Podcasts about holy scripture

How is love of money so evil? Ecclesiastes 4:7–12 looks forward to the call to worship in public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that love of money rejects both the fellowship of God and the fellowship of man. The family devotional lesson explores the vanity and misfortune of pursuing labor solely for personal gain, emphasizing the necessity of fellowship with God and with others for a meaningful life. Drawing from Ecclesiastes 4, it argues that true purpose and strength are found not in isolated striving but in relationships—both human and divine—where mutual support and God's presence provide comfort, resilience, and lasting significance. Ultimately, the message underscores that God's presence is the essential third strand that binds human connections, transforming individual efforts into a source of shared blessing and enduring purpose.

Joel answers the question from the end of the previous text. The one who endures the great and awesome day of the LORD is the one who returns to the LORD in repentance. Such repentance is not only an outward mourning, but true inward grief over sin. Such repentance is for all people and must not be delayed. Such repentance is the gift of God, whose grace and mercy draws us to Him in confession of our sins, trusting that He will be faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  Rev. Philip Hoppe, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Colby, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Joel 2:12-17.  To learn more about Trinity Lutheran, visit trinitycolby.org. “Majoring in the Minors” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Hosea, Joel, Jonah, Micah, and Nahum. Although the books of these prophets are shorter, the Word of God they preached was important in the years leading up to the coming of the Christ, and that Word remains important for the Church today. Just as we still need to listen to their call to repentance over our idolatry, so we still need to heed their call to trust in the Savior, Jesus.  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. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

In this message, Chip lays out four very specific ways God reveals His goodness and how you can be sure not to miss out on any of it.Defining the goodness of God-Revealed to Moses: (Exodus 33:19; 34:5-7)Moses' request: “Show me Your glory.” -Exodus 33:18God's promise: “All My goodness will pass before you.” -Exodus 33:19God's answer: Exodus 34:5-7-Packer's observation:“Within the cluster of God's moral perfections there is one in particular to which the term ‘goodness' points – the quality which God specially singled out from the whole when proclaiming ‘all his goodness' to Moses, He spoke of Himself as ‘abundant in goodness and truth' (Exodus 34:6). This is the quality of generosity.”“Generosity expresses the simple wish that others should have what they need to make them happy.” -J.I. Packer, Knowing God-Tozer's definition:“The goodness of God is that which disposes Him to be kind, cordial, benevolent, and full of good will toward men. He is tenderhearted and of quick sympathy… By His nature He is inclined to bestow blessedness and He takes holy pleasure in the happiness of His people.” -A.W. Tozer, Knowledge of the Holy-Scripture's declaration: Psalm 84:11How does God reveal His goodness to us?Through NATURAL blessings -Psalm 145:7-9, 16-17Through SPECIFIC deliverances -Psalm 107Through HIS SON, Jesus -Romans 5:8; 8:32How are we to respond to God's goodness?REPENT and receive God's greatest good gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. -Romans 2:4SURRENDER your life and future fully to the lordship of Christ. -Romans 12:1CLAIM God's promise that you will NEVER miss out on any good thing as long as you live. -Psalm 84:11Broadcast ResourceThe Real God ResourcesMessage NotesAdditional Resource MentionsDaily DiscipleshipJ.I. Packer - Knowing GodConnect888-333-6003WebsiteChip Ingram AppInstagramFacebookTwitterPartner With UsDonate Online888-333-6003

It's Monday, September 8th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Russian pastor sent to prison labor camp for sermon On September 3, Russian Pastor Nikolay Romanyuk, age 63, was found guilty of making “Public calls to implement activities directed against the security of the Russian Federation,” reports International Christian Concern.   Despite the Russian pastor's age and poor health conditions, the court sentenced him to four years in a prison labor camp.   In a statement before the court, Pastor Romanyuk said, “Yes, I gave a sermon in which I touched on military, albeit forced, murder. I do not retract what I said. I set forth my personal view and attitude towards the taking of a human life. This is my personal attitude as a clergyman.”  Pastor Romanyuk gave his now-criminal sermon a week after Russia partially mobilized its forces against Ukraine in September 2022 at the Holy Trinity Pentecostal Church in a suburb of Moscow, Russia.   From the pulpit, Romanyuk preached, “It was written in our [church] doctrine that we are pacifists and cannot participate in this. It is our right to profess this on the basis of Holy Scripture.”  Svetlana Zhukova, Pastor Romanyuk's daughter, wrote on social media, “Imagine, Dad was convicted for his opinion, his position. There is no crime. Not a single person suffered from his actions. The state did not suffer at all.”  Acts 5:29 says, “We must obey God rather than men.”  Ted Cruz torches Tim Kaine for describing God-given rights as 'very, very troubling' Here in America, on September 3rd, the U.S. Foreign Relations Committee addressed the nomination of Riley Barnes to be Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. In response to Barnes' introductory statement before the committee, Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia objected to Barnes who underscored Secretary of State Marco Rubio's assertion that our rights come from God, not government, reports The Christian Post. Listen. KAINE: “This is a quote from Secretary Rubio, our rights come from God, our Creator, not from our laws, not from our governments. I find that very, very troubling. … “The notion that our rights do not come from our laws or our government should make people very, very nervous, because people of any religious tradition, or none, are entitled to the equal protection of the laws under the 14th Amendment. It shouldn't matter what their religious background is, what they think about God or the Creator, what their church affiliation is.” Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, another member of the U.S. Foreign Relations Committee, took issue with Senator Kaine. CRUZ: “Senator Kaine said, in this hearing, that he found it a radical and dangerous notion that you would say, ‘Our rights came from God and not from government.' I just walked into the hearing as he was saying that and I almost fell out of my chair, because that ‘radical and dangerous notion,' in his words, is literally the founding principle upon which the United States of America was created. “And if you do not believe me, then you can believe perhaps the most prominent Virginian to ever serve, Thomas Jefferson, who wrote, in the Declaration of Independence, ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, and that they are endowed by their Creator,' -- not by government, not by the Democratic National Committee, but by God, -- ‘with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.' “I have to say, it is stunning to me that the principle that God has given us natural rights is now deemed by Democrats some radical and dangerous notion. Mr. Jefferson was right when he wrote those words. Government exists to protect those rights.” Christian foster parents sue Massachusetts for requiring them to support ‘gender transitions' A pair of Christian foster families in Massachusetts is suing the state for barring them from fostering more children based on their refusal to affirm gender confusion among kids in their care, reports LifeSiteNews.com. Alliance Defending Freedom is representing Nick and Audrey Jones, who have cared for seven small children since 2023; and Greg and Marianelly Schrock, who have cared for 28 children since 2019. Despite both couples effectively providing needed, loving homes without incident, the Massachusetts Department of Children & Families decided they can no longer continue to do so unless they're willing to affirm the gender confusion of future kids placed with them, including support for so-called “gender transitioning” and the use of biologically inaccurate pronouns. Their attorneys said, what Massachusetts is doing “is a violation of foster parents' religious freedom under the First Amendment as well as a reckless rejection of needed homes for orphaned or abandoned children.” Matthew 18:6 says, “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in Me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” Jimmy Stewart's World War II heroism and his father's promise to pray And finally, do you recognize this voice? “Mary, I know what I'm gonna do tomorrow and the next day and next year, and the year after that. I'm shaking the dust of this crummy little town off my feet, and I'm gonna see the world: Italy, Greece, the Parthenon, the Colosseum. Then, I'm coming back here and go to college and see what they know. And then I'm gonna build things. I'm gonna build airfields, I'm gonna build skyscrapers a hundred  stories high. I'm going to build bridges a mile long.” If you guessed Jimmy Stewart, you're right.  He is the actor who famously portrayed George Bailey in the Christmas film “It's A Wonderful Life.” You'll be glad to know that Hollywood is now producing a movie about Stewart's life entitled “Jimmy” starring K.J. Apa, reports FaithWire.com. After earning five Oscars, Stewart felt somewhat of a “hollowness.” At that time in the early 1940s, the world's instability was coming to a head, with war clouds on the horizon. Stewart made a stunning decision. He had been a private pilot, but he decided to enlist in the Army Air Corps. He said, “I want to be something more than just a Tinseltown hero. I wanted to serve my country, serve my fellow Americans.” Stewart became a squadron commander — a job that involved leading thousands of men in bombing runs during the war. His father, Alexander, who will be portrayed by Neil McDonough, wrote a  letter which he slipped into Jimmy's uniform pocket before he went and that included a copy of Psalm 91, a Scripture which underscores the Lord's comfort and presence.  His dad wrote, “I will be praying for you the whole time you're away that God will be with you. You'll make it home safely.”  Jimmy Stewart kept that letter with him in his uniform on every mission that he went on. Providentially, the actor did make it back home, though he suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after seeing hundreds of his men shot down and killed. By the time Stewart left the battlefield, he was far from the Hollywood leading man he was before fighting on the frontlines. An old friend named Frank Capra, a Hollywood director who also served in World War II, told Stewart he had the “perfect role” for him.  It was “It's  A Wonderful Life.”  God used that film to re-energize Stewart's career. Alexander Stewart, his father, embodied the verse found in Malachi 4:6.  “[God] will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Monday, September 8th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

The LORD sounds His trumpet to proclaim His coming Day. His judgment on that Day is described with imagery of darkness, fire, locusts, chariots, and warriors, all reminiscent of the plagues against Egypt before the exodus. Those who have set themselves against the LORD will have no escape, for He is the One bringing His army. The only one who can endure the Day is the one who takes refuge in the LORD. Jesus has endured the wrath of God on the Day of the LORD in our place, so for us, the Day of the LORD at the end brings salvation and resurrection.  Rev. Harrison Goodman, Executive Director of Mission and Theology for Higher Things, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Joel 2:1-11.  To learn more about Higher Things, visit higherthings.org. “Majoring in the Minors” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Hosea, Joel, Jonah, Micah, and Nahum. Although the books of these prophets are shorter, the Word of God they preached was important in the years leading up to the coming of the Christ, and that Word remains important for the Church today. Just as we still need to listen to their call to repentance over our idolatry, so we still need to heed their call to trust in the Savior, Jesus.  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. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

The exiles have returned, the temple is rebuilt, and worship has resumed. Ezra has led the people in prayer, fasting, and thanksgiving. It feels like a high point. But almost immediately, the celebration collides with reality. In chapters 9 and 10, Ezra discovers that the people, priests and leaders included, have compromised themselves with the surrounding nations. The joy of restoration gives way to the grief of sin. Ezra falls on his knees, tearing his garments, confessing not only his own sin but the guilt of the whole community.  The Rev. James Preus, Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, IA, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Ezra 9 and 10.  To learn more about Trinity Lutheran, visit trinitylutheranottumwa.com. The Persian king Cyrus issues an astonishing decree: the exiles may go home. Among them are the Jews—God's chosen people—whom this pagan ruler not only repatriates, but commands to rebuild the temple of the Lord. Ezra 1–4 tells of their return, the joy of restored worship, and the crushing opposition that brings construction to a standstill. Then the prophets Haggai and Zechariah speak with God's authority, calling His people to courage, repentance, and hope. In Ezra 5–8 the temple is completed, worship flourishes, and hearts are renewed in God's Word. This series on Thy Strong Word follows the events in the order they happened, revealing how the Lord moves kings and prophets, overcomes opposition, and restores His people. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

If you were edified by this recording, please share it with others, leave a review and a comment on ApplePodcasts, Spotify, or any podcasting platform to help others find the faithful preaching of Holy Scripture. ___________________Subscribe & Share: • Apple Podcasts: Christ For You • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0q7o8mzLFcEBBVnrYBKYWx?si=UjpbczgJTtWPMG-_MgTSnQ • Website: https://www.zionwg.org/podcastStay Connected: • Email: PastorRojas@ZionWG.org • Website: ZionWG.org

John 9:1-12As [Jesus] walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God's works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man's eyes, saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see.The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” Some were saying, “It is he.” Others were saying, “No, but it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.' Then I went and washed and received my sight.” They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.” [I chose this morning's Gospel, not because I'm going to spend a lot of time unpacking it, directly, in response to today's question. I chose it – with the notion of Science and Scripture in mind – to simply show the gulf that exists between the life and times of Jesus in the First Century, and our own day and age. And how differently we are invited to understand Scripture because of that.The short of the long – and the obvious expression of this – is to see how the people around Jesus believed that that man's blindness was the result of divine judgment for his sins – or for the sins of his parents – and how he was cast-out and ostracized because of it. We know so much more than that now – and so did Jesus, it seems. Which is why his healing – and the point of the story – wasn't about a health problem or a physical defect.Just like those First Century onlookers, we want to pretend this story is about sickness or science, when really it's all about the forgiveness of sins and showing how wide and merciful God's love and forgiveness was, is, and can be, when we share it.]Anyway, shifting gears somewhat to today's question, which came through in a variety of ways from a variety of sources: Grace Notes, some conversations, the Men's Bible Study crew, and even a second-hand text from one of our college kids by way of his mother.I had tried to address it when we kicked off our last sermon series – the one from July, about Genesis, and the primeval mythology of its first 12 chapters. I threw out the phrase “LITERAL v. LITERATE,” and throughout that series Pastor Cogan and I tried to unpack the way those stories in Genesis (Creation, The Flood, The Fall, The Tower of Babel) speak to larger, universal, cosmic Truths, even if we aren't required to receive them as historically or scientifically accurate accounts.So, here is a list of the several questions we tried to summarize and roll up into today's single query:One was a series of non-sequiturs, asking about Creation in 7 days versus Evolution and the Big Bang Theory, dinosaurs, and how people add up the life-lengths and say that is the age of the earth, …etc.There was a reference to “Talking snakes,” the Nephilim, and the plural use of God in Genesis 3:22 – where God was apparently concerned that Adam and Eve would become like “one of us.”Did God actually walk in The Garden with Adam and Eve?How do you reconcile “time” in the Bible, including the ages of people? (Like how did Abraham live to be 175 years? Or Moses 120? Or Adam 930? Or Methuselah 969?)I don't want to be too simplistic, or to dismiss the thoughtfulness and concern over these kinds of questions. But I have to say that faithful people – especially rationally-thinking, scientifically-minded faithful people – have been making more of this than is necessary for far too long. It can be fun to do, don't get me wrong. And there may even be meaning to be found in some of it.But all of the math, numerology, guess-work and mental gymnastics it takes to “make sense of” what are often nothing more than literary devices or culturally particular context clues or plain-old hyperbole reminds me of the way Swifties dissect Taylor Swift's liner notes, album covers, wardrobe changes, or even the tchotchkes on the wall behind her during that interview with the Kelce brothers a couple of weeks ago. Again, it can be fun. And every once in a while you might find an Easter egg. But you don't have to go into those weeds in order to enjoy or find meaning in the music's big picture.The short of the long – where the Bible is concerned, is – we don't need to get into those weeds, do all of that math, or believe that Moses lived to be 120. Or that Methusela died at the ripe old age of 969. Or that Noah built a boat big enough to hold two of every creature on the planet, including the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Or that God jumped off of a cloud to walk with Adam and Eve.(For the record, even though I don't believe God left actual footprints in Eden, I did have a moment once at the cemetery in Lindsay, Ohio, where my maternal grandparents are buried, to the degree that I think I know what Genesis means when it says they heard the sound of God “walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze.”)Nonetheless, we don't always have to connect all of those confusing, confounding impossible dots, either.To put it plainly, the Bible is not a science book – and it doesn't pretend or need to be. Every part of it isn't a history book, either – and it doesn't pretend or need to be. The Bible is a book of books – oral history, letters, poems, songs, stories, prophecies, and more, that never intended to be collected, assembled, and bound into a single tome. Humans did that. Male humans – with power and privilege – did that. And we should be wary of what male humans with power and privilege can do with things like science, history, and the stories of people. (That may be another sermon or another day.)But in spite of that … still … by the grace of God, the Bible is beautiful and points us toward God's love and plan for creation at every turn – or it should. And that is how I hope we are inclined and inspired to read, receive, and report what we find in God's word through the pages of Scripture.Now, bear with me, but another way I have explained this, is to tell the story of my dad's Caesar Salad. My dad makes a mean Caesar Salad. It's been a while since I've had it, but growing up it was a staple, whenever we had family or friends over for a nice dinner. The dressing is made with, among other things, a raw egg, Worcestershire sauce, a ton of garlic, lemon juice, and anchovy paste. And even though I can picture him whipping up this concoction a million times while I was growing up, I never really realized or thought about what I was eating, until I asked for the recipe, the first time I tried to impress Christa for a Valentine's Day dinner when we were just dating, 500 years ago, back in the 1900's.(See what I did there? That's the kind of hyperbole that makes a point, without needing to be historically accurate. Bible writers did that too.)Anyway, the problem was, my dad never used a recipe when he made his Caesar Salad, so his instructions, delivered by e-mail and then over the phone, were more than a little vague. There were no measuring cups or Table spoons involved. It was, “Use one egg or two depending how much lettuce you have.” It was, “Use a lot of garlic. You can't really use too much garlic.” It was, “Throw in a couple of splashes of Worcestershire sauce.” And it was, “Squeeze a line of anchovy paste into it, about the length of a couple of knuckles.”Actually, the clearest – and most meaningful – instruction I received that first time around, after giving him grief for how impossibly unclear he was, was when he said, “Mark, you know what it's supposed to look and taste like when it's finished. Just make it like that.”All of this is to say – again – in answer to the question about if and how we are able to square Science with Scripture – is that we don't have to.Martin Luther described the Bible as a cradle that merely, but meaningfully, bears the Christ child. And it is a liberating relief for me to say that we don't worship the words in a book, we worship the Word made flesh, in Jesus.We worship Jesus – and the unmitigated, radical, counter-cultural, uncomfortable love and grace he shares. The love of God in Jesus is to be the heart and soul and goal of whatever we're reading into and pulling out of Holy Scripture. We are reading the Bible faithfully – we square science and scripture (or we liberate ourselves from checking our brains at the door or from trying to cram square pegs into round holes) – when and only when, the crucified and risen Jesus, the loving and living God, is what we receive and share through our best interpretations and our most humble understandings of what we find in its pages.My dad suggested that I'd know it when I saw it, tasted it, presented it, and shared his version of a Caesar Salad with Christa. Throughout Holy Scripture we are invited to see a whole picture of God's love and grace, in Jesus. Some stories seem harsh and unforgiving. Some are packed with immeasurable grace. So many ancient tales just can't be reconciled with our modern understanding of how the world works.But when we toss them all together and when we turn them over in our minds with hearts set on God's larger story and finished product of love, mercy, forgiveness, and hope, these stories tell a story of grace for the whole wide world that can't be measured or made sense of, no matter how hard we try to do the math or crunch the numbers. It all only makes sense and measures up by grace, through faith – not because of the words in a book, but because of in the Word of love, made flesh, in Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.

