Sharper Iron From Kfuo Radio

Rev. Richard Mittwede, pastor at University Lutheran Church in Austin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study John 18:28-40. Jesus is led from the house of Caiaphas to the headquarters of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. Though the Jewish leaders have no real accusation against Jesus, they are insistent that Pilate must decide the case, which God uses to fulfill Jesus’ words concerning His death by crucifixion. As Pilate begins to question Jesus, once again the Lord ends up as the One who does the real questioning. Pilate’s concern is political, but Jesus reveals that the Kingdom of God is not like the kingdoms of this world. Jesus has come to be King precisely by going to His cross. As the Jews cry for Barabbas to be released instead of Jesus, the text reveals the truth of what Jesus has come to do. He has come to take the place of sinners. “The Word Made Flesh” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. John. The disciple whom Jesus loved wrote his Gospel account

Rev. Charles St-Onge, missionary pastor at Ascension Lutheran Church in Montreal, Quebec, Canada through the Office of National Mission for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study John 18:15-27. As Jesus goes to His trial, Simon Peter faces his own. John’s connection to the high priest gives Peter access to the high priest’s court. When Peter is questioned there, he denies that he is one of Jesus’ disciples three times, in accord with Jesus’ Word. Meanwhile, Jesus is questioned by the high priest and gives faithful testimony. Though Jesus is on trial, His responses end up putting the high priest on trial for refusing to put faith in Jesus. As Jesus clearly remains in control of the events of His Passion, He goes forward willingly to save the very people who are sinning against Him and to save all. “The Word Made Flesh” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. John. The disciple whom Jesus loved wrote his Gospel account as an eyewitness

Rev. James Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study John 18:1-14. Jesus faces His Passion knowingly and willingly. He goes across the Kidron Valley to a garden well-known to Judas. When Judas comes with a large group of soldiers, Jesus initiates the conversation. When He identifies Himself as “I AM,” the one true God, the soldiers draw back and fall to the ground. In fulfillment of His own Word, Jesus allows Himself to be arrested and bound in order to be tried before Annas and Caiaphas. He goes forward to drink the cup that His Father has given. “The Word Made Flesh” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. John. The disciple whom Jesus loved wrote his Gospel account as an eyewitness to Jesus’ life and ministry. As we read the Word of God recorded by St. John, the Holy Spirit works in us so that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and so have life by faith in His name.

Rev. Carl Roth, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study John 17:20-27. As Jesus concludes His prayer on Maundy Thursday, He asks the Father on behalf of those disciples to come who will believe through the Word that will be preached by His disciples. In this, Jesus prays for His Church still today, that we would share the unity that He has with His Father. This prayer of Jesus is answered in the unity that He gives in His Word, not in any man-made attempts. Jesus has given His Church His glory, and in the unity that He gives the Church with Himself and with His Father, the world sees the love of God. Even as Jesus has made known His name to His disciples, He will continue to make it known to His Church still. “The Word Made Flesh” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. John. The disciple whom Jesus loved wrote his Gospel account as an eyewitness to Jesus’ life and ministry. As we read the Word of God recorded by St. John, th

Rev. Dr. Adam Filipek, pastor at Holy Cross and Immanuel Lutheran Churches, both in Lidgerwood, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study John 17:11-19. Jesus continues to pray on Maundy Thursday prior to His betrayal. He prays that His disciples would be one, just as He is One with the Father. Jesus has guarded His own, and only Judas was lost in fulfillment of the Scripture. Now that Jesus is coming to the Father, He prays that the Father would keep them from the evil one as the disciples remain in the world. They are not of the world, but they have been sanctified in the truth of God’s Word of truth. Jesus sends them in that truth just as He was sent by the Father. “The Word Made Flesh” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. John. The disciple whom Jesus loved wrote his Gospel account as an eyewitness to Jesus’ life and ministry. As we read the Word of God recorded by St. John, the Holy Spirit works in us so that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son o

Rev. Dr. Adam Koontz, pastor and evangelist at Trinity Lutheran Church in Denver, CO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study John 17:1-10. As Jesus’ time with His disciples on Maundy Thursday draws to a close, He prays to His Father. The hour has come, and Jesus asks the Father to glorify Him so that He may give eternal life to those who have been given to Him. This eternal life is true faith in the Father and Jesus, His Son, and comes through the glory that Jesus through His cross. Jesus prays that the ones who have kept His Word and have believed His Word would be kept in the Father’s name. “The Word Made Flesh” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. John. The disciple whom Jesus loved wrote his Gospel account as an eyewitness to Jesus’ life and ministry. As we read the Word of God recorded by St. John, the Holy Spirit works in us so that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and so have life by faith in His name.

