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