Sharper Iron From Kfuo Radio

St. Paul uses an agricultural image to encourage the Corinthians toward generosity. Because God makes grace and sufficiency abound for His people, the Corinthians can participate in the offering for the saints cheerfully. This will enrich the Corinthians and those receiving the offerings, leading to thanksgiving and glory to God throughout the Church. The prayers of God’s people will overflow out of the grace of God, to whom all thanks is due for His inexpressible gift! Rev. Luke Zimmerman, pastor at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg, PA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. “A Letter of Comfort” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle of 2 Corinthians. St. Paul writes again to the Christians in Corinth to bring them the ongoing comfort of the Gospel in the midst of the attacks of false doctrine from so-called “super apostles.” He seeks to give confidence to the Corinthians—and to us—that the good news of Christ crucified and risen proclaimed

St. Paul commends Titus to the Corinthians as one who earnestly participates in the ministry to the Corinthians. Along with two other faithful brothers, Titus is coming to assist with the offering being received from the Corinthians so that it will be done honorably before God and men. St. Paul knows the Corinthians’ readiness to participate in this service, and their zeal has been an encouragement to other congregations. Now St. Paul urges the Corinthians to bring their gift to a completion, not as an exaction, but as a willing gift in the service of God and His Church. Rev. Andrew Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Haven, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Corinthians 8:16-9:5. “A Letter of Comfort” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle of 2 Corinthians. St. Paul writes again to the Christians in Corinth to bring them the ongoing comfort of the Gospel in the midst of the attacks of false doctrine from so-called “super apostles.” He seeks to give confidence to

As those reconciled to God and to each other, Christians support each other in their physical needs. St. Paul returns to this topic from his first letter to the Corinthians as he speaks about their participation in the offering for the saints in Jerusalem. Out of their joy and poverty, the saints in Macedonia have given generously according to their means. Now St. Paul calls the Corinthians to similar particpation in this act of grace, which flows from the grace that Jesus has shown by becoming poor so that we could share in His riches. As the Corinthians finish their participation in this offering, God will continue to supply His people with their daily bread. Rev. Chris Hull, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church and Student Center in Macomb, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Corinthians 8:1-15. “A Letter of Comfort” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle of 2 Corinthians. St. Paul writes again to the Christians in Corinth to bring them the ongoing comfort of the Gospel in t

As St. Paul continues to assure the Corinthians of his great love and joy for them, he calls them to the same love and joy for him. His ministry among them was one of hard work and suffering, sustained by God’s own comfort. Yet even as St. Paul’s previous letter had caused grief among the Corinthians, he rejoices that it was a godly sorrow that led to repentance and salvation. This has led to comfort for both the apostle and the Corinthians, especially due to the report received at the coming of Titus. Rev. Mark Barz, pastor at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Corinthians 7:2-16. “A Letter of Comfort” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle of 2 Corinthians. St. Paul writes again to the Christians in Corinth to bring them the ongoing comfort of the Gospel in the midst of the attacks of false doctrine from so-called “super apostles.” He seeks to give confidence to the Corinthians—and to us—that the good news of Christ crucified a

Because now is the day not to receive God’s grace in vain, now is also the day to flee from sin and defilement. Righteousness and lawlessness have no partnership. Light and darkness have no fellowship. Christ has no accord with the devil. Believers and unbelievers have a different inheritance. Christians are the temple of the living God, not of idols. For that reason, as Christians receive the grace of God in faith, at the same time we flee from sin and all defilement, seeking to live in the holiness that God has given us in Christ. 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 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1. “A Letter of Comfort” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle of 2 Corinthians. St. Paul writes again to the Christians in Corinth to bring them the ongoing comfort of the Gospel in the midst of the attacks of false doctrine from so-called “super apostles.” He

As a minister of reconciliation, St. Paul implores the Corinthians to receive God’s grace with faith right now. He has not placed obstacles in their way in his ministry to them. Instead, he has been willing to suffer in order to proclaim the truth among them. Throughout it all, the Lord has faithfully sustained him. Now, as he has opened his heart to the Corinthians, so he calls them to open their hearts to him in return. Rev. Jacob Dandy, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church and School in Terra Bella, CA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Corinthians 6:1-13. “A Letter of Comfort” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle of 2 Corinthians. St. Paul writes again to the Christians in Corinth to bring them the ongoing comfort of the Gospel in the midst of the attacks of false doctrine from so-called “super apostles.” He seeks to give confidence to the Corinthians—and to us—that the good news of Christ crucified and risen proclaimed by His called ministers will accomplish all that He intend

St. Paul’s ministry among the Corinthians has been compelled by Christ’s love. He has died for all so that those who live would now live not for themselves but for Christ. We regard Christ and others, no longer according to the flesh, but in the light of the new creation Christ has brought. This is God’s work of reconciliation which comes now in the ministry of preaching, by which God makes His appeal to sinners. That reconciliation happens in the great exhcange that God works in Jesus. God made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, so that we sinners would become God’s righteousness in Christ. Rev. Philip Hoppe, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Colby, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Corinthians 5:11-21. “A Letter of Comfort” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle of 2 Corinthians. St. Paul writes again to the Christians in Corinth to bring them the ongoing comfort of the Gospel in the midst of the attacks of false doctrine from so-called “super apostles.” He see

St. Paul calls the Corinthians to a life of good courage. Although this earthly body is a tent that does not last forever, the Lord Jesus will raise us with an immortal body. Meanwhile, we groan in this earthly tent, longing for the clothing of our eternal dwelling place. God’s gift of the Holy Spirit is the down payment so that we know God will deliver the fullness of His promise. This enables us to live by faith, not by sight, knowing that we will one day appear before Christ’s judgment seat. Rev. Dr. Adam Koontz, pastor and evangelist at Trinity Lutheran Church in Denver, CO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Corinthians 5:1-10. “A Letter of Comfort” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle of 2 Corinthians. St. Paul writes again to the Christians in Corinth to bring them the ongoing comfort of the Gospel in the midst of the attacks of false doctrine from so-called “super apostles.” He seeks to give confidence to the Corinthians—and to us—that the good news of Christ crucified

As the ministers of the Gospel, St. Paul and his coworkers are only jars of clay; the treasure is the Gospel that God has given them to proclaim. Through this Gospel, the entire Church is sustained even in the midst of affliction and persecution. As the death of Jesus is made manifest among them, so is the life of Jesus made manifest as well. As death attacks the ministers of the Gospel, life is at work in the Church. Such confidence to believe and to speak comes from the fact that Jesus has been raised from the dead, and we will be raised with Him. We do not lose heart in the midst of our light, momentary afflictions, for God is bringing us to an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. Rev. Merritt Demski, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waterloo, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Corinthians 4:7-18. “A Letter of Comfort” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle of 2 Corinthians. St. Paul writes again to the Christians in Corinth to bring them the ongoing comfor

Because St. Paul has been called into the apostolic ministry by God’s mercy, he does not lose heart, nor does he stoop to underhanded methods. Rather, his ministry is done openly in the truth of God’s Word. Only to those who are perishing is this Gospel veiled, for their minds are blinded by the works of the evil one. St. Paul and his coworkers, in contrast, proclaim the light of Christ, who is the image of God. As God once spoke light into being at the beginning, so now He has shone the light of His glory into our hearts through Jesus. Rev. Joel Heckmann, pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church in Okarche, OK, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Corinthians 4:1-6. “A Letter of Comfort” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle of 2 Corinthians. St. Paul writes again to the Christians in Corinth to bring them the ongoing comfort of the Gospel in the midst of the attacks of false doctrine from so-called “super apostles.” He seeks to give confidence to the Corinthians—and to us—that the

St. Paul compares and contrasts the ministry of the old covenant with the ministry of the new covenant. The ministry of the old covenant had a great glory, but it could not lead to life and ultimately came to an end. For that reason, the ministry of the new covenant has an even greater glory, for it does lead to life and is permanent. In this hope, God’s people are bold through Christ Jesus. Only through Him is the veil that lay over Moses' words to be removed. This is the work of the Holy Spirit, who grants us to see Christ in faith and behold His glory now and into eternity. Rev. Matt Ulmer, pastor at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church—Friedheim, just outside Decatur, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Corinthians 3:7-18. “A Letter of Comfort” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle of 2 Corinthians. St. Paul writes again to the Christians in Corinth to bring them the ongoing comfort of the Gospel in the midst of the attacks of false doctrine from so-called “super apostles.”

St. Paul tells the Corinthians that he and his coworkers do not need letters of recommendation, as his opponents seem to desire. Rather, the Corinthians themselves are the letter of recommendation to be known and read by all. They have received the Gospel preached by the apostles in faith, and so they are a letter from Christ to the world. Because they know that their sufficiency comes from God and not from themselves, St. Paul and his coworkers have confidence and boldness in the ministry given to them by God. Rev. David Appold, pastor at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Paducah, KY, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Corinthians 3:1-6. “A Letter of Comfort” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle of 2 Corinthians. St. Paul writes again to the Christians in Corinth to bring them the ongoing comfort of the Gospel in the midst of the attacks of false doctrine from so-called “super apostles.” He seeks to give confidence to the Corinthians—and to us—that the good news of Christ crucifi

St. Paul speaks about a previous letter he had written to the Corinthians. Although there had been pain and anguish of heart, he had only written out of love for these Christians. Now that the one who had been caught up in sin had been brought to repentant sorrow, the church needed to turn and comfort this man with Christ’s forgiveness, lest Satan outwit God’s people. St. Paul gives thanks to God that He leads His Church in triumphal procession, spreading the aroma of Christ in the world. Although it is a stench among unbelievers, this aroma leads to life for all those who hold onto Christ and His Word in faith. Rev. Sean Daenzer, director of worship for the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and chaplain at the International Center in St. Louis, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Corinthians 2:3-17. “A Letter of Comfort” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle of 2 Corinthians. St. Paul writes again to the Christians in Corinth to bring them the ongoing comfort of the Gospel in

Rev. Brian Flamme, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Roswell, NM, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Corinthians 1:8-2:2. St. Paul informs the Corinthians of the afflictions he had experienced in Asia, which had caused him to despair of life. Yet this death sentence brought about the fruit of reliance on God, who delivered St. Paul and his coworkers. For this reason, the apostle implores the Corinthians to help by their prayers. St. Paul’s travel plans had changed because of these afflictions, not because of any fickleness on his part. Instead, he wants the Corinthians to have confidence in the “Yes” that God has spoken to all of His promises in Christ Jesus “A Letter of Comfort” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle of 2 Corinthians. St. Paul writes again to the Christians in Corinth to bring them the ongoing comfort of the Gospel in the midst of the attacks of false doctrine from so-called “super apostles.” He seeks to give confidence to the Corinthians—and to us—that the

Rev. Sam Wirgau, pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ossian, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Corinthians 1:1-7. St. Paul begins this letter to the Corinthians by identifying himself as a true apostle of Jesus Christ who has been sent by God’s will. He writes again to Corinth with that authority to continue to proclaim the truth of Christ crucified and risen. Through this preaching, God brings His comfort to His people in the midst of affliction. As His people share in Christ’s suffering, so they share in Christ’s comfort, so that they can turn and bring comfort to others who are in affliction. St. Paul and his coworkers have endured all this for the sake of the Corinthians, that they would share in God’s comfort. “A Letter of Comfort” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle of 2 Corinthians. St. Paul writes again to the Christians in Corinth to bring them the ongoing comfort of the Gospel in the midst of the attacks of false doctrine from so-called “super apostles.” He

“A Letter of Comfort” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle of 2 Corinthians. St. Paul writes again to the Christians in Corinth to bring them the ongoing comfort of the Gospel in the midst of the attacks of false doctrine from so-called “super apostles.” He seeks to give confidence to the Corinthians—and to us—that the good news of Christ crucified and risen proclaimed by His called ministers will accomplish all that He intends. 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. John Bussman, pastor at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Cullman, AL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 16:13-24. As St. Paul draws his epistle to a close, he repeats and wraps up themes from the letter. The Corinthians must remain watchful against divisions and false doctrine, even as they watch for the Lord to return. St. Paul calls upon them to stand firm in the faith that he has proclaimed among them, remaining strong by living in love toward each other. That includes the way that they treat those who have devoted themselves to the saints among them, just as St. Paul himself was refreshed by a few of the Corinthians who came to see him. St. Paul extends greetings to Corinth from other Christians before signing the letter himself. He prays that the Lord would come, and closes the letter with his love and God’s grace. “Nothing But Christ Crucified” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle of 1 Corinthians. In response to correspondence from the Christians in Corin

Rev. Tim Eden, pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church in Bryan, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 16:1-12. St. Paul gives the Corinthians a concrete way to be steadfast and abounding in the work of the Lord as he describes how they can participate in the offering to support the saints in Jerusalem. According to the means God has given, whether rich or poor, each member of the congregation can set aside a gift to build up the body of Christ. As St. Paul discusses the way this gift will make its way to Jerusalem, he also lays out his own travel plans, recognizing that he must proclaim the Word of God wherever the Lord opens a door. St. Paul also gives instruction and information concerning the travel plans of two of his fellow workers in the Gospel, Timothy and Apollos. “Nothing But Christ Crucified” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle of 1 Corinthians. In response to correspondence from the Christians in Corinth and reports about matters arising in the congregation,

Rev. Andrew Belt, pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Marshfield, WI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 15:35-58. Addressing a potential objection, St. Paul teaches the Corinthians about the resurrection body. Using images from agriculture and creation, he says that the resurrection body is given by God as a different kind of body with a different glory than this perishable body. The resurrection body will be raised imperishable and glorious, animated fully by the Holy Spirit. As we are connected with Adam and have borne the image of dust, so also as we are connected with Christ we will bear His heavenly image. This will happen on the Last Day, when even those who have not died will be changed. The perishable will put on the imperishable. This mortal body will put on immortality as death is finally swallowed up in victory. This blessed hope which we await, strengthens us to labor in the Lord right now. “Nothing But Christ Crucified” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the ep

Rev. Martin Dressler, pastor at Salem Lutheran Church in Black Jack, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 15:12-34. Having laid out the Gospel for the Corinthians, St. Paul turns to address their denial of the central part of that Gospel: the resurrection of the dead. He briefly imagines a false, scary scenario. If there is no resurrection, that would mean Jesus is still dead, we would have absolutely no hope, and Christianity would be absolutely worthless. But St. Paul quickly puts that fiction aside to reiterate that Christ has been raised from the dead. Because He is the firstfruits, all who belong to Him will follow in that resurrection, when death will finally be fully placed under Christ's feet. “Nothing But Christ Crucified” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle of 1 Corinthians. In response to correspondence from the Christians in Corinth and reports about matters arising in the congregation, St. Paul writes to address various matters of Christian faith an