1 Kings 18:30 Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come near to me." So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down.

The Purpose of the Altar It is a place of mercy, where we find forgiveness of our sins. It is a place of struggle, where we fight our battles. It is a place of release, where we leave behind the burdens we have been carrying. It is a place of brokenness, where hearts and lives are changed. It is a place of thanksgiving, where we thank God for all He has done for us and how He has brought us through.

The Purpose of the Altar It is a place of remembrance, where we return to remind ourselves of God’s faithfulness to us in the past and provide renewed strength to face tomorrow’s battles. It is a place of surrender, where we abandon ourselves into God’s care In the Old Testament, the altar is a place, and object. In the New Testament, the altar is a position, an attitude, a relationship.

What Shape Is Your Altar In? 1 Kings 18:17-40

The Challenge to Step Up 1 Kings 18:17-19 Ahab the king of Israel meets Elijah with these words: Art thou he that troubles Israel? Elijah gives challenge. Most people are satisfied to live around the altar, but we are challenged to live on the altar = A living sacrifice. Romans 12:1

Altar Altering? The Altar Alters Your Focus. The Altar Alters Your Priorities. The Altar Alters Your Spiritual Awareness. The Altar Alters Your Ability. The Altar Alters Your Future.

Interesting Question 21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people answered him not a word. Choose God or Choose Baal.

The people had a bad case of “Altar Falter” Kings 18:30 Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come near to me." So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down.

Rebuilding the Altar vr. 31 And Elijah took twelve stones… The Meaning of Numbers: The Number 12. Reestablishing God's power and authority in our lives and situations. Reestablishing perfect governmental foundation – The Kingdom of God. He Rebuilt the altar. He knew that if he could bring Israel back to the altar, and the altar back to Israel, that he would bring them back to God.

Building the Altar is Hard Work vr. 32 Then with the stones he built an altar in the name of the L ORD and he made a trench around the altar large enough to hold two seahs of seed. Elijah had them dig a trench around the altar, If we are going to see the power of God manifested, there has to be more work around the altar. Prayer is hard work. (hard on the flesh, hard on pride, hard on the carnal mind).

This is Where we are in America Right Now. The greatest structure that we can build in America is not to rebuild the world trade center in New York. It’s in every city, and in every church and in every Home - It’s the structure called the altar. It wasn’t torn down by terrorists attack, There is no terrorist that could destroy the altar. It was torn down through neglect, and decay, and rejection, in favor of a more comfortable and less painful and humiliating way.

Put Things in Order vr. 33 And he put the wood in order… Things need to be set in order. When was the last time you looked at the order of your life?

Personal Sacrifice Vr – …and he said, "Fill four waterpots with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice and on the wood." 34 Then he said, "Do it a second time," and they did it a second time; and he said, "Do it a third time," and they did it a third time. The 12 barrels of water in time of drought and famine was a tremendous sacrifice. If we really want to see a move of God in our lives, it is going to cost us something. The hardest time to sacrifice is when things are dry spiritually.

The Water Represents the Word & the Spirit Vr. 35 So the water ran all around the altar; and he also filled the trench with water. The Word: Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. Psalm 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed there to according to thy word.

The Water Represents the Word & the Spirit Vr. 35 So the water ran all around the altar; and he also filled the trench with water. The Word: Notice how the scripture and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of (seed). = The Word of God. Praying the Word activates God’s promises in the Altar.

The Water Represents the Word & the Spirit Vr. 35 So the water ran all around the altar; and he also filled the trench with water. The Water: John 7: On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

How to Pray? Vr Pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Pray for Manifestations. Pray that He might receive the glory. Pray in the Spirit.

The Results of the Altar Vr God Answers from heaven by fire. Reestablished who God was. Reestablished Worship. Reestablished the Divine Order of God. Prepared the way for what was to happen next.

Apply & Mobilize What needs to change or be rearranged for your altar to become more effective? Take time to evaluate and reestablish what is needed to repair your altar.