The Dangers of Making Excuses

Introduction:. Lest discuss the theme of making excuses, examining how it affects our relationship with God and others. Our primary text will be from Luke 14:16-24, the Parable of the Great Banquet, which illustrates the dangers and consequences of making excuses. We will also delve into other biblical examples to gain a comprehensive understanding.

Scripture Reading:Luke 14:16-24 (NIV)

I. The Call and the Excuses: Luke 14:16-20

A. The Invitation (Luke 14:16-17)

In this parable, a man prepared a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, "Come, for everything is now ready."

B. The Excuses (Luke 14:18-20)

However, the invited guests began to make excuses:

First Excuse: "I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me."Second Excuse: "I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me."Third Excuse: "I just got married, so I can't come."

C. Analysis of the Excuses

These excuses represent common justifications people make to avoid God's call. Each excuse reveals a prioritization of personal interests and responsibilities over the invitation from the host, symbolizing God’s call to His kingdom.

II. Biblical Examples of Making Excuses

A. Moses (Exodus 3:1-4:17)

When God called Moses to deliver the Israelites from Egypt, Moses made several excuses:

Who am I? (Exodus 3:11) - Moses doubted his own adequacy.What if they do not believe me? (Exodus 4:1) - Moses doubted others' faith.I am not eloquent. (Exodus 4:10) - Moses doubted his own abilities.

God’s responses to Moses’ excuses highlight His provision and presence, assuring Moses that He would equip him for the task.

B. Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:4-8)

Jeremiah also made excuses when God called him:

I do not know how to speak; I am too young. (Jeremiah 1:6)God reassured Jeremiah that He would put His words in Jeremiah's mouth and that He had appointed him as a prophet to the nations.

III. The Consequences of Making Excuses

A. Missing Out on God’s Blessings (Luke 14:21-24)

In the parable, those who made excuses missed out on the banquet, and their places were given to others. This serves as a warning that making excuses can cause us to miss out on God’s blessings and opportunities.

B. Disobedience and Its Effects (Jonah 1)

Jonah’s initial refusal to go to Nineveh resulted in a storm and his being swallowed by a great fish. His disobedience had severe consequences for himself and those around him. However, his eventual obedience led to the repentance of Nineveh, showing God’s mercy and the importance of compliance with His commands.

C. Hardening of the Heart (Hebrews 3:7-15)

Repeatedly making excuses can lead to a hardened heart, making it more difficult to respond to God’s voice. The author of Hebrews warns believers not to harden their hearts as the Israelites did in the wilderness.

IV. Overcoming the Habit of Making Excuses

A. Acknowledge and Repent

The first step is to acknowledge when we are making excuses and repent. 1 John 1:9 assures us that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and purify us from all unrighteousness.

B. Trust in God's Provision (Philippians 4:13)

We must trust that God will equip us for what He calls us to do. Philippians 4:13 states, "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

C. Prioritize God's Kingdom (Matthew 6:33)

Jesus taught us to seek first His kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to us as well. Prioritizing God’s kingdom helps us align our lives with His will.

D. Surround Yourself with Encouragement (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Encouragement from fellow believers can help us stay focused and avoid making excuses. The author of Hebrews exhorts us to consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Conclusion:Making excuses can lead to missed opportunities and hinder our spiritual growth. By examining the excuses in the Parable of the Great Banquet and other biblical examples, we see the importance of obedience and trust in God. Let us commit to overcoming excuses and wholeheartedly responding to God's call, knowing that He will provide all we need to fulfill His purposes.

Prayer:Heavenly Father, we confess that we often make excuses to avoid Your call. Help us to recognize these excuses, repent, and trust in Your provision. Strengthen us to prioritize Your kingdom and respond to Your invitations with faith and obedience. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.