Gtting Rid Of Excuses And Establishing Priorities

GETTING RID OF EXCUSES AND ESTABLISHING PRIORITIES

MAT. 16;24-26 “24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” “24 Entonces Jesús dijo a sus discípulos: Si alguno quiere venir en pos de mí, niéguese a sí mismo

I. EXCUSES THAT ARE A DIRECT NO TO THE INVITATION

1. The Parable of the Great Supper

1) Luke 14:16-24 “16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ 19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ 21 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ 22 “ ‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ 23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. 24 I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’ ”

2. 1st Excuse – vs 18

1) His possessions were more important

(1) 18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’”

3. 2nd Excuse – vs 19

1) His work was first in his life

(1) 19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’

4. 3rd Excuse – vs 20

1) His family was more important than God

(1) 20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’

II. EXCUSES THAT ARE DONE WITH AN INDIRECT AGENDA

1. If you give me something in return I will serve you

1) Luke 9:57 “ 57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

(1) It sounds sincered

(a) Luke 9:58 “58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

2. When we put other things ahead of the Lord

1) Luke 9:59 “59 He said to another man, “Follow me.” But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

(1) This will take a lifetime

(a) Luke 9:60 “60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

3. When one still has his sight on the things of the past

1) Luke 9:61 “61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.”

2) When you have made a decision, nothing will hold you back, you will be loyal

(1) Luke 9:62 “62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

III. PRIORITIES THAT ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

1. Be decisive in following Him

2. Set aside your desires

3. Be willing to suffer for Him

4. Lost to Gain

5. Understand that are goals are not material but spiritual

CONCLUSION: