Interviews

Concord Matters — Apology of the Augsburg Confession: Article 5 ~ Good Works #2

Original Air Date: February 17th of 2024
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. 1
Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Minot, ND joins Rev. Brady Finnern to confess the truth of good works.
 

The Coffee Hour - Looking Forward To The Second Sunday In Advent

Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Minot, ND, and author of Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? available from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah in our series on the Sundays in Advent to talk about the Gospel Reading for the Second Sunday in Advent. Why does Jesus keep talking about fig trees? What will the Second Coming be like? How does this story connect to Old Testament Prophecies?
 
 

The Coffee Hour - Looking Forward To The First Sunday In Advent

Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Minot, ND, and author of Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? available from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah in our series on the Sundays in Advent to talk about the Gospel Reading for the First Sunday in Advent. What does Advent even mean? Why are we reading about Palm Sunday in Advent? What does it mean that Jesus arrives on a donkey?
Original Air Date: November 29th of 2023

The Coffee Hour — Set Apart To Serve: Journey Into LCMS Pastoral Ministry

Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, pastor of St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Minot, ND, and author of Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? available from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about his upbringing in the Church, his journey into pastoral ministry, how he came from the Lutheran Brethren to the LCMS, the colloquy process to become an LCMS pastor, and how his experience with various Christian denominations helps him serve in his vocations as pastor and author.Original Air Date: November 3rd of 2023 

Thy Strong Word — Free-Text First Friday: Guilt vs. Grace: What Motivates You?

The Rev. Dr. Matt Richard, pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Minot, SD, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe for Free Text Friday.
In the paradise of Eden, Adam and Eve enjoyed an idyllic existence, at peace with God, nature, themselves, and each another. But this blissful harmony was shattered by their sin and rebellion which led to death, giving rise to guilt and fear that have enslaved mankind ever since. How does Christ’s redemption liberate us from this bondage, transforming us from slaves of fear into God’s own children? This episode compares and contrasts the life of spiritual slavery with the joyful freedom experienced as a baptized child of God.
Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.

Thy Strong Word - Acts 7:54-8:3: Stephen Becomes the First Martyr

The Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Minot, ND, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Acts 7:54-8:3.
Confronted with Stephen’s impassioned defense, the members of the Sanhedrin respond with rage, and the first martyrdom in the Church’s history tragically unfolds. Amid this profound turmoil, Stephen looks to the heavens and receives a vision of divine reassurance, even as earthly events take a brutal turn. Saul, who would become St. Paul, is present giving approval to Stephen’s execution. The event sets the stage for a widespread persecution that will scatter the believers—and inadvertently further the spread of the Gospel.
The Book of Acts takes us back to the earliest days of Christianity, unveiling the incredible acts of the apostles and the growth of the early church. Acts offers a firsthand account how the Apostles and Jesus’ disciples respond to his death and resurrection. It makes us witnesses to the beginning of fulfilling Jesus’s command to spread the Gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. We encounter miracles and wonders, we see the church struggling to organize itself in the absence of Jesus, and we learn of the trials and tribulations the early Christians faced in a world that rejected them.
Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.

Concord Matters — Luther’s Small Catechism. The How and Who of Holy Communion

If the bread and wine are truly the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ AND we receive full forgiveness of sins, life and salvation, how is this even possible and who is even worthy to receive it? The Sacrament of the Altar gives exactly what Jesus says: Forgiveness of sins. The Sacrament of the Altar is for exactly those who Jesus welcomes: sinners. In faith, receive and go in peace!
Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Minot, ND joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the How’s and Who’s of the Sacrament of the Altar.

