Thy Strong Word from KFUO Radio

The Rev. Derek Waffel, pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Pascagoula, MS, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Acts 17:1-33.The Apostle Paul ventures into the heart of Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens, facing a mix of skepticism and intrigue. In Thessalonica, the message of the resurrected Jesus stirs the city to its core, leading to both uproar and belief. In Berea, the noble-hearted residents eagerly search the Scriptures to confirm Paul's teaching. But it's in the cultural epicenter of Athens where Paul's passion for the Gospel shines, as he addresses a crowd of thinkers at the Areopagus.The Book of Acts takes us back to the earliest days of Christianity, unveiling the incredible acts of the apostles and the growth of the early church. Acts offers a firsthand account how the Apostles and Jesus’ disciples respond to his death and resurrection. It makes us witnesses to the beginning of fulfilling Jesus’s command to spread the Gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. We encounter miracles and wonders, we see the church struggling to organize itself in the absence of Jesus, and we learn of the trials and tribulations the early Christians faced in a world that rejected them.

The Rev. Nabil Nour, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hartford, SD and fourth vice president of the LCMS, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Acts 16:16-40.In the bustling streets of Philippi, Saints Paul and Silas encounter a slave girl with a mystifying ability to tell the future by means of a demonic spirit. Paul exorcises the demon, leading them into a dramatic confrontation with her masters. As the city rises against them, they are thrown into prison, setting the stage for an awe-inspiring midnight act of faith and a miraculous twist.The Book of Acts takes us back to the earliest days of Christianity, unveiling the incredible acts of the apostles and the growth of the early church. Acts offers a firsthand account how the Apostles and Jesus’ disciples respond to his death and resurrection. It makes us witnesses to the beginning of fulfilling Jesus’s command to spread the Gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. We encounter miracles and wonders, we see the church struggling to organize itself in the absence of Jesus, and we learn of the trials and tribulations the early Christians faced in a world that rejected them.

The Rev. John Shank, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Edwardsville, IL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Acts 15:36-16:15.Paul and Barnabas prepare to set out on their second missionary journey, but a sharp disagreement over taking John Mark leads to them splitting up and going separate ways. This section introduces young Timothy, whose mixed Jewish and Gentile heritage symbolizes the inclusive nature of the new faith. Paul teams up with Silas, and their journey takes them through Asia Minor where they receive a divine call to Macedonia. There they encounter Lydia, the first recorded European convert, who opens her home to them.The Book of Acts takes us back to the earliest days of Christianity, unveiling the incredible acts of the apostles and the growth of the early church. Acts offers a firsthand account how the Apostles and Jesus’ disciples respond to his death and resurrection. It makes us witnesses to the beginning of fulfilling Jesus’s command to spread the Gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. We encounter miracles and wonders, we see the church struggling to organize itself in the absence of Jesus, and we learn of the trials and tribulations the early Christians faced in a world that rejected them.

The Rev. Warren Woerth, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Arnold, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Acts 15:1-35.In the heart of a tumultuous dispute that threatens the early Christian community's unity, a momentous gathering is called to address a crucial question: must Gentile converts first become Jews and adhere to Jewish customs and traditions to be accepted into the fold? As tensions escalate and divisions deepen, witness the heated debates, the unwavering conviction of Paul and Barnabas, and the decisive intervention of the Spirit.The Book of Acts takes us back to the earliest days of Christianity, unveiling the incredible acts of the apostles and the growth of the early church. Acts offers a firsthand account how the Apostles and Jesus’ disciples respond to his death and resurrection. It makes us witnesses to the beginning of fulfilling Jesus’s command to spread the Gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. We encounter miracles and wonders, we see the church struggling to organize itself in the absence of Jesus, and we learn of the trials and tribulations the early Christians faced in a world that rejected them.

The Rev. John Zimmerman, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Scranton, PA and St. Johns Lutheran Church in Pittston, PA, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Acts 14.Paul and Barnabas venture into new territories, spreading the Gospel and facing a roller coaster of challenges and triumph. As they travel to Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, they perform miraculous healings, leaving the locals in awe. However, their divine mission attracts fierce opposition. From being hailed as gods to facing violent persecutions, their unwavering dedication to God's mission takes them through highs and lows, leaving a lasting impact on the communities they touch.The Book of Acts takes us back to the earliest days of Christianity, unveiling the incredible acts of the apostles and the growth of the early church. Acts offers a firsthand account how the Apostles and Jesus’ disciples respond to his death and resurrection. It makes us witnesses to the beginning of fulfilling Jesus’s command to spread the Gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. We encounter miracles and wonders, we see the church struggling to organize itself in the absence of Jesus, and we learn of the trials and tribulations the early Christians faced in a world that rejected them.

The Rev. Christopher Craig, pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Sylvan Grove, KS, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Acts 13:13-53.Paul and Barnabas continue their journey, spreading the Gospel in the region of Pisidia. They arrive in a city called Antioch (different from the other Antioch) where Paul is invited to speak in the synagogue. What begins as a recounting of Israel's history transitions into a powerful proclamation of Jesus Christ as the promised Savior. Opposition and conflict soon arise, and the reactions of the people are a mix of both acceptance and rejection.The Book of Acts takes us back to the earliest days of Christianity, unveiling the incredible acts of the apostles and the growth of the early church. Acts offers a firsthand account how the Apostles and Jesus’ disciples respond to his death and resurrection. It makes us witnesses to the beginning of fulfilling Jesus’s command to spread the Gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. We encounter miracles and wonders, we see the church struggling to organize itself in the absence of Jesus, and we learn of the trials and tribulations the early Christians faced in a world that rejected them.

The Rev. Christopher Amen, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pipestone, MN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Acts 12:25-13:12.Barnabas and Saul return from delivering the famine relief to Jerusalem, and the Antioch church sends them off on their first missionary journey. Led by the Holy Spirit, they encounter sorcery, opposition, and even a conflict with a false prophet. However, they also witness the power of God as Saul, now known as Paul, confronts and temporarily blinds the sorcerer.The Book of Acts takes us back to the earliest days of Christianity, unveiling the incredible acts of the apostles and the growth of the early church. Acts offers a firsthand account how the Apostles and Jesus’ disciples respond to his death and resurrection. It makes us witnesses to the beginning of fulfilling Jesus’s command to spread the Gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. We encounter miracles and wonders, we see the church struggling to organize itself in the absence of Jesus, and we learn of the trials and tribulations the early Christians faced in a world that rejected them.

The Rev. John Lukomski, co-host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Acts 11:27-12:24. Find Wrestling with the Basics at kfuo.org/WrestlingWithTheBasics. When a prophecy of a dire famine looms, the unity and compassion of the Antioch community will be put to the test while the early church is faced with a cruel wave of persecution led by King Herod himself. Peter, one of the pillars of the burgeoning faith, finds himself shackled and imprisoned, cast into the very jaws of danger. As he awaits his grim fate, the prayers of the church rise as one, a ceaseless plea to the heavens. In an extraordinary twist of divine intervention, Peter is miraculously delivered from his chains by an angel of the Lord.The Book of Acts takes us back to the earliest days of Christianity, unveiling the incredible acts of the apostles and the growth of the early church. Acts offers a firsthand account how the Apostles and Jesus’ disciples respond to his death and resurrection. It makes us witnesses to the beginning of fulfilling Jesus’s command to spread the Gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. We encounter miracles and wonders, we see the church struggling to organize itself in the absence of Jesus, and we learn of the trials and tribulations the early Christians faced in a world that rejected them.

The Rev. Joe Cox, Director of Curriculum and Education at Lutheran High School South, St. Louis, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Acts 11:19-26.In the aftermath of persecution, a ripple of faith unfurls across the lands, transforming the city of Antioch into a beacon of hope. From these scattered seeds of belief, a new wave of Christianity takes root, penetrating the hearts of both Jew and Gentile alike. Amidst this divine awakening, Barnabas, a beacon of encouragement, fans the flame of faith, and the city thrives as a stronghold of new believers. In Antioch, the disciples were first called Christians.The Book of Acts takes us back to the earliest days of Christianity, unveiling the incredible acts of the apostles and the growth of the early church. Acts offers a firsthand account how the Apostles and Jesus’ disciples respond to his death and resurrection. It makes us witnesses to the beginning of fulfilling Jesus’s command to spread the Gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. We encounter miracles and wonders, we see the church struggling to organize itself in the absence of Jesus, and we learn of the trials and tribulations the early Christians faced in a world that rejected them.

The Rev. Dr. Matt Richard, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Minot, SD, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe for Free Text Friday.In the paradise of Eden, Adam and Eve enjoyed an idyllic existence, at peace with God, nature, themselves, and each another. But this blissful harmony was shattered by their sin and rebellion which led to death, giving rise to guilt and fear that have enslaved mankind ever since. How does Christ's redemption liberate us from this bondage, transforming us from slaves of fear into God's own children? This episode compares and contrasts the life of spiritual slavery with the joyful freedom experienced as a baptized child of God.