It is the Holy Scripture that is our Sword. Join us in the fight against deception, delusion and death.  Christ is King. Fritz Berggren www.bloodandfaith.com

Why are the Sadducees deceived? Matthew 22:23–33 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord's Day. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Sadducees are deceived because of their own ignorance of God and His Word. The devotional lesson addresses the Sadducees' challenge regarding the resurrection, using their hypothetical scenario of seven brothers and one wife to highlight their flawed understanding of Scripture and God's power. It argues that their meticulous focus on minor details of the law obscures the grand narrative of God as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—a living God who redeems and covenants with humanity. Pastor emphasizes that true theological understanding requires recognizing the entirety of Scripture, particularly the overarching themes of God's election, covenant, and redemption, ultimately calling for a marveling at Christ as Himself the God-Man Who has revealed Himself and His gospel in the Bible.

Join Chip as he shares a moment in time that changed everything he ever thought about God. Find out what caused the change, and how you can experience the very same thing in your life.Defining the goodness of God-Revealed to Moses: (Exodus 33:19; 34:5-7)Moses' request: “Show me Your glory.” -Exodus 33:18God's promise: “All My goodness will pass before you.” -Exodus 33:19God's answer: Exodus 34:5-7-Packer's observation:“Within the cluster of God's moral perfections there is one in particular to which the term ‘goodness' points – the quality which God specially singled out from the whole when proclaiming ‘all his goodness' to Moses, He spoke of Himself as ‘abundant in goodness and truth' (Exodus 34:6). This is the quality of generosity.”“Generosity expresses the simple wish that others should have what they need to make them happy.” -J.I. Packer, Knowing God-Tozer's definition:“The goodness of God is that which disposes Him to be kind, cordial, benevolent, and full of good will toward men. He is tenderhearted and of quick sympathy… By His nature He is inclined to bestow blessedness and He takes holy pleasure in the happiness of His people.” -A.W. Tozer, Knowledge of the Holy -Scripture's declaration: Psalm 84:11How does God reveal His goodness to us?Through NATURAL blessings -Psalm 145:7-9, 16-17Through SPECIFIC deliverances -Psalm 107Through HIS SON, Jesus -Romans 5:8; 8:32How are we to respond to God's goodness?REPENT and receive God's greatest good gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. -Romans 2:4SURRENDER your life and future fully to the lordship of Christ. -Romans 12:1CLAIM God's promise that you will NEVER miss out on any good thing as long as you live. -Psalm 84:11Broadcast ResourceThe Real God ResourcesMessage NotesAdditional Resource MentionsDaily DiscipleshipJ.I. Packer - Knowing GodConnect888-333-6003WebsiteChip Ingram AppInstagramFacebookTwitterPartner With UsDonate Online888-333-6003

Joel reveals very little of his historical context within his short book, but the word of the LORD that he is given to preach is for people of all times and places. Joel proclaims that all people must pay attention, for the LORD's judgment has come through an insatiable swarm of locusts. The resulting famine has led to mourning and languishing, in which the only appropriate response is repentance. The swarm of locusts proclaims the coming day of the LORD, when He acts in judgment. To those who refuse repentance, such judgment is destruction, but to those who trust in the LORD alone, His judgment comes as justification through Jesus.  Rev. James Hopkins, pastor at First Lutheran Church of Boston in Boston, MA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Joel 1:1-20.  To learn more about First Lutheran, visit flc-boston.org. “Majoring in the Minors” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Hosea, Joel, Jonah, Micah, and Nahum. Although the books of these prophets are shorter, the Word of God they preached was important in the years leading up to the coming of the Christ, and that Word remains important for the Church today. Just as we still need to listen to their call to repentance over our idolatry, so we still need to heed their call to trust in the Savior, Jesus.  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. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

In AD 325, over three hundred bishops gathered to answer a question that threatened to tear the church apart: Was Jesus Christ truly God, or merely the greatest of God's creatures? Their answer, refined at Constantinople in 381, became the Nicene Creed - the most universally confessed statement of Christian faith across all denominations. Pastor Tim Winterstein is the author of the new book “Worshiped and Glorified: A Study of the Nicene Creed,” available from Concordia Publishing House.  The Rev. Tim Winterstein, pastor of University Lutheran Church in Bloomington, IN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to discuss the Nicene Creed.  To learn more about University Lutheran, visit indianalutheran.com. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Why should God's people choose Him? Deuteronomy 7:1–11 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord's Day. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God's people choose Him, because He has chosen them in love. The devotional lesson emphasizes the critical importance of unwavering devotion to God, warning against any compromise or covenant with the world, particularly those who oppose Him. Drawing from Deuteronomy 7, it highlights that Israel's election is not based on merit but on God's sovereign love and faithfulness to His promises, demanding complete eradication of false religions and a rejection of worldly entanglements that could lead to idolatry. Ultimately, the message underscores that true safety and blessing lie not in covenant membership alone, but in a grace-given, faithful love and obedience to God, recognizing His faithfulness and the consequences of rejecting Him.

