Praise and Gratitude* All praise, honor, and glory given to God. * Acknowledging dependence on God for everything. + Example: “Without God, I couldn’t do nothing.”

Dealing with Worldly Cares* Not worrying about the cares of the world. + Example: “I ain’t worried about the cares of this world… I ain’t going to take it with me and you ain’t going to take it with you.”

Message Focus: Commitment to God* The message focuses on committing to God without excuses. * The devil tries to create excuses to avoid church and reading the Bible.

Story of Mike: A Committed Church Member* Mike, a church member, passed away last Wednesday. * He suffered from chronic pain in his feet, legs, and back. + Initially came to church hunched over. + Played the guitar and loved talking about the Lord. * His condition worsened, making it impossible to stand. + Needed help with cleaning and bathing. * Despite the pain, Mike never complained. + He would say, “Oh, God,” but never complained. * Even in severe pain, he talked about the Lord and praised God. + His complexion changed, and he would say, “Praise God.” * He expressed a desire to attend church despite his condition. + Asked for prayers to get well enough to go to church. * Visited him the day before he died; he was unresponsive. + Showed a slight flinch when prayed for, indicating awareness. * Mike’s commitment was inspiring. + He would come to church in a wheelchair, praising God.

Personal Reflection on Commitment* Tired of making excuses. * Acknowledges working long hours and feeling tired. * Preachers need to stay up, study, visit, and preach. + Doing it out of love and without begrudging it.

Value of Faith* Faith is the most valuable thing, besides family. + Wife, grandkids, and sons. * The world means nothing compared to God. + Not caring about worldly threats. - Example: “I don’t care if they send a bomb over here tonight. I know where I’m going.”

Personal Improvement* Acknowledges having room for personal improvement. * The message hit hard and prompted self-reflection.

Luke 14:16-24: The Parable of the Great Supper* A man gave a great supper and invited many. * Those invited made excuses for not coming. + Bought a piece of ground and needed to see it. + Bought five yoke of oxen and needed to prove them. + Married a wife and therefore could not come. * The master, angry, instructed his servant to bring in the poor, maimed, halt, and blind. + These were the outcasts. * There was still room, so the servant was told to compel others to come in. * Those who were initially invited will not taste the supper. * The scripture is interpreted as an offer of salvation being rejected due to excuses.

Excuses and Neglecting Salvation* People make excuses for not coming to church. + Example: “Good weather sets the lines in your face and they’ll come up with every excuse in the world.” * Need to quit making excuses and just do. * Falling asleep while reading the Bible is an excuse. * The devil stirs up excuses. + Telling you, “it’s alright,” but it is not. * Wanting to be committed to God, not the world.

Trusting in God’s Provision* Not worrying about losing a job. + God will provide. * God will supply needs. * Worrying about tomorrow is pointless. + Tomorrow may not come.

Examples of Excuses in the Bible* Moses made excuses, saying he couldn’t talk plainly. + God provided Aaron to help him. * People worry about worldly things instead of Jesus’ return.

Personal Salvation Experience* Knowing what happened the night of salvation. * Conviction by the Holy Spirit. * Had excuses for four years before going to church. * Didn’t understand the preaching initially because the heart wasn’t convicted. * When convicted, got scared, and it became real. * Excuses stopped. * Believes that neglecting the final chance would have been a mistake. * People neglect salvation by pushing it aside.

Attitude of Christians* Some Christians look miserable and sad. + They have the greatest thing, salvation, but are unhappy. * Need to be committed to God. * Stop foolishness and separate from the world. * God doesn’t care about worldly possessions. * He cares if the blood has been applied and if one has a contrite spirit. * God is ready to save those with a contrite spirit.

Personal Transformation* Transformed from disliking people and self to loving God. * Raised by a hard mother, but she got it right before she died. + Committed to getting right with God. * Took 38 years to commit to God due to liking worldly things. * These men in the scripture came up with excuses for not getting salvation. * God was offering a spiritual meal to save their souls. * Jesus died for the soul, which will live in heaven or hell.

Sharing Faith* A man at work asked about coming to church. * The man was a “ghostbuster” and didn’t believe in a God who allows children to get hurt. * Explained the curse on the world and free will. * Evil targets the vulnerable, like baby animals. * Some sick children will be healed, and those who aren’t will be in glory. * All could be in glory if they opened their hearts. * People don’t want to commit because they think they have to quit certain things. * Didn’t quit anything, just changed the way of doing things. * Gained a new church family.

Family and Commitment* Always longed for a family. * Son got saved and committed to God in November. * Granddaughter committed to God two weeks before him. * Another granddaughter wants to get baptized but isn’t ready yet. + She is afraid of dying and going to hell. * God knows her heart and will call her when it’s time. * Grown people are not committed to God. * If not committed, one will die and go to hell.

Personal Struggles and Commitment* Tired of the devil coming at me. * Struggles with road rage. * Sees people distracted while driving and worries. * Acknowledges having issues. * The devil never bothered me until I got saved. * The calling to preach made it worse. * Need to get more committed and remove excuses. * Ask God what to do instead of telling Him what He has done. * God is looking for good men and women to harvest the fields. * When committed, God will put you where He wants you. * Ask the Lord how to start and He will show you. * Made the decision to get committed to God when saved. * Failed, come short, slacked, and slung.

Overcoming Weakness* Tiredness prevents reading the Bible. * Keeps scripture in mind all day. * Ponders on it and gets back into the Word. * Excuses of being tired and weak. * This is going to stop. * Made up mind to live for the Lord and improve commitment. * Pointing at self, not others. * Everyone can do a little better. * Not worried about the world or its pain. * When told to go home from work, doesn’t argue. * Has something else to do. * Agrees with Valerie about the chaos in the world. * Praying for the “ghostbuster” at work to open his heart to God. * Was stubborn for four years, turning God away. * Convicted one last time and believes turning away then would have been final. * Told God she wouldn’t turn away again if allowed to come back. * Tired of excuses and the devil’s interference. * These men neglected salvation due to excuses. * This is serious; there is healing and evil. * Until committed, one will be miserable. * Those who were bidden but didn’t come will not taste the supper. * They neglected salvation. * People neglect salvation every day in church. * God knows when one does wrong. * Repents when failing and coming short of God’s glory. * If hard-hearted, one would forget about it due to lack of commitment. * Wrongdoing bothers until repentance. * Not trying to get others to come, but doing what God says. * Going to get on the altar and make sure things are right with God. * Room for improvement and wants to improve for God, not for show. * Willing to stand for God, even if the world is burning down. * Needs God’s help and will ask for it.