Repairing the Broken Altars

By Jeryl L. Bennett

Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, GA.

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Text: 1 Kings 18:17-30

Introduction The trouble was not as said in 18:17 "Art thou he that
troubleth Israel?" The trouble was a broken altar (V 30). The trouble in
many churches is not the Pastor or the program. The trouble is "Broken
Altars"  in the lives of God's people.   The purpose of an altar is:
Worship; Sacrifice; Bring Offerings; God's people gather together; Meet
God

In 1 Kings 18:30 the broken down altar was repaired by the man of God, even
though it had been in that condition for many years.

Many Christians today need to repair some altars.

I.  SOME NEED TO REPAIR THE ALTAR OF PREACHING
    *** The Preacher is a better Preacher with a church full of faithful
people***

    A. Repair this altar by attendance Heb 10:25

        1. Attend all the services
        2. Bring the family

    B. Repair this altar by paying attention Pro 4:20-23

    C. Repair this altar by attitude Eph 4:30-32

        1. Get right with God
        2. Stay right with God



II. SOME NEED TO REPAIR THE ALTAR OF PRAYER
 ***The Preacher is a better Preacher with praying people***

    A. Repair this altar with fervency  Jas 5:16

        1. White hot prayer
        2. Heat of passion

    B. Repair this altar frequently  1 Thes 5:17

    C. Repair this altar by faith   Mt 21:21

Faith is "having confidence that He who has promised is able to perform
that which He has promised"

III. SOME NEED TO REPAIR THE ALTAR OF PURPOSE
 ***The Preacher is a better Preacher with a working, serving people***

    A. Repair this altar by serving the Lord Ac 1:8

    B. Repair this altar by soul winning  Mt 28:18-20

    C. Repair this altar by our sacrifice  2 Sam 24:24

IV. SOME NEED TO REPAIR THE ALTAR OF POWER WITH GOD
 ***The Preacher is a better Preacher with a Spiritual and Empowered
people***

    A. Repair this altar by having a right spirit Psa 51:10

    B. Repair this altar by having right speech

        2 Thes 3:11; Ps 141:3; 106:33

    C. Repair this altar by having a right surrender

CONCLUSION:

"HARD CORE COMMITMENT"
It was taken from a note found on the desk of an African Martyr.

"I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit power.

The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been
made - I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back
away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future
is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth
knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving and
dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits or

popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops,  recognized, praised,
regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by
patience, am uplifted by prayer and I labor with power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my
way is rough, my companions are few, my Guide is reliable, my mission is
clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back,
deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate
in the presence of the enemy, pander at the pool of popularity, or meander
in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed

up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus.

I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work
until He stops me. And, when He comes for His own, He will have no problem
recognizing me...my banner will be clear.


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