Thy Strong Word from KFUO Radio

Rev. Joshua Knippa, pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran in Nederland, TX, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study the Epistle of Jude.Jude tells us the Christians of the 1st century “to contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints.” The Christians in those days were surrounded by ungodly people who perverted the grace of our Lord Jesus. Sound familiar? Jude exhorts us to rely on the LORD alone while keeping ourselves in the love of God. He has called us beloved ones of the Father and promises that He will keep us with Him. “Lord God, keep us from stumbling, help us to wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ who leads us to eternal life. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Dr. Michael Morehouse, pastor of Catalina Lutheran Church in Tuscon, Arizona joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study 3 John.Walking in the truth of Christ leads us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to humble service in all our vocations. By God’s wisdom, John shows an example of hospitality with Gaius and Demetrius. We pray that He would lead us to be generous as our Lord is generous toward us. John does call out the lack of generosity of Diotrephes. One of the greatest challenges in the church is to call out sin, but John handles this spiritual concern in light of Matthew 18, by calling out sin and doing so face to face. “Lord God, grant us a generous heart to love others, help us to be like Gaius & Demetrius, that by Your Holy Spirit, we may walk in Your truth that our joy may be complete in You. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Bob Hiller, pastor of Community Lutheran Church in Escondido and San Marcos, CA joins host Rev. Brady Finnern study 2 John.In John’s 2nd letter to the elect lady, the church and her members, he rejoices for those who are walking in the truth and staying from those who deceive away from faith. We are called to abide with Christ as His love has been given for you by His physical death and resurrection which still comes to us today in His body and blood. “O LORD, keep us from those who deceive and help us to abide in Your Word. Amen”

Rev. Jacob Heine, Pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Topeka, KS, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 John 5:13-21.John ends his letter with a purpose statement, “That you may know that you have eternal life.” We live in a world that is obsessed with confidence. Confidence in our strengths, finances, personality, and station in life can easily lead to narcissism or depression. Confidence in Christ is faith that He hears you, He forgives you, and His Word is true! The call of the Christian is to repent. Repent for your lack of faith and know that “Christ is enough!” “O Holy Spirit, open our eyes, ears, and hearts to know and have confidence in the truth and new life in Christ. Help to realize that we will never be enough, but Christ is enough. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Jason Bredeson, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sacramento, CA joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study I John 5:1-12.John is very clear: To believe in Christ’s life, death, resurrection, and ascension is to be born again in Him. Through faith in Him, we overcome this evil world by His work and grace. He has overcome evil and our hope is not in vain. Hold fast to the water claimed in water and the Word. Hold fast to the body and blood that we are able to eat and drink. Hold fast to the Spirit that opens our hearts to believe in Christ and HIs Word. “Lord Jesus Christ, Your testimony is true, send Your Holy Spirit that we may have life in You. In Your name, Amen”

Rev. Nabil Nour, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hartford, SD joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study I John 4:7-21.Love is from God. Love is referenced over 20x which fills us with an unconditional love that we fully see with the cross and empty tomb. God’s love is in spite of us. This love given to us is not an opportunity to justify something that we desire, but a love that realizes that when we go against His will, His hand of mercy still extends to us. We see God’s love actively at work through the Church as she serves their community through food pantries, homeless shelters, homes for pregnant women, and services for all in need. “My song is love unknown, My Savior’s love to me, Love to the loveless shown, That they might lovely be. Oh, who am I? That for my sake, My Lord should take Frail flesh and die?" (Lutheran Service Book 430, "My Song is Love Unknown").

Rev. Thomas Eckstein, pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church in Jamestown, ND, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 John 4:1-6.Our itching ears can be led away from Christ by attractive words. It can be difficult to distinguish what is from God or from some other spirit, but it is clear that only the Holy Spirit calls us by the Gospel and keeps us with Christ. John proclaims the truth of the Holy Spirit but confesses who is NOT the Holy Spirit. Any time a person confesses that salvation or forgiveness is NOT from Jesus, true God or true man. To confess that there is salvation in someone else is not a small issue, but that of the anti-Christ. “O Holy Spirit, call, gather, enlighten, sanctify us and the whole church on earth to stay in the true faith and keep us with Christ. Amen”

Rev. Doug Griebenaw, Mission Advocate for KFUO Radio in St. Louis, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study I John 3:11-24.Our culture often equates love with a nice feeling in our heart. One does not need to live very long to realize that our hearts can lead us astray. John knows that the darkness in this world is REAL, therefore we need light & love. God’s power, love, forgiveness, and healing is greater than our feelings. The focus of our love begins with God in Christ and therefore we steadfastly depend on Him to love others. We stand as both saints and sinners and cling to His promises as we love as He first loved us. “O Holy Spirit, give us Jesus as I have not loved in word or talk, but have thoughts of self more than others. Give us the fully sufficient active love in Christ that our works may be perfected by Your love. Lord have mercy, Amen”

Rev. John Lukomski, co-host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study I John 3:1-10. Find Wrestling with the Basics at kfuo.org/WrestlingWithTheBasics.God’s love in Christ is something to see. This love, by His cross, He calls us His children now and by His blood we are purified of all our sins. In response to this love we move forward to not be deceived, make a practice of sinning, or to keep on sinning. Repent, O sinners. You are a child of God. Repent, O child of God, love your brother. Repent, O loved one, Christ was not deceived by the devil and is your Advocate. “Lord God, Heavenly Father, Your love in Christ provides our identity that will last forever. Grant us repentance, renewed faith, and love for others in Your righteousness. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Kevin Yoakum, pastor of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Riverview, FL joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study I John 2:18-29.Definitions are important. To say that someone is an antiChrist is not a small statement. John is warning the Church that those deny Christ’s full salvation by the cross is an antiChrist. Our goal is not to run around to find out who this antiChrist is, but to stay steadfast with Christ’s salvation. His promise of eternal life by Christ’s cross is for you so abide in Him through the Word, His forgiveness, and His grace. “Lord God, You have anointed us by the Holy Spirit in Baptism. Keep us steadfast in the true faith that we, who can easily be deceived, will abide in You to practice righteousness in our daily vocations. In Christ, Amen”