EXCUSES! EXCUSES!
By David J. Riggs
Intro.
A. Nearly everyone is guilty of making an excuse at one time or
another.
1. It is interesting how our word "excuse" has developed in the
English language.
a. It meant originally, "to give a defense or reason for
something."
b. However, it has come to mean, "an unjustified or false
reason for something, a false reason given to cover up
the real reason."
B. People often give excuses for not doing the will of God.
1. There have been a mountain of excuses given for not obeying
the gospel and becoming a Christian.
2. Christians are sometimes guilty of devising ingenious
excuses for not doing their duty toward God.
I. EXCUSE MAKING IS VERY OLD AND COMMON.
A. Adam and Eve. Gen. 3:9-13
1. When anyone knows the will of God, and violates it anyway,
certainly, he is without excuse.
2. Eve, in our modern-day speech more or less said, "The devil
made me do it."
3. Adam not only blames the woman, but seems to blame God
as well. Vs 12. In other words, he was saying, "If you would
not have given me the woman, this never would have
happened."
a. No, God had already given him the woman, and he was
responsible for his own actions.
4. Several years ago, when tensions were very strong between
Iran and the United States, an American who was in Iran was
involved in a car wreck which clearly was not his fault.
However, the Iranian court declared that it was the
American's fault. They said to the American, "If you had not
been over here in Iran, this wreck never would have
happened."
a. No, he was already in Iran and the wreck was not his
fault.
B. Moses. Ex. 4:1,10
1. First, he indicates they won't believe him or listen to him.
a. Isn't this a common excuse Christians give for not
teaching the gospel?
2. Secondly, he claims that he is not a good speaker.
a. Isn't this the type of excuse Christians give for not
developing their talents?
3. Nevertheless, Moses did develop his talents and went on to
be one of the greatest leaders that ever lived.
C. King Saul. 1 Sam. 15
1. God's instructions for Saul were very plain. Vs. 2-3
2. Samuel was sent to rebuke him for his disobedience. Vs. 17-
21
a. Thus, Saul's excuse was, "It's the people's fault."
3. Samuel continues his strong rebuke. Vs. 22-23
4. As shown in verse 24, the real truth is finally manifested,
"I feared the people and obeyed their voice."
II. JESUS GAVE A PARABLE TO COMBAT EXCUSE MAKING. Luke 14:16-24
A. They were invited to "the great supper," but "they all with one
accord began to make excuse."
1. The first made an excuse regarding property or possessions.
Vs. 18. (See chart #1 below)
a. It is highly unusual for one to buy land without first
seeing it. Even if he had bought it sight-unseen, it was
not necessary to go see it now. Why not first go to the
feast?
b. Many today excuse themselves for not doing the will of
God because of property or possessions.
(1) They say, "Excuse me for not serving God, but
I'm busy building a house, trying to find a house
to buy, selling a house, cleaning or remodeling a
house, landscaping my yard, buying a car, selling a
car, repairing a car, and the list goes on to
infinity."
2. The second made an excuse in the realm of business or
livelihood. Vs. 19
a. Again, this is a flimsy excuse. If he had already bought
the oxen, he didn't need to be testing them during the
time of the feast.
b. How many excuse themselves from the Lord's
invitation, the worship services, or the Lord's work
because they have a business to run or a job that
conflicts?
(1) They claim they must do it to make a living.
However, Jesus warned - John 6:27.
3. The third made his excuse concerning family or
relationships. Vs. 20
a. Again, what a sorry excuse! The invitation was given to
all; thus, why not bring his new wife to the great feast?
b. How many through the years have used the family as an
excuse for not doing the will of God?
c. I knew of an older sister who stayed home from services
to prepare a meal for her son and his family who were
visiting from out of state for the weekend.
(1) Why not bring her son and his family to services?
Her son was not a faithful Christian. Her rotten
example no doubt had a lot to do with it.
d. I heard of a sister who stayed home from services to
prepare a meal for the preacher and his family. The
preacher heard about it and refused to go to her home
for the meal.
(1) The sister became angry at the preacher. However,
we highly commend him for what he did.
e. In view of these things, consider Luke 10:41-42.
III. TYPICAL EXCUSES OF TODAY.
A. Modern man makes excuses for his sinful behavior.
1. Some excuse themselves by saying, "I can't help it, its just
the way I am, or the way I was born."
a. Homosexuals excuse their sinful behavior by saying they
were born that way and they just can't help it. God
declares otherwise. 1 Cor. 6:9-10
b. Some think they were born with a bad temper and they
just can't help it. James 1:19-20
2. Young people have been known to say, "Everybody else is
doing it." "Everybody else is wearing it." "Everyone else is
going."
a. Sometimes a war is developed between teenagers and
parents on these things.
(1) However, the war is between the teenagers and
God. The teenagers must learn to make their own
decisions based on divine principles.
b. It is highly unlikely that everybody is doing it, but
even if they were, it would not excuse you for doing it.
c. If everybody at school lies, cheats, and steals, does
this give you a right to do it? Rom. 12:2
3. Some excuse themselves by saying, "At least I'm not as bad
as some people."
a. "I may talk hateful to my wife, but at least I don't beat
her up."
b. "I don't have time to teach the Bible to my kids, but at
least I don't let them go hungry."
c. "I'm not a Christian, but at least I'm not as bad as some
Christians I know."
d. "I'm not a strong Christian, but I'm not as bad as some
of the hypocrites in the church."
e. Does one really think that God will accept these
excuses?
B. Christians often give flimsy excuses. (See chart #2 below).
1. We summarize our chart by adding up all the excuses.
a. Lord I will serve you if: I feel well, I'm not to busy
with other things, the rest of my family does, I'm not
too old and feeble, I don't have little ones, I don't
need to be away, if company doesn't come, the services
are interesting, when I really enjoy it, if the weather
is good, and when all others are serving you.
b. Again, does one actually think that God would accept
any of these excuses?
c. By our excuses, we are telling the Lord we don't care to
serve Him, and He is unworthy of our reverence and
respect. Mal. 1:6a; Luke 6:46
IV. THERE IS A SAD CONCLUSION FOR ALL EXCUSE MAKERS.
A. God will not accept man's flimsy, feeble, sorry excuses.
B. All unbelievers are without excuse before God. Rom. 1:20
1. Those who condemn others for their wickedness, but
practice the same things are without excuse. Rom. 2:1
C. The master was angry when people refused the invitation. Luke
14:21,24
1. God the Father has done much in providing redemption for
sinful man.
2. He is angered when people make excuses for not accepting
His precious invitation.
D. No excuses will be accepted in the day of judgment. Luke 13:24-
27
E. God will convict or convince all ungodly excuse makers in that
great day. Jude 14-15
F. There is no excuse for sin! Period!
Concl.
A. In closing we ask, "What's your excuse for failure to obey
God?"
B. Let us denounce all worthless excuses, and make ourselves right
with Almighty God.
1. Let us accept the precious invitation to the great supper of
God.
2. Let us get busy in doing the will of God rather than relying
on lamebrain excuses.
3. May God help us toward that end.
Chart #1
"They all with one accord began to make excuses."
Excuses regarding property (possessions)
Excuses regarding business (livelihood)
Excuses concerning family (relationships)
Chart #2
Common Excuses For Unfaithfulness:
I didn't feel well.
I was busy with...
My family...
I'm too old and feeble.
My children...
I had to be away.
Company kept me away.
The services aren't interesting.
I'm not getting anything out of it.
The weather was bad.
There's too many hypocrites.