Excuses: Do You Eat Soup With An Axe?

Speaker: Toby Soechting

Scripture: Matthew 28:11-15

INTRODUCTION:

1. He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else! - Benjamin Franklin
2. When a man does not intend to do something, one excuse is as good as another! - Mark Twain
3. The chief priests and elders are proof that if we are not careful, our excuses will become nothing less than lies!

DISCUSSION:

I. ADAM & EVE (Gen. 3:8-13)

1. First they hid themselves, and then made excuses.
2. The excuses had no profitable impact upon God.

II. MOSES (Ex. 4:1-13)

1. Moses' excuses were not accepted by God.
2. So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses. (Ex. 4:14)

III. AARON (Ex. 32:19-24)

1. Aaron assisted the people in fashioning an idol.
2. When Moses rebuked Aaron, Aaron offered excuses.

IV. THE ONE TALENT MAN (Mt. 25:14-30)

1. He failed to use what he was given.
2. "But his lord answered and said to him, 'You lazy and wicked servant . . .'" (Mt.25:26)

V. THE "WOULD BUT" FOLLOWERS (Lk. 9:57-62)

1. The request was a simple one, "Follow Me."
2. The excuses were numerous, but ineffectual.

CONCLUSION:

It has been said, "A lousy craftsman will often file fault with his tools, but seldom himself." Let us take care that we do not deceive ourselves. Let us be careful to give God the devotion and service He is due.

Excuses: Do you eat soup with an axe?