Text: Matt.19:14; Lk.11:52

Intro. Is it possible that some visitors have come here and were hindered from hearing the truth? It seems worthy of our attention to examine ways that we may have prevented someone from either coming back, obeying the gospel, or from pursuing the truth. It is a fearful matter, because God will hold us accountable if we hinder someone else.

Ways In Which We Can Hinder Someone:

A. Most people know enough about the Bible to know that God wants heart, sincerity, devoted involvement.

B. When a visitor sits beside you or close to you, they will notice the slouchy posture, the bored look, the lack of participation.

C. The signal you give may be "Visitor, I don’t want to be here. I don’t want to worship God. It is a waste of your time too. You should not come back".

D. Visitors will pick up the signals closest to them. When a visitor comes, you are representing God’s cause, His truth, His greatness to that person.

E. The song selection can be great, the prayer fervent and sincere, the sermon forceful and plain, but "half-hearted participation" can ruin all those things for the visitor. How many people have you hindered? It is a fearful thought.

A. If someone knows your lifestyle in the world, of your fornication, drunkenness, drug involvement, or someone knows of your bad credit, or know how you bounce bad checks, and then sees you attending church here without repentance, they will wonder what kind of church this is.

B. Hypocrites have hindered the church.

C. Being unscripturally divorced and then spending time with another man or woman can hinder the church’s purity and sense of well-being, stability, and influence. Matt.19:6-9; 1 Cor.5

A. I have heard visitors say that they could not concentrate on the prayer and the lesson because of the noise-level of the small children.

B. I realize the struggle of having to be up and down with a small baby. I have learned to tune out to a point. There are times when I cannot identify what is distracting my flow of thought. But remember, the moment is serious for all concerned. There is a cry room for noisy babies and small children. Take them out as quickly as possible, but DON’T make it a treat for the toddler. He will soon learn that he can have more fun back there, and he will manipulate you every week. Teach them a "quiet time" at home and that church is also a quiet time. It will not take long for them to catch on.

C. Remember, you want to save yourself, your baby, AND as many visitors and non-Christians as possible as are in the audience. Don’t allow your child to be a constant distraction in this most holy and eternally important occasion. There is a way to train a child to sit quietly.

A. There are times when you just have to go to the rest-room or water fountain. However, there are times when it becomes clear that it is a habit. Children should be told and counseled that the time for such is before class, between class and assembly, and afterwards.

B. Toys should be for babies only, and then only the quiet kind.

C. Note-passing should wait till after services. It is time to open the book, find passages, take notes on the lesson. Can you not do it for an hour?

D. Whispering should not happen if it can wait till after services.

E. One person brought a visitor for the first time and then did nothing but play with a baby in front of them during the sermon. What a lost opportunity! What a foolish use of the hour. What a hindrance to the salvation of a soul!

1. When you bring a visitor, show them how important the occasion is by sitting in a choice location where minimum distractions will occur.

2. Sing with hearty involvement, pray with reverence, and open the Bible and show them the passages referred to. Point them out as you follow closely to the lesson.

3. Take notes of the lesson. After the lesson, ask them if they understood what was said. Offer to study further with them.

4, Visitors must know through your example that this is an important occasion, and God’s word is held in high esteem here.

A. Being cliquish or clannish is often a turn-off for someone just wanting a friend.

B. This partiality is condemned (Jas.2). Look at all people as having valuable souls, and "greet one another" (not just the same few).

C. The cross is our common ground, and nothing else should be more important.

A. Treat the occasion as a time for a contribution toward the greatest cause one earth.

B. Treat it as an opportunity to encourage the salvation of this many souls.

C. Believe that each person NEEDS to hear God’s word. Do your part to make that possible for all in attendance.

D. Dress and conduct yourself respectfully, so that all will capture the respect you have for God’s house, His word, and His great salvation.

E. Do not do anything that might hinder someone from such a great salvation. 1 Cor.9:12

Conclusion: God will hold each accountable for the souls we hinder. However, those who allow themselves to be hindered will also pay the full consequences. God will not accept your excuse if you neglect so great salvation. What hinders you from being baptized? Will that be a valid hindrance before God? Are there really any valid hindrances between you and GOD? - Terry W. Benton