Began to Make Excuses
Introduction:
We live in a day and time when all around us are failing to take
responsibility for their actions. We make excuses for what
is done or not done. We believe some behavior is excused
due to the environment in which we live. It is “society’s
fault!” People have been making excuses for centuries.
Text:
Luke 14:15-24
Background:
·
(Verse
1) Jesus
was eating a meal on the Sabbath in the chief Pharisee’s house.
·
(Verse
15) The
Pharisee was probably thinking of a material kingdom and
misunderstood what Jesus had said in Verses 12-14.
·
(Verses
16-17) A
great many people were invited. God [All Three] has bidden all
men to enter the kingdom. (Matthew
1:28-30)
(John
3:5)
(Colossians
1:13-14)
·
(Verses
18-20)
The three men had the same attitude or spirit. The guests
accepted the initial invitation but had turned down the second
one. The guests had made prior appointments without the
least regard for the time of the banquet. They did not
value the honor of being invited; nor his friendship. To
cancel at this point would be an insult and show dishonor.
o
First Excuse – Ground of necessity/With affairs of the world
Sinners often plead that they are too busy to be concerned with
affairs of the soul.
o
Second Excuse – The invited guest should have tested the oxen
before buying or tested them at another time.
o
Third Excuse – The invited guest did not offer up an excuse.
He said, “I can’t come.” (Matthew 10:37-38)
Social ties
·
(Verse
21)
Note the word angry. The Greek word means
furious. All those things could have been put off.
The time is of the essence. There is no prejudice in the
kingdom; all could come to the feast.
·
(Verse
22)
There is room! The well of mercy is not dry. The
blood of Christ’s atonement still is able to wash away sins;
even after millions have been saved.
·
(Verse
23)
The invitation is offered to the Gentiles as well. Jews
were invited first on the Day of Pentecost.
·
(Verse
24)
It is important to accept the gracious invitation without delay.
Theme:
Many excuses are made for not obeying the Lord and responding to
His invitation to become a Christian.
Body:
Five Shallow Excuses Commonly Heard
1.
Excuse #1:
“Just wait a little longer. You have plenty of time.”
That is Satan talking. (Acts
24:24-25)
The Bible never records that a more convenient time ever came
for Felix. We are not guaranteed another day to live.
(James
4:13-16)
We are often “too busy” to obey the Lord. We will never be
too busy to die, though.
2.
Excuse #2:
“You are already a good enough person.”
We cannot be ‘good enough’ to save ourselves no matter what
works of righteousness we have done. (Titus
3:4-5)
Salvation is only found in Christ. (John
14::6, II Timothy 2:10)
In
Acts 10
it states that Cornelius was a just man with a good reputation;
but he needed to be baptized in order to be saved.
Regardless of how good we are, unless our sins are washed away,
we will be lost. (Acts
22:16)
“Arise, and be baptized and wash away thy sins. . .” (Galatians
3:27)
“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on
Christ.”
3.
Excuse #3:
“Christian Life is too hard!”
God does not expect sinless perfection. (I
John 1:8)
There was only one who was sinless. (Hebrews4:15)
But by being watchful and careful, we can live the life
God wants and expects of us. (I
Peter 4:8, II Timothy 4:8)
* If one is sick, he doesn’t refuse treatment for fear he will
get sick again.
4.
Excuse #4:
“Your family won’t like it.”
We must put God first. (Matthew
10:37)
Maybe by seeing you obey God, they will also. (I
Peter 3:1-2)
Note: People might say: “What about my mother who
never was baptized?” What would she do if she knew what
you knew?
5.
Excuse #5:
“Hypocrites are in the church.”
They will not be in heaven. Not a single one! (Matthew
223:13)
Don’t allow someone else to stand between you and salvation.
If you do not decide to obey God and become a Christian, you
will spend an eternity with these same hypocrites. (Matthew
23:33)
Ananias and Sapphira were hypocrites. Peter didn’t forsake
the kingdom because of them. (Acts
5:1-10)
Invitation:
Stop making excuses! “Behold, now is the accepted time;
behold, now is the day of salvation.” (II
Corinthians 6:2)
All will be present on Judgment Day. No exceptions!
(II
Corinthians 5:10-11)
You have been invited to a great feast! Hear, believe,
repent, confess, and be baptized.
Bobby Stafford
April 7, 2013
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