Overcoming Excuses: Embracing God's Kingdom and Blessings

 

Summary

In Jesus' name, amen. Hallelujah! God is good, and all the time, you are welcome into the presence of God. Today, we gather to reflect on the theme: "Excuse Hunters Become Losers." This is a call to examine how excuses can hinder our spiritual growth and blessings. We often delay or stop our progress by hiding behind excuses, whether in our personal lives or in our participation in God's kingdom. Proverbs 20:4 and Proverbs 26:13 remind us that excuses are often a sign of laziness, and they can prevent us from doing what is necessary.

The main text from Luke 14:15-24 illustrates this through a parable where invited guests make excuses to avoid attending a great supper. Their excuses, though seemingly reasonable, result in them missing out on a significant blessing. This parable teaches us that excuses can lead to missed opportunities and even anger the Lord. We must plan our lives around God's kingdom, not our comfort zones. Excuses can delay or rob us of blessings, and we must be mindful of this.

We are encouraged to be kingdom-minded, seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Our decisions should reflect our commitment to God, and we should avoid excuses that keep us from His presence. Whether it's work, family, or personal preferences, we must prioritize God's kingdom. Excuses can lead to a loss of value in God's eyes, and we must strive to be vessels of honor, useful in His kingdom.

Key Takeaways:

- Excuses as a Barrier to Blessings: Excuses can delay or prevent us from receiving God's blessings. They often stem from laziness or misplaced priorities, and we must be vigilant in recognizing and overcoming them. By prioritizing God's kingdom, we align ourselves with His will and open ourselves to His blessings. [14:42]

- The Danger of Exaggerating Problems: Like the Israelites who exaggerated the challenges in the Promised Land, we can sometimes magnify our problems, leading to fear and inaction. We must remember that God is with us, and His perspective is what truly matters. Trusting in His guidance can help us overcome exaggerated fears. [18:05]

- The Consequences of Excuses: The parable in Luke 14 shows that excuses can lead to missed opportunities and even anger the Lord. We must evaluate our excuses in light of God's kingdom and strive to be kingdom-minded in our decisions. [27:22]

- Prioritizing God's Kingdom: Our decisions should reflect our commitment to God. We must plan our lives around His kingdom, not our comfort zones. Excuses can lead to a loss of value in God's eyes, and we must strive to be vessels of honor, useful in His kingdom. [31:01]

- The Importance of Being Ready: As Christians, we must always be ready to respond to God's call. Like the guests who accepted the last-minute invitation to the supper, we should be prepared to act when God calls, without hesitation or excuses. [47:45]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[14:42] - Understanding Excuses
[15:48] - Proverbs on Laziness
[16:42] - Exaggerating Problems
[18:05] - Trusting God's Perspective
[18:45] - The Parable of the Great Supper
[19:56] - Invitation to the Kingdom
[21:11] - The First Excuse
[22:06] - The Second Excuse
[23:06] - The Third Excuse
[25:04] - Kingdom Principles
[27:22] - Consequences of Excuses
[28:44] - Planning Around the Kingdom
[31:01] - Prioritizing God's Kingdom
[32:08] - Being Ready for God's Call
[47:45] - No More Excuses
[54:50] - Using Your Gifts for God
[56:50] - Working While It Is Day
[58:06] - Maintaining Your Place in Christ

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Proverbs 20:4
- Proverbs 26:13
- Luke 14:15-24

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#### Observation Questions
1. According to Proverbs 20:4, what excuse does the lazy man use to avoid work, and what is the consequence of this excuse?
2. In the parable from Luke 14:15-24, what were the three excuses given by the invited guests for not attending the great supper? [23:06]
3. How does the master of the house react to the excuses given by the invited guests in Luke 14:21? [27:22]
4. What does Proverbs 26:13 suggest about the nature of excuses and how they can be exaggerated? [16:42]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How do the excuses given in the parable of the great supper reflect common excuses we might use today to avoid spiritual commitments? [25:36]
2. What does the reaction of the master in Luke 14:21 tell us about God's perspective on excuses and missed opportunities? [27:22]
3. How can the exaggeration of problems, as mentioned in Proverbs 26:13, affect our faith and decision-making? [18:05]
4. In what ways does prioritizing God's kingdom, as discussed in the sermon, challenge our personal comfort zones? [31:01]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you used an excuse to avoid a spiritual commitment. What was the excuse, and how might you handle it differently in the future? [32:08]
2. Consider the areas in your life where you might be exaggerating problems. How can you shift your perspective to align more closely with God's view? [18:05]
3. Identify a specific area where you have been prioritizing personal comfort over God's kingdom. What steps can you take this week to realign your priorities? [31:01]
4. Think about a time when you missed an opportunity to serve or participate in God's work due to an excuse. How can you prepare yourself to respond differently next time? [47:45]
5. How can you encourage others in your community to overcome excuses and engage more fully in spiritual activities? What role can you play in supporting them? [40:52]
6. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your decisions reflect a commitment to God's kingdom rather than personal convenience? [28:44]
7. Reflect on the concept of being a "vessel of honor" in God's kingdom. What specific actions can you take to increase your usefulness and value in God's eyes? [54:50]

Devotional

Day 1: Excuses as Barriers to Divine Favor
Excuses often serve as barriers that prevent us from receiving the blessings God has in store for us. They can stem from laziness or misplaced priorities, leading us to delay or even forfeit the spiritual growth and opportunities that God offers. By prioritizing God's kingdom over our comfort zones, we align ourselves with His will and open ourselves to His blessings. The parable in Luke 14:15-24 illustrates how excuses can lead to missed opportunities and even anger the Lord. We must be vigilant in recognizing and overcoming excuses to ensure we do not miss out on God's favor. [14:42]

"Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys. The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe." (Proverbs 18:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where excuses have held you back. What steps can you take today to overcome these excuses and align yourself with God's will?


