Sharper Iron From Kfuo Radio

Rev. Caleb Adams, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bend, OR, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. St. Paul takes the Corinthians back to the basics. He reminds them of the Gospel in which they stand and by which they are being saved. The same message that St. Paul received he had preached in Corinth: Christ died, was buried, was raised on the third day, and appeared to many witnesses, including St. Paul himself. Although he was the least of all, by the grace of God, he worked harder than all so that the Corinthians would believe. “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 and life. Throughout it all, he directs our attention to the power and wisdom of God for our salvation: Christ crucified.

Rev. Steve Andrews, pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee's Summit, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 14:26-40. St. Paul continues to instruct the Corinthians concerning matters of public worship. When considering how speaking in tongues and prophecy fit into public worship, Christians ought to consider what best builds up the body of Christ into peace and order, rather than confusion. For this same reason, women should not be ordained into the pastoral ministry, so that husbands and wives can live together in the order that God has established. St. Paul writes these things according to the Lord's Word so that all things will be done decently and in order in the Church. “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 and life. Throughout it

Rev. Richard Mittwede, pastor at University Lutheran Church in Austin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. St. Paul shows the Corinthians the way that excels above all others, the way of love. If the gifts of the Holy Spirit are used without love, they are nothing. Instead, Christians pursue love for each other because God has loved us first. This love given to Christians is more than a feeling; it is an action for the other person's good. Although other gifts from the Spirit come to an end, love does not, as we wait for the return of Christ. Even when faith and hope turn to sight on the Last Day, the love of God will remain. “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 and life. Throughout it all, he directs our attention to the power an

Rev. Harrison Goodman, content executive for Higher Things, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 12:12-31. St. Paul teaches concerning the reality that the Holy Spirit works for the Church. Through the one Baptism, though we are many members, we are joined together into the one Church, the body of Christ. Because this is the reality of the Church, individual members should not despair within themselves, thinking they have no place within the body. Nor should members compete against each other, as if some members are more necessary than others. Rather, the entire Church mourns and rejoices together in the various offices that God has given, exercising all of these gifts according to the more excellent way, which is love. “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 Chr

Rev. Jeremiah Johnson, pastor at Glory of Christ Lutheran Church in Plymouth, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. St. Paul begins to instruct the Corinthians concerning the works of the Spirit among them. The Holy Spirit brings sinners from the silence of idolatry to open their lips in a true confession: "Jesus is Lord!" United in that one confession, the one Spirit works in His Church according to His good and perfect will. In His various works, He gives to His Christians so that they are built up together. “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 and life. Throughout it all, he directs our attention to the power and wisdom of God for our salvation: Christ crucified.

Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 11:17-34. St. Paul gives much-needed correction to the Corinthians' practice at the Lord's Table. Because of their abuses, they are not coming together to eat the Lord's Supper, but their own. He calls them back to the basics: the Words of Jesus that declare that this meal is His true Body and Blood. When we receive it, we proclaim His death until He comes. Therefore, those who would receive it worthily must examine themselves and believe that they are receiving Jesus' Body and Blood, lest they eat and drink harm upon themselves. By this proper judgment, the Corinthians will receive the Supper to their benefit. “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 Christia

Rev. David Boisclair, pastor at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Overland, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 11:2-16. St. Paul commends the Corinthians for remembering him and maintaining the things he had handed down to them. As he turns to address the matter of head coverings, he lays out the primary theological principle: the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. Such headship is a good gift from God, and those practices concerning head coverings that confess the truth are to be used, while those practices that deny the truth have no place. St. Paul teaches both concerning the order of creation, in which God has given differently to men and women, and the order of redemption, in which God gives the same to all in Christ. “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

Rev. Vance Becker, LCMS missionary to Kenya, serving as theological education at Neema Lutheran College in Matongo, Kenya, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1. St. Paul once again returns to a Corinthian slogan: "All things are lawful." This cannot be the guiding principle for the use of Christian freedom because not all things are helpful, and not all things build up the neighbor. The individual Christian conscience can give thanks for all meat, knowing that everything is the Lord's. Yet if an unbeliever points out that the meat has been used in idol worship, then for the sake of that person's conscience, the Christian rightly abstains from eating to give no credence to idolatry. In all things, Christians seek to act according to the glory of God, seeking after the advantage of others so that they may be saved through Christ alone. “Nothing But Christ Crucified” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle of 1 Corinthians. In response to correspondence from the

