Excuses

Illustration: “Better Things to Do”

Illustration:  60 most ridiculous work related excuses

If you don’t want to do something – ANY EXCUSE IS!

“One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”  26 Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”

27 The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”  28 “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!”

29 The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30 Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.

31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32 A Temple assistant[b] walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.

33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins,[c] telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’

36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.  37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”

Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

The story of the Good Samaritan is a story about and excuses.

Three characters are faced with the same situation…each has the ability to.

THE.

“Whoever touches a human corpse will be unclean for seven days. They must purify themselves with the water on the third day and on the seventh day; then they will be clean. But if they do not purify themselves on the third and seventh days, they will not be clean.” (Numbers 19:11 – 12)

THE.

His wasn’t equal to the man’s need.

Making excuses not to obey is a form of.

THE.  He took the only acceptable action.

What’s the difference between a and an.

The actual difference has to do with our.

1. what you can.

Recognize that providence has put you in this situation.

Illustration:  A woman at a traffic accident.

Illustration:  Star fish on a beach.

2. Don’t let your become idols.

Whatever your plans are, recognize that God is over your plans.

Write this down: God has to change my plans.

“Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”(James 4:13–15)

may be redirections!

“The steps of a man are established by the LORD, and He delights in his way.” (Psalm 37:23)

3. the needs of your neighbor.

Helping the needy always means a in priorities.

4. Do whatever God in the name of Jesus.

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17) 

Our words and deeds are to be done in the name of Jesus for the glory of God the Father and with an attitude of thankfulness to God.

We are serving in the of Jesus, in the way that Jesus would serve if he were physically here.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as for the Lord, not for human masters.” (Colossians 3:23).

We are putting his on our actions.

5. Religious duty cannot be an acceptable excuse for the needs of our neighbor.

Their became the enemy of His.

Jesus didn’t stop at commendation!

 He said:  GO and DO likewise!