4) The Salvation Altar

Introduction:

“Four Altars…” series. Book “In Jesus Name” Rev. Rick Dubose

TODAY, b4 cover final one: Recap briefly >>

The Previous Three Altars

1. Personal Altar

[[Briefly summarize the importance of each altar and what it changes (making us holier & serving others) ]]

It is SO important to have time talking to Jesus by yourself.

Say u have ‘best friend’ — never talk, txt, call?? Friendship? surface-lvl, casual

Same w/ spouse: never spoke? never ackn, apprec’d? how good marr.? BAD

Likew. w/ X— wants relat. w/ U. already knows U, perf. loves; desires your return affect.!

Not ONLY that ‘perk’—amazing!— greater purpose.

In prayer, God can clean you up & call you to His world-changing work.

Isaiah 1:18 ““Come now, let's settle the matter[: ]Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow… ”

Prayer is an avenue by which God purifies us and points out areas of death in our lives.

Don’t just have ‘one or two’ things to work on and then good— denial!

God cleans us up because 1) He knows what’s best && 2) it sets us up to hear from and respond to Him more!

God’s purpose in prayer is also to guide your heart to His concerns.

We have SO many concerns and worries and things we WANT/NEED to do… but when do those wants line up w/ X’s?

God reveals the value of others outside 'self’ & pushes us to make a difference.

In fact, He gives us other believers (church) to pray with & FOR us. >>

2. Core Altar (Corporate)

As Xians, we should be taking time to pray with other Xians!

Need to learn the value of those in the pew across/front/bk/beside you

God’s given them to you for a purpose. Doesn’t mean EVERYone needs 2kno EVERY strug. in your life, but someone might. two might!

Harder for introverts; but perhaps use as an excuse…

Need an outlet — look to some1 you trust.

RISK! But (each of U) be ppl worth confiding in! Value confidentiality; defend & pray for.

This Wed, last prayer night; Brian plays & we pray. Short devo. Lay on hands 7pm

Faith is built when believers unite.

Other Christians help hold us to His standard & pray for His power to fuel our ministry.

Again, see a 2fold purp. in these pray'r gatherings (lg or more intimate circ)

Personal CORE hold acc’ble. Believe for miracles in life — see happen!

Hopefully praying BIG, God-sized prayers (last week online) >>

3. Miracle Altar

AP says that the original Gospel msg. (Good News about X’s victory) was proven legit’t by Miracles!

1 Corinthians 2:4–5 “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.”

The truth transformed people’s HEADS bc they couldn’t explain the power and signs apostles displayed!

O that the modern Church would be more open and expectant to see God work this way. So desperate to see Him move — not as a genie, but desiring to be used by Him.

Enlig’nt got in way of this (& post-modern materialism), but tides are changing…

The miraculous signs performed also lead to spir’l growth in self; devotion to YH.

From Earliest gatherings of ‘church’ (b4 cal’d Xians!!) >>

Acts 2:42–43 “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.”

Jesus given legit’cy by these supernatural acts.

Each of these altars have a purpose of a) changing US personally and b) revealing X to others!

TODAY, we look at >>

Building the Salvation Altar

All of the other altars lead to this one.

the Personal, CORE/corp., Miracle altars are all for our growth & the influence of others.

Gospel, at heart, is others-focused.

Christ epitome of self-less-ness.

Had the moral hi-ground! Sinless! NO RIGHT to be on cross; yet willingly allowed ‘self to… for YOU & I.

In order to receive Jesus, MUST lay down our own best ways.

This is what I think about my spouse/marr’ge… lay it down. What does X think?

This is what I use my talent for; bc I’m good at xyz… lay down. What X say?

This is what’s best for my family/boss/min’try… lay it down.

This sacrificing will is often classified as >>

Repenting

Salv. altar 1st built in you/for you.

B4 Xper. His bless’gs or call, NEED to give something up. Y’self!

We all need to come daily to this altar; give up fight & let X take over.

Lies spoken over my life that i ID with? give up. || Grudges/unforg? give up || Addiction/control’g behavior? give up. || hypocrisy? burn it

God wants your WHOLE self. WHOLE being. WHOLE life.

‘Repentance’ in the OT was painted with a picture of “turning around”.

Heb. SHUV [say: Shuv] means to stop and go opp. dir.

2 Chronicles 7:14 “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn [shuv] from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Turn from your wicked ways! Go the opposite direction!

Might be diff. Might e’en be painful or uncomf. Head right into that for the sake of your soul.

“Too far gone”. “Never change”. “Is what it is”. “Well I’m right! They...” are NOT a valid excuses.

That’s giving up; Take OWNERship of your habits… unforg… words… att’de… relat’s…

Plus: with God, NOTHING is impossible!

AND, if you called on name of JC?, you have built-in help. Rn, HS is speaking to you. He knows exactly what to say — listen to Him.

Salv. altar starts with our faces to the floor, seeking God’s help; seeking renewal. Very quickly moves outward to >>

Reaching Out

Salv. altar NOT just about you. May start with you, but very quickly moves outward…

How many know: God can use you B4 you’re perfect? U know: Never perfect this side of heaven!?

Salv. altar is also about leading others to repen’ce. God given each of us a role in ‘filling up heaven’.

When God’s HS first flow’d into whole church, Peter preach’d msg. made a diff.:

Acts 2:37 “When the people heard [the message about Christ], they were cut to the heart & said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?””

God used Peter to speak the truth and others responded

Grace: They didn't know what to do. Eager to submit, change lives!

Peter went farther than just speaking truth. He preached; gave them instruction. He said >>

Acts 2:38 ““Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Like Peter, God calls EACH of us to lead others toward repentance and faith in Christ.

When was the last time you lead someone to Christ? Invited them to church?

Practical chlnge for U today

Back of sheet — tear-off section. Write down some1 going to pray for & then approach w/ the Gospel (pref. in-person).

Don’t have insert? Note in phone, other scrap paper.…

Don’t have to know it all!

Be challenged today to take what you know & have exper. and to tell someone else.

Will grow YOUR faith && maybe just maybe change another life, too.

Salv. altar for Repentance & Reach’g out: U personally & to draw others

One last thing want you to keep on heart & in back of head >>

Be Ready

The salv. altar not just built here in these 4 walls (good news for online ppl)!

Holy Spirit calls us to:

1 Peter 3:15 “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”

Elsewhere, Spirit says:

2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”

Not JUST advice to a full-time minister — to ALL Xians.

In a way, you are called to preach! Proselytize, evangelize, share, motivate, encourage.

Whenever the Spirit leads you, build a salvation altar & be prepared to share the Good News.

HS should be able to count on us to approach some1 with gospel at a moment’s notice.

We should be willing to be obedient; don’t think he’ll ever ask us to do this — mistaken! heartbeat of the Gospel!

Jesus didn’t just come to give good advice; didn’t just come to head bodies — came to rescue those lost in sin!! Need good news!

In amazing parable about seeking out lost, God Father tells servants:

Matthew 22:9 “So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’”

Old school way of saying that is “hiways & byways”. See: TLV.

Leave no stone unturned when it comes to seeking out those who need freedom; to hear Good News!

[fill this in with a nice transition blip]

What is the Gospel Story?

The Gospel is all about Relationship.

God created the world bc He desired willful relationship (not forced).

We broke off this relationship/partnership/friendship by eating fruit.

From then until now, we all have the hourly temptation to sin; retreat from His good love.

God made way to restore the relationship that was [is] broken.

He suffered & died on a Cross as Jesus, paying for the chance to work with Him & be in His family again! (election)

We merely need to admit that God’s Way is best & that we break His heart daily.

Then believe that Jesus paid for our restoration.

Finally, we confess it (speak it) out loud, to some1 else. We live it out!

Romans 10:9–10 “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”

Altar Call

Salvation call — call forward??

Call to mission — used by God??