Rev. James Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 10:14-22. Appealing to his beloved congregation according to the wisdom that comes from God's Word, St. Paul urges the Corinthians to flee from idolatry. This is the only sensible thing to do because they are participants in the Lord's Table. There, they receive the cup of blessing, which is a participation in Christ's Blood, and the bread, which is a participation in Christ's Body. There, they are joined together with their fellow members in the Church. Although idols are nothing, demons stand behind idolatry. To participate in idol worship, therefore, is inconsistent with participation at the Lord's table and provokes Him to anger. “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 vario

Rev. Carl Roth, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 10:1-13. Having spoken of his own need to watch out for falling from the faith, St. Paul warns the Corinthians similarly using the example of the Israelites. They all received the same blessings of Christ in the exodus from Egypt and the Lord's provision in the wilderness, yet not all of them believed; many of them fell from the faith. As the Corinthians receive the gifts of Christ in Word and Sacrament now, they must learn from the example of the Israelites to flee from idolatry and grumbling. Temptation comes at them, and pride will lead to their fall. This calls for trust in the Lord, whose faithfulness provides endurance through temptation. “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

Rev. Doug Griebenaw, mission advocate for KFUO Radio in St. Louis, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 9:1-27. St. Paul uses himself as an example of the use of Christian freedom for the sake of love of the neighbor. On the one hand, he is free in Christ to receive compensation for preaching of the Gospel. This reality is not even a human tradition, but a teaching from the Lord Himself. Other preachers rightly make their living because they are preachers of the Gospel, and hearers ought to support their preachers in the needs of this life. Yet St. Paul reminds the Corinthians that he has freely given up compensation from preaching in order not to lay a stumbling block to hearing the Gospel before anyone. In so doing, he disciplines himself so that he would not fall away from the blessings of the Gospel. “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 ab

Rev. Dr. Adam Filipek, pastor at Holy Cross and Immanuel Lutheran Churches, both in Lidgerwood, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 8:1-13. St. Paul turns to another matter that the Corinthians have brought to his attention: eating meat sacrificed to idols. The Corinthians have boasted concerning their knowledge, but the Apostle directs their attention to using that knowledge in love. It is good that Christians have knowledge; we must know that there is one God, the Father, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, and that idols are nothing. Because some are weaker in faith and do not have this knowledge, however, their consciences may be defiled upon seeing Christians eating sacrificed meat. Therefore, a Christian must put his knowledge into use with love, refusing to let his actions in freedom become sin against a brother in the faith and, thus, sin against Christ Himself. Christians freely give up their freedom in order to build up the faith of others. “Nothing But Christ Crucified” is a seri

Rev. Andrew Jagow, pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Alexandria, VA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 7:25-40. Without binding consciences, St. Paul reminds the Corinthians of the gifts that God has both for the married and the celibate. He instructs the congregation in light of the fact that the Lord is coming soon. For that reason, they ought to live in the midst of the things of this world, which will pass away, with their eyes focused on the life of the world to come, which will not pass away. Right now, those who are married are concerned with pleasing their spouse, and rightly so. Right now, those who are celibate can concern themselves entirely with pleasing the Lord, and rightly so. These instructions are not meant to restrain Christians, but to promote good order within the Church and to help Christians to glorify God in all they do. “Nothing But Christ Crucified” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle of 1 Corinthians. In response to correspondence fro

Rev. Jason M. Kaspar, pastor at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in La Grange, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 7:1-24. St. Paul begins to address the matter of marriage as he starts answering questions that the Corinthians had asked in previous correspondence. He upholds the goodness of both God’s gift of marriage and God’s gift of celibacy. If a person has not been given the gift of celibacy, that person is right to seek after marriage in holiness and honor in order to avoid falling into the sin of sexual immorality. Within the marriage, the husband and wife should recognize the authority each has over the other’s body in order to serve each other in love. At the same time, those who are given celibacy can receive that from the Lord with thanksgiving in service to the neighbor. In speaking about divorce, St. Paul keeps primary the instruction of the Lord that a husband and wife should remain united until death parts them. “Nothing But Christ Crucified” is a series on Sharper Iron

