Concord Matters from KFUO Radio

When we follow certain ceremonies in the Church are they distracting to the Gospel or do they help the proclamation of Christ? When we live in the world, how do we engage our government without sacrificing our beliefs? The Concordians asked the question, “What does Scripture say?” and “Where is your hope?” The Christian can follow ceremonies and participate in the government with a clear conscience as our hope is in Christ and clinging to the promises of His Word. “Built on the Rock the Church shall stand, Even when steeples are falling. Crumbled have spires in every land; Bells still are chiming and calling, calling the young and old to rest, But above all the souls distressed, Longing for rest everlasting.” LSB #645, st. 1Rev. Tim Sims, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Chester, IL joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the truth of Church Ceremonies and Civil Government.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 very aware of the questions that would arise when confessing the truth of the Church and the Sacraments such as: “How do we view faith with the Sacraments?” and “Who should preach, teach, and administer the Sacraments?” As they taught the truth of God’s Word the focus faith takes off the promises of the world and puts on the promises of Christ. The Lord calls qualified men (I Timothy 3) to be our overseers (Acts 20:28) and give the gifts of Christ to sinners. “Send, O Lord, Your Holy Spirit. On Your servant now, we pray; Let him prove a faithful shepherd. That no lamb be led astray. Your pure teaching to proclaim, To extol Your holy name, And to feed Your lambs, dear Savior, Make his aim and sole endeavor.” LSB #681, st. 1.Rev. Stewart Crown, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Palo Alto, CA, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to confess the truth of the use of Sacraments and Order in the Church.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.

Jesus tells us why he came, “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance (Luke 5:32).” Repentance needs to have a good understanding of “Worldly sorrow” vs. “Godly sorrow.” Am I sorry that I got caught or am I sorry that I broke God’s commands? The life of the Christian is repentance, that is, sorrow for our sin and assurance of His forgiveness in Christ. When Jesus says repent, he intended that the entire life of believer should be repentance. Our contrition, by Holy Spirit, occurs with the assurance that Christ has paid the price and He leads us to good works (Galatians 5:22-23). “I look to Christ upon the tree, His body broken there for me; I lay before Him all my sin, my darkest secrets from within” LSB #616. St. 2Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Minot, ND joins Rev. Brady Finnern to confess the truth of Repentance.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.

"Private absolution should be retained in the churches”, the Concordians confess. Yet, for various reasons the practice has been largely absent from most Lutheran congregations. We want to follow the Lord’s command to forgive and retain sins (John 20 & Matthew 16), but confession should not be a source of more guilt and shame. Confession/absolution give the benefits of Christ’s cross to the sinner which should not have more rules added to it. The pastor cares for souls by rightly applying Law & Gospel through the office of the keys for repentance and the free forgiveness as from Christ Himself. Go to confession and receive His blessed forgiveness. “Baptismal waters cover me, As I approach on bended knee; My Father’s mercy here I plead, for grievous sins of thought and deed.” LSB #616, st 1. Rev. Dr. Joshua Miller, pastor of Jehovah Lutheran Church in St. Paul, MN joins Rev. Brady Finnern to confess the truth of 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.

Jesus’ words are simple with eternal implications. The mystery of His real presence points us back to Christ’s cross and the benefits of we receive today in the body and blood. Instead of looking within ourselves to find comfort, we cling to the plain words of Christ to receive what He promises: forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation (Matthew 26:28). “What is this bread? Christ’s body risen from the dead; This bread we break, This life we take, was crushed to pay for our release. O taste and see---the Lord is peace.” LSB #629, st. 1Rev. Dennis McFadden, pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, IN joins Rev. Brady Finnern to confess the truth of the Lord’s Supper. 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 Scripture speaks, we believe and confess it. Jesus tells us that “whoever believes and is baptized will be saved (Mark 16:16).” Peter tells us “Baptism now saves you (I Peter 3:21).” Jesus tells us to “make disciples of all nations baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20).” According to Scripture, we believe that all the promises of Baptism are yours: forgiveness of sins, rescue from death and the devil, and eternal salvation (Small Catechism, Sacrament of Baptism, 2nd part). “God’s own child I gladly say it : I am baptized into Christ! He, because I could not pay , gave my full redemption price. Do I need earth’s treasures many? I have one worth more than any, That brought me salvation free. Lasting to eternity!” LSB #594, st. 1Rev. Paul Cain, senior pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church and headmaster of Martin Luther Grammar School in Sheridan, Wyoming, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the Ninth Article 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.

What is the Church? What does the Church do? We need to know what the Church is to make sure that we know where to go. We need to know what the Church is to make sure we know what we receive. The Church begins and ends with Christ and the gifts He gives: The Word, the Sacraments, and the forgiveness of sins on account of Him. Luther lays it out well in the Smalcald articles (Article XII) “Thank God today a seven-year-old child knows what the Church is, namely, the holy believers and lambs who hear the voice of their Shepherd (John 10:11-16).” “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. Ben Meyer, pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in Sunbury, OH joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the Seventh Article 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.

If we are saved by the grace given by Christ’s cross and empty tomb and received by faith, then what? Are we “required” to do anything? Good works are done by the Christian, by the Holy Spirit, and are necessary for the baptized (Ephesians 2:10). The works are not done because the Lord needs them, but for the needs of our neighbor. In faith, the baptized Christian humbly serves others knowing that our hope is in the full forgiveness of sins in Christ alone. “Create in me a new heart, O Lord. That gladly I obey Your Word. Let what You will be my desire, and with new life my soul inspire.” LSB #704, st. 3Rev. Dr. Jason Wagner, pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in High Ridge, MO joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the Sixth Article 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.

As we are freely justified for Christ’s sake, through faith, when they believe that they are received into favor and their sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake, how does one receive the benefits of Christ’s work 2,000+ years ago? So that we may obtain faith, the ministry of teaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments was instituted by the Lord. The Lord calls pastors to be giving the gifts of Christ, each pastor looks different, but the focus is the same: the Word of God given to sinners for the sake of a clear conscience in Christ. “Send, O Lord, Your Holy Spirit; On Your servant now, we pray; Let him prove a faithful shepherd; That no lamb be led astray. Your pure teaching to proclaim, To extol Your holy name, And to feed Your lambs, dear Savior, Make his aim and sole endeavor.” LSB #681 st. 1Rev. David Juhl, pastor of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Arlington, WI joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the Fifth Article 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.

Justification is often said to be “Just as if I did not sin.” Scripture is very clear that we are dead in our sin, when one is dead there is no hope for renewal. Our justification is not based on our works, but what we cannot do for ourselves, Christ has done for us. His cross, His tomb, His resurrection, and His ascension has done all the work, He has made satisfaction for our sins and by His grace we receive it by faith. “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. Jason Bredeson, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sacramento, CA joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the Fourth Article 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.