Thursday, August 28, 2008

Sermon Excuses 1 Peter 4:10 5-15-05

Read Scripture: each one of us should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 1peter 4:10

I am sure at the pearly gates there will be many good reasons given to God as to why we led predominantly self centered lives:

Lord, I didn’t recognize you in the poor and needy

I am just one person, I didn’t think that I could make a difference

give me a break Lord, I am doing what I can

Church always made me feel guilty, so I did nothing, or I did what was convenient

Lord, They wouldn’t let me be in charge, and I didn’t want to do it their way, so I did nothing

Lord, My wife or husband doesn’t want me to be too involved in Christianity

God, you are so demanding. Don’t you know that I am busy?

Lord I would have reached out but I was waiting for a better time in my life

I didn’t know that it was my responsibility to care about others…I didn’t know that you were serious about this.

I have already done a lot, it is someone else’s turn

I have so many problems, you should help me, rather than asking things of me.

I have always been afraid of you, so I hid my talent in the ground

If I would have won the lottery, I would have done more for you
[if you live in America, you have won the lottery]

Lord, there is so much that I want to do, I am too selfish to follow you right now

Often when I pray, you don’t give me what I want, so why should I follow you?

I was going the flow of traffic, I was just doing what everyone else was doing

Lord, I am too young, too old, too inexperienced, too nervous

Lord, I have a right to be rich….haven’t you blessed me with all of this stuff?

I don’t have an excuse. I don’t need one, and I don’t owe you any explanation, I’m in charge of my life

Lord, I sat thru those presentations in church…they never did anything for me.

Does any of this common human thinking absolve us from listening to God’s call and following?

Jesus took his disciples up the mountain and gathered them around. He taught them saying:Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are the meek.Blessed are they that mourn.Blessed are the merciful.Blessed are they who thirst for justice.Blessed are you when persecuted. Blessed are you when you suffer.Be glad and rejoice for your reward is great in heaven.Then Simon Peter said, "Are we supposed to write this down?"And Andrew asked, "Are we supposed to know this?"And James asked, "Will we have a test on this?"And Phillip said, "I don't have any paper."And Bartholomew asked, "Do we have to turn this in?"And John said, "The other disciples didn't have to learn this."And Matthew asked, "Can I go to the boys' room?"And Judas asked, "What does this have to do with real life?"Then one of the Pharisees who was present asked to see Jesus' lesson plan , outline and objectives. Jesus wept. And 1 peter 4 still says that each one of us should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
Can one person make a difference ..only if they choose to

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