Best Cornerstone Lutheran Church Podcasts (2024)

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Malachi 2:1-16: Faithlessness in Worship and Marriage 56:49

11m ago56:49

56:49

The prophet continues to preach against the faithless priests who are failing the LORD's people. Although the LORD has called His priests to be purveyors of His life and peace through true sacrifices and right teaching of His Word, His priests have turned aside and caused many to stumble. If they do not turn, these priests will only have curses ins…

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Malachi 1:1-14: The Burden of the LORD's Word 55:17

7h ago55:17

55:17

Although few specifics concerning this prophet's life and ministry are known, Malachi nonetheless lives up to his name; he is the LORD's messenger. His preaching is characterized by many rhetorical questions from the LORD and responses from the people. In this way, the LORD brings His people to examine themselves and draw them to repentance and fai…

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Zechariah 14:1-21: On That Day 55:43

2h ago55:43

55:43

Zechariah's book concludes with the LORD's promise to bring the Day of His judgment and salvation. Even on the Day He brings the enemy armies to surround Jerusalem, He plans for their destruction. On that Day, He will give His people light and life, for He will reign as the King over all. Those who remain at enmity with the LORD will see only ruin,…

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Zechariah 13:1-9: The LORD’s Sword Strikes His Shepherd 55:22

5h ago55:22

55:22

From the Pierced Savior flows a fountain that cleanses the people of God from sin and uncleanness. Through this gift, the LORD cuts off idolatry and false prophecy. He silences these lies by amplifying the voice of His truth in the proclamation of His Word, which still happens in His Church. This has happened because the LORD has sent His sword to …

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Zechariah 12:1-14: The Pierced Savior 55:35

15h ago55:35

55:35

In this second burden of the word of the LORD given by Zechariah, the prophet speaks about the way the LORD will save Jerusalem. Her enemies will stagger in drunkenness as they slice themselves open trying to lift this heavy stone. Their horses and riders will be useless in battle, for the LORD will devour His enemies by fire as all His people, fro…

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Zechariah 11:1-17: The Shepherd Sold for Thirty Pieces of Silver 57:15

4h ago57:15

57:15

The prophet continues to speak against those who have set their might against the LORD and His people. Through a parable and an action prophecy, the LORD commands Zechariah to be a shepherd to a flock that is doomed to slaughter. Because of their idolatrous past, the people of Israel had been sent into exile. The two staffs in the shepherd’s hands …

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Zechariah 10:1-12: The Cornerstone, Tent Peg, and Battle Bow 56:05

4h ago56:05

56:05

Zechariah proclaims that the LORD alone provides rain for the fields; idols are worthless. Because the leaders of God’s people have pointed them toward idols, the LORD of hosts will punish them, and He will send the Savior as the cornerstone, the tent peg, and the battle bow. Through this Savior the LORD will save all HIs people and bring them back…

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Zechariah 9:1-17: The Humble King 55:27

7h ago55:27

55:27

In the second part of his book, Zechariah preaches especially about the coming King for the people of God. The LORD sees not only His people; He sees all people. Neither the Phoenicians nor the Philistines will be able to stand against the LORD or His people. Jerusalem will rejoice, for the LORD is sending His humble King who will put an end to war…

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Zechariah 8:1-23: Ten Promises 55:51

2h ago55:51

55:51

As the first part of the book of Zechariah comes to an end, the LORD of hosts speaks ten promises concerning the restoration and redemption of His people. He will guard them jealously, dwelling in their midst and giving them complete safety. As He brings them to dwell in Jerusalem, they will be His people, and He will be their God. He will bless th…

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Zechariah 7:1-14: To Fast or Not to Fast? There’s More than That Question 56:24

6h ago56:24

56:24

On December 7, 518 BC, the Word of the LORD comes to Zechariah to answer a question regarding ongoing religious practices. Now that the temple is being rebuilt, a delegation from Bethel wants to know if the fasts observed for the first temple’s destruction should continue or not. The LORD does not give a simple “yes” or “no” answer in response. He …

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Zechariah 6:1-15: Four Chariots and Two Crowns 55:13

2h ago55:13

55:13

In Zechariah’s eighth vision, he sees four chariots coming out from between two bronze mountains. The LORD who dwells in His holy temple is powerful and active in all the world for the sake of His people. As Zechariah’s visions come to an end, the LORD gives an action prophecy for Zechariah to perform. From the wealth brought back from Babylon, Zec…

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Zechariah 5:1-11: A Flying Scroll and a Woman in a Basket 56:02

7d ago56:02

56:02

In Zechariah’s sixth vision, he sees an enormous scroll with writing on both sides. This Word from God convicts the people of their sin and goes out over all the whole earth; no one will escape the Law’s condemnation. Only in Christ will the curse be removed. In Zechariah’s seventh vision, he sees a basket with a heavy leaden lid, holding in a woma…

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Zechariah 4:1-14: The Day of Small Things 56:36

1d ago56:36

56:36

In Zechariah’s fifth vision, he sees a golden lampstand flanked by two olive trees. The conversation between the prophet and the LORD’s messenger indicates the great importance of this vision. The lampstand is a reminder of the LORD’s constant watchfulness and presence with His people, and the continual flow of oil from the two trees shows how the …

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Zechariah 3:1-10: The High Priest’s New Clothes 55:36

4d ago55:36

55:36

In Zechariah’s fourth vision, the prophet sees the high priest, Joshua, standing in the heavenly courtroom clothed with filthy garments. This shows his own uncleanness and the uncleanness of all the people of God. Just as Satan stands ready to accuse and condemn Joshua, the messenger of the LORD steps forward to rebuke Satan and give Joshua new gar…

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Zechariah 2:1-13: A Wall of Fire 57:39

5d ago57:39

57:39

In Zechariah’s third vision, he sees a man with a measuring line. This man intends to measure Jerusalem in order to construct its walls, but the LORD sends Zechariah to stop this man. Walls will not be needed, because the LORD is the fiery protection of His people as He dwells in their midst. For that reason, God’s people need to return home to Him…

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Zechariah 1:7-21: Patrolling Riders, Horns, and Craftsmen 55:52

3d ago55:52

55:52

On February 15, 519 BC, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah and showed him a first vision: a man riding a red horse. The messenger who leads Zechariah in this vision is the messenger of the LORD, the pre-incarnate Christ. When He reveals to Zechariah that His patrolling riders have found the earth at rest, the cry goes up before the LORD to ask …

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Zechariah 1:1-6: The LORD Remembers 55:41

4d ago55:41

55:41

The prophet Zechariah preached to the people of Judah beginning who had returned from exile beginning in October or November in 520 BC. He was a contemporary of Haggai, but his ministry and writing were both longer. The first part of his book features eight visions that point especially toward the new temple, and the second part of his book feature…

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Haggai 2:10-23: The Latter Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ 57:02

8d ago57:02

57:02

On December 18, 520 BC, the Word of the LORD came to Haggai the prophet twice. The first time, the LORD instructed Haggai to question the priests concerning the transmission of holiness and uncleanness. While uncleanness is passed from one person to the next, holiness cannot come from any other source than the LORD in His Word. Therefore, the peopl…

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Haggai 2:1-9: The Latter Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ 56:05

9d ago56:05

56:05

On October 17, 520 BC, the Word of the LORD came to Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the governor, Joshua the high priest, and to all the remnant of the people in Judah. The LORD calls them to remember the previous temple in its glory and contrast it to the temple that they are currently rebuilding. Although the rebuilt temple seems like nothing to…

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Haggai 1:1-15: Rebuild the Temple Already! 56:56

23d ago56:56

56:56

On August 29, 520 BC, the Word of the LORD came to Haggai the prophet to the two primary leaders of the Judean exiles who had returned home to Jerusalem. Although the people had started to rebuild the temple about twenty years before, the work had stalled, and the people had become complacent. They cared more about their own houses than the LORD’s …

