Worship – Pt 5

WHAT HINDERS OUR WORSHIP

Worship that honours God flows from a life that is open and in tune with Him, but there are times when we allow all kinds of things to obstruct and hinder that. Some people seem to think that worship happens the moment the minister announces the first hymn or song on a Sunday morning. An honest appraisal of what constitutes real worship places the responsibility firmly on us as individuals – not on a style of worship or a particular leader.

We therefore must be prepared to examine our hearts before a Holy God and identify those things which would hinder or prevent us bringing a praise offering to the Lord.

Such questions as “Is my attitude wrong?” “What am I expecting God to do this morning?” And “What am I prepared to give to Him today?” All demand honest answers if we are to be clean and open channels for worship to flow.

The following are hindrances to our worship:

The problem of rejection.
Condemnation
Super-spirituality
Selfishness
Familiarity
Fear
Boredom
No personal relationship with God (Romans 8:2)
Stale relationship with God

REFERRENCES

Lockyer, Herbert, Sr., Bruce, F.F. and Harrison, R.K. (1986). Illustrated Dictionary of the Bible. Thomas Nelson Publishers Inc., Nashville, Tennessee.

Oxford Student’s Dictionary (2002). Oxford University Press.

Pope, Dave (1991). Giving the Best in Worship: A Heart Response to the Love of God. CWR, Waverley Abbey House, England.

The Amplified Bible (1987). Zondervan Publishing House, U.S.A.

The First Scofield Study Bible, King James Version (1986). Barbour and Company, Inc.

Tozer, A.W. (1979). Worship: The Missing Jewel of the Evangelical Church. Christian Publications Inc., Pennsylvania.