Sharper Iron from KFUO Radio

Rev. Joel Haak, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rochester, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 30:1-24. The LORD commands His prophet to write down His words, words that now turn to consolation as Jeremiah begins what is often called his “Book of Comfort.” The LORD’s promises of healing and restoration are given not only to Judah, but to all the children of Jacob. Sharp transi...

Rev. Mark Barz, pastor at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 29:15-32. Jeremiah continues his letter to the exiles by warning them against the false prophets who are active even there in Babylon. Jeremiah reminds them of the truth that those who remain in Judah and Jerusalem will be visited by sword, famine, and pestilence. False proph...

Rev. AJ Espinosa, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Irvine, CA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 29:1-14. Jeremiah writes a letter in order to proclaim the Word of God to the exiles in Babylon. The LORD tells His people in Babylon to settle down and make a home there. The exiles are to marry and give in marriage; they are to pray for Babylon and seek its welfare. This does not...

Rev. James Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 28:1-17. Hananiah begins his lying sermon just as Jeremiah is wrapping up his warning against the false prophets. Hananiah promises that the LORD will break the yoke of Babylon and bring the vessels of the temple and the exiles back to Jerusalem--precisely what Jeremiah said wouldn’t...

Rev. Carl Roth, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 27:1-22. The LORD tells Jeremiah to make a yoke for himself in order to preach His Word to nations. As a yoke places an animal under the control of its master, so the nations who have been attempting to ally against Babylon will be placed under the control of Nebuchadnezzar. Those who atte...

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 Jeremiah 26:1-24. Only three months after the reign of the faithful King Josiah, the evil King Jehoiakim ascended the throne of Judah. In that context, Jeremiah was sent by the LORD to preach against Jerusalem in the temple....

Rev. Chris Hull, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Tomball, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 25:15-29. The LORD gives the cup of His wrath to Jeremiah in order that His prophet would make the nations drink it. Jeremiah does as the LORD instructs and lists the nations near and far who will drink the LORD’s wrath. The list begins with the people of God in Judah; they are not exemp...

Rev. Andrew Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Guttenberg, IA and St. Paul Lutheran Church in McGregor, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 25:1-14. The beginning of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign in Babylon marked a crossroads for Jerusalem. With Egypt off his back, Jehoiakim thought that this could be the chance for Judah to break free from other nations politically. Into that s...

Rev. Tim Storck, pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Chesterfield, MI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 24:1-10. About 597 BC, Nebuchadnezzar took into exile King Jehoiachin, his mother, the craftsmen, the officials, and other leading citizens of Jerusalem. At that time, the LORD showed Jeremiah a vision of two baskets of figs. The first was full of the best figs imaginable;...

Rev. Andy Wright, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 23:9-40. The LORD gives Jeremiah a word to speak against the lying prophets. Their false preaching has gone hand-in-hand with their godless living, leading the people of Judah astray. The LORD warns His people not to listen to these false prophets, for the hope they offer is all in...

Rev. John Bussman, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cullman, AL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 23:1-8. The LORD will not tolerate the way the faithless leaders of Judah are abusing His people. The kings were called to be faithful shepherds to lead and protect God’s people according to His Word, but these shepherds had allied themselves with the work of the devil. The LORD...

Rev. Mike Newman, president of the Texas District of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 22:11-30. Jeremiah speaks specifically against the three evil kings of Judah who follow the righteous king Josiah. Shallum, also known as Jehoahaz, only reigned for three months following the death of Josiah. Shallum is told that he will never return to his plac...

Rev. Matt Wietfeldt, Director of Admissions and the Christ Academy program at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 21:11-22:10. The LORD speaks to the Davidic kings of Judah to remind them of their calling to execute justice for the people of God. Their evil deeds will not go unpunished; their location in Jerusalem will not protect them f...

Rev. Joel Heckmann, pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Okarche, OK, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 21:1-10. As King Zedekiah watched the army of Babylon gather around Jerusalem with the intent of complete destruction, he inquired of the LORD through Jeremiah as a desperate last-ditch effort. The LORD remained consistent in His response; Jerusalem would fall to Babylon. The LO...

Rev. Nate Hill, pastor at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Winchester, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 20:1-18. Passhur the priest listened to Jeremiah’s preaching concerning the broken flask, and he didn’t like what the prophet of the LORD had to say. He beat Jeremiah and put him in the stocks, a foreshadowing of Jesus’ passion. Upon his release, Jeremiah proclaimed judgment u...

Rev. Vance Becker, LCMS missionary serving as a theological educator at Neema Lutheran College in Matongo, Kenya, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 19:1-15. Learn more about Rev. Becker and how to support his work at lcms.org/becker. The LORD gives Jeremiah another object lesson from the world of pottery. He tells His prophet to take a clay jug along with some of the elders to the Va...

Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX; Rev. Jason M. Kaspar, pastor at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in La Grange, TX; and Rev. Nate Hill, pastor at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Winchester, TX, join host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 18:1-23. The LORD sends Jeremiah to the house of a potter to observe the way the potter worked and reworked his clay. The LORD...

Rev. Sam Wirgau, pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ossian, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 17:14-27. Jeremiah calls upon the LORD to heal and save him in the face of his persecutors. He has preached faithfully and expects the LORD to be his refuge. The faithful prophet asks the LORD to spare him from the shame and dismay that will come upon those who persecute. The LORD th...

Rev. Peter Ill, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 17:1-13. Judah’s sin is permanently engraved into their hearts. Though this writing is unseen to human eyes, their idolatrous sacrifices at numerous altars and high places shows the depth of their depravity. For this idolatry, the LORD will cast them out of the land. What hope is the...

Rev. Sean Kilgo, pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lawrence, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 16:1-21. The LORD gives Jeremiah another enacted prophecy by commanding him to forgo marriage and children, funerals and feasts. Such good gifts of God will not be enjoyed in the Promised Land anymore because the people of Judah have forsaken the LORD from one generation to the next...

Rev. Dr. Thomas Egger, president of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 15:1-21. Jeremiah preaches in one of the most painful times in the history of Israel. The LORD tells Jeremiah that even if the greatest intercessors from the past were to pray for His people, still He would not relent. The sins of Manasseh were the tipping point, and His people...

Rev. Andrew Jagow, pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Alexandria, VA joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 14:1-22. Jeremiah preaches to the people of Judah in the midst of a horrific drought. Droughts were common in the history of Israel. Theologically, a drought was one of the covenant curses from Deuteronomy 28, by which the LORD intended to call His people to repentance. In respons...

Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX, goes “Back to the Forge” with host Rev. Timothy Appel to answer listener email concerning false teaching. What is decision theology, and why is it contrary to the true teaching from God’s Word concerning salvation by grace through faith in Christ? What should you do if you think your pastor is preaching falsely? What is the diffe...

Rev. Dr. Jeff Pulse, the Dr. Dean O. Wenthe professor of Old Testament Theology, director of certification and placement, and director of continuing education at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 13:15-27. The people of Judah and Jerusalem must do what they have not yet done; they must listen to the LORD’s Word. If they do not forsake...

Rev. Tim Koch, pastor at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank, SD, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 13:1-14. The LORD gives Jeremiah an enacted prophecy through the prophet’s purchase of a linen loincloth. At the LORD’s command, Jeremiah noticeably wears it for a time in front of the people of Judah before burying it for a time. When the LORD tells Jeremiah to take his loincloth again...