Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place, Osoyoos
Pulpit Series Volume 22, Issue 1 January 8, 2012
There never was a revival that did not begin the
rebuilding of broken altars of consecration,
of family altars, of altars of praise and testimony.
Stained glass windows, robed choirs, eloquence in the pulpit, and elegance in the pew have never deceived God. He demands truth in the inward parts, and heaven will keep silent until we approach Him with rebuilt altars.
There must be sacrifice on those altars - not a sacrifice for sin, for that has been offered once for all.
1. There must be the sacrifice of penitence
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." Psalm 51:17
How little of that do we see in our dry-eyed churches!
Penitence is not merely feeling sorrow because you got caught in your sin but having a broken heart over our sin and how it has affected our relationship with God.
The problem is that many don’t feel sorry over sin! We feel no sorrow over the sin that is present in our lives nor any remorse for our lack of obedience to the Lord! We don’t even blush!
2. There must be the sacrifice of person
“Present your bodies a living sacrifice.”
Romans 12:1
The Macedonians first gave themselves unto the Lord.
Friends, until we are willing to allow His Spirit to control us in all areas of our lives….He is not Lord! Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
The biggest hurdle we face is in denying self!
Friends, God wants our hearts above anything else!
The Lord desires we offer ourselves as “living sacrifices” Romans 12:1.
Many today are involved but few are committed.
What’s the difference you ask?
When you look at a plate of ham and eggs, you know the chicken was involved, but the pig was committed.
A little boy had no money to give to the Church but he wrote upon a piece of paper, “I give myself” and put that into the plate.
His was the biggest gift that morning!
3. There must be the sacrifice of praise
"By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name" Hebrews 13:15
We try to work up that sacrifice by artificial means; song leaders sweat and plead trying to bring out a song that is not there.
The psalmist said in Psalm 40:2-3 "He brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet on a rock, and established my goings. He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD."
Folks, there is no reason for God’s people not to be joyful and singing in their hearts to the Lord!
For one thing Deuteronomy 28:47-48 tells us: "Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything, you shall serve your enemies."
Psalm 34:1-3 "I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together."
Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say rejoice."
Friends, for us to worship and praise God rightly, it must come from the heart.
Until the heart is right, we cannot give Him praise rightly!
When our heart is changed, and we are in love with Jesus, we cannot help but sing His praises!
Psalm 100 is a great psalm of praise that we ought to read often.
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness:
come before his presence with singing.
come before his presence with singing.
Know that the LORD he is God:
it is he that has made us, and not we ourselves;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise:
be thankful to him, and bless his name.
For the LORD is good;
his mercy is everlasting;
and his truth endures to all generations.
We’ve so much to praise God for!
You cannot change the order of :
- Penitence
- Person
- Praise
It will be spontaneous, for what is down in the well will come up in the bucket.
Are their some altars in your life which need repaired?
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