Rev. Tom Eckstein, pastor at Concordia Lutheran Church in Jamestown, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 6:12-20. St. Paul addresses some of the slogans being thrown around among the Corinthian Christians. The freedom of the Christian is not the only governing principle. Instead, Christians should shape their actions according to what is helpful and what will not enslave. Christians dare not be unconcerned with the life that we live in the body, for God will raise us bodily even as He raised Jesus bodily. For this reason, sexual immorality and prostitution have no place in the Christian life. The members of Christ must not join their bodies to the body of a prostitute. We are temples of the Holy Spirit, bought by the precious blood of Christ, so that we might honor Him. “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 congreg

Rev. John Bussman, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cullman, AL joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Philippians 4:6-20. The church at Philippi had seen the Apostle Paul go through highs and lows during his ministry. As he writes his letter to them from prison, he proclaims to them the joy that remains theirs in Christ regardless of their circumstances. Because the LORD’s return is near, Christians live differently in the world. We are freed from anxiousness and worry through the comfort that is ours in Christ. Prayer and supplication flows from our lips to our Father’s throne of grace. His peace, given through the death and resurrection of Jesus, is our true guard from all evil. For that reason, our minds are occupied with all the good that He gives, as the Apostle learned and modeled from the Lord. Paul’s joy continues to abound through the gift that the Philippians sent. He had learned to be content in every circumstance, whether full or hungry, whether he had plenty or he had need, for Christ

Rev. Sam Wirgau, pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ossian, IN joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 17:11-19. Samaria was not a place where many Jews of Jesus’ day ventured, but that is exactly the route Jesus took to Jerusalem and His cross. There Jesus encountered ten lepers. These men not only suffered greatly physically from this terrible illness. Even more than that, they were separated from their community and worship life through the ceremonial uncleanness they endured. This served as a picture of the sin that infects all people. That’s why these ten lepers cry out to Jesus for mercy, His grace and compassion that alone can heal and save. Jesus sends them to show themselves to the priest, and as they go, His Word effects healing. One recognizes what has happened and believes. He returns to Jesus as the true Temple, the place where God dwells in human flesh. He returns to Jesus as the true Priest, the one who makes the final sacrifice for sin. He praises God by giving praise and thanks to

Rev. Andrew Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Haven, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 6:1-11. St. Paul continues the theme of judgment within the Church by addressing the matter of lawsuits among fellow Christians. St. Paul is amazed that the Corinthians dare to stoop to such a low, for they ought to have the mind of Christ. If they will one day judge angels as Christians, they should right now be able to judge such trivial matters like property among themselves without dragging the case before the pagans. The fact that lawsuits arise at all among Christians is already a shame by itself, for Christians are to live as brothers who would rather be defrauded for the sake of reconciliation within the family of God. They had been among the unrighteous before, when they lived apart from faith in Christ engaging in all kinds of wickedness. Now, however, they are washed, sanctified, and justified by the true God. “Nothing But Christ Crucified” is a series on Sharper Iron th

Rev. Zelwyn Heide, pastor at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Hannover, ND and Zion Lutheran Church in New Salem, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 5:1-13. St. Paul turns to a report he has received concerning a case of sexual immorality happening among the Corinthian Christians. Although the particular sexual immorality would make even pagans blush, the Christians in Corinth are proud. St. Paul calls them to mourn this sin among them and remove the unrepentant man from their midst. This is done for the sake of the individual, so that in seeing that his unrepentant sin has cast him out of the Christian church, he would repent and seek Christ anew. This is done also for the sake of the whole congregation, so that the leaven of sin would not grow among them, but that they would live cleansed by Christ. Therefore, they must judge this evildoer according to the Word of Christ and cast him out from them as long as he continues to claim the name Christian while living without repentance. “N

Rev. Shawn Linnell, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blair, NE, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 4:1-21. St. Paul tells the Corinthians that they must regard him and all faithful Christian preachers, not as leaders who are gathering their own followers, but as servants of God and stewards of His mysteries for the sake of bringing sinners to salvation in Christ. He is the One who has given all things to Paul; He is the One who has given all things to the church in Corinth. St. Paul lovingly mocks the Christians in Corinth for their boasting and for failing to recognize that they all they have is a gift of God. As their father in Christ, St. Paul urges them to imitate his faith in Christ, not in arrogance, but in humility, with their eyes focused on the power of God in Christ crucified. “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 aris