Sharper Iron From Kfuo Radio

As St. Paul encourages Christians to live in the order that God has given, he gives a table of duties. Beginning with the way wives and husbands act toward each other, the Apostle not only gives instruction for Christian living, but he proclaims the Gospel in the way Christ has acted as Bridegroom for His Bride, the Church. Wives are to submit to their husbands as the Church submits to Christ. Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the Church. In saying this, St. Paul expounds upon the mystery of what Jesus has done for His Bride, washing her clean in Holy Baptism to present her as blameless before Him. The way that husbands and wives live together in Christ provides a glimpse of this reality of Christ and His Church.  Rev. Mark Barz, pastor at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ephesians 5:22-33.  "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle to the Ephesians. St. Paul highlights the salvation

Because of the truth of Christ giving light, St. Paul instructs Christians to see carefully how they walk in this life. Making use of the wisdom of God’s Word, we redeem the time to be used for the glory of God. Rather than filling ourselves with wine that leads to drunkenness and debauchery, Christians are filled with the Holy Spirit as we sing God’s Word and give thanks to Him in all things. In the true fear of the Lord, we order our lives for service to our neighbor.  Rev. Jeff Hemmer, pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Fairview Heights, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ephesians 5:15-21.  "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle to the Ephesians. St. Paul highlights the salvation that God has given to His whole Church by His grace through faith. Because God has given His people this new life in Holy Baptism, we live in thanksgiving to Him as members of one body. 

Because Christians have put on the new self, created in the likeness of God in Holy Baptism, St. Paul calls us to imitate God in forgiveness and love. In His love, Jesus has given Himself as a sacrifice in our place. Therefore, we flee from idolatry and everything related to it, for this would be to renounce the inheritance that God has given. Because God has called us out of that darkness, we live in His light, seeing the truth through His Word. Through His Word, He makes all things visible. St. Paul reminds the Ephesians of that reality through a hymn: “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”  Rev. Matt Ulmer, pastor at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church—Friedheim, just outside Decatur, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ephesians 5:1-14.  "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle to the Ephesians. St. Paul highlights the salvation that God has given to His whole Church by His grace through faith. Because God ha

Because Christians have been clothed anew in Holy Baptism, St. Paul calls us toward that new life that God has given. Our speech is filled with truth instead of lies, because we belong to the one church. Anger is met with repentance so that the devil is given no foothold. Dishonesty and laziness are replaced with generosity and diligence for the sake of serving the neighbor. Our words are filled with grace through God’s Word. In the Holy Spirit, all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander are put away, and we are filled with forgiveness for each other, because God has first forgiven us in Christ.  Rev. Ryan Ogrodowicz, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church and School in Brenham, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ephesians 4:25-32.  "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle to the Ephesians. St. Paul highlights the salvation that God has given to His whole Church by His grace through faith. Because God has given His people this new life in Holy

St. Paul reminds the Gentile Christians of the terrible way of life that they walked when they lived under idolatry. Such a life was nothing but futility, darkness, ignorance, impurity, and hardness of heart. Instead, now they have received Christ and His truth. Baptized into Him, they have put off the old self, that is, the sinful nature. Through the work of the Spirit, their minds are renewed and they put on the new self, created after the image of God in His righteousness.  Rev. David Boisclair, pastor at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Overland, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ephesians 4:17-24.  "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle to the Ephesians. St. Paul highlights the salvation that God has given to His whole Church by His grace through faith. Because God has given His people this new life in Holy Baptism, we live in thanksgiving to Him as members of one body. 

St. Paul begins to expound upon the way the baptized walk according to the calling Jesus has given. He has made us members of one body and one Spirit. The one Lord has called us to one hope and one faith in one baptism, so that we are under the one God and Father. This one God has given His gifts to His whole Church through the ascension of Christ, who is proclaimed by the ministers He sends to His Church. Through this proclamation of the Word, God unites and builds up His church in the truth so that the whole body works properly in Him.  Rev. Richard Mittwede, pastor at University Lutheran Church in Austin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ephesians 4:1-16.   "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle to the Ephesians. St. Paul highlights the salvation that God has given to His whole Church by His grace through faith. Because God has given His people this new life in Holy Baptism, we live in thanksgiving to Him as members of one body. 

Marveling at the mystery of the Gospel, St. Paul bows his knee in prayer before the Father. We truly know Him as our Father, instead of any idols, because of our Brother, Jesus Christ. Through His Spirit, we are strengthened as Christ dwells in us by faith. This love that God has for us surpasses our knowledge, and yet, we are filled with His fullness. For His work, which is more than we could ever ask or think, God receives glory from His whole Church forever.  Rev. Brian Flamme, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in Roswell, NM, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ephesians 3:14-21.   "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle to the Ephesians. St. Paul highlights the salvation that God has given to His whole Church by His grace through faith. Because God has given His people this new life in Holy Baptism, we live in thanksgiving to Him as members of one body.

St. Paul says that he is a prisoner for Christ for the sake of the Gentiles. He has been faithful in the stewardship that God gave him to proclaim the reality of salvation by God's grace through faith to all people. In this way, God has revealed His mystery in Christ; all who have faith in Him are fellow heirs with all the saints of God. Even though St. Paul is the least of all the saints, God showed him this same grace to proclaim this reality, so that those who hear and believe have boldness and access to God. For that reason, the Ephesians do not need to lose heart at Paul's sufferings but can rejoice with him in his suffering.  Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ephesians 3:1-13.   "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle to the Ephesians. St. Paul highlights the salvation that God has given to His whole Church by His grace through faith. Because God has given His people thi

St. Paul says that he is a prisoner for Christ for the sake of the Gentiles. He has been faithful in the stewardship that God gave him to proclaim the reality of salvation by God's grace through faith to all people. In this way, God has revealed His mystery in Christ; all who have faith in Him are fellow heirs with all the saints of God. Even though St. Paul is the least of all the saints, God showed him this same grace to proclaim this reality, so that those who hear and believe have boldness and access to God. For that reason, the Ephesians do not need to lose heart at Paul's sufferings but can rejoice with him in his suffering.  Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ephesians 3:1-13.   "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle to the Ephesians. St. Paul highlights the salvation that God has given to His whole Church by His grace through faith. Because God has given His people thi

The salvation by grace through faith in Christ is not only for Jews; it is for Gentiles as well. St. Paul especially reminds the Gentile Christians in Ephesus that although they had once been far away from God, they have now been brought near in Christ. Where once there had been division between Jew and Gentile, now there is peace, for Christ has died to reconcile sinners to God. Through Jesus, all who trust in Him have access to God and are joined into the one holy Christian and apostolic Church. Christ is the cornerstone of His Church, and He builds us together into the dwelling place of God.  Rev. Jeremy Swem, pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, MI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ephesians 2:11-22.   "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle to the Ephesians. St. Paul highlights the salvation that God has given to His whole Church by His grace through faith. Because God has given His people this new life in Holy Baptism, w

St. Paul lays out directly the way God has saved us. Before we were Christians, we were not merely injured by our trespasses. No, we were actually dead, even as we actively walked after the ways of the devil and the course of this world. Only by the mercy and love of God have we been made alive. This has happened through Christ; in Him we have been raised and given life with God in the heavenly places. All of this is the gift of God's grace which we receive through faith, which is also God's gift. Having been made alive and created anew in Christ, we begin to walk in the good works that He has already prepared for us.  Rev. Nate Hill, pastor at St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Winchester, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ephesians 2:1-10.   "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle to the Ephesians. St. Paul highlights the salvation that God has given to His whole Church by His grace through faith. Because God has given His people this new l

St. Paul gives thanks to God for the faith of the Ephesians and remembers them in his prayers. He asks that God would give them wisdom and knowledge in Christ. In Him, the Ephesians will truly see the certainty of their hope and the riches of their inheritance. God has shown His power over all things through the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. He rules over all things for the sake of His Church, which is His body.  Rev. Steve Andrews, pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee's Summit, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ephesians 1:15-23.   "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle to the Ephesians. St. Paul highlights the salvation that God has given to His whole Church by His grace through faith. Because God has given His people this new life in Holy Baptism, we live in thanksgiving to Him as members of one body. 

St. Paul spent a long time in Ephesus during his third missionary journey. Even while he was later imprisoned, he wrote to them to instruct them in the Christian faith and life. The letter opens with praise and blessing to the Triune God. The Father has blessed us and chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world. In the beloved Son of God, we are beloved as well. In Christ Jesus, the inheritance of all God's riches belong to us, because we have been sealed with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of the resurrection from the dead.  Rev. Philip Hoppe, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Colby, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ephesians 1:1-14.  "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle to the Ephesians. St. Paul highlights the salvation that God has given to His whole Church by His grace through faith. Because God has given His people this new life in Holy Baptism, we live in thanksgiving to Him as members of one body. 

"One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle to the Ephesians. St. Paul highlights the salvation that God has given to His whole Church by His grace through faith. Because God has given His people this new life in Holy Baptism, we live in thanksgiving to Him as members of one body.  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. 

The people who hear Malachi's preaching in the fear of the LORD speak to each other to encourage one another to repentance and faith. The LORD comforts them by writing their names in His book and promising that the distinction between His people and His enemies will one day be seen. On that Day, unbelievers will receive the fiery judgment of God, while believers will receive healing and joy from the LORD's righteousness given to them. In preparation for that Day, the LORD reminds His people of the Word He spoke through Moses. The LORD also promises to send Elijah before that Day comes in order to turn the hearts of His people back to Himself. As the book of Malachi ends, the LORD has set the stage perfectly for the coming of His Son, Jesus Christ.  Rev. Doug Griebenaw, mission advocate for KFUO Radio in St. Louis, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Malachi 3:16-4:6. "The Post-Exilic Prophets” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. Through the p

In the aftermath of the exile and return, the people of God have gone beyond faithful lamenting and have accused the LORD of delighting in evil and injustice. In response, the LORD says He will bring justice by suddenly sending His Messenger into His temple. Another messenger will prepare the way to lead the people to repentance for the refining fire that will come. In such repentance, the people will again bring offerings of righteousness to the LORD. The only escape from that Day is through the Messenger Himself, Jesus Christ, who keeps His promises and does not change. In returning to Him, the people will receive a blessing from the LORD, for through Him, true justice and justification will be given.  Rev. Stephen Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Malachi 2:17-3:15.   "The Post-Exilic Prophets” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. Through the preaching of these faithful men, the LORD s

The prophet continues to preach against the faithless priests who are failing the LORD's people. Although the LORD has called His priests to be purveyors of His life and peace through true sacrifices and right teaching of His Word, His priests have turned aside and caused many to stumble. If they do not turn, these priests will only have curses instead of blessings. Faithlessness in worship has led to faithlessness in life; the prophet also speaks the LORD's Word against those who have married idolaters. Instead of remaining true to their wives who worshiped the true God, the people have sought after divorce, which goes against the LORD's will for His people. The LORD's direct words against His people's sin should not cause us to ignore or despise Him, but rather to listen to Him and know that He speaks His rebuke for our good.  Rev. Phillip Fischaber, pastor at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Walnut, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Malachi 2:1-16.   "The Post-Exilic Prophets” is a series o

Although few specifics concerning this prophet's life and ministry are known, Malachi nonetheless lives up to his name; he is the LORD's messenger. His preaching is characterized by many rhetorical questions from the LORD and responses from the people. In this way, the LORD brings His people to examine themselves and draw them to repentance and faith. When the people question the LORD's love for them, He reminds them that He chose them to be His people. Next, the LORD calls to account the priests who know how to honor their earthly fathers but fail to honor Him as their heavenly Father. He calls them away from their polluted sacrifices and back to the true fear of His name.  Rev. Dr. Ryan Tietz, Associate Professor of Exegetical Theology and Dean of Students at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Malachi 1:1-14.   "The Post-Exilic Prophets” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. Through the preachin

Zechariah's book concludes with the LORD's promise to bring the Day of His judgment and salvation. Even on the Day He brings the enemy armies to surround Jerusalem, He plans for their destruction. On that Day, He will give His people light and life, for He will reign as the King over all. Those who remain at enmity with the LORD will see only ruin, but those who survive and turn to Him in faith will worship the LORD along with His people. Zechariah's prophecy points us both to the fulfillment in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ and in His coming again on the Last Day.  Rev. Mark Squire, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Ansgar, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Zechariah 14:1-21.  "The Post-Exilic Prophets” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. Through the preaching of these faithful men, the LORD sent His Word to His people who returned home after their exile in Babylon. Not only did the LORD encourage His people in the work of rebu

From the Pierced Savior flows a fountain that cleanses the people of God from sin and uncleanness. Through this gift, the LORD cuts off idolatry and false prophecy. He silences these lies by amplifying the voice of His truth in the proclamation of His Word, which still happens in His Church. This has happened because the LORD has sent His sword to strike His shepherd, causing the sheep to scatter. According to His loving will, the Father sent His Son to the cross to die for sinners in order to make His people His own.  Rev. David Appold, pastor at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Paducah, KY, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Zechariah 13:1-9.  "The Post-Exilic Prophets” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. Through the preaching of these faithful men, the LORD sent His Word to His people who returned home after their exile in Babylon. Not only did the LORD encourage His people in the work of rebuilding the temple, but even more than that, He pointe