Is Your Worship Worthless?

Has it ever occurred to you that God probably hates your public worship? Does this sound too strong to you? Well, truth be told, this language is probably not strong enough. Take a look at Isaiah 1:10-15 (NASB):

Hear the word of the LORD, You rulers of Sodom; Give ear to the instruction of our God, You people of Gomorrah.   "What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?" Says the LORD. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle; And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats.  "When you come to appear before Me, Who requires of you this trampling of My courts?  "Bring your worthless offerings no longer, Incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and Sabbath, the calling of assemblies-- I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly.   "I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them.  "So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.

​Did you see that? God called the children of Israel Sodom. Yes, the same Sodom that He rained down fire from heaven. Why does God call the children of Israel Sodom? Because their public worship did not match their private worship. They were hypocritical. The answer is found in Isaiah 1:16-18:

"Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil,  Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow.  "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.

​To neglect your private worship is to neglect your public worship.