Thy Strong Word From Kfuo Radio

Rev. Dr. John Kleinig, professor emeritus of Australian Lutheran College, Adelaide, SA and author of the Concordia Commentary on Leviticus joins Rev. Brady Finnern to begin our study on Leviticus. Find this Concordia Commentary at cph.org/p-681-Leviticus-Concordia-Commentary.aspx. “Why would you study Leviticus?” many of us ask. Yet, as we begin this new study of a commonly unknown book we learn of the main focus: “God’s holiness given to His people.” God calls us to holiness, promises holiness in the future, and makes us holy now. God speaks to His people about the dangers of impurity, but then promises to give His holiness to us in the Divine Service. God declares, “I am the LORD, who sanctifies you (Leviticus 19:2).” We once again look to Him who makes us holy by His Word and see Christ. “Lord God, make us holy as You are holy. By the Word and by the blood of Christ You make us clean and share Your life giving holiness with us. Fill us by Your Holy Spirit as we study Leviticus and help us to grow in faith

Rev. David Boisclar of Faith and Bethesda Lutheran Church in Pine Lawn, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 10. God allows us to lament.  There are times in our lives that we feel abandoned by the LORD, alone, and in bitterness due to our life’s circumstance.  The author sees the wicked prospering all the while the faithful seem to never get a break.  In love, the LORD listens and reminds us who He is: “The LORD is king forever and ever.”  “LORD God, thank You for allowing us to lament to You, for in those laments You remind us that You are always there for us.  Fill us with grace as we lament so that, by Your Strength, we may trust in You and remember that You are our King forever and ever.  Lord have mercy, Amen”

Rev. David Boisclair of Faith and Bethesda Lutheran Church in Pine Lawn, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 9. We need a reminder to make sure we remember His blessings.  David gives thanks to the LORD for His wonderful deeds, even when enemies are a constant threat.  For us, we are to give thanks even when sin, death, and the devil surround us.  He is a just God who is enthroned forever and will never forsake those who trust in Him.  “Heavenly Father, help us to give thanks despite our circumstance, for You are our One constant Light in an ever-changing and dark world.  Help us to remember Your wonderful deeds that we know we have by Christ and His grace.  Lord have mercy.  Amen”

Rev. John Shank of Trinity Lutheran Church, Edwardsville, IL joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 142. David was hidden in a cave and his spirit was faint.  He prays out with complaints, trouble, and cries knowing full well that the LORD was his refuge, the One who delivers from prison, and God who is our portion in this world.  We live in the reality that we believe, yet, we still struggle.  The LORD gives us words to remember that in our loneliness and times of being fainthearted, He has not left us and He will deliver us.  “LORD God, we cry to You and ask for mercy.  You are our refuge will deliver me, and even though I am faint in heart and faith, fill us with Your Holy Spirit for You will deal bountifully with me.  Lord have mercy.  Amen”

Rev. Dr. Jason Soenksen, professor of theology at Concordia University, Mequon, WI joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 143. We ask for the LORD to hear us and He does. Our spirit may faint and enemies pursue us, but we have the LORD on our side, our enemies are His enemies, and He delivers us. He nourishes us by His Holy Spirit like water to a parched land. He preserves us and allows us to be fully honest: “my soul fails”, “my spirit fails”, and “lest I be like those who go down to the pit.” In our brokenness, He calls us to Himself to be His claimed and love servant. “O LORD, hear my prayer, answer me quickly, in our thirst for You, for You are my God and You were forsaken for me. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Stewart Crown, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Palo Alto, CA joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 144. We pray this psalm as when we are surrounded by chaos to be reminded of our hope in the LORD. David was the point man of reclaiming the truth for God’s people of the coming Messiah. He proclaimed this Christological prayer to remind people that not only will there be a new creation at Christ’s coming, but He is rescuing us from the evil one today and provides for all our needs. “Lord God, help us to pray. We give You thanks that You are our rock and Your steadfast love for us who are like passing shadows. Stretch out Your hand from on high and come down to have mercy on. We sing a new song knowing that You have the victory in Christ and that we are blessed by You. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Minot, ND joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Hebrews 13:17-25. The final instructions of the author to obey, submit, & pray for your spiritual leaders reminds us of the high calling our church leaders possess. Pray and encourage your pastor and other leaders to give His gifts and continue to faithfully serve. The author ends the epistle blessing the people by the Word with God’s grace. May we also bless each other in His name as we all need His grace. “Lord God, thank you for being our great shepherd, the one who was brought again from the dead. Equip us with all good things and that Your grace would be with us to be pleasing in Your sight. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Ben Meyer of Hope Lutheran Church in Sunburry, OH joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Hebrews 13:1-16. Let brotherly love continue. We see the love of Christ who was brought outside the camp to sanctify us. From His love we extend mercy through hospitality, visits to those in prison, keeping the marriage bed pure, caring for our spiritual leaders, and bringing our praises to the LORD. All the changes and chances of life make these commandments seem overwhelming, but we remember that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever and He is our helper---what can the world do to me? “Lord God, may Your love from the cross lead us to have brother love continue forever. We know that You are on our side and a better city awaits, help us to follow Your commands in freedom and joy. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Dan Eddy, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Beloit, WI, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Hebrews 12:18-29. The author brings us back to Mt. Sinai to see God, without Christ, who even Moses feared. Yet, in Christ, we do draw near to a God not in fear of damnation, but a God who brings us to the heavenly places to receive His heavenly blessings of forgiveness. The shaking on Mt. Sinai shows us of the final “shakedown” at the end, but have joy, His kingdom in Christ can never be shaken. O Come let us worship Him. “Lord God, thank You for the better covenant by Christ’s blood so that we can listen and with confidence trust in Your promises. Amen”

Rev. Keith Lingsch of Grace Lutheran Church in Naples, FL, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Hebrews 12:1-17. Jesus took our sin, shame, and hostility. Therefore, look to Him. Therefore do not grow weary or fainthearted. Therefore lift up your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees. Therefore make straight paths. He has called you sons, even though He disciplines us, He does it for our good and to share in His holiness. Therefore strive for peace, live a moral life, & receive the grace of God for it was Christ’s joy to take Your shame on the cross and today! “Lord God, we thank You for the saints of old that surround us today and fix our eyes on the same Jesus that we may receive His holiness and be strong in Him. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Shawn Kumm of Christ the King Lutheran Church, Cody, Wyoming joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Hebrews 11:29-40. By faith in Christ we move forward. The author ends chapter eleven by highlighting the “heroes of the faith”, well-known or short-lived in the Bible and connects us together to the LORD. Gideon had the victory. Samson died. David was immoral. Rahab was a prostitute. Some were resurrected. Some were persecuted. We are together knowing that He there is a heavenly, better country awaiting for us on account of His cross. “Lord God, keep us in Christ. As Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, Sarah, and Abraham believed the promise we have the assurance of God’s salvation in Christ. Keep us in this promise. In Him, Amen”

Rev. Sam Powell of Trinity Lutheran Church & School in Jefferson City, MO joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Hebrews 11:13-28. Without faith it is impossible to please God. The patriarchs and matriarchs were strangers on this earth waiting for a Messiah, we can feel the same realities as we wait for Jesus’ second coming. We wait like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses in this broken world for the Messiah to come, knowing that He not only knows us but is not ashamed of us by preparing a city in heaven. “O Holy Spirit, keep us with Christ in faith. Help us as we wait for the Second coming, as the patriarchs of old, to eagerly anticipate the heavenly Jerusalem to come. In Christ, Amen.”

Rev. Dave Hinz of Trinity Lutheran Church, Sauk Rapids, MN joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the great chapter of faith, Hebrews 11. “It’s a great time to be a Christian.”  The author reminds the Hebrews that there is always hope, although many of the promises are not seen, our LORD has worked faith in the saints and they lived in that faith.  He has worked that same Christ-centered faith in you and He helps us to live like Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, & Sarah.  To have faith in Christ is to have hope of the eternal gifts while knowing that He strengthens us today with His heavenly gifts of grace.  “Lord God, point us forward to the hope of heavenly glory by showing us the saints of old who had faith in the same promises.  As they lived as people of faith, help us to live the same in the promises of Christ.  Lord have mercy.  Amen”

Rev. Benjamin Dose of Zion Lutheran Church, Arcadia, IA joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Hebrews 10:19-39. We all desire our loved ones to be confident.  The author shows the Hebrews what it means to be confident as Christians: Christ has washed you clean by His blood and invites You near.  This hope leads us to be with other Christians around His gifts in worship and to hold fast to Him through trial.  Go to church, saints of our LORD, for the Day is drawing near.  “Lord God, by the curtain of Christ’s flesh, we can confidently come to You without fear.  Help us to walk with You, even through trial, and to extend compassion to others.  In Him, Amen” 

Rev. John Lukomski, co-host of “Wrestling with the Basics” joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Hebrews 10. Jesus has done it all.  You have been sanctified, made holy, by the final, once and for all sacrifice of Christ and He remembers our sins no more.  The author repeats himself with this message throughout the book because we forget it!  “Lord Jesus Christ, by Your final sacrifice I am holy and accepted by God the Father, fill us with this grace so that we may rest in Your unending peace each day.  In Your name, Amen”

Rev. David Boisclar of Faith and Bethesda Lutheran Church in Pine Lawn, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Hebrews 9. A clear conscience is like looking through a clear window so that we see what is really outside. A seared conscience is like looking through a fogged up window where we can not see the full picture. By the blood of Christ, our High Priest, He gives us a clear conscience to fully see the love, grace, and forgiveness in Him. “Lord God, in You we know that Christ is our mediator and our salvation has been won. Grant us a clear conscience before You, fill us with Your peace, so that we may rest in Your full forgiveness. In Him, Amen”

Rev. Nabil Nour of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hartford, SD joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Hebrews 9:1-10. The author brings us back to the Tabernacle to show us Christ. As it has been said, “The Old Testament concealed—New Testament revealed.” Jesus says “I am the bread of life”, “I am the Light of the World”, “the temple”, and “this is my body and blood.” We hear these words and better understand that the bread of presence, the washings, the lampstand, the mercy seat, the sacrifices by the High priest IS CHRIST. The rituals of the Jewish people were pointing to Christ, but they did not give a clear conscience. It is only by Christ’s work & sacrifice where a worshiper receives full peace. “Lord God, the Prince of Peace, grant us Your peace as we see all the washings, sacrifices, buildings, and rituals knowing that You have done all the work of our salvation and still takes care of us. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Steven Theiss, vacancy pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells, MO, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Hebrews 8. When we speak of Jesus sitting at the right hand of God in the apostle’s creed we are reminded that He is all powerful and all things are under His feet. The author emphasizes that Christ is in heaven in order to serve us as our “heavenly liturgist” in the REAL heavenly tabernacle. The earthly temple, tabernacle, and priests are only a shadow of what was to come. As we see the new covenant with Christ, we are able to look back to the old realizing that the main purpose from the beginning was to serve His people with salvation through Christ. “Almighty God, You came not to be served, but to serve and give Your life as a sacrifice for us. As You are our heavenly liturgist to continually bring Your gifts, help us to faithfully receive these gifts and rest in the promises of Your love, forgiveness, and salvation. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Bruce Timm of Redeemer Lutheran Church in St. Cloud, MN joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Hebrews 7:18-28. We all want a “life-time, money-back” guarantee on any product we purchase. We don’t trust that anything can last forever so at least we know that we will have a replacement at no cost to us. The author presents Jesus not only as a greater and better covenant than the Law given at Mt. Sinai, but the holy, innocent, unstained, highly exalted High priest as a guarantee for your salvation. We can therefore draw near to Him with confidence as we are people of hope in His guarantees that lasts forever. “Lord Jesus Christ, as You are the guarantor of our salvation and our advocate in prayer and forgiveness, help us to draw to the Father with confidence as You have been made perfect forever, You share this perfection with us. Amen”

Rev. Derek Waffel of Christ Lutheran Church in Pascagoula, Mississippi joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Hebrews 7:1-17. Jesus is like Melchizedek? Who is that? In Genesis 14 we receive only four verses concerning the priest & king Melchizedek, but the author of Hebrews uses these verses to nail us to the ground concerning hope. Is our hope in genealogies, circumcision, or the Law? Or is our hope in the LORD and His full work of salvation in Christ? Jesus is unique--appointed to be our High Priest, not by lineage, but chosen to be THE indestructible life for your salvation. “Lord God, by Your Holy Spirit You connected all of Scripture under one hope---Christ and His cross. Open our eyes, hearts, and ears to receive this message and see our final and great hope to be in You. In Christ, Amen”