Thy Strong Word From Kfuo Radio

Rev. Peter Burfeind, pastor of Agnus Dei Lutheran Church in Marshall, MI & Our Savior Lutheran Church in Union City, MI joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Corinthians 12:11-21. Paul desires to visit the Corinthians a third time and hopes that he will find a repentant and restored church.  He cares and is concerned for them, in the name of Christ, as a father does for his children.  The Corinthian church had many issues (quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder), which all of our churches have, but Paul’s focus was on repentance and cure for their souls in the Gospel. “Lord God, grant us patience as we encounter quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, disorder, and lead us in repentance to Your forgiveness in Christ.  Amen”

Rev. Tim Winterstein, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in East Wenatchee, WA joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Corinthians 12:1-10. In Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” he prays to the LORD to take this burden, but the LORD doesn’t always answer in the way we desire.  Instead, He reminds Paul, and us, that “His grace is sufficient for his power is made perfect in weakness.”  We will all have our thorn in the flesh moments, so we plead with the LORD to grant us contentment in Christ, who became weak on the cross  so that we may be strong.  “O Holy Spirit, pour Your love into our hearts that we may see Christ and be content in our weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.  Lord have mercy.  Amen”

Rev. Adam DeGroot, Calvary Lutheran Church, Rio Ranch, NM joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Corinthians 11:16-33. Paul lowers himself to the level of the “super” apostles to boast in his accomplishments.  This submission proves that the Christian life is not a life of perfection, but of persecution, brokenness, and pain.  Yet, in Paul’s weakness and ours, our LORD Jesus reminds us that He became weak for us and  promises to be with us.  “O LORD, be our strength when we suffer.  Grant us peace to stay with You and the hope of Your forgiving grace.  Lord have mercy.  Amen”

Rev. John Lukomski joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Corinthians 11:1-15. Paul asks the Corinthians to bear with him as he addresses a little foolishness.  The foolishness of the church listening to false prophets that proclaim a different Jesus, gospel, and spirit than what has been handed down to them.  He reminds the church that they are the bride of Christ, sanctified and made pure by Christ---stay with him and him alone!  “O Lord, You have made us holy and without blemish by connecting yourself to us, the church.  Keep us steadfast in Your Word and in faith so that we may rest in Your peace and grace.  Lord have mercy.  In Christ, Amen”

Rev. David Boisclair, pastor of Faith and Bethesda Lutheran Churches in Pine Lawn, MO joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Corinthians 10. Paul defends his ministry not on his own commendation, but by the approval of the LORD.  Paul lovingly exhorts the Corinthians to remind them that they are in Christ, they have the “weapons” to battle evil, and their boasting is in Christ.  “O Lord Jesus Christ, on account of You we are approved by the Father and as You call us to serve, help us to serve faithfully.  In Your  name, Amen.” 

Rev. Jason Bredeson, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sacramento, CA joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Corinthians 9. The surpassing and abundance of God’s grace in Christ flows upon you in His forgiveness, grace, and salvation.  From that grace Paul calls the Corinthians to be generous, according to what they decide in their hearts, which helps the needs of the saints but also brings thanksgivings to our Lord.  “O LORD, help us to be generous to our neighbor, as You are generous to us in Christ.  Lord have mercy.  Amen”

Rev. Steven Theiss, vacancy pastor of Hanover Lutheran Church, Cape Girardeau, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Corinthians 8:16-24. Paul sends Titus back to Corinth with two unnamed brothers to faithfully collect the mercy offering for Jerusalem.  In his earnest care for the church, Paul commends the workers and the Corinthians to faithfully collect this offering all for the glory of Christ. He reminds us of our need to do all things with good order and integrity so that His gifts may faithfully be given to those in need.  “O LORD, help us to live holy lives in Your church and Your world so that You may be glorified through us.  In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Corinthians 8:1-15. “See that you excel in this act of grace (giving) also.”  Paul highlights the generosity of the Macedonian churches to encourage the Corinthian church to be generous to the poor saints in Jerusalem.  To be generous is an act of grace which flows from the grace of God in Christ who, though he was rich, yet for your sake became poor.  “O Lord, grant us a generous heart for the poor that flows from the generosity we have from You.  Grant our churches a merciful heart to love and care for our neighbors.  In Christ, Amen” 

Rev. Ben Meyer, pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in Sunbury, OH, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Corinthians 7. “I am filled with comfort.  In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy”, Paul lovingly tells the Corinthians with the good news from Titus that they had repented.  This joy does not end with repentance, for that would just lead to worldly grief, but it throws us into the arms of our Savior who gives us forgiveness--the greatest comfort.  “O Holy Spirit, lead us to repent of our sins and receive the joy of your free and gracious forgiveness.  Lord have mercy; Christ have mercy.  Amen”  

Rev. Peter Schmidt, pastor of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Waukesha, WI, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Corinthians 6. Paul shows the church that the work of the Christian is not always easy.  There will be afflictions, hardship, calamities, hardships, labors, sleepless nights, & hunger, but the LORD has given us the Holy Spirit to strengthen us in the hope of Christ’s grace.  Therefore be “yoked in Christ” to walk with Him.  “Lord Jesus, as You have dwelt among us and You are our LORD, strengthen us to stay with You and work together in Your kingdom.  Amen”

Rev. David Juhl, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Momence, IL joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Corinthians 5:11-21. In Christ, you are a new creation!  He died for all and that includes you.  Paul challenges us to no longer see others according to the “flesh” but as one whom Christ has died.  As ones now in the righteousness of God, you are an ambassador of Christ to reconcile others to Him.  “O LORD, open our hearts to remember that we have Your righteousness by Christ’s cross and help us to be Your ambassadors in all our vocations.  Lord have mercy.  In Him, Amen”

Rev. Dr. Steven Schave gives today's sermon based on Luke 2:41-52. Today we pray for Melinda Thews who serves the Lord in Taiwan. Read her story and how to support her work at lcms.org/thews. Find your opportunity to serve at servenow.lcms.org. >> The broadcast of chapel services is brought to you by LCMS International Mission and Ministry to Armed Forces. >> Learn more at international.lcms.org and lcms.org/armedforces.

Rev. Thomas Eckstein, pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church in Jamestown, North Dakota, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Corinthians 5:1-10. “Be of good courage.”  In this life our bodies and world groan due to the brokenness of this world, but as we are in Christ we know that we have a heavenly dwelling that awaits us with Him.  As we walk, we do so with faith that we are declared, “good” on account of Christ’s goodness and will enjoy this heavenly dwelling with him.  “O LORD, thank you for the hope of the heavenly dwelling and help us to be of good courage as we walk by faith in Christ.  In Him, Amen”

Rev. John Shank, pastor of  Trinity Lutheran Church in Edwardsville, Illinois, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Corinthians 4. Paul reminds us, “But we have a treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”  We are weak and fragile like a jar of clay. Yet, the treasure of God’s forgiveness on account of Christ, points people away from us and to His surpassing gracious power.  “O LORD, may your light shine in our hearts to give us the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Christ.  Amen”  

Rev. John Lukomski, retired LCMS pastor, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Corinthians 3. Paul encourages the Corinthian church as they are his “letter of recommendation” as he defends his ministry against naysayers.  He gives a clear proclamation, as a minister of the new covenant, of their need for the Law to bring death to the sinner and the joy of the Gospel to bring freedom in Christ.  “O LORD, as we have unveiled faces in Christ, transforms us from one degree of glory to another.  In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Nathan Meador, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Plymouth, Wisconsin, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Corinthians 2:1-17. Paul writes to the Corinthians out of an “abundant love” that he has for each soul.  He exhorts the church to forgive a repentant sinner as the forgiveness in Christ we give is not only for the sinner but also a victory over the devil’s lies.  In this forgiveness, we are to be the aroma of Christ in service to Him and in love toward others.  “O Lord, help us to be the aroma of Christ in forgiveness and service to others.  In Him, Amen”

Rev. Scott Adle, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Collinsville, IL joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Corinthians 1:12-24. Paul reminds the Corinthian church that he desires to visit  so that they would receive God’s grace and work together in God’s joy.  Paul’s arrival would not be a normal visit, but a time where he would proclaim the truth that in Christ, everything is yes for salvation, and all we can say is Amen to this grace.  “O Lord, bring Your joy upon us as You have established, anointed, sealed, and given Your Spirit into our hearts as a guarantee.  In Christ, Amen.”

Rev. Dr. Curtis Deterding, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, Fort Myers, FL joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Corinthians 1:1-11. Paul, as an apostle of Jesus Christ, writes his second letter by giving hope in the LORD, who is the source of all comfort.  The first few chapters contrast much of 1st Corinthians, where Paul needed to exhort the church in Corinth to holy living.  Paul clearly connects our sufferings to the sufferings of Christ, which also brings us an abundance of comfort in Him.  “Lord God, give us comfort in our afflictions and deliverance from the evil one.  In Christ, Amen”

Thy Strong Word gives the gift of God’s Word to you.  From January 7 until Holy Week we will receive this gift in Paul’s Epistles: 2 Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, and I Thessalonians.  We will literally travel with Paul as he encourages, exhorts, proclaims, and points us to Christ and Him crucified for Your forgiveness.  Join us.  Live or on demand, anytime--anywhere.  God has gifts to give for you. We welcome Rev. Brady Finnern, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Sartell, MN, as the new host of Thy Strong Word, a program that reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two LCMS pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Thy Strong Word is hosted by Rev. Brady Finnern, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Sartell, MN, and graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Fo

Host Rev. AJ Espinosa studies Acts 3 and 2:36-47. “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” So much of Acts seems confusing because we think in such individualistic terms. But Acts is about the Christian community living as a whole. Peter doesn’t mean that every individual’s baptism will be accompanied with signs and wonders. The miracles aren’t about the strength of our belief, but the authority of Christ over every nation. Similarly, that God “made him both Lord and Christ” doesn’t mean that Jesus wasn’t individually royal or divine before the ascension. Rather, He ascends and is crowned that we would ascend and be crowned with Him. None of us ‘has’ the Spirit per se—the Spirit belongs to Jesus, and by the power of the Word, we share this gift together as His baptized people.