TOPIC: Keys to a viable altar
TEXT: Psalm 118:5, 10-13; Matthew 24:49
INTRODUCTION: A person who is in a strait tight corner and who is encompassed by enemies incensed with anger and ready to swallow him, needs nothing more than a working altar. We discussed last week how we could repair the altar and today we will be looking at the responsibilities. An altar that has the hand of God in it is always assured of victory and with sounds of joy. The hand of God in it cause mighty things to be done. What men think is impossible becomes possible and the rejected becomes one that cannot be overlooked. For this to happen, the repaired altar must have a sacrifice acceptable to the supervising spirit of the altar. In case of new testament believers, there are two things that are required; faith without which no one can see God. It is necessary to perceive what solution is coming and when. Secondly, seeking God diligently, specifically, tarrying before the Lord. It is only then He can show you great and mighty things that you know not, which assures of total deliverance.
1.Faith in God: The first thing in having a viable altar is that you must believe in the spirit you want to commune with. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb.11:6). Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. As he stood before God in prayer, he was able to negotiate with God concerning Sodom and Gomorrah. God could not hide what He wanted to do from him (Gen. 18: 17,22,33). His intimate relationship with God caused him to negotiate. Moses had faith and was close ; John had faith in Christ and got the revelation. How intimate are you with God? Intimacy comes by coming first to God in faith and standing before Him. The Temple which originated from the altar, is a place of prayer as Jesus made us to know. There has to be a human attendant. God want you to stand so that God can do things for you based on your commitment. Faithfulness is important. The currency of negotiation is the shekel of the temple and it represents the spiritual value of the human attendant and his commitment. In the beginning, God used to come to man, but now Jesus has given us the opportunity. Our redemption gives us the ability to come to God. He who comes must believe He is the only help. As a result, he must make a vow to God by which his value is measured and to show how serious he is. The vow may be prayer watches, giving, fasting. The psalmist had an altar and had faith, that is why he could cry to God. God answered because the altar was working. A vow that the altar will not be abandoned (Nu.30:1-2). The value of the vow determines the interest of heaven (Lev.27). We see a vow made by a man 1Sa.1:2, 21 Elkanah had a spiritual year to offer sacrifice. The commitment was a yearly sacrifice to begin the year making a vow to move the hand of God. You decide what to give to God. Prayer watches, If you want to advance your altar, you have to vow and don’t go back on it. Forces of darkness bind their souls to the works of satan. How come Christians cannot bind their souls. What is your vow to God this year because of what you are expecting. It take faith to vow.
- Tarrying before God: Once you commit, you have applied to have encounter with God. Acts 1:1-11; Matt 28:16. Jesus meet people by appointment ever since He resurrected. There is a time for appointment, date, and a place Luke 24:45. Since all altars must have human attendants that are avowed . God take you seriously. Average believer is freestyle not seriously taken by God. If serious with your vow, application is taken seriously and there will be consideration of an encounter by heaven. Israel missed the opportunity of its appointed time. Everyone had covering on their faces by virtue of the curse of darkness because they did not want to see the face of Moses glowing with the glory of God. Jesus had to deliver His disciples by opening the scriptures to them. In Luke 24:49, Jesus revealed only the venue but not time and date which has to be met only by tarrying. Be careful of circumstances that will not make you fulfill your vow during the year. Do not allow satan to bend or manipulate you into breaking your commitment. It is the encounter that would bring answers and rewards from God. The flame should never be allowed to go out. Priesthood at the altar is a lifetime thing. There are lessons you will learn by encounter. When the altar is working, creation responds to you. Hamans wife told him that as long as Mordecai is a Jew, he would never prevail (Esther 6:13). Is.26:18; Rev.12:8 The woe can be removed by a man that stand and speak for satan to bow. You need the Spirit of God. Satan is more experienced and disturbs man from fulfilling God’s mandate . Is 25;5,5,6,7.