Rev. Sam Wirgau, pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ossian, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ecclesiastes 4:4-16. Solomon sees the vanity in toil that is done only out of envy, yet he also sees the vanity of laziness that leads to want. Rather than living in such vanity, wisdom is found in considering the purpose of working for others. Using several images, Solomon shows that two people are better than one, both in the return for their work and in their companionship. Yet true Chri...
Aug 09, 2023•55 min
Rev. Doug Griebenaw, mission advocate for KFUO Radio in St. Louis, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:3. Solomon recognizes wickedness that comes even in those places where we most expect to find justice and righteousness. He finds comfort in the fact that God serves as judge over all, and he recognizes the way that God uses this reality to test people to see the truth about themselves. From the perspective of life under the sun, all people die, just like all animals ...
Aug 08, 2023•56 min
Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ecclesiastes 3:1-15. The poem that Solomon writes at the beginning of Ecclesiastes 3 helps us to see the passing of time from God’s perspective. He appoints a time for all matters of our lives, allowing us to receive everything that happens in this life in view of His fatherly, divine goodness and mercy. God makes everything beautiful in its time, yet by placing eternity into our hearts in...
Aug 07, 2023•54 min
Rev. Sam Beltz, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Oskaloosa, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ecclesiastes 2:18-26. Solomon keeps speaking directly concerning the vanity of this life under the sun. When Solomon reflects on the toil of this life, he sees the futility in working hard all life long only to leave everything to someone who may be a fool. This calls for reflection on the part of Christians and a daily return to the purposes God has given us in our work, lest we fall into...
Aug 04, 2023•57 min
Rev. Vance Becker, LCMS missionary serving as a theological education at Neema Lutheran College in Matongo, Kenya, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ecclesiastes 2:1-17. Solomon continues to put his thesis to the test concerning the vanity of life. He seeks out all manner of pleasure for himself. He indulges in wine, he engages in magnificent building projects, and he acquires all kinds of wealth. Yet when he reflected on all his pleasure and the toil he had expended in doing it, he found t...
Aug 03, 2023•55 min
Rev. James Sharp, missionary, teacher, and pastor in Montevideo, Uruguay through the LCMS Office of International Mission, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ecclesiastes 1:12-18. King Solomon describes the way he applied his heart and used his wisdom to see all that is done under heaven. He sees in this life under the sun an endless busyness that leaves man unhappy. Man is unable to make the bad things good. Even Solomon in his great experience of wisdom and knowledge sees the futility of l...
Aug 02, 2023•55 min
Rev. Jacob Dandy, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church and School in Terra Bella, CA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ecclesiastes 1:1-11. In the book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon serves as the preacher to the gathered people of Israel. He probably writes this book later in his life, reflecting on all that he has seen and experienced in this life under the sun. He states his conclusion about this life under the sun plainly: “All is vanity!” Despite mankind’s unceasing efforts to chase after wh...
Aug 01, 2023•55 min
“Wisdom for Life Under the Sun” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon’s favorite word in Ecclesiastes paints a bleak picture: “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity!” Apart from God, life is nothing but vapor that does not last and can never be grasped. Yet Solomon does not leave us in despair. He shows us that life does have meaning in the faith and fear of God, from whom all things come to us as a gift. Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at ...
Aug 01, 2023•3 min
Rev. Dr. Adam Filipek, pastor at Holy Cross and Immanuel Lutheran Churches in Lidgerwood, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 149. The Psalter ends with five “Hallelujah” Psalms in which the people of God join together to praise the one true God. In Psalm 149, the people of God sing the new song of salvation. The LORD has not only made His people; He has redeemed them as their King. The people put everything in service to the LORD’s praise. As His praises fill their throats, so they...
Jul 31, 2023•55 min
Rev. Jeff Hemmer, pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Fairview Heights, IL, and assistant to the president of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 141. In Psalm 141, David finds himself unable to join the other faithful Israelites worshiping at the temple in Jerusalem, and so he asks the LORD to count his prayer as a part of the incense that ascends to the heavenly throne. He prays that the LORD would keep his lips from speaking lies and his heart fro...
