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The Shepherd died for sheep who loved to wander. Let’s return to Him when we find ourselves straying.

BibleGateway: Luke 15:11-32

ESV Text: Luke 15:11-32


KJV Text:

The section starts at about 1:10 and ends at about 4:4

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     11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. 25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him. 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.(KJV)


Hymn: TLH 278 :
Delay Not, Delay Not, O Sinner

Hymnary.org — Organ Audio

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1. Delay not, delay not, O sinner, draw near, 
The waters of life are now flowing for thee. 
No price is demanded; the Savior is here; 
Redemption is purchased, salvation is free. 

2. Delay not, delay not, O sinner, to come, 
For mercy still lingers and calls thee today. 
Her voice is not heard in the vale of the tomb; 
Her message, unheeded, will soon pass away. 

3. Delay not, delay not! The Spirit of Grace, 
Long grieved and resisted, may take His sad flight 
And leave thee in darkness to finish thy race, 
To sink in the gloom of eternity’s night. 

4. Delay not, delay not! The hour is at hand; 
The earth shall dissolve, and the heavens shall fade. 
The dead, small and great, in the Judgment shall stand; 
What power, then, O sinner, shall lend thee its aid? 

5. Delay not, delay not! Why longer abuse 
The love and compassion of Jesus, thy God? 
A fountain is opened; how canst thou refuse 
To wash and be cleansed In His pardoning blood? 


Hymn: LSB 612 As Rebels, Lord, Who Foolishly Have Wandered
Hymnary.org