The text for Pastor John's message this morning is found in the Gospel of Luke, the 15th chapter,

verses 1 through 10.

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.

And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying,

This man receives sinners and eats with them.

So he told him this parable. sinners and eats with them.

So he told him this parable, what man of you having a hundred sheep if he has lost one of them does

not leave the 99 in the wilderness and go after the one which is lost until he finds it.

And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders rejoicing.

And when he comes home he calls together his friends and his neighbors saying to them,

rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.

Just so, I tell you there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous

persons who need no repentance.

Or what woman having ten silver coins if she loses one coin does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it.

And when she's founded, she calls together her friends and neighbors saying,

Rejoys with me, for I have found the coin. She calls together her friends and neighbors saying,

Rejoys with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.

Just so I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God

over one sinner who repents.

I hope that after these three messages on the three priorities of our church.

Those of you who attend regularly at Bethlehem

will be able to give an explanation of what we're about here.

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