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The Danger of Excuses
Scripture Passage:
Luke 14:16-24 Introduction: A certain man made a great supper and bade many to come. He sent his servant out at supper time to invite those that were bidden to come for it was all ready. This man was more than likely among the elite, possibly even royalty. Surely these that have been invited are already dressed in expectation for this great feast and are only awaiting the knock at the door from the servant. This, however, is not the case. Each of those who have been invited have some excuse to give the servant as to why they cannot attend. Who in their right mind would do such a thing? Surely God’s people would not do such things. Or would they?
- THE INVITATION EXTENDED (Luke 14:16-17 [16] Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
[17] And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
See All...) - Many Were Bidden (Luke 14:16Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
See All...) - All Was Ready (Luke 14:17And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
See All...) - THE FREQUENCY OF THE EXCUSES (Luke 14:18And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
See All...) - They All With One Consent
- The History of Excuses
- Adam concerning sin ( And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. Genesis 3:12And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
See All...) - Aaron concerning the golden calf ( And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf. Exodus 32:24And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.
See All...) - Moses concerning going to Egypt (Exodus 3:11And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?
See All...; Exodus 4:1And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee.
See All..., 10-14) - Gideon concerning deliverance from Midian ( And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house. Judges 6:15And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.
See All...) - The slothful man concerning going out ( The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets. Proverbs 22:13The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
See All...) - Jeremiah concerning his call to be a prophet (Jeremiah 1:5-7 [5] Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
[6] Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
[7] But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
See All...) - THE FOOLISHNESS OF THE EXCUSES GIVEN (Luke 14:18-20 [18] And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
[19] And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
[20] And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
See All...) - The First Excuse – My Possessions (Luke 14:18And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
See All...) - I have bought a piece of ground
- I must needs go and see it
- I pray thee have me excused
- The Second Excuse – My Responsibilities (Luke 14:19And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
See All...) - I have bought five yoke of oxen
- I go to prove them
- I pray thee have me excused
- The Third Excuse – My Personal Life (Luke 14:20And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
See All...) - I have married a wife
- Therefore I cannot come
- THE FRUSTRATION OF THE MASTER (Luke 14:21So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
See All...) - The Anger of the Master
- The Rejection of His Invitation
- THE FINDING OF OTHER GUESTS (Luke 14:21-23 [21] So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
[22] And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
[23] And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
See All...) - The Places Searched (Luke 14:21So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
See All..., 23) - The streets and lanes of the city (Luke 14:21So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
See All...) - The highways and hedges (Luke 14:23And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
See All...) - The People Invited (Luke 14:21So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
See All...) - The poor
- Not likely to have bought a piece of land
- Not likely to have bought five yoke of oxen
- The maimed
- Not likely to have married a wife
- The halt
- Not likely to go prove five yoke of oxen
- The blind
- Not likely to go and see the land
- THE RESULTS OF EXCUSES (Luke 14:24For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
See All...) - A Loss of Invitation
- A Loss of Blessing
Conclusion: What kind of excuses have you made? Are you going to miss out on some opportunities because you have failed to accept the invitation? Drop the excuses and submit yourself to God.