Sharper Iron From Kfuo Radio

Rev. Roy Askins, managing editor for The Lutheran Witness, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 10:32-45. As Jesus continues to lead the way up to Jerusalem, He adds to what He has taught His disciples concerning what awaits Him there. He speaks with great clarity and precision concerning the details of the betrayal, condemnation, mockery, torture, and death He will endure at the hands of both Jews and Gentiles before rising after three days. The disciples once again miss Jesus’ teaching, exemplified by the request of James and John to occupy the places at Jesus’ right and left in His glory. While they have the glory of man in mind, Jesus has the glory of God in mind. This is the glory that belongs to Jesus because He has given His life on the cross between two robbers. That glory is what is given to all who follow Jesus, crucifying their sinful desire for greatness and filling them with a desire to serve each other as Jesus came to serve them by His death. “The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on

Rev. Jacob Dandy, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church and School in Terra Bella, CA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 10:17-31. The rich young man stands in contrast to the little children Jesus has just welcomed. Whereas those little children came with nothing and desired to receive from Jesus, this man presumes that he does have something to offer Jesus. He believes he has kept the law. Jesus responds to his law questions with law answers, all the while trying to draw the rich man toward the truth of the Gospel. Out of love, Jesus seeks to show this man his idolatry. When the man leaves sorrowful, Jesus teaches His disciples how riches particularly become an idol that entraps us and prevents us from entering the kingdom of God. Yet what is impossible with sinful humanity is possible with God. Only through the work of Jesus Christ is any sinner brought into the kingdom of God. In His kingdom, the gifts that He bestows far surpass anything that we lose in this world. “The Gospel in Action” is a mini-s

Rev. Steve Andrews, pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee’s Summit, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 10:13-16. This text is far more than a heart-warming scene. Children are brought to Jesus because they are in need of His eternal gifts of forgiveness and salvation, and Jesus desires to give it to them. Jesus’ disciples, however, have failed to recognize their Lord’s priorities. They see children as a hindrance to what they think Jesus’ work as Messiah should be. Jesus teaches and corrects their thinking. He welcomes the children because the kingdom of God belongs to those like them. As children bring nothing of their own but are entirely dependent upon the help of the others, so those who would enter the kingdom of God can bring nothing of their own but instead rely fully upon Jesus as their Savior.  “The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Mark. The Evangelist hits the ground running with the very first verse of his Gospel

Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 10:1-12. Jesus’ ministry of teaching continues in the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan. In the same area where John the Baptist had once spoken against Herod’s sin against adultery, the Pharisees come to Jesus to test Him with a question about divorce. When Jesus turns the question back to them, they quote from Moses in Deuteronomy 24. Jesus’ response makes it apparent that they are looking at the wrong text because they are asking the wrong question. Instead of asking, “How can a divorce be lawful?” they should ask, “What is marriage?” The answer to that question is found in Genesis 1 and 2, where God creates marriage as the lifelong union of a man and a woman as one flesh. What God has joined together must not be broken by man. The disciples receive the same answer from Jesus privately. These words from Jesus are difficult for us still today because of our own hardness of heart. We must tak

Rev. Timothy Appel goes “Back to the Forge” to answer some listener email concerning the work of the devil against Jesus. How did the Pharisees and scribes ally themselves with the devil? How are all unbeliever’s under Satan’s power? Did the devil want Jesus to die or not? Let the Word of God sharpen your faith on these matters and rejoice that Jesus has conquered your enemy for you! Do you have a question, topic, or guest you’d like to hear on Back to the Forge? Send an email to kfuo@kfuo.org and let us know! 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. Mark Barz, pastor at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 9:38-50. John breaks the disciples’ recent silence with a question for Jesus concerning an unnamed man who had been casting out demons in Jesus’ name. Jesus’ response calls His disciples to gentleness toward this man. His use of Jesus’ name indicates faith; he is not in league with the scribes and Pharisees who are against Jesus. This is not an excuse for false or sloppy doctrine; rather, Jesus teaches His disciples the patience that exemplifies the life of Christians together in the Church. Patience and gentleness within the kingdom of God go together with seriousness. This truly is a life or death matter. No disciple should become the cause of entrapment for another disciple, and no disciple should let sin go unchecked in his own life. What is needed is a new heart; this living heart of flesh is one that only Jesus can give. Connected to Him through faith, His people are salted to be li

Rev. AJ Espinosa, assistant pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Irvine, CA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 9:30-37. Jesus continues to teach His disciples concerning His upcoming suffering, death, and resurrection. For the sake of the salvation of sinners, the Father delivers Jesus as the Son of Man into the hands of men. They will do their worst to Him by killing Him, yet He will be vindicated through His third day resurrection. The disciples once again fail to understand what Jesus is saying concerning Himself, and they also fail to ask Him further. Their conversation understandably yet unfortunately revolves around who is the greatest in their ranks. Jesus overturns their earthly conception of greatness by placing a child in their midst. The greatest in the kingdom of heaven is least and servant of all, which is exemplified fully by Jesus. “The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Mark. The Evangelist hits the ground running wit

Rev. Matt Ulmer, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bishop, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 9:14-29. While Peter, James, and John struggled to understand the events of Jesus’ transfiguration on the mountain, the other nine disciples struggled with unbelief down the mountain. Despite their previous successes, they were now unable to cast out a demon in Jesus’ absence. Jesus laments the lack of faith that surrounds Him and speaks further to the boy’s father. When the father’s faith falters, Jesus calls the man to trust in Him as the One for whom all things are possible because Jesus is the faithful One. The man cries out to Jesus in prayer, and Jesus answers his prayer by casting the demon out of the boy and saving him from death. When the disciples question Jesus about their failure, He points them to their need for prayer, not as magic, but as trust in the only One who is powerful to answer. “The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to

Rev. Phil Hoppe, pastor at Peace Lutheran Church in Finlayson, MN and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bruno, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 9:2-13. Jesus’ trip with Peter, James, and John up a high mountain recalls the Old Testament revelations the LORD gave to His people on mountains. On this high mountain, Jesus’ appearance and clothes are transformed by the divine glory that is His. The appearance of Moses and Elijah reminds us that the prophets who came before Jesus pointed to Him and His work as the Savior. Though Peter does not know what to say, the voice of the Father identifies Jesus as His beloved Son and commands us to listen to Him, particularly what He has just said about His suffering, death, and resurrection. Although the disciples did not understand it at the time, this amazing event in our Lord’s ministry invites us to see that the One who suffers and dies for us is the one true God who has all glory. “The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through th

Rev. Dan Speckhard, pastor at St. Peter Lutheran Church and School in North Judson, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 8:27-9:1. As Jesus prepares for His journey south to Jerusalem, He goes to the northern region of Israel. He eases His disciples into answering the question that stands at the center of the Gospel: “Who is Jesus?” The answers of the people in Israel are on the right track, but they are incomplete. The disciples cannot be bystanders to this question, however. Jesus asks them directly, and Peter answers correctly: “You are the Christ.” Jesus uses this as His opportunity to teach them plainly that He must suffer, die, and rise. Astonishingly, Peter rebukes Jesus, showing that Peter and the other disciples do not fully see Jesus yet. Firmly, yet graciously, Jesus puts Peter and the others in their place and continues to teach them. To follow Jesus is to follow Him into death and then resurrection. Although this is paradoxical to sinful sensibilities, this is the Christian life that

Rev. Ryan Ogrodowicz, associate pastor and headmaster at Grace Lutheran Church and School in Brenham, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 8:22-26. In this transitional text, Jesus goes to Bethsaida, placing Him in a region where there is both Jewish and Gentile influence. As in previous accounts, people bring to Jesus a man in need; in this case, a blind man is brought for Jesus to touch and heal. Jesus takes the man out of the village, a foreshadow of Jesus’ own work outside the city of Jerusalem on the cross. The miracle takes place in two stages, not because Jesus lacked ability, but in order to shed light on the spiritual sight this man, Jesus’ disciples, and all people need. Although the disciples do not see Jesus clearly yet, He will open their eyes completely by His death and resurrection. Only through the lens of Jesus’ work on the cross do we truly see today, even as we wait for that day when we see Jesus fully face-to-face. “The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that g

Rev. Gaven Mize, pastor at Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hickory, NC, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 8:11-21. After several miracles received through faith in Gentile territory, Jesus returns to Jewish territory, only to be met by unbelief. The Pharisees seek a sign from Jesus, a demand springing from their unbelief and serving as a temptation for Jesus to avoid the cross. Jesus refuses to provide such a sign in the face of this unbelief; He seeks faith that relies on His Word. When Jesus leaves with His disciples, He begins to teach them concerning the harmful leaven that the Pharisees and Herodians would bring by their false teaching. The disciples, focusing on their literal lack of bread, show their lack of understanding of who Jesus is. Jesus speaks against their hardness of heart and calls them to remember what He had done in the two miraculous feedings. The disciples’ lack of understanding is on display; as the Gospel goes on, Jesus will graciously continue to teach them. “The

Rev. Stephen Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 8:1-10. When St. Mark states that the feeding of the 4,000 took place “in those days,” he gives more than just a time indicator; he signals that Jesus is actively ushering in the reign of God. Still in Gentile territory, Jesus has been surrounded by a great crowd hungering for the Word of God for three days. His acts with compassion that suffers with them and shows mercy to them in their physical hunger. Jesus’ disciples’ response shows that they do not fully believe who Jesus is and what He can do, particularly in Gentile territory. Jesus is patient with them, drawing them to Himself in their helplessness. The seven loaves in the text are literally seven loaves, yet their number also invites reflection upon the fullness and completion of what Jesus does for all people. As He gave abundantly in Jewish territory, so Jesus gives abundantly to the Gentiles. In this abundant feeding, Jesus gives a pic

