Rev. Philip Hoppe, pastor at Peace Lutheran Church in Finlayson, MN and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bruno, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Romans 10:14-21.

The Lord promises to save all those who call on His name, and He provides for the creation of that saving faith. St. Paul lays out a step-by-step sequence of events. God sends the preacher. The preacher proclaims the Word. The Word is heard and creates faith. The one who believes calls upon the name of the Lord. In each and every step, the Lord is at work to create saving faith through His Word. Although some have not believed throughout history, this does not negate the power of the Word of God to create saving faith in Jesus Christ. For this reason, Israel is without excuse. As surely as God makes His divine power known in creation, so surely have those physically descended from Abraham heard His Word. Lack of understanding is not an excuse either. Quoting from Moses and Isaiah, St. Paul shows that Israel’s unbelief was not a matter of ignorance, but of disobedience. Only the continued proclamation of the Gospel of Christ Jesus has the power to break through this unbelief.

“The Righteousness of God for You” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. Human righteousness cannot save, because all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. Only the righteousness of God can bring life and forgiveness to sinners. This is the righteousness that He has fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the righteousness that is revealed in the Gospel, the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. This is the righteousness that is not earned, but is freely given by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

Rev. Dr. Adam Filipek, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church and Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lidgerwood, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Romans 10:5-13.

The righteousness based on the law and the righteousness based on faith speak two different words. The righteousness based on the law says: “Do this! Don’t do that!” This is not an evil or sinful word; it is holy and good. However, because we are evil and sinful, the righteousness based on the law cannot give us life because we cannot do it. The righteousness based on faith, however, does not tell us what we must do. The righteousness based on faith does not tell us to ascend or descend for ourselves in an attempt to find God. Instead, the righteousness based on faith speaks a Word from the outside: “It is done for you; believe!” This Word of God is as near to us as our ears, through which it enters our mouth and heart. There, the Word of God works the confession of Jesus as Lord and the belief in His resurrection for us in order to deliver justification and salvation to us sinners. This is true for Jew and Gentile alike. All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.

“The Righteousness of God for You” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. Human righteousness cannot save, because all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. Only the righteousness of God can bring life and forgiveness to sinners. This is the righteousness that He has fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the righteousness that is revealed in the Gospel, the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. This is the righteousness that is not earned, but is freely given by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

Rev. Sam Wirgau, pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ossian, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Romans 9:30-10:4.

What shall we say then? In this text, St. Paul summarizes what he has said concerning Israel’s rejection of Christ and transitions to the importance of faith. Although Gentiles had not pursued righteousness, even pursuing unrighteousness, they attained God’s righteousness through faith. On the other hand, Israel pursued righteousness through the law but did not attain it. They could not and did not keep the law, and all the while, they missed the purpose of the law in pointing them toward faith in Christ. Their rejection of Christ is the reason they did not receive God’s righteousness. God has set up Christ as the cornerstone, but for those who reject Him, He is a stone over which they stumble. This is not due to God’s desire; He desires all to be saved. Nor is it Paul’s desire. He prays earnestly for the salvation of his kinsmen according to the flesh. He notes their zeal for God, but laments that it is misplaced apart from true knowledge of Christ, because Christ is the completion of the law. He alone gives righteousness before God through faith.

“The Righteousness of God for You” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. Human righteousness cannot save, because all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. Only the righteousness of God can bring life and forgiveness to sinners. This is the righteousness that He has fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the righteousness that is revealed in the Gospel, the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. This is the righteousness that is not earned, but is freely given by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

Rev. Dan Speckhard, pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, IL joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Romans 9:14-29.

God has not shown any unrighteousness in His dealings with people. His mercy and compassion were on full display for Israel in the aftermath of their gross idolatry with the golden calf. Pharaoh’s calloused heart could not stand in the way of God accomplishing His merciful purpose for His people either. He remains God; we remain His creatures. He remains the potter; we remain the clay. He endures with patience those who set themselves against Him and so make themselves ripe for His destruction, all the while making known His riches to those whom He has prepared for His glory. This is true for Jew and Gentile alike. As God works out salvation in Christ, He remains the sole actor in complete righteousness. This has been true throughout the Old Testament; God has always mercifully preserved a remnant in Christ.

“The Righteousness of God for You” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. Human righteousness cannot save, because all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. Only the righteousness of God can bring life and forgiveness to sinners. This is the righteousness that He has fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the righteousness that is revealed in the Gospel, the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. This is the righteousness that is not earned, but is freely given by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

Rev. Sean Kilgo, pastor at the Northeast Kansas Lutheran Partnership, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Romans 9:1-13.

On the heels of the glorious conclusion of Romans 8, this text may seem like a step backward. Yet St. Paul is here continuing his proclamation of God’s righteousness in Christ. Though this glorious gift has largely been rejected by those physically descended from Abraham, that is not due to God’s failure. The Apostle laments for his kinsmen according to the flesh. His desire, like God’s, is that all would trust in Christ and live; therefore, he speaks the truth in love. His fellow Israelites had been given by Christ all of His blessings, yet they had not believed in Him as the true God. That is why not all who are physically related to Jacob are members of the true Israel, the Church. This true Israel is based not on flesh or works, but on God’s promise alone. That promise came about in the birth of Isaac and in the lineage of the Christ going through Jacob instead of Esau. God’s dealings with the patriarchs clearly shows that, even though many Israelites have rejected Him, the promise of God has prevailed. His faithfulness and righteousness remain sure.

“The Righteousness of God for You” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. Human righteousness cannot save, because all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. Only the righteousness of God can bring life and forgiveness to sinners. This is the righteousness that He has fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the righteousness that is revealed in the Gospel, the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. This is the righteousness that is not earned, but is freely given by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

Rev. Stephen Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Romans 8:31-39.

With this glorious text, St. Paul draws to a grand conclusion all that he has laid out so far in the epistle to the Romans. He asks and answers multiple questions for the comfort and certainty of Christians. Considering the truth of justification by grace through faith for the sake of Christ, the only conclusion is that God is for us. He gave His own Son into death for our sake and along with Him, all things needful for us. Though enemies would try to accuse us, no charge can stand because the Judge has rendered the verdict: “Not guilty in Christ.” Though the threat of hell would frighten us, condemnation will not fall upon us because Christ Jesus has died, risen, and ascended so that He now lives to intercede for us at the right hand of the Father. The numerous threats that Christians face for the sake of Christ attack us, but they cannot take away the victory Christ has won. God’s Word convinces us that absolutely nothing will separate us from His love in Christ Jesus our Lord.

“The Righteousness of God for You” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. Human righteousness cannot save, because all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. Only the righteousness of God can bring life and forgiveness to sinners. This is the righteousness that He has fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the righteousness that is revealed in the Gospel, the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. This is the righteousness that is not earned, but is freely given by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

Rev. David Appold, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Paducah, KY, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Romans 8:18-30.

Jesus came for you, but He didn’t come just for you. Jesus came for His whole creation. The whole creation is groaning under bondage to corruption due to mankind’s sin. That is why creation eagerly longs for the revealing of the sons of God, that fully restored mankind would once again rightly and perfectly serve as true stewards of what God has made. Together with all creation, those who have the firstfruits of the Spirit groan as well. The Holy Spirit is God’s down payment now to His Christians of the resurrection of the body on the Last Day. This overlap between the old age of sin and the new age in Christ is what leads Christians to groan and long for Christ’s return. Yet we do so in hope for what we do not yet see. The Spirit Himself strengthens us through His prayer on our behalf, which is certainly heard by the Father. This gives us confidence to know that God is working all things together for the good of His people. His glory to come far outweighs the sufferings we have now. He gives us confidence in His action for our salvation: He predestines, He calls, He justifies, He glorifies.

“The Righteousness of God for You” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. Human righteousness cannot save, because all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. Only the righteousness of God can bring life and forgiveness to sinners. This is the righteousness that He has fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the righteousness that is revealed in the Gospel, the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. This is the righteousness that is not earned, but is freely given by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

Rev. AJ Espinosa, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Irvine, CA and host of Thy Strong Word on KFUO Radio, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Romans 8:12-17.

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit in Christians has profound implications. Now that the debt of sin has been forgiven in Christ, Christians no longer owe allegiance of sin to the flesh but rather give the due of love in service to God and the neighbor. This happens by the indwelling Spirit, by Whom we put to death sinful deeds. Those who are led by the Holy Spirit are now adopted sons of God. This is more than provision for physical needs; this is a complete change in legal status, the transfer of a man from one family to another. No longer do we belong to sin and death; now we belong to God with the same rights and inheritance as Jesus. That is so true for Jew and Gentile alike, that together without distinction all Christians can address God as our Father with the same term of endearment that Jesus uses. The inheritance that is ours in Christ is ours right now, even though it is hidden. This fills us with hope as we suffer now, waiting for the full revealing of our inheritance on the Last Day when Christ returns in glory.

“The Righteousness of God for You” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. Human righteousness cannot save, because all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. Only the righteousness of God can bring life and forgiveness to sinners. This is the righteousness that He has fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the righteousness that is revealed in the Gospel, the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. This is the righteousness that is not earned, but is freely given by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

Rev. Zelwyn Heide, pastor at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Hannover, ND and Zion Lutheran Church in New Salem, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Romans 8:1-11.

St. Paul reaches one of the high points of the epistle, drawing together all that he has said concerning the unrighteousness of man and the righteousness of God. For those who are in Christ, there is now no more condemnation. The reality of being “in Christ” is the controlling reality for Christians. In Christ, God has done what the law could not do. The law could not do it because of our own sinful flesh. Yet God sent Jesus as true man, without any sin or guilt of His own, to take on our sin and defeat it in His own flesh. Now that He has fulfilled the Law and we are in Him, our walk is not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. The flesh and the Spirit are polar opposites. Those who live according to the flesh are entirely hostile to the things of God and hostile toward Him. Those who live according to the Spirit have life and peace and truly please God, not because of anything in themselves, but because of the Spirit who lives in them. He comes to dwell in Christians through the Word, giving them life through Jesus. This is our guarantee of resurrection on the Last Day. Just as the Father raised Christ Jesus from the dead, so He will raise all who are in Christ through His Spirit who dwells in them.

“The Righteousness of God for You” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. Human righteousness cannot save, because all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. Only the righteousness of God can bring life and forgiveness to sinners. This is the righteousness that He has fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the righteousness that is revealed in the Gospel, the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. This is the righteousness that is not earned, but is freely given by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

Rev. Dr. Adam Koontz, assistant professor of exegetical theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Romans 7:14-25.

St. Paul describes his own struggle against sin as a Christian; this is the struggle of every Christian. Such a realistic description keeps us from self-justification. Even St. Paul the Apostle, upon self-examination and reflection, recognized just how deep his sin ran and how much his sin fought against the reality of life and freedom in Christ. Though he lives under Christ’s reign, sin is close at hand, leading him to accomplish the sin he hated and to leave undone the good he desired. Paul’s use of thee first-person singular not only describes his own personal experience, but invites every Christian to confess the same. The truth for Christians is that whenever we want to do right, evil is right there waging war against us. For that reason, mature Christians plead their wretchedness to God. Only in this confession of utter need before God is the joy of Christ’s redemption received. In that joy, Christians look forward to that day when Christ returns and puts an end to sin and death once and for all.

“The Righteousness of God for You” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. Human righteousness cannot save, because all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. Only the righteousness of God can bring life and forgiveness to sinners. This is the righteousness that He has fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the righteousness that is revealed in the Gospel, the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. This is the righteousness that is not earned, but is freely given by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.