Luke 14:12-24

“He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” – Benjamin Franklin

WHAT ARE EXCUSES? (Source: Lifetime Achiever / By Adam Sicinski)

Excuses are rationalizations we make to ourselves about people, events, and circumstances, they are invented reasons we create to defend our behavior, to postpone taking action or simply as a means of neglecting responsibility.

Excuses are mainly a means of placing the blame of an internal problem on an external condition.

EXCUSES WILL…

Prevent us from reaching our full potentials in life!

Prevent us from utilizing our skills and talents!

Lead us to regret and loss of opportunities!

EXCUSES IN LUKE 14

1st Excuse: “I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excuse.” v.18 – Could refer to material possessions that may hinder us in serving God.

2nd Excuse: “I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused. v.19 – Could refer to busyness in life due to work and neglect our calling.

3rd Excuse: “I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. v.20 – Could refer to family and people we loved that we put before following Christ.

HOW TO RISE ABOVE EXCUSES:

1. Have the decency of being honest. Proverbs 12:17

2. Don’t be afraid to say ‘NO’ Matthew 5:37; James 5:12

3. List down the effects or consequences for making excuses.

4. Accept full responsibility for our failures and mistakes.

CONCLUSION:

The Master’s Reply: Luke 14:21-24

“Ninety-nine percent of failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses.” – George Washington Carver