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NEW SERIES: The Post-Exilic Prophets 3:17

9d ago3:17

3:17

"The Post-Exilic Prophets” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the books of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. Through the preaching of these faithful men, the LORD sent His Word to His people who returned home after their exile in Babylon. Not only did the LORD encourage His people in the work of rebuilding the temple, but even more than th…

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Esther 9:20-10:3: The Feast of Purim 57:15

11d ago57:15

57:15

In order to remember and celebrate God’s deliverance of His people, Mordecai calls for the yearly celebration of the feast of Purim. The feast’s name is a reminder of the lots that Haman had cast to find the right day to destroy God’s people, which God reversed to bring about the day He delivered His people. As the hectic events settle down, King A…

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Esther 9:1-19: The Deliverance of God’s People 55:40

28d ago55:40

55:40

When the thirteenth day of the twelfth month arrives, two contradictory Persian decrees are both legal. On the one hand, the enemies of God’s people are allowed to slaughter them; on the other hand, God’s people are allowed to defend themselves. Through a divine reversal, the people of God ably defend themselves from those who are trying to kill th…

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Esther 8:1-17: Mordecai’s Decree 56:09

14d ago56:09

56:09

After Haman’s execution, Ahasuerus gives Haman’s house to Esther, and he gives his signet ring to Mordecai. Esther risks going before the king a second time, and he extends his scepter to her again. She asks for a second decree to be made to counteract the first, since the first could not be repealed under Persian law. With the king’s authority, Mo…

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Esther 6:14-7:10: Haman’s Cross 51:47

17d ago51:47

51:47

Immediately after Haman’s shame at being forced to honor Mordecai, he is taken to Queen Esther’s second feast. There Esther reveals her request to Ahasuerus: she asks that he spare her and her people from destruction. When the king asks who is behind such wickedness, Esther names Haman as the foe. As Haman realizes his imminent demise, he pleads fo…

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Esther 6:1-13: And the King’s Honor Goes To... 56:18

18d ago56:18

56:18

The king attempts to secure his sleeplessness by having the book of memorable deeds read to him. When Ahasuerus learns that Mordecai has received no honor for the way he had saved the king from a homicidal conspiracy, the king asks Haman for his counsel. Confident that the king means to honor him, Haman recommends the highest accolades. To Haman’s …

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Esther 5:1-14: The Queen's First Feast 56:55

26d ago56:55

56:55

After three days and nights of fasting, Esther goes before the king without an invitation. He spares her life by extending his scepter to her, and he tells Esther to present her request. Using her God-given wisdom, Esther simply invites both the king and Haman to her feast that night. There, she promises that she will present her request when they …

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Esther 4:1-17: Faithfully Facing the Unknown 55:25

27d ago55:25

55:25

In response to Haman’s wicked plot, Mordecai and the people of God throughout Persia mourn and repent, as seen in their outward appearance and actions. Esther, unaware of the plot, attempts to clothe Mordecai properly, but he refuses. As they converse via messengers, Mordecai makes Esther aware of what Haman has decreed against the people of God an…

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Esther 3:1-15: Haman’s Plot 55:27

24d ago55:27

55:27

When King Ahasuerus elevates Haman above all other Persian officials, Mordecai refuses to bow before Haman, likely due to religious realities. In fury, Haman begins to plot to destroy not only Mordecai but the entire people of God to which Mordecai belongs. At this point, however, Haman’s fury does not overwhelm him. He patiently casts lots to find…

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Esther 2:1-23: The Bachelor, Susa Edition 55:26

1M ago55:26

55:26

After a delay due to military campaigns, King Ahasuerus remembers what had happened with Vashti and decides to find a new prized queen. Among those taken into the king’s palace was a young Judean woman, Esther, an orphan who had been raised by her cousin, Mordecai. Mordecai helps Esther navigate a terribly difficult situation. Eventually, Esther is…

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Esther 1:1-22: Ain’t No Party Like a Persian Party 56:29

1M ago56:29

56:29

The book of Esther starts with the opulent and extravagant party given by King Ahasuerus of Persia. As the king and his officials feast and drink to excess, Ahasuerus’ beautiful and prized queen, Vashti, refuses her husband’s attempt to objectify her. When the king does not know what to do, his advisors tell him to issue a proclamation putting Vash…

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NEW SERIES: For Such a Time As This 3:06

1M ago3:06

3:06

"For Such a Time As This” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Esther. Although God is never explicitly named in the book of Esther, He remains the One who directs all the events of the book. Happenings that seem coincidence, chance, or luck are truly God at work. He puts Mordecai and Esther in the right places and moments to w…

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Nehemiah 13:1-30: Nehemiah’s Reformation 55:54

1M ago55:54

55:54

After Nehemiah had gone back to the court of King Artaxerxes for a time, he returned to Jerusalem to find God’s people in need of continued instruction and correction. Although they had promised to remain faithful to the LORD by caring for His house, observing the Sabbath, and avoiding intermarriage with idolaters, God’s people had fallen into sin …

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Nehemiah 12:1-47: The Dedication of Jerusalem’s Wall 55:34

1M ago55:34

55:34

Another list of people who had returned Jerusalem includes information about the roles they fulfilled, especially within the worship life of God’s people. Because the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem was more than a secular construction project, the people of God dedicate the completed work with singing and great joy. Multiple choirs lead the pe…

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Nehemiah 11:1-36: The City Directory of Jerusalem 54:09

1M ago54:09

54:09

Although Jerusalem’s walls had been rebuilt, few people were living in the city itself. The leaders first moved into Jerusalem, and the rest of the people willingly participated in the casting of lots to allow the LORD to determine the rest of the city’s residents. The list of the people who moved into Jerusalem, as well as those who remained in th…

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Nehemiah 10:1-39: Returned Exiles Make Their Confirmation Vows 56:54

2M ago56:54

56:54

As the people prepare to renew the covenant with the LORD, they seal their names before Him. The clergy and the laity, the leaders and the people, all join to enter into a curse and an oath to walk in God’s Law given to Moses. In view of their history that led to their exile in the first place, the people particularly make promises concerning inter…

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Nehemiah 9:1-38: Confession in View of God’s Mercy 56:12

2M ago56:12

56:12

Having heard the Word of God, the people gathered in Jerusalem join in prayer to the LORD. They bless the LORD’s name for His acts of mercy throughout their history. He showed mercy in making a covenant with Abraham. He showed mercy in delivering Israel from Egypt. He showed mercy by providing for their well-being in the wilderness. Even when Israe…

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Nehemiah 8:1-18: The Joy of the LORD Is Your Strength 48:51

2M ago48:51

48:51

With the walls of Jerusalem complete, the people of God now gather to hear the Word of God. Ezra the scribe and many helpers provided that the Word of God be read and proclaimed to the people from early morning until midday. As the people gave their attention to all that God said, Nehemiah and the Levites encouraged the people to rejoice. Not only …

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Nehemiah 7:5-73: List of Returned Exiles, Take 2 56:10

2M ago56:10

56:10

As Nehemiah prepares to take a census of the people of Judah in preparation for people to move into Jerusalem, he finds the record of those who had returned at the edict of Cyrus almost 100 years ago. Although the list had been recorded previously in Ezra 2, the list is recorded again in this place as a reminder of the faithfulness of previous gene…

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Nehemiah 6:1-7:4: Jerusalem’s Wall Is Finished 57:02

2M ago57:02

57:02

As the construction of the wall of Jerusalem nears completion, opposition against Nehemiah and the people of God grows. Nehemiah wisely recognizes the plots of his enemies and refuses to yield to their threats and intimidation. Even though the enemies of God’s people find allies within Judah, Nehemiah refuses to fall into sin and prays that the LOR…

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Nehemiah 5:1-19: Care and Generosity within the Household of Faith 56:34

