Concord Matters From Kfuo Radio

The history of Pontifical Law forbade the marriage of priests due to a revelation from God; however, such a revelation is not found in Scripture. As Christians, our faith is founded in God’s Word alone. We give thanks to the Lord for the gift of marriage and seek His blessing upon our pastors’ families to live in the faith, hope, and love of Christ. Rev. Matthew Moss, St. John Lutheran Church, Corcoran, MN, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to continue our study on the marriage of priests. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocat

The Lord has designed humanity to be fruitful, and that one sex should desire the other in a proper way. While the Office of the Ministry is a high calling, there is no mandate which states that overseers should be “married to the Church.” Melancthon’s concern was that believers would take a good gift of God and call it unholy. Everything begins with His good and divine ordinance (Genesis 1:28). When we go against His natural order, chaos ensues. There are those who are called to a single, chaste life; however, it is not to mandated on God’s people (1 Corinthians 7). Lord, have mercy on the Church to lead a sexually pure and holy life. Rev. Benjamin Meyer, Hope Lutheran Church, Sunberry, OH, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the Scriptural truth on the marriage of priests. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady F

When Jesus tells us to receive His body and His blood (Matthew 26:26-29), there are no limitations where the laity is concerned. We must ask ourselves the question, “What is happening in this Sacrament?” The Reformers emphasized the benefits that Jesus provides, while the Roman Church emphasized the work the priest does for you. Receive both kinds with joy as He gives you full forgiveness, life, and salvation!   Rev. James Maxwell, President of the Rocky Mountain District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to examine the Scriptural truth of both kinds in the sacrament. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in th

Saints are those who have died believing in the blood of Christ for salvation. Saints are to be remembered with thanksgiving, seen as examples of holy living for the sake of being strengthened in faith. However, whenever saints are seen in such a way as makes it appear that they help with atonement, Christ’s sufficient work on the cross is lost. We can faithfully proclaim the ways that saints have lived a holy life at funerals and at the celebration of All Saints Sunday without confusing the salvation belonging only to Christ. “Oh, blest communion, fellowship divine! We feebly struggle, they in glory shine; Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine. Alleluia! Alleluia!” LSB 677, st. 4 Rev. Dennis McFadden, pastor at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, IN, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the Scriptural truth on the invocation of saints Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.

Good works do not reconcile us to God. Only by faith in the blood of Christ are we reconciled to the Father (1 Timothy 2:5). However, good works are necessary (Ephesians 2:10). They are done to fulfill God’s will. In faith, there are no fractions in salvation. Works without faith will never be enough, but Christ’s cross is enough. “Nothing in my hand I bring; Simply to Thy cross I cling. Naked, come to Thee for dress; Helpless, look to Thee for grace; Foul, I to the fountain fly; Wash me Savior, or I die.” LSB 761, st. 3 Rev. John Pless, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the Scriptural truth on good works. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.

Who caused sin? Did God cause sin? Who is to blame? When we look at Genesis 1-3, we understand that the fault for sin lies with the devil and with us. The Lord is not the cause of sin— if He was, He would be no different than a terrorist. However, our Lord is merciful in Christ to all nations. He created everything and still preserves it. Therefore, we trust that the LORD who did not spare His own Son will also strengthen us as we walk through this veil of tears. Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Minot, ND, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to confess the Scriptural truth on the cause of sin. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.

Do we have free will, and to what extent? The Concordians made a distinction between freedom in worldly things and freedom in spiritual things. A person can display worldly righteousness, or even civil righteousness to a certain extent, but we are fully unable to be righteous before God by anything we do (Galatians 3:2-6). Thanks be to Him that our hope is never on ourselves, but on the full sufficiency of salvation by Christ’s cross and empty tomb. Rev. Dr. Joshua Miller, pastor at Jehovah Lutheran Church in St. Paul, MN, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study free will. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to g

Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again. The Concordians and the Roman Church both agreed with the clear words of Holy Scripture. Christ will come for judgement at a time we cannot predict (Matthew 24:43-44). The godly will have eternal life and eternal joys (2 Timothy 4:8) and the ungodly endless punishment (Matthew 25:46). Lord have mercy! “O Jesus Christ, do not delay, But hasten our salvation; We often tremble on our way in fear and tribulation. O hear and grant our fervent plea: Come, mighty judge, and set us free. From death and every evil.” LSB 508, st. 7 Rev. Jack Gilbert, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Racine, WI, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Christ’s Return. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.

Political order is a necessary and holy state. Christian perfection is not found by withholding property ownership. We are to be subject to our governing authorities (Romans 13:1). Although there is often much sin where the public office is concerned, we trust in the Lord’s promise to work through these authorities for good order and peace in our society. Land ownership can also cause sinful behavior, yet every Christian is to focus on how they can use God’s gifts to serve Him and love others. Our role is to pray for all in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-4), repent of our sins, and to participate in our government affairs when they conflict with the Word of God. “Lord God, we pray for all public servants, for the government and those who protect us, that they may be upheld and strengthened in every good deed, let us pray to the Lord. Amen.” Rev. Adam DeGroot, pastor at Calvary Lutheran Church in Rio Ranch, NM, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Political Order. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia

Traditions and ceremonies are necessary— not necessary for salvation, but for good order. Nobody can institute them with the claim that they justify outside of faith in Christ. At the same time, to deny ceremonies that do not contradict the Word can be equally problematic. Human works could easily be perceived as the way to receive a perfect and spiritual life. Yet, it is only by the Gospel that one’s heart is changed and by the Holy Spirit that we live a holy life. Rev. Mark Bestul, pastor at Calvary Lutheran Church in Elgin, IL, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to continue our study of Human Traditions. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.

Tradition is helpful to the church in promoting good order and peace. Yet tradition is not to hinder the free and gracious salvation we receive for Christ’s sake through faith. The Roman Church and the Reformers agreed on the benefits of tradition but were diametrically opposed in their understanding of its role in salvation. The issue is found in our hearts, not specifically in the traditions, and as our hearts need renewal by the Holy Spirit through the Word. By His grace, we follow God’s Word out of thankfulness for salvation and seek to live a good and holy life in Christ. Rev. Rick Stuckwisch, President of the Indiana District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Human Traditions. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.

God is the giver of order, and because of this, we are to live in an orderly way. In His wisdom, He established the office of the Ministry to steward His mysteries (1 Corinthians 4:1). This Ministry is centered and grounded in Christ and the Word and Sacrament. To add more to the requirements for “good order” such as relics, canonical ordination, sacrifice of the mass, or a perfect structure leads consciences away from the full sufficiency of Christ. “O Lord, help us to keep order in Christ for the sake of the building up of your kingdom. Lord have mercy. Amen.” Rev. Scott Adle, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Imperial, Nebraska, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Order in the Church. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.

How many Sacraments do we have? It depends on who you ask! The Reformers were focused on the reception of God’s gracious gift of forgiveness of sins through faith in Christ. The Roman Catholic Church focused on the authority of the Pope and traditions, but as we know, traditions and the Pope can err. Yet, Jesus and His Word do not err and give what He promises: the forgiveness of sins. A Sacrament is defined as a physical element with the promise of forgiveness attached to it (Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and sometimes Absolution). To quibble over exact numbers is unproductive when the focus needs to be on Christ and His gifts. “O Word of God incarnate, O Wisdom from on high, O Truth unchanged, unchanging, O Light of our dark sky: We praise You for the radiance That from the hallowed page, A lantern to our footsteps, Shines on from age to age.” LSB 523, st. 1 Rev. Paul Cain, senior pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Sheridan, Wyoming, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the number of Sacraments. Find yo

True repentance bears good fruit: prayer, thanksgiving, confessing Christ, teaching the faith, honoring authorities, and being faithful to one’s calling. This good fruit is not intended to diminish years of punishment in purgatory, rather, it is produced with thanksgiving to the Lord and for the good of one’s neighbor. Believers can take comfort in the Office of the Keys— the command to forgive the sins of repentant sinners, which always leads one back to Christ instead of our need to do more. “Baptismal waters cover me; Christ’s wounded hand has set me free. Held in my Father’s strong embrace, With joy I praise Him for His grace.” LSB 616, st. 5 Rev. Brian Kachelmeier, pastor at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to continue our study of Confession and Satisfaction.

