Sharper Iron from KFUO Radio

After seven days of silence with his friends, Job speaks first. With vivid imagery, he curses the day of his birth and says it would be better if he were now dead. Yet this is not a despairing desire for death. The key to understanding Job's lament is the reality that Job's suffering has made him unsure if God remains for him. The thing that Job fears is that God is now his enemy. If that is the case, then Job has no hope at all, for life without God is worse than death.

Rev. Zelwyn Heide, pastor at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Hanover, ND and Zion Lutheran Church in New Salem, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Job 3:1-26.

To learn more about St. Peter and Zion Lutheran Churches, visit stpeterzion.org.

“There Is a Redeemer” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies the book of Job. The suffering of Job raises important questions. Does man fear God for no reason? Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil? Who can be an arbiter for man? As this book of wisdom literature wrestles with such questions, God reveals to us that He is our Living Redeemer whom we are right to fear, love, and trust above all things.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Pastor Appel serves at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL. Learn more at flcgodfrey.org. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]

The scene in the heavenly council from Job 1 replays in Job 2. The LORD again taunts Satan with the righteousness of Job, yet Satan challenges God once again. Job's own health remains, the accuser says. God keeps Satan on a leash, refusing to let the accuser kill Job even as he strikes the righteous man with terrible sores. Job refuses to fall into the despair of his wife in the midst of his terrible suffering. When three of Job's friends hear of the evil that has happened, they come and sit silently with him for seven days.

Rev. Steve Andrews, pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee's Summit, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Job 2:1-13.

To learn more about St. Matthew Lutheran, visit gracefaithlove.org.

“There Is a Redeemer” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies the book of Job. The suffering of Job raises important questions. Does man fear God for no reason? Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil? Who can be an arbiter for man? As this book of wisdom literature wrestles with such questions, God reveals to us that He is our Living Redeemer whom we are right to fear, love, and trust above all things.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Pastor Appel serves at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL. Learn more at flcgodfrey.org. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]

The backstory for Job is found in God's heavenly council. There, God taunts Satan that Job is a righteous man. Satan challenges God, however, claiming that Job only fears God because of all the things God has given. God allows Satan to take away Job's possessions and family. The news of one disaster right after another hits Job all at once. Yet he responds faithfully: "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."

Rev. James Uglum, pastor at Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church in St. Peter's, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Job 1:6-22.

To learn more about Chapel of the Cross, visit chapelofthecrosslutheran.org.

“There Is a Redeemer” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies the book of Job. The suffering of Job raises important questions. Does man fear God for no reason? Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil? Who can be an arbiter for man? As this book of wisdom literature wrestles with such questions, God reveals to us that He is our Living Redeemer whom we are right to fear, love, and trust above all things.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Pastor Appel serves at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL. Learn more at flcgodfrey.org. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]

The book of Job is wisdom literature, in which God's Word helps us to wrestle with important questions of faith and life. Job's great suffering leads to a debate between him and his friends, which is finally concluded by the thundering and authoritative voice of God. As the book of Job begins, Job is introduced as living an ideal life economically, socially, and religiously. Yet the name Job is related to a word that means "enemy." Could Job actually be God's enemy? What will happen if Job thinks he is God's enemy? The stage is set for the rest of the book.

Rev. Dr. Ryan Tietz, Associate Professor of Exegetical Theology and Dean of Students at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Job 1:1-5.

“There Is a Redeemer” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies the book of Job. The suffering of Job raises important questions. Does man fear God for no reason? Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil? Who can be an arbiter for man? As this book of wisdom literature wrestles with such questions, God reveals to us that He is our Living Redeemer whom we are right to fear, love, and trust above all things.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Pastor Appel serves at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL. Learn more at flcgodfrey.org. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]

“There Is a Redeemer” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies the book of Job. The suffering of Job raises important questions. Does man fear God for no reason? Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil? Who can be an arbiter for man? As this book of wisdom literature wrestles with such questions, God reveals to us that He is our Living Redeemer whom we are right to fear, love, and trust above all things.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Pastor Appel serves at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL. Learn more at flcgodfrey.org. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]

When the guards give their report of events at Jesus’ tomb, the Sanhedrin bribes them to say that the disciples stole Jesus’ body. Their lie has sent this false gospel into the world still today. Nonetheless, Jesus has a true Gospel to send into all the world. He gathers His disciples to Himself in Galilee. From there, He sends them to all nations with His authority to make disciples through Baptism and teaching. This promise Jesus will keep, for He is with His Church into the ages of ages.

Rev. Sam Wirgau, pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ossian, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 28:11-20.

To learn more about Bethlehem in Ossian, visit bethlehemossian.org.

“The Reign of Heaven Stands Near” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims that God has fulfilled His Old Testament promises by sending Jesus to bring the reign of the heavens among us. As the Son of David, Jesus is the gracious King we need, and as the Son of Abraham, Jesus is the blessing to all the families of the earth.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Pastor Appel serves at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL. Learn more at flcgodfrey.org. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]

At dawn of the first day of the week, the third day since Jesus had died, the two Marys went to see Jesus’ tomb. They expected Jesus would be dead, despite Jesus’ promise. A divine earthquake and a heavenly angel interrupted their expectations. The only dead men at Jesus’ tomb were the guards attempting to keep Jesus inside. The angel announced the good news that the Crucified One had risen, as He said. When the women did as the Word of God had instructed them, Jesus met them personally, and they worshipped their Risen Lord in His body. Jesus sent them to His disciples, who were also His brothers, to send them to Galilee, where they too would see Jesus.

Rev. Matt Ulmer, pastor at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church—Friedheim, just outside Decatur, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 28:1-10.

To learn more about Zion in Friedheim, visit zionfriedheim.org.

“The Reign of Heaven Stands Near” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims that God has fulfilled His Old Testament promises by sending Jesus to bring the reign of the heavens among us. As the Son of David, Jesus is the gracious King we need, and as the Son of Abraham, Jesus is the blessing to all the families of the earth.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Pastor Appel serves at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL. Learn more at flcgodfrey.org. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]

Joseph of Arimathea uses his wealth in service to the Lord by providing a tomb for Jesus. Through Joseph, God fulfills the Word He spoke through Isaiah. From an earthly perspective, things look final. Joseph and the women who witness Jesus’ burial act on the belief that Jesus will remain dead. Ironically, the enemies of Jesus are the ones who remember what Jesus had said concerning His resurrection. These enemies foolishly think they can hold Jesus in His grave. As Jesus rests in His tomb until the third day, the stage is set for His Word of resurrection to be fulfilled. As Jesus went into His grave and came out, so will all who believe in Him.

Rev. Andy Wright, pastor at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Topeka, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 27:57-66.

To learn more about St. John's in Topeka, visit stjohnlcmstopeka.org.

“The Reign of Heaven Stands Near” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims that God has fulfilled His Old Testament promises by sending Jesus to bring the reign of the heavens among us. As the Son of David, Jesus is the gracious King we need, and as the Son of Abraham, Jesus is the blessing to all the families of the earth.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Pastor Appel serves at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL. Learn more at flcgodfrey.org. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]

The signs accompanying Jesus’ death provide God’s testimony for the victory that He has won. The tearing of the temple curtain showed that the once-for-all sacrifice has been made by Jesus so that He is our true and only Mediator before God. The earthquake showed the reality of God’s judgment and served as a confirmation of Jesus’ teaching. The raising of the saints showed that Jesus’ death was life-giving. Of all people, the Roman centurion realized that Jesus’ death showed Him to be the Son of God. As the women looked on, they saw that Jesus had truly died. At that moment, He was ministering to them far more than they were ministering to Him.

Rev. James Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 27:27-44.

To learn more about Trinity in Marshfield, visit trinitylutheranottumwa.com.

“The Reign of Heaven Stands Near” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims that God has fulfilled His Old Testament promises by sending Jesus to bring the reign of the heavens among us. As the Son of David, Jesus is the gracious King we need, and as the Son of Abraham, Jesus is the blessing to all the families of the earth.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Pastor Appel serves at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL. Learn more at flcgodfrey.org. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]

For three hours, miraculous darkness covers the land as Judgment Day comes upon Jesus on the cross. He experiences the suffering of hell as the Father forsakes Him. Nonetheless, as Jesus prays Psalm 22, He does so not in despair but trusting in His Father’s will. As the crowds continue to doubt and mock Jesus, He gives up His life for the sake of sinners. Because God has died for us on the cross, this day truly is Good Friday.

Rev. Sean Daenzer, Director of Worship for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and chaplain for the International Center in St. Louis, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 27:45-50.

“The Reign of Heaven Stands Near” is a series on Sharper Iron that studies the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims that God has fulfilled His Old Testament promises by sending Jesus to bring the reign of the heavens among us. As the Son of David, Jesus is the gracious King we need, and as the Son of Abraham, Jesus is the blessing to all the families of the earth.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Pastor Appel serves at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL. Learn more at flcgodfrey.org. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]