First Trinity Lutheran Church

27 April 2025

The Second Sunday of Easter

Ringing of the Bell

– The bell rings as the call to worship, reminding us to discontinue conversation and reverently prepare for worship.

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

Lutheran Service Book Divine Service Setting One

Stand

487 Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain LSB 487

1 Come, you faithful, raise the strain
Of triumphant gladness!
God has brought His Israel
Into joy from sadness,
Loosed from Pharaoh’s bitter yoke
Jacob’s sons and daughters,
Led them with unmoistened foot
Through the Red Sea waters.

2 ’Tis the spring of souls today:
Christ has burst His prison
And from three days’ sleep in death
As a sun has risen;
All the winter of our sins,
Long and dark, is flying
From His light, to whom is giv’n
Laud and praise undying.

3 Now the queen of seasons, bright
With the day of splendor,
With the royal feast of feasts
Comes its joy to render;
Comes to gladden faithful hearts
Which with true affection
Welcome in unwearied strain
Jesus’ resurrection!

4 For today among His own
Christ appeared, bestowing
His deep peace, which evermore
Passes human knowing.
Neither could the gates of death
Nor the tomb’s dark portal
Nor the watchers nor the seal
Hold Him as a mortal.

5 Alleluia! Now we cry
To our King immortal,
Who, triumphant, burst the bars
Of the tomb’s dark portal.
Come, you faithful, raise the strain
Of triumphant gladness!
God has brought His Israel
Into joy from sadness!

Text: John of Damascus, c. 696–c. 754; tr. John Mason Neale, 1818–66, alt.
Text: Public domain

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

Invocation

P In the name of the Father and of the TSon and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen.

Exhortation

P If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

C But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Silence for reflection on God's Word and for self-examination.

Confession of Sins

P Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.

C Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

Absolution

P Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the TSon and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen.

SERVICE OF THE WORD

This Is the Feast

C This is the feast of victory for our God.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God.

This is the feast of victory for our God.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Power, riches, wisdom, and strength, and honor, blessing, and glory are His.

This is the feast of victory for our God.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Sing with all the people of God, and join in the hymn of all creation:

Blessing, honor, glory, and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.

This is the feast of victory for our God.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

For the Lamb who was slain has begun His reign. Alleluia.

This is the feast of victory for our God.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Salutation and Collect of the Day

P The Lord be with you.

C And also with you.

P Let us pray.

Almighty God, grant that we who have celebrated the Lord’s resurrection may by Your grace confess in our life and conversation that Jesus is Lord and God; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

Sit

Psalm Psalm 148

Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his hosts!

Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!

Let them praise the name of the Lord!
For he commanded and they were created.
And he established them forever and ever;
he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.

Praise the Lord from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and mist,
stormy wind fulfilling his word!

Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
Beasts and all livestock,
creeping things and flying birds!

Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and maidens together,
old men and children!

Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his majesty is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people,
praise for all his saints,
for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the Lord!

First Reading Acts 5:12–20

Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.”

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

Epistle Revelation 1:4–18

John to the seven churches that are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white like wool, as white as snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

Stand

Common Alleluia and Verse

C Alleluia.

Lord, to whom shall we go?

You have the words of eternal life.

Alleluia, alleluia.

Holy Gospel John 20:19–31

P The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the twentieth chapter.

C Glory to You, O Lord.

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.”

Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C Praise to You, O Christ.

Sit

532 The Head That Once Was Crowned with Thorns LSB 532

1 The Head that once was crowned with thorns
Is crowned with glory now;
A royal diadem adorns
The mighty Victor’s brow.

2 The highest place that heav’n affords
Is His, is His by right,
The King of kings and Lord of lords,
And heav’n’s eternal Light;

3 The Joy of all who dwell above,
The Joy of all below
To whom He manifests His love
And grants His name to know.

4 To them the cross, with all its shame,
With all its grace, is giv’n;
Their name an everlasting name,
Their joy the joy of heav’n.

5 They suffer with their Lord below,
They reign with Him above,
Their profit and their joy to know
The myst’ry of His love.

6 The cross He bore is life and health,
Though shame and death to Him:
His people’s hope, His people’s wealth,
Their everlasting theme.

Text: Thomas Kelly, 1769–1855
Text: Public domain

Sermon Pastor Eric Ash

Easter 2 C April 27, 2025 John 20:19-31

Holy Humor

A guy had too much to drink one night and took a shortcut through the cemetery on his way home. He fell into an open grave and passed out. At dawn, when he woke up, he said, “Wow! It’s the Day of the Great Resurrection of all Flesh – and I’m the first one up!” A variant ending has him say, “If I’m alive, what am I doing here? And if I’m dead, why am hungover?” (I can get away with jokes like that because I’m retiring.) Is it okay to tell jokes in a sermon? Can there be humor in the church? Are there things in the Bible that should elicit a laugh? Was Jesus funny?

Years ago, and in some places yet today, this day, the Second Sunday of Easter was a time for telling jokes in church. Some churches would even have joke telling contests. We’ll explain why later. I’ve always included jokes and a little sarcasm in my sermons. Part of my graduate work was studying classic rhetoric, and I found that humor is a long-standing, respected communication technique. On the bulletin board outside my office and on Facebook I often post religious comics and other funny stuff. I believe there are things in the Bible that can bring us a smile or chuckle. And I think Jesus said things that his hearers would have found humorous.

Someone once said that Puritans, and this could be said of many Christians, were people who were afraid that someone somewhere was having fun. The churches I grew up in struck me as overly grim and serious. There was a movie years ago about the life of Christ and the actor who played Jesus spoke in a stoic monotone throughout the film. You got the feeling that Jesus has no feelings, happy or sad.

Far be it from any of us to make light of our Lord, His church, the Bible, or the Christian life. On the one hand, our faith is the most serious thing in the world. It’s not just a matter of life and death; it’s a matter of eternal life and eternal death. On the other hand, our faith is alive. It’s passionate. It feels things strongly. The events leading up to the Jesus’ death and resurrection are called The Passion after all. Throughout the Bible we find events that are ironic or sound incredible, and we hear people saying and doing things that seem like nonsense or that are insightfully sardonic. These elicit emotion.

For example, in Genesis, the Bible’s very first book, Adam and Eve sin and they hide from God. Did they really think God wouldn’t find them? That’s laughable. Also in the Old Testament, in the Book of Esther, Haman builds gallows to hang Jews on and winds up getting hung on one of the gallows he built. Don’t you want to laugh when you hear how Hamen got his comeuppance?

Jonah takes off on a ship to escape from God’s call. He winds up being swallowed by a huge fish and vomited out. That’s just funny no matter who you are. And do you know whom the greatest comedian in the Bible was. Samson, Judges 16:30 says he “brought the house down.” (If there is Bible joke that isn’t funny, I haven’t heard it,)

Jesus was a popular guy. He got invited to weddings and dinner parties. People just naturally gravitated to him. He must have been fun to be around. I can’t imagine him being angry and critical and dour all the time. Jesus carried on the tradition of Holy Humor. When he said a rich man getting into the Kingdom of God was like a camel going through the eye of a needle, his metaphor was intended to get a few chuckles. People may have wryly scoffed at the protagonists in his parables about a father who welcomes back his prodigal son and a Samaritan who helped a Jew when Samaritans and Jews usually hated each other. Then there was the Samaritan woman who asked Jesus to heal her daughter. Jesus said he didn’t come to give the children’s food to the dogs.’’ Jesus called a woman a dog! What’s up with that? He was only feigning contempt to bring out her faith. It’s okay to laugh at that.

Which brings us to today’s gospel reading. To recap, briefly: The risen Jesus appears to the Disciples on the first Easter, but Thomas isn’t there. The Disciples tell Thomas about seeing Jesus, but he doesn’t believe them. Thomas says he’ll only believe if he can put his finger in the nail print in Jesus’ hand and his hand in Jesus’ side where he was pierced. A week later Jesus appeared to all the Disciples including Thomas. Jesus offers Thomas to do what he said he would do, and Thomas proclaims Jesus to be his Lord and his God. Our Lord and our God.

I can imagine Thomas years later recounting his encounter with the risen Jesus: How could I have known that when I said I wanted to touch his hands and side he was listening. It’s not like anyone ever rose from the dead before. And then there he is, big as life, saying, “Okay Tommy Boy, here’s my hand and side, have at‘em” Man, did I feel foolish. I wish the floor would have opened and swallowed me up. I was so embarrassed. If anyone ever writes a biography of Jesus, I hope they leave this part out. “Sure, we will, said Matthew. And “Oh, of course,” said John, with a wink.

