The definition of the Church is simple: Believers in the blood of Christ for their salvation join around the Gospel and rightly-administered sacraments according to God’s Word. The Concordians directly addressed the Roman Catholic Church’s view of papal authority, which led to many different opinions based on the pope’s thoughts. The Church is not based on the same traditions but centers on the Gospel. The Church is the body of Christ; that is, we live because we are connected to the True Vine. The Church will remain until the end of the world as Christ reigns at the right hand of God until He returns. Rev. Terry Forke, President of the Montana District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study articles 7 & 8 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.

The Church is best defined by the outward means of grace (Gospel and Sacraments) and those who are born again by the Holy Spirit. Although hypocrites might be in the church, the definition does not include unbelievers. The kingdom of Christ is the righteousness of the heart and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17), the Pillar of the Truth (I Timothy 3:15), and cleansed by the washing of water with the word (Ephesians 5:25). “Elect from every nation, yet one o’er all the earth; Her charter of salvation: One Lord, one faith, one birth. One holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food, And to one hope she presses, with every grace endued.” LSB #644, st. 2 Rev. Sean Smith, pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mason City, IA, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study articles 7 & 8 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.

The Concordians were not arguing a small matter. The souls of many were being misled away from a clear conscience in the full sufficiency of the cross to trying to find hope in themselves. Everything the Christian does is not separated from faith: repentance, love, philosophy, works, worship, etc. The bigger issue is the purpose of the cross and empty tomb. If there was a chance that we could be saved by our own works, then why would Christ need to die and rise at all? Cling closely to the promises of Christ. He is guarding you for salvation now and has chosen you to be His own. “Christ has arisen; He sets us free; Alleluia, to Him praises be. Jesus is living! Let us all sing; He reigns triumphant, heavenly King. Let us sing praise to Him with endless joy; Death’s fearful sting He has come to destroy. Our sin forgiving, alleluia! Jesus is living, Alleluia!" LSB#466, st. 5 Rev. Dr. Jamison Hardy, President and Bishop of the English District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study article 5 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.

We are called to confess the Truth of God’s Word (2 Timothy 4:2). As KFUO Radio has confessed this Truth for 100 years, we keep everything simple for the sake of salvation for those who hear (1 Timothy 4:16). After Luther’s visitations throughout Germany, it was evident that the basics needed to be taught again (10 commandments, Creed, and Lord’s Prayer) and it is still needed today which is why we still confess/ teach/pray the Small Catechism. Rev. Phil Hoppe, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Colby, KS, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Luther’s Preface to the Small Catechism. Learn more about Sharathon 2024 and give now at kfuo.org/sharathon. 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.

Words and their meaning are important. One can say faith, merit, mediator, reward, and gift but still be incorrect concerning salvation. Scripture is clear: without faith, good works do not please the Lord (Hebrews 11:6). However, faith in CHRIST as our Mediator is the key to our salvation and the fulfillment of good works. The rewards are many when one does good works, but those works are not rewarded with salvation. The way to salvation is not by being our own mediator. but by leaning on Christ as our only mediator. “Be strong in the Lord, In armor of light; With shield for the fight; on prayer be dependent, be belted and shod. In breastplate resplendent: The armor of God.” LSB 665 st. 1 Rev. Ben Meyer, pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in Sunburry, OH, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Love Fulfilling the Law from 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.

The Christian never goes beyond saying, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty (Luke 17:10).” God’s mercy upon us in Christ is the confession of the Church. Without His mercy, His undeserved compassion toward us, we are unable to have a clear conscience, let alone do anything good. These works for the neighbor are pleasing to the Lord, not on account of the intentions of the work, but by faith in Christ. Good works are necessary, and we all need help from the Lord! “With the Savior at your side, foes need not alarm you; In His promises confide, And no ill can harm you. All your trust and hope repose, In the mighty Master, who in wisdom truly knows how to stem disaster.” LSB 869, st. 3 Rev. Brian Kachelmeier, pastor of Crown of Life Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to continue our study on 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.

Jesus is the only Mediator! Faith in Christ, the only Mediator, is the beginning of a clear conscience, and by the Holy Spirit, good works flow. Melancthon addresses the harmful results of the teaching: One is unable to keep the Law without Christ’s aid. By the mercy of Christ, the baptized Christian loves God and serves others without doubt. The conviction of the Concordians was to hold on to the teachings of the righteousness of the Gospel and not of the Law. "I heard the voice of Jesus say, 'Behold, I freely give; The living water; thirsty one, Stoop down and drink and live.' I came to Jesus, and I drank; Of that life-giving stream; My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, And now I live in Him." LSB 699 st. 2 Rev. Brian Kachelmeier, pastor of Crown of Life Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to continue our study on 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.

Clarity is key. Clarity gives a clear conscience. We clearly confess that good works are necessary for the Christian, but good works do not merit salvation. The Christian has been reconciled to the Father by the blood of Christ. This promise is true, and as His love is given to us, it then flows through us to the neighbor. Our call is to follow the One who has given us all things, He merited our salvation by the cross, and therefore we serve for His glory and the needs of our neighbor. “Jesus, my Savior, Himself did offer, Jesus my Savior, Paid all I owed. Therefore I’ll say again: God loves me dearly, God loves dearly. Loves even me.” LSB #392, st. 4 Rev. Timothy Winterstein, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in East Wenatchee, WA, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to continue our study of Love fulfilling the Law. 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 Law is fulfilled when a person does good works in faith. For the Christian, repentance and good works are never separated from faith in forgiveness won for them in Christ’s cross. Reason may tell people what good works are in society, but those works are not for the sake of salvation. Apart from Christ, nothing good comes from us (John 15:5), but with Him by His word and sacraments, we are comforted in the good works done because we believe Christ has already accomplished our salvation to soothe the terrified conscience. Rev. Dr. Richard Carter, Professor Emeritus of Theology at Concordia University in St. Paul, MN, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to continue our study on 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.

To understand good works is to understand vocation. The first call of the Christian is to receive the gifts of our Lord by the Holy Spirit we give gifts in love to others. The charge is to love others with a good conscience. A good conscience only comes through faith in full satisfaction of Christ’s cross and empty tomb. The Epistle James provides a faithful model of how to understand and teach good works. He is very critical of lazy Christians, but his exhortation to them is not to do good works outside of faith (James 1:18, 2:22; 2:24). John 15:5 shows us the need to hear the Law of our Lord, understanding that we are connected to Christ the Vine in faith. Our works flow from the works of Christ, and we joyfully and freely serve as our Lord has already served us. Rev. Stewart Crown, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Palo Alto, CA, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to continue our study on 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.

The adversaries had many prooftexts to attempt to disprove the Concordians understanding of faith and works. Melancthon patiently teaches that these passages (I Corinthians 13:2; Colossians 3:14; I Peter 4:8; and many more), are grounded in the understanding that the love of Christ is our hope and He pours that love into our hearts (Romans 5:5) so that we serve knowing that we are already saved (Romans 5:1). We are exhorted to love others as part of our Christian identity and to do so always out of love for Him. “Love is humble, love is gentle, love is tender, true and kind; Love is gracious, ever patient, generous of heart and mind: May love be ours, O Lord.” LSB, #695, st. 2. Rev. Mark Bestul, pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Elgin, IL, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to continue our study 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.