Thy Strong Word from KFUO Radio

Rev. Curtis Deterding, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Myers, Florida, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13.Paul’s words are broken down into three sections. First, he grieves that he was from Thessalonica and longed to be together again---face to face. Secondly, he expresses joy over the steadfast faith of the Thessalonians even under temptation of the evil one. Finally, he prays for the Thessalonians to endure in faith and love towards one another until Christ returns. “Lord god, unite us with other Christians so that we may see each other face to face soon. Provide us with stories of how Your word is at work around the world. Grant us endurance to prevail over the temptations of the evil one. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Dennis McFadden of Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Thessalonians 2.We hear and feel another example of the “Pastoral Paul.” He speaks of his love for the Thessalonians as he labored among them in trial and persecution and, like a loving father and mother, desires that they would continue to grow in the Christ and His Word. We pray for the same of our loved ones, neighbors, and members of our churches. “O Lord God, keep us steadfast in Your Word. Enlighten the hearts of ministers to care for each soul with Your Word, strengthen believers even in persecution, and change the hearts of unbelievers to confess Your Son as Lord. In His name, Amen”

Rev. Jacob Heine, Pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Topeka, Kansas, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Thessalonians 1.Paul gives thanks to the LORD for the Thessalonians. He gives thanks for the gift of faith, hope, and love given to them by our LORD. Paul’s time in Thessalonica did not appear to be fruitful, but by the Holy Spirit people believed and the church grew throughout their region. Paul reminds all of us that it is by God’s love that we are chosen and made holy all on account of Christ. “Lord God, help us to be thankful. Thankful for Your work on the cross and thankful for the gift of faith given to others. This Holy Week, fix our eyes on Jesus once again as You show us the center of our faith---the cross and the empty tomb. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Ryan Fehrmann, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Wausau, WI joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Colossians 4:2-18.Paul gives his final instructions and greetings. Continue steadfast in prayer. Pray that the LORD would open a door for the Gospel of Christ’s full and free forgiveness to be declared and our words may be gracious, seasoned with salt. This is a tall order, but not only will God give You His Holy Spirit and He gives you fellow believers. Paul shows us that we need not be lone rangers. He had Tychicus, Onesimus, Mark, Justus, Epaphras, Demas, Nympha, and Archippus, not only for encouragement to one another, but also to spread the Word around. “Lord God, surround us with fellow Christians to serve You and love others. Give us lips to pray, give You praise, and encourage one another as if it is seasoned with salt. Lord have mercy. In Christ, Amen.”

Rev. Lucas Witt, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Baltimore, MD joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Colossians 3:12-4:1.You are God’s chosen one, holy and beloved. As you have been chosen, He has called us to live in accordance with His gracious will. Paul gives us important instructions on how to live as the body of Christ (kindness, compassion, meekness, forgiving), in the home (submission, love, & obedience), and in our working relationships (service and justice). The words of Paul lead us to ask the questions, “How can I serve as one washed, redeemed, and made holy in Christ?” “How can I serve my family?” “How can I serve in my area of work?” “Lord God, as Your chosen and holy ones by the blood of Christ, help us to be compassionate, forgiving, loving, subservient, obedient, and servants to those You have brought before us. Lord have mercy, In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Kevin Martin, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Colossians 3:1-11.Christ has raised you to new life. It is no longer I who live, dead to sin, but Christ who lives in me. We all have temptations to seek worldly ways: immorality, evil desires, anger, malice, coveting. Our modern day tends to act as if “you can’t change.” But Paul reminds us that change is possible, you can glorify God with your body and your words, put off the old self as Christ clothes you with the new self. Christ is all and in all---you were baptized into Him. “Lord God, thank You for bringing us to death in repentance and raising us to new life in Christ. Give us Your grace and power that we may glorify You with our bodies in word and deed that others may see our good works and give glory to YOU. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. John Lukomski, host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio joins host Rev. Brady Finnern of Messiah Lutheran Church, Sartell, MN to study Colossians 2. Find Wrestling with the Basics at kfuo.org/wrestlingwiththebasics.The pastoral Paul comes out front and center. He grieves the false teaching the Colossians were receiving. He addresses these concerns with a rich teaching of Christ’s deity, a powerful preaching of the fullness of death and resurrection in baptism, and an exhortation not to treat traditions as anything other than a tradition. Our Lord Jesus has made you alive in Christ, fully forgiven, and our sins were nailed to the cross not for us to take down! “Lord God, keep us steadfast to right teaching. Keep us faithful to the fullness of Your mercy and grace in Christ, the truth of who You are, and resting in the truth that You have canceled our record of debt to make us alive in You. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Dr. Lane Burgland of Churubusco, Indiana joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Colossians 1:15-29. Find his book at "Reading the Bible with Understanding" cph.org/p-1615-Reading-the-Bible-with-Understanding.aspx.“It’s all about Jesus!” Paul proclaims a creedal type of sermon by showing us that Christ is above all things, not only the church, but also everything that is visible & invisible, thrones & dominions, rulers & authorities. How does He use this authority? He reconciles us to the Father and makes peace by His cross. Suffering will come. Paul rejoices even in that suffering. Our LORD Jesus knows our suffering and powerfully works in us (v.29). “Lord Jesus, You show Your authority by reconciling us to You and making peace by Your forgiveness, thank You for giving us this grace and help us endure suffering with grace by Your power. In Your name, Amen”

Rev. Dr. Paul Deterding, pastor and teacher at St. Paul Lutheran High School in Concordia, Missouri joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to begin our study of Colossians.Faith & hope needs a source. The church in Colossae had faith and hope, but the source was wrong. A source based on knowledge and a denial of physical realities. Their pastor, Epaphras, had visited Paul while in jail and expressed concern that the church had focused more on knowledge than their incarnate, crucified, and physically risen Savior. Paul encourages the Colossians to re-focus their attention on the content of their faith & hope, Christ and Him crucified, because from that content they receive real redemption, that is, forgiveness in Christ. “Lord Jesus Christ, Your incarnation, death, resurrection, body and blood is where our hope is founded. By Your Holy Spirit, keep us grounded in the true faith so that Your love will be given to others. In Your name, Amen”

Rev. Steven Theiss, vacancy pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells, MO, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Philippians 4:2-23.“Rejoice in the LORD always; again I will say rejoice.” Paul speaks these words after establishing “Whose we are.” We are the blood bought ones “whose names are written in the book of life (v.5).” This last chapter of Philippians pulls the whole book together of why he rejoices, is content, and is not anxious, even in prison. The LORD is with us (v.5), we can come to the LORD in prayer (v.6), we have good things from God on which to focus (v.8-9), and He has provided people around us to encourage and unite us in Christ (Euodia, Syntyche, the true companion, Clement, Epaphroditus, & Caesar). “Lord God, help us to rejoice in the good things from You. Help us to be content and provide people to encourage us and that we may encourage others. No matter the circumstance we know that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Amen”