Rev. Tim Storck, pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Chesterfield, MI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study John 16:16-33. Jesus tells His disciples that in a very short time, they will not see Him, but then after another very short time, they will see Him again. When His disciples do not understand, Jesus clarifies by comparing the situation to a woman giving birth. As a woman knows sorrow while she is in labor, so Jesus’ disciples will have sorrow when they no longer see Him after He dies. As a woman rejoices upon the birth of her child, so Jesus’ disciples will have joy when they see Him again after His resurrection. In these things, Jesus makes His disciples’ joy full. Though they will face persecution and flee from Jesus in a short time, Jesus will not abandon His disciples. He is telling them these things ahead of time to give His disciples peace because He has overcome the world. “The Word Made Flesh” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. John. The dis

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 John 16:4b-15. Jesus speaks as He does in the Upper Room on Maundy Thursday because He know He is about to go to the Father who sent Him. Though the disciples have sorrow over what Jesus has been saying, He reassures them that it is to their advantage that He goes away. That is true in the sense that He will go away to His cross and win salvation for sinners; that is true in the sense that He will go away in His ascension, reign for the good of His Church, and send His Spirit to the disciples. The Holy Spirit will convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment, and He will guide the disciples into the truth of Jesus’ Words. “The Word Made Flesh” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. John. The disciple whom Jesus loved wrote his Gospel account as an eyewitness to Jesus’ life and mi

Rev. Luke Zimmerman, pastor at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg, PA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study John 15:18-16:4a. Jesus prepares His disciples for the persecution they will face on His account. As the world hated Jesus, so the world will hate Jesus’ disciples. Some people will receive the disciples’ word as the Word of Christ, yet those who do not believe are guilty of sin against Him and the Father. Jesus will send the Holy Spirit from the Father to help His disciples to bear witness about Him in the face of this persecution. Jesus tells His disciples these things ahead of time to keep them from falling away when the persecution comes. When the disciples see these things take place, their faith in Christ and His Word will be strengthened. “The Word Made Flesh” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. John. The disciple whom Jesus loved wrote his Gospel account as an eyewitness to Jesus’ life and ministry. As we read the Word of God record

Rev. Andrew Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Haven, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study John 15:12-17. Jesus continues to teach concerning the new commandment that He gave previously in His Upper Room Discourse. His disciples’ love for each other is based on the love that He has shown and given them. Jesus’ love is the greatest of all, because He has laid down His life on behalf of all. He calls His disciples His friends because He tells them what He is doing. They did not choose Him, but Jesus chose them to bear fruit that abides. He commands these things to His disciples so that they will love each other. “The Word Made Flesh” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. John. The disciple whom Jesus loved wrote his Gospel account as an eyewitness to Jesus’ life and ministry. As we read the Word of God recorded by St. John, the Holy Spirit works in us so that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and so have life by faith in His n

Rev. Dr. Scott Murray, pastor at Memorial Lutheran Church in Houston, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study John 15:1-11. When Jesus calls Himself the true vine, He picks up Old Testament imagery from the prophet Isaiah. Where Israel was unfaithful, Jesus is entirely faithful. The Father prunes believers for the sake of keeping us connected to Jesus and making us more fruitful. Only as we remain in Jesus and He remains in us can we bear any fruit. As branches, we must remain connected to Christ the Vine in His Word, lest we die eternally. Jesus loves us as the Father has loved Him; in His Word, He makes our joy full. “The Word Made Flesh” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. John. The disciple whom Jesus loved wrote his Gospel account as an eyewitness to Jesus’ life and ministry. As we read the Word of God recorded by St. John, the Holy Spirit works in us so that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and so have life by faith in His name.

Rev. Daniel Golden, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Parkersburg, WV, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study John 14:22-31. In response to Jesus’ teaching in His Upper Room Discourse, one of Jesus’ lesser known apostles speaks up. Judas the son of James asks the Lord how He will manifest Himself to the disciples but not the world. Jesus answers that this happens through His Word. The disciples who love Jesus’ Word will be loved by the Father and the Son, and they will make a home with the disciples. However, those who do not love Jesus will not receive Jesus’ Words. He speaks these words to His disciples now while He is with them, and He will send the Holy Spirit in the future to bring all of His Words to their remembrance. In these words, the disciples will have peace from Jesus that the world cannot give. As He goes to His passion and death, the ruler of this world cannot take anything from Jesus, for He goes willingly according to the Father’s command. “The Word Made Flesh” is a series on Sharpe

Rev. Steve Andrews, pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee's Summit, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study John 14:15-21. Jesus continues His Upper Room Discourse with His disciples, preparing them for His upcoming passion, death, and resurrection. In love for Him, His disciples will keep His commandments. To aid them, Jesus will ask the Father, who will send them the Spirit of truth to be their Helper and Comforter. Though the world will not receive Him, the Holy Spirit will dwell with and in the disciples. In this way, Jesus will not leave His disciples as orphans, but they will continue to live in Him. They will keep His commandments, the Father will love them, and Jesus will manifest Himself to them. “The Word Made Flesh” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. John. The disciple whom Jesus loved wrote his Gospel account as an eyewitness to Jesus’ life and ministry. As we read the Word of God recorded by St. John, the Holy Spirit works in us so that we mi

