Sharper Iron From Kfuo Radio

Rev. Shawn Linnell, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blair, NE, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 11:20-30. Jesus has warned His apostles that their ministry would be rejected, and they have seen that rejection happening to their Lord. Jesus responds to those who have rejected Him with words of harsh judgment. Even cities like Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom, notorious for their wickedness in the Old Testament, had people who repented and believed in the true God. Yet when Jesus did the mighty work of forgiveness in Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, those cities refused to believe, and the judgment against them will be strong. Yet this does not mean that God’s kingdom has not come. Jesus thanks His Father for His gracious will to reveal Himself through Jesus to little children who have nothing but what they receive from the Father. Those who consider themselves wise on their own receive exactly what they want, a life apart from the one true God. Nonetheless, He still earnestly desires their salvati

Rev. Paul Pater, pastor at Shepherd of the Ridge Lutheran Church in North Ridgeville, OH and Hope Lutheran Church in Sheffield Village, OH, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 11:1-19. Jesus has just told His disciples the persecution they can expect in following after Him. Now He receives a question from John the Baptist, the man who went before Him. In prison, John knows the persecution that Christians face, but this does not seem to match up with the promises he had been preaching. He asks Jesus, therefore, if He really is the Christ. In answering, “Yes,” Jesus points John back to the deeds he has already seen, deeds of the Christ that the prophets had foretold. Chief among them for John stands the preaching of the good news to the poor. Such preaching is what John needs to sustain him in faith even as he remains in prison. The way of Jesus’ salvation is suffering and death into resurrection; those who remain in faith toward Him are blessed, for the world considers it foolishness. Jesus speaks

Rev. Chris Hull, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Tomball, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 10:24-42. Jesus tells His disciples that they will follow Him in suffering and the cross. Since the world has called Him evil, the disciples should expect the same. However, this hatred from the world need not make the disciples afraid as they proclaim publicly all the things Jesus has done in His death and resurrection. Their fear is rightly directed toward God, for He alone has power over body and soul. The true fear of God sees Him in Christ as a loving Father who has poured out the wrath sinners deserved upon Jesus. In this fear of God, there is nothing to fear. This emboldens the disciples to confess Jesus freely before the world. Jesus does not leave them with any illusions. The peace He brings between God and man will also result in division among people, even within families. True life, however, is not found in any earthly family relationship, but in Jesus Christ. He has gone the way of the

Rev. Sean Daenzer, Director of Worship for the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and chaplain for the International Center, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 10:1-23. After Jesus tells His disciples to pray for laborers in the Lord’s harvest, He answers that prayer by sending out the twelve as His apostles. These twelve men are sent to the twelve tribes of Israel to shepherd the lost sheep and bring in the Lord’s harvest. That work is done through the proclamation of the Lord’s Word. This Word is not dormant; it is living and active to bring God’s reign of forgiveness and all the accompanying blessings of healing and victory over death and the devil. As they go, the Twelve need not worry about their physical needs; their heavenly Father will provide for them through those who hear the Word in faith. Those who believe receive the peace with God that Jesus comes to bring; those who do not believe receive only God’s judgment. Jesus warns His disciples concerning such rejection ahead of time and comman

Rev. John Bussmann, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cullman, AL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 9:18-38. Jesus has shown Himself the greater Moses in His preaching; now He shows Himself the greater Joshua in His conquest of sin, sickness, and death. Having just spoken about the new wine He brings, Jesus shows the truth of what that means as He gives new life to a girl who has died and a woman who is dying. The woman with a discharge of blood had life flowing out of her for twelve years, but through her touch of faith, Jesus saves His daughter. He does the same for the girl who has died. Because of His upcoming death and resurrection, Jesus is able to name death, the worst enemy of all, a temporary sleep from which He awakens His children. As such news about Jesus spreads, two blind men see in faith that Jesus is the Son of David; according to their faith, He heals them. As more come to Jesus to be healed, the crowds marvel even as the Pharisees disbelieve. Jesus looks upon the crowds

Rev. Clint Poppe, pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lincoln, NE, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 9:1-17. As Jesus returns to Capernaum, His authority is still on display. Some people who trust in Jesus’ authority to heal bring their paralytic friend to Jesus. Initially, Jesus gives this man what he needs above all: the forgiveness of sins. Though the scribes do not believe that Jesus is God, He displays the truth by making the man able to walk once more, proving that He is able to take the more difficult road of bearing the sins of the world to the cross. Jesus continues to use His authority to save as He calls Matthew with His effective Word: “Follow Me.” Though the Pharisees once again disbelieve, Jesus proclaims the comforting Gospel: He has come to save sinners. This truth cannot be fit into the old religious system of the Law. Feasting, not fasting, is the order of the day when the Bridegroom, Christ, comes to take His Bride, the Church. Jesus must be received on His own terms as

Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX, Rev. Nate Hill, pastor at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Winchester, TX, and Rev. Jason Kaspar, pastor at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in La Grange, TX, join host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 8:18-34. Jesus calls His disciples to follow Him on His own terms. Although this does not bring the promise of all creaturely comforts in this life, only Jesus can make and keep the promise to raise His disciples from spiritual and physical death. With this promise, Jesus leads His disciples across the Sea of Galilee. He sleeps in the boat, both as a man who needs rest and as the true Son of God who trusts His Father perfectly. The disciples faith falters as they fear death and the storm, yet their prayer is true and right. Jesus rebukes the wind and the waves with His powerful Word, showing Himself to be the one true God. As Jesus exits the boat on the other side, He enters into enemy territory. Yet even here as He is confronted by two demon-p

Rev. Sam Wirgau, pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ossian, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 8:1-17. Jesus’ Word of teaching has been effective of bringing forth the fruit of faith in the Sermon on the Mount. Now Jesus comes down the mountain to speak His Word of healing that also proves effective in undoing sin and its effects. A leper comes out of the crowd in faith toward Jesus, bowing down in worship and addressing Him as “Lord.” Knowing that Jesus is able, the leper prays that Jesus’ will would be done. As we have learned with the leper from Jesus’ teaching, Jesus’ will is to show mercy, and so He touches the leper, taking his disease and making him clean. As Jesus moves into Capernaum, a Gentile centurion approaches Jesus with the same faith as the Jewish leper. The centurion knows that the Word of the Lord will be effective even from a distance. Jesus marvels at this faith and once again gives according to His will; Jesus heals the centurion’s servant with His Word. Jesus then go

Rev. Shawn Linnell, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blair, NE, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 7:13-29. Jesus, as the one true God, has taught His Law in the Sermon on the Mount in a way that is meant to drive His disciples to Him. Jesus is the narrow door; through Him alone do we enter life. The wide door would allow us to bring our sin and self-justification along with us, but it leads only to death. False prophets will come in Jesus’ name tempting those who hear to forsake the truth. They will be known by their teaching that does not accord with what Jesus spoke and directs people to please God according to the Law. Though such false prophets name Jesus as “Lord,” even their impressive works will not save them, because they are not truly doing the will of the Father. He desires all people to be saved through repentance and faith in Christ. This foundation of Jesus and His Words alone can withstand all things to bring us into eternal life. “All Righteousness Fulfilled” is a mini-series

Rev. Matt Ulmer, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bishop, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 7:1-12. Only God stands as judge over His creation. His Word sets the standard by which judgment takes place. No Christian dare try to usurp His place in an attempt at self-justification. The posture of Jesus’ disciples toward the world and the Church, therefore, is not standing over them in judgment according to their own opinions. Jesus’ disciples first stand under the judgment of God’s Word, confessing their own gross sins against the rigid standard of His Law. Having received absolution from Him, they proclaim His Word in the Church and to the world, letting His standard alone speak the judgment. To treat brothers and sisters in the faith with an attitude of condemnation would be to throw God’s precious possessions out to be trampled. Instead, Jesus calls upon His disciples to pray. They pray in the confidence that they are speaking to God as their true Father who desires nothing more than to

Rev. Joel Heckmann, pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Okarche, OK, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 6:25-34. Jesus’ gift of the Lord’s Prayer paves the way for His teaching concerning worry. Because God is their Father who provides daily bread, Jesus’ disciples have absolutely no need for worry. Their heavenly Father will assuredly give them what they need for this body and life. Jesus even gently pokes fun and gently teases His disciples concerning their worry, reminding them that worry can truly accomplish nothing. Our heavenly Father gives us vocations in which to work, but because we have His promise, the worry is taken away. Instead of seeking after only food, drink, and clothing according to the consumerism of the world, Jesus calls us to seek after His kingdom and righteousness. His kingdom is His activity of powerfully and graciously reigning over this world. This kingdom is found wherever Jesus is found, and He has promised to be found among us still today reigning through His Wo

Rev. Dr. Ryan Tinetti, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Arcadia, MI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 6:19-24. Jesus continues to give us a picture of live under His reign as He speaks about His disciples’ attitude toward possessions. The accumulation of earthly treasure is not the goal of the Christian life. Though sinners default toward looking for security from earthly wealth, and the world openly encourages that sort of faith, Jesus teaches the reality that earthly treasure ultimately fails us. Instead, Jesus calls His disciples to use God’s good gift of possessions with gratitude toward our heavenly Father and generosity toward our neighbor in need. Our true treasure is found in heaven with Christ; this treasure will never be destroyed or stolen. Therefore, Jesus teaches us to keep our eyes fixed on Him and our neighbor, rather than navel gazing at ourselves and our possessions. The reality is that we can only serve one master. Money would rule over us as a cruel tyrant; Jesus instead

Rev. Christopher Jackson, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Algoma, WI and St. Peter Lutheran Church in Forestville, WI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 6:1-18. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives a picture of the upside down nature of His kingdom compared to the kingdoms of the world. Whereas citizens of worldly kingdoms seek after their own glory, members under God’s reign live for His. Whether their actions are public or private, Jesus’ disciples do not desire to have the glory that comes from men; they desire the glory that comes from God. The almsgiving, prayer, and fasting practiced by Jesus’ disciples are done with this faith. The promise of His heavenly rewards is not a contradiction of salvation by grace alone; rather, it is a teaching of Jesus that brings comfort in the midst of the crosses we bear for the sake of following Jesus. The Lord’s Prayer is His gift from His heart to the Church. As we see in this prayer a reflection of Jesus’ own baptism and temptation, the Lord’s

Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 5:38-48. Jesus continues to sharpen the focus concerning the Law. The sort of love to which He calls His disciples is not found anywhere else in the world. The default position for people is to take revenge when they have been wronged; the principle, “an eye for an eye,” limited such revenge from getting out of control. Jesus calls His disciples away from such retaliation. Rather than returning evil for evil, Jesus teaches us His disciples to return love for evil. This does not overturn the call Christians have in their vocation to love and protect their neighbors. Rather, Jesus calls us toward that same love that He showed to those who did evil to Him, willingly going to the cross for the very people who put Him there. This call reaches its climax as Jesus startles those who hold to worldly wisdom as He says: “Love your enemies.” This is the love that God has for us sinners in Christ, and it i

Rev. Mark Barz, pastor at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 5:27-37. Jesus does not overturn the Old Testament; He fulfills it as He journeys to His cross and empty tomb. In that context, Jesus continues to reveal the true and full intent of the Law to His disciples. Just as the 5th Commandment goes deeper than the physical action of taking a life, so the 6th Commandment goes deeper than the physical union of two people who are not united in marriage. Lust in the heart is already sin in God’s sight. Even though such sin may remain hidden from human eyes, it is known by God. Jesus’ disciples must take the matter very seriously. Jesus teaches that His disciples must do whatever is necessary to cut sin out of their lives, a point that He makes through the use hyperbole. Concerning divorce, Jesus refuses to enter into the debate of His day. He stays above it, teaching God’s true intention for marriage. As we consider this matter today, the only answe

“All Righteousness Fulfilled” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that digs into the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims Jesus to Jews and Gentiles alike as the fulfillment of God’s saving words and acts throughout the Old Testament. As the Christ in the line of David and Abraham, Jesus is the promised King who comes to bring sinners from every nation to live under His gracious reign. 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. Brady Finnern, pastor at Messiah Lutheran Church in Sartell, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 5:21-26. Jesus begins to expound upon the Law He has come to fulfill. Though the religious leaders of Jesus’ day might have limited the 5th Commandment to the physical act, Jesus proclaims that the matter goes much deeper. With His divine authority, He teaches His disciples that even anger in their hearts has already made them guilty of sin in God’s sight. Though we might like to think we’ve kept the 5th Commandment, Jesus reveals that we have not. His warning against anger, coupled with the rest of Holy Scripture, is an important reminder of how dangerous our anger truly is. Instead of anger and insults, Jesus calls His disciples to reconciliation. The peace that we have with God through Jesus must manifest itself in the forgiveness that is shared among Christians. To worship God while being at enmity with our fellow Christians is entirely inconsistent. The repentance and forgiveness shared i

Rev. Stephen Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 5:13-20. The doorway of the Beatitudes provides the necessary entrance into the rest of the Sermon on the Mount, lest Jesus’ teaching become no more than moralism. Christians have received Jesus blessing through faith in the Gospel, and so He has made them the salt of the earth and the light of the world. As salt provides that which is deficient in food, so Christians bring into this corrupt world the message of repentance at the reign of God in Christ Jesus. As light makes visible those things that are in the dark, so Christians shine a light on the good news of Jesus that the world otherwise would never see. The works of Christians are good because they flow forth from faith in Jesus, who is the fulfillment of the Old Testament. They are salt and light in this world as they hold fast to all of Jesus’ Word. Their righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees because it is not mere outward perfor

Rev. David Appold, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Paducah, KY, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 5:1-12. Jesus is the prophet greater than Moses. He ascends the mountain to teach His disciples the Word of God that is truly His own. He opens His mouth and teaches with divine authority.. Because this is the Son of God that is speaking, these words are not mere well-wishes, but declarations that accomplish what He speaks. When Jesus declares His disciples “blessed,” this is far stronger than “happy” or “fortunate.” Jesus is the promised Offspring of Abraham through whom the world is blessed. By faith in Jesus, therefore, His blessed disciples are saved. Those whom Jesus declares blessed are surprising according to the world’s wisdom. Neither the wise nor the strong, but those who come before God spiritually empty are blessed now to live under God’s reign. Even though the promises made by God may not have yet been fulfilled, still His people remain blessed right now. This is true as the Holy

Rev. Brian Flamme, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Roswell, NM, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 4:12-25. Jesus’ public preaching begins not in Jerusalem but in the northern region of Israel. This fulfills the promise God made through the prophet Isaiah. Their darkness was not merely due to the Assyrian conquest. They were dwelling in the darkness of unbelief. That’s why Jesus brings His light, not by a military victory, but by the preaching of His Word. He proclaims repentance so that those who hear Him would know that their sin leads only to death. After convicting with the Law in this way, Jesus raises to new life with the Gospel that His kingdom of grace is here. This is His holy Christian Church, which He begins to found in the calling of His first disciples. He does not choose the wise or educated according to worldly standards; rather, He calls fishermen to follow Him and become fishers of men. They cast the net of the Word into the world, and the Word continues to gather more memb