Having preached the condemnation that Israel's idolatry deserved, Hosea once more calls the people to return to the LORD in honest confession. He gives them words to speak that both acknowledge the guilt and folly of their idolatry and look to the LORD's mercy with faith. The LORD is quick with His promise. He speaks words of healing and love, in which He will cause His people to flourish in safety once again. Unlike idols that only make demands, the LORD promises only His gifts. Hosea calls Israel to hear the LORD's word with the wisdom of faith, walking in the way that leads to life. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of this promise, for He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.    Rev. Dr. John Bombaro, pastor at St. James Lutheran Church and School in Lafayette, IN and a chaplain for the LCMS serving with the 14th Marine Regiment, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Hosea 14:1-9.  To learn more about St. James Lutheran, visit stjameslaf.org. “Majoring in the Minors” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Hosea, Joel, Jonah, Micah, and Nahum. Although the books of these prophets are shorter, the Word of God they preached was important in the years leading up to the coming of the Christ, and that Word remains important for the Church today. Just as we still need to listen to their call to repentance over our idolatry, so we still need to heed their call to trust in the Savior, Jesus.  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. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

Ezra leads 1,500 men and their families on a dangerous 900-mile journey from Babylon to Jerusalem, transporting 35 tons of gold and silver without military protection. When he discovers no Levites have volunteered for the journey, he must recruit worship leaders before the caravan can depart. Through fasting, prayer, and careful accountability, Ezra demonstrates what it means to stake everything on God's protective hand, even when millions of dollars and hundreds of lives hang in the balance.  The Rev. Adam DeGroot, pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Rio Rancho, NM, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Ezra 8.  To learn more about Calvary Lutheran, visit calvaryLCMS.com. The Persian king Cyrus issues an astonishing decree: the exiles may go home. Among them are the Jews—God's chosen people—whom this pagan ruler not only repatriates, but commands to rebuild the temple of the Lord. Ezra 1–4 tells of their return, the joy of restored worship, and the crushing opposition that brings construction to a standstill. Then the prophets Haggai and Zechariah speak with God's authority, calling His people to courage, repentance, and hope. In Ezra 5–8 the temple is completed, worship flourishes, and hearts are renewed in God's Word. This series on Thy Strong Word follows the events in the order they happened, revealing how the Lord moves kings and prophets, overcomes opposition, and restores His people. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

What is the glory of the church? Revelation 21:9–27 looks forward to the hearing of God's Word read in the public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these nineteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the glory of the church is her glorious God. The devotional presents the vision of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21:9–27 reveals the glorified Church as the perfected bride of Christ, a divine city not of earthly dimensions but of eternal, spiritual reality, symbolizing the complete and glorious union of God's redeemed people. Rooted in God's eternal plan and built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, this city reflects the radiant glory of God and the Lamb, whose presence eliminates the need for sun or moon, as divine light now illuminates all. The imagery of precious stones, pure gold, and unshuttered gates signifies a community refined by divine grace—where only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life enter, and all that defiles, abominates, or lies is excluded. This vision calls believers to live with holy urgency, rejecting anything incompatible with God's holiness, while trusting in the certainty that every true glory of every nation will be gathered and transformed into eternal splendor. The ultimate hope is not a physical place, but the perfect, incorruptible fellowship of God's elect, fully sanctified and reflecting His infinite glory.

Israel's glory days have long come to an end, for their idolatry has killed them. Even now, they only compound sin upon sin as they become as fleeting as the idols they worship. The LORD reminds them who He is and what He has done as their Savior, yet they forget Him in arrogance. Therefore, the LORD will show Himself to them in judgment, and no king will be able to save them. Only the LORD can rescue them from the death they have earned for themselves, yet they refuse to repent. The Apostle Paul is able to quote from this section of Hosea because in Jesus, God has defeated the death that we can never defeat.  Rev. Jeremiah Johnson, pastor at Glory of Christ Lutheran Church in Plymouth, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Hosea 13:1-16.  To learn more about Glory of Christ Lutheran, visit gloryofchrist.org. “Majoring in the Minors” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Hosea, Joel, Jonah, Micah, and Nahum. Although the books of these prophets are shorter, the Word of God they preached was important in the years leading up to the coming of the Christ, and that Word remains important for the Church today. Just as we still need to listen to their call to repentance over our idolatry, so we still need to heed their call to trust in the Savior, Jesus.  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. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

Nearly sixty years have passed since the events of the previous chapter. Now, a new king reigns over the Persians—Artaxerxes. Ezra receives extraordinary royal authorization from Artaxerxes to lead another group of exiles back to Jerusalem. The episode examines the remarkably generous terms of the king's letter, granting Ezra sweeping authority to teach the Law, collect temple offerings, and appoint judges. Central to the episode is how God works through pagan rulers to accomplish his purposes, using even foreign governments as instruments of his will.   The Rev. Roger Mullet, pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Buffalo, WY, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Ezra 7.  To learn more about Prince of Peace, visit princeofpeacebuffalo.org. The Persian king Cyrus issues an astonishing decree: the exiles may go home. Among them are the Jews—God's chosen people—whom this pagan ruler not only repatriates, but commands to rebuild the temple of the Lord. Ezra 1–4 tells of their return, the joy of restored worship, and the crushing opposition that brings construction to a standstill. Then the prophets Haggai and Zechariah speak with God's authority, calling His people to courage, repentance, and hope. In Ezra 5–8 the temple is completed, worship flourishes, and hearts are renewed in God's Word. This series on Thy Strong Word follows the events in the order they happened, revealing how the Lord moves kings and prophets, overcomes opposition, and restores His people. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

As the LORD brings His charge against Israel and Judah, He calls them to remember the story of their father, Jacob. Although Jacob was known as a cheater early in his life, the LORD still showed His faithfulness to Jacob. Because the LORD gave Jacob His blessing when Jacob strove with Him, Israel now should strive with God in repentance and faith, seeking His forgiveness even now. Yet rather than returning to the LORD as Jacob once had done, Israel only continues to live as the Canaanites in their iniquity and idolatry. Even though the LORD has spoken to His people by the prophets since Moses, they only continue to provoke Him to anger.  Rev. Doug Minton, pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Milford, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Hosea 12:2-14.  To learn more about Our Savior Lutheran, visit oursaviormilford.com. “Majoring in the Minors” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Hosea, Joel, Jonah, Micah, and Nahum. Although the books of these prophets are shorter, the Word of God they preached was important in the years leading up to the coming of the Christ, and that Word remains important for the Church today. Just as we still need to listen to their call to repentance over our idolatry, so we still need to heed their call to trust in the Savior, Jesus.  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. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

Ezra 5–6 reads like a bureaucratic standoff: a nosy governor demands paperwork, and the Jews don't have it on hand. Yet, hidden in the royal archives of a pagan empire is a dusty old decree from King Cyrus himself. Suddenly, along with King Darius' decree, the state not only permits the temple to be rebuilt, but it also pays for it. In an age where “separation of church and state” is often weaponized by both sides, this chapter reminds us that the Lord bends even unbelieving rulers to serve His purposes.  The Rev. David Boisclair, senior pastor at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Overland, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Haggai 5 and 6.  To learn more about Our Redeemer Lutheran, visit ourredeemerstl.org. The Persian king Cyrus issues an astonishing decree: the exiles may go home. Among them are the Jews—God's chosen people—whom this pagan ruler not only repatriates, but commands to rebuild the temple of the Lord. Ezra 1–4 tells of their return, the joy of restored worship, and the crushing opposition that brings construction to a standstill. Then the prophets Haggai and Zechariah speak with God's authority, calling His people to courage, repentance, and hope. In Ezra 5–8 the temple is completed, worship flourishes, and hearts are renewed in God's Word. This series on Thy Strong Word follows the events in the order they happened, revealing how the Lord moves kings and prophets, overcomes opposition, and restores His people. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Samuel was a man of God, and he demonstrated his faith by submitting to the will of God. And the best place for you and I to discern what is God's will is in the Holy Scriptures. Now, many people believe that submissiveness is the key. But what's important is submissiveness to a godly leader, and that's what Samuel demonstratedTo donate please visit us at:https://loveisrael.org/donate/Checks may be sent to:LoveIsrael.org

Samuel was a man of God, and he demonstrated his faith by submitting to the will of God. And the best place for you and I to discern what is God's will is in the Holy Scriptures. Now, many people believe that submissiveness is the key. But what's important is submissiveness to a godly leader, and that's what Samuel demonstratedTo donate please visit us at:https://loveisrael.org/donate/Checks may be sent to:LoveIsrael.org

What else makes godless life vain? Ecclesiastes 4:4–6 looks forward to the call to worship in public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that fallen labor makes godless life vain. The devotional lesson explores the futility of labor and achievement apart from a relationship with God, drawing from Ecclesiastes 4 and Psalm 73. It highlights how striving and skillful work often lead to envy and ultimately prove unsatisfying, while neglecting work results in a destructive laziness. The central message emphasizes that true contentment and peace—a "handful with quietness"—are found not in worldly pursuits but in knowing and worshipping God, allowing His grace to shape our work, and provide lasting fulfillment rather than grasping for fleeting, ultimately unattainable goals.

September 2, 2025Today's Reading: Hebrews 13:1-17Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 18:20-40; Ephesians 2:1-22“The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.The Lord helps you. And not because of anything you have done to merit this gracious favor. And also not because of who you are, who you are related to, or how much you have. Instead, God gives divine help to you simply out of grace, giving you better than you have deserved.For you are a sinner who should be judged by God. You have not always loved God above all things. You likewise have not shown brotherly love at all times to your neighbor. You have acted selfishly. You have spoken what you should not have said. Your thoughts have been tainted with sinful desires like lust or revenge. What is worse, you are unable to help yourself when it comes to making God pleased with you. You cannot charm God, wrapping Him around your little finger to get special treatment.So why would the Lord ever want to be your helper? On account of Jesus' perfect life in your place, His sacrificial death, and His blood shed to cover your sins. “He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, death and the power of the devil, not with gold or silver, but with His holy precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death.” (Explanation to the 2nd Article of the Creed, the Small Catechism). There is nothing in you that merits God's divine help, but there is everything in Jesus' death in your place that merits this.And He gives this great salvation to you freely. Free gift! No strings attached! No conditions put upon receiving it! It is for you. God loved us when we were His enemies. So for this reason alone, He helps. And the help God gives is 100% done by Him. He does everything for you and your salvation. You simply receive. That's what faith in Christ does. Faith holds to Jesus and His promises made in Holy Scripture, which cannot be broken. Therefore, you can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Since Christ has full atonement made And brought to us salvation, Each Christian therefore may be glad And build on this foundation. Your grace alone, dear Lord, I plead, Your death is now my life indeed, For You have paid my ransom. (LSB 555:6)Rev. Robert Mayes, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church and Zion St. John Lutheran Church, Beemer and Wisner, NE.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Study the early Church Fathers, Scripture, and Christian history alongside FLAME's conversational voice to see for yourself why their teachings from Scripture are important to study, and live out, today.

The LORD reminds Israel of the love He showed to them as their Father, when He brought them out of Egypt, led them with love to Mount Sinai, and fed them in the wilderness. Despite the LORD's great love, however, Israel only runs farther away from their God to idols. The LORD promises that His judgment will come through the Assyrian army, and yet, even then, He promises His compassion will call His people back to Himself. St. Matthew quotes from this section of Hosea to show how Jesus has done those things that Israel did not do, and Jesus has done them perfectly in our place to be our Savior.   Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Hosea 11:1-12:1.  To learn more about Holy Cross Lutheran, visit holycrosswarda.com. “Majoring in the Minors” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Hosea, Joel, Jonah, Micah, and Nahum. Although the books of these prophets are shorter, the Word of God they preached was important in the years leading up to the coming of the Christ, and that Word remains important for the Church today. Just as we still need to listen to their call to repentance over our idolatry, so we still need to heed their call to trust in the Savior, Jesus.  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. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

Seventeen centuries ago, in the bustling town of Nicaea, over 300 bishops from across the Roman Empire gathered, summoned by Emperor Constantine to resolve a crisis shaking the very foundations of Christianity. At stake was nothing less than the identity of Jesus Christ: was He truly God, co-eternal and of the same substance as the Father, or merely a created being—a divine yet lesser creature? Today, the fruit of that monumental gathering—the Nicene Creed—remains the definitive measure of Christian identity.  The Rev. John David Duke, pastor of Salem Lutheran Church in Buffalo, NY and adjunct professor of Old Testament Theology at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Catherines, Ontario, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to discuss the Nicene Creed.  This episode originally aired on March 7, 2025. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

