Best Lutheran Church Extension Fund Podcasts (2025)

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1 Thessalonians 5:12-22: Life in Light of Christ’s Coming 54:54

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14h ago54:54

54:54

St. Paul gives further instructions to his brothers in Christ in Thessalonica as to what their lives should look like as Christians waiting for the Last Day. Hearers respect and esteem their pastors as those men work diligently to proclaim the Gospel. Peace reigns in the congregation as those who are weak and faint are treated with patience. Forgiv…

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1 Thessalonians 5:1-11: Wakeful Sobriety 53:06

4d ago53:06

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St. Paul reminds the Thessalonians about the coming day of the Lord. No one knows the date. Christ’s return will be sudden, and those who have sought security apart from Him will go to destruction. Christians, however, do not live in that darkness. Christ has called us into His light, and so we live in alert, wakeful sobriety produced by attention …

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1 Thessalonians 4:13-18: Hope-Filled Grief 54:52

5d ago54:52

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St. Paul teaches concerning the resurrection of the body so that the Thessalonians will be able to mourn with hope for those who have fallen asleep in Christ. The foundation of this certainty is the death and resurrection of Jesus, through whom God will raise the dead. The apostolic teaching on the matter comes from the Lord Himself who will return…

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1 Thessalonians 4:9-12: Brothers Work Quietly with Love 53:25

6d ago53:25

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St. Paul commends the Thessalonians to continued brotherly love for each other, as they have already been taught through the Word of God. Such love should be expressed more and more not only in their local congregation, but throughout their region. In so doing, the Christian goal is not pride, but rather quiet and diligent work in service of the ne…

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1 Thessalonians 4:1-8: Holiness Is God’s Will for Us 54:34

7d ago54:34

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St. Paul encourages the Thessalonians to abound more and more in the way that they are walking according to the word of God. His will for their lives is holiness, which He gives to His people. Such holiness manifests itself in the lives of Christians through chastity, purity, and self-control. Because we know God, we do not live as the pagans do. I…

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1 Thessalonians 3:6-13: Good News from Timothy 56:46

8d ago56:46

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Timothy’s report concerning the faith and love of the Thessalonians brings joy and comfort to Paul, enlivening him for continued apostolic ministry. He returns thanks to God in his ongoing prayers for the Thessalonians in his time away from them, even as he longs to return to them. Paul commends the Thessalonians into the care of the Triune God, pr…

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1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5: Face to Face 54:39

11d ago54:39

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Paul tells the Thessalonians of his great desire to return to see them in person and notes that Satan is the one who hindered such a joyful reunion. As Paul looks forward to the Last Day, he knows that the Thessalonians are a source of great joy. That led him to send Timothy to them to check on them, even when Paul couldn’t go personally. His purpo…

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1 Thessalonians 2:13-16: Suffering Together 53:21

12d ago53:21

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Paul gives thanks for the way the Thessalonians received his preaching as the very Word of God. That Word has brought forth fruit in Thessalonica as the congregation there was joined to the rest of the Church in suffering for the sake of Christ. Paul encourages the Thessalonians to remain faithful to the Lord even in suffering, knowing that God wil…

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Fostering Wellness and Witness: Rev. Dr. Bill Harmon's Approach in the Southeastern District 32:06

13d ago32:06

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Rev. Dr. Bill Harmon, president of the Southeastern District, shares his personal journey into ministry, the district’s innovative approach to worker wellness and the importance of balancing care for church workers and their families in Episode 30. Join co-hosts Rev. Tom Eggebrecht and Rev. Dr. Greg Walton to learn how the Southeastern District is …

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1 Thessalonians 2:1-12: Laboring for the Gospel of God 54:30

13d ago54:30

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Paul reminds the Thessalonians of the time he and his companions spent there. Despite previous opposition in Philippi and persecution in Thessalonica, Paul labored diligently to bring the Gospel to the Thessalonians, not to please man, but to please God. Even as he toiled night and day, he did so with the same care and affection that parents show t…

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1 Thessalonians 1:1-10: Thanksgiving for Faith, Love, and Hope 56:32

14d ago56:32

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Paul, Silas, and Timothy greet the church in Thessalonica in the grace and peace that comes from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. They give thanks to God for the faith, love, and hope He has given to the Thessalonians. This fruit was produced among them by the Gospel, so that they imitated the Lord Jesus and the apostles as they suffered w…

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Acts 17:1-15: Paul’s Thessalonian Fan Club 58:54

15d ago58:54

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Paul and Silas visited Thessalonica as a part of the 2nd Missionary Journey. As was their custom, they first went to the synagogue to preach from the Old Testament that Jesus is the Christ. Many believed, but many did not. Those that did not became jealous and caused such trouble for the Christians in Thessalonica that Paul and Silas left more quic…

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NEW SERIES: Yearning for the Day of Christ's Returning 2:05

15d ago2:05

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“Yearning for the Day of Christ’s Returning” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that studies St. Paul’s two epistles to the Thessalonians. Although Paul's time in Thessalonica was brief, he had great affection for the Christians there. His two letters to the Thessalonians show us the joy that God gives us together in the Church and encourage us to li…

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Psalms of Thanksgiving - Psalm 136: The Refrain of Thanksgiving (Rebroadcast) 52:05

18d ago52:05

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The antiphonal nature of Psalm 136 is seen in the repeated second half of every verse: “His steadfast love endures forever.” This psalm helps us to give thanks to the LORD for His steadfast love shown forth in His work of creation, redemption, and His ongoing care for His people. For these reasons and more, we give thanks to the LORD, for He is goo…

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Psalms of Thanksgiving - Psalm 100: A Psalm for Giving Thanks (Rebroadcast) 56:09

19d ago56:09

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The superscription of Psalm 100 identifies its purpose: to lead us into thanksgiving of the one true God. We join our voices to all creation when we make a joyful noise to the LORD, not only in our daily vocations, but especially in the Divine Service. We sing to Him because He has created us and saved us as our Good Shepherd. All of the LORD’s wor…

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LSB 895, “Now Thank We All Our God” 55:18

20d ago55:18

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Martin Rinckart wrote this hymn as a mealtime prayer for his children. Despite terrible suffering from war and famine, Rinckart was able to give thanks to God for His overflowing gifts. Such Christian thanksgiving is found in the heart and shows forth into the voice and hands as well. God is the One who knits us together in our mothers’ wombs, and …

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LSB 892, “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come” 50:11

21d ago50:11

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In this hymn, Henry Alford helps Christians to give thanks to God not only for the earthly harvests He gives in their seasons, but especially for the heavenly harvest that we long for on the Last Day. Even as we join together to thank God for the harvest of crops, we come into His presence to thank Him for bringing us into His Church through the pr…

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LSB 813, “Rejoice, O Pilgrim Throng” 54:31

22d ago54:31

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Edward Plumptre wrote this hymn as a processional hymn, inviting those who sing to consider themselves as pilgrims through this life to the eternal life in Christ’s presence. As we journey together, we sing our praises together with the whole Church, following Christ crucified as our leader. We sing with our fathers who have come before us, with sa…

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LSB 797, “Praise the Almighty” 54:22

25d ago54:22

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In this hymn, Johann Herrnschmidt writes a metrical paraphrase of Psalm 146 and proclaims the work of Christ. The Lord is the Almighty whose holy name we adore for the entirety of our lives. Rather than trusting in mortal rulers who cannot save us from death, we trust in Christ who has conquered death for us. Those who have Christ as their help are…

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LSB 791, “All People That on Earth Do Dwell” 53:46

