Sharper Iron From Kfuo Radio

Rev. David Appold, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Paducah, KY, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 4:1-13. Freshly baptized and full of the Holy Spirit, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Jesus takes the offensive; He has come to set sinners free from Satan’s grip. Therefore, Jesus must be the stronger Man who binds the strong tempter. This is precisely what Jesus does. Where Adam failed, Jesus succeeds. The devil’s temptations against Jesus are specific to His office as the Christ. Even with each temptation’s specifics, each time the devil tempts Jesus to avoid suffering, with the ultimate goal that Jesus would not go the way of the cross for the salvation of mankind. In each case, Jesus replies faithfully with the Word of God, trusting in His Father’s will perfectly. In this way, Jesus does what we could not and conquers our old evil foe. “The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel ac

Rev. Andrew Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Haven, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 3:21-38. In Jesus’ Baptism, the love of the Father for the Son is on full display. The fulfillment of the enthronement of the Son from Psalm 2 happens in a remarkably lowly way. The sinless Son of God stands in the Jordan River, baptized alongside sinners. In this way, the love of the Triune God for sinners is made manifest, the same love that is given to sinners in our Baptism into Christ. Having just recorded the Father’s declaration of His beloved Son, St. Luke traces the genealogy of Jesus all the way back to Adam, the son of God. The differences between the genealogy in Matthew and Luke only highlight the historical reality of Jesus’ human ancestry and the accurate recordkeeping of the people of God. By tracing Jesus’ genealogy all the way back to Adam, the son of God, St. Luke emphasizes that Jesus is the new Adam who has come to be the Savior for all people. “The Beloved Physician’

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 Luke 3:1-20. Jumping forward almost twenty years, St. Luke once again sets the historical context. A different emperor reigns in Rome, but the same God who spoke His Word though the prophets of the Old Testament reading now speaks His Word through John, the forerunner of the Christ. John’s preaching in the wilderness fulfills the Word of the Lord spoken by Isaiah the prophet. By including a longer quotation than the other evangelists, St. Luke reminds us that Jesus has come to bring salvation to all flesh. John’s preaching of repentance is to all, but it is not a matter of mere moral improvement. He calls everyone to turn from sins to the coming Savior. The fruit of repentance shows in specific ways in specific vocations, even in vocations that we might not expect to listen to John. As the expectation of the crowd bubbles up concerning John, he is clear to set the

Rev. Dr. Scott Murray, pastor at Memorial Lutheran Church in Houston, TX, and 3rd Vice President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 2:41-52. The Lord returns to His temple as a twelve-year-old boy. He goes there according to the custom of His family in order to celebrate the Passover. In this, Jesus shows Himself to be our Savior as the fulfillment of the Passover lamb, and Jesus also shows Himself to be our example by His attentiveness to the worship life of the Church. When the observance of the Passover is ended, Mary and Joseph make the honest mistake of leaving without Jesus. When they realize that He is not among their traveling family group, they return to Jerusalem where they search for Him frantically for three days. The length of time they search for Jesus is a foreshadow of those who will look for Jesus for three days, only to find Him risen from the dead, precisely as He had said. Mary and Joseph also find Jesus precisely where He had said, in His

Rev. Jacob Dandy, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church and School in Terra Bella, CA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 2:21-40. Already as an eight day old infant, Jesus fulfills the Law in the place of sinners and begins to shed His blood for their redemption. His name tells who He is: the Savior. About a month later, when Jesus is forty days old, He goes to His Temple with Mary and Joseph. There Jesus is presented as the firstborn and sacrifices are offered for Mary’s purification, in accordance with the Law of God. Simeon interrupts the scene with his song, the Nunc Dimittis. Now that the Lord had fulfilled His promise that Simeon would see the Lord’s salvation before Simeon died, the blessed saint takes Jesus in his arms and sings the praises of God. Anna too takes her turn worshiping and proclaiming the Christ child who has come to redeem His people. After the Law had been fulfilled, Jesus returned with His family to live and grow in Nazareth. “The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a m

Rev. Jeremiah Johnson, pastor at Glory of Christ Lutheran Church in Plymouth, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 2:1-20. St. Luke sets the account of Christ’s birth in the context of Caesar Augustus, a reminder that he is not telling a fable, but recounting real works of God in history for the salvation of sinners. At first glance, the account of Joseph and Mary traveling to Bethlehem where she gives birth to her firstborn son seems ordinary and quite humble. Yet the mention of David gives a clue that this is no ordinary birth, and the message of the angels to the shepherds cements this truth. To lowly shepherds, the angel announces good news for all people. The Savior has been born for them and for all, bringing glory to God and peace to earth. This is the good news the shepherds hasten to see with their own eyes and then run to share with all who would listen. “The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. T

Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 1:57-80. When the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, she gave birth to a son, to the great joy of all her family and neighbors. They wanted to name the child Zechariah, which normally would have been a fitting name given the family and circumstances. Yet the Word of God through Gabriel had already given the child a name, which Zechariah faithfully wrote on his tablet: “His name is John.” Having spoken now in faith, Zechariah breaks forth into song in the Benedictus. The first half of the song praises the Lord for the mercy for He had shown His people throughout the Old Testament, now fulfilled in the Child Mary is carrying. The second half of the song prophesies concerning the role John will play as the forerunner of the Christ. John will prepare the way of the Lord by proclaiming the forgiveness of sins, a light shining in the darkness. “The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mi

Rev. Mark Barz, pastor at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 1:39-56. Mary has believed the Word of God, and so she goes to visit her relative Elizabeth, who is six months along with John. Upon hearing the greeting of Mary, John leaps for joy in the womb of Elizabeth, who is herself filled with the Holy Spirit to exclaim blessing upon Mary. Elizabeth recognizes the great blessing she is being given that the mother of the Lord has come to visit her. The joy of the Lord fills Mary as well, and she sings the Magnificat, first of four canticles recorded in Luke 1-2. In the first part of the Magnificat, Mary magnifies the Lord for what He has done for her. In the second part, Mary magnifies the Lord for what He does for all people in bringing down the proud and exalting the lowly, all in order to keep His promise made to Abraham that the Savior would come from his line. “The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that

Rev. AJ Espinosa, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Irvine, CA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 1:26-38. Although the first chapter of Luke largely records events surrounding the birth of John, the Evangelist provides notice that the narrative is really about Jesus, the Child who comes after John. When Gabriel makes a second visit, he is sent to announce the birth of a son, not to a barren woman, but to a virgin woman. The fact that the virgin, whose name is Mary, comes from the line of David, indicates that the Lord is fulfilling the promise to bring His Savior King into the world. Yet the victory that this Savior King will accomplish comes hidden under weakness and the cross. Mary’s question of Gabriel’s message comes from her faith seeking further knowledge, and Gabriel reveals that the Son she will carry will be conceived in her by the power of the Holy Spirit; her Child will be the Son of God Himself. As a sign to Mary, Gabriel tells the Blessed Virgin that her relative Elizabeth is

Rev. James Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 1:5-25. St. Luke begins his narrative with John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Christ. Not only in his preaching, but also in his life, prepares the way for the Lord. This begins with the announcement of his birth to Zechariah. The aged priest and his wife were both righteous through faith, but they had no child, for Elizabeth was barren. Yet precisely to this couple, the Lord chose to give a son. The angel Gabriel brought the good news to Zechariah while he was serving as priest before the Lord. In answer to the prayers of Zechariah for a child and the prayers of Israel for a Savior, John would be born to Zechariah and Elizabeth. Zechariah’s question of Gabriel arose from his doubt, and so his punishment fit his crime. Because he did not believe the Lord’s Word, he would not be able to speak any words of his own until the child was born. When the Lord kept His promise, Elizabeth conceived, a

Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Oschwald, professor of exegetical theology at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 1:1-4. St. Luke the Evangelist, the beloved physician and companion of St. Paul, writes his Gospel account to the most excellent Theophilus in order to give him certainty concerning the things that he has been taught concerning Jesus. Writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, St. Luke undertook this task, one that others before him had done, by speaking with eyewitnesses of the things that Jesus had done. Through his orderly account of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, St. Luke has recorded for us the Word of God that provides many beautiful contributions to our knowledge of Jesus’ work for our salvation so that we may certainty, along with Theophilus, that Jesus is the Savior. “The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched acco

“The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection so that Theophilus would have certainty concerning the things he had been taught. As we still read the Word of God recorded by St. Luke, our gracious Lord gives us that same certainty that Jesus is our Savior. 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. Ryan Ogrodowicz, associate pastor and headmaster at Grace Lutheran Church and School in Brenham, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Hebrews 1:1-12. Through the incarnation and birth of the Son of God, the Lord has spoken His Word of love to sinful humanity. Though He spoke in a variety of ways through the prophets of the Old Testament, He has now spoken to us through His Son, whose voice we still hear in Holy Scripture. As the radiance of God’s glory and the imprint of His nature, Jesus is the Creator and Sustainer of all things. By His death, He has purified us sinners; now He reigns on high, far superior to the angels. From a variety of Old Testament texts, the writer of Hebrews shows how Jesus is true God in our true human flesh, the One who is worshiped by angels and all creation for His work of salvation. “Advent with the Apostles” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Epistle readings for the season of Advent. This holy season of repentance and joy focuses on the coming o

Rev. Dr. Dean Wenthe, professor of exegetical theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Titus 3:4-7. The epistle for Christmas Dawn extols the grace of God for us sinners. Although we were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, and slaves to our passions, we are the ones whom God has loved. In that love, He has caused His goodness and kindness to appear in Jesus Christ for our salvation. No works of ours, no matter how righteous they seem, deliver this salvation; rather, God’s grace alone pours this salvation out upon us in Holy Baptism, the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit. God’s grace is rich and lavish; in Jesus Christ, we lack nothing needed for salvation, for we are heirs with Him of eternal life. “Advent with the Apostles” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Epistle readings for the season of Advent. This holy season of repentance and joy focuses on the coming of Christ. As the apostles write to us conce

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 Titus 2:11-14. The foundation of the Christian life is the appearance of God’s grace in Jesus Christ. By the coming of the Son of God in our flesh, salvation has been brought to all people. God saves us from ungodliness and worldly passions, and He saves us for self-controlled, upright, and godly lives even in the midst of this evil age. Jesus’ grace appears to us even now in the preaching of His Word to strengthen us in this salvation and in the good works God has prepared for us to do. Jesus’ grace upholds us as we wait for His glorious appearance on the Last Day. “Advent with the Apostles” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Epistle readings for the season of Advent. This holy season of repentance and joy focuses on the coming of Christ. As the apostles write to us concerning Christian doctrine and life in light

Rev. Chris Hull, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Tomball, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 John 4:7-16. Love begins with God, because He is love. He has manifested His love among us by sending His only Son into the world to give us life by being the propitiation for our sins. From the love that God has given us in His Son, our love for each other flows forth. This love is not a generic feeling; rather, this love is a commitment to another person that is grounded in the truth of who Jesus is and what He has done for us sinners. When we abide in His love, God abides in us. “Advent with the Apostles” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Epistle readings for the season of Advent. This holy season of repentance and joy focuses on the coming of Christ. As the apostles write to us concerning Christian doctrine and life in light of what Christ has done in His first coming in the flesh, they strengthen us to live and wait in hope for His second coming in glory on the Last Day.

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 Hebrews 10:5-10. The text for this section of the sermon that is the letter of Hebrews is Psalm 40. The author of Hebrews, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, teaches us to understand this section as a conversation between Jesus and the Father. Jesus speaks in obedience to His Father’s will, acknowledging that the purpose of His incarnation is to give His Body as the once for all sacrifice for sinners. The sacrifices of the Old Testament are no longer needed. They are shadows of the Body of Jesus Christ; because He has come in our flesh, we cling to Him as our salvation from sin, death, and the devil. “Advent with the Apostles” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Epistle readings for the season of Advent. This holy season of repentance and joy focuses on the coming of Christ. As the apostles write to us concerning Christian

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 Romans 16:25-27. St. Paul concludes his epistle to the Romans with a glorious doxology of praise to God. He ties together his themes from the entire epistle, centering them all in the Gospel. He glorifies God as the One who strengthens the people He has called to Himself by the Gospel, the good news of what He has done in Christ that is preached to sinners for their salvation. This mystery, taught all along in the Old Testament, has been revealed clearly with the advent of Jesus in the flesh and in the preaching of His Word in the Church. This has happened because of God’s loving will to bring about the obedience of faith according to His will and work. For all of this good news, God receives all praise. To God be the glory! “Advent with the Apostles” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Epistle readings for the season of Advent. This hol

Rev. Shawn Linnell, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blair, NE, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Romans 1:1-7. As St. Paul begins his epistle to the Romans, he defines his calling and theirs. St. Paul has been called as a slave and apostle of Christ Jesus; the Lord is his master who has sent him to proclaim the Gospel. The Romans have been called to belong to Jesus Christ as saints who have been declared holy by what He has done for them. St. Paul has God’s authority to write, and the Roman Christians have God’s authority to listen. St. Paul is writing to them concerning Jesus Christ, who is both true man, descended from the line of David, and true God, raised from the dead. Through this epistle, Paul’s intention is that the Lord would bring about among the Romans Christians the obedience of faith in Jesus Christ. “Advent with the Apostles” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Epistle readings for the season of Advent. This holy season of repentance and joy focuses on the coming

Rev. Dr. Jeff Dukeman, pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Gulfport, MS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 4:1-5. The city of Corinth was well-known for its problems, and the same could be said for the church in Corinth. Yet St. Paul writes to them as Christians. As he addresses their divisions over which teacher they follow, he clearly elevates Christ as primary. He and Apollos are servants of the one Lord, Christ; they are stewards of what He has given them. He names these mysteries, that is, all of the things that the Triune God has done in order to save sinners. Pastors still today are these servants and stewards, handing over the gifts of God to the people of God. Faithfulness is the key, not the individual personality. In this, God alone stands as Lord and Judge; no human court can give the verdict. As pastors and hearers alike rightly discern truth from error and rebuke sin and falsehood as necessary, they do so as those who are justified by grace through faith in Christ. “Ad