When Rev. Dr. Alvin L. Barry, 10th president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, died in office March 23, 2001, Dean David Smith preached his funeral sermon under the title, “The God Who Is Able.” The text was Jude 24: “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling...

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked,” (Eph. 2:1–2a ESV). Paul does not say that we were spiritually sick. He does not say we were weak, wounded, confused, or merely in need of a little assistance. He says we were dead. And what...

There is a striking thing about Ephesians 1: Paul tells us about our salvation without giving us anything to brag about. Paul writes that God the Father “chose us in him before the foundation of the world” and “predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ,” (Eph....

During August, we reflect on God’s Word to the prophet Habakkuk. Our fourth reflection is based on Hab. 3:17–19 (ESV). “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord” (Hab. 3:18a ESV). “The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet saw” (Hab. 1:1 ESV) revealed a coming invasion of Judah and scattering of families....