Thy Strong Word from KFUO Radio

Rev. Max Phillips, pastor of Christ and Zion Lutheran Churches in Bouton & Ogden, IA, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 24:32-51.The time is near. Repent. Believe in the Word that will not pass away. Jesus reminds us that we live trusting in the LORD, not knowing when He will return, to be ready for His return. Heaven and earth will pass away, but the Word will not pass away. The timing of Christ's return is not as important as living in faith. If we assume that we will always have more time, these words can be scary, but knowing that Christ has done it all on the cross, we can live in comfort each day. “O Holy Spirit, fill us with the comfort of the cross and give us the words to proclaim about Christ and Him crucified so that others may believe and serve in Your kingdom. Make us ready, O LORD. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Robert Wentzel, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Bemidji, MN joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 24:15-31.“Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20).” In love, Jesus prepares the disciples for His quick and dynamic return. For the believer, it will be a day of rejoicing, which reminds us of the need to continue to faithfully preach the truth of Christ’s salvation & forgiveness in this life and the life to come. In Christ, it is well with our souls. Come quickly!“And, Lord, haste the day when our faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll, The trumpet shall sound and the Lord shall descend, even so it is well with my soul.” Lutheran Service Book 763

Rev. Michael Pottschmidt, pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School in Concordia, MO joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 23:37-24:14.In love, Jesus laments the lost sheep of Jerusalem and teaches the truth of His second coming. We are to be careful to not take Jesus’ words as a literal checklist we can interpret from the newspaper. He makes sure that we understand the reality of this broken world (wars, rumors of wars, persecution, false Christ’s, famines, and earthquakes) and shows us where our hope lies: His kingdom. Stay steadfast, endure until the end, and lay hold on His salvation.“Fight the good fight with all your might; Christ is your strength, and Christ your right. Lay hold on life, and it shall be, Your joy and crown eternally. Amen” Lutheran Service Book 664

Rev. Kyle Mietzner, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Anchorage, AK joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 23:1-36.In love, Jesus gave His last sermon to the religious leaders and what a sermon it was. Woe to anyone who attempts to gain the world but loses the LORD. Woe to those who lead others astray. Woe to anyone who attempts to tithe their possessions without faith denying justice and mercy. Woe to anyone who looks shiny and bright while actually spiritually dead. Repent, O saints, follow His Word and look again to Christ.“Christ be my leader by night as by day; Safe through the darkness for He is the way. Gladly I follow, my future His care, darkness is daylight when Jesus is there. Amen” Lutheran Service Book 861:1

Rev. Lance O’Donnell, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church and School in Oconomowoc, WI joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 22:15-46.If what Jesus is saying is true, it changes everything. The full salvation by Christ’s hand changes how we look at our relationship to Him, our neighbors, and our government. Everything is wrapped around the Love of God to His people in Christ and in response, He sends His Holy Spirit so that we live a holy life of love of Him and to others. Jesus’ confrontation with the Pharisees concerning the Christ reminds us to continuously go back to the Scriptures for our understanding of Him and to go back to Christ’s salvation for our hope. “Lord Jesus, Your Word is Truth—You are the Truth. Call us out for sin and continuously bring us back to You for our hope. Reform our lives that we may love the LORD with all of our heart, soul and mind and love others as ourselves. O Holy Spirit, enter in. Amen”

Rev. Dr. John Wohlrabe Jr., pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Whitefish Bay, WI, and 2nd Vice President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 22:1-14.Our King, God the Father, invites people to His Feast of salvation. The rich feast was promised in Isaiah 25 and a promise for the world. The reactions of this invitation are quite varied, but the king continues to freely invite by His grace. When the guests come into the wedding hall, there are some who dishonor the king by not wearing the wedding garment. Even with this dishonoring, the King patiently calls the guests Friend, yet without repentance there are dire consequences. “O Jesus Christ, invite us again to Your feast of salvation. Use us as Your servants to invite others to Your feast. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Dr. Christopher Ascher, pastor of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, SD joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 21:33-46.Jesus patiently teaches another parable concerning the wickedness of the tenants (religious leaders of those days). This parable is both scary and strange. What master would send multiple people to terrible tenants, let alone his own son? As we put on our Christ goggles, we see a patient and merciful master (God the Father) who would be willing to give His own Son even to wicked tenants. Yet, this proclamation has a strong warning: Repent and believe for there will be a time of separation. This cornerstone of Christ is our foundation but for those who deny His Son will be crushed by the weight taken out of His vineyard. “O Holy Spirit, bring us to repentance to live in Your fruitful vineyard. Give repentance to others in our lives so that the gifts of forgiveness and salvation may be theirs. Amen”

Rev. Drew Ross, pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Costa Mesa, CA joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 21:18-32.Jesus challenges us to faith. Faith in a God who created the mountains, faith in the God who has all authority, and faith in the one who calls us sons. He leaves no room for diplomacy, either Jesus is the Son of the Living God or not. From His mercy, He calls all of us as sinners, tax collectors, prostitutes, and religious leaders to trust in His authority, repentance, and renewal in Christ. “Almighty God, we see our lack of faith and ask by Your Holy Spirit lead to contrition and trust in You. Give us boldness to confess the truth of Christ, leave aside all diplomacy, and proclaim the truth of Christ’s salvation. In His name, Amen”

Rev. Steven Wheeler, pastor of Crossview Lutheran Church in Edina, MN joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 21:1-17.Jesus is taking control, as the greatest servant, to how He will do the ultimate service through the cross. The people needed a reminder what kind of King He would be–gentle, humble, and bringing salvation. “Who is this?” many asked. Even though they did not fully understand the fullness of who Jesus was, by His grace even the mouth of babes are able to clearly confess that this prophet, priest, and king have come for all nations. We join the lame, blind, and children today so that we may sing our Hosannas as the LORD has saved us and saves us now. “Lord God, Hosanna in the Highest, blessed are You who comes in the name of the LORD. Lord, as The Temple, fill us with the words of babes knowing that the sacrifice is complete and You have come for all nations. In Him, Amen”

Rev. Martin Schultheis, pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Baltimore, MD joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 20:20-34.“Mother knows best” brings up many questions as we look at James and John’s mother’s request. We can be quick to judge the requests and others without reflecting on what we might do in the same situation. Jesus’ mother asked for her son’s to have a place of honor in His kingdom, the disciples probably desired the same thing, but the blind men asked for mercy. In His mercy, He served us by our cross and, living in us calls us to serve others in His name. “Lord God, as Your Son came to serve, help us to be servants of others. Fill our hearts with faith and our lips to seek Your mercy that, by Your Strength we may serve You and others faithfully. In Christ, Amen”Thy Strong Word 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.