Luke 9.57-62 ~O.K! But just wait a second!

Voice: (to a person in aisle no 1)

Foxes have holes, birds of the air have nests…

but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.

Come follow me:

Response 1:

O.K. I'll be right there; but by the sound of it, I'm going to need my sleeping bag from the attic; oh and my pillow; better get the rucksack too … toiletries …. brush … comb ..toothbrush…( runs to join the master)

Where's he gone to? Where has he gone? (shrugs shoulders)Just as well.

Words are flashed on a screen or card: MATERIALISM: COMFORT: SECURITY

Voice: (to person in aisle no 2)

Follow me!

Response no 2:

O.K. I'll be right there, let me first look in my diary. No I've got a funeral tomorrow, Deanery Synod that same night; England play ……..in the European Cup on Tuesday… can't make it until….(runs to join the master)

Where's he gone to? Where has he gone? Just as well.

Word flashed up...(PROCRASTINATION)

Voice: (to everyone, whilst standing at aisle 3)

The dead must bury their own dead, but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God (then to person in aisle 3)

Follow me!

Response: I am definitely coming, but I'll just say good-bye to my family. (turns around)Mother's not going to be happy with this! And I know what the wife's husband's) going to say. Then there's the kiddies…(runs to join the master)

Where's he gone to? Where has he gone? (shrugs shoulders)Just as well.

Words flashed up...(DIVIDED LOYALTIES)

Voice: ( again to all)

No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back: is fit for the kingdom of God.

WHERE HAVE THEY ALL GONE TO? WHERE HAVE THEY ALL GONE?

Lesson: What is our excuse?

We follow Christ best by living the life he lived, and not making ourselves too comfortable and cosseted, for Christ comes to disturb the comfortable, and seeks to comfort the disturbed.

We follow Christ best by living the life he lived, and we come making no excuses; not putting off the things for him we should do today… living his life each minute, making the most of every opportunity, every single moment.

We follow Christ best by living the life he lived, putting his way first, putting his love first, and putting our love for him first.

It is when we do this, the lives of those we love, and the lives of those whom God has given into our care…will be more enriched.

We show our love to them more, when we follow the perfect way, and invite them to join the journey. Then together, we will all be more 'fit for the kingdom of God.'