Rev. Peter Ill, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study John 14:8-14. In the midst of Jesus’ comforting discourse to His disciples, Philip asks Jesus to show them the Father. Though Philip should have known the answer to his request after three years with Jesus, the Lord is gracious and continues to teach His disciples. In seeing Jesus, they have already seen the Father. Jesus’ Words are spoken on the Father’s authority, and His works testify to that same truth. Jesus promises that those who believe in Him will do the same works He does, and even greater works when He goes to the Father. God accomplishes these very works in His Church still today through the means of grace, by which He bestows the forgiveness of sins. “The Word Made Flesh” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. John. The disciple whom Jesus loved wrote his Gospel account as an eyewitness to Jesus’ life and ministry. As we read the Word of God recorded

Rev. Matt Wietfeldt, Vice President of Admission and director of the Christ Academy program at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study John 14:1-7. In His discourse to His disciples in the Upper Room on Maundy Thursday, Jesus prepares them not only for His quickly-approaching passion and death, but also for His mission for them to go into the world with the Gospel after His resurrection and ascension. He tells His disciples that their hearts need not be troubled through faith in Him. He goes to prepare a place for them with His Father, and He will take them to be with Him forever. When Thomas questions Jesus how they can know the way, Jesus responds, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus is the exclusive way so that anyone who believes in Him is included in the Father’s family eternally. “The Word Made Flesh” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. John. The discip

Rev. David Boisclair, pastor at Bethesda and Faith Lutheran Churches in north St. Louis County, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study John 13:21-38. After Jesus washes His disciples’ feet and teaches them the importance, He reveals that one of His Twelve will betray Him. In the midst of their uncertainty, John asks Jesus which disciple would do this. By sharing a piece of bread with Judas at that moment, Jesus highlights the depth of betrayal. Judas leaves into the darkness, a reminder of the great evil he is about to commit. Jesus continues undeterred and teaches His disciples His new commandment: “Love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” The commandment is new because Jesus is about to fulfill it by giving them the fullness of His love in laying down His life. “The Word Made Flesh” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. John. The disciple whom Jesus loved wrote his Gospel account as an eyewitness to Jesus’ life and ministry.

Rev. Bernie Schey, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Old Dime Box, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study John 13:1-20. Before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus shows His disciples the fullness of His love. Even as Judas is preparing to betray the Lord, Jesus becomes the most humble servant to the disciples as He washes their feet. When Peter objects, Jesus says that Peter must receive such humble service from Jesus, for this footwashing foreshadows the even greater service Jesus will give by His death. After Jesus finishes washing His disciples’ feet, He tells them that this also serves as an example for their service to each other. As Jesus was willing to serve even though He was greatest among them, so the disciples should willingly serve each other. “The Word Made Flesh” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. John. The disciple whom Jesus loved wrote his Gospel account as an eyewitness to Jesus’ life and ministry. As we read the Word of God recorded by St. Jo

Rev. Harrison Goodman, content executive for Higher Things, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study John 12:44-50. Jesus speaks His final public words prior to His suffering and death. He cries out and reiterates His connection to the Father. Those who believe in Jesus believe in the Father; those who see Jesus see the Father. In this way, Jesus is the light who takes us out darkness. He has come to save the world from judgment, yet those who do not receive His Word have a judge in His Word. This is true because Jesus has not spoken on His own authority, but on the Father’s. The Father has sent Jesus with His commandment that delivers what the Father commands: eternal life “The Word Made Flesh” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. John. The disciple whom Jesus loved wrote his Gospel account as an eyewitness to Jesus’ life and ministry. As we read the Word of God recorded by St. John, the Holy Spirit works in us so that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the So

Rev. Philip Hoppe, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Colby, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study John 12:34-43. The crowd listening to Jesus on Palm Sunday knows that He has been speaking about His death, but they do not know how Jesus could then be the Christ. Jesus proclaims the urgency of the situation; He is the light in whom they must believe right now. When the crowd does not believe, Jesus withdraws from them; all of this is in fulfillment of what the Lord had spoken by the prophet Isaiah, who saw God’s glory. Though many did believe in Jesus, they loved the glory from man more than the glory of God. Jesus shows us the true glory of God in His death and resurrection. “The Word Made Flesh” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. John. The disciple whom Jesus loved wrote his Gospel account as an eyewitness to Jesus’ life and ministry. As we read the Word of God recorded by St. John, the Holy Spirit works in us so that we might believe that Jesus is the Chr

Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study John 12:20-33. Right after the Pharisees complain that the whole world is going after Jesus, some Greeks voice their desire to see Jesus. Jesus takes this as the opportunity to announce that the hour for His glorification has come. As a grain of wheat must die in order to bear fruit, so Jesus’ death will bring forth great fruit in forgiveness and salvation. Though His soul is troubled, still Jesus is resolute in going forward to His hour in which the Father will glorify His name. The Father’s voice speaks from heaven, and Jesus proclaims what is happening. He will draw all people to Himself by being lifted up in death on the cross. “The Word Made Flesh” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. John. The disciple whom Jesus loved wrote his Gospel account as an eyewitness to Jesus’ life and ministry. As we read the Word of God recorded by St. John, the Holy Spirit wo