Is Your All On The Altar?

Genesis 12:7 KJV 1900

And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him.

Genesis 15:9–10 KJV 1900

And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.

Is Your All On The Altar?

I. WHAT IS THE ALTAR?

A scriptural altar is not necessarily a place of planks and boards at the front of a church. But:

A. A PLACE OF FULL SURRENDER

Gen. 21 “Abraham came to such a place.” In the New Testament we have Romans 12:1.

Romans 12:1 KJV 1900

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

B. A PLACE OF SACRIFICE

Genesis 4:4 KJV 1900

And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

Genesis 4 “Abel came to such a place.” In the New Testament, Paul said, “We are crucified with Christ.”

Galatians 2:20 KJV 1900

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

C. A PLACE OF SURE DEATH

Lev. 16 “And the Lamb had to die.” In the New Testament, Jesus said, “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”—John 12:24

John 12:24 KJV 1900

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

II. WHAT DO WE NEED TO PLACE ON THE ALTAR?

A. OURSELVES

“Yield yourselves to God.” Rom. 12:1, “I beseech ye therefore brethern by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies unto God as a living sacrifice”—Rom. 6:13, We need to present our body, soul and mind unto the Lord.

B. OUR HOMES

Joshua cried, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” A Christian home honors Christ, the Bible, and the church.

C. OUR POCKETBOOKS

David cried, “What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits?” Will a man rob God?

III. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE PLACE ALL ON THE ALTAR?

A. THE FIRE OF THE LORD COMES DOWN

“Then the fire of the Lord fell.” (I Kings 18:38) Isaiah felt the fire from heaven when he placed his all on the altar. “Then flew on the seraphims unto me, and laid it on my mouth.” (Isa. 6:7–8)

B. THE SONG OF THE LORD BEGINS

“And when the burnt offering began the song of the Lord began.” (II Chron. 29:27) For 16 years there was no song in the house of the Lord but after 16 days of house cleaning (one day for each year of silence) their song was regained.

C. THE POWER OF GOD WILL BE RESTORED IN OUR LIVES.

“And when they prayed the place where they prayed was shaken.” (Acts 4:31) After Jacob wrestled with the Lord all night, he received power with God and with men. (Gen. 32:28)