Jul 28, 2023•56 min
Rev. Dr. Ryan Tietz, Associate Professor of Exegetical Theology and Dean of Students at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 137. Psalm 137 reveals its context quickly. The people of God are exiled in Babylon. Although Babylon’s waters may have seemed more fruitful from an earthly perspective, the people of God weep there because they are no longer in the Promised Land. Their captors only add insult to injury by mocking the songs of Zion. ...
Jul 27, 2023•56 min
Rev. Joshua Haller, pastor at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Fairgrove, MI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 133. In Psalm 133, David rejoices in the gift of unity that the LORD creates within His Church. This unity is founded upon the truth of the LORD’s Word in which Christians live together as true brothers in the faith. God anoints His Church with this gift from the top to the bottom, and He showers this gift upon His Church to refresh us with the living water of His Word. ...
Jul 26, 2023•55 min
Rev. James Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 127. In Psalm 127, Solomon teaches us the wisdom that apart from the LORD’s activity, all our work is in vain. The LORD must be the One to build our families; He is the One who never fails to watch over our households. If we do our work and watching in worry, we squander His good gifts. Solomon particularly extols the LORD’s gift of children, who are always a blessing from Him to be r...
Jul 25, 2023•56 min
Rev. Carl Roth, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 120. Psalm 120 is the first of the psalms of ascent; these perhaps were used by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem for one of the feasts that the LORD gave to His people. As the psalmist has received the LORD’s deliverance in the past, so he cries out again for rescue from lies. A tongue that spreads such lies deserves only judgment from the LORD. The psalmist recognizes that he has been dw...
Jul 24, 2023•54 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 Psalm 115. In Psalm 115, the people of God pray that He alone would have the glory in the face of all idols. Though the nations may taunt the true God, their idols are seen to be absolutely nothing. As the work of human hands, idols have absolutely no power, and worshiping makes people stupid. The people of the true God, therefore, have every re...
Jul 21, 2023•55 min
Rev. Shawn Linnell, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blair, NE, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 103. In Psalm 103, David blesses the LORD for all of the benefits that He has given, both physically and spiritually. By making known His ways to Moses and Israel, the LORD has shown that His mercy and grace is trustworthy. He does not deal with sinners as we deserve, but He removes our iniquities from us. He treats us with compassion as His children; though our days fade like the gra...
Jul 20, 2023•55 min
Rev. Dan Speckhard, pastor at St. Peter Lutheran Church and School in North Judson, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 98. Psalm 98 expresses the joy of God’s people over all the wondrous works He has done. In His righteousness, God has won a salvation that is revealed to the ends of the earth. For that reason, the voices and instruments of God’s people are put into service of praising their King. All creation participates in this joy as the Lord comes to judge the world in righteo...
Jul 19, 2023•55 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 Psalm 90. In Psalm 90, Moses reflects upon the reality that God is eternal and sinful man is mortal. Man returns to the dust of death not as an accident, but as a consequence given from God. We sinners rightly deserve the anger and wrath of God, and so our years are short in the grand scheme of history. All of this drives ...
Jul 18, 2023•56 min
Rev. Luke Zimmerman, pastor at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg, PA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 84. As one of the sons of Korah serving in the temple, the writer of Psalm 84 speaks from firsthand experience when he extols the loveliness of God’s dwelling place. His longing to be in the house of the LORD is shared by every faithful Christian, whether due to extreme circumstances of absence or as a part of the weekly rhythm of public worship. As God provides e...
Jul 17, 2023•55 min
Rev. Brian Flamme, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Roswell, NM, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 77. The psalmist cries out to God in faith in Psalm 77, even as he wrestles with God in prayer. Day and night the psalmist can find no comfort as he considers God. He begins to turn as he makes diligent search, not within himself, but in the Word of God for the way God has acted in the past. As the psalmist recalls the mighty works of God from the Scriptures, the LORD draws the psal...
Jul 14, 2023•55 min
Rev. Dr. Christian Preus, pastor at Mount Hope Lutheran Church and School in Casper, WY, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 62. Though David makes no explicit request of the LORD in Psalm 62, still he has the truth of God to confess and pray. David waits upon God in silence, confident that God is his rock and fortress who will save him. Even as enemies attack David and the people of God with their lies, David continues to hope in God and wait for him as his refuge. Such trust is befitt...
Jul 13, 2023•56 min
Rev. Jeffrey Ries, pastor at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tacoma, WA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 55. In Psalm 55, David cries out to the LORD in the midst of great trouble and trembling. The distress is so great that David is restless and desires to flee away from the threat of those who intend him harm. David puts the matter of his deliverance into the LORD’s hands as David prays that the LORD would destroy those who are filled with iniquity and oppression. David’s pain...
Jul 12, 2023•55 min
Rev. David Boisclair, interim pastor at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Overland, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 46. Psalm 46 invites us to pray to God as the refuge and strength who will never fail us, no matter what enemies come against us. Neither disasters in nature nor political machinations can cause fear for the people of God, for He dwells in our midst and brings His help when it is needed the most. As we look out upon the battlefield from the safety of His presence, we...
Jul 11, 2023•55 min
Rev. Jason Schockman, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Oconomowoc, WI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 34. Psalm 34 was David’s prayer while he was fleeing from King Saul and changed his behavior in the presence of the Philistine king. As David praises the LORD for answering his prayer for deliverance, he invites all those who trust in the LORD to experience the same goodness of the LORD. In this fear of the LORD is true wisdom and goodness, for the LORD looks upon His people...
Jul 10, 2023•55 min
Rev. Steve Andrews, pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee's Summit, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 25. Psalm 25 is an acrostic poem that teaches and prays concerning a wide range of Christian experience. David prays that the Lord would keep His promises so that David would not be put to shame. In order that he better know the promises of the Lord, David asks that God would teach him and guide him according to the Word. David knows his failings; he knows that he is depend...
Jul 07, 2023•55 min
Rev. William Terjesen, pastor at the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Peekskill, NY, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 19. Psalm 19 starts with the way God reveals Himself in His creation. The heavens declare His glory as a constant testimony of His existence and His power. In particular, the presence of the sun in the sky that goes from one end of the heavens to the other gives evidence that God has created all things, and all things are subject to Him. That leads King David to nar...
Jul 06, 2023•55 min
Rev. Tim Eden, pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church in Bryan, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 14. Psalm 14 teaches godly wisdom to all who have ears to hear. Folly rejects the one true God. Such folly may not be spoken outright, but the meditations of the heart as made manifest in actions that have no regard for God and His Word reveal the foolishness. St. Paul picks this thought up in Romans 3 and says that all people are lost in such foolishness in their original sin. Yet God has ...
Jul 05, 2023•55 min
Rev. Tim Storck, pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Chesterfield, MI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 5. As King David cries out to the LORD with growing urgency, he grows in trust and expectation. He prays in the morning, not because it is at the appointed time for sacrifice, but also because he looks to God first. David knows that God does not delight in evil nor in those who do it, and David also knows that he can only count himself as one of God’s people because of the L...
Jul 04, 2023•55 min
Rev. Nate Hill, pastor at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Winchester, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 1. Psalm 1 sets the tone for the entire Psalter. God teaches us that the blessed man does not join in the wickedness of scoffers; instead, the blessed man delights in the Word of God at every opportunity. Through His Word, God causes the lives of His people to flourish, which remains true even in the midst of earthly suffering. The wicked, despite any earthly successes, do not ...
Jul 03, 2023•54 min
Join Sharper Iron during the month of July to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ. 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 no...
Jul 03, 2023•2 min
