STOP THE SERMON

Acts 24: 25-27

Passage Acts 24:24-25:

    ²⁴Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁵As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you."

1. Making excuses. How many excuses do we make in a day to God, saying not now God, I have something else to do right now?  Luke 14: 16-20

Passage Luke 14:16-20:

    ¹⁶Jesus replied: "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. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.'

    ¹⁹"Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.'

    ²⁰"Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.'

2. Depending on human goodness: We go about comparing ourselves to others and of course we pick out the ones that we think are in need of help so that we make our own self look good. But we should be comparing ourselves to Jesus. Of course we will never be like Jesus here on earth but one day in heaven we will have a glorified body and Jesus has made a way for everyone to be in heaven.

3. Depending upon sincerity: Here again hoping that our human strength will measure up to God’s standard. We want to do the right thing, but in our own strength we always fail. Go to God first with all things and seek His direction.

4. By our love of sin: Engaging in practices that are not in line with God’s principles.

      Passage John 3:19:
¹⁹This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.

5. By our procrastination: This is the chief method the devil uses to condemn our souls. The enemy of our hearts is not primarily interested in making us bad people, if he can just get us to say “tomorrow”. No God I will make the decision to accept you as Lord and Savior tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow and then we die never accepting Jesus. What a tragedy!

Jesus loves us very much and He has prepared a place for us in heaven. By accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior you may receive that free gift of heaven.