Praise & Worship
By Tim Govender
17th November 2017
LESSON THREE
Recap from lesson 2:
Benefit of Praise-God will rescue you – God rescued Paul & Silas from prison while they were praying.
Benefit of Praise-God will give you the desire of your heart – They wanted to take down their enemy (Jericho) and God gave it to them when they obeyed His instructions which required them to end with a LOUD SHOUT OF PRAISE!
God’s Eternal Purpose for Praise – Lucifer was created to praise & worship in heaven. When he went against God he was cast down from heaven (Lucifer left a void) and then mankind was created to worship & praise God (God filled the void by creating man).
Lesson 3
Hindrances to Praise & Worship
Excuses often given: I’m just not outgoing, I’m too shy, I’m quiet natured. However, praise is a command from God and there are no valid excuses! Psalms 150v6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Hindrances to Praise & Worship, that must be dealt with:
Sin – Sin breaks our fellowship and communion with God. Sin inhibits us in the presence of God. Psalms 66v18 If I cherished sin in my heart, the Lord will not have listened.
Isaiah 59v2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.
Solution - The answer is to confess your sins, and to accept His forgiveness. 1John1v9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Unforgiveness – is one of the biggest forms of sin in a man’s heart AND he/ she will never admit to it. The confirmation that you forgave somebody is that you never pick on what that person did again. It might be impossible to delete a memory of what someone did to you but we must strive to be like Jesus (Hebrews 8vs12 God does not remember our wickedness) in other words NOT HOLDING THEIR SIN AGAINST THEM, forget the past and forgive their sins.
How do we know that you havn’t really forgiven someone, yet you say you have? You keep talking about that person and their wrong doing. By your continuous talking about that person, it arouses a greater felling of dislike toward them in you. So now you are gossiping about them, slandering their name, indirectly destroying their character. Now, look at how unforgiveness makes you a gossiper and therefore, a sinner. Matt 18 vs 21 The Peter came to Jesus and asked, Lord, how many times should I forgive my brother when he sins against me?” 22 Jesus answered and said, “I tell you, not seven times but seventy times seven times.”
Forgiving others is not optional for Christians. It is a Kingdom principal upon which the violation of negates salvation because if we do not forgive others, our sins are not forgiven. Unforgiveness will take you straight to hell!
Matt 6 vs 12 “And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.”
Matt 6 vs 14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Worldliness – Having our minds and thoughts centred on the things of the world. Desiring all the pleasures of the world instead of spending time worshipping God.
Solution – Stop loving the things of the world. That is only temporary. Love God more! 1John2v15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Rebellion – Rebellion towards God, parents or the authority that God has set in the Church is a major hindrance to praise. 1Samuel 15v22,23 But Samuel replies, “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifice as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination (witchcraft), and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has rejected you as King.”
Solution –Submit to authority and repent of your rebellion. Heb13v17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Anger – It is impossible to come to God in praise and worship if we are holding anger in our hearts. While trying to worship or praise God you will be continuously thinking about what you are angry about. James1v19,20 My dear brothers, take note of this, everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
Solution – Forgive those who have wronged you and refuse to allow the anger to stay in your heart. Ephesians 4v31,32 Get rid of your bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ forgave you.
Worry – Worry is an expression of doubt and unbelief. It is impossible to enter into praise and worship if our thoughts are full of worry. John 14v27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Solution –Philippians 4v6,7 Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Other Hindrances to Praise & Worship that one must work on in their lives:
Depression, Pride, Satanic Oppression, Ignorance To every obstacle of Praise and Worship to God, There IS a Solution, FIND IT AND USE IT. IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOREVER!