Whenever…well what about now?
The scriptures make the danger of delay clear. We may discover we have run out of time. God who gives us each day as a treasure will require an accounting. – Henry B. Eyring
by Pastor George Lehman
Delay is the enemy of progress. You can’t keep putting off what you already know is the right thing to do!
There’s a website called “Mother of all excuses”.
It was set up so people could share excuses they used or for anyone to use them as required.
Excuses for missing work, school, appointments, family functions and yes, missing church.
Some excuses listed for not coming to church:
Well, I could not come to church last Sunday because there was a sermon on You Tube.
I had to miss church because the kids wanted to sleep in.
I couldn’t go to church today because I had a flat on the car and didn’t think we could all fit in the truck.
Mysterious sounding, “I just had this feeling I shouldn’t be there.
I’ve worked all week so I’m too tired to go.
The preacher moves around so much.
There are not people my age so I’m not going.
They don’t meet my needs.
There are too many hypocrites in church.
There are too many sinners in church.
I’m too young – I’ll go when I’m too old to have any more fun.
It’s boring.
I’m not good enough.
I’m still a sinner.
I’ll go to church after I stop smoking / drinking / cussing.
I still go to the bars on Saturday night.
I like to party.
We read about a man Jesus goes to him, we don’t know much about him except the excuse he gave for not following Jesus.
Jesus obviously saw him follow the crowds. He was certainly a FAN of Jesus.
Luke 9:59-62 (NIV) – 59 He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” 62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
The same words were spoken by Jesus to Matthew and the other disciples.
A 2-word invitation that has been offered to you and me – “Follow Me”.
The man was willing. Most people are willing, but here comes the excuse…
Note verse 59 in the Amplified – And He said to another, “Become My disciple, side with My party, and accompany Me! But he replied, Lord, permit me first to go and bury (await the death of) my father.”
Note: His father is still alive and well. He was actually saying, “Whenever my parents die, I will follow you”. Jesus was saying; well what about now?
Maybe he was afraid of what they may say.
Maybe he would get a great inheritance to make it easy to follow Jesus.
Like so many people, it’s not that you’re unwilling, it’s just not good timing for you right now!
There are so many fans (enthusiastic admirers) who feel okay about a half-hearted relationship with Jesus.
Because one day they have every intention to be completely committed!
God’s not looking for fans He wants followers.
That’s why they don’t feel convicted about not following Jesus as they should because in their minds, they know one day they possibly will.
They justify a lukewarm faith because they’re not saying “NO” to Jesus – they’re waiting till later.
Please note Jesus’ response to this man’s excuse:
Jesus did not say, “I understand”, go pray about it, you’ll know when the time is right”.
He did not say, “I don’t want to put pressure on you. Take your time and think it over”.
He didn’t say, “Whenever you’re ready, I’ll be waiting for you”.
What did Jesus say? “Let the dead bury their own dead”.
Luke 9:62 – No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the Kingdom of God.
This gives some indication of how Jesus feels about our excuses and delays to follow Him.
Note: The contrast in the response of the first disciples that Jesus called to follow Him.
Matthew 4:18-22 (NIV) – 18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Note verse 22 says, “and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him”.
That is the commitment Jesus is looking for in His followers.
On the invitation Jesus gives us to follow Him is an RSVP date and it reads “TODAY”. Not Whenever… what about now!
Hebrews 3:15 says, “today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts”.
2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (NIV) – As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says, “In the time of my favour I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation.
Stretch your life. Not whenever. Say TODAY.
Time is now:
Don’t tell yourself, ‘tomorrow I’m going to surrender that secret sin’.
Don’t tell yourself, ‘tomorrow I’m going to share my faith with others’.
Don’t tell yourself, ‘tomorrow I’m going to be more committed – I’ll pray more and read my bible more’.
Today is the day to make a life changing commitment to follow Jesus.
Matthew 16:25 (NIV) – For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
Luke 14:15-27 (NIV) – 15When one of those at the table with him heart this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” 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.’ 19Another 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.’ 21”The servant came back and reported this to his master. ‘Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ 22” ‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ 23”Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. 24I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’ “ 25Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26”If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters – yes, even his own life – he can not be my disciple. 27And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
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