Concord Matters From Kfuo Radio

When we follow certain ceremonies in the Church are they distracting to the Gospel or do they help the proclamation of Christ? When we live in the world, how do we engage our government without sacrificing our beliefs? The Concordians asked the question, “What does Scripture say?” and “Where is your hope?” The Christian can follow ceremonies and participate in the government with a clear conscience as our hope is in Christ and clinging to the promises of His Word. “Built on the Rock the Church shall stand, Even when steeples are falling. Crumbled have spires in every land; Bells still are chiming and calling, calling the young and old to rest, But above all the souls distressed, Longing for rest everlasting.” LSB #645, st. 1 Rev. Tim Sims, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Chester, IL joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the truth of Church Ceremonies and Civil Government. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lut

The Concordians were very aware of the questions that would arise when confessing the truth of the Church and the Sacraments such as: “How do we view faith with the Sacraments?” and “Who should preach, teach, and administer the Sacraments?” As they taught the truth of God’s Word the focus faith takes off the promises of the world and puts on the promises of Christ. The Lord calls qualified men (I Timothy 3) to be our overseers (Acts 20:28) and give the gifts of Christ to sinners. “Send, O Lord, Your Holy Spirit. On Your servant now, we pray; Let him prove a faithful shepherd. That no lamb be led astray. Your pure teaching to proclaim, To extol Your holy name, And to feed Your lambs, dear Savior, Make his aim and sole endeavor.” LSB #681, st. 1. Rev. Stewart Crown, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Palo Alto, CA, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to confess the truth of the use of Sacraments and Order in the Church. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at

Jesus tells us why he came, “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance (Luke 5:32).” Repentance needs to have a good understanding of “Worldly sorrow” vs. “Godly sorrow.” Am I sorry that I got caught or am I sorry that I broke God’s commands? The life of the Christian is repentance, that is, sorrow for our sin and assurance of His forgiveness in Christ. When Jesus says repent, he intended that the entire life of believer should be repentance. Our contrition, by Holy Spirit, occurs with the assurance that Christ has paid the price and He leads us to good works (Galatians 5:22-23). “I look to Christ upon the tree, His body broken there for me; I lay before Him all my sin, my darkest secrets from within” LSB #616. St. 2 Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Minot, ND joins Rev. Brady Finnern to confess the 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 Luther

"Private absolution should be retained in the churches”, the Concordians confess.  Yet, for various reasons the practice has been largely absent from most Lutheran congregations.  We want to follow the Lord’s command to forgive and retain sins (John 20 & Matthew 16), but confession should not be a source of more guilt and shame.  Confession/absolution give the benefits of Christ’s cross to the sinner which should not have more rules added to it.  The pastor cares for souls by rightly applying Law & Gospel through the office of the keys for repentance and the free forgiveness as from Christ Himself.  Go to confession and receive His blessed forgiveness.   “Baptismal waters cover me, As I approach on bended knee; My Father’s mercy here I plead, for grievous sins of thought and deed.”  LSB #616, st 1.  Rev. Dr. Joshua Miller, pastor of Jehovah Lutheran Church in St. Paul, MN joins Rev. Brady Finnern to confess the truth of Confession. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cp

Jesus’ words are simple with eternal implications.  The mystery of His real presence points us back to Christ’s cross and the benefits of we receive today in the body and blood.  Instead of looking within ourselves to find comfort, we cling to the plain words of Christ to receive what He promises: forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation (Matthew 26:28).  “What is this bread?  Christ’s body risen from the dead; This bread we break, This life we take, was crushed to pay for our release.  O taste and see---the Lord is peace.”  LSB #629, st. 1 Rev. Dennis McFadden, pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, IN joins Rev. Brady Finnern to confess the truth of the Lord’s Supper.  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 th

When Scripture speaks, we believe and confess it. Jesus tells us that “whoever believes and is baptized will be saved (Mark 16:16).” Peter tells us “Baptism now saves you (I Peter 3:21).” Jesus tells us to “make disciples of all nations baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20).” According to Scripture, we believe that all the promises of Baptism are yours: forgiveness of sins, rescue from death and the devil, and eternal salvation (Small Catechism, Sacrament of Baptism, 2nd part). “God’s own child I gladly say it : I am baptized into Christ! He, because I could not pay , gave my full redemption price. Do I need earth’s treasures many? I have one worth more than any, That brought me salvation free. Lasting to eternity!” LSB #594, st. 1 Rev. Paul Cain, senior pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church and headmaster of Martin Luther Grammar School in Sheridan, Wyoming, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the Ninth Article of the Augsburg Confession.  Find your

