Thy Strong Word from KFUO Radio

This final chapter brings a clear and serious call from St. Paul: take a hard look at your faith. Not to stir up fear or doubt, but to encourage repentance and renewal. The warnings are real, but they come from an apostolic and pastoral heart that cares deeply and wants to build up, not tear down. Thus, Paul's letter ends not with rebuke, but with blessing—offering one of the most beautiful benedictions in all of Scripture: the grace of Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. The Rev. Steven Theiss, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study 2 Corinthians 13. What does it mean to follow Christ in weakness? What does true ministry look like in the face of criticism, suffering, and spiritual warfare? And how can the Church hold fast to the Gospel when pressured by the world—and even by false teachers within?On Thy Strong Word, we walk verse by verse through, arguably, the apostle Paul’s most personal, emotional, and paradoxical letter: 2 Corinthians. From forgiveness and reconciliation to generous giving and boasting only in the Lord, 2 Corinthians calls every believer to follow Christ boldly. This is the way of the cross, where God’s grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in you.Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two 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. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Rev. Matthew Lorfeld, the pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, shares profound insights on 2 Corinthians 12. He explores the significance of Paul’s 'thorn in the flesh,' emphasizing that true strength is found in weakness and dependence on God. The discussion critiques the prosperity gospel and highlights how real faith thrives amid adversity. Listeners will find encouragement in embracing God's grace while navigating personal struggles, along with insights on humility and authentic ministry amidst criticism and challenges.

Paul engages in what he calls “foolish boasting,” but his point is anything but foolish. Instead of bragging about power or success, he lists his hardships, beatings, and close calls with death. These things are the source of mockery by some, but the Apostle boasts about his weaknesses. His suffering is not a sign of failure, but evidence of his devotion to Christ. In a world obsessed with strength, Paul teaches that it is in weakness that God's power is most clearly seen. The Rev. Dr. John Hellwege, Jr., pastor of Salem Lutheran Church in Farrar, MO, and Zion Lutheran Church in Crosstown, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study 2 Corinthians 11:16-33. To learn more about Salem and Zion Lutheran, visit salemlutheran8.wixsite.com/SalemandZion.What does it mean to follow Christ in weakness? What does true ministry look like in the face of criticism, suffering, and spiritual warfare? And how can the Church hold fast to the Gospel when pressured by the world—and even by false teachers within?On Thy Strong Word, we walk verse by verse through, arguably, the apostle Paul’s most personal, emotional, and paradoxical letter: 2 Corinthians. From forgiveness and reconciliation to generous giving and boasting only in the Lord, 2 Corinthians calls every believer to follow Christ boldly. This is the way of the cross, where God’s grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in you.Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two 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. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Paul continues his defense, not to protect his reputation, but to guard the Corinthians and the purity of the Gospel. With sharp irony and deep pastoral concern, he exposes the deceit of false apostles who disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. His so-called "foolish" boasting is really a faithful plea to keep the church from being led astray. This is a spiritual battle for the heart of the bride of Christ. The Rev. Sean Willman, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hillsdale, MI, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study 2 Corinthians 11:1-15. To learn more about St. Paul's Lutheran, visit www.stpauls-hillsdale.org.What does it mean to follow Christ in weakness? What does true ministry look like in the face of criticism, suffering, and spiritual warfare? And how can the Church hold fast to the Gospel when pressured by the world—and even by false teachers within?On Thy Strong Word, we walk verse by verse through, arguably, the apostle Paul’s most personal, emotional, and paradoxical letter: 2 Corinthians. From forgiveness and reconciliation to generous giving and boasting only in the Lord, 2 Corinthians calls every believer to follow Christ boldly. This is the way of the cross, where God’s grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in you.Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two 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. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

The tone of the Apostle’s letter shifts in chapter 10. After a great deal of warm encouragement and generous appeal, Paul turns to confront the critics who have been undermining his authority and distorting his message. He writes with the sharp edge of apostolic boldness but remains anchored in the meekness and gentleness of Christ. This isn’t a personal vendetta for Paul, it’s a pastoral defense of the Gospel itself. As we enter the final section of this letter, Paul draws a clear line between human boasting and divine authority, between self-promotion and Spirit-formed obedience. The Rev. Jim Daub, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Havelock, NC, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study 2 Corinthians 10. To learn more about St. Paul Lutheran, visit stpaulhavelock.com.What does it mean to follow Christ in weakness? What does true ministry look like in the face of criticism, suffering, and spiritual warfare? And how can the Church hold fast to the Gospel when pressured by the world—and even by false teachers within?On Thy Strong Word, we walk verse by verse through, arguably, the apostle Paul’s most personal, emotional, and paradoxical letter: 2 Corinthians. From forgiveness and reconciliation to generous giving and boasting only in the Lord, 2 Corinthians calls every believer to follow Christ boldly. This is the way of the cross, where God’s grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in you.Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two 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. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

St. Paul's heartfelt appeal for generosity to support the saints in Jerusalem is far from a high-pressure fundraising pitch. Instead, the Apostle paints a vivid picture of gospel-driven generosity, emphasizing joy, freedom, and abundance rooted in God's overflowing grace. In this episode, discover how cheerful giving is intertwined with confidence in the gospel, as Paul encourages believers to give not out of obligation, but as an opportunity to express love toward their neighbor and faith and trust toward God. The Rev. David Boisclair, senior pastor at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Overland, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study 2 Corinthians 9. To learn more about Our Reedeemer, visit ourredeemerstl.org.What does it mean to follow Christ in weakness? What does true ministry look like in the face of criticism, suffering, and spiritual warfare? And how can the Church hold fast to the Gospel when pressured by the world—and even by false teachers within?On Thy Strong Word, we walk verse by verse through, arguably, the apostle Paul’s most personal, emotional, and paradoxical letter: 2 Corinthians. From forgiveness and reconciliation to generous giving and boasting only in the Lord, 2 Corinthians calls every believer to follow Christ boldly. This is the way of the cross, where God’s grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in you.Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two 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. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Have you ever felt that tug-of-war between wanting to be generous and wanting to feel secure? It’s tough when you want to give but worry about not having enough for yourself. In 2 Corinthians 8, the Apostle Paul shares an incredible example from the Macedonian churches. Even though they were experiencing hardship, they were full of joy and eager to share. What inspired these struggling Christians to ask for more opportunities to give? The answer is grace—God’s amazing grace! The Rev. Chris Matthis, pastor of Epiphany Lutheran Church in Castle Rock, CO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study 2 Corinthians 8. To learn more about Epiphany Lutheran, visit epiphanylc.org.What does it mean to follow Christ in weakness? What does true ministry look like in the face of criticism, suffering, and spiritual warfare? And how can the Church hold fast to the Gospel when pressured by the world—and even by false teachers within?On Thy Strong Word, we walk verse by verse through, arguably, the apostle Paul’s most personal, emotional, and paradoxical letter: 2 Corinthians. From forgiveness and reconciliation to generous giving and boasting only in the Lord, 2 Corinthians calls every believer to follow Christ boldly. This is the way of the cross, where God’s grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in you.Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two 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. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Have you ever had to say something difficult to someone you love and spent sleepless nights worrying if it damaged your relationship? St. Paul understands that feeling. After expressing concern that his previous letter might have hurt the Corinthians, St. Paul now rejoices—not because they were saddened, but because their sorrow led to true repentance. In chapter 7, we see Paul exemplifying both pastoral courage and tender affection. This reminds us that in the Church, confrontation isn't about 'winning' but about reconciliation. The Rev. Matthew Wurm, pastor of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Brookings, SD, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study 2 Corinthians 7. To learn more about Mount Calvary Lutheran, visit mountcalvary1.org.What does it mean to follow Christ in weakness? What does true ministry look like in the face of criticism, suffering, and spiritual warfare? And how can the Church hold fast to the Gospel when pressured by the world—and even by false teachers within?On Thy Strong Word, we walk verse by verse through, arguably, the apostle Paul’s most personal, emotional, and paradoxical letter: 2 Corinthians. From forgiveness and reconciliation to generous giving and boasting only in the Lord, 2 Corinthians calls every believer to follow Christ boldly. This is the way of the cross, where God’s grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in you.Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two 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. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

In this engaging conversation, Rev. John Shank, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, shares insights on 2 Corinthians 6. He discusses the importance of not taking God's grace for granted, urging listeners to live out their faith boldly. The duo explores the balance of humility and grace, the necessity of faithful communication in families, and the urgency of embracing salvation. Shank also emphasizes the call to be authentic ambassadors of reconciliation, reflecting on how to navigate the challenges of ministry while holding fast to the gospel.

What kind of courage does it take to face death with confidence? In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul pulls back the curtain on eternity. This earthly tent will one day be torn down, but a better dwelling awaits. While we groan now, we walk by faith, not by sight. And in the meantime, we’re not aimless—we're ambassadors, driven by Christ's love, called to the ministry of reconciliation. Paul shows us what it means to live for Christ because He is the One who died for all and rose again. The Rev. Mark Loder, pastor of St. James Lutheran Church and School in Howard Lake, MN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study 2 Corinthians 5. To learn more about St. James, visit www.stjameshl.org.What does it mean to follow Christ in weakness? What does true ministry look like in the face of criticism, suffering, and spiritual warfare? And how can the Church hold fast to the Gospel when pressured by the world—and even by false teachers within?On Thy Strong Word, we walk verse by verse through, arguably, the apostle Paul’s most personal, emotional, and paradoxical letter: 2 Corinthians. From forgiveness and reconciliation to generous giving and boasting only in the Lord, 2 Corinthians calls every believer to follow Christ boldly. This is the way of the cross, where God’s grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in you.Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two 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. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.