The reading For Tonight Luke 14:15-20

Moving to PERFECTION in Northside Moving to PERFECTION in

Let Us Go On To Perfection Hebrews 6:1 Lesson #1

Lesson #2 John 5:6

The Mind of a Christian Lesson #3

Lesson #4

They all began to make excuses Luke 14:18 Luke 14:18 (NKJV) 18  But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.'

An attempt to lessen the blame attached to a fault or offense. An effort to justify an action. (“Excuse”, Google Public Data)

ARE they acceptable to God? Are very prevalent today. Used by a society that refuses to be accountable. Used in religion and with failures with one’s faith or morality ARE they acceptable to God?

Genesis 3:10-13 The very first sin involved excuses and passing blame. As a result of their sins, they were driven from the Garden and curses pronounced (including death) Genesis 3:10-13 (NKJV) 10 So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself." 11 And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?" 12 Then the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate." 13 And the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."

King Saul commanded to destroy the Amalekites. He disobeyed 1 Samuel 15 King Saul commanded to destroy the Amalekites. He disobeyed When confronted he blamed the people and “good intentions” (15:15, 20-21) Rejected as king (22-23) 1 Samuel 15:20-21 (NKJV) 20 And Saul said to Samuel, "But I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and gone on the mission on which the LORD sent me, and brought back Agag king of Amalek; I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. 21 But the people took of the plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal." 1 Samuel 15:22-23 (NKJV) 22  So Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. 23  For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king." 1 Samuel 15:15 (NKJV) 15  And Saul said, "They have brought them from the Amalekites; for the people spared the best of the sheep and the oxen, to sacrifice to the LORD your God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed."

Luke 9:57-61 Jesus bids disciples to follow Him. Some make excuses – “bury my father first” “say goodbye to my family first” No one having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God (61)

Matthew 25:24-25 The one talent servant He made excuses when the master returned He was condemned as wicked and lazy. Cast into outer darkness (30)

Luke 14:15-24 Those invited made excuses “I have bought land” – wanted to do something else “I have bought oxen” – he put his work before the feast

Luke 14:15-24 “I just got married” – he put family before this occasion The master was angry when told Others were invited and those originally invited, who made excuses, were rejected (24)

Exodus 3 & 4 Moses at the burning bush. Called to deliver Israel out of Egyptian bondage He made 5 excuses (3:10-4:17) The Lord did not accept the excuses. Moses was expected to go. (More on this tonight)

There are legitimate reasons why things happen A legitimate reason is the WHOLE situation. It is absolute and complete truth. Usually an exceptional situation Genuine honesty eliminates the excuses. YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCE!

There is NEVER a legitimate reason to engage in sinful conduct! Sin is ALWAYS sin! 1 Corinthians 10:13 James 4:17 We are without excuse – Romans 1:20, John 15:22

Excuses will keep you from going on to perfection They are an attempt to escape accountability or the “hard work”. They are an attempt to validate one’s condition! We have to face up to our sins and failures to conquer them! Hebrew 6:1

Sometimes excuses have some truth in them. But is it the WHOLE truth? Is it the REAL reason? Are you accountable? Do you want to change? John 5:6

Legitimate reasons can turn into excuses If repeated over and over. If there is not attempt to improve or change! Example: How long is, “I don’t know enough” an acceptable excuse? 1 Peter 3:15

Sometimes the “reason” given is too vague. “I’m trying”, “But it’s so hard”, “I guess I messed up again” Again, how long will that be acceptable?

James 3:14, “if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your heart…” An excuse is a lie or deceit! To fail to tell the truth is to lie!!! Revelation 21:8 James 3:14, “if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your heart…”

Excuses anger the LORD God Consider many of the examples – Moses, the talents, those who rejected the invitation Ecclesiastes 5:6, “Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands?”

On judgment day, we will answer – Luke 13:24-27 Excuses are not accepted by God EVERY example demonstrates this! Romans 1:20, 2:1 On judgment day, we will answer – Luke 13:24-27

1 John 1:9 Excuses can be forgiven Like every other sin! BUT we must repent! 1 John 1:9

Live your life so there is nor reason to make excuses When you stand before God, what possible excuse will you offer?