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.

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