Now, if you think Thomas had it bad, consider the Apostle Peter. Once he had been fishing all night and caught nothing. Then Jesus, who couldn’t have known anything about fishing tells Peter where to fish. Maybe Peter just did what Jesus said to prove to Jesus how much he didn’t know about fishing. But then Peter brings in a haul of fish that nearly breaks the net and sinks the boat. Hilarious. At the transfiguration. Peter blurts out that he will build three shelters, one each for Jesus. Moses, and Elijah – as if they needed shelters!

But Peter’s biggest “insert foot in mouth moment” came when he told Jesus he would die for him. Jesus said Peter would deny even knowing him three times that night before the rooster crowed, and he did. That would be hilarious if it wasn’t so tragic. After the resurrection, Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him and Peter said yes, undoing his previous denial. Jesus is all about forgiving the past and moving on with a smile.

Did I ever answer why we tell jokes on the Second Sunday of Easter? Let me get at it this way. On the internet is a site called The Babylon Bee. It’s a religious and political satire site. On Good Friday they ran a video with Satan in his campaign headquarters claiming victory over Jesus because Jesus had died. You have to admit, when someone dies, that does not look like a victory. We believe that Jesus’ death is a victory. We believe in what we call the substitutionary atonement which means that Jesus suffered the punishment we deserve in our place and, through him we have eternal life. The resurrection is proof of that.

There are other shades of meaning we can see in Jesus’ death, that embellish and add to, but do not replace or diminish, the substitutionary atonement. One of these has been called the “Mouse Trap Theory.” I don’t like that name, and I don’t think the theory explains how Jesus’ death saves us, but I think there is some truth in it subordinate to the substitutionary atonement.

You may recall the first proclamation of the gospel in Genesis where God says that the serpent, Satan, will strike Eve’s offspring’s, Jesus’ heel but that Jesus will crush his head. When Jesus goes to the cross, Satan thinks he is about to defeat Jesus. His desire is to strike Jesus and draw blood. Although God had proclaimed Jesus’ death would bring us life. Maybe the devil didn’t understand it or believe it. Who knows what the devil thinks, other than we know it is bad.

So, the devil takes the bait (Jesus’ suffering, blood and death) but the cross is really a trap because Jesus rises from the dead. Satan has done his worst, and he lost. God played a trick on the devil, ensuring his defeat and rubbing his nose in it. Jesus even descended to the dead and took a victory lap around Hell. Preposterous but true.

That’s why we tell jokes on the Second Sunday of Easter, because of the big, cosmic practical joke God played on the devil. But our faith is more than just about jokes. When storms and temptations come, we can laugh at them. God gives us a way out. Don’t tell God how big the storm is; tell the storm how big your God is. When life gets us down – sickness, stress, financial woes -- we can smile. It’s only life after all. It’s only temporary. There’s a better life coming.

One last joke: A wealthy man wanted to prove you can take it with you. So, when he died, he left orders that all his assets be turned into gold bricks and be buried with him. When he got to the pearly gates of heaven, St Peter saw his baggage and said, “Didn’t you ever read Rev 21:21? The streets here are made of pure gold. You just brought paving material.” Someday we will all be together again on those golden streets of Heaven. Be sure to laugh a little until then; then we will be laughing a lot. Amen.

Stand

Nicene Creed

C I believe in one God,

the Father Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth

and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ,

the only-begotten Son of God,

begotten of His Father before all worlds,

God of God, Light of Light,

very God of very God,

begotten, not made,

being of one substance with the Father,

by whom all things were made;

who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven

and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary

and was made man;

and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.

He suffered and was buried.

And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures

and ascended into heaven

and sits at the right hand of the Father.

And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead,

whose kingdom will have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the Lord and giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified,

who spoke by the prophets.

And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church,

I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,

and I look for the resurrection of the dead

and the life T of the world to come. Amen.

