THE ALTAR THAT SPEAKS FOR MY DESTINY

THE ALTAR THAT SPEAKS FOR MY DESTINY

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 1 Kings 18:30-39

Key Verse: “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.” — 1 Kings 18:30, KJV

Supporting Texts: Genesis 12:7-8; Genesis 26:25; Genesis 35:1-7; Exodus 17:15; Judges 6:24-26; Psalm 20:3-5; Hebrews 13:10-15; Revelation 8:3-4.

Description

An altar is a place of worship, sacrifice, covenant, and spiritual encounter. Throughout Scripture, altars were associated with significant moments in the lives of God's people. This sermon examines how a believer's spiritual altar can speak of dedication, fellowship with God, prayer, sacrifice, and destiny. It calls believers to build and maintain an altar that continually speaks for their lives, families, ministries, and future.

INTRODUCTION

Destiny is not fulfilled by desire alone. There are spiritual principles that help position a person to walk in God's purpose. One of the significant principles we find throughout Scripture is the altar. Abraham built altars wherever God appeared to him. Isaac built an altar and called upon the name of the Lord. Jacob built an altar after returning to Bethel. Elijah repaired the broken altar of the Lord before calling down fire from heaven.

An altar represents a place of meeting and fellowship with God. It speaks of worship, sacrifice, prayer, commitment, and covenant. What happens on an altar can influence what happens in the life of the worshipper. When the altar is active, prayer is active; when prayer is active, fellowship with God is strengthened; and when fellowship with God is strengthened, divine purpose becomes clearer.

The New Testament reveals that Jesus Christ is the foundation of our relationship with God, and through Him we have access to the Father. Therefore, our confidence is not in physical objects, rituals, or superstitious practices, but in Christ and His finished work. We are called to maintain a living spiritual altar of prayer, worship, obedience, and consecration. The altar that speaks for your destiny is the altar that is continually connected to God.

1. YOUR ALTAR SPEAKS OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

The condition of your spiritual altar reflects the priority you give to God.

a) Build A Personal Altar (Genesis 12:7-8)
Abraham regularly built altars as expressions of his relationship with God.

b) Maintain A Life Of Prayer (Luke 18:1)
A consistent prayer life keeps the believer spiritually connected to God.

c) Make Worship A Lifestyle (John 4:23-24)
True worship goes beyond singing; it involves giving God the honour He deserves.

d) Walk In Obedience (1 Samuel 15:22)
A genuine altar must be accompanied by a life that obeys God.

Biblical Example: Abraham (Genesis 12:7-8). At significant stages of his journey, Abraham built altars and called upon the name of the Lord.

2. A LIVING ALTAR SPEAKS AGAINST SPIRITUAL STAGNATION

A neglected altar can become a neglected relationship with God.

a) Repair The Broken Altar (1 Kings 18:30)
Elijah repaired the altar before calling upon God for supernatural intervention.

b) Return To Your First Love (Revelation 2:4-5)
God calls His people back when their passion for Him has diminished.

c) Renew Your Consecration (Romans 12:1)
Presenting ourselves to God keeps our lives available for His purposes.

d) Keep The Fire Burning (Leviticus 6:12-13)
The altar fire was not permitted to go out, teaching us the importance of spiritual consistency.

Biblical Example: Elijah (1 Kings 18:30-39). The repaired altar became the platform for a powerful demonstration of God's presence and authority.

3. THE ALTAR OF PRAYER SPEAKS FOR DESTINY

Prayer gives expression to God's purposes in our lives.

a) Prayer Invites Divine Intervention (2 Chronicles 20:3-4)
Jehoshaphat turned to God when Judah faced an overwhelming enemy.

b) Prayer Opens The Way For Divine Direction (Acts 13:2-3)
The early Church received direction while praying and fasting.

c) Prayer Changes Circumstances (James 5:16-18)
Scripture demonstrates the power of effective and persistent prayer.

d) Prayer Strengthens The Inner Man (Ephesians 3:14-16)
Prayer builds spiritual strength to fulfil God's purpose.

Biblical Example: Hannah (1 Samuel 1:9-20). Hannah carried her burden to God in prayer, and the Lord answered her with Samuel, who became a significant prophetic voice in Israel.

4. THE ALTAR OF SACRIFICE SPEAKS OF CONSECRATION

Destiny requires surrender to God.

a) Present Your Body To God (Romans 12:1)
Our lives are to be living sacrifices dedicated to God.

b) Give God Your Best (Malachi 1:14)
God deserves wholehearted devotion rather than careless service.

c) Surrender Your Plans (Proverbs 16:3)
Commit your works to God and allow Him to direct your purposes.

d) Count The Cost Of Following Christ (Luke 9:23)
Following Jesus requires daily self-denial and surrender.

Biblical Example: Abraham (Genesis 22:1-18). Abraham's willingness to surrender Isaac demonstrated extraordinary faith and obedience to God.

5. THE ALTAR OF PRAISE SPEAKS IN DIFFICULT SEASONS

Praise declares confidence in God even before circumstances change.

a) Praise In The Midst Of Trouble (Acts 16:25-26)
Paul and Silas worshipped God in prison, and God intervened.

b) Praise Releases Joy (Psalm 16:11)
The presence of God produces fullness of joy.

c) Praise Magnifies God Above The Problem (Psalm 34:1-3)
Praise shifts our focus from the size of the problem to the greatness of God.

d) Praise Prepares The Way For Testimony (Psalm 50:14-15)
Thanksgiving and trust honour God in difficult circumstances.

Biblical Example: Paul and Silas (Acts 16:22-26). Their praise in prison preceded a supernatural shaking that opened the doors.

6. THE ALTAR OF GOD SPEAKS FOR THE NEXT GENERATION

A godly altar can influence generations that come after us.

a) Teach Your Children God's Ways (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)
Faith must be intentionally passed to the next generation.

b) Establish A Godly Household (Joshua 24:15)
Joshua deliberately established his family under the authority of God.

c) Leave A Godly Example (1 Corinthians 11:1)
Our lives can become models that others follow.

d) Raise Future Servants Of God (2 Timothy 1:5)
Timothy's faith was influenced by the godly example of his mother and grandmother.

Biblical Example: Joshua (Joshua 24:15). Joshua made a deliberate decision that his household would serve the Lord.

7. CHRIST IS THE FOUNDATION OF OUR ALTAR

The believer's ultimate confidence is in Christ, not in religious objects or rituals.

a) Christ Is Our Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5)
Through Jesus, we have access to God.

b) Christ Made The Perfect Sacrifice (Hebrews 10:12-14)
Jesus offered Himself once for all, providing the foundation of our salvation.

c) We Approach God Through Christ (Hebrews 4:14-16)
Because of Jesus, we can approach God's throne with confidence.

d) Our Lives Become Spiritual Sacrifices (1 Peter 2:5)
Believers are called to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Biblical Example: Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:10-14). His once-for-all sacrifice established the perfect basis for our reconciliation and fellowship with God.

CONCLUSION

Your destiny needs more than ambition; it needs a strong relationship with God. The altar of prayer, worship, obedience, sacrifice, and consecration keeps your heart connected to the One who holds your destiny. When the altar is alive, your spiritual sensitivity remains alive, your faith is strengthened, and your life becomes increasingly aligned with God's purpose.

Therefore, repair and maintain your altar. Do not allow prayerlessness, sin, distraction, bitterness, or spiritual negligence to extinguish your fire. Let your home become an altar of worship, let your heart become an altar of consecration, and let your life continually speak of God's goodness. May the altar you build today speak for your destiny tomorrow, and may your life become a testimony of God's faithfulness from generation to generation.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, thank You for the privilege of approaching You through Jesus Christ, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, repair every broken area of my spiritual life and restore my altar, in Jesus name.

3. Father, give me grace to maintain a consistent and powerful prayer life, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, let the fire of Your presence continually burn in my heart, in Jesus name.

5. Father, let my life continually speak of Your goodness, mercy, and faithfulness, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, let every power working contrary to Your purpose for my destiny be defeated through Christ, in Jesus name.

7. Father, let my prayers speak for me in places where I cannot speak for myself, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, make my family an altar of prayer, worship, holiness, and godliness, in Jesus name.

9. Father, use my life and ministry to establish a godly legacy for the generations after me, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, let the altar of prayer, praise, obedience, and consecration continually speak for my destiny and bring glory to Your name, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. Your spiritual altar shall not die.

2. The fire of prayer shall continually burn in your life.

3. Your relationship with God shall become stronger and deeper.

4. Your prayers shall speak for you in places where your voice cannot reach.

5. Every voice speaking contrary to God's purpose for your life shall be silenced.

6. The Lord shall establish His purpose concerning your destiny.

7. Your home shall become a centre of prayer, worship, and godly influence.

8. Your children and generations after you shall benefit from the godly foundation you are establishing today.

9. Your life shall become a living testimony of the power and faithfulness of God.

10. From this day forward, the altar of prayer, worship, obedience, and consecration shall continually speak for your destiny, open doors according to God's will, preserve your purpose, and establish you in the plan of God, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.