MAKING YOUR ALTAR SPEAK

Title: MAKING YOUR ALTAR SPEAK

Main Text: Genesis 12:7-8 
Supporting Text: 1 Kings 18:30-39, Psalm 141:2

By Rev Samuel Arimoro

INTRODUCTION
An altar is a place of sacrifice, prayer, and communion with God. In the Old Testament, patriarchs like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob built altars to seek God's presence, offer sacrifices, and mark significant spiritual encounters. Altars speak of covenant, dedication, and the divine connection between God and His people. "Making your altar speak" refers to the idea of establishing and maintaining a spiritual altar that continually communicates with God on your behalf. In this sermon, we will explore how to build a spiritual altar that speaks powerfully for us in heaven and on earth.

1. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF A SPEAKING ALTAR

a) A Place of Divine Encounter and Revelation (Genesis 12:7-8; Exodus 3:1-5)
In Genesis 12:7-8, God appeared to Abraham, and he built an altar to the Lord who appeared to him. The altar became a place of divine encounter and revelation. Similarly, Moses encountered God at the burning bush, where the ground was holy, representing an altar (Exodus 3:1-5). A speaking altar is where we continually meet with God and receive His direction and revelation for our lives.

b) A Place of Covenant and Commitment (Genesis 35:1-3; Psalm 50:5) 
An altar speaks of covenant and commitment. When God called Jacob to Bethel, He reminded him to build an altar where God had appeared to him during his time of distress (Genesis 35:1-3). Psalm 50:5 says, "Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice." The altar is where covenants are established and maintained with God.

c) A Place of Warfare and Victory (1 Kings 18:30-39; Judges 6:24-26)
Elijah’s altar on Mount Carmel was not only a place of worship but also a battlefield for demonstrating God's power (1 Kings 18:30-39). Gideon built an altar to the Lord before his victory over the Midianites (Judges 6:24-26). A speaking altar contends with opposing altars, speaks for divine intervention, and brings victory in spiritual warfare.

2. BUILDING AN ALTAR THAT SPEAKS

a) Building an Altar of Prayer (Psalm 141:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17)** 
Psalm 141:2 says, "Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice." Prayer is one of the most effective ways to make our altars speak. A life of consistent, fervent prayer keeps the altar burning and speaks to God continuously. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 exhorts us to "pray without ceasing." To build a speaking altar, establish a consistent prayer life.

b) Building an Altar of Sacrifice (Romans 12:1; Hebrews 13:15-16)
Romans 12:1 calls us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our reasonable service. Hebrews 13:15-16 instructs us to continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name. Sacrifices speak; they draw divine attention and provoke divine responses. Sacrifices of worship, service, giving, and thanksgiving make our altar speak.

c) Building an Altar of the Word (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 119:105) 
The Word of God fuels the fire on our altars. Joshua 1:8 emphasizes meditating on the Word day and night for success and prosperity. Psalm 119:105 declares, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." A speaking altar is built upon the foundation of God's Word. When we speak His Word back to Him in faith, our altars speak louder and powerfully.

3. MAINTAINING A SPEAKING ALTAR

a) Keeping the Fire Burning (Leviticus 6:12-13; 2 Timothy 1:6)
Leviticus 6:12-13 commands that the fire on the altar must never go out. The priests had to keep adding wood to maintain the fire. Similarly, we must keep the fire burning on our spiritual altars by continually feeding it with prayer, the Word, and worship. 2 Timothy 1:6 urges us to "fan into flame the gift of God" within us.

b) Guarding Against Strange Fire (Leviticus 10:1-2; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17)
Leviticus 10:1-2 warns against offering "strange fire" before the Lord, which is unauthorized or impure worship. A speaking altar must be kept pure and holy. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 reminds us that we are God's temple and must keep it holy. Ensure that your altar is not defiled by sin, false doctrines, or idolatry.

c) Renewing and Rebuilding the Altar Regularly (1 Kings 18:30; Nehemiah 4:7-9)
When Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal, he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been broken down (1 Kings 18:30). Nehemiah rebuilt the broken walls of Jerusalem amidst opposition. There are times when we need to rebuild and renew our spiritual altars. If the altar of prayer, worship, or devotion is broken, rebuild it and keep it speaking.

4. THE EFFECT OF A SPEAKING ALTAR
a) It Speaks for Divine Intervention (Genesis 8:20-22; Acts 16:25-26)
After Noah built an altar and offered sacrifices, God made a covenant never to destroy the earth with a flood again (Genesis 8:20-22). Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns at midnight, and their altar spoke, resulting in a divine earthquake that freed them (Acts 16:25-26). A speaking altar draws God's intervention in difficult situations.

b) It Speaks Against Evil Altars (Judges 6:25-27; Numbers 23:1-12)
Gideon was instructed to tear down his father's altar to Baal and build an altar to God. That act of obedience silenced the evil altar (Judges 6:25-27). When Balaam tried to curse Israel, he could not because there was a speaking altar in Israel's camp (Numbers 23:1-12). A godly altar speaks against and neutralizes the power of evil altars.

c) It Brings Generational Blessings (Genesis 22:15-18; Psalm 112:1-2)
Abraham’s obedience at the altar on Mount Moriah brought generational blessings upon his descendants (Genesis 22:15-18). Psalm 112:1-2 speaks of blessings upon the generation of those who fear the Lord and delight in His commands. A speaking altar releases blessings that affect generations to come.

CONCLUSION
Making your altar speak involves building, maintaining, and guarding a spiritual altar that communicates continuously with God. An altar that speaks is built on prayer, the Word, sacrifice, and holiness. It brings divine intervention, counters evil altars, and releases generational blessings. Commit to making your altar speak for you by staying fervent in prayer, the Word, and worship. When your altar speaks, God listens and responds with power, favour, and blessings.

PRAYER POINTS

1. "Father, help me to build and maintain a speaking altar in my life."
2. "O God, ignite fresh fire on my altar of prayer and worship."
3. "Lord, let my sacrifices speak before You and provoke Your divine response."
4. "Father, grant me the grace to remain consistent in prayer and the study of Your Word."
5. "O God, purify my altar from anything that is unholy or defiled."
6. "Father, let my altar speak against every evil altar raised against my life."
7. "O Lord, rebuild every broken altar in my life and restore my spiritual fervor."
8. "Father, let my altar draw divine intervention in every challenging situation."
9. "O God, let my altar release generational blessings over my family."
10. "Lord, keep the fire on my altar burning continually without going out."

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. I declare that your altar will speak powerfully before God and man.
2. I decree that the fire on your altar will never go out but will burn continually.
3. I proclaim divine encounters and revelations at your altar.
4. I declare that every evil altar raised against you is destroyed in Jesus' name.
5. I decree that your altar will bring divine intervention in all challenging situations.
6. I proclaim generational blessings over your life and family because of your speaking altar.
7. I declare that your prayer life will be fervent and effective.
8. I decree that your sacrifices will provoke divine favour and breakthroughs.
9. I proclaim that your altar will attract God’s power and presence continually.
10. I declare that you will walk in victory, empowered by a speaking altar that communicates with heaven.

May your altar continually speak for you, bringing divine intervention, blessings, and favour from the throne of grace!