Excuses. We have all had our fair share of them, but sometimes we forget that excuses are different than reasons.

What are some of the silliest excuses you have heard?
What is the difference between an excuse and a reason?

In Luke 14, Jesus teaches us a lesson about humility, excuses, and grace.

There was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen. 3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law, “Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?” 4 When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away. 5 Then he turned to them and said, “Which of you doesn’t work on the Sabbath? If your son or your cow falls into a pit, don’t you rush to get him out?” —Luke 14:2-5 (NLT)

Why would the Pharisees be willing to save their son or cow, but not let this man be healed on the Sabbath?

“When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? 9 The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! 10 “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. —Luke 14:8-10 (NLT)

Why do you think people are so entitled?
How might entitlement go hand in hand with the excuses we give?

Our excuses not only separate us from other people, they also separate us from God.

Jesus replied with this story: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. 17 When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’ 18 But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’ 19 Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 Another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ —Luke 14:16-20 (NLT)

Excuse 1 - Possessions
How do people let their possessions keep them from following God?

Excuse 2 - Work
How do people let their work keep them from following God?

Excuse 3 - Family
How do people let their family keep them from following God?

Jesus isn’t just talking about people making excuses for not attending worship services. He is talking about the banquet in heaven that people will be missing because their lives are full of excuses.

What excuses have you been giving to God lately because you don’t want to respond to His call?