26d ago53:46

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In this hymn, William Kethe provides a metrical paraphrase of Psalm 100, in which God’s people are called to give Him thanks. Together, we make a joyful noise to God as we come before Him with cheerful voices. The Lord is our God who has created us apart from our merit and strength. The Lord is our Good Shepherd who has made us members of His flock…

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LSB 790, “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” 43:37

27d ago43:37

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Joachim Neander draws from Psalm 103 and other texts to call Christians to praise the Lord as the Almighty Creator. The Lord is the One who still reigns over all He has made, as Christians have seen time and time again. Not only has God created us with intricate care, but He also bestows good gifts and rescues us from various distresses. As we pond…

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LSB 754, “Entrust Your Days and Burdens” 53:26

28d ago53:26

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Paul Gerhardt wrote this hymn as an acrostic poem using the words of Psalm 37:5. He encourages Christians to entrust all their burdens to the true God. Because He created and sustains all things, we can rely on Him to guide us and call out to Him in prayer, trusting His love. Through trials, we continue to trust in Him, awaiting His time with patie…

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LSB 737, “Rejoice, My Heart, Be Glad and Sing” 53:31

29d ago53:31

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In this text from Paul Gerhardt, each Christian encourages himself to rejoice and maintain a cheerful trust in God for all things. He is our portion and treasure so that despair need not overwhelm us. As He has cared for us our whole lives long, so He will continue to care for us. His discipline comes from His love for us, the same love that has fo…

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NEW SERIES: Songs of Thankfulness and Praise 2:22

29d ago2:22

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“Songs and Thankfulness and Praise” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that studies a variety of hymns of thanksgiving from Lutheran Service Book. Thanksgiving is a way of life for Christians as we realize that all gifts come from God’s fatherly love for us. In times of joy and sorrow, we return our thanks to Him for His never-ending goodness and mer…

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Philemon 1-25: A Letter of Pastoral Care 51:08

1M ago51:08

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When Philemon, a prominent member of the Christian congregation in Colossae, needs pastoral care, St. Paul writes to him in humility. The Apostle gives thanks for the fruit of faith that Philemon has brought forth and appeals to Philemon to bring forth that same fruit now toward his runaway slave, Onesimus. St. Paul reminds Philemon that Onesimus i…

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Colossians 4:2-18: Connected in Christ 53:47

1M ago53:47

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As the Apostle Paul began his letter to the Colossians by speaking of his prayers for them, so he concludes his letter by asking the Colossians to pray for him. Their prayers should be steadfast in thanksgiving and ask God to open the door for Paul to preach the Word, even though he is currently in prison. The Word of God that Christians speak is t…

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Colossians 3:18-4:1: The Philosophy of Christ 55:31

1M ago55:31

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St. Paul does not leave his instruction for Christian life as vague theologizing. Rather, he instructs Christians on how to follow the Word of Christ in their closest relationships with each other. As Christians are given to live together as wives and husbands, as children and parents, and as workers and masters, we do so in Christ, that is, with t…

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Colossians 3:5-17: Put on Christ 56:46

1M ago56:46

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St. Paul grounds his teaching concerning the Christian life in the reality of Holy Baptism. There, Christians die and rise with Christ. Now, Christians daily put off the old way of life as a dirty garment that no one would ever want to wear. At the same time, Christians daily put on the life given by Christ. That life is bound together in forgivene…

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Colossians 3:1-4: Your Life Is Hidden with Christ 51:44

1M ago51:44

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St. Paul encourages Christians to live in light of the reality that we have been raised with Christ. Rather than seeking the things of man, Christians set their minds on the things taught by Christ, because He sits at the right hand of God. We have died to the life of the sinful flesh, and our lives are hidden with Christ. We have this life truly b…

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Colossians 2:16-23: Hold Fast to the Body, Not the Shadow 55:44

1M ago55:44

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Because Christ has triumphed in the cross, no one can judge Christians based on those things that Jesus has fulfilled. The Old Testament regulations concerning food and drink and Sabbaths are a shadow of the body of Christ who has now been revealed. Although false preachers peddle practices that may look religious, any worship or piety that does no…

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Colossians 2:6-15: Christ’s Cruciform Triumph Over All Powers 53:21

1M ago53:21

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Because the Colossians have received Jesus, St. Paul exhorts them to walk in Him and remain rooted in the faith He has established in them. They must not be taken captive by philosophies that are only manmade traditions, for these are not from Christ. He is the One in whom the fullness of deity dwells bodily, and He has filled His Church. In Holy B…

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Island Oasis: A Respite for Church Workers with Rev. Jeff Dorth 30:43

1M ago30:43

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Rev. Jeff Dorth, lead pastor of Island Lutheran Church in Hilton Head, South Carolina, joins the Grace Place Podcast to share the inspiring story behind Island Oasis, a ministry dedicated to providing rest and renewal for church workers. Join co-hosts Rev. Tom Eggebrecht and Rev. Dr. Greg Walton to learn how this unique respite ministry came to lif…

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Colossians 1:24-2:5: Christ in You 53:13

1M ago53:13

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Even as St. Paul suffers in prison, he rejoices as such suffering is his participation in the Body of Christ, the Church. Because of God’s gift, St. Paul is a minister in the Church given to proclaim the mystery now revealed even to Gentiles that Christ dwells in believers. Proclaiming Christ, Paul has been struggling for the Colossians and other C…

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Colossians 1:15-23: In All Things 53:12

1M ago53:12

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St. Paul extols the person and work of Christ in a glorious hymn. Jesus does not simply have, but He is the image of God by whom all things visible and invisible were created. In Him, all things hold together. He is the Head of His Church, for the fullness of God dwells in Him. By His resurrection, Jesus reconciles all things to Himself. St. Paul p…

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Colossians 1:1-14: From Darkness to Light in Christ 56:29

1M ago56:29

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Although St. Paul may have never visited the saints in Colossae, he writes to them with joy and thanksgiving for their faith, love, and hope. They are bearing fruit in the same Gospel that is preached throughout the world, as Epaphras has reported. Paul therefore prays that the Colossians would continue to walk in this faith as they are strengthene…

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Philippians 4:10-23: Contentment in Christ 54:38

2M ago54:38

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St. Paul concludes his letter to the Philippians by rejoicing over the support that they have given him during his time in prison. All the while, he reminds them of Christ Jesus as the source of contentment and strength, not only in times of prosperity, but especially in times of poverty. The Apostle has confidence that just as God has supplied his…

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Philippians 4:2-9: Joy for Whatever 57:35

2M ago57:35

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St. Paul commends particular members of the Christian congregation in Philippi to agree in the Lord as they continue to labor together with him and each other in the Gospel. That Gospel allows Christians to rejoice in the Lord always, because His return is near. Therefore, we live not with anxiety and worry, but with gentleness, prayer, thanksgivin…

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Philippians 3:2-4:1: Heavenly Citizenship 52:38

2M ago52:38

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St. Paul has not yet reached the resurrection, but he strains forward in the life that he has from Christ right now in anticipation of the Lord’s gift on the Last Day. The Lord leads His people toward that goal, working through Scripture, prayer, and suffering. The Apostle calls the Philippians to imitate him in this way of life, rather than fallin…

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Philippians 3:1-11: Righteousness from God through Faith 53:50

2M ago53:50

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As St. Paul continues to encourage the Philippians to rejoice, he speaks of himself as an example to the Philippians. As opposed to those who put their confidence in fleshly works such as circumcision, St. Paul truly has every reason for confidence in his own person and works. Yet he considers his own works as dung in comparison to the infinite wor…

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Philippians 2:19-30: Joy from the Christian Brotherhood 53:54

