Sharper Iron from KFUO Radio
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.
Episodes
September 29, 2020 • 56 min
Rev. Tim Koch, pastor at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank, SD, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Proverbs 19:1-12.
The Proverbs of Solomon must be read within the larger context of the Christian faith taught in God’s Word. From that context, they invite us to use them in the various contexts we face in life. Solomon speaks to that variety of contexts within these verses. Integrity, acting consistently according to the Word ...
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September 28, 2020 • 54 min
Rev. Matt Wietfeldt, director of admissions and director of the Christ Academy program at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Proverbs 17:25-18:24.
Solomon again speaks of the value of God’s gift of family. Children who heed their parents’ instruction in the way of wisdom find blessing for themselves and provide joy to their parents as well. It is foolish to isolate oneself from...
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September 25, 2020 • 54 min
Rev. James Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Proverbs 17:7-24.
Solomon continues to teach the benefit of the way of divine wisdom in contrast to the harm that comes from following the way of folly. The mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. Each of us must examine, then, both what we speak and what we hear. Where conflict arises, Christian wisdom does not seek esc...
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September 24, 2020 • 54 min
Rev. David Appold, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Paducah, KY, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Proverbs 16:25-17:6.
Solomon repeats a previous proverb as he warns against following after whatever seems right in human sight. Only when our thoughts are shaped by the LORD in His Word can we walk the way of life. When a man’s heart is worthless or dishonest, his words will match. Wisdom recognizes both when silence is ...
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September 23, 2020 • 55 min
Rev. Dr. Adam Filipek, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church and Immanuel Lutheran Church, both in Lidgerwood, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Proverbs 16:8-24.
The LORD gives true wealth in His wisdom, which Solomon continues to record. Christians may have less earthly wealth in this life than those who gain great riches through injustice. Yet Christians retain God’s gift of a good conscience in Christ as they walk towa...
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September 22, 2020 • 54 min
Rev. Jeff Hemmer, pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Fairview Heights, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Proverbs 15:20-16:7.
Solomon continues to speak the divine wisdom that gives shape to sanctified Christian living. Following the LORD’s commandments brings benefit, as He has promised. Though folly may delight the one who doesn’t know any better, the Christian rejoices in the path of life the LORD has given. In this ...
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September 21, 2020 • 54 min
Rev. Christopher Jackson, pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Algoma, WI and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Forestville, WI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Proverbs 15:1-19.
Proverbs, along with the rest of wisdom literature in God’s Word, has the goal of molding our perspective to accord with God’s perspective. This begins to happen in Christians through faith given by the Holy Spirit. Starting from this right fear of...
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September 18, 2020 • 55 min
Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Proverbs 14:1-35.
Solomon continues to write concerning the wisdom founded on the fear of the LORD. This basis is a necessary lens through which to see each individual proverb. The wisdom by which anyone builds a lasting household is more than economic or social principles; a lasting household is built upon the wisdom of for...
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September 17, 2020 • 55 min
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 Proverbs 13:1-25.
The Ten Commandments are constantly in the background of the divine wisdom in Proverbs. Solomon continues to bring them to bear in a variety of ways. The fact that children are a product of their parents’ instruction has implications for fa...
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September 16, 2020 • 54 min
Rev. Luke Zimmerman, pastor at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg, PA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Proverbs 12:1-28.
Because the LORD is God and we are not, we will receive correction and discipline whenever He gives His knowledge. Wisdom receives this gladly; it is utter foolishness to reject the LORD’s reproof. This first verse provides the necessary attitude toward the wisdom given in the rest of th...
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September 15, 2020 • 53 min
Rev. Philip Hoppe, pastor at Peace Lutheran Church in Finlayson, MN and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bruno, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Proverbs 11:1-31.
Wisdom from the LORD extends into our daily activities. Christians do not leave their Baptism in the church sanctuary; they take that God-given identity into their vocations concerning business and family. Pride would lead us to think that we know better than God ...
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September 14, 2020 • 56 min
Rev. Joel Haak, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rochester, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Proverbs 10:1-32.
Solomon pivots from his addresses to his sons and poems concerning wisdom, but he never leaves that context behind. Each of the individual sayings in the bulk of the book of Proverbs must be understood in light of the fact that true wisdom begins with the fear of the LORD. That connection is immediately appa...
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September 11, 2020 • 54 min
Rev. Sean Kilgo, pastor at the Northeast Kansas Lutheran Partnership, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Proverbs 9:1-18.
Solomon brings the first part of the book of Proverbs to a climax. Lady Wisdom speaks yet again. She has established an everlasting house, the Church that is founded on Christ and the confession of who He is. Within her house, she sets a feast of food for everlasting life received through faith in Jesus. Th...
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September 10, 2020 • 53 min
Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Hebron, CT, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Proverbs 8:22-36.
Solomon’s personification of Wisdom is more than a poetic device in this text. As we see the role Wisdom played in creation, we see that Wisdom actually is a Person: the Son of God. A careful reading of the text keeps us from any anti-Trinitarian errors that would see the Son of God as a created being. Inste...
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September 9, 2020 • 53 min
Rev. Brady Finnern, pastor at Messiah Lutheran Church in Sartell, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Proverbs 8:1-21.
Lady Wisdom speaks once again. All of her words stand in sharp contrast to the adulterous woman from the previous chapters. Lady Wisdom’s address is universal; she calls to everyone. Her words bring prudence and sense. Because the words of Wisdom are the words of God, Wisdom always speaks the truth and brin...
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September 8, 2020 • 55 min
Rev. Sam Wirgau, pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ossian, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Proverbs 7:1-27.
Solomon’s tenth address to his son once again picks up the warning against adultery; yet the First Commandment remains in view along with the Sixth. God gives His Word as a treasure which we look at constantly so that it reflects from our eyes. This treasure must be our constant companion, as close to us as o...
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September 7, 2020 • 53 min
Rev. Peter Ill, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Proverbs 6:20-35.
Solomon proclaims the importance of the wisdom given in God’s Word by making use of the imagery found in Deuteronomy 6. God’s Word is given by parents to children to guard and guide them in every aspect of life. The wise king instructs his son with this Word particularly in this text as a guard against adult...
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September 4, 2020 • 53 min
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 Proverbs 6:1-19.
Placed between two addresses that speak against adultery, Solomon’s eighth address to his son may seem to address small matters. However, faithfulness in small matters tends toward faithfulness in large matters, just as faithlessness in small matters easil...
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September 3, 2020 • 54 min
Rev. Hans Fiene, pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Crestwood, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Proverbs 5:1-23.
Solomon reveals both the true allurements of adultery and its devastating results in order to instruct his son to avoid such wickedness. The Scriptures are full of examples of men and women whose lack of satisfaction with the God-given marriage bed led to all kinds of ruin in their lives. Solomon him...
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September 2, 2020 • 54 min
Rev. John Bussman, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cullman, AL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Proverbs 4:20-27.
Today’s text is the sixth of Solomon’s ten addresses to his sons. The number “ten” suggests completion and also brings to mind the LORD’s Ten Commandments. This address speaks largely toward matters concerning the 8th Commandment. God’s Word demands our attention; we dare not take His commands for grante...
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