2M ago56:34

56:34

Trouble for the people of God never comes only from without; trouble also arises from within. In Nehemiah’s time, even as the wall of Jerusalem was under construction, members of God’s people were oppressing the poor in Israel through the exaction of usury. Nehemiah takes time away from the important building project to deal with this even-more-imp…

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Nehemiah 4:1-23: A Shovel in One Hand and a Sword in the Other 55:17

2M ago55:17

55:17

The work on Jerusalem’s walls brings anger and mockery from the opponents of the people of God. Nehemiah and the people of Judah draw strength from God through prayer, and they refuse to stop. Such a faithful response brings about plans for a secret attack by the opposition, and morale in Israel begins to waver. Nehemiah responds with both prayer a…

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Nehemiah 3:1-32: Workers on the Wall 55:15

2M ago55:15

55:15

After Nehemiah’s inspection of the wall, the people begin to work. The list of workers shows the willingness of God’s people to do the labor needed. Although the areas of expertise of the workers varied, together they recognized the need and participated in the construction of the walls of Jerusalem. Although the various locations of gates and sect…

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Nehemiah 2:1-20: Faith Active in Prayer and Prudence 55:44

2M ago55:44

55:44

Nehemiah spends three months in prayer and preparation for the LORD gives him an opportunity to present his request to Artaxerxes. When the moment arrives, Nehemiah utters yet another brief prayer and asks Artaxerxes to send him to Jerusalem. God answers Nehemiah’s prayer as Artaxerxes agrees. When Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem, he discreetly inspe…

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Nehemiah 1:1-11: The Faithful Cupbearer Prays 55:44

2M ago55:44

55:44

Like the book of Ezra, the book of Nehemiah details both the physical restoration of the city of Jerusalem and the spiritual restoration of the faith of God’s people. Nehemiah, the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia, receives word that the city walls of Jerusalem remain in ruins, even many years after the temple had been rebuilt. Recognizing th…

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Ezra 10:1-44: Ezra Calls the People to Lives of Repentance 55:54

2M ago55:54

55:54

Ezra’s prayer of confession is taken to heart by the people of Israel. They join with him in confession, evidenced by the request of Shecaniah for Ezra to instruct the people to live from this day forward in repentance. After a night of fasting, Ezra calls all the returned exiles to gather in Jerusalem, and they faithfully come. As they gather in t…

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Ezra 9:1-15: Ezra Prays in Confession for the People 55:51

2M ago55:51

55:51

Soon after Ezra’s arrival, the officials of the returned exiles bring to the faithful scribe an urgent need for spiritual care. They admit to Ezra their faithlessness of intermarriage with the idolaters of the land of Canaan. Ezra’s initial response is mourning and repentance, and that evening he turns to the LORD in prayer. Recognizing God’s undes…

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Ezra 8:1-36: Ezra Leads People Home 56:00

2M ago56:00

56:00

Ezra lists the heads of households who make the journey to Jerusalem with him. These people are known not only to Ezra, but also to the LORD. The list especially emphasizes the needed workers for service in the temple. Prior to beginning the journey, the people fast in humility for three days in order to rely solely on God for their safe travel. Th…

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Ezra 7:1-28: A Scribe to Study, Do, and Teach God’s Word 56:14

2M ago56:14

56:14

The book of Ezra jumps forward in history over fifty years to the time of Ezra himself. During the reign of Artaxerxes of Persia, Ezra the priest goes up from Babylon to Jerusalem, bringing with him many of the workers needed for the services of the temple. Ezra is described as a scribe, one whose heart was set to study, do, and teach the Law of th…

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Ezra 6:1-22: Work on the Temple Completed 55:31

2M ago55:31

55:31

Due to accurate record keeping in Persian libraries, King Darius of Persia discovers that Cyrus had previously decreed that the temple in Jerusalem be rebuilt. Darius therefore commands that the work be completed without any opposition. Through these pagan rulers and the faithful work of His people, the LORD provided that His temple was finally reb…

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