Concord Matters from KFUO Radio

In Luke 7, the sinful woman was forgiven by faith and her works flowed by His grace. It is clear that we are unable to fulfill the Law and all fall short of His glory. Our disposition is completely broken and as we receive a clear conscience through forgiveness by the blood of Christ, works of love naturally spring up by the Holy Spirit’s help (Galatians 5:22-23). We are reminded that a good tree bears good fruit. For Christ’s sake, we are made a good tree, and our good God bears good fruit for the sake of love for others. “Awake, O sleeper, rise from death, And Christ shall give you light; So learn His love, its length and breadth, its fullness, depth, and height.” LSB #697, st. 1Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Minot, ND joins Rev. Brady Finnern to confess the truth of good works.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations.

Good works are not necessary for salvation, yet good works are necessary. Good works flow from faith in the good work of Christ’s cross and benefit our neighbors. The heartbeat of the Christian life is the forgiveness of sins, and by the Holy Spirit’s work, fruit is bore as they are connected to Christ the vine. When we speak of love in this article it is a synonym for good works. Love for others as He first loved us (I John 4:19). “Come, follow Me, the Savior spake, “All in My way abiding; Deny yourselves, the world forsake, Obey My call and guiding. O bear the cross, whate’er betide, take My example for your guide." LSB #688 st. 1Rev. Dr. Leonard Payton, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Forest Park, IL joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the Apology of the Augsburg Confession concerning good works.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations.

Justification by faith alone, grace alone, Christ alone, and Scripture alone was nothing new. This truth was proclaimed since the days of the Apostles, and the early Church fathers, like Ambrose & Augustine, agreed. “Let no one boast because of works as no one is justified by their deeds...faith, therefore is that which frees through the blood of Christ because he is blessed whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” “Since Christ has made full atonement made And brought to us salvation, each Christian therefore may be glad and build on this foundation. Your grace alone, dear Lord, I plead, Your death is now my life indeed, for You paid my ransom." LSB #555, st.6Rev. Dennis McFadden, pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, IN joins Rev. Brady Finnern to conclude our study of Justification.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations.

The Biblical understanding of Justification centers on Christ’s cross and empty tomb. For Christ’s sake, God declares the dead in sin to be alive, the unrighteous now righteous, the condemned are now not guilty, and the sinful are forgiven. Melancthon proves this Truth by pointing to the many passages in Scripture that clearly confess our hope in Christ. “My hope is built on nothing less, Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; No merit of my own I claim But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid rock I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.” LSB #575, st. 1Rev. John Pless, Assistant Professor at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to continue our study of Justification.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations.

The clear statement from the Augsburg Confession, “People are freely justified for Christ’s sake, through faith, when they believe that they are received into favor and that their sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake (AC, IV), still bring questions such as: “What about repentance? How do we obtain this faith? How does faith justify?” The Concordians address these questions by pointing to the means of grace and the work of the Holy Spirit. Faith only comes by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. This faith is not a “good start” or a catapult to greater things, but all that one needs for salvation is found in the trust of the full sufficiency of Christ’s cross and empty tomb. “What costly sacrifice, to cover human sin! Who but Christ Jesus had the right to enter in? His blood, sprinkled price, so we might be assured. That our inheritance in light has been secured.” LSB #564 st. 4.Rev. Mark Bestul, pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Elgin, IL joins Rev. Brady Finnern to continue our study of Justification.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations.

Christ will come again to judge everyone, and there will be an account. Either one has belief in the promises of Christ and will enter the gates of heaven or a lack of faith in Christ which will take one away from the Lord. The clarity of justification grounds us in the righteousness of Christ, which comes from the free forgiveness of sins won for us by His blood by the means of grace. His righteousness becomes yours through faith. The Judge has become your brother. No fear, no cause for alarm, nothing but joy for Christ’s death and resurrection given to you through His sacraments. “God would not have the sinner die; His Son with saving grace is night; His Spirit in the Word declares, How we in Christ are heaven’s heirs” LSB #571 st. 3Rev. Matthew Moss, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Corcoran, MN joins Rev. Brady Finnern to continue our study of Justification.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, both God and man, freely justifies sinners by faith that they are received into favor and forgiven for His sake. This gift is made known throughout the Scriptures, both Old and Testament, for the sake of a clear conscience. To understand this article we need to understand the distinction of Law & Promise. The Law is not abolished by Christ, but He has fulfilled it so that we may see our sin and our need for a Savior’s cross. “By grace I'm saved, grace free and boundless; My soul, believe and doubt it not. Why stagger at this word of promise? Has Scripture ever falsehood taught? No! Then this word must true remain; By grace you too will life obtain.” LSB #566, st. 1Rev. Greg Truwe, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cole Camp, MO joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the Two Natures of Christ and Justification.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations.

When Paul says we are “dead in our sins” (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1), what does that mean? Scripture teaches that we are not only fallen but that we have a strong tendency to sin without the fear of God, called concupiscence. To speak correctly of Christ is to have a correct understanding of our sinful nature. We are fallen, dead in sins, and have no fear, love, or trust in God, including adults, infants, and children. By Christ’s cross and empty tomb, God removes the condemnation of all sin, by applying His righteousness, holiness, and innocence upon you in faith. You are dead in sin and need help: Be baptized, confess your sins, and receive full forgiveness in Christ by His Word. Thanks be to God!Rev. Eli Lietzau, pastor of Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study articles 1-2 of the Apology of the Augsburg Confession.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations.

When the Augsburg Confession was presented, the political and theological world was in upheaval. The princes were not allowed to read the Catholic response, the Confutation, but they were asked to subscribe to it. The Concordians desired to prepare a defense to show that they did not create a new theology but were continuing the confession of the Christian Church from the beginning. Instead of the focus being on “faith + works” or “The Papacy,” Melancthon makes it very clear that the formal principle of the Church is “justification by faith alone.” The gift of the Apology of the Augsburg Confession is its clarity concerning salvation by faith in Christ and the good works that follow.Dr. Ryan Macpherson, Academic Dean of Luther Classical College in Casper, Wyoming, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the background, history, and Melanchthon's greeting to the Apology.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations.

The Concordians needed to make a defense as controversies quickly arose after the presentation of the Augsburg Confession on June 25, 1530. Within months, Emperor Charles declared that the Lutherans had until April of the next year to concede to the Roman Catholic Church. Melancthon began a thorough defense the next fall while the Smalcaldic League was formed to unite the Reformers around the truth of God’s Word and clearly confess the Gospel for the sake of a clear conscience. This defense provides us with a masterpiece of God’s grace on account of Christ, specifically Justification.Rev. Dr. John Maxfield, Professor of History and Religious Studies at Concordia University of Edmonton, Alberta, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the introduction to the Apology of the Augsburg Confession.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations.