Month: March 2025

From our previous 3 lessons on Building and Maintaining Personal Altar,  we have established what an altar stands for both in the old testament as well as in the new covenant.

The emphasis is on the individual learning how to consistently build and maintain what is being built.

The lesson aim today is to understand what altar stands for in our lives and learning how to lay all on the Altar for God

What the personal Altar stands for in your life:

Having established that the altar is beyond physical  erection or concreted platform of worship, your heart is the real centre of where altar can be raised to God. When your heart becomes your altar, its easy for God to alter so many things in your life

1. Your altar is a place to meet your God in genuine and reverential worship- Psalm 96:6; 16:11

2. Your altar represents your own time of communion with God to receive from him the specific instructions for your life- Psalm 73:17; James 1:5

3. Altar represents the place of destiny encounter with your God- Acts 9:3-6; Exodus 3:5

4. Your altar is an avenue of positive and progressive transformation as you yield to God- II Cor.3:18; Prov.4:18.

What You are to bring to your Altar:

As children of God, we are called to live a life of surrenderness and obedience to our Shepherd, Jesus Christ. In Romans 12:1-2, the apostle Paul urges us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. This passage serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of laying all on the altar, surrendering every aspect of our lives to God.

1. Bring your life in whole: What God demand is your totality.

Your entire life must be laid on the altar for God. Be it your body, soul and spirit, none is no longer your own.

God can demand for them anytime. Matthew 22:37; Psalm 51:17

Laying Your Body on the Altar: every sheep must offer their own body as living sacrifice for God to use for His glory (Rom 6:13, 19; 1 Cor 6:13, 19, 20)

– Romans 12:1: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”

– 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Romans 6:13- And do not present your body’s members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God, as those who are alive from the dead, and your members to God as instruments of righteousness.

God has brought believers “from death to life” (John 5:24). Now they must not turn again to their old master, sin, and offer their hands and feet and eyes and ears and mouth to it.

Neither sin nor themselves are to be their master, but God only. If believers fail here they will find sin ready to pounce on them and master them again.

 Laying Your Soul on the Altar:- this is to yield your being,  your real self is your soul & mind- Matt.22:37

2. Worship God in beauty of His Holiness-Psalm 95:6

Worship is like a worthy ship to lead you into enjoyment of presence of God.

Worship open the gate and conditions your heart to meet God.

Avoid distractions in genuine worship.

In worshipping God, let go of every other things clouding your heart.

Only those in the Spirit,  can really worship God- John 4:24

3. Tangible and Acceptable offerings- Deuteronomy 16:16-17; II Cor.9:7-

No sacrifice on the altar will be complete without an offering.

God desires that no one come to Him empty-handed- 

You need to offer your life, heart,  your tithes,  return with gratitude, the blessings of God-

Deuteronomy 16:16-17. Three times in a year all your males must appear before the LORD your God in the place which he chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and in the Feast of Weeks, and in the Feast of Tabernacles. And they must not appear before the LORD empty-handed.  Each man must give as he is able, in accordance with the blessing of the LORD your God which he gives you. Deuteronomy 16:16-17

While the specific feasts and offerings are within the context of the Old Testament covenant, the principle of not coming to God empty-handed can be interpreted in a broader sense today.

It suggests that we should approach God with a heart of gratitude and a desire to give back to Him, whether through our time, talents, or resources

Offer your service to God your maker-

A life that is not offer to God is a waste and not tangible to God.

Only when you lay everything and allow God to lay hold of you that you can be blessed of Him

Shepherd-Sheep Relationship Established- Psalm 95:6-7a:

As sheep, understanding the mindset of the Shepherd per time is very paramount in our walk with Him on daily basis.

He created man for His glory (Psalm 8:4-6; Isaiah 43:7) to worship Him (Psalm 95:6) in the beauty of His holiness (Psalm 96:9; I Chron.16:29) and to serve Him (Psalm 100:2; Joshua 24:15).

As the Shepherd leads you, He dishes out to you instruction, guidance and leadership for you to comply with, to make the relationship with Him a sweet one- Psalm 23:1-3

“Whistling” as being used in our study today connotes God’s means of reaching out to His children wherever they are. This is to gain their attention to understand what to be done.

