Rev. Sam Beltz, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Oskaloosa, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Isaiah 11:1-10. Isaiah preached on the cusp of events of cosmic upheaval for Israel and Judah. Although their times may not have seemed all that bad, the prophet calls them to recognize the coming destruction, repent, and look to the LORD alone for hope. The LORD promises to act for His people’s salvation through the shoot of the stump of Jesse. He will be a King perfectly anointed with th...
Dec 07, 2020•56 min
Rev. Rick Jones, chaplain and director of spiritual life at the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch in Minot, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 23:5-8. The final years of Judah were characterized by unrighteous kings who did not faithfully shepherd the people of God. That’s why the LORD promises He will raise up the righteous King for His people from the line of David. King Zedekiah falsely bore the name, “The LORD is righteous,” but the promised King rightly bears the name, “The LORD ...
Dec 04, 2020•53 min
Rev. Steve Andrews, pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee’s Summit, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 33:14-16. Jeremiah is often called the Weeping Prophet. He suffered greatly for his faithful preaching to Judah concerning the judgment that the LORD was bringing upon Jerusalem. Jeremiah actually lived through that destruction; he and other faithful residents of Judah mourned greatly. Yet Jeremiah’s preaching also includes words of promise and hope for these exiles. The...
Dec 03, 2020•54 min
Rev. Matt Ulmer, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bishop, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Isaiah 64:1-9. Although Isaiah lived and preached over one hundred years before the Babylonian exile, the second part of his book speaks prophetically to Judean exiles. This text is a portion of a prayer that the prophet leads the exiles to offer to God, asking Him to come down with His aid as He had done in the days of the Exodus. Those who would set themselves up as the LORD’s enemies will...
Dec 02, 2020•54 min
Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Isaiah 2:1-5. The prophet Isaiah is sometimes called “The Fifth Evangelist” because of his beautifully clear pictures of Jesus’ saving ministry. As Isaiah preached to the rebellious people of Judah and Jerusalem, he called them to repentance for their gross sin and idolatry, all the while showing them glorious pictures of the forgiveness found in the Gospel. In this text, the picture is th...
Dec 01, 2020•55 min
Rev. Mark Barz, pastor at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Deuteronomy 18:15-19. The Old Testament texts for the season of Advent point us to the hope of Jesus as the fulfillment of all of God’s promises. As a new generation of the people of Israel prepared to enter into the Promised Land, Moses reminds them of all the wonderful things that the LORD has done for His people. The LORD promises that He will send from among the people of Israel...
Nov 30, 2020•55 min
“Advent with the Prophets” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Old Testament readings appointed for the season of Advent. This holy season of repentance focuses our attention on Christ’s coming. As we spend time hearing the words of the prophets, the saints who waited patiently in the years before Christ’s coming in the flesh at Christmas, we too are prepared to receive Christ now in His Word and Sacrament, even as we wait for Him to come again in glory. Sharper Iron, hosted b...
Nov 30, 2020•2 min
Rev. Sam Wirgau, pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ossian, IN joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 17:11-19. This is a rebroadcast from November 20, 2019. Samaria was not a place where many Jews of Jesus’ day ventured, but that is exactly the route Jesus took to Jerusalem and His cross. There Jesus encountered ten lepers. These men not only suffered greatly physically from this terrible illness. Even more than that, they were separated from their community and worship life through th...
Nov 27, 2020•53 min
Rev. John Bussman, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cullman, AL joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Philippians 4:6-20. This is a rebroadcast from November 28, 2019. The church at Philippi had seen the Apostle Paul go through highs and lows during his ministry. As he writes his letter to them from prison, he proclaims to them the joy that remains theirs in Christ regardless of their circumstances. Because the LORD’s return is near, Christians live differently in the world. We are freed...
Nov 26, 2020•53 min
Rev. Dr. Christopher Jackson, pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Algoma, WI and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Forestville, WI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Titus 3:9-15. The Judaizing tendencies that were present among the Christians at Crete must be avoided. Nothing can be added to the salvation that is given by grace through faith in Christ. Controversy that contends for this true faith is needed; however, controversy over family history or simply for the sake of fighting is us...
