BUILDING A STRONG ALTAR

BUILDING A STRONG ALTAR OF SACRIFICE
My text I took was in Genesis 8:20 and Genesis 12:1-8

The life of Abraham was the life of moving. He moved from place to place. As he moved he built an altar. And every time he heard God’s voice he built the altar. An altar can be family altar or our communion with God daily. Abraham's love for God never dwindled. Abraham lived in the grace of God. God's grace was upon him. It increased day by day until God had to test him and bless him. The Word ‘altar’ caught my eyes and ‘tent’ two words.

A) First Altar - Genesis 12:1-8 in vs. 7 is the word "an altar" verse 8 ‘pitch his tent’
God gave Abraham promises to bless him as he go forth but he encounter famine problems. He went down to Egypt and became prosperous after lying to Pharaoh his wife was his sister. (Promise of God: “Go forth”)

In Genesis 13:1-4 – again mentioned “place of altar” verse 4 At Bethel & Ai he returned to the place he first built the altar before and he separated with Lot there. Abraham’s heart had a giving heart because of that God promises to give him the land of Canaan.

B) Second Altar he build at Hebron after the separation from Lot. Vs. 17, 18
Promise of God : “Arise and Walk” vs.18 says He moved his tent dwelt at oaks of Mamre in Hebron. A confirmation from God.

C) Third altar – Genesis 15:1-8 – Promise of God v. 5 “Look up toward” Look now toward heaven and count the stars if you are able to number them. So shall your descendants be. Vs. 6 And he believed in the Lord and He accounted it to him for righteousness. (Gift of righteousness) was given by believing only.
v. 9 “sacrifice at altar” Abraham said, “Bring me” a heifer, goat, ram, turtledove, pigeon) sins offering. Forgiveness of sin and cleansing – I John 1:9

Chapter 17:1-8 v.10 - God’s Covenant by circumcision. V.24-27 Abram and his people were circumcised “cutting the skin” New Testament is “sanctification” Believers today we were circumcised by our hearts by Christ. He cuts our fleshy part out. - Deuteronomy 30:6 God did their circumcision in their hearts and blessings follow. Condition : To obey His Commands.

Colossian 2:6-12 - Circumcision by Christ – then blessings follows in Christ. Conditions: obedience to Christ (Walk, Rooted, Build up in Him; Established in your faith)

Genesis 18:1 – Abraham was sitting at the tent door at oaks of Mamre and 3 men appeared as “angel of the Lord”. They were eating and having conversation with each other. The Promise of the child by the 3 men to Sarah and Sarah was laughing. V. 14 God Promise: “Is Anything Too Hard For God”? v. 9 “a son” for Abraham.

Now Abram lived by faith trusting God for a miracle (waiting period) He was ’building up His faith in God promises and Word. And his faith in God increases daily.
In Hebrew 11:8 we read - he obeyed by going. God will give us the power to obey.
- he lived as an alien
- he was looking for the city (Spiritual House God the builder)
- he was tested.

D) Fourth altar at Mt. Moriah – Genesis 22:1-18 – Testing of Abraham’s faith of giving all. It’s a harder test. Command “Take your son” Place all your faith on the promises of God. (love, treasure, talents)

God promise are great: “The Lord will Provide” He will multiply your seed. V18 All the seeds of nations shall be blessed. Abraham blessings overflow. God intents His church to be Rivers not Reservoirs! Managing what God’s given us produces maturity.

There comes a time in our life – the test of our sacrifices for God must be the best. It must come from the best of us. Then overflow blessings will come. Most of us think of our own blessings first. This fourth alter is all about giving our best to God and after all Jesus have given His best to us by dying on the cross. Have we given our best to God yet? Jesus in us we can give our best to God through grace and in Christ we received all his blessings at the cross.

The Journey of our walk is a journey of Love for God as we focus on the Love of God first. Promises for Abraham is His love. God's love is perfect and we can live in His love.