2M ago53:54

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St. Paul updates the Philippians on two of his coworkers and expresses his desire to send them to the Philippians soon. First, he commends Timothy, whom the Philippians know personally. Timothy is an example of the humility of Christ, as Timothy concerns himself with the Philippians' welfare and the interests of Jesus. Second, Paul commends Epaphro…

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Philippians 2:12-18: Shining Stars in a Crooked Generation 53:23

2M ago53:23

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From Jesus’ humility, St. Paul draws implications for the Christian life. Christians put the salvation they have received into practice with fear and trembling, knowing that God works according to His good pleasure in Christ. Rather than grumbling as the ancient Israelites, Christians are to live as God’s children and reflect the light of Christ in…

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Philippians 2:5-11: The Humiliation and Exaltation of Christ 54:38

2M ago54:38

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St. Paul found his call to live in humility in the example of Christ’s humility, by which He has won salvation for sinners. Although Jesus truly is God, He did not seek His own interests in claiming those rights for His own. Instead, He made Himself nothing as a servant for our sakes, going to the most shameful death of crucifixion. For that reason…

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Philippians 1:27-2:4: Concordia in Christ 54:02

2M ago54:02

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St. Paul encourages the Philippians to live in light of the Gospel of Christ. That Gospel unites Christians together in one spirit and one mind so that there is no need to fear those who oppose them. For that reason, Christians are free to place the needs of others ahead of their own, living in what Christ has done for them. Rev. Peter Ill, pastor …

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Philippians 1:12-26: Hard Pressed Between the Two 51:55

2M ago51:55

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St. Paul informs the Philippians that the Lord has used Paul’s imprisonment to advance the Gospel. Not only are elite Roman soldiers hearing of Christ, but other Christians are encouraged to speak of Christ even more boldly. Even when some proclaim the Gospel in an effort to harm Paul, the Apostle still rejoices that the Gospel is proclaimed. As he…

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Philippians 1:1-11: The Epistle of Joy 54:19

2M ago54:19

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Even though St. Paul writes from prison, his letter to the church in Philippi is full of joy. Philippi had been his first place of work in Macedonia on his second missionary journey, and although he had been thrown in prison there for a short time, his connection with the Philippians was strong in Christ. As he begins his letter to them, he tells t…

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NEW SERIES: Letters from Prison 2:48

2M ago2:48

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“Letters from Prison” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that studies Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Even when Paul was imprisoned for the sake of Christ, the Word of God remained unbound. The apostle’s letters from prison still fill us with the same joy that his chains could never silence.Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at …

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The Rite of Holy Matrimony: What God Joins Together 57:48

2M ago57:48

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The Rite of Holy Matrimony in Lutheran Service Book begins with a pastoral address that lays out the goodness and purposes of God’s gift of marriage. Scripture readings and music center the service as worship in the name of the Triune God, whose blessing the husband and wife seek. As the man and the woman make promises to each other, God is the One…

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Ephesians 5:22-33: A Profound Mystery 54:37

2M ago54:37

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St. Paul lays out the way husbands and wives ought to live together in holy matrimony. A wife is to submit to her husband as the Church submits to Christ, and a husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the Church. Although the world today reacts negatively toward this text, Christians are right to cherish it as God’s good gift. It is certainly g…

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Song of Solomon 8:5-14: Love Is Strong as Death 53:45

2M ago53:45

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As the Song concludes, Solomon brings us to the theological point. His love for his bride sets her as a seal, meaning that she is his. As Solomon notes how powerful love is, he uses the divine name for the only time in the Song, allowing us to see that God’s love for us pursues us even to death and brings us out of the grave. As the others wonder a…

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Song of Solomon 6:11-8:4: Holy Marital Love 52:58

2M ago52:58

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The bride seeks her husband in the garden, and there he praises her beauty. His delight in his wife’s beauty is a blessed gift of God within the context of holy matrimony, a delight that God still gives to husbands and wives today. The garden imagery throughout this section recalls the Garden of Eden in the beginning and the heavenly garden of the …