Concord Matters- Luther’s Small Catechism: 3rd Article of the Creed

Original Air Date: November 26, 2022
I believe that I cannot believe in Christ by my own reason or strength (I Corinthians 12). The progress of faith is completely a gift of God’s Work so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). It is a comfort to know that He calls us, gathers us, enlightens us, makes us holy, and keeps us with Him so that we know the completeness of the Gospel. All Him and not us. We know that we receive the Holy Spirit by the Word & His Sacraments (Acts 2:38-39). These gifts point us away from ourselves and to the hope in the life, death, and the resurrection of Christ so that we confess Jesus as Lord and receive His forgiveness, life, and salvation. Thanks be to God that He gives us faith in Christ and gathers all believers back to Him now and on the Last Day.
Rev. Matthew Richard, pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Minot, ND joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the 3rd Article of the creed in Luther’s Small Catechism.
 

CPH Podcast - Social Justice Warriors

Original Air Date:  July 28th of 2020
 
Social Justice…we’ve been hearing that term on the news and on social media with increasing frequency. But what is it? How can we recognize it? And most importantly, how can we avoid turning it into a false Christ? That’s our topic for today’s episode. I’m glad to welcome the Rev. Dr. Matt Richard back to the show to tackle this topic.

CPH Podcast - Politicizing Jesus?

Original Air Date: July 27th of 2020
 
It can be easy to fashion a version of Jesus to fit our political views, to blur the lines between the hope promised in a political campaign with the hope we cling to in Christ. Believe it or not, Jesus is not a democrat or republican. Or an independent.  How can we avoid politicizing Jesus? That’s what we’re going to talk about today with our guest, Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard.
 

Concord Matters - Confessing What We Reject

Original Air Date:  July 28th of 2020
Why is it important to also confess what we reject? What are the teachings that we do reject? How are these teachings connected to ancient heresies, and how does our Lutheran doctrine teach against these things?
Rev. Matt Richard, pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Minot, North Dakota, joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss The Epitome of the Formula of Concord, Article XII: Other Factions ‹Heresies› and Sects that Never Embrace the Augsburg Confession (Erroneous Articles of the Anabaptists – Paragraph 2-11).
To listen to more shows on Concord Matters: https://www.kfuo.org/2020/07/28/concord-matters

The Gottesdienst Crowd - The Lutheran Downgrade

Original Air Date: December 4th of 2019
In this Gottescast, The Gottesdienst Crowd chats about the phenomenon of the Lutheran downgrade. What happens when the sacraments are subtly thought of as an add on and not the central means gospel delivery? That's the Lutheran downgrade. Sean Daenzer (pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Great Bend, ND, and Peace Lutheran Church, Barney, ND) and Matt Richard (pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Minot, ND) join us for the discussion.

Issues, Etc. - Undermining Lutheranism in a Lutheran Congregation

Original Air Date: November 11th of 2019
Show: Issues, Etc.
Link: Undermining Lutheranism in a Lutheran Congregation

Issues, Etc. - Lutherans Becoming Faux-Evangelicals

Original Air Date:  September 30th of 2019
Show: Issues, Etc. 
Link:  When Lutherans Begin to Reject Lutheranism
 

Issues Etc. - Christ Alone

In this episode, Pastor Richard discusses his most recent Bible Study in the Lutheran Witness, titled, "Christ Alone."  
Original Airing Date: April 25th of 2019
Lutheran Witness Article:  CLICK HERE
 
 

The Coffee Hour – You Need the Bad to Delight in the Good

Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, pastor of St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Minot, North Dakota, and author of Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how we can have conversations about the meaning of Advent with friends from different liturgical traditions who may not understand why we celebrate Advent.
Have a topic you’d like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact Andy Bates at andrew.bates@kfuo.org or call 314-996-1519.

The Coffee Hour - Same Words, Different Meanings: Talking Lutheranism with Evangelicals

Original Air Date: March 13, 2018
Posted at: CLICK HERE
Rev. Dr. Matt Richard, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Gwinner, North Dakota, joins Sarah and guest host Peter Slayton, Social Media Manager for the LCMS, to talk about how Lutherans can talk about the church, faith, and what we believe to those who have come to Lutheranism from American Evangelicalism.

Iron Sharpens Iron: Ministry & Church Planting in an Ever-Changing Culture

Original Air Date:  November 6, 2017
Context:  Pastor Matt Richard is interviewed on "Iron Sharpens Irons" about Minsitry and Church Planting in an Ever Changing Culture.  
To learn more: http://www.ironsharpensironradio.com/
 
 
 

Let the Bird Fly: Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?

Original Air Date: October 10, 2017
On episode TWENTY-EIGHT Let the Bird Fly!, the guys welcome the ever-patient Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard. If you're a regular listener, you may recall that on Episode 26 we tried to discuss Dr. Richard's book with him on that episode, but technology would not cooperate. We are extremely grateful for pastor Richard's patience and understanding; and we're thrilled that we were finally able to get him on the show. We think you'll be pretty happy about it too!
Wade starts us off on this episode discussing Matthew 24:4-14, before getting to the main topic. You may notice that we skip the free-for-all in this one, but we think you'll appreciate that extra time we spend discussing Dr. Richard's recently published book Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? Twelve False Christs. In his book, Dr. Richard walks through twelve different false Christs that different people have presented to him throughout his ministry. As Dr. Richard says, each of these could be seen as a type of idol, that seeks to displace the real Jesus. The book is written for a lay audience and is very conducive to a study group setting. Through his narratives and explanations, Dr. Richard provides the reader with an honest account of these various errors, while the same time offering a thoroughly pastoral approach to confronting these false christs.
To listen to more episodes on "Let the Bird Fly!" go to:  www.letthebirdfly.com
 

Iron Sharpens Iron: Will The Real Jesus Please Stand Up?

Original Air Date: August 24, 2017
Theme:  Chris Arnzen interviews Pastor Matt Richard about his new book, "Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? 12 False Christs."   

Once For All: Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? Part 5

Original Airing Date: August 19, 2017
Details: Part 5 with Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Gwinner, ND about his new book "Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? 12 False Christs."
To listen to the "Once for All" Radio Program, CLICK HERE
To order "Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?" go to: www.cph.org/RealJesus

Once For All: Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? Part 4

Original Airing Date: June 18, 2017
Details: Part 4 with Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Gwinner, ND about his new book "Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? 12 False Christs."
To listen to the "Once for All" Radio Program, CLICK HERE
To order "Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?" go to: www.cph.org/RealJesus

John Clemens Reports: "Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?"

Audio Release by Jon Clemens on "Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? 12 False Christs."  
 
 

Fighting for the Faith: Interview of Matt Richard about his new book, “Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?” (Part 2)

Original Air Date:  May 29th of 2017
On this episode, Steven Kozar interviews Pr. Matt Richard about his new book.  Listen to the interview on "Fightning for the Faith" by CLICK HERE
To listen to Part 1: CLICK HERE
The book is available from CPH at: www.cph.org/RealJesus 

Table Talk Radio: Will the Real Bible Bee Champ Please Stand Up

Original Air Date:  June 23, 2017
After Wolfmueller plays a humiliating game of Bible Bee with Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, we play a new game called, "Name that False Christ" from his brand new book, "Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? 12 False Christs."
 

Once For All: Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? Part 3

Original Airing Date: June 20, 2017
Details: Part 3 with Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Gwinner, ND about his new book "Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? 12 False Christs."
To listen to the "Once for All" Radio Program, CLICK HERE
To order "Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?" go to: www.cph.org/RealJesus

Faith'n'Family: Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?

Original Air Date: June 12, 2017
Details: Guest Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, Gwinner, North Dakota, and frequent guest on KFUO’s His Time, discusses about his book Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? Rev. Richard talks about addressing false christs in the book and in the lives of people we all encounter, what has happened to objective truth, and how this book can be used.

His Time: John 14:1-17

Original Aire Date: June 12, 2017
Details:  In this episode of "His Time," Pastor Richard discusses his new book, "Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?" and also visits with Rev. Fisk about John 14:1-17.  

Issues, Etc.: The False Christs of the 21st Century

Original Air Date: June 9, 2017 at the Issues, Etc. Making the Case Conference
Details: Do you believe in a false christ? Pastor Richard's interview of his new book, "Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?" at the 'Issues, Etc. Making the Case Conference.'

Once For All: Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? Part 2

Original Airing Date: June 6, 2017
Details:  Part 2 with Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Gwiner, ND about his new book "Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? 12 False Christs." 
To order "Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?" go to: www.cph.org/RealJesus

Fighting for the Faith: Interview of Matt Richard about his new book, "Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?"

Original Air Date:  May 26th of 2017
On this episode, Steven Kozar interviews Pr. Matt Richard about his new book, "Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? 12 False Christs." 
The book is available from CPH at:  www.cph.org/RealJesus 

Once For All: Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? Part 1

Original Airing Date: May 30, 2017
Details:  Part 1 with Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Gwiner, ND about his new book "Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? 12 False Christs." 
To order "Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?" go to: www.cph.org/RealJesus

His Time: Mark 7:1-23

Original Air Date: March 15, 2017
Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard from Zion Lutheran Church in Gwinner, North Dakota, studies Mark 7:1-23 with host Rev. Jonathan Fisk. 

His Time: John 6:60-71

Original Air Date: February 20, 2017
Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard from Zion Lutheran Church in Gwinner, North Dakota, studies John 6:60-71 with hos, Rev. Jonathan Fisk. 

His Time: Romans 14:1-23

Original Air Date: January 25, 2017
Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard from Zion Lutheran Church in Gwinner, North Dakota, studies Romans 14:1-23 with Host, Rev. Jonathan Fisk. 

Cross Defense: The Apologetic Of Christ Alone In The 21st Century (pt. 4)

Original Air Date:  August 22, 2016
With guest Rev. Matt Richard of Zion Lutheran Church in Gwinner, ND.
Today’s topic is Christ Alone “Period” vs. Christ Alone “Comma.” Too often we think we need to add on to “Christ Alone.” Rev. Richard talks about how we like to add things before or after Jesus and why that is not good.

Being Conformed To The Image Of Christ

Original Air Date:  May 20, 2016
On today's episode on the Gospel Asylum, we talk to Dr. Matt Richard about...*gasp*...sanctification! Join us as we learn how a Christian is conformed to the image of Christ; in addition, we talk about the two extremes of moralism/legalism and antinomianism.
For more episode of the Gospel Asylum: http://thegospelasylum.libsyn.com/ 

Called by the Gospel: The Story of Pastor Matt Richard

Pastor Richard was recently interviewed by Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller of Table Talk Radio.  This is a new segment called, "Called by the Gospel."  In this segment, Pastor Richard's story is shared and Pastor Wolfmueller, along with Pastor Goeglein talk about his faith journey.  

Cross Defense: The Apologetic Of Christ Alone In The 21st Century (pt. 3)

Original Air Date:  April 11, 2016
Today we are joined with Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard for Part Three of our Series of "The Apologetic of Christ Alone in The 21st Century."  On the program we discuss the False Christ of: Your Girlfriend and Precious Moments; Crossless Christ; Identifying the idolatry of False Christs, and the Diminishing of Original Sin.

Cross Defense: The Apologetic Of Christ Alone In The 21st Century (pt.2)

Original Air Date: February 22, 2016
Today on 'Cross Defense' we talk to our guest, Rev. Dr. Matt Richard of Zion Lutheran Church in Gwinner, ND. This is part 2 of the 'Apologetic of Christ Alone for the 21st Century,' where we talk about the attempts of many to eliminate Christ. The five attempts discussed in this program are: the new Moses, the Patriot, the Rabbi, the Psychotherapist and the Precious Moments Edition Jesus.

Cross Defense: The Apologetic of Christ Alone in the 21st Century (pt.1)

Original Air Date:  January 25, 2016Today we talk about how the attempts to eliminate Christ are many.  Here we look at eleven attempts.  The five discussed in this program are: Christ, the Mascot; Christ, the Option among Many; Christ, the Example; Christ, the Giver of Bling; and Christ, Your BFF (Best Friend Forever)

The Gospel Asylum: Christ Alone

Original Air Date:  January 23, 2016Join us as we talk to Dr. Matt Richard about Solus Christus (Christ alone), what it is, why it's important, and how we can rightly confess it today.To listen to more episodes from The Gospel Asylum: http://thegospelasylum.libsyn.com

Cross Defense: The Apologetic of Unto Us a Child is Born

Original Air Date:  December 21, 2015With guest Pastor Matt Richard/Zion Lutheran Church in Gwinner, North Dakota.Today we discuss: Isaiah 9:6 speaks of the promised child? Who is He?  What was His purpose in coming?  Does He solve our problem?  We begin our discussion of false Jesus’ with the Christian mascot Jesus and the Spiritual guru Jesus.

Christus Solus: Christ Alone For The Twenty-First-Century

Solus Christus Lecture by Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard at the 2015 Road to Reformation Event in Grand Forks, ND.  Lecture Presented on: October 30, 2015Audio recorded by: Pirate Christian Radio

Preaching To Bound Wills In North Dakota With Pr. Donavon Riley

For this third Google Hangout on the Planting & Revitalizing of Churches in the North Dakota District LCMS, Pastor Matt Richard interviews Pastor Donavon Riley on the subject of 'Preaching to Bound Wills.' What is the bound will? How does it impact Evangelism? What are the implications for the pew? What does this mean for the Pastor and his preaching?

Great Commission, Great Confusion, or Great Confession?

A podcast for the Task Force on planting and revitalizing congregations in the North Dakota District of the LCMS.  Google Hangout with Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard and Rev. Dr. Lucas Woodford on the subject of Pr. Woodford's book, "Great Commission, Great Confusion, or Great Confession?: the Mission of the Holy Christian Church."Airing Date: July 16, 2015To learn more: www.plantinginnorthdakota.org 

Cross Defense: The Apologetic of Infant Baptism with Christians Opposed To It - Part Four

Host Rev. Rod Zwonitzer and guest Rev. Dr. Matt Richard (Zion Lutheran Church, Gwinner, North Dakota) talk about how opponents to Infant Baptism typically hold Platonic inclinations towards Baptism; synergism vs. monergism; Material vs. Spiritual; Outside of us vs. Inside of us; the dilemma of Believer’s Baptism vs. The Comfort of Sacramental Baptism.

Steadfast Throwdown: Your Greatest Need

Pr. Matt Richard joins us to discuss his article, “Your Greatest Need Isn’t Money, Sex, or Power, But…”.  How do we try to tell the story of our lives and justify ourselves by means of money, sex, and power? Is there a better way? What is our greatest need? Listen for our true and genuine source of justification and what it means for everyday life.

Reformation Rush Hour: An Evangelical Journey Into Lutheranism

Interview of Pastor Matt Richard by Pr. Craig Donofrio on "Reformation Rush Hour"KFUO 850 AM in St. Louis, MO.Original Aire Date: April 13, 2015

Cross Defense: The Apologetic of Infant Baptism with Christians Opposed To It - Part Three

Have you ever wondered why we Lutherans focus so much on the doctrine of baptism?  Have you ever had someone respond with extreme negativity towards you over the teaching of infant baptism?What is occurring in this rejection; what is going on beneath the surface?Today, I had the opportunity to visit with Rod Zwonitzer of the "Cross Defense"  Radio Show on 850 KFUO-AM St. Louis, MO.  We visited on the subject of infant baptism and why some Christians oppose it.This conversation with Rod was very enjoyable and was Part Three of our conversation on this most excellent topic..  You can access Part One and Part Two of this conversation by CLICKING HERE and by CLICKING HERE.  We covered a lot of ground and did so in a fun conversational style.  Thus, enjoy the program as you learn about the precious doctrine of Baptism.