St. Paul continues his table of duties by speaking to children and fathers. Children who have been baptized into Christ are full members of the Church right now. In the humble act of honor for their parents, children do a holy work that is blessed by God. Similarly, fathers do a holy work when they remain committed to the humble task of raising their children as Christians. St. Paul next turns to slaves and masters to instruct them in godly living. Although slaves and masters occupy different st...
Aug 21, 2024•57 min
As St. Paul encourages Christians to live in the order that God has given, he gives a table of duties. Beginning with the way wives and husbands act toward each other, the Apostle not only gives instruction for Christian living, but he proclaims the Gospel in the way Christ has acted as Bridegroom for His Bride, the Church. Wives are to submit to their husbands as the Church submits to Christ. Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the Church. In saying this, St. Paul expounds upon the...
Aug 20, 2024•56 min
Because of the truth of Christ giving light, St. Paul instructs Christians to see carefully how they walk in this life. Making use of the wisdom of God’s Word, we redeem the time to be used for the glory of God. Rather than filling ourselves with wine that leads to drunkenness and debauchery, Christians are filled with the Holy Spirit as we sing God’s Word and give thanks to Him in all things. In the true fear of the Lord, we order our lives for service to our neighbor. Rev. Jeff Hemmer, pastor ...
Aug 19, 2024•56 min
Because Christians have put on the new self, created in the likeness of God in Holy Baptism, St. Paul calls us to imitate God in forgiveness and love. In His love, Jesus has given Himself as a sacrifice in our place. Therefore, we flee from idolatry and everything related to it, for this would be to renounce the inheritance that God has given. Because God has called us out of that darkness, we live in His light, seeing the truth through His Word. Through His Word, He makes all things visible. St...
Aug 16, 2024•57 min
Because Christians have been clothed anew in Holy Baptism, St. Paul calls us toward that new life that God has given. Our speech is filled with truth instead of lies, because we belong to the one church. Anger is met with repentance so that the devil is given no foothold. Dishonesty and laziness are replaced with generosity and diligence for the sake of serving the neighbor. Our words are filled with grace through God’s Word. In the Holy Spirit, all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander ...
Aug 15, 2024•55 min
St. Paul reminds the Gentile Christians of the terrible way of life that they walked when they lived under idolatry. Such a life was nothing but futility, darkness, ignorance, impurity, and hardness of heart. Instead, now they have received Christ and His truth. Baptized into Him, they have put off the old self, that is, the sinful nature. Through the work of the Spirit, their minds are renewed and they put on the new self, created after the image of God in His righteousness. Rev. David Boisclai...
Aug 14, 2024•56 min
St. Paul begins to expound upon the way the baptized walk according to the calling Jesus has given. He has made us members of one body and one Spirit. The one Lord has called us to one hope and one faith in one baptism, so that we are under the one God and Father. This one God has given His gifts to His whole Church through the ascension of Christ, who is proclaimed by the ministers He sends to His Church. Through this proclamation of the Word, God unites and builds up His church in the truth so...
Aug 13, 2024•55 min
Marveling at the mystery of the Gospel, St. Paul bows his knee in prayer before the Father. We truly know Him as our Father, instead of any idols, because of our Brother, Jesus Christ. Through His Spirit, we are strengthened as Christ dwells in us by faith. This love that God has for us surpasses our knowledge, and yet, we are filled with His fullness. For His work, which is more than we could ever ask or think, God receives glory from His whole Church forever. Rev. Brian Flamme, pastor at Imman...
Aug 12, 2024•55 min
St. Paul says that he is a prisoner for Christ for the sake of the Gentiles. He has been faithful in the stewardship that God gave him to proclaim the reality of salvation by God's grace through faith to all people. In this way, God has revealed His mystery in Christ; all who have faith in Him are fellow heirs with all the saints of God. Even though St. Paul is the least of all the saints, God showed him this same grace to proclaim this reality, so that those who hear and believe have boldness a...
Aug 09, 2024•55 min
St. Paul says that he is a prisoner for Christ for the sake of the Gentiles. He has been faithful in the stewardship that God gave him to proclaim the reality of salvation by God's grace through faith to all people. In this way, God has revealed His mystery in Christ; all who have faith in Him are fellow heirs with all the saints of God. Even though St. Paul is the least of all the saints, God showed him this same grace to proclaim this reality, so that those who hear and believe have boldness a...
