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Sermon on Excuses | Ten Lies We Tell Ourselves

Sermon on Excuses — Sermon outline by G. E. Watkins bringing to mind 10 excuses or lies we tell to keep from doing right.,

Introduction:

1. Do you have any idea why you have a problem with a particular sin in your life?

1) We say, “It’s hard to deal with sin!”

2) Perhaps we should stop and examine why it’s hard.

2. If an enemy wants to stop your progress he will often spread lies about you to do it.

1) To poison public opinion.

2) To cause you to doubt yourself.

3. Our enemy uses the same tactic to stop your progress.

4. He is so clever that often he gets YOU to tell the lies to yourself. It’s easy because he knows what you want to hear.

5. We must recognize the lies for what they are in order to make progress once again. We must stop telling them.James 4:7

6. This hour we are going to examine ten lies we tell ourselves. Once we recognize them for what they are we can “resist the devil” and “he will flee from (us).”

Discussion: [ discussion of this sermon on excuses ]

I.   LIE #1 “I DON’T HAVE TIME.”

1. It’s a matter of priority. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Matthew 6:33.

2. Do the Lord’s work FIRST. That’s what you do with a priority.

3. Matthew 16:26. What does it profit if you get all the laundry done and lose your soul. Lawn mowed. Car washed. TV watched. Get that promotion. Finish that education.

II.  LIE #2 “I HAVE PLENTY OF TIME.”

1. Is it laziness? Proverbs 6:6, 9; 10:26.

2. Do you realize that life is fleeting? 1 Peter 1:24; James 4:14; 1 John 2:17

3. Matter of priority. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Matthew 6:33

III. LIE #3 “NO ONE WILL SEE ME”

1. Numbers 32:23; 2 Samuel 12:7; Acts 5

2. No one will see me…

1) On the Internet.

2) Take a drink.

3) When I think that evil thought.

IV.  LIE #4 “GOD UNDERSTANDS THAT’S THE WAY I AM” “HE MADE ME THAT WAY”

1. Ezekiel 28:15; James 1:17. God made you perfect.

2. We choose to sin.

3. God commands that we repent. Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3

4. Take, for example:

1) Bad temper.

2) Foul language.

V.   LIE #5 “I CAN ASK FOR FORGIVENESS LATER”

1. This is a sham. A misuse of God’s grace. Rebellion.

2. Will your repentance be from the heart?Romans 6:17

3. Are you sure you’ll be able to repent later?

4. Might die suddenly.

VI.  LIE #6 “IT’S OK IF MY INTENTIONS ARE GOOD”

1. Ask Uzzah. 2 Samuel 6: cf. 1 Chr. 15:13

2. Remember Uzzah:

1) When you tell a little lie to “surprise” someone.

2) When you steal to feed your family.

3) When you lie to get elected.

4) When it’s for a “good cause.”

VII. LIE #7 “SURE GOD IS PLEASED WITH IT.”

1. Feels right. 1 Samuel 15:10-23

2. Majority approves. (Scholars, Christians.) Exodus 23:2; 1 Kings 18:17ff; Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 4:6; 2 John 9-11

3. Inst. Music, children’s church, one-man pastor system.

VIII.LIE #8 “I’M TOO YOUNG”

1. Not too young to be an example. 1 Tim. 4:12.

2. Titus 2:6-8

3. Not too young to overcome. 1 John 2:13.

IX.  LIE #9 “I’M TOO OLD” “I’VE DONE MY PART”

1. Old age is prime time in Christian life.

2. Who is to teach younger women? Tit. 2:3-4

3. Who is to lead the congregation? Notice the place of the elders in Acts 15:22.

4. Why elders? Experience, training, knowledge, proven faithfulness.

5. “Too old?” Finally old enough!!!

X.   LIE #10 “THERE’S NO WAY HE’LL EVER CONVERT.” Romans 1:16; 1 Samuel 14:6; Luke 1:37; Acts 9:1, 20; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.

CONCLUSION: [ conclusion of this sermon on excuses ]