Thy Strong Word From Kfuo Radio

Rev. John Lukomski, co-host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Leviticus 13. Find Wrestling with the Basics at kfuo.org/WrestlingWithTheBasics. The LORD gave Moses and Aaron the full meal deal concerning leprosy.  If one had leprosy, they were unclean.  This disease points us to the need for being clean.   As Christ has fulfilled the ceremonial law, we realize that, by His robes of righteousness, we are made clean.  The LORD reminds us that, as the priests needed to patiently care for each person, we pray for patience as we serve and love our neighbor.  “Lord God, thank You for Your robes of righteousness that covers our sin.  Our sin shows us our uncleanliness, but by Your grace You wash us clean by Your blood.  Help us to come to You to give thanks like the one leper and fill if with Your love.  In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Warren Woerth of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Arnold, Missouri joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Leviticus 11 & 12. We all know that there are foods that are unclean, but is it really true that shrimp and pigs are unclean? Leviticus 11 & 12 remind us that we are indeed, “unworthy and unclean” before our LORD. The only hope we have is that Christ, who fulfilled the cleanliness laws of the Old Testament, will make us clean by His blood. As Christians we live in freedom to enjoy the foods of His creation (Acts 10) while giving thanks that He has made us clean. “Heavenly Father, thank You for the fruits of Your creation and that in Christ, we are made clean. As Your Son fulfilled the cleanliness laws of the Old Testament, keep us mindful of Your grace and our final hope in You. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Dr. Mark Birkholz, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Naperville, Illinois joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Leviticus 10. God is holy and sin has no place with Him. Nadab and Abihu became their own gods and disregarded God’s law---and they paid the price. Our sins have consequences, but by God’s grace He continued to provide holy offerings for the people to receive His holiness. We receive His holiness on account of Christ’s blood and by His grace He took the consequence of sin on Himself. “Lord God, we see the consequence of sin and give thanks that, by Your grace, You took the consequence of sin upon Yourself. To You be all the glory. Amen”

Rev. Dr. Brian Kachelmeier of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Los Alamos, NM joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Leviticus 9. Worship without God’s Word is idolatry. Although Aaron had an issue with idolatry on Mt. Sinai, now the LORD patiently guides him as the high priest to worship by His Word. On the 8th day, a day of new creation in the Bible, Aaron makes sacrifices (burnt, grain, sin, wave, peace) for his sins and the sins of the people. When there was atonement, Aaron and Moses, went into the tent and in their return, the people saw God’s glory. In the same way, when we receive His forgiveness on account of Christ, we see God’s glory revealed. “Lord God, keep us from idolatry by worshipping with God’s Word. As we see the sacrifice of Christ, we see the glory of the LORD who dwells among us and grants us full forgiveness by His blood. To be all the glory. Amen”

Rev. Dr. Kevin Golden, associate professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Leviticus 8. God’s people needed to be purified and in His wisdom set aside priests from Aaron to bring His holiness to people. The ordination of the priests, just like ordination of pastors today, are never really about the priests, but show us the holiness of God and the grace, mercy, and forgiveness He gives by His Word. “Lord God, as You set aside priests to bring Your holiness, we set aside pastors to bring Your grace, mercy, and forgiveness by Your Word today. Bless Your church and keep her holy for the sake of cleansing Your people by Your blood. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Dr. Timothy Saleska, professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Leviticus 7. The guilt, peace, burnt offerings are not only a law for the people to follow, but also a promise of God’s grace. Moses gives a general overview of all the offerings to show us again the way that a Holy God gives holiness to His people. In thanksgiving and joy, God’s people brought their offerings to Him and were able to eat with the LORD. They fully knew that they were unclean and needing forgiveness, but in faith they knew that the LORD who dwelt with them would provide for all of their needs. We have that same promise and ask for the same faith in Christ. “Lord Jesus Christ, we come to You unclean and unworthy. By Your final sacrifice, we know that You dwell with us and fill us with Your forgiveness and grace. In Your name, Amen.”

Rev. Chris Biernacki of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Florence, AL joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Leviticus 5:14-6:30. Guilt and shame overwhelms us. Sometimes guilt is justified because we have broken God’s commands, but sometimes guilt is a tool of the devil to keep us away from the LORD. The LORD provides His grace to those with guilt over intentional & unintentional sins through the sacrifices of a Ram without blemish. In Christ, without blemish, he takes all of our sins and the work of the devil who attempts to remind us of sins that went to the tomb with Christ. “Heavenly Father, take our guilt and shame on account of Christ and fill us with our identity in Him. As the ram was costly, Your Son’s blood paid the high cost of our trespasses and took our guilty conscience upon Himself. Thank you for this gift. Amen”

Rev. Gregory Alms of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Catonsville, MD joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Leviticus 4-5:13. Sin needs forgiveness. We often speak about sins of commission or omission. There is a tendency to try to justify unintentional sins as opposed to the ones we knew what we were doing. Whether it was the high priest, congregation, leaders, common people, and anyone who sins---there must be atonement. In God’s grace, He gives instructions on how to receive forgiveness for ALL people by the blood of bulls. For us, He shows us where forgiveness is for all people by the blood of Christ. “Lord God, all sins need forgiveness and by Your grace You provide the needed sacrifice. In the Old Testament You graciously gave bulls, goats, turtle doves, and grain so that all would receive forgiveness, but now we know that Your son’s sacrifice is all we need for forgiveness. Help us to see our sin and finally receive forgiveness from Christ. In Him, Amen”

Rev. Steven Theiss, vacancy pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Leviticus 3. Peace offerings acknowledge God’s grace toward His people. God provided cattle, sheep, and goats without blemish so that people would be able to know that He was a God of peace. This offering was not only a sacrifice to the LORD, but served as a meal for the Levites and priests. The LORD reminds all of us that we are together as one in Christ---the meal points us to the Lord’s supper and the marriage feast upon our Lord’s return to eternity. “Lord God, as You are our Prince of Peace we pray for Your peace to be upon us so that we may serve You acknowledging that Your grace is on us. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Dr. Adam Koontz, Assistant Professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Leviticus 2. God’s depth of care for his people is evident with the grain offering. He provides the simple gifts of grain, oil, frankincense, and salt so that His people would, in faith, offer a sacrifice to serve the priests and give thanks to Him. He asks the Israelites to give their firstfruits of their grain and in the same way the LORD asks us to give firstfruits for the sake of the ministry of the Word (2 Corinthians 8 & 9). Everything that we have is a gift from the LORD and we give back to Him boldly confessing that the Lord will provide. “Lord God, help us to be living sacrifices and offer to You our offerings in thanksgiving. As the Israelites gave their hard earned grain, oil, frankincense, and salt back to You, grant us a generous heart, looking to Jesus and His sacrifice to us. In Him we pray, Amen”

Rev. John Lukomski, co-host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Leviticus 1. Find Wrestling with the Basics at kfuo.org/WrestlingWithTheBasics. The hymn, “Not all the blood of beasts” sums up Leviticus chapter 1 for us today, “Not all the blood of beasts On Jewish altars slain Could give the guilty conscience peace Or wash away the stain But Christ, the heav’nly Lamb, Takes all our sins away; A sacrifice of nobler name And richer blood than they.” LSB, #431 “Lord God, the old burnt offering of a blameless male was not a pretty sight, but was pleasing to You. As Christ’s sacrifice was not a pretty sight, we give thanks that by it You are well pleased on account of the final sacrifice that washes our sins away. Keep us in Your holiness by the blood of Christ. Amen”

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”