Concord Matters from KFUO Radio

The clear statement from the Augsburg Confession, “People are freely justified for Christ’s sake, through faith, when they believe that they are received into favor and that their sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake (AC, IV), still bring questions such as: “What about repentance? How do we obtain this faith? How does faith justify?” The Concordians address these questions by pointing to the means of grace and the work of the Holy Spirit. Faith only comes by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. This faith is not a “good start” or a catapult to greater things, but all that one needs for salvation is found in the trust of the full sufficiency of Christ’s cross and empty tomb. “What costly sacrifice, to cover human sin! Who but Christ Jesus had the right to enter in? His blood, sprinkled price, so we might be assured. That our inheritance in light has been secured.” LSB #564 st. 4.Rev. Mark Bestul, pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Elgin, IL joins Rev. Brady Finnern to continue our study of Justification.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations.

Christ will come again to judge everyone, and there will be an account. Either one has belief in the promises of Christ and will enter the gates of heaven or a lack of faith in Christ which will take one away from the Lord. The clarity of justification grounds us in the righteousness of Christ, which comes from the free forgiveness of sins won for us by His blood by the means of grace. His righteousness becomes yours through faith. The Judge has become your brother. No fear, no cause for alarm, nothing but joy for Christ’s death and resurrection given to you through His sacraments. “God would not have the sinner die; His Son with saving grace is night; His Spirit in the Word declares, How we in Christ are heaven’s heirs” LSB #571 st. 3Rev. Matthew Moss, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Corcoran, MN joins Rev. Brady Finnern to continue our study of Justification.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, both God and man, freely justifies sinners by faith that they are received into favor and forgiven for His sake. This gift is made known throughout the Scriptures, both Old and Testament, for the sake of a clear conscience. To understand this article we need to understand the distinction of Law & Promise. The Law is not abolished by Christ, but He has fulfilled it so that we may see our sin and our need for a Savior’s cross. “By grace I'm saved, grace free and boundless; My soul, believe and doubt it not. Why stagger at this word of promise? Has Scripture ever falsehood taught? No! Then this word must true remain; By grace you too will life obtain.” LSB #566, st. 1Rev. Greg Truwe, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cole Camp, MO joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the Two Natures of Christ and Justification.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations.

When Paul says we are “dead in our sins” (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1), what does that mean? Scripture teaches that we are not only fallen but that we have a strong tendency to sin without the fear of God, called concupiscence. To speak correctly of Christ is to have a correct understanding of our sinful nature. We are fallen, dead in sins, and have no fear, love, or trust in God, including adults, infants, and children. By Christ’s cross and empty tomb, God removes the condemnation of all sin, by applying His righteousness, holiness, and innocence upon you in faith. You are dead in sin and need help: Be baptized, confess your sins, and receive full forgiveness in Christ by His Word. Thanks be to God!Rev. Eli Lietzau, pastor of Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study articles 1-2 of the Apology of the Augsburg Confession.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations.

When the Augsburg Confession was presented, the political and theological world was in upheaval. The princes were not allowed to read the Catholic response, the Confutation, but they were asked to subscribe to it. The Concordians desired to prepare a defense to show that they did not create a new theology but were continuing the confession of the Christian Church from the beginning. Instead of the focus being on “faith + works” or “The Papacy,” Melancthon makes it very clear that the formal principle of the Church is “justification by faith alone.” The gift of the Apology of the Augsburg Confession is its clarity concerning salvation by faith in Christ and the good works that follow.Dr. Ryan Macpherson, Academic Dean of Luther Classical College in Casper, Wyoming, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the background, history, and Melanchthon's greeting to the Apology.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations.

The Concordians needed to make a defense as controversies quickly arose after the presentation of the Augsburg Confession on June 25, 1530. Within months, Emperor Charles declared that the Lutherans had until April of the next year to concede to the Roman Catholic Church. Melancthon began a thorough defense the next fall while the Smalcaldic League was formed to unite the Reformers around the truth of God’s Word and clearly confess the Gospel for the sake of a clear conscience. This defense provides us with a masterpiece of God’s grace on account of Christ, specifically Justification.Rev. Dr. John Maxfield, Professor of History and Religious Studies at Concordia University of Edmonton, Alberta, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the introduction to the Apology of the Augsburg Confession.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations.

The Concordians were bold to present the theological issues of their day to unify the whole Church. It was not to be a rebellion against the Roman Catholic Church, but an ardent desire to bring the Church back to the Truth of the Gospel. The foundational issue centered around a “system of merit,” where the Catholic Church believes that one is saved by the work of Christ, BUT....there is still a need for payment due to the consequences of their sin. Although we might suffer from the consequences of our sin, we do not need to make further payment to be in the right relationship with the LORD. This is why all of theology brings us back to the clear words of AC IV, “By His death, Christ made satisfaction for our sins. God counts this faith for righteousness in His sight.”Rev. Terry Forke, President of the LCMS Montana District, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Indulgences and the Conclusion to the Augsburg Confession.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations.

By what authority do our pastors do their work? By what authority does the government do their work? The Church has full authority from the Lord to give a clear conscience to burdened sinners simply through the preaching the Gospel and administrating the sacraments. This authority does not mean that there is no need for good order or that Christians should not be involved in government, but we need constant exhortation for the Church to be faithful stewards of His mysteries. "The Church’s one foundation Is Jesus Christ, her Lord; She is His new creation, By water and the Word. From heav'n He came and sought her, To be His holy bride; With His own blood He bought her, And for her life He died." LSB #644 st. 1Rev. Greg Truwe, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cole Camp, MO joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Church Authority.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations.

Melancthon spoke of monasticism in his days as “wicked.” Everything one sees from the outside it looks good and holy: chastity, obedience, service of the neighbor, poverty, etc. However, if one is looking for justification or perfection by the law they will never be satisfied (Galatians 5:14). We believe that there is Christian perfection, that is righteousness that only comes from the Triune God. It is not found in an unbiblical vow, but only found in the faith that for Christ’s sake one has been reconciled to the Father (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). “Just as I am, without one plea-But that Thy blood was shed for me. And that Thou bidds’t me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.” LSB #570, st. 1Rev. Jonathan Buescher of Zion Lutheran Church, Mt. Pulaski, IL joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Article 27 of the Augsburg Confession.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations.

Choosing what to eat and not eat is entirely a matter of Christian freedom. Satisfaction is not what makes me satisfied but was required to be pleasing before the LORD. Satisfaction was made in full for your sins by Christ’s cross and empty tomb (Romans 3:21-26). Christians do not do away with good traditions or dissuade people from bodily discipline for the good, yet these disciplines are done with the assurance of Christ’s forgiveness and salvation. So go ahead, open up your grill and lean on Christ. “Not what I feel or do, Can give me peace with God; Not all my prayers and sighs and tears Can bear my awful load.” LSB #567 st. 2.Rev. Dr. Brian Kachelmeier of Wittenberg Academy joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Article 26: Distinction of Meats in the Augsburg Confession.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations.