Sharper Iron from KFUO Radio

Rev. Matt Ulmer, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bishop, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 9:14-29. While Peter, James, and John struggled to understand the events of Jesus’ transfiguration on the mountain, the other nine disciples struggled with unbelief down the mountain. Despite their previous successes, they were now unable to cast out a demon in Jesus’ absence. Jesus lamen...

Rev. Phil 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 Mark 9:2-13. Jesus’ trip with Peter, James, and John up a high mountain recalls the Old Testament revelations the LORD gave to His people on mountains. On this high mountain, Jesus’ appearance and clothes are transformed by the divine glory that is H...

Rev. Dan Speckhard, pastor at St. Peter Lutheran Church and School in North Judson, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 8:27-9:1. As Jesus prepares for His journey south to Jerusalem, He goes to the northern region of Israel. He eases His disciples into answering the question that stands at the center of the Gospel: “Who is Jesus?” The answers of the people in Israel are on the right t...

Rev. Ryan Ogrodowicz, associate pastor and headmaster at Grace Lutheran Church and School in Brenham, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 8:22-26. In this transitional text, Jesus goes to Bethsaida, placing Him in a region where there is both Jewish and Gentile influence. As in previous accounts, people bring to Jesus a man in need; in this case, a blind man is brought for Jesus to tou...

Rev. Gaven Mize, pastor at Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hickory, NC, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 8:11-21. After several miracles received through faith in Gentile territory, Jesus returns to Jewish territory, only to be met by unbelief. The Pharisees seek a sign from Jesus, a demand springing from their unbelief and serving as a temptation for Jesus to avoid the cross....

Rev. Stephen Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 8:1-10. When St. Mark states that the feeding of the 4,000 took place “in those days,” he gives more than just a time indicator; he signals that Jesus is actively ushering in the reign of God. Still in Gentile territory, Jesus has been surrounded by a great crowd hungering for the Word...

Rev. Carl Roth, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 7:31-37. Jesus continues His ministry among the Gentiles by taking a circuitous route from Tyre to return to the Decapolis. The people there bring to Him a man who is both deaf and mute, asking in faith for Jesus to touch the man with healing. Jesus draws the man aside privately and communicat...

Rev. Sean Daenzer, director of worship for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and chaplain for the International Center, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to answer listener email concerning the synoptic Gospels and to study Mark 7:24-30. As Jesus enters again into Gentile territory, His trip takes Him to the particularly notorious area of Tyre and Sidon. This home of the wicked Queen Jezebel is certa...

Rev. Kyle Mietzner, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Anchorage, AK, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 7:14-23. Jesus takes the religious leaders’ challenge about unwashed hands as an opportunity to teach about true defilement and true cleanliness. Defilement does not come from without but from within a person. When His disciples fail to grasp the truth, Jesus chastises their lack of und...

Rev. Tim Storck, pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Chesterfield Township, MI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 7:1-13. The Pharisees and scribes ignore the wondrous miracles of Jesus and confront Him again for the practices of His disciples. Jesus’ disciples did not ritually wash their hands in the manner prescribed by the oral tradition that the Pharisees and Jews regarded as...

Rev. Caleb Adams, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bend, OR, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 6:45-56. Jesus has not forgotten the rest that His disciples need. After feeding the large crowd, Jesus sends His disciples before Him to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. He remains alone to pray concerning His Father’s will for the salvation of sinners. By now it is late, and the disc...

Rev. Chris Hull, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Tomball, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 6:30-44. The apostles had gone out to teach and act with Jesus’ authority. Having handed out the Lord’s gifts, they return to Jesus in need of Him to give to them yet again. He calls them away to a desolate place for that purpose, but the crowds continue to hunger and thirst for Jesus’ gifts...

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 Mark 6:14-29. The spread of Jesus’ name throughout Israel provides St. Mark the opportunity to recount the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist. Thoughts about who Jesus is swirl among the people, though these ideas are incorrect or inco...

Rev. Joel Heckmann, pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Okarche, OK, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 6:1-13. When Jesus returns to Nazareth, the town where He was raised, the reaction is sinister. The people there believe they can know Jesus according to His family or His profession, and they stumble into unbelief when they hear Him preach. They do not recognize Jesus as the Prophe...

Rev. Nate Hill, pastor at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Winchester, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 5:21-43. Jesus crosses back to Galilee and is met by the same large crowds as before. The ruler of the synagogue, Jairus, comes to Jesus in faith that the Lord will be able to heal Jairus’ daughter. Jesus’ journey to Jairus’ house is interrupted by a woman whose social standing co...

Rev. Sam Wirgau, pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ossian, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 5:1-20. Jesus makes His first foray into Gentile territory. There He confronts the same enemy who attacks the children of Israel. A man possessed by an unclean spirit meets Jesus as soon as He steps off the boat on the other side of the Sea of Galilee. This unclean spirit is the epitome...

Rev. Peter Ill, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 4:35-41. Jesus’ ministry transitions from a time of teaching to a time of miracles. He calls His disciples to go with Him across the Sea of Galilee to the other side. In trust of His Heavenly Father, Jesus sleeps in the boat even as a great windstorm arises. The disciples wake Jesus, thi...

Rev. Dr. Adam Koontz, assistant professors of exegetical theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 4:26-34. Jesus’ parables make use of agricultural imagery to teach that the growth in the kingdom of God is due to His work. As a seed sprouts and grows in ways that are mysterious to the farmer, so the kingdom of God grows through the wo...

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 Mark 4:21-25. Jesus continues to teach in parables in order to proclaim His rule and reign for sinners. He compares Himself to a lamp that is meant to be set on a stand. Though at the time Jesus spoke the parable, His light was not fully seen, He...

Rev. Andy Wright, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 4:1-20. As the crowds continue to gather around Him, Jesus’ ministry of teaching takes Him into a boat to begin to speak in parables. His first parable calls those around Him to listen. He tells about a sower who casts his seed indiscriminately on four different types of soil. Only in...

Rev. Jeff Hemmer, pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Fairview Heights, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 3:20-35. Questions concerning Jesus continue to swirl as He returns home to Capernaum. In an attempt to rescue the family name, Jesus’ family claims that He is crazy. The scribes have a far more sinister accusation; they claim that Jesus is possessed by a demon and working in co...

Rev. Sean Kilgo, pastor at the Northeast Kansas Lutheran Partnership, goes “Back to the Forge” with host Rev. Timothy Appel to discuss the seven attributes of Scripture. What do we mean when we say that the Bible is God’s Word? How does the devil attack our faith in the Word of God? Knowing and confessing the seven attributes of Holy Scripture provides a strong defense. 1) Inspiration: Jesus said...

Rev. James Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 3:7-19. Jesus gathers the lost sheep of the house of Israel to Himself as He preaches and teaches throughout Israel. As the crowd surrounds Him at the Sea of Galilee again, He has His disciples bring a boat so that He can continue His ministry of teaching. He continues to heal and cast o...

Rev. David Appold, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Paducah, KY, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 2:23-3:6. The first round of confrontation between Jesus and His opponents crescendos on a Sabbath. Although the LORD had established this day of rest for the purpose of His people hearing His Word and rejoicing in His work of creation and redemption, by Jesus’ day, the Pharisees had...

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 Mark 2:18-22. Jesus’ teaching on the forgiveness of sins has drawn questions and created scandal. Though the disciples of John and the Pharisees seem like an unlikely pair, they find common ground in questioning Jesus concerning His practice of...