Day 2: The Peril of Magnifying Challenges
Just as the Israelites exaggerated the challenges in the Promised Land, we too can fall into the trap of magnifying our problems, leading to fear and inaction. This tendency can prevent us from moving forward in faith and receiving God's promises. It is crucial to remember that God is with us, and His perspective is what truly matters. Trusting in His guidance can help us overcome exaggerated fears and take bold steps in faith. By focusing on God's power rather than our limitations, we can navigate challenges with confidence. [18:05]

"And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, 'Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.'" (Numbers 13:30, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a challenge you are currently facing. How can you shift your perspective to see it through God's eyes rather than your own fears?


Day 3: The Consequences of Excuses
The parable in Luke 14 shows that excuses can lead to missed opportunities and even anger the Lord. When we allow excuses to dictate our actions, we risk losing out on the blessings and opportunities God has prepared for us. It is essential to evaluate our excuses in light of God's kingdom and strive to be kingdom-minded in our decisions. By doing so, we can ensure that we are living in alignment with God's will and not missing out on His divine plans for our lives. [27:22]

"Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." (Romans 12:11, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a recent opportunity you missed due to excuses. How can you prepare yourself to respond differently in the future?


Day 4: Prioritizing God's Kingdom
Our decisions should reflect our commitment to God, and we must plan our lives around His kingdom rather than our comfort zones. Excuses can lead to a loss of value in God's eyes, and we must strive to be vessels of honor, useful in His kingdom. By prioritizing God's kingdom, we demonstrate our dedication to His purposes and open ourselves to His guidance and blessings. This requires intentionality and a willingness to put God's desires above our own preferences. [31:01]

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical way you can prioritize God's kingdom in your daily routine this week?


Day 5: The Importance of Being Ready
As Christians, we must always be ready to respond to God's call. Like the guests who accepted the last-minute invitation to the supper, we should be prepared to act when God calls, without hesitation or excuses. This readiness requires a heart that is attuned to God's voice and a willingness to step out in faith. By cultivating a posture of readiness, we position ourselves to be used by God in powerful ways and to experience the fullness of His plans for our lives. [47:45]

"Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him." (Luke 12:35-36, ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a heart of readiness to respond to God's call in your life today?

Quotes



"The lazy man will not plow. He will not plow because of winter. So, they will use winter as an excuse not to do what is needful. They will hide behind the excuse and the justification of winter not to do things. But of course, such a person, a lazy person. So, when we are hiding behind, you know, certain happenings or certain seasons, in order not... in order to excuse ourselves from doing what is needful, the Bible says we are lazy." [00:15:35] (39 seconds)


"With one consent began to make excuse. They did what? They began to make excuses. So it's as if they all said after this food we are not going to eat. It's as if they conspired. And sometimes that's how the enemy works. He will come up with things to give you excuse so that you cannot be part of something that will bless you. That's how the devil works. So they make excuses." [00:21:48] (40 seconds)


"Sometimes even though some excuses may make sense. Isn't it something that will anger our lord because others may approve of you but you may be incurring the anger of god. I may be came to carry the anger of god. So we need to evaluate our excuses it may sound very logical very you know sad but the truth is Are we looking at things in the light of the kingdom?" [00:27:22] (39 seconds)


"Many a times, our decisions are self-centered ones, are selfish ones. I've got to be this. I am this. I am that. I am this. I am that. And because it sounds good to us and it keeps us in our comfort zone, we stay there. But it has consequences. Such excuses have consequences. And one of the consequences, would be that the master may be angry." [00:28:18] (32 seconds)


"People claim to be busy. But sometimes, when what they love comes around, they will make time for it. When what they love comes around, no matter how busy they are, they will make time for that one. If you're a busy person, you will make time for it. Because it will be in your mind and they will consider it in your planning. And find ways and means of calling in sick at work so that they can be part of it." [00:32:25] (25 seconds)


"Not every excuse is accepted by the whole. Praise God. Not every excuse is accepted by many accepted but God might not have accepted. Not every excuse is approved of god and when that happens it goes to affect us who become losers at the end of the day god this people lost the opportunity to die with a master now verse 24." [00:33:10] (32 seconds)


"Let us not hide behind excuses excuse hunting means that we are always finding a reason and when we come to find out so the common reason that sometimes we do we will give many do not attend church services faithfully because you know they they put themselves in the spirit to give excuses they will not know what is important to them because they give themselves excuses." [00:36:58] (30 seconds)


"Some prayers have been delayed because the action to back it for the answer to be released is not. We are not backing for that action. We are comfortably hiding behind excuses. So I am tired because I am late. You know there are times I sleep late but I still have to make sure that I wake up early. The same way if you are wet and you know that if you don't go you are going to get fired." [00:41:14] (29 seconds)


"May he not be angry with me. PRAY STALLOW band If you want to become a winner you must always be ready to go the Bible say that what as a Christian you must always be ready because the master is coming like a thief in the night so it's not all the time that you're going to have the luxury of enough time before you make a decision sometimes you have to make instant decision just like those who were invited on that same day when those devotees rejected they came on the spot when they come to kingdom at death God can demand of you and he's expecting you to show up there and then Abraham was told sacrifice your son Isaac for me Abraham did not know that was coming he just woke up and said let me take Isaac because the Lord has requested me." [00:46:50] (53 seconds)


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Transcript
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