Nov 25, 2020•54 min
Rev. Jacob Dandy, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church and School in Terra Bella, CA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Titus 3:1-8. Christian living at home extends into Christian living in the world. The order that God provides under civil authority is intended for our good; Christians are submissive in thanksgiving to God’s gifts. Not only in relation to governing authorities, but in relation to all people the Christian’s life stands in complete contrast to the way of the world. The pattern of...
Nov 24, 2020•53 min
Rev. Philip Hoppe, pastor at Peace Lutheran Church in Finlayson, MN and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bruno, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Titus 2:1-15. Healthy doctrine and godly living go hand-in-hand for Christians. Depending on a person’s station in life, certain temptations are more alluring. Paul instructs Titus to teach Christians accordingly, whether they are older men, older women, younger women, or younger women. Through each station in life, self-control serves as an over...
Nov 23, 2020•53 min
Rev. Dr. Adam Koontz, assistant professor of exegetical theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Titus 1:10-16. Those who refuse to live under God’s order in the church and the world fall into vanity and deception. Though they may give the appearance of order by all that they command, they only follow the commands of man and so prove themselves insubordinate to God. This teaching showed itself in a demand for circumcision in Paul’s day; ...
Nov 20, 2020•54 min
Rev. Dr. Adam Filipek, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church and Immanuel Lutheran Church, both in Lidgerwood, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Titus 1:1-9. As Paul writes to Titus, the pastor he left to serve on the island of Crete, he identifies himself as a servant of God. He is bound to do what his master says to do; he is bound to do what his master gives him to say. That message is the gospel of Jesus Christ, who is the Truth of salvation for sinners. In Him, we have the hope of e...
Nov 19, 2020•55 min
Rev. Jeff Hemmer, pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Fairview Heights, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Timothy 4:9-22. Paul concludes his second letter to Timothy with final encouragement to the young pastor. Paul’s human emotions are clear as he speaks of those who have left him and his desire for Timothy to do his best to come for a visit. As Paul lists many different individuals in this conclusion, the warning against love for the world and falling into false teaching is made p...
Nov 18, 2020•54 min
Rev. James Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Timothy 4:1-8. Paul puts Timothy under his ordination vows once more. Whether it is a time when the Word is received with joy or a time when the Word is rejected with hatred, the preacher must preach the Word of God as it has been given in Holy Scripture. This teaching is sure and firm, yet delivered with patience as God works when and where He wills. As people turn this way and that look...
Nov 17, 2020•54 min
Rev. David Appold pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Paducah, KY, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Timothy 3:10-17. Paul has given Timothy something infinitely greater than the vices that will be manifest in the last days. He has given Timothy the truth teaching of God’s Word, which begets sanctification in the Christian’s life. Paul’s faith, patience, and steadfastness have all served as an example to Timothy, and they have led to Paul’s suffering and persecution. God uses these gi...
Nov 16, 2020•55 min
Rev. Andrew Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Guttenberg, IA and St. Paul Lutheran Church in McGregor, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Timothy 3:1-9. Paul tells Timothy and all Christians the difficulty that will arise during the last days so that they can be faced with true confidence in Christ. The seasons of difficulty grow stronger and more frequent as Christ’s return draws closer, not in order to lead us to predict it, but in order to keep us watchful and ready. The l...
Nov 13, 2020•55 min
Do Christians rightly divide the Word of truth by dividing Israel from the Church or by dividing history into different dispensations? What is dispensational premillennialism anyway, and where does it depart from God's Word? What does Paul want Timothy to do with the Word of truth? Join Pastor Timothy Appel for some bonus podcast material on 2 Timothy 2:15. To find out more about dispensational premillennialism, check out these two documents from the Commission on Theology and Church Relations o...
Nov 12, 2020•15 min
Rev. Zelwyn Heide, pastor at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Hannover, ND and Zion Lutheran Church in New Salem, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Timothy 2:14-26. As Timothy fights the good fight of faith, he must not engage in worthless quarrels. No pastor is given to fight for the sake of fighting or for the sake of winning an argument. Such quarrels only harm hearers and may even spread the disease of false teaching. Instead, pastors are called to handle the Word of truth in such a w...
Nov 12, 2020•54 min
Rev. Shawn Linnell, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blair, NE, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Timothy 2:1-13. As Paul faces his impending execution, Paul writes to his dear son Timothy so that he would not find strength in himself, but be strengthened by God through the grace that is found in Jesus. Yet Paul is not myopic; he keeps in mind the needs of the whole Church as he encourages Timothy to entrust the Word of God to other faithful men. Paul commends to Timothy the example o...
Nov 11, 2020•54 min
Rev. David Vandercook, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in North Little Rock, AR and Shepherd of Peace Lutheran Church in Maumelle, AR, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Timothy 1:8-18. Although the Gospel brings with it suffering at the foolishness of the cross, Christians do not run from such suffering because the cross is truly God’s power to save. Therefore, Christians are not ashamed of the Word or of its servants. Those who serve as pastors are not saved or called because of their ...
Nov 10, 2020•55 min
Rev. Luke Zimmerman, pastor at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg, PA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Timothy 1:1-7. Paul’s imprisonment adds a sense of urgency to his second letter to Timothy. Because the Apostle senses that his death is near, he writes to Timothy once more, not only to ask him to come visit him in prison, but especially to urge him to faithfulness in sound doctrine. The affection that Paul and Timothy share for each other in the faith is evident as ...
Nov 09, 2020•54 min
Rev. Tim Storck, pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Chesterfield Township, MI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Timothy 6:11-21. Paul concludes his first letter to Timothy by repeating his charge to the young pastor. Not only must he flee from false doctrine and the love of money, but he must run toward the good gifts that God gives through His Word. The fight of the faith leads to resurrection and eternal life for Timothy and his hearers. His bold confession of the faith before ...
Nov 06, 2020•56 min
Rev. Kurt Cockran, pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Tucson, AZ, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Timothy 6:3-10. As Paul begins to bring his first letter to Timothy to a close, he again reminds the young pastor of the importance of sound doctrine. Only the healthy words of Jesus Christ can bring true spiritual health and godliness. Those who teach anything different, though claiming great knowledge, actually understand nothing. They would either fall into the distraction of quarreling ...
Nov 05, 2020•55 min
Rev. Clint Poppe, pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lincoln, NE, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Timothy 5:17-6:2. Paul gives further instructions concerning the lives of Christians within their various God-given vocations. Certainly all those who are older ought to be treated with special honor, but Paul also commands double honor for those who serve as elders, that is, pastors, within the Christian congregation. Not only should they be treated with respect because of the offi...
Nov 04, 2020•54 min
Rev. Sam Wirgau, pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ossian, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Timothy 5:1-16. Paul begins to instruct Timothy concerning the lives of Christians in the Church within their various vocations. The overarching reality of the interactions of pastors and parishioners within the Church is the fact that Christians have been united within the family of God. They are not to treat each other as enemies or strangers, but as fathers and mothers, brothers and si...
Nov 03, 2020•55 min
Rev. Peter Ill, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Timothy 4:6-16. Paul encourages Timothy to be a good servant of Jesus by clinging to the good doctrine that he has received. Old wives’ tales are useless in this; Timothy must be trained in godliness. This proper piety of faith in the forgiveness of sins that comes on account of Christ is good both for this life and the next. The Word is trustworthy to declare to us the hope that we have ...
Nov 02, 2020•53 min
Rev. Brian Flamme, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Roswell, NM, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Timothy 4:1-5. Paul returns to the central theme of faithfulness to the truth of God’s Word in the face of all lies. He reminds Timothy of Jesus’ words from Matthew 24:24 that false prophets will arise in the time between Jesus’ ascension and return. These false prophets depart from the faith because they fall into lies that come from the father of lies, the devil. Their consciences are...
Oct 30, 2020•54 min
Rev. Tim Eden, pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church in Bryan, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Timothy 3:8-16. Qualifications for deacons follow immediately after qualifications for overseers. Though the two lists share many similarities, deacons are not required to have the ability to teach. This may indicate that these two are separate offices in the church. Nonetheless, deacons play a vital role in Christian congregations in their service. They hold to the Christian faith with confide...
Oct 29, 2020•56 min