Prayers

Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

Heavenly Father, You sent Your Son to die for our sins and to rise for our justification. By His holy wounds, bless us with the forgiveness of sins, and bless those sent to serve us in Your name, that Your Church would be built up in our time and in the ages to come. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we pray You to lead and guide our president; Congress; our governor; the legislature of our state; and all who make, administer and judge our laws. Protect and defend those within our community who enforce the rule of law, respond in emergency and disaster, and guard our liberty here and abroad. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Great Physician, even the shadows of Your apostles brought healing to the afflicted people of Jerusalem. As we rest under the shadow of Your wings, heal Your afflicted servants, [especially _____________,] that they would rejoice in Your steadfast love. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Alpha and Omega, almighty God, who was and is and is to come, with You all the souls of the faithful rest in safety and in the assurance of the resurrection of all flesh. Make safe our way to join them, and bring us with John and all the saints into the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Pax Domini LSB 163

P The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C Amen.

Offertory Invitation -Easter

Remembering the words of our Lord Jesus, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Let us give now with joy and thanksgiving our gifts, tithes and offerings to the Lord.

Sit

The Choir sings the Offertory as the offerings are collected.

Stand

Offertory LSB 192

C Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and uphold me with Thy free spirit. Amen.

Offertory Prayer

God our Father, on this holy day [in this holy season] you give us the joy of recalling the rising of Christ to new life. Accept the offerings of your people and by these Easter mysteries, bring us to the glory of the Resurrection. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT

Preface

P The Lord be with you.

C And also with you.

P Lift up your hearts.

C We lift them to the Lord.

P Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

C It is right to give Him thanks and praise.

Proper Preface

P It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and ever-living God. But chiefly we are bound to praise you for the glorious resurrection of our Lord; for he is the true Passover Lamb who gave himself to take away our sin, who by his death has destroyed death, and by his rising has brought us to eternal life. And so, with Mary Magdalene and Peter and all the witnesses of the resurrection, with earth and sea and all their creatures and with angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Sanctus

C Holy, holy, holy Lord God of pow’r and might:

Heaven and earth are full of Your glory.

Hosanna. Hosanna.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

The Words of Our Lord

P On the night, in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying, take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same also, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them saying, this cup is the New Testament in my blood, shed for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

Lord's Prayer

C Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth
as it is in heaven;
give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom
and the power and the glory
forever and ever. Amen.

Fraction

P As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

C Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Agnus Dei

C Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.

Sit

The pastor and those who assist him receive the body and blood of Christ first and then distribute them to those who come to receive, saying:

Distribution 164

The body of Christ, given for you.

Amen.

The blood of Christ, shed for you.

Amen.

Stand

In dismissing the communicants, the following is said:

The Dismissal

P The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and preserve you in body and soul to life everlasting. Depart Tin peace.

C Amen.

Thank the Lord LSB 164

C Thank the Lord and sing His praise; tell ev’ryone what He has done.

Let all who seek the Lord rejoice and proudly bear His name.

He recalls His promises and leads His people forth in joy

with shouts of thanksgiving. Alleluia, alleluia.

Post-Communion Collect

We give thanks to You, almighty God, that You have refreshed us through this salutary gift, and we implore You that of Your mercy You would strengthen us through the same in faith toward You and in fervent love toward one another; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Benediction

P The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look upon you with favor and Tgive you peace.

C Amen.

464 The Strife Is O’er, the Battle Done LSB 464

ref Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

1 The strife is o’er, the battle done;
Now is the victor’s triumph won;
Now be the song of praise begun.
Alleluia!

2 The pow’rs of death have done their worst,
But Christ their legions hath dispersed.
Let shouts of holy joy outburst.
Alleluia!

3 The three sad days have quickly sped,
He rises glorious from the dead.
All glory to our risen Head!
Alleluia!

4 He broke the age-bound chains of hell;
The bars from heav’n’s high portals fell.
Let hymns of praise His triumph tell.
Alleluia!

5 Lord, by the stripes which wounded Thee,
From death’s dread sting Thy servants free
That we may live and sing to Thee.
Alleluia! Refrain

Text: Symphonia Sirenum Selectarum, 1695, Köln; tr. Francis Pott, 1832–1909, alt.
Text: Public domain

CLOSING RESPONSE

P Go in Peace! Serve the Lord!

C Praise be to God!

Acknowledgments

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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