Scripture Reading: Ecclesiastes 5:4-7

Excuses, Excuses

Intro.

1. Little children learn to make excuses for their conduct.

-One reason to correct their excuse-making is to help them learn to be honest and to take responsibility (Prov. 22:15).

2. Like children, we make excuses to God, Eccl. 5:4-6.

3. Bible is full of people who made excuses:

a. Aaron, Exo. 32:21-24.

b. King Saul, 1 Sam. 15:19-21.

c. Guests invited to a great feast, Lk. 14:17-20.

d. One talent man, Matt. 25:25.

4. Without excuse when Christ and truth are rejected, Jno. 15:22; Rom. 1:18-20.

I. EXCUSES USED FOR NOT MEETING OUR PERSONAL DUTY TO OBEY GOD. (Excuses will not be accepted on Judgment Day.)

A. “I Didn’t Know,” Acts 17:30-31.

1. The Jews could say this, Acts 3:17.

2. Saul could say this, 1 Tim. 1:12-13.

3. The ignorant (unknowing) must repent, Acts 17:30, 22-23.

B. “I Didn’t Have Time,” Eph. 5:16 (Lk. 14:18-20).

1. I have time for a lot of other things I wanted to do.

2. But not if it took some time, effort, and energy.

3. Don’t expect me to volunteer to do anything.

C. “I Did Some Good Things,” Matt. 7:21-23.

1. Most people have done some good things, cf. Mk. 10:17-22.

2. Good people are lost, Acts 10:1-2 (11:14).

3. Careful, lest we think we are something when we are not, Gal. 6:3.

D. “I Was Better Than Others,” Gal. 6:4; Lk. 18:9 (2 Cor. 10:12; Matt. 7:3).

1. “In fact, better than most!” 2 Cor. 10:13

-(“I attended services a lot more than a lot of people; And I gave more; And I sang louder; And I prayed longer; And I knew more Scriptures, and…and…”)

2. “What about this man?” Jno. 21:20-21

-Do our own work (for which we are responsible and accountable), 2 Cor. 10:18.

Conclusion

1. Pride and selfishness tempt us to make excuses for not doing our duty to God.

2. Failing to do our duty (good) is sin. It does not exempt from God’s righteous punishment, Jas. 4:17 (Rom. 2:5-6).

3. We know God’s will. Let us obey it instead of making excuses to ourselves, to others, to the Lord Jesus, and to our heavenly Father.

By: Joe R. Price

Posted September 30, 2020