Deliver Us | Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing

08/10/22 • 40 min

In this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast, host Elizabeth Pittman sits down with Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing to discuss his upcoming book, Deliver Us: God’s Rescue Story in Exodus.

Reed talks about the greatest parts of the book of Exodus, how we can relate it to our lives, and what the freedom described in Exodus means for us today.

Find out more about Reed’s work and pre-order his book by visiting books.cph.org/deliver-us.

Show Notes:

Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing and host Elizabeth Pittman sit down to discuss Reed’s upcoming book, Deliver Us: God’s Rescue Story in Exodus, during this episode. Our host asks Reed about his insight into the rescue story and what it means for Christians today. He also explains his insight into different aspects of teachings found in the book of Exodus, such as what the books says about shame and worry. Reed also wraps up by speaking about how the story in Exodus ends with asking readers to look forward and what it gives us to strive for in our own lives.
Reed’s Bio: https://www.cph.org/m-137-r-reed-lessing.aspx

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lessingr

Instagram: @lessingr Questions Covered

· What are some lessons you’ve learned from students?

· What’s your favorite part of teaching?

· Tell us about Christ present, predicted, and patterned in Exodus.

· You describe Exodus as one of the greatest books ever written. Why?

· How is the exodus story our story?

· Describe the historical context of Exodus.

· What does Exodus have to say to us about shame and worry?

· Tell us about “miraculous manna”.

· What does “freedom” mean in Exodus?

· When faced with our idolatry, what can we do?

· Exodus ends by looking forward. Why should we stive for “todays” rather than somedays?

About the Guest

Rev. Dr. R. Reed Lessing serves as Professor of Theology and Ministry at Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota. Previously he was Senior Pastor at Saint Michael Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and before that, Professor of Exegetical Theology and Director of the Graduate School at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. He was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, and received the B.A. in pre-seminary studies from St. John’s College, Winfield, Kansas, in 1981. He earned his M.Div. (1985), S.T.M. (1989), and Ph.D. (2001) degrees from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. He was ordained into the office of the holy ministry on June 29, 1986. From 1986 to 1999, he served pastorates in West Monroe, Louisiana, and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

In this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast, host Elizabeth Pittman sits down with Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing to discuss his upcoming book, Deliver Us: God’s Rescue Story in Exodus.

Reed talks about the greatest parts of the book of Exodus, how we can relate it to our lives, and what the freedom described in Exodus means for us today.

Find out more about Reed’s work and pre-order his book by visiting books.cph.org/deliver-us.

Show Notes:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lessingr

Instagram: @lessingr Questions Covered

· What are some lessons you’ve learned from students?

· What’s your favorite part of teaching?

· Tell us about Christ present, predicted, and patterned in Exodus.

· You describe Exodus as one of the greatest books ever written. Why?

· How is the exodus story our story?

· Describe the historical context of Exodus.

· What does Exodus have to say to us about shame and worry?

· Tell us about “miraculous manna”.

· What does “freedom” mean in Exodus?

· When faced with our idolatry, what can we do?

· Exodus ends by looking forward. Why should we stive for “todays” rather than somedays?

About the Guest

Previous Episode

Measured by Grace | Sharla Fritz

Measured by Grace | Sharla Fritz

Author Sharla Fritz joins host Elizabeth Pittman during this episode of the Concordia Publishing House Podcast to discuss the ideas behind her upcoming Bible study, Measured by Grace: How God Defines Success. When we feel lost or like we are failing, Sharla encourages Christians to remember how God values us as His children.

Find out more about Measured by Grace and pre-order your own copy by visiting https://books.cph.org/measured-by-grace.

Show Notes:

Failure doesn’t mean God will permanently withdraw His love from us. Success doesn’t depend on us – it’s all about Jesus’ love and grace. In Sharla Fritz’s upcoming book Measured by Grace: How God Defines Success, she shows us that when our failures make us feel worthless, God’s Word tells us He loves us even when we mess up.

Sharla Fritz’s writing shows us that God's measuring stick is nothing at all like the world’s idea of success.

Sharla’s Website: https://www.sharlafritz.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharlafritzauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharlafritz/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQmWAAfpLzkKM8OrVYy5zlA
Questions Covered

· What drew you to the topic of perfection?

· How does God’s measuring stick differ from the worlds? Why should this matter to us?

· When we catch ourselves judging and tearing down ourselves, how can we refocus to Christ?

· What helps you the most when you feel like a failure?

· Tell us about the Greatest Success Story?

· God uses broken and people who are “failures” over and over to do His will. How does this give us hope?

· How can we train ourselves to stay away from the comparison game?

· In your book, you use the examples of many Biblical figures and their failures. From Joseph to Rahab, and even Peter, how are these people just like us?

· You call David the “Supersize Sinner.” What are the takeaways from his story?

· The Samaritan Woman provides such an amazing image of the grace of God. What do we learn from her story?

· You have written several books and studies. How does the process look the same yet different for each book?

· What inspired you to start writing?

About the Guest

Sharla Fritz loves to speak with women’s groups and to share about her own struggles, victories, and failures, speaking about how God is miraculously present through them all. In doing so, she hopes to share a few laughs and meet new sisters in Christ. Sharla is a Lutheran author, musician and speaker. She has published multiple books through Concordia Publishing House, including most recently Measured by Grace: How God Defines Success and God’s Relentless Love: A Study of Hosea.

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A Closer Look at Baptism Hymns | Peter Reske

Peter Reske returns to the Podcast to take in an in-depth look at themes found in Baptismal hymns.
Learn more about the Lutheran Service Book and the Lutheran Service Book Companion to the Hymns.
Abut the Guest

Peter C. Reske, senior editor of music/worship at Concordia Publishing House, holds degrees in English literature and historical musicology from Marquette University and The Pennsylvania State University. He was the editor of Lutheran Service Book and its attendant resources.