Rev. Ned Moerbe, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blackwell, OK, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 18:1-14.

In order to encourage His disciples to pray always without losing heart, Jesus tells a parable about an unjust judge and a persistent widow. Though the judge cares neither about God’s law nor man’s opinion, he gives the widow the justice she desires due to her constant petitioning. In contrast to the unjust judge, the true God is righteous. He loves His elect, and He will surely answer their prayers because He is their heavenly Father. Jesus’ question about finding faith invites each individual to examine themselves for the faith that Jesus commends in His second parable. To those who trust in their own righteousness, Jesus speaks about a Pharisee who prays with pride and a tax collector who prays with humility. While the Pharisee is brought low in his pride, the tax collector receives the mercy and justification from God for which he pleads.

“The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection so that Theophilus would have certainty concerning the things he had been taught. As we still read the Word of God recorded by St. Luke, our gracious Lord gives us that same certainty that Jesus is our Savior.

Rev. David Vandercook, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in North Little Rock, AR and Shepherd of Peace Lutheran Church in Maumelle, AR, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 17:20-37.

When some Pharisees ask when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus redirects their question toward Himself. The kingdom of God is not to be sought in signs, but in the King who is among them, Jesus Himself. The Lord then instructs His disciples further. When they desire to see Him as they did at that time, they should not be misled, but they should recognize that Jesus’ coming will be as evident as the flash of lightning. His second coming as King cannot take place until He completes His first coming as King in which He reigns by death and resurrection. When he returns again on the Last Day, it will be sudden. That is why the Lord gives warning now, so that sinners would repent and believe in Him to be prepared for the final judgment. Only such faith will save; no material goods will avail. When the disciples ask where this will happen, Jesus points once again to His own death for the sin of the world.

“The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection so that Theophilus would have certainty concerning the things he had been taught. As we still read the Word of God recorded by St. Luke, our gracious Lord gives us that same certainty that Jesus is our Savior.

Rev. Chris Hull, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Tomball, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 17:11-19.

Jesus’ journey toward the cross puts the healing of the ten leprous men into its full context. As Jesus cleanses these men from the sickness that corrupts their skin, so He goes to cleanse all sinners from the sin that corrupts their nature by His death and resurrection. They pray for the Lord’s mercy, a prayer in which Christians still join today. One of the ten men recognizes that Jesus is the Source of this marvelous gift, and so he returns to worship Jesus as God. Though this man was a Samaritan, he truly was a member of God’s people because his faith was in Jesus Christ. Jesus marvels at this truth and sends the man on his way in peace, because his faith has saved him.

“The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection so that Theophilus would have certainty concerning the things he had been taught. As we still read the Word of God recorded by St. Luke, our gracious Lord gives us that same certainty that Jesus is our Savior.

Rev. Andrew Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Haven, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 17:1-10.

Jesus continues His teaching against greed and pride as He turns to His disciples. Obstacles to saving faith will be present in this world, and the consequences to those who set them up by false doctrine or false living are severe. Yet, at the same time, the Lord shows how much He values His little ones. His disciples should value them similarly by taking care both to rebuke sin and forgive sin. The apostles recognize the necessity of faith for this task, and Jesus teaches that faith alone is powerful to do these things. This faith is active in patience, suffering, and cross-carrying, as Jesus’ disciples live as unworthy servants of their master.

“The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection so that Theophilus would have certainty concerning the things he had been taught. As we still read the Word of God recorded by St. Luke, our gracious Lord gives us that same certainty that Jesus is our Savior.

Rev. Dr. Jeff Dukeman, pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Gulfport, MS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 16:19-31.

Jesus continues to seek after the lost Pharisees by using the illustration of Lazarus and the rich man. Though Lazarus is poor in this life, he is known to God by name, and his faith results in the riches of eternal life. The fact that the angels carry Lazarus to Abraham’s side at death brings comfort to Christians as we face death. Though the rich man has all he wants in this life, he is unknown to God by name, and his unbelief results in the poverty of hell. Here Jesus portrays the great reversal that happens in the kingdom of God. The one who was sure his heritage or deeds would keep him in the kingdom found out that he was actually outside. The truth for salvation is found in the Word of God; those who would be saved must listen to God in His Word and nowhere else.

“The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection so that Theophilus would have certainty concerning the things he had been taught. As we still read the Word of God recorded by St. Luke, our gracious Lord gives us that same certainty that Jesus is our Savior.

Rev. Jason M. Kaspar, pastor at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in La Grange, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 16:1-18.

The parable Jesus tells about an unjust steward is challenging. Focusing on the mercy of the master is a helpful key to understand the parable consistently with the rest of Holy Scripture. In his actions, the dishonest manager banks shrewdly on the master’s merciful reputation among his debtors. Similarly, Jesus’ disciples should use their money and possessions with a view toward their Lord’s mercy. They can freely give of their money and possessions to those in need because their Father has given freely to them an even greater gift, the Word of God. The Pharisees see this as foolishness, and their opposition to Jesus grows from grumbling to scoffing. Jesus confronts their self-justification with the Law of God, which stands true for all people.

“The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection so that Theophilus would have certainty concerning the things he had been taught. As we still read the Word of God recorded by St. Luke, our gracious Lord gives us that same certainty that Jesus is our Savior.

Rev. Sam Wirgau, pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ossian, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 15:11-32.

Jesus’ third parable in response to the Pharisees’ grumbling brings His teaching on the grace of God to a grand climax. Jesus speaks of a father and his two sons. The younger son asks for his inheritance ahead of time. The father responds to this terrible insult by agreeing to his son’s demand. The son liquidates his property and goes to a foreign land, providing a picture of the distance from God inherent in our sin and idolatry. The younger son hits rock bottom and comes to his senses, though he still thinks he will work his way back until he sees the love of his father. The father sees his son at a distance and runs to him; he forgives him, receives him back as a son, and throws a party. At this point, the older son shows that he too is lost. He refuses to go into his dad’s celebration, another terrible insult to the father. Yet the father goes to him as well, calling him into the same joy of being a son rather than a servant. The parable is left open-ended as a call to the Pharisees and scribes to join in the joy of being a part of Jesus’ kingdom with all repentant sinners.

“The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection so that Theophilus would have certainty concerning the things he had been taught. As we still read the Word of God recorded by St. Luke, our gracious Lord gives us that same certainty that Jesus is our Savior.

Rev. Peter Ill, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 15:1-10.

When the Pharisees disapprove of Jesus’ dinner company, the Lord takes the opportunity to teach them in parables concerning the grace of God that seeks and finds lost sinners. His first parable speaks of a shepherd who has one hundred sheep under his care. Perhaps surprisingly, he is willing to go to great lengths to search and find just one lost sheep. When he finds that sheep, his joy overflows into a party for his friends and neighbors. Jesus’ second parable grows in intensity; now a woman has ten coins and spares no effort to find one that is lost. Her joy similarly overflows when the lost is found. In both of these parables, Jesus teaches the shame and suffering that God is willing to endure in order to rescue sinners from death, and then the joy that overflows in heaven when His people are restored into His kingdom.

“The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection so that Theophilus would have certainty concerning the things he had been taught. As we still read the Word of God recorded by St. Luke, our gracious Lord gives us that same certainty that Jesus is our Savior.

Rev. Matt Wietfeldt, Director of Admissions and the Christ Academy program at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 14:25-35.

Jesus turns to a broader audience of the great crowds who are journeying with Him but not yet His disciples. He speaks to let them know what following Him entails. To be a disciple of Jesus is to choose Him above all else, even over the closest earthly relationships or over the self. To be a disciple of Jesus is to carry a cross, following after Him as the Crucified One. Jesus’ disciples live with a view toward the end, desiring to build a tower that stands the test of time and to fight a war that ends in success. Only with Jesus as the foundation will the tower stand; only with Jesus fighting for you as your Savior will victory be won. Earthly possessions play no role in this, for they will be gone at death anyway; Jesus’ disciples are free to renounce them now. In this way, Jesus’ disciples remain salt that flavors and preserves; to lose saltiness is to lose faith and so become useless.

“The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection so that Theophilus would have certainty concerning the things he had been taught. As we still read the Word of God recorded by St. Luke, our gracious Lord gives us that same certainty that Jesus is our Savior.

Rev. John Bussman, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cullman, AL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 14:1-24.

A Sabbath meal at the house of a Pharisee provides Jesus the opportunity to correct misunderstandings concerning the kingdom of God. The Lord cuts right through the confusion of Pharisaical traditions by healing a man with dropsy on the Sabbath. He holds together true love of God and true love of neighbor in opposition to the legalism of the Pharisees. As Jesus watches the Pharisees jockey for positions of honor, He teaches that honor is not something earned but a gift bestowed by the Father in the kingdom of God. Because all depends on God’s gift, there is no need to use others to gain honor for ourselves, but we are set free to show love to even the lowest of neighbors. Those who are included in the feast of God’s kingdom are blessed indeed, but they come only through the invitation of Jesus. To reject the Lord’s invitation is disastrous, yet He longs to fill His table with His faithful. As long as it is today, the call goes out, “Come to the feast!”

“The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection so that Theophilus would have certainty concerning the things he had been taught. As we still read the Word of God recorded by St. Luke, our gracious Lord gives us that same certainty that Jesus is our Savior.