John 8:12-20,Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 13 So the Pharisees said to him, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true.” 14 Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. 17 In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. 18 I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” 19 They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 20 These words he spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.Last week we saw that Nicodemus told the Pharisees that they should give Jesus a hearing. Chapter 7, verse 51 he said: the law doesn't “judge a man until first giving him a hearing and learning what he does” (7:51). And again, this was the most reasonable thing said in Chapter 7, but the Pharisees completely wrote it off. They refuse to hear Jesus, and in Chapter 8 it gets even worse. Every time the Pharisees speak in Chapter 8, they reveal how off the rails they are with Jesus. They do not get him at all. We could call their example a masterclass in how to misunderstand Jesus — which we don't want to do!The Pharisees are a cautionary tale. And their bad responses to Jesus are so featured in this passage, you could argue it's the main idea here. John wants to make sure we take note of what they do, so that we don't make the same mistakes. That's how I'd like to organize the sermon. Today I want to show you three ways how NOT to be like the Pharisees — it all has to do with how we respond to Jesus. If you don't want to be like the Pharisees, here's the first thing you do with Jesus:1. Hear his word. Look at verse 12:Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”Now, let's just stop here for a minute and consider how amazing this statement is. Keep in mind: this is not outta the blue. The Pharisees have a context for Jesus making some big claims: They've heard him say, John 2:19, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”They heard him say, John 5:17, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” (Which means he was calling God his Father and making himself equal with God, [v. 18]).They just heard him say, John 7:37, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.”These are big claims, and here in Chapter 8, verse 12, Jesus does it again.He says,“I am the light of the world.” And maybe you hear that and you're not really sure what he means; maybe you've got more questions; but regardless of your questions — even before you fully understand what he's saying, we all can see that Jesus is claiming something about himself in reference to the world. And that's a big deal. He's not saying “I am the light of Nazareth, my hometown.” Or “I was the light of my high school football team.” I was all-state.No, he is what he is “of the world.” As in the whole wide world. Could you imagine talking to someone today and in the conversation they claim to be something in reference to the whole wide world? Think about that. If someone told you they were anything of the world, you would either think they're crazy or at least be intrigued.And remember the context here: Jesus has already been making some big claims and he's done all these signs and people are believing in him.And so in that context of seeing and hearing all this from Jesus, when you hear him say he's the light of the world, how do you think you'd respond?You think you'd at least say, “Tell me more.” Or, “What kind of light?” But the Pharisees do nothing like that! Jesus makes this high-magnitude statement in verse 12, and look how the Pharisees respond, in verse 13,So the Pharisees said to him, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true.”Get this: They completely ignore the content of what Jesus says, and they take issue with his form. Instead of actually hearing what he said, they throw a flag on how he said it! Basically, their reply is to say: “[Alarm sound] The current form of your speech has invalidated the claim.” They think they're so smart. They think they just dunked on Jesus. We're gonna talk more about this dialogue next week, but for today I just want you to notice what the Pharisees miss with Jesus. I want us to do what they don't do, which starts with hearing Jesus's word. Do What They Don'tWhen I say “hearing his word” I mean both the actual words of Jesus in John 8:12, and his word as in his message, which we have in the Bible. Hearing Jesus, listening to Jesus — for us this means that we read and pay attention to Holy Scripture. So I want you to make the connection here: ignoring Scripture means ignoring the word of Jesus; we ignore the word of Jesus by ignoring Scripture.Let's not do that. And this goes for all of us. Everybody, track with me here: Stop looking for reasons to deprive yourself from listening to Jesus. Because that is something we do. And we can try to come up with reasons for why.One reason you might deprive yourself from listening to Jesus is that you've got some church-hurt: Christians in the past have let you down. And truly, I'm sorry if that's part of your story. We all have different experiences here, and I want to be sensitive to that, and, at the same time, if Christians in the past have let you down, you should know that Christians in the future will let you down too. Because Christians are humans, and humans let other humans down. This is life on life's terms. And as frustrating and difficult as this is, it's not a reason to ignore Jesus. You gotta hear him. So if you're here and you need to get reacquainted with Jesus, or if you're brand-new to Jesus, I want to encourage you, give a fresh read to the Gospel of John. That's a really good place to start. Here's a great resource: Speak Life 321.But another reason you might deprive yourself from hearing the word of Jesus is that you don't have time. You're too busy. And of course, everybody is busy (or at least we all think we are). I've got a friend who grew up in Kentucky, and he told me that as a kid, every time he'd tell his Dad that he was hungry, his Dad would say, “Boy, you ain't never been hungry in your life.”I tried that out on a kid this summer. They told me they were too busy, and I said, “Child, you ain't never been busy in your life.” Some of us need to hear that.We gotta get out of the tunnel vision. We gotta look around. We make time for what matters most to us, and nobody is too busy to hear Jesus's word. We can't be.Hearing Jesus's word — reading the Bible — look, it's the non-negotiable for both first-time faith and for growing faith. This goes for everybody. You can't believe in Jesus, and you can't become like Jesus, apart from his word.The Pharisees refused to hear him; don't be like the Pharisees. Hear his word. The second way to not be like the Pharisees is …2. See his light. Unlike the Pharisees, we're not skipping what Jesus says in verse 12. We're not changing the subject. We're staying here the rest of the sermon because he says he's light of the world — and wanna know: “Tell me more” and “What kind of light?” Now there are a couple different angles we could take to try and understand what Jesus says…The historical context is the Feast of Booths, which we talked about last week. Jerusalem was crowded with people for this feast, and apparently, part of the festivities included a lighting ceremony in the temple. There would have been big lamps shining in the temple, and so some say Jesus is using his light metaphor to connect with that tangible experience. There were literal lights in the temple, so Jesus looked around and said he's the light. That's possible. Jesus did that sort of thing. But, this also is not the first time we've read about light in this Gospel. (There's the historical context of the event, but also the literary context of the text.) It goes back to the very start. John tells us right away about Jesus, Chapter 1, verse 4:“In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”Verse 9,“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.”And John doesn't stop here. The light metaphor shows up all throughout the Gospel, and my hunch is that that's what we should be thinking about when we hear Jesus in Chapter 8, verse 12. So what kind of light is this?How does what John says about light in this Gospel help us here? Well, I don't think John means to narrow the metaphor to only one kind of light. Light is a broad metaphor and John likes to layer things, so I think this metaphor is layered. I think there are at least three kinds of light that Jesus is — he's an exposing light, an illumining light, and a welcoming light. I'll explain…Exposing lightThis is a light that exposes what is hidden. It calls out sin and banishes darkness. In the immediate context, this seems to be the front-runner idea because right after verse 12 the conversation is about judgment. Jesus also said back in Chapter 3, verse 19,“And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.”So no doubt, Jesus is an exposing light, and the Pharisees can't stand him. In Chapter 3, Jesus gave us a category for what the Pharisees are doing in Chapter 8. Jesus exposes.Illumining lightThis is a light that reveals or makes known. It's the kind of light you need when you're stuck in a cave and everything around you is dark. There's a way to go, but you can't see it. You need a flash light! You need a light to illumine the way. Jesus is this kind of light. That's what John Chapter 1 is getting at.John 1:18,“No one has ever seen God, but Jesus has made him known.”Jesus says in John 14:6,“Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” Jesus shows us God. He reveals God. He's an illumining light.Welcoming lightThis is a light that tells you where home is. Jesus is this kind of light. He says in John 12:46,“I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” He said in John 12:36,“While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”That's an invitation, see…As an exposing light, Jesus exposes the sin we try to hide.As an illumining light, Jesus illumines the truth of God. As a welcoming light, Jesus invites us home.And it's this third one I want us to think more about … the welcoming light that Jesus is to this world.“I Saw the Light”Growing up in church in the South, we didn't always sing Hank Williams, but when we did, we sang his classic, “I Saw the Light.” Y'all know this song? …y'all know Hank Williams? He was the Hillbilly Shakespeare. There's a great story behind the song…It was 1947. Hank had played a concert somewhere in Alabama and afterwards went on a terrible drinking binge, almost drank himself to death; lost all touch with reality. His mother had come to get him and bring him home — he was only 23 years old. Well, his parents lived next to an airport and there was a big runway light that would sweep across the sky, and as the car got closer to home — he's barely awake in the backseat, but his mom's driving — she sees the sky light up, and she says, “Hank, I saw the light. We're almost home.”And the story goes that her words struck him. He might have been born again — we don't know, he had a complicated life — but in that moment, he managed to scribble down the lyrics to the song. It starts like this:I wandered so aimless, life filled with sinI wouldn't let my dear Savior inThen Jesus came like a stranger in the nightPraise the Lord, I saw the light“I saw the light” — it's a conversion song. To “see the light” is another way we talk about “believing in Jesus.” It means something has changed. Jesus is that kind of light.He's the lighthouse shining when you're surrounded by the raging sea; he's the sunrise that means your darkest night has ended; he's the front porch light left on when you've been in the far country — Jesus is the light of the world who says to all of us, “Come home.”He is shining and saying Believe in me and come home to God.But the Pharisees refuse to. They love their darkness. They love their lostness. And so Jesus tells them very directly in verse 24, “you will die in your sins.”Everybody, look: don't be like the Pharisees. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” See his light. Put your faith in Jesus Christ. And welcome home.Third way not to be like the Pharisees …3. Follow his path. This is the second part of verse 12. After Jesus makes the declaration that he's the light of the world, he follows that declaration with a conditional promise. And this one I really want you to see. So everybody, find verse 12:“I am the light of the world...”Second sentence — “…Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”The promise here is a negative/positive: you will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. That's a good promise, right? But it's conditional. This is not for everyone, but it's only for those who, Jesus says, follow me. Whoever follows me, that's who this promise applies to.And something interesting here is that Jesus uses the word “to follow.” He mostly uses the word to believe. It shows up a lot in the Gospel of John. He'll use it soon in verse 24, but here, in verse 12, he says Whoever follows me. And I don't know why exactly he does this. It might be because “follow” fits better with the metaphor: when you see the light, you follow it. You could believe light, but it makes more sense to follow light.But the main thing that I want you to catch here is that to truly believe in Jesus and to follow Jesus are one in the same. Being a Christ-FollowerNow lots of people might “believe” in Jesus as in they recognize his historicity — they recognize he was a real person and I like most of what he says — that kind of “believing” happens in this story, we'll see next week (8:30–31) — that's one kind of believing. But there's another kind of believing that means to follow him. And that's the believing Jesus is looking for. This is believing that says I'm looking to you and listening to you. I'll go where you lead me. I'll do what you say. I follow you.I met a new friend recently, one of the dads of my son's baseball teammates. We were standing together watching a practice, and in the conversation right away, I told him I was a Christian and I asked him if he had a Christian background — I've found that's a good way to start a spiritual conversation (most people have some kind of religious background).So I asked him, and he said, “Oh, yes, we are Christ-followers.”And I caught what he was doing there. He was letting me know, “Hey, I'm not a Christian as in my grandma took me to church when I was a kid.”I'm more Christian than just my background. My faith is not nominal. I follow Jesus. Now he didn't say that, but that's what he was saying.And I said to him, Praise God. You're not a Pharisee! (I didn't really say it, but I was thinking it.)See, the Pharisees had a lot of face-to-face with Jesus. They see him, they hear him, they've heard about him. Jesus became very much a part of their world. They couldn't deny him. But one thing they keep doing, and they do again here, is they refuse to follow him. Which then means they stay in darkness and don't have life.What about you? Do you follow Jesus? Is your believing true believing that means your highest allegiance is to Jesus? Whatever he wants, that's what you want. Do you follow him?Hey, don't be like the Pharisees. We need to see what they're like in this chapter so that we can run hard in the opposite direction, toward Jesus, which means we: Hear his word. See his light. Follow his path. That's what brings us to the Table. The TableWhat I've asked Jesus to do through this sermon is to bring you to himself. I don't know exactly what that means for each of you, but whatever it means, that's what I want Jesus to do. I got the idea from John Calvin. In his commentary on John 8:12, because of the promise — not walking in darkness, having the light of life — he writes,“…we ought to be excited to follow Jesus, and, indeed, by stretching out his hand — as it were — he draws us to himself.”Can you imagine that? Whatever you got going on in your life, Jesus is saying to you, Come on. Whether it's first-time faith or growing faith, Jesus — as it were — stretches out his hand to you this morning, and at his table we respond…If you're not yet a Christian, make today the day you truly believe. If you are a Christian, let's eat and drink now from his Table, and give him thanks.

We study chapter 65 from the New Testament section of A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture.Please support the Our Lady of Fatima Podcast:http://buymeacoffee.com/TerenceMStantonSubscribe to our Substack:https://terencemstanton.substack.comLike and subscribe on YouTube:https://m.youtube.com/@OurLadyOfFatimaPodcastFollow us on X:@FatimaPodcastThank you!

“Buried With Jesus” | Christ For YouThe Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist & The Baptism of Isla Rojas | Romans 6If you were edified by this recording, please share it with others, leave a review and a comment on ApplePodcasts, Spotify, or any podcasting platform to help others find the faithful preaching of Holy Scripture. ___________________Subscribe & Share: • Apple Podcasts: Christ For You • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0q7o8mzLFcEBBVnrYBKYWx?si=UjpbczgJTtWPMG-_MgTSnQ • Website: https://www.zionwg.org/podcastStay Connected: • Email: PastorRojas@ZionWG.org • Website: ZionWG.org

2025-08-31

We delve into New Testament chapter 64 from A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture.Please support the Our Lady of Fatima Podcast:http://buymeacoffee.com/TerenceMStantonSubscribe to our Substack:https://terencemstanton.substack.comLike and subscribe on YouTube:https://m.youtube.com/@OurLadyOfFatimaPodcastFollow us on X:@FatimaPodcastThank you!

We've all been wronged, sometimes by those closest to us, or those who we trust the most. So, how do we respond, especially when we know that we can't truthfully claim our own righteousness and demand God's wrath against those who have hurt us. Oftentimes we hold our feelings inside, keeping our thoughts to ourselves, which only makes things worse. In God's mercy, He has given us words to express in prayer, words found in Holy Scripture, that encapsulate our deepest pains and struggles. This passage from Jeremiah is another gem for the wounded. Chad meditates on this passage and points us to the great healing and redemption found in Christ alone. Mikaela Adams sings a beautiful lament entitled "Christ have mercy". Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi More from the hosts: Chad Bird Lyrics to "Christ Have Mercy" Heal me O Lord And I shall be healed Save me Lord And I shall be saved You are my praise  You are my salvation You are my God I shall not be ashamed   Chorus: On the last day Every knee will bow And every tongue confess That you are Lord Father forgive them The foolish and proud When their vain laughter was heard And forgive me Lord Christ have mercy   Lord have mercy  “Where are you Lord?” Won't you return Like you said in your word  Christ have mercy Don't let me fall away There's nothing that You have not seen There's nothing that You have not heard      Let me not hesitate To follow in your way I And I will not desire That dark and woeful day Let my words and deeds Be gracious and thankful For you are my hope In the day of evil   Lord have mercy When those who say “Where are you Lord?” Won't you return Like you said in your word  Lord have mercy Don't let me fall away There's nothing you don't see Or that you have not heard

The LORD's vineyard Israel continues to produce only idolatrous fruit. When He promises that He will bring His judgment, Israel still refuses to turn to Him. Instead, they mourn for their worthless idol as it is carried off into exile. Because the people have refused to dwell with the LORD in His presence, He gives them only the thorns and thistles that grow east of Eden. Even now, the LORD still calls His people to seek Him in repentance, and He promises His blessing. The fact that Israel only continues in their impenitence makes God's grace to them—and to us—all the more astounding. Rev. Zelwyn Heide, pastor at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Hanover, ND and Zion Lutheran Church in New Salem, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Hosea 10:1-15. To learn more about St. Peter and Zion Lutheran churches, visit stpeterzion.org.  “Majoring in the Minors” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Hosea, Joel, Jonah, Micah, and Nahum. Although the books of these prophets are shorter, the Word of God they preached was important in the years leading up to the coming of the Christ, and that Word remains important for the Church today. Just as we still need to listen to their call to repentance over our idolatry, so we still need to heed their call to trust in the Savior, Jesus.  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. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

It often feels like the world is unraveling. Nations rage, foundations shake, and evil seems to advance on all sides. We see the siege and feel the battle is nearly lost. We look for a hero, a victory, a final turning of the tide. But human plans fail. The prophet Zechariah paints a picture of that final day. The battle rages, the city is taken, and all hope appears gone. Then, the Lord Himself appears. His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, and the mountain itself will be split in two. Living waters will flow from the heart of the city. The entire world will be transformed by His presence.  The Rev. Bruce von Hindenburg, pastor of Catalina Lutheran Church in Tucson, AZ, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Zechariah 14.  To learn more about Catalina Lutheran, visit www.catalinalutheran.org. The Persian king Cyrus issues an astonishing decree: the exiles may go home. Among them are the Jews—God's chosen people—whom this pagan ruler not only repatriates, but commands to rebuild the temple of the Lord. Ezra 1–4 tells of their return, the joy of restored worship, and the crushing opposition that brings construction to a standstill. Then the prophets Haggai and Zechariah speak with God's authority, calling His people to courage, repentance, and hope. In Ezra 5–8 the temple is completed, worship flourishes, and hearts are renewed in God's Word. This series on Thy Strong Word follows the events in the order they happened, revealing how the Lord moves kings and prophets, overcomes opposition, and restores His people. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Send us a textHello and welcome to the series “Stay in His Presence.” This is Episode 15 of Season 13, titled “Mary Magdalene”.We are celebrating five years of podcasting in 2025 by going into the archives and remastering the top episodes since June 20, 2020. . This is Stephanie, Wright. Thank you for joining us today. Let's get started He loved her so much that he died for her. And then He came back to life. She was the first one to bring the Good News of His resurrection to the world. Her name is Mary Magdalene. In this series, we are going to expound on truths and destroy myths about so-called bad girls of the Bible who were transformed into godly women memorialized in Holy Scripture.If you want to contact us or comment on this podcast, please visit our website and select www.cgmissions.com/podcasts, where all episodes are available by category in series format. You can see the most recent video and audio podcasts at: www.youtube.com/@cgmissionsinc then select from the video or podcast"Playlist." CGM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations may be made on our website:https://www.cgmissions.com/donate-here-general-and-wecare/

We check out chapter 63 from the New Testament section of A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture. We also start day 1 of the novena to the Holy Ghost.Please support the Our Lady of Fatima Podcast:http://buymeacoffee.com/TerenceMStantonLike and subscribe on YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/@OurLadyOfFatimaPodcastFollow us on X:@FatimaPodcastThank you!

Israel has looked to Baal for fertility in agriculture and population, and so the LORD speaks the awful judgment that both of these joyful gifts will be taken away from Israel. Their food will only be eaten in mourning, and they will not be able to go to the LORD's appointed feasts because they will be in exile. Despite Israel's mockery of Hosea's faithful preaching, the LORD will do according to the Word that His prophet has spoken. Because Israel has rejected the steadfast love of the LORD from the days of the Exodus, now the LORD promises that His vineyard will be bare, because His people have refused to listen to His Word.  Rev. Dr. Peter Elliott, pastor at Messiah Lutheran Church in Seattle, WA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Hosea 9:1-17.  To learn more about Messiah Lutheran, visit messiahseattle.org. “Majoring in the Minors” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Hosea, Joel, Jonah, Micah, and Nahum. Although the books of these prophets are shorter, the Word of God they preached was important in the years leading up to the coming of the Christ, and that Word remains important for the Church today. Just as we still need to listen to their call to repentance over our idolatry, so we still need to heed their call to trust in the Savior, Jesus.  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. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

There are moments you wish you could forget: A word spoken in anger or selfishness that caused another to hurt.   The feeling that follows is a unique kind of grief. It's a sense of mourning over what you have caused. We know what it is to wound a friend or a family member. But can we comprehend wounding God Himself? The prophet Zechariah speaks of a day when the people of Jerusalem will look upon the one they have pierced. They will mourn for him as one mourns for an only son.  Zechariah announces that on that day, a fountain will be opened, a fountain to cleanse from sin and impurity.  The Rev. Benjamin Meyer, pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in Condit, OH, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Zechariah 12 and 13.  To learn more about Hope Lutheran, visit hopelutheransunbury.org. The Persian king Cyrus issues an astonishing decree: the exiles may go home. Among them are the Jews—God's chosen people—whom this pagan ruler not only repatriates, but commands to rebuild the temple of the Lord. Ezra 1–4 tells of their return, the joy of restored worship, and the crushing opposition that brings construction to a standstill. Then the prophets Haggai and Zechariah speak with God's authority, calling His people to courage, repentance, and hope. In Ezra 5–8 the temple is completed, worship flourishes, and hearts are renewed in God's Word. This series on Thy Strong Word follows the events in the order they happened, revealing how the Lord moves kings and prophets, overcomes opposition, and restores His people. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

We look into chapter 62 from the New Testament section of A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture.Please support the Our Lady of Fatima Podcast:http://buymeacoffee.com/TerenceMStantonLike and Subscribe on YouTube:https://m.youtube.com/@OurLadyOfFatimaPodcastFollow us on X:@FatimaPodcastThank you!

The LORD causes the warning trumpet to sound again as Assyria waits to scavenge God's people, who are already dead in their idolatry, even though they do not realize it. Israel has been ruled by unauthorized kings, and they worship worthless idols, just as their fathers had once done even at the foot of Mount Sinai. As Israel multiplies their altars, they only multiply their sins. The LORD will not receive their idolatrous worship, for Israel has forgotten that the LORD is her Creator and Redeemer.  Rev. Dr. Roger Paavola, president of the Mid-South District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Hosea 8:1-14.  “Majoring in the Minors” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Hosea, Joel, Jonah, Micah, and Nahum. Although the books of these prophets are shorter, the Word of God they preached was important in the years leading up to the coming of the Christ, and that Word remains important for the Church today. Just as we still need to listen to their call to repentance over our idolatry, so we still need to heed their call to trust in the Savior, Jesus.  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. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

Zechariah gives a stark image of this faithlessness. He tells of shepherds who value God's people so little that their worth is calculated at a mere thirty pieces of silver—the price of a slave gored by an ox. This paltry sum, their shepherd's wages, is then contemptuously thrown into the house of the Lord. It is a chilling prophecy of betrayal, revealing the heart of worthless leaders and pointing ahead to the one Good Shepherd who would be sold for this very price.  The Rev. Andrew Preus, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in New Haven, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Zechariah 10 and 11.  To learn more about Trinity Lutheran, visit trinitynewhaven.com. The Persian king Cyrus issues an astonishing decree: the exiles may go home. Among them are the Jews—God's chosen people—whom this pagan ruler not only repatriates, but commands to rebuild the temple of the Lord. Ezra 1–4 tells of their return, the joy of restored worship, and the crushing opposition that brings construction to a standstill. Then the prophets Haggai and Zechariah speak with God's authority, calling His people to courage, repentance, and hope. In Ezra 5–8 the temple is completed, worship flourishes, and hearts are renewed in God's Word. This series on Thy Strong Word follows the events in the order they happened, revealing how the Lord moves kings and prophets, overcomes opposition, and restores His people. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

The Bible is God’s Word. At least, it claims to be. And for centuries Christians have staked their lives and eternities on its veracity. But there are many today, including scholars who claim Christianity, who cast doubt on the accuracy, reliability, and perfection of the Holy Scriptures. But, if God’s Word isn’t true—if it’s full of exaggerations, errors, and fables—then why should we trust it? If we can’t believe what it says about the historical, doesn’t that negate what it says about the spiritual? Despite ever-increasing efforts to undermine the authority and accuracy of God’s Word, the Bible stands firm. Last time, we looked at five powerful reasons you can trust the Bible—its historical accuracy, fulfilled prophecies, internal consistency, transformational impact, and manuscript evidence. On today’s episode, we’re going to explore five more reasons you can REALLY trust the Bible. --- Join ICR's YouTube channel to get access to perks

Even as the LORD attempts to heal His people, more of Israel's disease becomes apparent. Hosea speaks about the sin in Israel with vivid images.  As the heat of an oven that leavens dough before the blazing fire bakes it, so the treachery in Israel grows until it blazes with destruction, even as the people fail to call upon the LORD. As an aging man tragically does not realize the loss of his faculties, so Israel tragically cannot recognize its own sin. Israel continues to seek help from foreign nations, but they are only a bird caught in a net. Even as the LORD proclaims such judgment, His aim is to bring His people back to Him.  Rev. Peter Ill, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Hosea 6:11-7:16.  To learn more about Trinity Lutheran, visit trinitymillstadt.org. “Majoring in the Minors” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Hosea, Joel, Jonah, Micah, and Nahum. Although the books of these prophets are shorter, the Word of God they preached was important in the years leading up to the coming of the Christ, and that Word remains important for the Church today. Just as we still need to listen to their call to repentance over our idolatry, so we still need to heed their call to trust in the Savior, Jesus.  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. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

If you were to imagine an ancient king entering his capital city, you would likely picture a man sitting atop a powerful warhorse. You might see behind him a gleaming parade of chariots and a conquering army marching in formation. The king displays overwhelming strength and portrays an image that demands submission. This is how the world understands power. But the prophet Zechariah paints a radically different picture. He describes a righteous and holy King, one who is bringing rescue and salvation, riding into Jerusalem. Yet he does not ride on a warhorse, instead he arrives as one humbled—afflicted—riding on a donkey. What kind of kingdom is this? This prophecy cuts against every human expectation of power and glory.   The Rev. Jacob Hercamp, pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Noblesville, IN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Zechariah 9.  To learn more about Christ Lutheran, visit clc-in.org. The Persian king Cyrus issues an astonishing decree: the exiles may go home. Among them are the Jews—God's chosen people—whom this pagan ruler not only repatriates, but commands to rebuild the temple of the Lord. Ezra 1–4 tells of their return, the joy of restored worship, and the crushing opposition that brings construction to a standstill. Then the prophets Haggai and Zechariah speak with God's authority, calling His people to courage, repentance, and hope. In Ezra 5–8 the temple is completed, worship flourishes, and hearts are renewed in God's Word. This series on Thy Strong Word follows the events in the order they happened, revealing how the Lord moves kings and prophets, overcomes opposition, and restores His people. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Having heard the LORD's call to repentance, Hosea desires to lead the people back to their God. He calls them to return to the LORD in the certain faith that the LORD raises the dead and forgives sinners. Nonetheless, the people of Israel only display temporary repentance and hypocritical faith. Despite the preaching of the prophets and God's available and abundant grace, the wickedness in Israel only continues to grow.  Rev. Ryan Ogrodowicz, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church and School in Brenham, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Hosea 6:1-10.  To learn more about Grace Lutheran, visit gracebrenham.org. “Majoring in the Minors” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Hosea, Joel, Jonah, Micah, and Nahum. Although the books of these prophets are shorter, the Word of God they preached was important in the years leading up to the coming of the Christ, and that Word remains important for the Church today. Just as we still need to listen to their call to repentance over our idolatry, so we still need to heed their call to trust in the Savior, Jesus.  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. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

What if God isn't impressed with our religious habits and pietism? For seventy years, the people of Judah thought they were doing the right thing by sticking to a solemn tradition they started themselves. It was a yearly memorial filled with mourning and weeping over the destruction of the temple. But, seeing as how they were rebuilding the temple, they asked God for a break from this ritual. His response turned their question around on them. He asked why they were performing the ritual in the first place—for God or for themselves? When we keep traditions and ceremonies not commanded by God, do we have the right motivation?  The Rev. Peter Schmidt, pastor of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church and School in Waukesha, WI, , joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Zechariah 7 and 8.  To learn more about Beautiful Savior, visit beautifulsaviorwaukesha.org. The Persian king Cyrus issues an astonishing decree: the exiles may go home. Among them are the Jews—God's chosen people—whom this pagan ruler not only repatriates, but commands to rebuild the temple of the Lord. Ezra 1–4 tells of their return, the joy of restored worship, and the crushing opposition that brings construction to a standstill. Then the prophets Haggai and Zechariah speak with God's authority, calling His people to courage, repentance, and hope. In Ezra 5–8 the temple is completed, worship flourishes, and hearts are renewed in God's Word. This series on Thy Strong Word follows the events in the order they happened, revealing how the Lord moves kings and prophets, overcomes opposition, and restores His people. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

The Feast Day of St. Bartholomew 2025 & Baptism of Atlas Frye | (Pastor Frye) If you were edified by this recording, please share it with others, leave a review and a comment on ApplePodcasts, Spotify, or any podcasting platform to help others find the faithful preaching of Holy Scripture. ___________________Subscribe & Share: • Apple Podcasts: Christ For You • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0q7o8mzLFcEBBVnrYBKYWx?si=UjpbczgJTtWPMG-_MgTSnQ • Website: https://www.zionwg.org/podcastStay Connected: • Email: PastorRojas@ZionWG.org • Website: ZionWG.org