Sharper Iron From Kfuo Radio

Rev. Brian Flamme, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Roswell, NM, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Peter 5:1-5. St. Peter earlier addressed the estates of government and family in his table of duties; now he addresses the estate of the church. As Jesus once charged Peter to feed His sheep, so the Apostle now charges his fellow pastors to shepherd the flock of God. Pastors shepherd God’s flock with the Word of God. The oversight pastors exercise is not tyranny, but as those who look out over those entrusted to them in order to protect and care for them. Pastors do not act under compulsion, but willingly following the command that God has given them. Pastors do not let money be their idol, but eagerly speak God’s Word to His people. Pastors are not domineering, but set examples for their congregations. In all this, pastors remain Christians who are waiting for their Chief Shepherd to return, for Jesus is the Savior for pastors as well. Christians are called to be subject to their pastors. Together

Rev. Mark Barz, pastor at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Peter 4:12-19. St. Peter reminds Christians that they are beloved by God. Therefore, when they receive sufferings, they should not find it strange, but rejoice that they are given to share in Christ’s own sufferings. Christian joy in suffering is found in the reminder that Jesus is the One who suffered for our salvation. St. Peter recalls Jesus’ beatitude to those who suffer as the prophets who came before us. Though the world may insult, the Triune God gives us His glory. Christians are not called to suffer because they have sinned, but instead are called to suffer as those who bear the name of Christ. Judgment begins at the household of God; in Christ, we know that God judges us to be His own. Therefore, we entrust ourselves to Him as we suffer according to His will while doing what is good in His sight. “The Imperishable Inheritance” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the e

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 for Sharathon 2021 to study how God gives life to dead stones. Stones serve as a source of stability and strength, but you can also trip over them. God’s Word makes use of the image of stones in both ways, to proclaim both judgment and salvation. The prophet Isaiah proclaims God’s judgment against Israel’s unfaithfulness while also promising that the LORD will do a marvelous thing by laying Christ as His chosen cornerstone. The use of Psalm 118 at the laying of the foundation of the second temple in the time of Ezra points forward to the singing of Psalm 118 at the foundation of the true temple of Jesus’ Body during Holy Week. John the Baptist truly preaches that those who are children of Abraham are those dead stones whom God has made alive in Christ. The splitting of the rocks at Jesus’ death and the removal of the gravestone at His resurrection signal that the foun

Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel for Sharathon 2021 to study how God makes use of water to deliver His people. Water is present in the Scriptures all the way from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22. Throughout the Old Testament, water is often God’s chosen means both for bringing His judgment upon sin and for saving His people by grace through faith. Noah and his family in the ark, the people of Israel at the Red Sea, and Naaman in the Jordan River all provide evidence of God’s deliverance through water. This culminates in Jesus, who was baptized in the Jordan River in the place of sinners and who gives living water that quenches eternally. Those who are washed in the water and Word of Holy Baptism are connected to Jesus’ saving work and so are brought into eternity with Him, where the river of life flows forever. If you are grateful for Sharper Iron, consider supporting KFUO Radio with a gift today so that we can continue broadcasting the Gospel

Rev. AJ Espinosa, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Irvine, CA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Peter 4:7-11. Christ’s imminent return makes a difference for the lives of Christians right now. Being self-controlled and sober-minded keeps us ready for our prayers, by which we fulfill God’s calling to be His royal priesthood. As such, we are bound to love, seeking to cover each other in the forgiveness that Christ has given us. We welcome each other in the name of Christ. Knowing that our gifts have been received from God, we use them as stewards to serve each other and glorify God.  “The Imperishable Inheritance” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistles of 1 and 2 Peter and Jude. The life of the Christian Church right now is life in exile. We endure attacks from various trials and from false teachers. Such suffering makes us long for the eternal home that will be ours at the resurrection of the dead. In Jesus, we have this promise of eternal life that can never be snatch

Rev. Stephen Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Peter 4:1-6. Christ’s suffering arms us as Christians to live now in the midst of our suffering. God lays the holy cross upon us in order to begin to put our sin to death as we suffer willingly and gladly as Christ did. In the same way, we mortify our own sinful passions, knowing that we have already spent enough time living as the pagans. When we refrain from its wickedness, the world sees us as weird and mocks us. Yet Jesus stands ready as the judge of the living and the dead. The only way to escape eternal condemnation is faith in the Gospel. Because this Gospel was preached to Christians who have now died, yet they are alive with Christ now. “The Imperishable Inheritance” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistles of 1 and 2 Peter and Jude. The life of the Christian Church right now is life in exile. We endure attacks from various trials and from false teachers. Such sufferi

Rev. Carl Roth, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Peter 3:18-22. St. Peter arrives at the theological heart of his first epistle. This creedal text lays out the saving work of Jesus Christ as the reason for the hope that is in us. Jesus suffered once for sins as the righteous one for the unrighteous ones in order to bring us to God. After His death and resurrection, He descended into hell to proclaim His victory over the devil and his demons. St. Peter specifically speaks about the days of Noah in order to preach the comfort of Holy Baptism, the water combined with God’s Word that saves us. The horsepower of Baptism is the death and resurrection of Jesus, by which we are given a good conscience before God, at whose right hand Jesus reigns over all things for our good. “The Imperishable Inheritance” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistles of 1 and 2 Peter and Jude. The life of the Christian Church right now is life in exile. We endu

Rev. Sean Kilgo, pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lawrence, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Peter 3:13-17. Because the eyes and ears of the Lord are open to us, no harm can truly come upon us in Christ. Even when we suffer for righteousness’ sake, the Lord brings His blessing to us. St. Peter quotes from Isaiah to call us away from the fear of the world and to a proper fear of the Lord, who is Christ. He is held in our hearts as the Holy One who makes us ready to speak His Word to those who ask how we can suffer in hope. We make this confession in the presence of God with meekness and the fear of god. We know that as we conduct ourselves as Christians, the conscience of the world is pricked by the Law, yet we retain a good conscience in Christ. In Him, we seek to align ourselves with the good that is God’s will, even when it means suffering for the sake of Christ. “The Imperishable Inheritance” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistles of 1 and 2 Peter and Jude. The l

Rev. Ryan Ogrodowicz, associate pastor and headmaster at Grace Lutheran Church and School in Brenham, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Peter 3:8-12. St. Peter wraps up his table of duties by speaking to all Christians. The goal for Christians is unity of mind that is founded in the true doctrine that is taught from Holy Scripture and points to Christ crucified and risen. From that unity of mind, Christians suffer together with each other in compassion and humility. When Christians are met with evil and reviling, we respond with blessing. An extended quote from Psalm 34 serves as the basis for this truth. Just as David showed kindness to Saul even when Saul wanted to kill David, so Christians keep our eyes focused on the truth of God’s Word instead of turning to deceitful words from a deceitful tongue. When we suffer evil, we draw comfort from our Lord’s watchful eyes to see our distress and His open ears to hear our prayers. “The Imperishable Inheritance” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that go

Rev. Gaven Mize, pastor at Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hickory, NC, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Peter 3:1-7. St. Peter continues his table of duties by addressing wives and husbands. Among early Christians, wives sometimes were brought to faith even though their husbands did not believe. Even in such cases, Christian wives are to be subject to their husbands in love. Their respectful and pure conduct serves to convict their husbands and give an opportunity to speak the Word of Christ that brings to faith. This is a reflection of the true beauty of Christian wives, which is not found in their clothing or jewelry, but in the righteousness of Christ that is their by faith. Christian husbands are called to honor their wives by providing for them and protecting them, recognizing that they are fellow heirs of the grace of life that is given in Christ. “The Imperishable Inheritance” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistles of 1 and 2 Peter and Jude. The life of the

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 1 Peter 2:18-25. St. Peter continues his table of duties by speaking to servants in relation to their masters. Christian servants are called to be subject to their masters, even when their masters are not Christian or treat them unjustly. Such endurance of unjust suffering is a picture of God’s grace in Christ, for He has called us to it. Christ is the example that we seek to copy in our suffering; His are the steps in which we seek to walk. Yet Christ is not only our example in suffering; His suffering is also for our salvation. St. Peter preaches from Isaiah as he reflects on Christ’s patient endurance of evil in our place. In Christ, we have died to sin and been made alive to righteousness. When we endure injustice from those who have authority over us, Christ stands as our true Shepherd and Overseer in whom we have justification.

Rev. Chris Hull, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Tomball, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Peter 2:11-17. Christians live in this world as sojourners and exiles. The passions of our flesh war against us in an attempt to convince us that our home is this world; Christians fight against this temptation by focusing on our home in the resurrection of the dead. The Christian life among the Gentiles is to be honorable, even when they speak against us, so that ultimately glory will be given to God. St. Peter teaches Christians how this is put into practice in a table of duties; he begins with Christans living under the earthly authority of human government. Christians are subject to such authority for the Lord’s sake. The freedom we have in Christ is used not for our own desires but for the sake of service to others. Where earthly authority commands disobedience to God, Christians faithfully bear any suffering for the sake of staying faithful to the Lord and His Word. “The Imperishable Inheritance” i

Rev. Rick Jones, chaplain and vice-president of spiritual life at the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch in Minot, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Peter 2:1-10. The life of the Christian flees from all lies and evil and toward the truth of God’s Word. He has given us new birth into His kingdom through His Word. As a mother’s milk sustains her newborn infants, God’s Word nourishes and strengthens us. Our Lord has shown us that He is good, for though He was rejected by men, God chose Him as the cornerstone for His Church. We are built together as living stones in Him to be His temple and holy priesthood. Echoes of Peter’s life and confession come through as he writes concerning Christ and the Church in this way. He quotes freely from Isaiah and the Psalms concerning Christ crucified and risen as the foundation for our faith and a stumbling block for those who do not believe. Because of what Christ has done, Christians now are God’s chosen people. He has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light

Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Peter 1:13-25. Christians live in a world that would conform us to its ignorant passions. That makes the Christian life no idle stroll. Instead, St. Peter urges us to gird the loins of our minds to be ready. That happens not of our own will, but through the hope of God’s grace in Jesus Christ. The holy life is a high and difficult calling, yet it is founded upon the holiness that belongs to God that He gives to us in His Son. Because He is our Father and we are His children, we seek after lives of obedience to Him. We know that He has paid the price of the blood of His own Son to set us free from the futility of our sins. Through this same Jesus, foreknown from eternity and revealed now to us, we have been given faith in God. That compels us all the more to live our lives under the authority of God’s Word as we show love to each other. The foundation is the new birth that God has given us by the Wo

Rev. Vance Becker, LCMS missionary serving as a theological educator at Neema Lutheran College in Matongo, Kenya, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Peter 1:1-12. Read Pastor Becker's story and how to support his missionary work at lcms.org/becker. St. Peter’s first epistle was likely written in the mid-60s from Rome. He writes to several churches in Asia in order to strengthen them in the face of persecution and to encourage them in their Christian life and witness before the world. The Apostle begins by reminding his recipients of God’s gracious election in Christ through the sanctification of the Spirit. God is the Blessed One for the mercy He has shown us sinners in raising us from the death of our sins into the new life of hope that is eternal in Christ. As we wait for that life to be revealed fully,  we rejoice even in various trials, because God uses these trials to refine our faith in Him. This faith loves and trusts in Jesus, even though He is currently unseen. We know He will deliver His pr

“The Imperishable Inheritance” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistles of 1 and 2 Peter and Jude. The life of the Christian Church right now is life in exile. We endure attacks from various trials and from false teachers. Such suffering makes us long for the eternal home that will be ours at the resurrection of the dead. In Jesus, we have this promise of eternal life that can never be snatched away. These three epistles strengthen us to hold fast to Christ in the midst of suffering and to give witness to the hope that is ours in Him. 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

Rev. Dr. Peter Scaer, professor of New Testament and chairman of the department of exegetical theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 16:9-20. The risen Lord Jesus does not leave His Church without witnesses of His resurrection. He graciously appears to Mary Magdalene and to two disciples as they were walking in the country. The unexpected nature of these witnesses provides evidence of the truthfulness of the Gospel accounts. The disciples, however, do not believe the initial reports. The risen Lord Himself appears to them to rebuke their unbelief and strengthen them in faith and courage for the task ahead. He sends them into the world to proclaim the Gospel to all creation, because His death and resurrection have renewed His creation. Through faith and Baptism, He delivers His salvation to sinners. Signs accompanied the work of the apostles in the book of Acts according to the Lord’s prediction. His ascension and session to the right hand of t

Rev. Dr. James Voelz, professor of New Testament at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 16:1-8. Throughout his Gospel account, St. Mark emphasizes the complete reliability of Jesus’ Word. Now, at Jesus’ empty tomb, the angel speaks that same reliable Word to the women. These women have come to Jesus’ tomb after the sun had risen, recalling Malachi’s promise that the Sun of Righteousness would rise with healing in His wings. Indeed, the Son has risen. The women are alarmed at the sight of the young man in Jesus’ open tomb. He proclaims to the women that the Crucified One is the Risen One. Although the women do not see Jesus at this moment, they will see Him when they believe His Word. In this way, the Gospel according to St. Mark serves as good news for those who live in tough times. Just like the women at Jesus’ tomb, even though we do not see Jesus, we have His reliable Word, and that is all we need. “The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goe

Rev. Matt Wietfeldt, Director of Admissions and the Christ Academy program at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 15:42-47. St. Mark continues his slow, detailed account through the events of Jesus’ passion as he records Jesus’ burial. Because Jesus died and was buried on Good Friday, His prediction of His third day resurrection remains intact. As a member of the Sanhedrin who is also rich, Joseph of Arimathea seems like an unlikely disciple of Jesus. Yet he, like Simeon, Anna, and other saints, is looking for the kingdom of God in Jesus. Through Spirit-given boldness, Joseph takes a political and religious risk in asking Pilate for permission to bury Jesus. Pilate’s surprise at Jesus’ death is due to its speed; crucifixion often took days. The investigation that happens assures us that Jesus did, in fact, die. Joseph shows great care and love in his burial of his Lord. The women see the precise location of Jesus’ tomb, establishing them as faithful wi

Rev. Joel Heckmann, pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Okarche, OK, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 15:33-41. Darkness covers the whole land for the final three hours of Jesus’ crucifixion. All creation now mourns its Creator as the full wrath of God comes down upon Jesus on this Day of the LORD. Jesus prays Psalm 22 on the cross in His moment of greatest agony; He experiences hell in our place when He is forsaken by His Father. God has abandoned Jesus so that we would never be abandoned. Though the bystanders misunderstand, Jesus continues resolutely on as He willingly gives up His life. The mystery is great and wonderful: God died for us. The tearing of the temple curtain proclaims that Jesus has accomplished our reconciliation to God, and the centurion’s confession is exactly right at exactly the right moment. Mark has been writing his Gospel account for this moment: Jesus shows Himself to be the Son of God by His death on the cross. “The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iro