Excuses, Excuses

“Excuses Excuses”

Luke 14:15-35

1) The Excuse of Citizenship v. 18

The Land (Promised Land, thought they

were right with God because of their

Citizenship; some people think that

because they are U.S. citizens they will be

saved, Americans always win)

2) The Excuse of Ceremony v. 19

The Works (Oxen, represents works)

3) The Excuse of Companionship v. 20

The Wife (Decendants of Abraham,

thought family ties would make them right

with God; my father was a deacon)

Every Christian can avoid making “Excuses” by adhering to the Considerations of

Luke 14:25-35.

1) We should Consider our Foundation v. 28-30

1A) It is a Solid Foundation

Proverbs 10:25 As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous

is an everlasting foundation.

1B) It is a Sure Foundation

Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a

foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that

believeth shall not make haste. (worry)

1C) It is a Sobering Foundation

1 Corinthians 3:10-16 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a

wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let

every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay

than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation

gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made

manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire

shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath

built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall

suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the

temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

2) We should Consider our Foe v. 31-32

2A) Ours is a Defeated Foe

Isaiah 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how

art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

2B) Ours is a Devilish Foe

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,

walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

2C) Ours is a Damned Foe

Revelation 20:1-3 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the

bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old

serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him

into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should

deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that

he must be loosed a little season.

Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and

brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and

night for ever and ever.

3) We should Consider our Fortitude v. 34-35

Fortitude = Strength of mind that allows one to endure pain or adversity with

courage.

3A) The Fortitude of a Soldier

2 Timothy 2:3-4 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please

him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud

of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Ill. Jehu, Gideon,Elijah

3B) The Fortitude of The Savior

Isaiah 50:5-8 The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither

turned away back. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked

off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. For the Lord GOD will help

me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I

know that I shall not be ashamed. He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with

me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.

Hebrews 12:2-3 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the

joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at

the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction

of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.