Sharper Iron from KFUO Radio

Rev. Rick Jones, chaplain and director of spiritual life at the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch in Minot, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #346, “When All the World Was Cursed.” This hymn for the Nativity of St. John the Baptist also serves well to highlight the Advent themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. God sent John as a preacher of comfort to the world that was cur...

Rev. Harrison Goodman, content executive for Higher Things, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #345, “Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding.” The season of Advent reminds us that God shows up. Christ doesn’t stay distant from us; He comes to us. We must listen to this proclamation, not just from John, but from our pastors still today. Christ has made us the children of the...

Rev. Philip Hoppe, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Colby, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #344, “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry.” Charles Coffin’s hymn text puts before us the familiar Advent preacher, John the Baptist. His sermon is simple: “Christ is here!” All must wake up and listen not only to John, but to every Christian preacher who proclaims this g...

Rev. Mark Barz, pastor at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #342, “What Hope! An Eden Prophesied.” This more-recent Advent hymn from Pastor Stephen Starke draws from Isaiah 11 to help us rejoice in the hope of the new creation that is ours because the Savior has come to us. This Savior is the shoot from Jesse’s stem born...

Rev. Tim Storck, pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Chesterfield, MI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #341, “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates.” This hymn from Georg Weissel makes use of the language of Psalm 24 to help us pray that God would come to us as our Savior and King. This is not only a past or future event; He comes to us now to bring us life and sa...

Rev. Andrew Jagow, pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Alexandria, VA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #338, “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus.” This hymn from Charles Wesley teaches us to pray in expectation for our Lord to come. Although waiting is not a favorite pastime for most people, it is an essential discipline for Christians so that we would expect and prepare...

Rev. Tim Koch, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Linn, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #337, “The Night Will Soon Be Ending.” Jochen Klepper wrote this powerful text while he was living during the beginning of the Third Reich in pre-World War II Germany. That context of growing despair makes the hope of the hymn all the more powerful. Although the darkness of sin,...

Rev. James Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #336, “Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending.” This Advent text from Charles Wesley points us toward Christ’s coming on the Last Day. We look for His return expectantly, knowing that He is the One who was crucified for our sins. Everyone will see Jesus on that Day. Those w...

Rev. Carl Roth, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #334, “O Lord, How Shall I Meet You.” Paul Gerhardt’s Advent text helps us to prepare to welcome the Lord with joy, knowing that He is the One who prepares us to meet Him. As the Palm Sunday crowds once welcomed Jesus with palms and praises, so we continue to greet Jesus with...

Rev. Dr. Christian Preus, pastor at Mount Hope Lutheran Church and School in Casper WY, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #333, “Once He Came in Blessing.” This hymn by Johann Horn takes us through the three comings of Christ. In His incarnation, Christ came to bless us as He came in humility to bear the cross for our salvation. Now, in the preaching of His Word and in t...

Rev. James Yonkers, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Danville, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #332, “Savior of the Nations, Come.” Written in the 300s by Ambrose of Milan, this hymn teaches us to pray that Jesus would come to us as the Savior. He made His home among us in His incarnation, and He still makes His home with us in His Church. The hymn speaks of t...

“The Hymns of Advent'' is a series on Sharper Iron that looks at a variety of the hymns found in the Advent section Lutheran Service Book. The season of Advent prepares us for Christ’s coming. The hymns of Advent teach that this is more than getting ready for Christmas; the Word of the Lord sung in hymnody helps us to receive Christ as He comes to us now in the means of grace and when He comes aga...

(Enjoy some favorite previous Sharper Iron episodes as Pastor Appel moves to a new call. A new series for Advent begins November 28!) 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...

(Enjoy some favorite previous Sharper Iron episodes as Pastor Appel moves to a new call. A new series for Advent begins November 28!) 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 pri...

(Enjoy some favorite previous Sharper Iron episodes as Pastor Appel moves to a new call. A new series for Advent begins November 28!) Rev. Harrison Goodman, pastor at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Deuteronomy 8:1-10. Before the LORD brings Israel into the Promised Land, Moses invites the people to reflect upon the goodness of the LORD’s comm...

(Enjoy some favorite previous Sharper Iron episodes as Pastor Appel moves to a new call. A new series for Advent begins November 28!) Rev. Ryan Ogrodowicz, associate pastor and headmaster at Grace Lutheran Church in Brenham, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Proverbs 28:1-28. Though unbelievers face the world with fear, Christians have boldness because their confidence is in Christ. Such...

(Enjoy some favorite previous Sharper Iron episodes as Pastor Appel moves to a new call. A new series for Advent begins November 28!) Rev. Andrew Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Haven, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 145. The structure of Psalm 145 as an acrostic poem serves to underline the complete nature of God’s reign as King over all. His Kingdom is eternal, c...

(Enjoy some favorite previous Sharper Iron episodes as Pastor Appel moves to a new call. A new series for Advent begins November 28!) 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 mo...

(Enjoy some favorite previous Sharper Iron episodes as Pastor Appel moves to a new call. A new series for Advent begins November 28!) 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 Psalm 105. Psalm 105 calls upon God’s people to praise Him for His grace shown to them thr...

(Enjoy some favorite previous Sharper Iron episodes as Pastor Appel moves to a new call. A new series for Advent begins November 28!) 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...

(Enjoy some favorite previous Sharper Iron episodes as Pastor Appel moves to a new call. A new series for Advent begins November 28!) Rev. Chris Hull, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Tomball, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 96. The Church’s song is always new because the Church sings of the saving works that God has done in bringing about His new creation. Though the world sings...

(Enjoy some favorite previous Sharper Iron episodes as Pastor Appel moves to a new call. A new series for Advent begins November 28!) 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 i...

Rev. Jason Kaspar, pastor at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in La Grange, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Joshua 24:16-33. The people respond to Joshua’s charge by promising their faithfulness, which is the right response. Joshua reminds them that such faithfulness is only possible through the LORD’s faithfulness to them; Israel must not place their hope in their own willpower. Joshua says...

Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Joshua 24:1-15. Joshua gives his final farewell address to Israel at Shechem, a key location in the history of God’s promise to Abraham. There, Joshua reminds the people of the way God called Abraham out of his idolatry and made him the promise of many offspring. The LORD fulfilled that prom...

Rev. John Bussman, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cullman, AL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Joshua 23:1-16. After some time has passed, Joshua is old and advanced in years, and he knows that his death will be coming soon. He reminds Israel of all that God has done for them in giving them the Promised Land and driving out the idolaters from Canaan. He encourages Israel to be fait...