Aug 09, 2024•55 min
The salvation by grace through faith in Christ is not only for Jews; it is for Gentiles as well. St. Paul especially reminds the Gentile Christians in Ephesus that although they had once been far away from God, they have now been brought near in Christ. Where once there had been division between Jew and Gentile, now there is peace, for Christ has died to reconcile sinners to God. Through Jesus, all who trust in Him have access to God and are joined into the one holy Christian and apostolic Churc...
Aug 08, 2024•56 min
St. Paul lays out directly the way God has saved us. Before we were Christians, we were not merely injured by our trespasses. No, we were actually dead, even as we actively walked after the ways of the devil and the course of this world. Only by the mercy and love of God have we been made alive. This has happened through Christ; in Him we have been raised and given life with God in the heavenly places. All of this is the gift of God's grace which we receive through faith, which is also God's gif...
Aug 07, 2024•56 min
St. Paul gives thanks to God for the faith of the Ephesians and remembers them in his prayers. He asks that God would give them wisdom and knowledge in Christ. In Him, the Ephesians will truly see the certainty of their hope and the riches of their inheritance. God has shown His power over all things through the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. He rules over all things for the sake of His Church, which is His body. Rev. Steve Andrews, pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee's Summit, MO...
Aug 06, 2024•56 min
St. Paul spent a long time in Ephesus during his third missionary journey. Even while he was later imprisoned, he wrote to them to instruct them in the Christian faith and life. The letter opens with praise and blessing to the Triune God. The Father has blessed us and chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world. In the beloved Son of God, we are beloved as well. In Christ Jesus, the inheritance of all God's riches belong to us, because we have been sealed with the Holy Spirit as a gua...
Aug 05, 2024•55 min
"One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle to the Ephesians. St. Paul highlights the salvation that God has given to His whole Church by His grace through faith. Because God has given His people this new life in Holy Baptism, we live in thanksgiving to Him as members of one body. 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 c...
Aug 05, 2024•3 min
The people who hear Malachi's preaching in the fear of the LORD speak to each other to encourage one another to repentance and faith. The LORD comforts them by writing their names in His book and promising that the distinction between His people and His enemies will one day be seen. On that Day, unbelievers will receive the fiery judgment of God, while believers will receive healing and joy from the LORD's righteousness given to them. In preparation for that Day, the LORD reminds His people of t...
Aug 02, 2024•56 min
In the aftermath of the exile and return, the people of God have gone beyond faithful lamenting and have accused the LORD of delighting in evil and injustice. In response, the LORD says He will bring justice by suddenly sending His Messenger into His temple. Another messenger will prepare the way to lead the people to repentance for the refining fire that will come. In such repentance, the people will again bring offerings of righteousness to the LORD. The only escape from that Day is through th...
Aug 01, 2024•56 min
The prophet continues to preach against the faithless priests who are failing the LORD's people. Although the LORD has called His priests to be purveyors of His life and peace through true sacrifices and right teaching of His Word, His priests have turned aside and caused many to stumble. If they do not turn, these priests will only have curses instead of blessings. Faithlessness in worship has led to faithlessness in life; the prophet also speaks the LORD's Word against those who have married i...
Jul 31, 2024•57 min
Although few specifics concerning this prophet's life and ministry are known, Malachi nonetheless lives up to his name; he is the LORD's messenger. His preaching is characterized by many rhetorical questions from the LORD and responses from the people. In this way, the LORD brings His people to examine themselves and draw them to repentance and faith. When the people question the LORD's love for them, He reminds them that He chose them to be His people. Next, the LORD calls to account the priest...
Jul 30, 2024•55 min
Zechariah's book concludes with the LORD's promise to bring the Day of His judgment and salvation. Even on the Day He brings the enemy armies to surround Jerusalem, He plans for their destruction. On that Day, He will give His people light and life, for He will reign as the King over all. Those who remain at enmity with the LORD will see only ruin, but those who survive and turn to Him in faith will worship the LORD along with His people. Zechariah's prophecy points us both to the fulfillment in...
Jul 29, 2024•56 min
From the Pierced Savior flows a fountain that cleanses the people of God from sin and uncleanness. Through this gift, the LORD cuts off idolatry and false prophecy. He silences these lies by amplifying the voice of His truth in the proclamation of His Word, which still happens in His Church. This has happened because the LORD has sent His sword to strike His shepherd, causing the sheep to scatter. According to His loving will, the Father sent His Son to the cross to die for sinners in order to m...
Jul 26, 2024•55 min
In this second burden of the word of the LORD given by Zechariah, the prophet speaks about the way the LORD will save Jerusalem. Her enemies will stagger in drunkenness as they slice themselves open trying to lift this heavy stone. Their horses and riders will be useless in battle, for the LORD will devour His enemies by fire as all His people, from the greatest to the least, receive His victory. As the LORD promises to pour the blessing of His Spirit upon His people, the surprise comes. His peo...
Jul 25, 2024•56 min
The prophet continues to speak against those who have set their might against the LORD and His people. Through a parable and an action prophecy, the LORD commands Zechariah to be a shepherd to a flock that is doomed to slaughter. Because of their idolatrous past, the people of Israel had been sent into exile. The two staffs in the shepherd’s hands were broken, because Israel abandoned the LORD’s favor for them, and they annulled the brotherhood they had with each other by their faithlessness. Th...
Jul 24, 2024•57 min
Zechariah proclaims that the LORD alone provides rain for the fields; idols are worthless. Because the leaders of God’s people have pointed them toward idols, the LORD of hosts will punish them, and He will send the Savior as the cornerstone, the tent peg, and the battle bow. Through this Savior the LORD will save all HIs people and bring them back to Himself, even from the farthest reaches of the world. Rev. Zelwyn Heide, pastor at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Hanover, ND and Zion Lutheran Chur...
Jul 23, 2024•56 min
In the second part of his book, Zechariah preaches especially about the coming King for the people of God. The LORD sees not only His people; He sees all people. Neither the Phoenicians nor the Philistines will be able to stand against the LORD or His people. Jerusalem will rejoice, for the LORD is sending His humble King who will put an end to warfare and bring peace and righteousness over all the earth. Those who cling to the LORD and His coming King will have His protection and salvation. By ...
Jul 22, 2024•55 min
As the first part of the book of Zechariah comes to an end, the LORD of hosts speaks ten promises concerning the restoration and redemption of His people. He will guard them jealously, dwelling in their midst and giving them complete safety. As He brings them to dwell in Jerusalem, they will be His people, and He will be their God. He will bless them with peace in their land, so that they can serve Him according to the good works He has prepared for them. Their seasons of fasts will be replaced ...
Jul 19, 2024•56 min
On December 7, 518 BC, the Word of the LORD comes to Zechariah to answer a question regarding ongoing religious practices. Now that the temple is being rebuilt, a delegation from Bethel wants to know if the fasts observed for the first temple’s destruction should continue or not. The LORD does not give a simple “yes” or “no” answer in response. He questions His people concerning the reason for their fasting—was it for Him or for themselves? He calls them to account, as He had done through former...
Jul 18, 2024•56 min
In Zechariah’s eighth vision, he sees four chariots coming out from between two bronze mountains. The LORD who dwells in His holy temple is powerful and active in all the world for the sake of His people. As Zechariah’s visions come to an end, the LORD gives an action prophecy for Zechariah to perform. From the wealth brought back from Babylon, Zechariah is to make a crown for the high priest Joshua. Another crown is to be in the temple for the coming Branch; He will be both Priest and King. Thi...
Jul 17, 2024•55 min
In Zechariah’s sixth vision, he sees an enormous scroll with writing on both sides. This Word from God convicts the people of their sin and goes out over all the whole earth; no one will escape the Law’s condemnation. Only in Christ will the curse be removed. In Zechariah’s seventh vision, he sees a basket with a heavy leaden lid, holding in a woman named “Wickedness.” This provides a picture of the folly of idolatry. False gods are nothing more than tiny statues, easily contained. By carrying t...
Jul 16, 2024•56 min
In Zechariah’s fifth vision, he sees a golden lampstand flanked by two olive trees. The conversation between the prophet and the LORD’s messenger indicates the great importance of this vision. The lampstand is a reminder of the LORD’s constant watchfulness and presence with His people, and the continual flow of oil from the two trees shows how the LORD will provide constant light for His people. The work of the LORD’s Spirit will bring about the temple’s completion. Although it may seem a day of...
Jul 15, 2024•57 min
