"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them---what do you do? You leave the other ninety-nine sheep in the pasture and go looking for the one that got lost until you find it.

When you find it, you are so happy that you put it on your shoulders

So he got up and started back to his father. "He was still a long way from home when his father saw him; his heart was filled with pity, and he ran, threw his arms around his son, and kissed him.

But the father called to his servants. 'Hurry!' he said. 'Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet.

For this son of mine was dead, but now he is alive; he was lost, but now he has been found.' And so the feasting began.

The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

Each one will say in public, "I have sinned. I have not done right, but God spared me.

God does all this again and again;

Then I confessed my sins to you; I did not conceal my wrongdoings. I decided to confess them to you, and you forgave all my sins.

Call to me when trouble comes; I will save you, and you will praise me."

The LORD says, "Now, let's settle the matter. You are stained red with sin, but I will wash you as clean as snow. Although your stains are deep red, you will be as white as wool.

If you will only obey me, you will eat the good things the land produces.

After a life of suffering, he will again have joy; he will know that he did not suffer in vain. My devoted servant, with whom I am pleased, will bear the punishment of many and for his sake I will forgive them.

Turn to the LORD and pray to him, now that he is near.

"My thoughts," says the LORD, "are not like yours, and my ways are different from yours.

Even before they finish praying to me, I will answer their prayers.

There is no other god like you, O LORD; you forgive the sins of your people who have survived. You do not stay angry forever, but you take pleasure in showing us your constant love.

Don't I have the right to do as I wish with my own money? Or are you jealous because I am generous?' "

And Jesus concluded, "So those who are last will be first, and those who are first will be last."

Law was introduced in order to increase wrongdoing; but where sin increased, God's grace increased much more.

So then, just as sin ruled by means of death, so also God's grace rules by means of righteousness, leading us to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

This is a true saying, to be completely accepted and believed: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. I am the worst of them,

but God was merciful to me in order that Christ Jesus might show his full patience in dealing with me, the worst of sinners, as an example for all those who would later believe in him and receive eternal life.

And so he is able, now and always, to save those who come to God through him, because he lives forever to plead with God for them.

And after I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to myself, so that you will be where I am.

"Father! You have given them to me, and I want them to be with me where I am, so that they may see my glory, the glory you gave me; for you loved me before the world was made.

We are full of courage and would much prefer to leave our home in the body and be at home with the Lord.

I am pulled in two directions. I want very much to leave this life and be with Christ, which is a far better thing;

(SEE 12:3)

"If you have ears, then, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches! "To those who win the victory I will give the right to eat the fruit of the tree of life that grows in the Garden of God.