Today we shall look at the modality of God’s communication to the sheep and the implications for living as children of God.

Shepherd speaks to the sheep always-Psalm 95:7 Job 33:14-18:

The body language of God and His expression must be well understood by every sheep. (John 10:27;) who wants to maintain a relationship with Him.

He communicates with the sheep moment by moment to enhance mutual discussion in your walk with Him.

Let’s gain some insight for our understanding:

1. God is always communicating:  He would not stop to do except the sheep shut his or her ears- Heb.1:1-2; Psalm 19:1-4; John 10:27; Rev.3:20

2. Means of reaching out to His children differ time to time:  God is a creative and relational Being who desires to connect with His children in various ways. He is not limited to a single method or approach, but instead, uses a diverse range of means to reach out to us, His beloved children-Job 33:14-16; Psalm 119:105;.         

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for being a creative and relational God who desires to connect with me in various ways. Help me to be open to Your different means of communication, and give me the wisdom to discern Your voice and guidance in my life. Amen.

3. The intention of His communication must be understood and well digested- Gen.3:8-10:

Understanding and digesting God’s communication is crucial for deepening our relationship with Him and living a life that honors Him. By seeking clarity, considering the context, listening to the Holy Spirit, and reflecting on Scripture, we can gain a deeper understanding of God’s intention behind His communication.

Reflection Questions:

How do you currently seek to understand and digest God’s communication in your life?

What are some ways you can improve your ability to hear and respond to God’s voice?

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help me to not only hear Your voice but also to understand and digest the intention behind Your communication.

Give me the wisdom to seek clarity, consider the context, and listen to the Holy Spirit. May Your words be life and health to me, transforming my life and empowering me to live for Your glory in Jesus’ name. Amen.

4. What to do with God’s instructions is more paramount than the communication itself: John 14:15; James 1:22; I Sam.15:22. Receiving God’s instructions is just the beginning; what we do with them is what truly matters. Obedience to God’s instructions is more paramount than the communication itself, as it demonstrates our love, trust, and surrender to Him.

The promptness, mindset ( II Cor. 3:14-15 ; Isaiah 44: 18) and final response are key to maintaining healthy relationships with the Father.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help me to not only hear Your instructions but also to obey them.

Give me the strength and courage to surrender to Your will, even when it’s difficult or challenging.

May my obedience be a demonstration of my love and trust in You, and may I experience the blessings and benefits that come from following Your instructions in Jesus’ name.

5. The individual responsibilities is to decode the message of God for understanding and action: Rev.3:6; Isaiah 6:9; Psalm 95:8; Psalm 62:11:

As individuals, we have a vital responsibility to decode the message of God for understanding and action. This involves actively seeking to comprehend God’s communication, whether through Scripture, prayer, or other means.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help me to decode Your message, seeking understanding and wisdom.

Give me the desire to study Your Word, listen to Your Holy Spirit, and reflect on the circumstances of my life.

May I not only understand Your message but also take action, obeying Your instructions and applying biblical principles in my daily life in Jesus’ name

Introduction:
Today,  we enter the 3rd series on understanding Shepherd-Sheep Interface as children of God.
We are gaining deeper understanding in God as He calls us to raise for Him personal altar.
We have understood the antecedents of altar and its importance from Old Testament as well as the new trend in New Testament
Today, we shall be gaining fresh knowledge on what altar stands for in the life of a child of God and as a platform of accessing and receiving from the most High God.

A.   God first, God supreme – Exodus 20:1, 24a, Romans 12 :1a
• The 1st understanding you must gain as a child of God is to know and acknowledge that all altar must be directed to God
• You shall make an altar of earth for me….
• that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God
• These verses emphasize that all altars must be built for God alone, not for any other purpose or false deity. -Exodus 20:3-5
• Any alternative that is not directed to God, is a waste of time, focus and tantamount to idolatry and self-gratification.
• From the Old Testament to the New, God demands exclusive worship. Every altar must be directed to Him alone. Any other altar, whether to idols, demons, or even self-worship, is unacceptable.- Leviticus 17:7; Malachi 1:11 Romans 12:1; John 4::24;
• As children of God, our worship, sacrifices, and devotion should be directed only to Him. An altar represents a place of surrender, prayer, and connection with God, and it must be dedicated solely to His glory.

