Does Your Altar Need Repair? The Altar Does Your Altar Need Repair?

The Altar Does Your Altar Need Repair? 1 Kings 18:30 Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come near to me." So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down. Genesis 13:3-4 He came to Bethel… to the place of the altar which he had made there at first. And there Abram called on the name of the Lord .

Throughout the Bible… Genesis 8:20 Noah build an altar Genesis 12:7 Abram built an altar Genesis 26:25 Isaac built an altar Genesis 35:7 Jacob built an altar Exodus 17:15 Moses built an altar Joshua 8:30 Joshua built an altar Judges 6:24 Gideon built an altar 1 Sam. 7:15 Samuel built an altar 1 Sam. 14:35 Saul built an altar 2 Sam. 24:25 David built an altar 1 Kings 9:25 Solomon built an altar

The Purpose of the Altar It is a place of mercy, where we find forgiveness of our sins. It is a place of struggle, where we fight our battles. It is a place of release, where we leave behind the burdens we have been carrying. It is a place of brokenness, where hearts and lives are changed. It is a place of thanksgiving, where we thank God for all He has done for us and how He has brought us through.

The Purpose of the Altar It is a place of remembrance, where we return to remind ourselves of God’s faithfulness to us in the past and provide renewed strength to face tomorrow’s battles. It is a place of surrender, where we abandon ourselves into God’s care. In the Old Testament, the altar is a place, and object. In the New Testament, the altar is a position, an attitude, a relationship.

What Shape Is Your Altar In? 1 Kings 18:20-40

Interesting Question 21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people answered him not a word. Choose God or Choose Baal. Choose Heaven or Choose Hell. Choose Life or Choose Death.

The people had a bad case of “Altar Falter” 30 Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come near to me." So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down. Something is wrong when you no longer sacrifice at the altar. Something is terribly wrong when you no longer worship at the altar.

What Causes “Altar Falter?” 30 Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come near to me." So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down. Something had happened over the years in the lives of the Children of Israel. Gradually, the stones of the altar begin to fall down, one by one, and no one seem to ever find the right time to do anything about it. I don’t know when you cross over that line, but one day you will wake up and discover that your altar is completely broken down.

What Causes “Altar Falter?” A dependence of self. A dependence on others. A dependence on religion. A dependence that someone else will pray. A dependence on America. A dependence on Job. These can all become Idols!

What has happened to your altar of Mercy Struggle Release Brokenness Thanksgiving Remembrance Surrender

The Need for Change in the Altar? Genesis 32:24-29 24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. 26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaks. And he said, I will not let you go, except thou bless me. 27 So He said to him, "What is your name?“ He said, "Jacob." 28 And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel;* for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed."

Will you Return to the Place of the Altar? Genesis 13:3-4 He came to Bethel… to the place of the altar which he had made there at first. And there Abram called on the name of the Lord . Abraham returned to the beginning. He returned to the place of the altar. There he called upon the name of the Lord!

A Call to the Altar Revelation 3:20-21 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

Apply & Mobilize Take time to evaluate and reestablish the power of the daily altar in your individual life.