Thy Strong Word from KFUO Radio

Rev. Dan Eddy of Messiah Lutheran Church, Beloit, WI joins host Rev. Brady Finnern of Messiah Lutheran Church, Sartell, MN to study Ephesians 4.Our unity as Christians is founded on God: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. From our LORD He provides us with pastors to bring the precious gifts of Christ’s forgiveness, life, and salvation by the Word to equip saints for His Work. From His gift we are to be people of humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another, speaking truth in love, and building each other up in love. “LORD God, thank You for uniting us together as one in You and help us to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which You have called us in Christ. Help us to be humble, gentle, patient, bearing with one another, speaking the truth in love, and building each other up in Christ. In Your name, Amen.”

Rev. Kevin Parviz of Congregation Chai V Shalom in Dogtown, St. Louis, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Ephesians 3.We love mysteries. “Who done it?” “How did it happen?” “Who is that masked man?” Paul writes to the Ephesians revealing a mystery: that ALL nations are partakers in the promise in Christ Jesus. The mystery is no longer a mystery and we have boldness and access to God the Father with confidence through faith in Christ. This solving of the mystery leads us to pray for the faith in Christ of others and for power from His Holy Spirit to be filled with all the fullness of God. “O Holy Spirit, pour Your love into our hearts and others to believe in Christ and to give You all glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations. Amen”

Rev. John Lukomski, host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Ephesians 2:11-22. Listen to on demand episodes of Wrestling with the Basics at kfuo.org/wrestlingwiththebasics.Paul likes prepositions, “In Christ Jesus,” “in his flesh,” “in him,” “through him,” “in whom” and “in the LORD.” He reminds us that we are saved through Him alone and He never leaves us. But he also shows who we are connected with, the saints of Christ (v.19). We are “being built together” by Christ our cornerstone as His people united in Him. “Lord God, give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to have compassion on others as ones He died for and brought us together for His glory. Amen”

Rev. Mark Jasa of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Pasadena, California joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Ephesians 2.You were dead----dead in sin and trespasses. To be dead takes away all motivational aspirations. Yet, Jesus is in the resurrection business. He has made you alive only by His rich mercy. This new life brings comfort that we are loved by our LORD, but also leads us to do the works He provides. Works of love towards others and in love toward Him. “O LORD, thank you for being the only source of our salvation by Your grace by Your grace through faith. Help us to rest in that salvation and strengthen us to be workmen in Your kingdom. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Dr. Matthew Heise, Executive Director of the Lutheran Heritage Foundation in Macomb, MI joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Ephesians 1:11-23. Learn more about the work of LHF at lhfmissions.org.Paul encourages unity in the Ephesian church by clearly proclaiming our Triune God and His authority in everything. The Ephesian church was surrounded by other gods who required complete obedience and submission for salvation, such as Artemis, but it is our LORD Jesus who has all authority and gives Himself and His gifts to you. What joy it is to know that no matter what happens, here or around the world, our church is the Lord’s Church and He will care for us. “O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, by the mystery of the Trinity, You show us again Your power and the gifts You lavish upon us. Thank you for truth, salvation, the seal of promise. Bless the Church that we may be faithful to this grace and trust in You our Head. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Dr. Thomas Winger, President of Concordia Lutheran Seminary, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada & the author of the Concordia Commentary on Ephesians joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to begin our study of Ephesians, chapter 1:1-14.“In Him we have redemption through his blood...which he lavished upon us…” Paul addresses the beloved Ephesian congregation to be united in Christ and see the divine action God has on his people: chosen, predestined, blessed, forgiven, and united by His blood. Paul’s words are a reminder that we are all united by the blood of Christ and on account of Him we are saints, just like the Ephesians. “Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for the gift of grace by Your blood that unites us with the Father and one another. Blessed be Your name that we may ever praise You and proclaim the truth of what You do. In Your name. Amen”

Rev. Jeremy Klaustermeier of St. John Lutheran Church in Warrenton, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Galatians 6:1-18.Do not grow weary in doing good brothers and sisters in Christ. God will reap a good harvest by His good gifts. The LORD calls you to bear burdens to fulfill the law of Christ, but it is not you that does it but Christ who works through you. As a new creation in Christ, we do good to everyone, especially those closest to us (home, church, neighborhood, and community). “O LORD, thank you for making us a new creation in Christ. Help us to humbly do good for everyone and to boast in Your cross. In Your name. Amen”

Rev. Ross Shaver of Zion Lutheran Church in Nampa, ID joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Galatians 5:16-26.Walk by the Spirit and not the flesh. It is our flesh, that which is separated from Christ and the Holy Spirit, that manifest in ways that lead us away from Christ. But the Spirit, that is the Holy Spirit, bears fruit that point us to Christ and extends that fruit to others. Receive His Spirit, walk by His Spirit, and live a new life in Him. “O Holy Spirit, grant us love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, that we may glorify You in our bodies and in service to others. In His name, Amen”

Rev. Jacob Heine of Faith Lutheran Church in Topeka, KS joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Galatians 5:1-15.“For freedom Christ has set us free.” Paul brings strong words to remind the Galatians, and us, that our confidence is in Christ, not in anything else. To trust in anything else is to be severed from the LORD Himself. This freedom we have on account of Christ grants us the opportunity to serve, love, and care for others. As Christ first loved us, in love we serve one another. “Lord Jesus, as You have set us free from sin, death, and the power of the devil, help us to use our freedom to serve others founded in Your love. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Ross Engel of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Middleburg, FL joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Galatians 4:21-31.Paul speaks in figurative language a very clear message: You are free in Christ so don’t go back to trying to find hope in the Law. As a good father tells stories to his children to make a point, Paul tells of the Old Testament figures of Hagar and Sarah. Hagar points us back to the flesh and law for comfort and Sarah points us to the freedom and promise we have with Christ. Stay in freedom and stay with Christ. “O LORD, you have called, redeemed, and freed us from sin, death, and the power of the devil. Keep us from adding to the Gospel or finding our hope in other means. Lord have mercy. Amen”