Rev. Carl Roth, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 7:31-37. Jesus continues His ministry among the Gentiles by taking a circuitous route from Tyre to return to the Decapolis. The people there bring to Him a man who is both deaf and mute, asking in faith for Jesus to touch the man with healing. Jesus draws the man aside privately and communicates to him what he is about to do. Jesus’ physical touch reminds us of the importance of the way God attaches His Word of promise to physical elements in the Sacraments still today; that is why the Church has at times made use of part of this text in the Baptismal rite. Jesus speaks His effective Word, and even though this man could not previously hear, he does hear these words. Now his ears and tongue work as God had always intended, and the entire crowd takes note of Jesus. As Jesus healed this man’s physical malady, so He still heals our spiritual malady. Through the power of His Word, He opens our ears to hear th

Rev. Sean Daenzer, director of worship for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and chaplain for the International Center, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to answer listener email concerning the synoptic Gospels and to study Mark 7:24-30. As Jesus enters again into Gentile territory, His trip takes Him to the particularly notorious area of Tyre and Sidon. This home of the wicked Queen Jezebel is certainly not the place a pious Jew would be expected to travel, but Jesus enters a home there. Though He attempts to remain incognito, a Syrophoencian woman recognizes Jesus and begs Him to cast a demon out of her daughter. Jesus’ response is matter-of-fact and borders on insulting as He speaks of the Gentiles as dogs. Jesus clearly lays out that the children of Israel are those to whom the promises have been given first. The woman seizes on this in faith, for she knows that the God of Israel has crumbs for the Gentiles. Jesus’ crumb proves more than sufficient as He heals the woman’s daughter with His powerful Word. “

Rev. Kyle Mietzner, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Anchorage, AK, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 7:14-23. Jesus takes the religious leaders’ challenge about unwashed hands as an opportunity to teach about true defilement and true cleanliness. Defilement does not come from without but from within a person. When His disciples fail to grasp the truth, Jesus chastises their lack of understanding and explains to them further. Food only goes into the body and then out of the body. Those things that come out of a person’s heart, however, are what bring defilement. Jesus’ description of defilement vividly pictures just how disgusting sin and evil truly are. There is no room for blaming another; each individual is responsible for his own sin. How can such defilement be cleansed? Jesus is the Holy One whose Word and touch brings forgiveness, holiness, and cleansing from sin. “The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Mark. The Evangelist hits

Rev. Tim Storck, pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Chesterfield Township, MI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 7:1-13. The Pharisees and scribes ignore the wondrous miracles of Jesus and confront Him again for the practices of His disciples. Jesus’ disciples did not ritually wash their hands in the manner prescribed by the oral tradition that the Pharisees and Jews regarded as coming from God. Jesus’ rebuke of these religious leaders is sharp. He calls them hypocrites because the seemingly pious outward testimony of their lips and hands does not match their faithless hearts. Jesus differentiates between their traditions and the Word of God. They have elevated their traditions so high that they have replaced the Word of God. This is a constant temptation for Christians throughout history. The Word of God must always remain central; any man-made traditions must be kept in their proper place in serving the handing down of the Word of God. “The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper I

Rev. Caleb Adams, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bend, OR, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 6:45-56. Jesus has not forgotten the rest that His disciples need. After feeding the large crowd, Jesus sends His disciples before Him to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. He remains alone to pray concerning His Father’s will for the salvation of sinners. By now it is late, and the disciples have everything but rest as the wind works against their trip across the sea. Jesus sees them and comes to them by walking on water. Such a matter of fact statement shows Jesus as the LORD, the One who created and controls the waters. By passing by His disciples, He intends to reveal Himself to them as He once revealed Himself to Moses and Elijah. The disciples miss it and react in fear, thinking Jesus is a ghost. He speaks His Word to reveal the truth yet again, promising these men they have nothing to fear. Yet they again miss it; their hearts do not yet believe the truth. When they arrive at their destinati

Rev. Chris Hull, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Tomball, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 6:30-44. The apostles had gone out to teach and act with Jesus’ authority. Having handed out the Lord’s gifts, they return to Jesus in need of Him to give to them yet again. He calls them away to a desolate place for that purpose, but the crowds continue to hunger and thirst for Jesus’ gifts as well. When they beat Jesus to the place He was going, the Lord does not react with anger or annoyance. His heart is moved to mercy for these sheep who need Him as their true Shepherd. He fills their souls with His teaching, and then He fills their bodies with food. He accomplishes this through His apostles. Though they do not understand, Jesus teaches them that they can only give out what He has given them. He takes only a small amount of food and feeds in abundance this huge crowd. In the Lord’s Supper, Christ gives us today an even greater feast of His Body and Blood as He invites us sinners to dine with Him f

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 6:14-29. The spread of Jesus’ name throughout Israel provides St. Mark the opportunity to recount the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist. Thoughts about who Jesus is swirl among the people, though these ideas are incorrect or incomplete. Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee, falls into the camp that believes Jesus is John raised from the dead. Such a thought likely haunts Herod, as he was responsible for John’s death in the first place. He had arrested the Baptist due to the prophet’s preaching against the adultery of Herod and Herodias. Herodias had heard the Law in anger, and Herod had heard the Law in fearful interest, yet neither heard it in faith. That unbelief, combined with the tragic circumstances of a rash vow at Herod’s birthday party, led to John’s beheading. Though the world looks at such a death in mockery and derision, the Lord’s