What is the Church? What does the Church do? We need to know what the Church is to make sure that we know where to go. We need to know what the Church is to make sure we know what we receive. The Church begins and ends with Christ and the gifts He gives: The Word, the Sacraments, and the forgiveness of sins on account of Him. Luther lays it out well in the Smalcald articles (Article XII) “Thank God today a seven-year-old child knows what the Church is, namely, the holy believers and lambs who hear the voice of their Shepherd (John 10:11-16).” “The Church's one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord; she is his new creation by water and the Word. From heav'n he came and sought her to be his holy bride; with his own blood he bought her, and for her life he died.” LSB #644, st. 1 Rev. Ben Meyer, pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in Sunbury, OH joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the Seventh Article of the Augsburg Confession. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read on

If we are saved by the grace given by Christ’s cross and empty tomb and received by faith, then what? Are we “required” to do anything? Good works are done by the Christian, by the Holy Spirit, and are necessary for the baptized (Ephesians 2:10). The works are not done because the Lord needs them, but for the needs of our neighbor. In faith, the baptized Christian humbly serves others knowing that our hope is in the full forgiveness of sins in Christ alone. “Create in me a new heart, O Lord. That gladly I obey Your Word. Let what You will be my desire, and with new life my soul inspire.” LSB #704, st. 3 Rev. Dr. Jason Wagner, pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in High Ridge, MO joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the Sixth Article of the Augsburg Confession. 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

As we are freely justified for Christ’s sake, through faith, when they believe that they are received into favor and their sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake, how does one receive the benefits of Christ’s work 2,000+ years ago? So that we may obtain faith, the ministry of teaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments was instituted by the Lord. The Lord calls pastors to be giving the gifts of Christ, each pastor looks different, but the focus is the same: the Word of God given to sinners for the sake of a clear conscience in Christ. “Send, O Lord, Your Holy Spirit; On Your servant now, we pray; Let him prove a faithful shepherd; That no lamb be led astray. Your pure teaching to proclaim, To extol Your holy name, And to feed Your lambs, dear Savior, Make his aim and sole endeavor.” LSB #681 st. 1 Rev. David Juhl, pastor of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Arlington, WI joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the Fifth Article of the Augsburg Confession. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia

Justification is often said to be “Just as if I did not sin.” Scripture is very clear that we are dead in our sin, when one is dead there is no hope for renewal. Our justification is not based on our works, but what we cannot do for ourselves, Christ has done for us. His cross, His tomb, His resurrection, and His ascension has done all the work, He has made satisfaction for our sins and by His grace we receive it by faith. “By grace I’m saved, grace free and boundless; My soul, believe and doubt it not. Why stagger at this word of promise? Has Scripture ever falsehood taught? No! Then this word must true remain: By grace you too will life obtain.” LSB #566, st. 1 Rev. Jason Bredeson, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sacramento, CA joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the Fourth Article of the Augsburg Confession. 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 l

We cover two important questions that require a correct answer: Who am I? Who is Jesus? Since the fall of Adam and Eve, all who are naturally born with sin and often can be described as the “addiction” to sin. The only way to overcome this addiction is through the cleansing, healing, and forgiving blood of Christ through Baptism. This Jesus, God and man, has come to bring that healing by His cross and empty tomb and will come again for that final healing in perfection with Him. "Ev'ry wound that pains or grieves me, By Your wounds, Lord, is made whole; When I'm faint, Your Cross revives me, Granting new life to my soul. Yes, Your comfort renders sweet. Ev'ry bitter cup I meet; For Your all atoning passion Has procured my soul's salvation." Jesus, Grant That Balm and Healing. LSB 421, st. 4. Rev. Dr. Steven Mueller, Professor of Theology at Concordia University in Irvine, CA joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the Second and Third Articles of Augsburg Confession. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Con

What does Scripture tell us about our Triune God? What does Scripture not tell us about the Triune God? We believe in only one God, who is at the same time three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). We do not separate the Trinity, but understand that this God is all powerful, omniscient, and all good. The heresies of those days are still alive and well: a denial of Christ’s divinity, God’s omnipotence, and confusing the personhood of the Trinity. “Triune God, be Thou our stay; Cleanse us from our sins, we pray, And grant us life forever. Keep us from the evil one; Uphold our faith most holy and let us trust Thee solely with humble hearts and lowly.” Triune God, Be Thou Our Stay - LSB, #505 st. 1 Rev. Jonathan Buescher, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church & School in Mt. Pulaski, IL joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the First Article of the Augsburg Confession. 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

The Augsburg Confession points our attention to the Good News of Christ that the fullness of the Gospel to sinners. On June 25th, 1530 the Augsburg Confession was confessed to the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Charles the V, with the hope that Germany would be united as outside pressures mounted. Although the hope was a unified Germany for the sake of politics, yet, the Lord work through all the moving parts (Imperial meeting in Speyer, Marbug Colloquy, Schwabach Articles, and the Torgau Articles) to unite His people around the cross and the empty tomb. Rev. Dr. Richard Carter, Professor Emeritus of Theology at Concordia University in St. Paul, MN joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the introduction to the Augsburg Confession. 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

The Concordians were committed to the historic, Christian faith of all times and all places. The ancient creeds were not accepted because they are equal to Scripture, but because they confess the truth of Scripture. Each creed was written to respond to different issues of their day. The Apostles Creed confessed the truth of the Triune God in whom we are baptized. The Nicene Creed clearly confessed Christ in response to the heresy of Arianism. The Athanasian Creed proclaims the Scriptural truth of the Triune God while emphasizing the important truth of Christ’s two natures. These creeds serve as a foundational source of unity for all Christians as we continually work towards full unity in accordance with the Holy Word. Rev. Dr. Brian Kachelmeier, pastor of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the Ecumenical Creeds. 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

Clear teachings are important for the baptized and for those who are learning the Christian faith. The Concordians give clear teachings on the two natures of Christ, the real presence of the Lord’s Supper, the universal doctrines of the Christian church, and the importance of visitations. Not only do we profess what we believe, but also reject anything that is contrary to what Scripture says. The goal is not to attack all Christians who do not speak with the same exact words, but to make sure that the powerful words of Christ are faithfully proclaimed to sinners with no question of who has done the work of our salvation. Rev. Terry Forke, President of the Montana District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the preface to the Book of Concord. 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. B

After the Augsburg Confession was presented to Emperor Charles the V at Augsburg in 1530 there arose many questions of “What is the authoritative text of the Augsburg Confession?” There were various variations and changes that were in distribution which brought much confusion over the belief of the Lord’s Supper. The confessors made very clear that the confession in 1530 correct and in accordance with His Word. As Christians we need to make sure that our confession of Scripture is clear, concise, and always pointing to Christ. We believe, teach, and confess only what Scripture teaches for the sake of a clear conscience for all who hear. Rev. Dr. John Hellwege, associate professor of historical theology at Concordia Lutheran Seminary in Edmonton, Alberta joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the preface to the Book of Concord. 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 Concor

The formation of the Book of Concord is the result of 50+ years of the Protestant Reformation where the Church and State were deeply connected. The goal of the signers of this Preface was to proclaim the Truth and Light God’s Word in Christ and unite the nation around this Truth. The events leading up to 1580 was not a smooth ride, such as the failed Naumburg Conference of 1561. Yet, by God’s grace the Lutheran Church would unite around His Word and the light of the Gospel. We pray for that same unity today, by the Holy Spirit, that we may boldly confess the Gospel in our churches, homes, and community. Rev. Dr. John Maxfield, Professor of History and Religious studies at Concordia University of Edmonton, Alberta, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the history of the Preface of the Book of Concord. 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

Every generation in the Church needs clarity in what we believe, teach, and confess. Not only do we battle the Old Adam and sinful desires, but the devil works tirelessly to subtly change a few words so that hearers will doubt the Gospel. The goal of the Book of Concord is that the Church and her schools would persevere in pure doctrine and that everything that we do is governed by God’s Word. We begin our study of the Book of Concord for the sake of clarity and providing a clear conscience in God’s grace by Christ’s cross and empty tomb. Rev. Dr. Rich Rudowske, Executive Director & CEO Lutheran Bible Translators in Concordia, MO, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the Preface of the Book of Concord. 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 past

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked (Galatians 6:7).” Scripture calls us to examine ourselves before we receive the body and blood of Christ (I Corinthians 11:28). Understanding the serious of our sin and the need for repentance, Luther gave catechumens and all Christians a list of questions to help us examine our faith, trusting in His grace by the blood of Christ. These questions are a blessing not only to those receiving the sacrament for the first time, but also for us every time we come before His Altar. “Just as I am without one plea; But that Thy blood was shed for me; And that Thou bidst me come to Thee; O Lamb of God, I come, I come.” LSB 570. Rev. Dr. Steve Schave, Executive Director of Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots (LAMP), joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Luther’s Christian Questions with their answers. Find LAMP at lampministry.org. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Luther

How am I to live as a baptized, redeemed by the blood of Christ child of God? Luther lays out the simple Scriptural passages that help us better understand how we are live as Christians in our daily vocations. Luther calls each office as holy orders and positions. As everything is about Christ, we serve in His holiness out of love for Him and love for others. “O Lord Jesus, send Your Holy Spirit so that we may serve You and others in holiness and righteousness. Amen” Rev. Dr. Mart Thompson, Associate Professor of Practical Theology at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the Tables of Duties from Luther’s Small Catechism. 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 Conco