We have looked at a number of aspects concerning true worship over the last few weeks. This morning we want to consider walls that block our worship. What is it that will hinder our worship before God?
I. Self-will. cf Leviticus 10:1-2
A. Nadab and Abihu knew what God expected in worship, but they chose to do things their own way and the result was devastating.
B. Although there are many ways in which we worship the Lord, we cannot violate God's principles and expect that to be acceptable worship.
C. We talked about the importance that our worship be in spirit and in truth...worship that does not line up with God's Word is improper!
II. Worldliness. cf 2 Timothy 4:10
A. We are in the world, but we are not of the world.
B. Someone has used the illustration of the boat that is in the water; the problems begin when the water gets in the boat.
C. Worldly does not always mean things that are outward, it also has to do with our inward attitudes.
III. A Critical Spirit. cf Hebrews 12:15
A. The danger of a critical spirit is that is will always affect others.
B. It is much like a cancer that grows and grows, often undetected until major damage has been done. ex. Tim's man problem 14yrs
C. Paul warns the believers in Galatians 5:15 concerning attacking one another in the flesh.
IV. Impatience. cf Ps. 46:10
A. We get in such a hurry with so many things in our lives today.
B. If we aren't careful, we will get caught up in this even when it comes to worship.
C. The principle is this: Waiting on God (serving Him) often involves waiting for God (being patient).
D. Too often we want to rush in almost with the attitude of "Here I am Lord, let's get this over with because I've got things to do!"
E. Impatience with the Lord will hinder our true worship of Him.
V. Formalism. cf 2Timothy 3:5
A. Paul warned Timothy that one of the characteristics of the last days would be those having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.
B. Now God is certainly a God of order, and I believe that our worship services should be orderly.
C. But there is a danger of us becoming so formal that we hinder the working of the Holy Spirit in our worship services.
D. Too often our worship becomes a production of man rather than a means whereby we come before God to honor Him and worship Him.
There are many other attitudes and practices that will build walls that will hinder our true worship of the Lord. We must break through these and other barriers that prevent us from approaching God with honesty and humility.