B.     Building a Spiritual Altar Today:
• Building a spiritual altar today is not about erecting a physical structure but about establishing a place of divine communion, worship, and sacrifice in our lives. Let’s explore the key aspects of this namely:
• The Requirements, Richness, Requisites, and Rhetorics

1.     Requirements and Requisites for Building a Spiritual Altar:
Certain spiritual conditions must be met for any child who want to build an altar that truly honour God:

A.     A Consecrated and Dedicated Heart (Romans 12:1)
• God requires purity and holiness from those who approach Him.
• A consecrated heart is set apart for God, do away with sin.
• Dedicate a Specific Time and Place for meeting with God daily (Mark 1:35).
• David prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Psalm 51:10); Psalm 24:4-5; Matt.5:8
• The Right Motive (Matthew 6:6-7), not self- glorification

B.     A Commitment to Prayer (Daniel 6:10; Lev.6 : 12-13)
• Prayer is the fuel that keeps your altar burning.
• It is indispensable for every sheep that want to maintain interface with the Father- Luke 18:1; Phil 4:6.
• Daniel raised altar of prayer three times daily, even in the face of persecution and unfavorable decree. He was a regular man at prayer altar

C.     The Word of God as a Foundation (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2; Acts 6:4)
• An altar must be based on God’s word, not human traditions-Matthew 4:4
Matthew 15:9: “And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.“
Colossians 2:8: “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.“

D.     Sacrificial Worship (Hebrews 13:15)
Worship and thanksgiving must be continuous on the altar. Acts 16:25-26; Psalm 100:4-5: 1 Thess. 5:18: “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.“
Consistency and Faithfulness is critical in personalaltarofsacrifice (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

2.     The Richness of a Spiritual Altar
• A properly built altar brings divine blessings and encounters:

A.     Divine Presence (Exodus 33:14-16)-Where an altar exists, God dwells.- Abraham built altars, and God appeared to him (Genesis 12:7).

B.     Supernatural Breakthroughs (1 Kings 18:36-39)
True altars release fire and power from heaven like Elijah experienced as he rebuilt God’s altar.

C.     Angelic Visitations and ministration (Gen. 32: Judges 6:11-24)- Many altars in Scripture were places of divine encounters.

D.     Spiritual Authority (Genesis 28:12-19)-
Altars establish spiritual dominion over territories.
Jacob’s altar at Bethel transformed it into the house of God.

3.     The Rhetorics of a Spiritual Altar
The language of the altar involves certain key spiritual declarations and expressions tat must be mastered by the sheep

A.     Prophetic Declarations (Job 22:28; Luke 1:45)
Job 22:28-Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: And the light shall shine upon thy ways. • Speaking God’s word at the altar activates divine manifestation.
• Ezekiel prophesied to dry bones, and they came alive (Ezekiel 37:1-10).

B.     Decrees of Dominion (Luke 10:19; Eph.2:6)
• An altar establishes authority over darkness.
• Jesus declared, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18).

C.     Worship and Thanksgiving (Psalm 34:1; 100:4)
• Every altar must be filled with praise and gratitude.
• Through it we ascend the height of God

Conclusion
When you maintain your personal altar unto God, God encounter your life for a better

Introduction/Preamble

Today we shall continue to look at platforms presented to us by God through which He can reach our lives as His children, demonstrating His sufficiency in all aspects of our lives. In John 15:5-6, God emphasised the need to remain connected to Him, so as to draw from all sufficient God.

Building and maintaining a personal altar is a germane pre-requisite for God to encounter His own people. It involves drawing closer to God in commitment, consistent sacrifice of spiritual value and vow – I Sam.1:21.

A.      Gaining Understanding About the Altar; From the Old Testament to the New Testament era:

Definition and Origin

An altar is a sacred structure or designated place used in worship, offering, and consecration.

In Hebrew, the word “altar” is often translated the term מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbeach), which implies the idea of “place of sacrifice.”

Old Testament Era:

Throughout the Old Testament, altars are frequently mentioned as focal points of communal worship, personal devotion, and divine-human interaction.

In the Old Testament, the altar as a physical structure were of different reason and purpose. There were several types of altars:

1.         Altar of Burnt Offering (Exodus 27:1-8): A bronze altar where animals were sacrificed to atone for sin.

2.         Altar of Incense (Exodus 30:1-10): A golden altar where incense was offered to symbolize prayer and worship.

3.         Altar of Sacrifice (Leviticus 1:1-17): An altar where various sacrifices were offered to atone for sin and express gratitude.

Key Features of Old Testament Altars:

1. Physical Structure: 2. Sacrifices: 3. Priestly Mediation:

Transition to New Testament Era:

With the coming of Jesus Christ, the concept of the altar underwent a significant transformation:

1.         Jesus as the Ultimate Sacrifice: Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice, offering Himself on the cross to atone for humanity’s sin (Hebrews 10:12-14).

2.         The Cross as the New Altar: The cross became the new altar, where Jesus offered Himself as a sacrifice (Hebrews 13:10-12).

3.         Spiritual Sacrifices: Believers are now called to offer spiritual sacrifices, including praise, thanksgiving, and good works (Hebrews 13:15-16).

Key Features of New Testament Altars:

1.         Spiritual Structure: The altar is now a spiritual structure, representing the believer’s heart and life.

2.         Spiritual Sacrifices: Believers offer spiritual sacrifices, including praise, thanksgiving, and good works. – (1 Peter 2:9-10).

3.         Direct Access to God: Believers have direct access to God through Jesus Christ, eliminating the need for priestly mediation (Hebrews 4:14-16).

B.        The Pattern of Building the Altar for God- Exodus 20:24

You are to make for Me an altar of earth

God is the focus. He requested altar to be made for Him

Building an altar of earth is a divine instruction that reflects the God desires in worship. Altars in ancient times were often constructed from natural materials, emphasizing that worship should not be about human craftsmanship but about obedience and reverence. This aligns with the patriarchal tradition, as seen with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who built simple altars to worship God (Genesis 12:7, 26:25, 35:7).

……and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and peace offerings:

Burnt offerings were entirely consumed by fire, symbolizing complete dedication to God (Leviticus 1). Peace offerings, on the other hand, were shared between the altar, the priests, and the offerer, symbolizing fellowship with God (Leviticus 3). These offerings foreshadow the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who offered Himself wholly to God and brought peace between God and humanity (Ephesians 2:14-16).

your sheep and goats and cattle:

These animals were common in the agrarian society of ancient Israel and were often used in sacrificial practices. The use of domesticated animals highlights the cost of worship and the principle of offering something valuable to God. This prefigures Christ, the Lamb of God, who was the ultimate sacrifice for sin (John 1:29).

In every place where I cause My name to be remembered:

This phrase indicates that God’s presence is not confined to a single location, unlike the pagan deities of the time. It anticipates the later establishment of the tabernacle and temple, where God’s name would dwell (Deuteronomy 12:5). Ultimately, it points to the New Covenant, where God’s presence is with believers everywhere through the Holy Spirit (John 4:21-24).

I will come to you and bless you

God’s promise to come and bless His people underscores His desire for a relationship with them.Heb.11:6. This blessing is contingent upon obedience and proper worship. The speaker of the command, emphasizing His desire for worship and relationship with His people.

C.        Implication/Life Application of Altar to the Children of God

1.         Simplicity and Humility in Worship: God desires simplicity and humility in worship, as reflected in the instruction to build an altar of earth. This emphasizes that worship should be about obedience and reverence, not human craftsmanship, you are to come as you are, in simplicity, openness, plain and humility of heart- I Peter 3:3-4

2.         Complete Dedication to God: The burnt offerings, which were entirely consumed by fire, symbolize complete dedication to God. You are to let go of everything brough to the altar

3.         Fellowship with God: The peace offerings, which were shared between the altar, the priests, and the offerer, symbolize fellowship with God. This is fulfilled in Christ, who brought peace between God and humanity.

4.         Cost of Worship: The use of domesticated animals in sacrificial practices highlights the cost of worship. This principle is fulfilled in Christ, the Lamb of God, who was the ultimate sacrifice for sin.

5.         God’s Presence Everywhere: The phrase “In every place where I cause My name to be remembered” indicates that God’s presence is not confined to a single location. This is fulfilled in the New Covenant, where God’s presence is with believers everywhere through the Holy Spirit.

6.         Obedience and Proper Worship: God’s promise to come and bless His people is contingent upon obedience and proper worship. This emphasizes the importance of living a life that honours God.

A.      Understanding the terms and Context of our theme:

In the context of our topic for the month, “Shepherd-Sheep Interface: The Platform for Divine Sufficiency,”

The term “INTERFACE” refers to the point of interaction or connection between Jesus Christ (the Shepherd) and His people (the sheep).

The term “PLATFORM” is an opportunity(ies), potential and means through which God accomplish His promises in the life of His children. The basis upon which God will do what He is set to do

‘’DIVINE SUFFICIENCY’’ refers to God’s continuous miraculous provision for all needs of His children- Psalm 23:1-2; II Cor 8:9

An interface refers to:

1.      A point of interaction: A boundary or a point where two or more entities, or processes interact or communicate with each other.

In this sense, the meeting point of old life with the new life.

When the barrier was removed to allow for the sheep to begin a relationship with Christ, the shepherd. Isaiah 59:2; Exodus 26:33; Eph.2:11-13; Matthew 27:51:

The question you are to answer from this definition is ‘’do you have a point of interaction with Jesus?’’ when did your relationship with Him commenced? – Galatians 1:15-17; Acts 26:12-18

2.      A point of connection or link: A means of connecting or linking two or more systems, entities, or processes, enabling them to exchange information, resources, or services. The connection the sheep has with the shepherd allows for exchange of information, enhances communication and make understanding possible and sustained. The connection of a branch (i.e. sheep) to the Vine (the shepherd) make flow from Shepherd to the sheep sustainable and continuous. John15:4

B.      Implications of Shepherd-Sheep Interface:

In a panoramic view, it implies the relationship the believers have with Jesus Christ the importance for our lives as His children:

1.         It speak about life of dependency with the shepherd- John 15:4-5, as the branch is inseparable from the root/stem, so the sheep must remain dependent of God for everything- Psalm 23;1-2; Be It nurturing, nourishment, guidance, instruction connotes

2.         It connotes life of continuous fellowship with the father-coming to Christ is good but maintaining a consistent and sustained regular fellowship with Jesus is the ultimate- I John 1:3; Psalm 139:7-10; John 10:30.

3.         It teaches us about need for all-time intimacy with Christ- the ultimate level of interface for the sheep-shepherd relationship is found in deep intimacy. The shepherd and the sheep are closely knitted as one. They become inseparable, move together at the impulse of the shepherd and everything in the shepherd is reflected in the sheep- John 10:27-28

John 10:27-28: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”

C.      Absent Shepherd-sheep Interface- John 15:5

Any sheep that has no point of interaction or connection with the Shepherd shall live independent of the shepherd and the outcome is a dangerous one. 

1.         Lost and Loneliness: Without the Shepherd’s guidance, the sheep may become lost and disconnected from the flock, making it vulnerable to spiritual predators- Matthew 9:36:1 Peter 2:25

2.         Deception and false teachings: Without the Shepherd’s voice, the sheep may be deceived by false teachings and misleading philosophies. This is rampant and prevalent today leading many away from the scriptural provisions of God- – Matthew 24:24; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; Col.3:7-8 

3.         Spiritual stagnation: Without the Shepherd’s nourishment, the sheep may stagnate spiritually, failing to grow or mature in its faith. All living can only grow in Christ when they are properly fed appropriate meal for age- Hebrews 5:12-14; Ephesians 4:13-14; 2 Peter 3:18

ConclusionOnly the connectivity of the sheep to shepherd that guarantees continuous flow. Remain in Him.