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Scripture Reading: Luke 14:15-24

No Excuses

 

Intro.

1.  “No excuses” was the explanation of Karl Malone when the Utah Jazz lost Game 7 of the 1996 NBA Western Conference Championship to the Seattle Supersonics: “We win like men and we lose like men.”

2.  A mark of maturity is not making excuses for one's faults, failings and sins. The adults in the room take responsibility and accountability for their words and deeds; no excuses, 1 Cor. 16:13.

3.  Excuses are self-justification for action or inaction (Jas. 4:17).

  a.  An excuse is different from an explanation, cf. Lk. 14:18-20.

  b.  In spiritual matters, excuses are used to neglect God-given duties.

  c.  Excuses help convince us we can neglect our spiritual responsibilities of holy and obedient living.

  d.  Such excuses help us lose our souls, Jas. 4:17; Rom. 12:11.

4.  Consider some excuses for neglecting our duties before God.

 

I.  EXCUSES USED TO RATIONALIZE SPIRITUAL NEGLECT.

  A.  Personal Incompetency (Moses), Exo. 3:11, 13; 4:1, 10, 13.

    1.  God answered every excuse Moses offered.

    2.  We often conclude we are not right for the job God has given us, cf. 1 Cor. 15:10; Phil. 2:12.

      a.  Elder, deacon, preacher, class teacher.

      b.  Parent, helper of the fallen, etc.

    3.  God’s grace has brought us to this point and will sustain us in every godly endeavor, 2 Pet. 3:18.

  B.  The Difficulty of the Task, Prov. 22:13. (fear)

    1.  Can become an excuse for laziness.

      a.  Overcoming Satan, 1 Pet. 5:8-9.

      b.  Resisting temptation, 1 Cor. 10:13.

      c.  Withstanding opposition to your faith, Rom. 8:35-39.

      d.  Teaching the lost, cf. Mk. 16:15.

      e.  Understanding the Bible, 2 Tim. 2:15.

    2.  See opportunities, not obstacles, 1 Sam. 17:46.

       -Be a class teacher, lead public prayer, preach a lesson, lead at the Lord's table... Faith, not fear.

  C.  Personal Weakness (Jeremiah), Jer. 1:6-7. (inexperience)

    1.  The Christian’s strength to serve comes from God, not himself, 2 Cor. 12:8-10; Phil. 4:13.

    2.  “Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing; Were not the right One on our side, The Man of God’s own choosing.” ("A Mighty Fortress is Our God", Martin Luther) Heb. 13:5-6

  D.  The Hardness of the Master, Matt. 25:24-27 (solid, firm, rigid and unbending).

    1.  Some even try to blame God for their disobedience.

    2.  Our God is righteous and just; He is not a tyrant. He will not be mocked; we reap what we sow (Gal. 6:7).

    3.  God never expects from us that which we cannot give -- But, He does expect of us all our ability allows, 2 Cor. 8:12.

  E.  We do not See the Need, Matt. 25:44-45.

    1.  We are not the one who decides our spiritual obligations; God is.

    2.  Cannot excuse ourselves with “I don’t see the importance/need of that...”

        -Water baptism to be saved; singing only; work of the local church; God’s MDR law; modest clothing, no social drinking; etc.

  F.  The Pressures of Life, Lk. 14:18-20 (income, labor, family).

    1.  All these are worthy endeavors, but were used as excuses to justify wrong priorities.  (cf. play v. worship, Heb. 10:25)

    2.  This an argument for convenience over conviction.

  G.  Personal Inconvenience, Acts 24:24-25.

     -Considering what Jesus and His apostles endured ought to shame us from using this excuse for our neglect, Isa. 53:3-5; 1 Cor. 4:9.

  H.  Ignorance, cf. Acts 3:17; 26:9-10 (1 Tim. 1:13); Eccl. 5:6.

 

Conclusion

1.  God calls us to steadfast obedience, not senseless and sinful excuse-making, 1 Cor. 15:58.

2.  Christ has spoken to Jews and Gentiles: We have no excuse for our sin, cf. Jno. 15:22.

3.  The gospel is God's call to be forgiven and live free of excuses for sin.

 

 

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: June 16, 2015