Thy Strong Word from KFUO Radio

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”

Rev. John Shank of Trinity Lutheran Church in Edwardsville, IL joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Galatians 4:1-20.“Don’t go back to slavery” Paul exhorts the Galatians. In the fullness of time God sent Jesus to pay the price of our adoption, so why go back under slavery? Paul grieves if his work has been in vain. We all have the same struggles as we serve in His name, but we stand under our current identity given by the Spirit, “An heir of all God’s righteousness.” “O Holy Spirit, pour Your love into our hearts that we may be formed in Christ to trust in Your promises. In Christ. Amen”

Rev. John Lukomski, retired LCMS pastor, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Galatians 3:10-39.“The righteous shall live by faith.” It really is that easy! The law does not bring righteousness but the promise of Abraham’s offspring, that is Christ, has been put on you. We are united together in Christ by baptism, for all are one by faith in Him. “O LORD, help us to not go back to the law for our hope. Help us to see the promise in Christ and take refuge in that promise. In Him, Amen”

Rev. Bryan Stecker, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Nashua, New Hampshire, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Galatians 3:1-9.O Foolish Galatians! Don’t go back to slavery under the law, but look to Christ in faith. By the Holy Spirit we believe that Jesus is the Christ, the same promise and blessing for Abraham is yours. We are reminded in our study that “in the Old Testament the New Testament is concealed; in the New Testament the Old Testament is revealed.” “O Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with faith in the promise of Christ, that as Abraham and all the patriarchs believed and were counted as righteous, we would be partakers in Your righteousness. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. David Boisclar of Faith and Bethesda Lutheran Churches in Pine Lawn, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Galatians 2:11-21.Paul says, “I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.” “To die for you” was Jesus’ purpose statement. Christ not only loved Peter, Paul, Barnabas, & James, but loved you in His death for you. Don’t add to your salvation, rest in this wonderful gift. “Lord Jesus, as I have been crucified in Christ through baptism, in your giving yourself for me, help me to give thanks and rest in this grace. Amen”

Rev. Curtis Deterding, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Myers, FL joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Galatians 2:1-10.Paul tells of his travels to Jerusalem to meet with Peter, James, and John. As Titus and Barnabas join him on these travels, they clearly proclaim that in faith in Christ’s death and resurrection for our forgiveness, and the apostles agree that they are knitted together in this work. By this Gospel, the LORD thrusts us out to serve others, specifically the poor. “LORD God, as You have had mercy upon us, keep us steadfast in the Gospel and help us to serve the poor and needy. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Philip Hoppe, pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Finlayson & St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bruno, MN joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Galatians 1:11-24.Paul proves his apostleship, not because he was learning from the apostles, but because Jesus had revealed it to him. He also shows how the Gospel comes to all people, all nations, and all kinds of sinners---him being the worst. All his work was to His glory and that others would glorify God. “Lord God, You have set us apart by the blood of Christ, to You be all the glory and we ask that others in our lives may believe and give You all glory. In Christ, Amen”

Dr. Andrew Das, Professor of Religious Studies at Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, IL joins Rev. Brady Finnern to start our study on Galatians 1:1-10.Paul is astonished. The churches in Galatia had heard and believed in the one true Gospel of Christ’s forgiveness for His sake, but there were some who had troubled their souls with questions concerning that promise. He speaks directly to them that there is only one Gospel and any other gospel given leads to people being accursed. To Him be all the glory forever and ever who was raised from the dead. “O Holy Spirit, thank you for delivering us from the present evil age and keep us steadfast in Your Word and in faithfulness to the one Gospel. Lord have mercy. Amen.”

Rev. Brian Davies, pastor of Lord of Glory Lutheran Church in Grayslake, IL joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Corinthians 13.Paul ends his letter to the Corinthians with a plea to “examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith” reminding us that to be in Christ is a daily dying and rising. He ends this epistle with words of joy, comfort, peace, love, and blessing in Christ. “O Lord, keep us faithful to Your word and grant us repentance when we fall. Raise us to a new life in Christ so that we move forward in grace, love, and fellowship with You. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Peter Burfeind, pastor of Agnus Dei Lutheran Church in Marshall, MI & Our Savior Lutheran Church in Union City, MI joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Corinthians 12:11-21.Paul desires to visit the Corinthians a third time and hopes that he will find a repentant and restored church. He cares and is concerned for them, in the name of Christ, as a father does for his children. The Corinthian church had many issues (quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder), which all of our churches have, but Paul’s focus was on repentance and cure for their souls in the Gospel. “Lord God, grant us patience as we encounter quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, disorder, and lead us in repentance to Your forgiveness in Christ. Amen”