No More Excuses

Today we begin my first official sermon series, entitled, “The season of No More...” This is important because we should recognize that seasons come and go. And when seasons come, we must adjust according to that season. It’s summer now and we can wear our shorts and short sleeves or no sleeves, people were concerned about their summer bodies and going to the gym so they can show some skin, but when fall comes and the temperature starts to decrease and the wind picks up and causes it to feel cooler than what it is, People began to say “no more short sleeves,no more shorts, no more skin showing,” because the season had changed and there needs to be adjustments to the season we’re coming into. Child of God, I have come to this house this morning to be your spiritual meteorologist, and to tell you that the seasons are changing in the World, in the United States, in North Carolina, in Clinton, and YES, right here at Union Grove Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ.

Being that this change in the season is upon us, it is important that we realize that we adjust ourselves to be prepared for whatever this season brings. Just as when the cold weather comes in and we say No More to the shorts, short sleeves, and skin showing, likewise in the spirit there are somethings that we must say No More to in our lives. This takes maturity and a pure desire to grow in God. You can’t have a childish mindset with this season because you want to cute, seen, or heard. Grandma said, if you don’t wrap up in the cold, you liable to catch pneumonia, you’re liable to get sick. You can try to be cute with your summer clothes but you’ll fool around and find yourself sick. In this season God is looking for some folk who is ready to mature and grow in the faith. If you’re ready to mature and grow in God, then repeat after me, “This is my season of No More.”

Down in my neck of the woods, there is a church that I frequent often by the name of Willing Workers Miracle Tabernacle United Holy Church. The Dr. Dorothy L. Green is the illustrious Pastor of this great ministry. She has been the Senior Pastor here for well over 50 years and is 90+ years old. She is the mother of the Southern District of the United Holy Church of America in Goldsboro, NC.

There are Willing Workers there is a plaque that sits on the wall and it’s been there longer than I can remember. On that plaque, these word’s are found, “He that wants to, will find a way, He that doesn’t will find an excuse.” This statement has been with me for the mass major of my teens years up to the current time. This message was brought back to my remembrance by the Holy Ghost and I believe every attack that I have experienced this week was set up to stop me from preaching this message, but the Devil is a lie. I must share this crucial word to help someone. So today I would like to talk to you from the thought, NO MORE EXCUSES...

Introduction

Come on say it with strength “no more excuses.”

The definition of excuse is “a reason or explanation put forward to defend or justify a fault or offense; a reason put forward to conceal the real reason for an action; a pretext.” In other words, an excuse is a reason that you give in order to explain why something has been done or has not been done, or in order to avoid doing something. We give excuses for a great amount of things. We give excuse for why we can’t/don’t work, why we can’t be on time to work, students have to give excuses to why they miss school or are late to school. We have so many excuses that we give on daily basis that I believe that excuses have become a way of life, simply because USUALLY we just don’t want to do whatever it is we need to do. Remember he/she that wants to will find a way, but he/she that does not finds an excuse. Won’t you make that declaration again “no more excuses.”

Background

In our text this morning we find Jesus, according to verse 1, is at the house of one of the Chief Priest

Body

Move #1: The validity of the excuse, does not negate the fact that is still an excuse.

Move#2: An excuse does not stop forward motion.

Move #3: An excuse does not reserve your place.

Conclusion