How to avoid excuse making
How to Avoid Excuse-making
Scripture Reading: Luke 14:16–27
“And they with one consent began to make excuse” (Luke 14:18).
I. Excuse of Property
“The first said … I have bought a piece of ground, I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused” (Luke 14:18).
A. We live in a materialistic age. The love of possessions has captured the hearts of millions.
B. We must keep our possessions in the right perspective.
C. We should not use possessions as an excuse for being less than our best for God (Matt. 6:33).
II. Excuse of Pursuit
“And another said, “I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused” (Luke 14:19).
A. These are busy times. We have more time-saving gadgets than ever before but still we have less time.
B. Christians should not be overtaken with the hurry, scurry of these busy days.
C. We must make time for God and give Him first place in our lives.
III. Excuse of Person
“And another said, “I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come” (Luke 14:20).
A. Blaming other people is perhaps the most often used excuse. We tend to blame others for our failures, disappointments, troubles, and so forth.
B. Other people may also be blamed for one’s lack of service to God or for not accepting Christ as Savior.
C. Christians must keep their eyes centered on Jesus Christ, who is the author and finisher of their faith (Heb. 12:2).
16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
The Rich and the Kingdom of God
18:18–30pp—Mt 19:16–29; Mk 10:17–30
18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’”
21 “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.
22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”
27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”