Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study John 2:12-15. Jesus goes down to Capernaum for a few days before going up to Jerusalem for the Passover. When Jesus enters the temple, He sees that the buying and selling has overtaken the temple’s true purpose to be the place where sacrifices were offered on behalf of the people’s sins. In righteous anger, He makes a whip and drives out those who have profaned His Father’s house. When thi...
Jan 17, 2023•55 min
Rev. Dr. Scott Murray, pastor at Memorial Lutheran Church in Houston, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study John 2:1-11. St. John has been giving a timeline during the first part of his Gospel that now places us on the sixth day. As God created the gift of marriage on the sixth day of creation, now Jesus is at a wedding on this sixth day to show forth the new creation in Him. The interaction between Jesus and His mother shows us Jesus’ focus on going to His hour of death and resurrection an...
Jan 16, 2023•56 min
Rev. Stephen Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study John 1:43-51. Jesus continues to call disciples to Himself in Galilee; He takes the initiative. He speaks His authoritative word to Philip: “Follow Me!” The Word calls Philip to faith, and Philip goes to tell Nathanael that Jesus of Nazareth is the One promised by the Law and the Prophets. Nathanael is unimpressed by Jesus’ hometown, yet Philip is unfazed; he invites Nathanael to come and ...
Jan 13, 2023•56 min
Rev. David Appold, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Paducah, KY, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study John 1:35-42. After John identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God a second time, two of his disciples follow Jesus. Jesus’ initial question to them is one that all who come to Jesus do well to consider: “What are you seeking?” They call Him “Rabbi,” and Jesus certainly is the true Teacher, though the Gospel will reveal He is also far more than that. These two disciples remain with Jesus; thi...
Jan 12, 2023•58 min
Rev. Isaac Schuller, pastor at First Immanuel Lutheran Church in San Jose, CA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study John 1:19-34. St. John the Evangelist begins his account of the action with St. John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Christ. Although John is peppered with questions about himself, he is far more concerned with giving answers about Jesus, the One who follows him. When John sees coming toward him, he identifies Jesus as the One who will sacrifice himself on behalf of the sins o...
Jan 11, 2023•55 min
Rev. Ryan Ogrodowicz, associate pastor and headmaster at Grace Lutheran Church and School in Brenham, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study John 1:6-18. St. John’s prologue continues to introduce themes that are present throughout his Gospel account. Although John the Baptist is not the true light, he comes as a reliable witness to Jesus, who is the true light who comes into the world. The world did not know Him, although He made the world. Even His own people, the Israelites, did not recog...
Jan 10, 2023•54 min
Rev. Dr. William Weinrich, professor of historical theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study John 1:1-5. The first five verses of the Gospel according to St. John set the stage for the entire book. Jesus is proclaimed as the Word; He is God, and He truly reveals God to us. He is responsible for the creation and existence of all things; He brings light and life that no darkness can overcome. As he writes his account of Christ’s life and mi...
Jan 09, 2023•58 min
“The Word Made Flesh” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. John. The disciple whom Jesus loved wrote his Gospel account as an eyewitness to Jesus’ life and ministry. As we read the Word of God recorded by St. John, the Holy Spirit works in us so that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and so have life by faith in His name. Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its ...
Jan 09, 2023•3 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 Lutheran Service Book #357, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” This beloved hymn is based on seven ancient “O” antiphons that were used during the last days of the season of Advent leading up to Christmas. The hymn uses the last of these antiphons for the first stanza, focusing our attention on the fact that Jesus comes to us as ...
Dec 23, 2022•55 min
Rev. Luke Zimmerman, pastor at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg, PA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #356, “The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came.” This Basque hymn is a poetic retelling of the Annunciation of Our Lord and the Visitation. When the mighty angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, he greeted her as one highly favored by the Lord. God was showing His free grace to Mary in making her the mother of God. Her child, Jesus, is Emmanuel: God with us. M...
Dec 22, 2022•55 min
Rev. Andrew Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Haven, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #355, “O Savior, Rend the Heavens Wide.” This Advent hymn by Friedrich von Spee begins by looking forward to the Last Day, as we ask our Savior to come down with great might and take us to our eternal home. As God refreshes His creation, so He sends Jesus as the true King, for He is the shoot from the stump of Jesse. Knowing that Jesus is our hope, we pray for Him t...
Dec 21, 2022•54 min
Rev. Daniel Golden, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Parkersburg, WV, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #352, “Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord.” This hymn by Heinrich Held helps us to rejoice in the faithfulness of God to His Word. All creation and all people should praise God for sending Christ as the help and friend of sinners. Jesus is the fulfillment of what the saints of old longed to receive. The promises made to Abraham, Zion, and Jacob have been truly ke...
Dec 20, 2022•55 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 Lutheran Service Book #351, “Creator of the Stars of Night.” This Advent hymn was originally written in Latin over one thousand years ago. It takes us through the entire story of God’s work for us. He is the Creator of all things who is our everlasting light. We rebelled against Him, yet even then His desire remained to heal us from the infectio...
Dec 19, 2022•55 min
Rev. Shawn Linnell, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blair, NE, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #350, “Come, Thou Precious Ransom, Come.” This hymn by Johann Gottfried Olearius prays to Christ as our ransom, the One who has paid the price to deliver us from sin. Apart from Him, we have no hope. Although we are certainly not worthy of Him, we ask that He would come to us as our King and as our true treasure. We greet Him with songs of “Hosanna” in faith that He wi...
Dec 16, 2022•56 min
Rev. Steve Andrews, pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee’s Summit, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #349, “Hark the Glad Sound.” This Advent hymn by Philip Doddridge calls us to listen to the good news that the long-promised Savior has come. He prepares our hearts to receive Him with humility and thanksgiving. Jesus comes to set us free from the bondage of Satan; He comes to heal our hearts and souls with the treasures of His grace. For His coming, we prai...
Dec 15, 2022•54 min
Rev. Peter Ill, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, IL joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #348, “The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns.” This hymn by John Brownlie helps us to meditate on Christ’s second coming through the imagery of the dawn of the morning. Picture the sun’s first rays lighting the hills; the glory of Christ’s second coming far surpasses that. Jesus came the first time as a little child to bear our sin and be our Savior; His second coming ...
Dec 14, 2022•56 min
Rev. Andy Wright, pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Topeka, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #347, “Comfort, Comfort, Ye My People.” This beautiful Advent hymn summarizes the Word of God from Isaiah 40 to give us Christian comfort. God sends His messengers to proclaim peace to us in the midst of our sorrows and sins. This peace comes from the fact that God forgives our sins for the sake of Christ and covers us with His righteousness. God works this great rev...
Dec 13, 2022•55 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 Lutheran Service Book #346, “When All the World Was Cursed.” This hymn for the Nativity of St. John the Baptist also serves well to highlight the Advent themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. God sent John as a preacher of comfort to the world that was cursed under the Law. John’s preaching of repentance was sharp, yet he brought consolation by pointing ...
Dec 12, 2022•55 min
Rev. Harrison Goodman, content executive for Higher Things, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #345, “Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding.” The season of Advent reminds us that God shows up. Christ doesn’t stay distant from us; He comes to us. We must listen to this proclamation, not just from John, but from our pastors still today. Christ has made us the children of the light, and so we cast away the works of darkness. The warning of the Law wakes us up to flee from si...
Dec 09, 2022•55 min
Rev. Philip Hoppe, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Colby, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #344, “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry.” Charles Coffin’s hymn text puts before us the familiar Advent preacher, John the Baptist. His sermon is simple: “Christ is here!” All must wake up and listen not only to John, but to every Christian preacher who proclaims this good news. By this proclamation, God calls us to repentance from our sin in preparation for faith in ...
Dec 08, 2022•55 min
Rev. Mark Barz, pastor at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #342, “What Hope! An Eden Prophesied.” This more-recent Advent hymn from Pastor Stephen Starke draws from Isaiah 11 to help us rejoice in the hope of the new creation that is ours because the Savior has come to us. This Savior is the shoot from Jesse’s stem born in Bethlehem, Jesus Christ. He came to suffer and die for our sins on the cross, which now serves as...
Dec 07, 2022•56 min
Rev. Tim Storck, pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Chesterfield, MI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #341, “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates.” This hymn from Georg Weissel makes use of the language of Psalm 24 to help us pray that God would come to us as our Savior and King. This is not only a past or future event; He comes to us now to bring us life and salvation. Even as a King, He comes in humility and holiness to show us pity and bring an end to our w...
Dec 06, 2022•56 min
Rev. Andrew Jagow, pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Alexandria, VA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #338, “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus.” This hymn from Charles Wesley teaches us to pray in expectation for our Lord to come. Although waiting is not a favorite pastime for most people, it is an essential discipline for Christians so that we would expect and prepare for Christ’s return. The One we are longing to come is Jesus, who sets us free from the worst enemie...
Dec 05, 2022•54 min
Rev. Tim Koch, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Linn, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #337, “The Night Will Soon Be Ending.” Jochen Klepper wrote this powerful text while he was living during the beginning of the Third Reich in pre-World War II Germany. That context of growing despair makes the hope of the hymn all the more powerful. Although the darkness of sin, guilt, grief, and pain is all around us, Christians have true hope in the fact that Christ, who is t...
Dec 02, 2022•55 min
Rev. James Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #336, “Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending.” This Advent text from Charles Wesley points us toward Christ’s coming on the Last Day. We look for His return expectantly, knowing that He is the One who was crucified for our sins. Everyone will see Jesus on that Day. Those who did not have faith in Him will see Him with terror, while those who loved Him will look with grea...
Dec 01, 2022•56 min
Rev. Carl Roth, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #334, “O Lord, How Shall I Meet You.” Paul Gerhardt’s Advent text helps us to prepare to welcome the Lord with joy, knowing that He is the One who prepares us to meet Him. As the Palm Sunday crowds once welcomed Jesus with palms and praises, so we continue to greet Jesus with songs of “Hosanna” as He comes to us in the Sacrament of the Altar. He has come because of His great...
Nov 30, 2022•55 min
Rev. Dr. Christian Preus, pastor at Mount Hope Lutheran Church and School in Casper WY, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #333, “Once He Came in Blessing.” This hymn by Johann Horn takes us through the three comings of Christ. In His incarnation, Christ came to bless us as He came in humility to bear the cross for our salvation. Now, in the preaching of His Word and in the giving of His Body and Blood in the Sacrament, Christ comes to gently lead us and nourish us in H...
Nov 29, 2022•54 min
Rev. James Yonkers, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Danville, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #332, “Savior of the Nations, Come.” Written in the 300s by Ambrose of Milan, this hymn teaches us to pray that Jesus would come to us as the Savior. He made His home among us in His incarnation, and He still makes His home with us in His Church. The hymn speaks of the humble work of Jesus as the Word made flesh. Fully God, He became fully man when He was conceived...
Nov 28, 2022•56 min
“The Hymns of Advent'' is a series on Sharper Iron that looks at a variety of the hymns found in the Advent section Lutheran Service Book. The season of Advent prepares us for Christ’s coming. The hymns of Advent teach that this is more than getting ready for Christmas; the Word of the Lord sung in hymnody helps us to receive Christ as He comes to us now in the means of grace and when He comes again in glory on the Last Day. Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy S...
Nov 28, 2022•2 min
(Enjoy some favorite previous Sharper Iron episodes as Pastor Appel moves to a new call. A new series for Advent begins November 28!) Rev. Sam Wirgau, pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ossian, IN joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 17:11-19. 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. E...
Nov 25, 2022•53 min
