Build an Altar ….Genesis 8:20 God has really been speaking to me about altars. All through the Bible altars were built to commemorate places where God’s presence was, where God poured out his mercy and blessings, where commitments were made, where God’s protection and deliverance was experienced!! Now, I realize that an altar was a place of the Old Testament sacrificial system that Jesus’s death did away with, but I think the altar “as a place of prayer” should never be done away with! Let’s look at places altar used
And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar ( Genesis 8:20 ). PRAY
1) The first thing Noah did when he came from the Ark after the flood, was to build an altar. Nowhere, before the flood, do I find where an altar was built. Cain and Abel offered offerings, but no mention is made of an altar being built. Noah was the first, recorded, altar builder.
Noah made a new beginning after the flood. He was starting a new page in his life and he was determined to make the altar and his relationship with God an important part of that life.
2)Abraham was another man who built altars before the Lord. Throughout his travels, he built many altars and dug wells. It was after the altar experience on Mt. Mariah, that God chose him to be a great man and the father of many nations.
3)An altar was so important to God, that He required it in the Tabernacle of the wilderness. The Brazen Altar was in front of the entrance to the Tabernacle and the first business conducted was at the Brazen Altar...and failure to do so resulted in death.
4) Soloman and Elijah built altars and smoke and fire came down
5) When Jesus Christ became the sacrifice on the cross, it was a fulfillment of the Brazen Altar. His cross became His altar.
6) An altar was so important to God that He put one in Heaven. Revelation 8:3There is a Golden Altar before the throne of God The prayers of the saints, mixed with incense will be offered up to God on the Golden Altar.
7) An altar is also ( or should be) an important part of our Christian life. God has placed a great emphasis on the altar. It is a place where sacrifices are offered- and vows are made… a place where God meets man and accepts the sacrifice… It is a place where the mercy of God comes down
And an altar is a place for saints and sinners.
But, some people wait until there is destruction before “building an altar” before God. After disaster strikes, many run to the house of God at an altar of prayer. …9/11… It would please God more, to pray at an altar before disaster strikes. God desires a sacrifice of love, rather than a sacrifice of fear.
The altar should be the first business on our entrance into the church. We should be on our knees praying instead of sitting on our seats and talking. A sure way to bring the fire and glory of God in our services is to conduct our business at the altar.
The altar should be more than a decorative piece of furniture. It should be more than a place to sit beautiful flowers. It should be a place of knee bending and crying out to God.
Some churches have completely removed the altars from their sanctuary. What a shame! What a disgrace! Have we become so self-righteous and high minded, that we no longer need an altar? Shame on us! Shame on the church! Never remove the altar from your life, never!
I think this is the major problem in our churches of today. This is why we have no power. This is why our services are flat. This is why sinners do not come to Christ. We have removed or neglected the sacred altar of God.
Noah made an altar……Abraham made an altar.
Solomon made an altar……Moses made an altar.
Jesus had an altar…The first church had an altar.
Heaven has an altar.
But there is one place that has no altars—Hell has no altars. The devil doesn’t believe in it. And He doesn’t want you to use one!!
You say, Brother James, there are people praying in Hell?? Yes, there are many praying in Hell, but Hell has no altars. (MATT:16) They are beyond the reach of God, and His mercy.
People in Hell are screaming, crying, praying, gnashing their teeth, but Hell has no altars. They are praying for just one more chance, one more opportunity to serve God, one more chance to kneel at an old time altar and ask God for forgiveness.
People in Hell would pay a million dollars to be sitting where you are sitting now. They would love to hear just one more sermon. Hell would be empty if they had an opportunity to pray at these altars now.
When I come to church, I want to kneel at an altar of prayer. I may not have another chance again. Give me an altar where I can pray.
Give me an altar where I can weep.
Give me an altar where I can rejoice.
Give me an altar where I can feel God’s Spirit.
Give me an altar where I can get things right with God!
I want us to always have an altar in this church----one we use
2 days after I gave my heart to the Lord I built an altar in woods…occasionally, I return to that altar for a special time of prayer—when I really need to hear from God
I encourage you to “build yourself an altar” to God- A quiet place to meet with God….
What if God is just waiting on you to take that need to an altar before answering?
Don’t wait to pray for mercy and forgiveness. Don’t wait to pray for your spouse, your children / grandchildren, your preacher. Don’t Wait….Because, you may never get another chance.
Remember this sermon as long as you live; Hell has no altars. Here is your altar today. Will you pray? Will you repent? Don’t let this opportunity slip by; come and pray today.
