Rev. Shawn Linnell, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blair, NE, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 7:13-29.

Jesus, as the one true God, has taught His Law in the Sermon on the Mount in a way that is meant to drive His disciples to Him. Jesus is the narrow door; through Him alone do we enter life. The wide door would allow us to bring our sin and self-justification along with us, but it leads only to death. False prophets will come in Jesus’ name tempting those who hear to forsake the truth. They will be known by their teaching that does not accord with what Jesus spoke and directs people to please God according to the Law. Though such false prophets name Jesus as “Lord,” even their impressive works will not save them, because they are not truly doing the will of the Father. He desires all people to be saved through repentance and faith in Christ. This foundation of Jesus and His Words alone can withstand all things to bring us into eternal life.

“All Righteousness Fulfilled” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that digs into the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims Jesus to Jews and Gentiles alike as the fulfillment of God’s saving words and acts throughout the Old Testament. As the Christ in the line of David and Abraham, Jesus is the promised King who comes to bring sinners from every nation to live under His gracious reign.

Rev. Matt Ulmer, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bishop, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 7:1-12.

Only God stands as judge over His creation. His Word sets the standard by which judgment takes place. No Christian dare try to usurp His place in an attempt at self-justification. The posture of Jesus’ disciples toward the world and the Church, therefore, is not standing over them in judgment according to their own opinions. Jesus’ disciples first stand under the judgment of God’s Word, confessing their own gross sins against the rigid standard of His Law. Having received absolution from Him, they proclaim His Word in the Church and to the world, letting His standard alone speak the judgment. To treat brothers and sisters in the faith with an attitude of condemnation would be to throw God’s precious possessions out to be trampled. Instead, Jesus calls upon His disciples to pray. They pray in the confidence that they are speaking to God as their true Father who desires nothing more than to give them good gifts. He has told them what they need, and He promises to give those gifts without fail. Jesus’ disciples are comforted and strengthened to go before God and ask with boldness and confidence, as they seek to live the life that Jesus has given.

“All Righteousness Fulfilled” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that digs into the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims Jesus to Jews and Gentiles alike as the fulfillment of God’s saving words and acts throughout the Old Testament. As the Christ in the line of David and Abraham, Jesus is the promised King who comes to bring sinners from every nation to live under His gracious reign.

Rev. Joel Heckmann, pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Okarche, OK, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 6:25-34.

Jesus’ gift of the Lord’s Prayer paves the way for His teaching concerning worry. Because God is their Father who provides daily bread, Jesus’ disciples have absolutely no need for worry. Their heavenly Father will assuredly give them what they need for this body and life. Jesus even gently pokes fun and gently teases His disciples concerning their worry, reminding them that worry can truly accomplish nothing. Our heavenly Father gives us vocations in which to work, but because we have His promise, the worry is taken away. Instead of seeking after only food, drink, and clothing according to the consumerism of the world, Jesus calls us to seek after His kingdom and righteousness. His kingdom is His activity of powerfully and graciously reigning over this world. This kingdom is found wherever Jesus is found, and He has promised to be found among us still today reigning through His Word and Sacrament. This stands as good news for us as Christians, giving us the comfort that God is reigning in this world and compelling us into our vocations of service for our neighbor. In Christ, worry is taken away.

“All Righteousness Fulfilled” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that digs into the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims Jesus to Jews and Gentiles alike as the fulfillment of God’s saving words and acts throughout the Old Testament. As the Christ in the line of David and Abraham, Jesus is the promised King who comes to bring sinners from every nation to live under His gracious reign.

Rev. Dr. Ryan Tinetti, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Arcadia, MI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 6:19-24.

Jesus continues to give us a picture of live under His reign as He speaks about His disciples’ attitude toward possessions. The accumulation of earthly treasure is not the goal of the Christian life. Though sinners default toward looking for security from earthly wealth, and the world openly encourages that sort of faith, Jesus teaches the reality that earthly treasure ultimately fails us. Instead, Jesus calls His disciples to use God’s good gift of possessions with gratitude toward our heavenly Father and generosity toward our neighbor in need. Our true treasure is found in heaven with Christ; this treasure will never be destroyed or stolen. Therefore, Jesus teaches us to keep our eyes fixed on Him and our neighbor, rather than navel gazing at ourselves and our possessions. The reality is that we can only serve one master. Money would rule over us as a cruel tyrant; Jesus instead calls us to live under rule the one true God who is our good and gracious Father.

“All Righteousness Fulfilled” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that digs into the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims Jesus to Jews and Gentiles alike as the fulfillment of God’s saving words and acts throughout the Old Testament. As the Christ in the line of David and Abraham, Jesus is the promised King who comes to bring sinners from every nation to live under His gracious reign.

Rev. Christopher Jackson, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Algoma, WI and St. Peter Lutheran Church in Forestville, WI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 6:1-18.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives a picture of the upside down nature of His kingdom compared to the kingdoms of the world. Whereas citizens of worldly kingdoms seek after their own glory, members under God’s reign live for His. Whether their actions are public or private, Jesus’ disciples do not desire to have the glory that comes from men; they desire the glory that comes from God. The almsgiving, prayer, and fasting practiced by Jesus’ disciples are done with this faith. The promise of His heavenly rewards is not a contradiction of salvation by grace alone; rather, it is a teaching of Jesus that brings comfort in the midst of the crosses we bear for the sake of following Jesus. The Lord’s Prayer is His gift from His heart to the Church. As we see in this prayer a reflection of Jesus’ own baptism and temptation, the Lord’s Prayer becomes a gift by which we are equipped to live as Christians in this world.

“All Righteousness Fulfilled” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that digs into the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims Jesus to Jews and Gentiles alike as the fulfillment of God’s saving words and acts throughout the Old Testament. As the Christ in the line of David and Abraham, Jesus is the promised King who comes to bring sinners from every nation to live under His gracious reign.

Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 5:38-48.

Jesus continues to sharpen the focus concerning the Law. The sort of love to which He calls His disciples is not found anywhere else in the world. The default position for people is to take revenge when they have been wronged; the principle, “an eye for an eye,” limited such revenge from getting out of control. Jesus calls His disciples away from such retaliation. Rather than returning evil for evil, Jesus teaches us His disciples to return love for evil. This does not overturn the call Christians have in their vocation to love and protect their neighbors. Rather, Jesus calls us toward that same love that He showed to those who did evil to Him, willingly going to the cross for the very people who put Him there. This call reaches its climax as Jesus startles those who hold to worldly wisdom as He says: “Love your enemies.” This is the love that God has for us sinners in Christ, and it is the love that shows itself forth from those who are in Christ. As Jesus’ disciples exercise this love, they show themselves to be children of their heavenly Father who has loved them first. In Christ’s call to be perfect in the same way God is, the Law drives us back toward the righteousness of Christ that has been bestowed upon us freely by grace, so that the Holy Spirit begins to bring forth His fruit in our lives.

“All Righteousness Fulfilled” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that digs into the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims Jesus to Jews and Gentiles alike as the fulfillment of God’s saving words and acts throughout the Old Testament. As the Christ in the line of David and Abraham, Jesus is the promised King who comes to bring sinners from every nation to live under His gracious reign.

Rev. Mark Barz, pastor at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 5:27-37.

Jesus does not overturn the Old Testament; He fulfills it as He journeys to His cross and empty tomb. In that context, Jesus continues to reveal the true and full intent of the Law to His disciples. Just as the 5th Commandment goes deeper than the physical action of taking a life, so the 6th Commandment goes deeper than the physical union of two people who are not united in marriage. Lust in the heart is already sin in God’s sight. Even though such sin may remain hidden from human eyes, it is known by God. Jesus’ disciples must take the matter very seriously. Jesus teaches that His disciples must do whatever is necessary to cut sin out of their lives, a point that He makes through the use hyperbole. Concerning divorce, Jesus refuses to enter into the debate of His day. He stays above it, teaching God’s true intention for marriage. As we consider this matter today, the only answer is faithfulness to God’s Word in repentance and faith. Concerning oaths, Jesus would have His disciples speak words in the truth that He gives.

“All Righteousness Fulfilled” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that digs into the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims Jesus to Jews and Gentiles alike as the fulfillment of God’s saving words and acts throughout the Old Testament. As the Christ in the line of David and Abraham, Jesus is the promised King who comes to bring sinners from every nation to live under His gracious reign.

“All Righteousness Fulfilled” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that digs into the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims Jesus to Jews and Gentiles alike as the fulfillment of God’s saving words and acts throughout the Old Testament. As the Christ in the line of David and Abraham, Jesus is the promised King who comes to bring sinners from every nation to live under His gracious reign.

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. Brady Finnern, pastor at Messiah Lutheran Church in Sartell, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 5:21-26.

Jesus begins to expound upon the Law He has come to fulfill. Though the religious leaders of Jesus’ day might have limited the 5th Commandment to the physical act, Jesus proclaims that the matter goes much deeper. With His divine authority, He teaches His disciples that even anger in their hearts has already made them guilty of sin in God’s sight. Though we might like to think we’ve kept the 5th Commandment, Jesus reveals that we have not. His warning against anger, coupled with the rest of Holy Scripture, is an important reminder of how dangerous our anger truly is. Instead of anger and insults, Jesus calls His disciples to reconciliation. The peace that we have with God through Jesus must manifest itself in the forgiveness that is shared among Christians. To worship God while being at enmity with our fellow Christians is entirely inconsistent. The repentance and forgiveness shared in the Christian Church is found nowhere else in this world, as the Church lives out the reality that Jesus has given to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

“All Righteousness Fulfilled” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that digs into the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims Jesus to Jews and Gentiles alike as the fulfillment of God’s saving words and acts throughout the Old Testament. As the Christ in the line of David and Abraham, Jesus is the promised King who comes to bring sinners from every nation to live under His gracious reign.

Rev. Stephen Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 5:13-20.

The doorway of the Beatitudes provides the necessary entrance into the rest of the Sermon on the Mount, lest Jesus’ teaching become no more than moralism. Christians have received Jesus blessing through faith in the Gospel, and so He has made them the salt of the earth and the light of the world. As salt provides that which is deficient in food, so Christians bring into this corrupt world the message of repentance at the reign of God in Christ Jesus. As light makes visible those things that are in the dark, so Christians shine a light on the good news of Jesus that the world otherwise would never see. The works of Christians are good because they flow forth from faith in Jesus, who is the fulfillment of the Old Testament. They are salt and light in this world as they hold fast to all of Jesus’ Word. Their righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees because it is not mere outward performance that covers a rotten core. The righteousness that is given to Jesus’ disciples is His righteousness received through faith and then manifested in the good works that God has given them to do.

“All Righteousness Fulfilled” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that digs into the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims Jesus to Jews and Gentiles alike as the fulfillment of God’s saving words and acts throughout the Old Testament. As the Christ in the line of David and Abraham, Jesus is the promised King who comes to bring sinners from every nation to live under His gracious reign.