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Romans 1:18-23
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. I have learned there is a “boat load” of excuses but very few reasons a person who calls themselves a Christian wouldn’t want – even anticipate – worship on Sunday morning. However, it is possible that a Christian is truly struggling in their attitude toward worship, not just on Sunday morning, but every day of the week. I want to share with you a few hindrances or barriers that could be working against you to keep you from having a proper heart and attitude toward this high in holy privilege called worship! Let’s start with:
- WRONG RITUALS. Read 1 Sam. 15:22; Isaiah 1:13; Ezek. 33:31; and 2 Tim. 3:5. teaches, Today we might say the common theme among these verses is – going to church to go through the motions; or going to church for the sake of being seen at church. One writer says, everywhere in the OT sacrifice is a part of obedience to God; but nowhere in the OT does God ever intend for sacrifice to be a substitute for obedience. Another way we might say that same thing today is: nowhere in all of Scripture does God ever intend for “going to church” to be a substitute for true worship. What causes a person to substitute ritual for worship? One answer might be:
- WRONG REASONING! 2 Tim. 3:1-9. The NIV uses the word “mark;” and the ESV uses the word “understand;” the NASB uses the word “realize.” Paul actually used the Greek word “gnoske” which means “to know with certainty.” Today we might say, “this is the truth,” or we might say, “know this for certain.” And what is it Paul wants Timothy to know for certain? It’s the rest of v. 1. In the last days there will be terrible times. If you’re using the ESV and you don’t think it’s a sin to write in your Bible, put in your margin by the word difficulty – perilous or terrible. The word difficulty just does not convey the full meaning and impact of perilous or terrible state of affairs. A great number of the people described in those 6 verses go to churches of all kinds – from the most fundamental and conservative to the most liberal! But the one thing they all have in common is they go for the wrong reasons. They go to be seen and to go through those wrong rituals. The only person those people have worshiped is themselves thinking what good Christians they are because they went to church. Another hindrance to worship is:
- WRONG RELATIONSHIPS! 29:13. One hindrance to true worship is a wrong relationship to God! Read Isa. 29:13 and Matt. 15 and Mk. 7 where Jesus is quoting this passage. The obvious point that both Isaiah and the Lord are making is that a superficial, shallow, or purely physical knowledge of the Lord is not a relationship to/with Him. People who “know the lingo” or we might say, “talk a good fight” do not – in fact cannot – worship the Lord in spirit and in truth! The reason is they don’t have a relationship with God as one of His redeemed children. Read Mt. 5:23, 24. Sometimes our worship is hindered by wrong relationships to others. Nowhere does Scripture teach we are to isolate ourselves from the ungodly and unsaved because they are ungodly and unsaved! Scripture does, however, teach throughout that true men and women of God are supposed to, and will, separate themselves from the ungodly talk and activities and lifestyle of those who are ungodly and unsaved. We are to be separated from all ungodliness and sinful behavior, but we are not to ignore the people themselves.
If we can help you answer your spiritual questions, call us at (574) 643-9419.
