"Stop Making Excuses" Luke 14:16-24

How many of us will not follow Jesus because of a person?

Surrender our selfishness


Pastor Hamilton gave a great example about little girl named Jesse whose mom gave her $5 to put in church but she chose to give her money to the ice cream man. Jesse even went as far as to suggest that once she spent her money on the ice cream, the ice cream man could give the money to the church.
• What is your opinion when it comes to being selfish?
• What is it going to take for you to surrender to the will of God?
• As you turn the key to open your new home, new car, or that new apartment you had been praying for, have you forgotten how you got those nice things?
Self will say you don’t need help anymore. Self will say that it’s not your fault. Self will say, “It is that man’s fault or it’s that woman’s fault.” Are you ready to surrender your pride; surrender your finances; or surrender your time? We do not want to wait until God gets angry with us because He alone is the one who allowed us to have that house; have that brand new pair of shoes; and that extra freezer in the garage full of meat.
We must die daily as Paul says in 1 Cor. 15:31 we are not to get too high or think that we are “all that” and lose sight of God. Our maker; our creator.


Saying no to the work won’t stop the work


God’s work or His agenda will go on with or without us. God would use other people on purpose to show us that because you don’t want to do the work doesn’t mean it won’t get done. For example, King Saul did not fully obey the word of the Lord from Samuel and the Lord removed him and replaced him with David 1 Sam. 15:22-26. God is calling us to do a good work for His Glory.
Once again Pastor Hamilton used Verizon quote, “Can you hear me now” Can you hear God calling you and will you answer?


Stay ready to party
• Are you ready for the Lord to use you?
• Are you ready for the Lord to receive you?
• Do you need to go get your purse, your nice pair of shoes, your nice hat?
Rev 19 talks about the coming of Christ. We are to always be ready for the coming of the Lord. Rev. 19: 1 After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God; and Rev. 19:7-9 talks about “the marriage supper of the lamb.” Christians should live with the hope of being with the Lord and dining at His table that He has prepared for u