ONE TO MANY EXCUSES

Scripture: Luke 14:16-35

1. The world is full of excuses today.

• We can't control our kids. (Because we don't discipline them)
• We have to work all the time. (Because we buy too much)
• My marriage is falling apart, my wife/husband won't go to church with me (How did you make your bed)
• We don't have enough money. (are you paying your tithes, and offerings into YHWHs store house? are you working? are you buying things you shouldn't)
• I just can't live for YHWH, there is too much pressure, (separate yourself from the world, you can't serve two masters)

2. We could go on and on with excuses because today everyone has excuses, nobody wants to have any responsibility today so we make excuses.

• Excuses never get anything done.
• Can you imagine how tired of excuses YHWH gets.
• Today let’s look at three excuses that can literally keep you out of heaven.

Jesus said this about excuses: (Luke 14:16-18)

3. This parable is actually talking about the marriage supper of the lamb, when all the saints of YHWH will sit down in heaven with YHWH and have a supper to celebrate the reunion of YHWH and man.

• It doesn't get any more important than this, there is nothing greater, or bigger this is the ultimate thing we could ever do but still there is excuses.
• Let’s look at these excuses.

I. First Excuse (Worldly Cares) (Luke 14:18)

• This person is more interested in a piece of ground then he is in the kingdom of YHWH. Can you even imagine any one being that stupid. Hello
• Worldly cares had become more important to this person than all the blessings of heaven.
• You know that there are people today that are trading all the blessings in the Kingdom of YHWH for things on this world. Things they can gain from this world.
• But I must take care of my family, I can't get involved with YHWH or the Church I have responsibilities in this world.

Let’s look at what the Bible says about this. (Mat 6:31-33)

A. In fact the Bible even takes it further:

(Mat 13:22 KJV) He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

(Luke 21:34 KJV) And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

B. We can become so engulfed in this world that we lose what is most important to us and that is YHWH.

C. As the scripture says (Mat 13:22 KJV) He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. We even stop serving YHWH because we have so many other things to do in this world and not in the world, we should be worrying about YHWHs world in the Kingdom of YHWH.

II. Second Excuse (Business Cares) - (Luke 14:19 KJV)

A. A lot like worldly cares but an added component making money.

B. Some people when It comes to making money everything including YHWH comes second.

C. I can't be a father because I have to make money, I can't do anything for YHWH because my business must go on, I can't go to church because I am making money.

D. It's all in vain: (Psa 39:6) Surely every man walketh in a vain show: surely, they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

E. When your dead and gone someone else will enjoy your labors.

F. The bible tells us that only what's done for YHWH will last. You know once your family is grown it’s too late to be that father you should have been, once your old and can't even walk it’s too late to do great exploits for YHWH. Now is the time to do those things.

G. YHWH expects us to work and support our family, but he also talks about trying to have more than we should:

(Eccl 5:12 KJV), (Luke 12:16-20), (Luke 12:20 KJV)

A. YHWH has prepared the great marriage supper for us but some people are just too caught up in their own business affairs to come:

(Mat 22:4-5)

III. Third Excuse (Family Cares) - (Luke 14:20 KJV)

A. People don't come to YHWH because of other people and even worse there are people that won't serve YHWH even when they know themselves, they should because of a husband or wife or even children.

B. YHWH makes a strong statement here in (Luke 14:26)

C. YHWH is talking about choosing, if our family stands between us and YHWH who will you choose?

D. YHWH is saying that if you choose family over him then you can't be his disciple.

E. He's not saying we are not to love our families and take care of them, but we are to serve him whether they like it or not. Even if it means losing them.

F. Sometimes we become engulfed in our own little family and what we are doing as a family, that we are so busy taking care of all the things that come up we never have time to serve YHWH. You can have the most fantastic home, be involved with little league, boy scouts, 4H, band, etc. And never have time to spend with Jesus or spend working in the Kingdom of YHWH.

a. I know what it’s like to have small kids and work for YHWH, so don't tell me you can't do anything because of your kids or family.

b. Bible talks about a woman that was so busy she was missing that greatest things Jesus. (Luke 10:38-42)

IV. Fourth Excuse (Refusing to carry the cross) - (Luke 14:27)

• Caring the cross it the ultimate sell out to YHWH, and with it comes many excuses.

• But excuses won't cut it at the cross, either you’re in or your out.

• Jesus goes on to tell us we need to count the cost of carrying the cross because it will cost something. Yes, serving YHWH is going to cost you something.

1. Cost you your sin.

2. Cost you your worldliness

3. Cost you your self

(Luke 14:33)

BUT IF YOU’RE WILLING TO QUITE MAKING EXCUSES AND MAKE YOUR MIND TO SERVE THE LORD, YOU WILL BE IN THAT GREAT MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB, SITTING WITH JESUS CHRIST AND INJURING ALL THE BLESSINGS OF HEAVEN SOME DAY, WHICH BY FAR IS GREATER THAN ANYTHING THIS WORLD HAS TO OFFER.

DON'T SETTLE FOR A BOWL OF POTTAGE ON THIS EARTH WHEN YOU CAN HAVE ALL THE GREATEST THAT YHWH HAS TO OFFER.

Closing:

• There is a real danger with excuses they can keep you out of the kingdom of YHWH.

• They will cause you to lose out of your blessings and with YHWH.

• They don't get anything done for the kingdom of YHWH; they don't save one soul they don't help out in the church they don't feed you spiritually there just excuses.

• It cost to serve YHWH and we have to make up our minds if we really want to serve him or make another excuse.

YHWH IS ASKING YOU TODAY WILL YOU COME TO THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB? WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE?