NO EXCUSE

1 Introduction

· Ever heard a “lame excuse”? For job not done, for job poorly done?

· How did you respond? Great effort to prepare meal and hear lame excuse!

· Proverbs 26:13 The slothful man says “There is a lion in the way!”

· Makes excuses for work not done – real problem = just lazy!

· How does God respond to our excuses?

· Luke 14:16-24 The parable of the great supper

· Parable = Story to illustrate a principle or teaching.

· Parables are both (a) prophetic and (b) practical.

· This parable was told when Jesus was invited to feast with Pharisees.

2 Prophetic Application

a) Key Theme: The Great Supper

Revelation 19:6-9 Marriage supper of the Lamb
The great high point in God’s purposes – marriage feast Christ and people.
Multitudes present at great celebration.
Those present:

i) Responded to invitation – received Christ

ii) Made themselves ready – qualified by lifestyle, qualified by works

b) 1^st Invitation (vs16)

· “Certain man made a great supper and bade many”.

· Certain man is God the Father.

· The servant who made the invitation = John the Baptist.

· “Repent – the kingdom of God is at hand” (Luke 3).

· Invitation to enter/experience the blessings of the kingdom of God.

· Kingdom = realm of rule of king.

· Invitation went out to Israel to enter relationship with Jesus Christ.

c) 2^nd Invitation (vs17)

“He sent his servant at supper time” (vs17).
Sent to those already invited = Israel.
Servant = Jesus Christ – sent at supper time.
Opportunity given to experience outpouring of blessing.
Nation made excuse!

d) 3^rd Invitation (vs21)

“Master of house being angry – said to servants go out quickly”.
Sent not to those invited by different group – poor, maimed.
Sent to people hungry for God – into streets of city.
Servant = Peter; apostles – New Testament church ministry.
“Yet there is room” – God’s desire is for multitudes of nations.

e) 4^th Invitation (vs23)

“Go out into the highways … my house filled.”
This is a picture of end time harvest of souls.
Command: “Go out” = last instructions Jesus to church.
Make disciples Þ whole hearted commitment to Christ.
People who have received Christ and walk in His will for their life.
People who have embraced the King and His kingdom.

3 Practical Application

(a) “Stop making excuses”

Excuse (3868 Strongs) = to declare, avoid, reject, ask away.

i) Excuse

· Attempt to free oneself from responsibility (duty).

· Attempt to free oneself from guilt/blame (failure).

ii) Excuse

· Reason for avoiding the will of God for your life.

iii) Excuse

· My substitute for God’s best in my life.

iv) Excuse

· Reveals priorities – what is really important to me!

v) Excuse

· Reveals my will – what I really choose to do.

(b) Excuses don’t count with God

(i) Piece of ground = farm, material possession

(ii) 5 yoke oxen = business, employment

(iii) Married wife = personal relationships

· The master of the house was angry.

· Angry (3710 Strongs) = to provoke, become exasperated, to provoke to take a different course of action.

· Because invitation was treated as unimportant the master changed his plans by setting them aside and inviting others.

· Compare Numbers 14:34 Israel set aside because of unbelief.

Jesus is a King not an “add on benefactor”.
He calls us to respond and obey His will, extend His kingdom.

i) Every believer called to serve the king

· Ephesians 2:10

ii) Every believer called to be equipped to serve

· Ephesians 4:11

iii) Every believer is called to be ambassador or reconciliation

· 2 Corinthians 5:20

· Ambassador – minister of sovereign state sent on mission to another country.

iv) Every believer is called to be fishers of men

· Matthew 4:19

Þ What excuses are you making for not extending the Kingdom of God?

· Exodus 3:14 God would not listen to Moses’ excuses – won’t listen to yours.

· God linked him to work with brother but no change in purpose.