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.