Thy Strong Word from KFUO Radio

Rev. John Shank, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church & School in Edwardsville, IL joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 2:1-12. The Magi were outside the normal expectation. They were from an unbelieving, Gentile land who were looking for the King of the Jews. The LORD used this time to proclaim the truth of where Christ was born, the true King. We are reminded that, due to sin, we are foreigner...

Rev. Jason Shockman, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Oconomowoc, WI joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 1. What are the origins of Christ? Matthew lays out his goal to show the kingly rule of Christ by showing that He came from royalty. But his kingly rule was not of lording over people, but we see his compassion by highlighting the inclusion of “outsider women” (Tamar, Rahab, Rut...

Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Gibbs, professor emeritus of exegetical theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and author of the three Concordia Commentary volumes on Matthew, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to introduce the Gospel of Matthew. Find the Commentaries on Matthew at cph.org. Christ’s Reign has come. Christ’s reign continues. His reign is coming. His mercy is beyond our understanding as we commit sins....

Rev. Dr. Jason Wagner, pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in High Ridge, MO joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 135. Boast in the LORD? The Psalmist literally tells us that we boast, not in ourselves, but in the work of God in the past and His work today. Why should we praise Him? He is great. He has defeated his enemies. He is above everything. He controls heaven and earth. He has compas...

Rev. Dr. Curtis Deterding, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Myers, FL joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Song of Songs 8. The Shulamite and Solomon give the last words of love. The LORD’s love brings His protection, guidance, and bearing fruit in love to others. The bride yearned to have her husband put his seal on her and make haste to return. In the same way the LORD puts his seal of g...

Rev. David Boisclair, pastor of Faith and Bethesda Lutheran Church in Pine Lawn, MO joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Song of Songs 7. Solomon expresses his deep love for the Shulamite by highlighting her beauty from head to toe. The desire to be together was beyond emotions but the beauty of the consummation of marriage. This desire to be united as one reminds us of the mystery of our unity in Ch...

Rev. Dr. Allan Buss, District President of the Northern Illinois District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Song of Songs 6. Solomon and the Shulamite woman desire to be together. The others call them back together and we hear the yearning of this couple to be united as one. The same happens with our life in Christ. We are united with Him, waiting for the fin...

Rev. David Fleming, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church and School in Grand Rapids, MI & Executive Director of Spiritual Care with DOXOLOGY, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Song of Songs 5. Learn more about DOXOLOGY at doxology.us. The Shulamite woman praises her husband, although she has moments of apathy, it is Solomon she desires. She realizes there is none like him and he loves her as she l...

Rev. Stewart Crown, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Palo Alto, CA joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Song of Songs 4. The Shulamite woman knows she is not perfect. Solomon speaks to her and pulls her into his framework by proclaiming what he knows to be true—She is beautiful from head to toe. Solomon not only proclaims her beauty but provides all the most expensive fruits, spices, & fragr...

Rev. Jeremy Klaustermeier of St. John Lutheran Church in Warrenton, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Song of Songs 3. The Shulamite woman had a dream, which is more like a nightmare, where she could not find her groom. The anxiety and fear of losing someone you love, even for a moment, is one of the worst nightmares we can imagine. Yet, the king does not stay far away, but comes in glory...

Rev. Dr. Nathan Meador, Executive Assistant for Mission and Mercy for the South Wisconsin District in Milwaukee, WI joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Song of Songs 2. Roses, lilies, apple trees, and fig trees. We see a vision of the church, not only as a bride of Christ, but as ones who are battling in a sinful and broken world. The church is like a rose among the thorns, the lily among the b...

Rev. John Lukomski, co-host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Song of Songs 1. Find Wrestling with the Basics at kfuo.org/WrestlingWithTheBasics. The Shulamite woman admits her failures and she pleads with her husband to “draw me after you.” She is dark and lowly, but by grace the king sees her as a bride without blemish. The love of Solomon for the Shula...

Rev. Dr. Christopher Mitchell, Concordia Commentary Editor at Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO joins Rev. Brady Finnern to start off our study of Song of Songs. Find the Concordia Commentary for Song of Songs at cph.org/p-683-Song-of-Songs-Concordia-Commentary.aspx. Solomon, in the prime of his life, writes concerning the deep love for his Shulamite bride. The LORD gives us a glimpse of H...

Rev. Bill Cwirla, retired from parish ministry in Port Angeles, Washington, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 136. God’s steadfast love is a covenantal love. A love that He promised to be everlasting in Christ’s cross. The Psalmist proclaims the truth that our thanksgiving stands on two pillars: Creation and Redemption. Creation is His first act of love. He orders everything relatio...

Rev. Steven Theiss, vacancy pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Psalm 137. The Israelites sat by the river in Babylon in grief. They were in captivity and were asked to sing. How often are we able to sing when in despair? The time we like to sing is for times of joy, not while in angst. The Israelites wrote this psalm remembering the “good old...

Rev. John Rickert, pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Newark, Delaware, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 138. David gives thanks to the LORD with His whole heart. He gives thanks that His name is above all names, He gives strength, sustains us in trouble. Keep praying saints as He remembers the lowly, those who recognize their need for the LORD, and fulfills His purpose for...

Rev. Paul Cain, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church and Martin Luther Grammar School in Sheridan, WY joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 14. David pulls out many difficult words as he laments. “There is none who does good, not even one.” We all fall short of the glory of God, corruption is real for each one of us, and our only chance for salvation is God. The LORD assures us that He is...

Rev. Chris Matthis, pastor of Epiphany Lutheran Church in Castle Rock, CO joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 13. “How long, O LORD?” David laments as he does not see a way out of his situation. How often do you feel that way? “How long will you forget me forever?” The brokenness of this life was felt by David and by us. The LORD allows us to lament to Him as He is patient and He has...

Rev. Dr. John Nunes, interim pastor of Lutheran Church of St. John the Evangelist, Brooklyn, NY and author of the book, Meant for More: In, with, and under the ordinary, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to end our study of Ecclesiastes. Find Dr. Nunes' book at cph.org/meantformore. Solomon invites us into a poetic reflection on our life. First, the avoidance of meaningless and secondly, the urgency of bei...

Rev. Tom Eckstein of Concordia Lutheran Church in Jamestown, ND, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Ecclesiastes 11. Plunge onward. God is in control. Be generous. God is generous with us. Enjoy the days He has given. God provides. Rejoice in the LORD no matter the life situation. God provides all that we need in Christ. We live out the line “Carpe Diem”, not as a reason to deny our daily voca...

Rev. John Shank of Trinity Lutheran Church & School in Edwardsville, IL joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Ecclesiastes 10. Trust in the LORD. Be prepared, be careful and plan ahead. Humanity has been in a constant state of rebellion since Adam and Eve which leads us down paths that are not pleasing to Him or loving to others. Solomon slowly unpacks our reality of rebellion which gets revealed in o...

Rev. John Lukomski, co-host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Ecclesiastes 9. Find Wrestling with the Basics at kfuo.org/WrestlingWithTheBasics. The same event happens to all: Death. Solomon gives us a glimpse of life without the LORD, which easily leads us to despair. The grace of our LORD allows us to lament these realities, but He pulls us back to Him...

Rev. Dr. Brian Kachelmeier, pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Las Alamos, NM joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Ecclesiastes 8. Wisdom comes from God by the Holy Spirit through Christ. By His Wisdom, in faith, He makes our face shine and have peace by His work. Although the wheels of justice move slowly, God’s day is now as we wait for the day He returns. Evil will not win the day. Christ has h...

Rev. Jacob Heine of Faith Lutheran Church in Topeka, KS joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Ecclesiastes 7:14-29. Consider God. The words are very simple, yet, we consider ourselves more than Him. Solomon reflects back on his “vain” life seeing his own faults, lamenting his past while realizing that everyone has their own sins and we all come to the cross deserving death. This is why He tells u...

Rev. Dr. Curtis Deterding, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Myers, FL joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Ecclesiastes 7:1-13. Solomon was a realist. He didn’t try to make it sound like everything was perfect, but proclaims our need to see the real brokenness of the world (mourning, sorrow, and death) in order to fully understand the need of the cross and a new heart. Laughter and flatter...