Sharper Iron — Advent with the Prophets: The Dawn of Good News

Rev. Carl Roth, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Isaiah 62:10-12.

The good news that dawns on Christmas is intended for all people. The gates are opened and the way is prepared as God frees His people from their slavery to sin. God lifts His banner for all to see. Jesus stands as this signal. Though a poor baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and a man hanging from a cross seem like foolishness and weakness to human eyes, Jesus is God’s wisdom and power to save sinners. In Jesus, salvation has come to sinners. Though those who do not trust in Him receive His coming as condemnation, He brings a new name to those who receive Him by faith. They are holy as His gift to them, for He has bought them from sin and death to make them His own. Jesus has found them when they were lost; He was forsaken so they never would be.

“Advent with the Prophets” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Old Testament readings appointed for the season of Advent. This holy season of repentance focuses our attention on Christ’s coming. As we spend time hearing the words of the prophets, the saints who waited patiently in the years before Christ’s coming in the flesh at Christmas, we too are prepared to receive Christ now in His Word and Sacrament, even as we wait for Him to come again in glory.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Isaiah 62:10-12

¹⁰Go through, go through the gates;
    prepare the way for the people;
build up, build up the highway;
    clear it of stones;
    lift up a signal over the peoples.
¹¹Behold, the Lord has proclaimed
    to the end of the earth:
Say to the daughter of Zion,
    “Behold, your salvation comes;
behold, his reward is with him,
    and his recompense before him.”
¹²And they shall be called The Holy People,
    The Redeemed of the Lord;
and you shall be called Sought Out,
    A City Not Forsaken.

English Standard Version (ESV)

Rev. Timothy Appel

Although a mathematics degree may not be incredibly helpful to (proudly born-and-raised Texan) Rev. Timothy Appel while hosting Sharper Iron, his love of CFW Walther and the season of Easter will come in handy. His Call is shepherding the flock at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, Illinois, and he’s also husband to wife Kristin and dad to their growing basketball team of children. When he’s not carrying out pastoral duties, you may find him reading “The Lord of the Rings,” snacking on Reese’s peanut butter cups, playing dominoes with his boys, or studying up on Texas history (including Sam Houston, of course).