SUSTAINING THE FIRE ON THE ALTAR

Title: SUSTAINING THE FIRE ON THE ALTAR

By Rev Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Leviticus 6:12-13 
Supporting Text: Romans 12:11

INTRODUCTION

In the Old Testament, God commanded that the fire on the altar must never go out (Leviticus 6:12-13). This fire was a symbol of God's presence and power among His people. Similarly, in the New Testament, believers are called to be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord (Romans 12:11). The fire represents the passion, zeal, and the presence of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life. However, keeping this fire burning requires intentional effort and commitment. This sermon will explore the importance of sustaining the fire on the altar of our hearts and how we can ensure it never goes out.

1. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FIRE ON THE ALTAR

a) The Fire Represents God's Presence and Power (Exodus 3:2-5; Acts 2:1-4) 
When God appeared to Moses in the burning bush, the fire was a manifestation of His presence (Exodus 3:2-5). On the Day of Pentecost, tongues of fire appeared on the disciples, symbolizing the arrival of the Holy Spirit and divine empowerment (Acts 2:1-4). The fire on the altar in our hearts must signify God’s presence and power in our lives.

b) The Fire Represents Continual Worship and Sacrifice (Hebrews 13:15; Psalm 141:2) 
The altar fire was sustained by the priests to symbolize continual worship. Our spiritual fire is sustained by a lifestyle of worship and sacrifice to God. Hebrews 13:15 speaks of offering a "sacrifice of praise" continually, while Psalm 141:2 likens prayer to incense rising before God.

c) The Fire Represents Purification and Refinement (Malachi 3:2-3; Isaiah 6:6-7) 
Fire is also a symbol of purification. In Malachi 3:2-3, God is described as a refiner's fire, purifying His people. When Isaiah encountered God, a coal of fire was used to purify his lips (Isaiah 6:6-7). The fire on our altar must burn away impurities, leading us to holiness and righteousness.

2. KEYS TO SUSTAINING THE FIRE ON THE ALTAR

a) A Life of Consistent Prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Luke 18:1)
Prayer is the fuel that keeps the fire burning on the altar. The Bible instructs us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Jesus also taught the need for persistent prayer (Luke 18:1). To sustain the fire, believers must cultivate a consistent and fervent prayer life.

b) Studying and Meditating on the Word (Psalm 119:105; Joshua 1:8)
The Word of God is essential in maintaining spiritual fire. Psalm 119:105 calls the Word a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Meditating on the Word daily ensures we are constantly fed spiritually, just as the priests had to add wood to the altar daily (Joshua 1:8).

c) Obedience and Holiness (1 Samuel 15:22; 1 Peter 1:15-16) 
God honours obedience more than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). A life of holiness keeps the fire burning. God calls us to be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16). Holiness fuels our passion and preserves God’s presence in our lives.

3. OBSTACLES TO SUSTAINING THE FIRE

a) Spiritual Laziness and Complacency (Proverbs 24:30-34; Revelation 3:15-16) 
Spiritual laziness and complacency can cause the fire on the altar to die out. Proverbs 24:30-34 speaks of a field overgrown with thorns because of laziness. In Revelation 3:15-16, God rebukes the church of Laodicea for being lukewarm. Believers must guard against spiritual complacency and laziness.

b) Unconfessed Sin and Worldliness (Psalm 66:18; James 4:4) 
Sin is a major hindrance to sustaining the fire on the altar. Psalm 66:18 says, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." James 4:4 warns against friendship with the world. A life of unrepented sin will quench the Holy Spirit's fire in our lives.

c) Neglect of Fellowship and Worship (Hebrews 10:25; Acts 2:42)
Isolation from the community of believers can cause our fire to burn out. Hebrews 10:25 warns against neglecting the gathering of the saints. In Acts 2:42, the early church sustained their spiritual fire through fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers.

4. FANNING THE FLAME: REKINDLING THE FIRE ON THE ALTAR**

a) Returning to the Place of First Love (Revelation 2:4-5; Jeremiah 2:2) 
In Revelation 2:4-5, the church of Ephesus is admonished to return to their first love. To rekindle the fire, believers must remember where they have fallen and return to their passion for God. Jeremiah 2:2 describes God’s love for Israel in the wilderness when their devotion was fresh and pure.

b) Engaging in Spiritual Disciplines (Fasting, Worship, and Service) (Isaiah 58:6; Romans 12:1) 
Spiritual disciplines such as fasting, worship, and service are effective in fanning the flame. Isaiah 58:6 speaks of the kind of fast God has chosen, one that breaks yokes. Romans 12:1 urges believers to offer themselves as living sacrifices.

c) Crying Out for Fresh Fire (Psalm 85:6; Isaiah 64:1-2) 
Believers must continuously cry out to God for fresh fire. Psalm 85:6 says, "Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?" Isaiah 64:1-2 is a passionate cry for God to rend the heavens and come down. Our prayers should be for a continuous outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

CONCLUSION

Sustaining the fire on the altar is essential for every believer who desires to walk closely with God and see His power manifest in their lives. It requires commitment to prayer, the Word, holiness, and regular fellowship. We must be intentional about fanning the flame, removing every hindrance, and crying out for God to keep our fire burning. May we all be like the priests of old, who never let the fire on the altar go out.

PRAYER POINTS

1. "Lord, set my heart on fire for You, and let it never go out."
2. "Father, help me to live a life of consistent prayer and devotion."
3. "O God, purify my heart and remove every hindrance to sustaining the fire."
4. "Lord, rekindle my first love and passion for You."
5. "Father, empower me to be fervent in spirit, serving You faithfully."
6. "O God, break every spirit of complacency and spiritual laziness in my life."
7. "Lord, fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit and keep me ablaze for You."
8. "Father, give me a hunger and thirst for Your Word and presence."
9. "O God, help me to stay connected with fellow believers who inspire me to grow."
10. "Lord, let Your fire fall upon my altar and consume every impurity."

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. I declare that the fire on your altar will never go out; it will burn continuously.
2. I decree that your prayer life will be ignited with fresh passion and fervency.
3. I proclaim that you will walk in purity and holiness, sustaining the fire of God in your life.
4. I declare that every spirit of complacency is broken, and you are set ablaze for God.
5. I decree that God is restoring your first love and rekindling your zeal for His Kingdom.
6. I declare that as you engage in spiritual disciplines, you will experience divine encounters.
7. I proclaim that the Holy Spirit will fill you afresh, keeping your spiritual fire burning bright.
8. I decree that every unconfessed sin is purged, and you are walking in righteousness.
9. I declare that your spiritual life will be marked by fervent prayer and passionate worship.
10. I proclaim that God’s fire will fall upon your altar, bringing revival and transformation.

May the Lord empower you to sustain the fire on your altar and live a life fully ablaze for His glory!