· BUT AS SOON I DECIDE TO BE DIFFERENT, SATAN GIVES ME EXCUSES TO STAY THE SAME.

Luke 14:16-18…"A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' 18"But they all alike began to make excuses.”

BE STRONGER THAN OUR EXCUSES

Good intentions—Me Centered

God intentions—God Centered

GOD DOES NOT INVOLVE HIMSELF IN ANYTHING THAT HE DOES NOT IMPROVE!

· WHAT DOES GOD WANT TO BE DIFFERENT ABOUT YOUR LIFE?

· WHY DOES GOD WANT THIS PART OF YOUR LIFE TO BE DIFFERENT?

I WILL DO WHAT I CAN DO

I WILL TRUST GOD TO DO WHAT I CANNOT DO.

DELAYED OBEDIENCE IS DISOBEDIENCE.

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness..." For when I am weak, then I am strong.

HEBREWS 4:14-16

4-16Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.

WHEN YOU KNOW WHAT GOD WANTS AND WHAT YOUR WHY IS BEHIND YOUR GOALS, YOU WON’T MAKE EXCUSES

MOSES EXCUSES

1. I don’t have the ability

2. I don’t know what to say

3. I don’t have any authority or a position

4. I’m not a good speaker

Exodus 4:10-12 Moses said to the Lord, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." 11The Lord said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."

5. Please use someone else

EXCUSES ARE THE NAILS USED TO BUILD A HOUSE OF FAILURE.

EXCUSES WILL MAKE YOU MISS MOMENTS THAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO EXPERIENCE

EXCUSES FOR CHURCH

- I OVERSLEPT

- FOOTBALL IS ON – (no the cowboys lost)

- I LOST TRACK OF TIME

- ITS MY ONE DAY TO SLEEP IN

- I CONNECT WITH GOD BETTER ON MY OWN TIME – GOLF COURSE

- MY KIDS TRAVELING SPORTS TEAM ONLY PLAYS ON SUNDAY

o IF YOU TREAT CHURCH AS OPTIONAL, DON’T BE SURPRISED WHEN YOUR CHILDREN VIEW GOD AS UNNECESSARY

- I'LL JUST WATCH ONLINE LATER

- I DON’T FEEL LIKE GOING TODAY

- I'M DOING GOOD, I DON’T NEED CHURCH THIS WEEK

HEBREWS 12:12-17 MESSAGE

12-13So don’t sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it!

14-17Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you’ll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God’s generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God’s lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God’s blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears.

PROVERBS 24:11 msg

“Rescue the perishing; don't hesitate to step in and help. If you say, "Hey, that's none of my business," will that get you off the hook? Someone is watching you closely, you know— Someone not impressed with weak excuses.”

EXCUSES ABOUT PRAYER

- I DON’T PRAY BECAUSE HE DIDN’T ANSWER MY LAST PRAYER

- I’M TOO BUSY TO PRAY

- GOD WILL PROBABLY LISTEN TO SOMEONE MORE SPIRITUAL THAN ME

• STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR POWER SOURCE.

John 15:5, 7-8 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing...7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.