Excuses, Excuses

Excuses, Excuses

Introduction:
Whether we realize it or not we probably make more excuses than we realize. An "excuse" is a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise, etc. Making excuses can be a harmful and even deadly trap to fall into – especially in the spiritual realm. Must guard against making excuses,...because they will not be valid on the judgment day. Observe Rom. 2:2 & 2 Cor. 5:9-10. Are you prepared for judgment? The main text for this lesson is from Lk. 14:15-24. It shows that making excuses can indicate undesirable things about our spiritual life. Observe:

I. Excuses are a reflection of a lack of loyalty/love for/respect for God.
   A. Gen. 3:8-13 – story of Adam and Eve.
        1. Adam too proud to admit his error. Blamed his sin on God!
        2. Neither one of them respected the command in 2:17. Must respect God!
    B. 2 Tim. 2:15 – as we work in kingdom – must not be ashamed.
        1. Haven’t obeyed gospel? Mt. 11:28-30 – don’t reject Christ’s invitation!
        2. No excuse for falling to temptation brethren! 1 Cor. 10:13

II. Excuses constitute nothing more than dressed up lies.
   A. Satan’s favorite tool is to "redress" sin so that it looks less harmful.
        1. Society today: full of "victims" that excuse themselves from moral living.
        2. Many today too blinded by sin to admit truth & live up to God’s truth.
    B. Ex. 32:22-24 – story of Aaron & the people of Israel’s idolatry.
        1. Aaron’s excuses not exactly true. See 32:2-4 – nothing more than a lie.
        2. He contributed to their sin! Penalty: v. 35 – Lord plagued them
    C. Eph. 5:25; Phil. 2:15 Christians to put away lying & live on higher standard.

III. Excuses deter development as a Christian.
   A. Are you "stuck" and not growing up in Christ as you should?
        1. Mt. 25:24-25 – would you be like this man? Failing to work?
        2. Penalty: v. 26-30 – are you in danger of this?
    B. 2 Tim. 2:21 – would you describe yourself as a vessel of honor, useful for God?

IV. Making excuses to God is unfair to others.
   A. Easy to pass responsibilities off to brethren around us.
        1. Eph. 4:15-16 – every part must do it’s share.
      2. Excuse yourself from God’s work? You place your burden on others.
    B. Boils down to selfishness – Phil. 2:3-5; Gal. 6:5. Can YOU be depended upon?

V. Excuses can curtail our blessings.
   A. Lk. 14 – master made supper & invited many. Those who make excuse miss out
        1. Eph. 1:3 – Christians blessed w/every spiritual blessing.
        2. Are you missing out?
    B. 2 Cor. 9:6-7 – are you sowing sparing because of excuses?

Excuses will be of no avail on judgment! 2 Cor. 5:10; Mt. 22:11-12; 25:30



Excuses, Excuses Introduction: Whether we realize it or not we probably make more excuses than we realize. An "excuse" is a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise, etc. Making excuses can be a harmful and even deadly trap to fall into – especially in the spiritual realm. Must guard against making excuses,...because they will not be valid on the judgment day. Observe Rom. 2:2 & 2 Cor. 5:9-10. Are you prepared for judgment? The main text for this lesson is from Lk. 14:15-24. It shows that making excuses can indicate undesirable things about our spiritual life. Observe: I. Excuses are a reflection of a lack of loyalty/love for/respect for God. A. Gen. 3:8-13 – story of Adam and Eve. 1. Adam too proud to admit his error. Blamed his sin on God! 2. Neither one of them respected the command in 2:17. Must respect God! B. 2 Tim. 2:15 – as we work in kingdom – must not be ashamed. 1. Haven’t obeyed gospel? Mt. 11:28-30 – don’t reject Christ’s invitation! 2. No excuse for falling to temptation brethren! 1 Cor. 10:13 II. Excuses constitute nothing more than dressed up lies. A. Satan’s favorite tool is to "redress" sin so that it looks less harmful. 1. Society today: full of "victims" that excuse themselves from moral living. 2. Many today too blinded by sin to admit truth & live up to God’s truth. B. Ex. 32:22-24 – story of Aaron & the people of Israel’s idolatry. 1. Aaron’s excuses not exactly true. See 32:2-4 – nothing more than a lie. 2. He contributed to their sin! Penalty: v. 35 – Lord plagued them C. Eph. 5:25; Phil. 2:15 Christians to put away lying & live on higher standard. III. Excuses deter development as a Christian. A. Are you "stuck" and not growing up in Christ as you should? 1. Mt. 25:24-25 – would you be like this man? Failing to work? 2. Penalty: v. 26-30 – are you in danger of this? B. 2 Tim. 2:21 – would you describe yourself as a vessel of honor, useful* for God?* IV. Making excuses to God is unfair to others. A. Easy to pass responsibilities off to brethren around us. 1. Eph. 4:15-16 – every part must do it’s share. 2. Excuse yourself from God’s work? You place your burden on others. B. Boils down to selfishness – Phil. 2:3-5; Gal. 6:5. Can YOU be depended upon? V. Excuses can curtail our blessings. A. Lk. 14 – master made supper & invited many. Those who make excuse miss out 1. Eph. 1:3 – Christians blessed w/every spiritual blessing. 2. Are you missing out? B. 2 Cor. 9:6-7 – are you sowing sparing because of excuses? Excuses will be of no avail on judgment! 2 Cor. 5:10; Mt. 22:11-12; 25:30