The Reformers understood that punishment is a necessary aspect of repentance. Punishment, they believed, is one when feels contrition over sin. The Roman Church at the time was determined to prescribe certain punishments to pay for certain sins. These punishments, according to the Church, could be satisfied by works performed in this life and in purgatory. However, punishment does not come because of a particular sin (take Job for example). Punishment is when contrition is felt, as we understand the weight of our sin and God’s wrath. Troubles are not meant to prompt a desperate search to determine our sins but rather are intended to bring us back to God as our strength (2 Cor. 12:9). Christ has had the final victory (1 Cor. 15:57) and our works are meant for His glory. Rev. Jonathan Buescher, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Mt. Pulaski, IL, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to confess the truth on the topic of Confession and Satisfaction Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at c

How easy it is to misuse Scripture! Jesus says, “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance” (Mark 1:15). Just as we learned that repentance is contrition combined with faith, we also understand that the LORD bears fruit through repentance. The Holy Spirit works through us to bear this fruit— it is not a requirement of our salvation. Christ has made full satisfaction for sin so that we can serve our neighbors in freedom and for their sake! We need not add the Law or human traditions to obtain a clear conscience. “The King of Love my shepherd is, Whose goodness faileth never; I nothing lack if I am His And He is mine forever.” LSB 709, st. 1 Rev. Peter Schmidt, pastor at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Waukesha, WI, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to discuss Confession and Satisfaction. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.

Don’t put a question mark where God in Christ puts an exclamation point! Private confession and absolution are vital to the spiritual health of the believer, as it is in these that we can hear the voice of the Gospel— forgiving sins and comforting consciences. When one receives absolution, sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake— not due to works preceding or following, not in part, but in whole. “He lives— oh, the bliss of this glorious thought; My sin, not in part, but the whole, Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! LSB 763, st. 3 Rev. David Juhl, pastor at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Arlington, WI, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to discuss the Scriptural truth surrounding Confession and Satisfaction. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.

Repentance is turning from sin and being brought to faith in Christ— all by God’s grace. Repentance is the Law terrifying a sinner which, in turn, leads them to the forgiveness merited by faith in the works of Christ alone. It may be tempting to rely on our own works to find hope, yet these leave our conscience without comfort. One’s works of love can never overcome the wrath of God. The Reformers understood the need for the whole life to be about repentance, but they clarified that this turning is a receiving hand of Christ’s full satisfaction. “My hope is built on nothing less. Than Jesus' blood and righteousness; No merit of my own I claim, But wholly lean on Jesus' name." LSB #575, st. 1 Rev. Dennis McFadden, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, IN joins Rev. Brady Finnern to conclude our study on the Scriptural truth of Repentance.  Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.

A clear conscience is only provided through the forgiveness of sins by the blood of Christ.  Outward deeds are a fruit of faith, yet repentance is never separated from faith in Christ.  Forgiveness in Christ brings the final healing. The Roman Catholic Church agreed that forgiveness is part of repentance, but the conditions of forgiveness were centered on the contributions of the person and not on the full satisfaction found in Christ. By the payment of the indulgence through God in Christ, we repent and receive the free forgiveness of sins.  Rev. Keith Brustuen, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Montevideo, MN joins Rev. Brady Finnern to continue our study on the Scriptural truth of Repentance.  Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join u

Repentance has two parts: contrition and faith. Melanchthon speaks of God’s “strange work” of terrifying consciences by the proclamation of the Law.  This is deemed to be strange as to be brought to angst over sin does not feel like a loving action, but in God’s wisdom and grace, we are brought low and He makes us alive to make the Gospel even sweeter.  This Absolution is known to be the “proper work” of God as He makes us right with Him by the blood of Christ.  These two parts assure all of us that we are never separated from the love of Christ (Romans 8:39).  “I rest my soul on Jesus, This weary soul of mine; His right hand me embraces; I on His breast recline.  I love the name of Jesus, Immanuel, Christ, the Lord; Like fragrance on the breezes His name abroad is poured.”  LSB #606, st. 3    Rev. Christopher Lieske, Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, MN, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to continue our study on the Scriptural truth on Repentance.  Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader