Rebuilding Our Spiritual Altar: Igniting Devotion to God

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, we often find ourselves grappling with the reality of sin, both intentional and unintentional. Just as a window remains broken regardless of whether it was shattered by accident or on purpose, sin leaves its mark on our lives. God, in His infinite mercy, offers to take care of our brokenness, just as a loving father would. This is a profound reminder that sin, whether deliberate or accidental, requires serious attention and cannot be simply explained away. It is an offense against God that must be made right, and this is where confession and forgiveness come into play. However, forgiveness alone does not fix the brokenness; someone must bear the cost, and that someone is Jesus Christ.

Reflecting on Leviticus 6, we see the importance of keeping the fire on the altar burning continuously. This fire symbolizes our ongoing relationship with God and our commitment to Him. Just as the priests were instructed to maintain the fire, we too must ensure that the fire of our devotion to God remains alive. This involves consistent prayer, passionate worship, and a daily engagement with Scripture. Our hearts are the new altars, and the Holy Spirit is the fire that must not be neglected. When we allow the fire to dim, we risk losing our intimacy with God.

The condition of our spiritual altar reflects our spiritual health. When prayer becomes a burden, worship feels routine, and Scripture no longer transforms us, it is a sign that the fire is weakening. We must return to a place of unhurried prayer, reignite our passion for worship, and consume the Word of God daily. This is not about falling into a routine for the sake of it, but about creating habits that allow God to work in our lives. Our hearts are restless until they find rest in God, and a neglected altar breeds restlessness. Rebuilding it restores peace and reignites the fire of our devotion.

Key Takeaways:

- Sin, whether intentional or unintentional, leaves a mark on our lives that requires serious attention. It is an offense against God that must be made right, and forgiveness alone does not fix the brokenness. Jesus Christ bears the cost of our sin, offering us redemption and healing. [11:28]

- The fire on the altar, as instructed in Leviticus 6, symbolizes our ongoing relationship with God. Just as the priests were to keep the fire burning, we must ensure that the fire of our devotion remains alive through consistent prayer, worship, and engagement with Scripture. [43:41]

- The condition of our spiritual altar reflects our spiritual health. When prayer becomes a burden, worship feels routine, and Scripture no longer transforms us, it is a sign that the fire is weakening. We must return to a place of unhurried prayer and passionate worship. [50:46]

- Our hearts are restless until they find rest in God. A neglected altar breeds restlessness, but rebuilding it restores peace. We must strip away distractions, confess compromises, and return to a communion with God to reignite the fire of our devotion. [01:01:07]

- The call to rebuild our spiritual altar is personal. If we find ourselves dry and distant, we must return to God. If busyness has eclipsed intimacy, we must return. If sin has crept in, we must return. God invites us to rebuild, strip away distractions, and return to a communion with Him. [01:08:47]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[11:28] - The Reality of Sin
[13:24] - Confession and Forgiveness
[40:48] - Keeping the Fire Burning
[43:41] - The Significance of the Altar
[47:25] - Prayer as a Lifeline
[50:46] - Spiritual Health Check
[53:28] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[56:15] - Worship and Reverence
[58:49] - The Transformative Power of Scripture
[01:01:07] - Restlessness and Peace
[01:03:34] - The Refiner's Fire
[01:06:48] - Returning to God
[01:08:47] - Rebuilding the Altar
[01:20:07] - Closing Prayer and Announcements

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Leviticus 6:8-13

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Observation Questions:

1. In Leviticus 6:8-13, what specific instructions are given to the priests regarding the burnt offering and the fire on the altar? How does this relate to the idea of maintaining a continuous relationship with God? [43:41]

2. The sermon mentioned the importance of keeping the fire burning on the altar. What does the fire symbolize in the context of our spiritual lives? [50:46]

3. How does the pastor illustrate the concept of sin, both intentional and unintentional, using the analogy of a broken window? [11:28]

4. What are the signs mentioned in the sermon that indicate the fire of our devotion to God might be weakening? [53:28]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the continuous burning of the altar fire in Leviticus 6 reflect the Israelites' covenant relationship with God, and what does this imply for our personal relationship with Him today? [47:25]

2. The sermon discusses the role of Jesus in bearing the cost of our sin. How does this understanding of Jesus' sacrifice influence our approach to confession and forgiveness? [13:24]

3. The pastor mentioned that our hearts are the new altars and the Holy Spirit is the fire. How does this metaphor help us understand our responsibility in maintaining our spiritual health? [53:28]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that routine spiritual practices can become meaningful habits that foster devotion rather than mere rituals? [50:46]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current prayer life. Is it consistent and unhurried, or does it feel rushed and routine? What changes can you make to ensure it becomes a lifeline rather than a chore? [50:46]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of passionate worship. How can you reignite your passion for worship in both personal and communal settings? [56:15]

3. Consider your engagement with Scripture. Are you reading it out of duty or delight? What steps can you take to ensure that Scripture becomes a transformative voice in your life? [58:49]

4. The pastor mentioned that our hearts are restless until they find rest in God. Identify any distractions or compromises in your life that might be causing restlessness. How can you address these to find peace? [01:01:07]

5. The sermon calls for a personal rebuilding of our spiritual altar. If you feel dry or distant from God, what specific actions can you take to return to Him and reignite the fire of your devotion? [01:08:47]

6. How can you incorporate the practice of daily sacrifice and surrender into your life, as suggested by the sermon? What might this look like in practical terms? [01:03:34]

7. Reflect on the analogy of the refiner's fire and fuller's soap. Are there areas in your life where you feel God is refining you? How can you embrace this process to grow closer to Him? [01:06:48]

Devotional

Day 1: The Mark of Sin and Redemption
Sin, whether intentional or unintentional, leaves a profound mark on our lives, much like a broken window remains shattered regardless of how it was broken. This mark is an offense against God and requires serious attention. It cannot be simply explained away or ignored. Forgiveness is essential, but it alone does not fix the brokenness caused by sin. Someone must bear the cost, and that someone is Jesus Christ. In His infinite mercy, God offers redemption and healing through Jesus, who takes on the burden of our sins. This is a profound reminder of the depth of God's love and the seriousness with which we must approach our own sinfulness. [11:28]

Hebrews 9:14 (ESV): "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you have been ignoring the impact of sin. How can you invite Jesus to bring healing and redemption to this area today?


Day 2: Keeping the Fire of Devotion Alive
In Leviticus 6, the priests were instructed to keep the fire on the altar burning continuously, symbolizing an ongoing relationship with God. This fire represents our devotion and commitment to Him. Just as the priests were diligent in maintaining the fire, we too must ensure that the fire of our devotion remains alive through consistent prayer, passionate worship, and daily engagement with Scripture. Our hearts are the new altars, and the Holy Spirit is the fire that must not be neglected. When we allow this fire to dim, we risk losing our intimacy with God. [43:41]

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 (ESV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to ensure that the fire of your devotion to God remains burning brightly?


Day 3: The Health of Our Spiritual Altar
The condition of our spiritual altar reflects our spiritual health. When prayer becomes a burden, worship feels routine, and Scripture no longer transforms us, it is a sign that the fire is weakening. We must return to a place of unhurried prayer, reignite our passion for worship, and consume the Word of God daily. This is not about falling into a routine for the sake of it, but about creating habits that allow God to work in our lives. A neglected altar breeds restlessness, but rebuilding it restores peace and reignites the fire of our devotion. [50:46]

Psalm 51:10-12 (ESV): "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit."

Reflection: Reflect on your current spiritual practices. What changes can you make to move from routine to a more vibrant and transformative relationship with God?


Day 4: Restlessness and Peace in God
Our hearts are restless until they find rest in God. A neglected altar breeds restlessness, but rebuilding it restores peace. We must strip away distractions, confess compromises, and return to a communion with God to reignite the fire of our devotion. This involves a conscious effort to remove anything that hinders our relationship with God and to seek His presence earnestly. In doing so, we find the peace that only He can provide, a peace that surpasses all understanding and guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. [01:01:07]

Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."

Reflection: What distractions or compromises are currently hindering your peace in God? How can you begin to address these today?


Day 5: The Call to Rebuild Our Spiritual Altar
The call to rebuild our spiritual altar is personal. If we find ourselves dry and distant, we must return to God. If busyness has eclipsed intimacy, we must return. If sin has crept in, we must return. God invites us to rebuild, strip away distractions, and return to a communion with Him. This is a call to examine our lives, identify areas where we have drifted, and take intentional steps to restore our relationship with God. It is a journey of returning to the heart of worship and finding our rest in Him. [01:08:47]

Haggai 1:7-8 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord."

Reflection: In what ways have you drifted from intimacy with God? What specific actions can you take to begin rebuilding your spiritual altar today?

Quotes


In the larger scope of life, we frequently sin quite deliberately. We knowingly choose to do wrong, but there are also times when we discover after the fact that we have sinned. You ever been driving along, not paying any attention, even though you're supposed to be, and all of a sudden you see blue lights behind you and realize that you're going 20 miles over the speed limit? [00:10:04] (33 seconds)


A window is not less broken because the ball was thrown through it by accident rather than on purpose. I remember as a young man, I was outside swinging a broomstick. And we had one of those square or rectangle windows over the kitchen window. And mom and dad were sitting at the table in the kitchen and the broomstick goes through the window and lands on the kitchen table. [00:10:52] (28 seconds)


As God was giving instructions to the Israelites, he made it clear that even unintentional sin required an offering, not an excuse. God repeated one lesson over and over. Sin must be treated seriously. It can't be whisked or explained away. It's an offense against God, which must be made right. Confession and forgiveness may relieve the guilt of having broken a window, but they don't fix the window itself. [00:12:33] (29 seconds)


The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law for the burnt offering. The burnt offering itself shall remain. Just kind of update you a little bit. When I do these things in my studies, I circle certain words that the Lord is pointing out to me. I circled, shall remain. [00:41:48] (25 seconds)


The fire's continuity reflected God's unceasing presence and their call to unrelenting devotion. You could look to the temple, you could look to the temple mount, and you could see the fire burning. You knew when you looked at the temple mount you would see a smoke rising, and you knew that the presence of the Lord was somewhere near. [00:48:41] (30 seconds)


Your heart is the altar. The Holy Spirit is the fire. And if all that you're depicting and looking and seeing in your life is this altar, you're missing what Jesus Christ came and did for you. This becomes our altar. This heart. This place. The condition of our private altar mirrors our spiritual health. [00:53:36] (27 seconds)


Matthew 26 and 41 says, Keep watching and praying so that you do not come into temptation because the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. When prayer feels like a chore, we've drifted from the secret place. Jesus' words to His disciples in Gethsemane remind us that prayer is our defense against spiritual slumber. [00:54:14] (26 seconds)


True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. For such people, the Father seeks to be His worshipers. If we sing without awe, worship becomes mechanical. God seeks hearts aflame with His truth, not mere lip service. If you have to do what Sister Charlotte did, and you just turn around. [00:56:38] (22 seconds)


The Word no longer transforms us. Psalms 119 and 11 says, I have treasured your Word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you. Reading Scripture for duty rather than delight starves the fire. If you're on this conquest of reading the Bible through in a year, I caution you for a moment to make sure that you're finding time to not just read the words, but to understand the depths of His Word. [00:58:08] (23 seconds)


Our hearts are restless until they rest in you. I want you to say that with me. My heart is restless until I rest in you. My heart is restless until I rest in you. Would you all bow your heads for just a moment? Father God, help us to rest in you. [01:00:29] (42 seconds)


Reigniting the fire demands intentionality. Let's consider, really quickly, five biblical steps. One, return to consistent, unhurried prayer. Two, reignite passionate worship. Three, consume the Word of God daily. Let me say it again. Consistent and unhurried prayer. Reignite passionate worship. [01:02:33] (27 seconds)


This is no abstract lesson it is a summons God invites us today to rebuild strip away distractions confess compromises and return to a communion with him revelations 2 4 and 5 warns us once again you've left your first love repent and do the deeds you did at first the call is personal if you're dry and distant return if busyness has eclipsed intimacy return if sin has crept in return Charles Spurgeon preached cold heart towards God is a dead heart [01:10:13] (45 seconds)


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Transcript
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