NO MORE EXCUSES

 

Parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14:12-24)

 

Message: No More Excuses

 

You read (verses 18-20) all you hear is Excuses, Excuses

18. "But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.'

 

19. Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.'

 

20. Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.' "

 

In the story Jesus tells on how all the invitees now begin to make excuses. The Greek phrase used, apo mias pantes, means "from the first, all ..." The rejection was unanimous. But the excuses were lame/weak/poor, and the three Jesus mentions are representative of the rest.

 

The first has just bought a field and must inspect it. But surely no one buys a field sight unseen.

The second has just bought five pairs of oxen and must try them out. But no one buys five pairs of oxen without testing them first. These two excuses are flimsy on the surface. Both indicate men of wealth. Purchasing property is a wealthy man's luxury. Five yoke of oxen are for an estate; one or two pairs of oxen would be adequate for a small farm.

The third excuse, that the guest has just been married, also is lame/weak/poor. When he accepted the invitation he would have known of his wedding plans. That was the time to politely decline. But to back out at the last minute after you have accepted an invitation in the first place, is an act of calculated rudeness.

 

Just like these invitees in the parable, many people today have Excuses as to why they haven’t done what they are expected to do.

 

What's Your Excuse?

·        For not Worshipping God

·        For not attending the Gathering of Believers

·        For not giving to the Work of God

·        For not reading the Word of God

·        For not making time for Prayer

·        For not doing Ministry being involved in Ministry 

·        For not Going Were God wants you to go

 

LET ME GO SECULAR:

What's Your Excuse?

·        For not finishing your education

·        For not getting a job, employed or self employed 

·        For not being in a steady relationship

·        For not being your own self

·        For wanting divorce 

·        For not finishing the house you started building 

·        OK, Let Me Go In between Spiritual & Secular

 

What's Your Excuse?

1. For not being Happy 

2. For not being Successful 

When it's all said and done, all excuses do is excuse you from victory and success.