Jesus is the Christ. “To the End of the Earth” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Acts. In his second volume,

Rev. William Terjesen, pastor at the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Peekskill, NY, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Acts 18:1-17. Paul leaves Athens and goes to Corinth, where his trade of tentmaking opens the door for him to proclaim the Gospel to Aquila and Priscilla. Paul’s work in Corinth followed his pattern elsewhere. He preached in the synagogue until the rejection of the Jews sent him to preach to the Gentiles. Yet the Gospel made inroads in Corinth; a Christian church was founded right next to the synagogue. The Lord spoke to Paul in a vision to take away his fears and assure him of safety in Corinth. Paul ended up staying there for a year and a half, founding Corinth as a hub for mission in Greece. The Lord’s promise to Paul proved true in the case of the attack the Jews brought against him. The proconsul Gallio saw through their deception, and Paul was unharmed by the unruly mob. “To the End of the Earth” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Acts. In his

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 Acts 17:16-34. The gross idolatry in Athens distressed Paul, yet he was undeterred from preaching the Gospel there both in the synagogue and in the marketplace. His preaching of Jesus and the resurrection caught the attention of the philosophers in Athens, who desired to hear more from Paul. The apostle went to the Areopagus to address the people of Athens there. In his sermon, Paul redirects their religiosity toward idols toward the true God. Paul clearly proclaims the true God as the Creator of all things. The people should have been able to recognize Him from creation, and they had discovered things about Him in part, but their ignorance remained. Paul proclaims that the time of ignorance has come to an end and repentance is needed ahead of the judgment God will bring through Jesus, who has been raised from the dead. The resurrect