Rev. Sean Kilgo, pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lawrence, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Peter 3:13-17.

Because the eyes and ears of the Lord are open to us, no harm can truly come upon us in Christ. Even when we suffer for righteousness’ sake, the Lord brings His blessing to us. St. Peter quotes from Isaiah to call us away from the fear of the world and to a proper fear of the Lord, who is Christ. He is held in our hearts as the Holy One who makes us ready to speak His Word to those who ask how we can suffer in hope. We make this confession in the presence of God with meekness and the fear of god. We know that as we conduct ourselves as Christians, the conscience of the world is pricked by the Law, yet we retain a good conscience in Christ. In Him, we seek to align ourselves with the good that is God’s will, even when it means suffering for the sake of Christ.

“The Imperishable Inheritance” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistles of 1 and 2 Peter and Jude. The life of the Christian Church right now is life in exile. We endure attacks from various trials and from false teachers. Such suffering makes us long for the eternal home that will be ours at the resurrection of the dead. In Jesus, we have this promise of eternal life that can never be snatched away. These three epistles strengthen us to hold fast to Christ in the midst of suffering and to give witness to the hope that is ours in Him.

Rev. Ryan Ogrodowicz, associate pastor and headmaster at Grace Lutheran Church and School in Brenham, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Peter 3:8-12.

St. Peter wraps up his table of duties by speaking to all Christians. The goal for Christians is unity of mind that is founded in the true doctrine that is taught from Holy Scripture and points to Christ crucified and risen. From that unity of mind, Christians suffer together with each other in compassion and humility. When Christians are met with evil and reviling, we respond with blessing. An extended quote from Psalm 34 serves as the basis for this truth. Just as David showed kindness to Saul even when Saul wanted to kill David, so Christians keep our eyes focused on the truth of God’s Word instead of turning to deceitful words from a deceitful tongue. When we suffer evil, we draw comfort from our Lord’s watchful eyes to see our distress and His open ears to hear our prayers.

“The Imperishable Inheritance” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistles of 1 and 2 Peter and Jude. The life of the Christian Church right now is life in exile. We endure attacks from various trials and from false teachers. Such suffering makes us long for the eternal home that will be ours at the resurrection of the dead. In Jesus, we have this promise of eternal life that can never be snatched away. These three epistles strengthen us to hold fast to Christ in the midst of suffering and to give witness to the hope that is ours in Him.

Rev. Gaven Mize, pastor at Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hickory, NC, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Peter 3:1-7.

St. Peter continues his table of duties by addressing wives and husbands. Among early Christians, wives sometimes were brought to faith even though their husbands did not believe. Even in such cases, Christian wives are to be subject to their husbands in love. Their respectful and pure conduct serves to convict their husbands and give an opportunity to speak the Word of Christ that brings to faith. This is a reflection of the true beauty of Christian wives, which is not found in their clothing or jewelry, but in the righteousness of Christ that is their by faith. Christian husbands are called to honor their wives by providing for them and protecting them, recognizing that they are fellow heirs of the grace of life that is given in Christ.

“The Imperishable Inheritance” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistles of 1 and 2 Peter and Jude. The life of the Christian Church right now is life in exile. We endure attacks from various trials and from false teachers. Such suffering makes us long for the eternal home that will be ours at the resurrection of the dead. In Jesus, we have this promise of eternal life that can never be snatched away. These three epistles strengthen us to hold fast to Christ in the midst of suffering and to give witness to the hope that is ours in Him.

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 1 Peter 2:18-25.

St. Peter continues his table of duties by speaking to servants in relation to their masters. Christian servants are called to be subject to their masters, even when their masters are not Christian or treat them unjustly. Such endurance of unjust suffering is a picture of God’s grace in Christ, for He has called us to it. Christ is the example that we seek to copy in our suffering; His are the steps in which we seek to walk. Yet Christ is not only our example in suffering; His suffering is also for our salvation. St. Peter preaches from Isaiah as he reflects on Christ’s patient endurance of evil in our place. In Christ, we have died to sin and been made alive to righteousness. When we endure injustice from those who have authority over us, Christ stands as our true Shepherd and Overseer in whom we have justification.

“The Imperishable Inheritance” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistles of 1 and 2 Peter and Jude. The life of the Christian Church right now is life in exile. We endure attacks from various trials and from false teachers. Such suffering makes us long for the eternal home that will be ours at the resurrection of the dead. In Jesus, we have this promise of eternal life that can never be snatched away. These three epistles strengthen us to hold fast to Christ in the midst of suffering and to give witness to the hope that is ours in Him.

Rev. Chris Hull, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Tomball, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Peter 2:11-17.

Christians live in this world as sojourners and exiles. The passions of our flesh war against us in an attempt to convince us that our home is this world; Christians fight against this temptation by focusing on our home in the resurrection of the dead. The Christian life among the Gentiles is to be honorable, even when they speak against us, so that ultimately glory will be given to God. St. Peter teaches Christians how this is put into practice in a table of duties; he begins with Christans living under the earthly authority of human government. Christians are subject to such authority for the Lord’s sake. The freedom we have in Christ is used not for our own desires but for the sake of service to others. Where earthly authority commands disobedience to God, Christians faithfully bear any suffering for the sake of staying faithful to the Lord and His Word.

“The Imperishable Inheritance” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistles of 1 and 2 Peter and Jude. The life of the Christian Church right now is life in exile. We endure attacks from various trials and from false teachers. Such suffering makes us long for the eternal home that will be ours at the resurrection of the dead. In Jesus, we have this promise of eternal life that can never be snatched away. These three epistles strengthen us to hold fast to Christ in the midst of suffering and to give witness to the hope that is ours in Him.

Rev. Rick Jones, chaplain and vice-president of spiritual life at the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch in Minot, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Peter 2:1-10.

The life of the Christian flees from all lies and evil and toward the truth of God’s Word. He has given us new birth into His kingdom through His Word. As a mother’s milk sustains her newborn infants, God’s Word nourishes and strengthens us. Our Lord has shown us that He is good, for though He was rejected by men, God chose Him as the cornerstone for His Church. We are built together as living stones in Him to be His temple and holy priesthood. Echoes of Peter’s life and confession come through as he writes concerning Christ and the Church in this way. He quotes freely from Isaiah and the Psalms concerning Christ crucified and risen as the foundation for our faith and a stumbling block for those who do not believe. Because of what Christ has done, Christians now are God’s chosen people. He has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light to proclaim His excellencies.

“The Imperishable Inheritance” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistles of 1 and 2 Peter and Jude. The life of the Christian Church right now is life in exile. We endure attacks from various trials and from false teachers. Such suffering makes us long for the eternal home that will be ours at the resurrection of the dead. In Jesus, we have this promise of eternal life that can never be snatched away. These three epistles strengthen us to hold fast to Christ in the midst of suffering and to give witness to the hope that is ours in Him.

Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Peter 1:13-25.

Christians live in a world that would conform us to its ignorant passions. That makes the Christian life no idle stroll. Instead, St. Peter urges us to gird the loins of our minds to be ready. That happens not of our own will, but through the hope of God’s grace in Jesus Christ. The holy life is a high and difficult calling, yet it is founded upon the holiness that belongs to God that He gives to us in His Son. Because He is our Father and we are His children, we seek after lives of obedience to Him. We know that He has paid the price of the blood of His own Son to set us free from the futility of our sins. Through this same Jesus, foreknown from eternity and revealed now to us, we have been given faith in God. That compels us all the more to live our lives under the authority of God’s Word as we show love to each other. The foundation is the new birth that God has given us by the Word that has been preached to us.

“The Imperishable Inheritance” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistles of 1 and 2 Peter and Jude. The life of the Christian Church right now is life in exile. We endure attacks from various trials and from false teachers. Such suffering makes us long for the eternal home that will be ours at the resurrection of the dead. In Jesus, we have this promise of eternal life that can never be snatched away. These three epistles strengthen us to hold fast to Christ in the midst of suffering and to give witness to the hope that is ours in Him.

Rev. Vance Becker, LCMS missionary serving as a theological educator at Neema Lutheran College in Matongo, Kenya, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Peter 1:1-12. Read Pastor Becker's story and how to support his missionary work at lcms.org/becker.

St. Peter’s first epistle was likely written in the mid-60s from Rome. He writes to several churches in Asia in order to strengthen them in the face of persecution and to encourage them in their Christian life and witness before the world. The Apostle begins by reminding his recipients of God’s gracious election in Christ through the sanctification of the Spirit. God is the Blessed One for the mercy He has shown us sinners in raising us from the death of our sins into the new life of hope that is eternal in Christ. As we wait for that life to be revealed fully, we rejoice even in various trials, because God uses these trials to refine our faith in Him. This faith loves and trusts in Jesus, even though He is currently unseen. We know He will deliver His promised salvation, foretold by the prophets and announced now in the preaching of the Gospel.

“The Imperishable Inheritance” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistles of 1 and 2 Peter and Jude. The life of the Christian Church right now is life in exile. We endure attacks from various trials and from false teachers. Such suffering makes us long for the eternal home that will be ours at the resurrection of the dead. In Jesus, we have this promise of eternal life that can never be snatched away. These three epistles strengthen us to hold fast to Christ in the midst of suffering and to give witness to the hope that is ours in Him.

“The Imperishable Inheritance” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistles of 1 and 2 Peter and Jude. The life of the Christian Church right now is life in exile. We endure attacks from various trials and from false teachers. Such suffering makes us long for the eternal home that will be ours at the resurrection of the dead. In Jesus, we have this promise of eternal life that can never be snatched away. These three epistles strengthen us to hold fast to Christ in the midst of suffering and to give witness to the hope that is ours in Him.

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.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Rev. Dr. Peter Scaer, professor of New Testament and chairman of the department of exegetical theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 16:9-20.

The risen Lord Jesus does not leave His Church without witnesses of His resurrection. He graciously appears to Mary Magdalene and to two disciples as they were walking in the country. The unexpected nature of these witnesses provides evidence of the truthfulness of the Gospel accounts. The disciples, however, do not believe the initial reports. The risen Lord Himself appears to them to rebuke their unbelief and strengthen them in faith and courage for the task ahead. He sends them into the world to proclaim the Gospel to all creation, because His death and resurrection have renewed His creation. Through faith and Baptism, He delivers His salvation to sinners. Signs accompanied the work of the apostles in the book of Acts according to the Lord’s prediction. His ascension and session to the right hand of the throne of God promise His Church that He reigns over all for our good, strengthening us in the work that He has given us to do, which He works through us.

“The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Mark. The Evangelist hits the ground running with the very first verse of his Gospel account, and he never lets up the pace. As one deed of Jesus comes right after another, always paired with His authoritative Word, St. Mark proclaims the good news that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, revealed conclusively by His death on the cross.