Devotions

Everybody needs a ticket!

Not long ago one of my favorite actors passed away. I loved to watch Robert Duval act – especially in cowboy movies. Now I know Preachers are suppose to quote the great theologians like C.S. Lewis, or Dietrich Bonhoeffer, but let me quote from that great Western Theologian Louis L’ Amour. Hey I need all the resources I can get, right? Back in the West the Stagecoach was a major form of transportation. And I bet you didn’t know they had three different kinds of tickets. First – Second – and Third class tickets. Now here are the differences.

First class ticket – You could sit down no matter what happened. If stagecoach got stuck or wheel came off, first class ticket holders remained seated at all times.
Second class ticket – You could sit down until there was a problem. You would have to get off the stagecoach but could stand in the shade while others fixed the problem.
Third class ticket – You could sit until there was a problem then you had to get off and help fix it.

I’m telling you there’s a sermon in there somewhere. I think this is how many relate to the Church.

First class ticket – “Sit in Saints” – Sit and expect to be served, fed, taken care of.
Second class ticket – “Staring Saints” – Riding along until the call goes out to serve, then becoming spectators on the sideline.
Third class ticket – “Serving Saints” – They jump in and help whenever there is a need. They are invested and involved.

Paul writes in Phil.2:7

2:7 – He (Jesus) made Himself nothing taking the very nature of a servant.

I guess we know which ticket Jesus would hold – which ticket are you holding?