Understanding the Altar: Foundations of Faith and Transformation

In life, we often find ourselves at pivotal moments—like sending a child off to university or watching our families change shape—and these transitions remind us of the deeper structures that undergird our faith. Just as a family is more than the sum of its members, so too is our faith more than a collection of beliefs or rituals. Drawing from Aristotle’s insight that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” we see that the Christian life is built on interconnected elements that, when brought together, create something far more powerful and meaningful than any single component alone.

Every faith tradition, including Christianity, is built on five foundational elements: a deity, a temple, an altar, a priest, and the faithful. While Christianity is often described as a relationship rather than a religion, it still encompasses these elements, which help us understand and experience the fullness of our faith. The altar, in particular, is a concept that has been misunderstood or even dismissed by some, especially in the context of New Testament believers. Yet, understanding the altar is crucial for living a victorious Christian life.

The altar is not merely a physical structure; it is a place of encounter, sacrifice, and identification. In the Old Testament, the faithful would bring a spotless animal, lay their hands on its head to identify with it, and transfer their sins before the sacrifice was made. This act of identification foreshadowed Christ’s ultimate sacrifice, where He identified with humanity so that His death would count as ours. The altar, therefore, is a powerful symbol of exchange, transformation, and access to God.

For those who are new to the faith, it’s easy to be captivated by the promises and realities of life in Christ without understanding the foundational truths that make those promises meaningful. Just as one cannot appreciate the drama of a series by jumping in at season five, so too must we revisit the basics—like the altar—to fully grasp the richness of our faith. Even seasoned believers benefit from returning to these truths, as repetition brings protection and deeper revelation. Faith comes by hearing, and as we revisit the mystery of the altar, the Holy Spirit brings fresh light and understanding, equipping us to live victoriously and draw nearer to God.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The interconnected elements of faith—deity, temple, altar, priest, and faithful—form a spiritual structure that is far greater than the sum of its parts. When these elements work together, they create a synergy that deepens our experience of God and our understanding of His ways. This holistic approach prevents us from reducing Christianity to isolated doctrines or rituals, reminding us that our faith is a living, dynamic relationship with God. [80:18]
• 2. The altar is not just a relic of the Old Testament or a physical object; it is a spiritual reality where exchange and transformation take place. At the altar, we bring our brokenness, our sin, and our offerings, and in return, God imparts forgiveness, blessing, and newness of life. Understanding the altar helps us appreciate the depth of Christ’s sacrifice and the ongoing work of grace in our lives. [84:28]
• 3. Identification is at the heart of the altar experience. In the Old Testament, the faithful identified with the sacrificial animal, symbolically transferring their sin and receiving its innocence. In Christ, this principle is fulfilled as He identifies with us, taking our sin and giving us His righteousness. This profound exchange is the foundation of our confidence before God and our ability to live transformed lives. [84:28]
• 4. Revisiting foundational truths, like the meaning of the altar, is not just for new believers but is essential for all Christians. Even if we have heard these teachings before, returning to them protects us from spiritual drift and deepens our understanding. The wisdom of repetition, as Paul notes, is a safeguard for our faith and a means by which the Holy Spirit brings fresh revelation. [84:28]
• 5. The victorious Christian life is not achieved by knowledge alone but by engaging with the structures God has established—especially the altar. As we bring our lives to the altar, we encounter God’s presence, experience transformation, and are equipped to face the challenges of life. The altar is where heaven meets earth, and where our faith becomes more than theory—it becomes a lived reality. [84:28]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [78:29] - Reflections on Family and Transition
• [80:18] - Trusting God for Provision
• [81:00] - Introduction: Demystifying the Altar
• [81:45] - The Five Elements of Religion
• [82:50] - Examples from World Religions
• [84:28] - The Synergy of Spiritual Components
• [85:30] - Christianity: Relationship and Religion
• [86:40] - The Importance of Foundational Teaching
• [87:50] - The Role of Repetition in Spiritual Growth
• [88:30] - What is an Altar?
• [89:40] - The Old Testament Altar and Identification
• [91:00] - The New Testament Perspective on the Altar
• [92:10] - The Structure and Meaning of the Altar
• [93:20] - Living a Victorious Life through the Altar

Bible Reading

Philippians 3:1 (ESV) — > "Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you."

2. Romans 10:17 (ESV)
> "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."

3. Leviticus 4:27-29 (ESV)
> "If anyone of the common people sins unintentionally in doing any one of the things that by the Lord’s commandments ought not to be done and realizes his guilt, or the sin which he has committed is made known to him, he shall bring for his offering a goat, a female without blemish, for his sin which he has committed. He shall lay his hand on the head of the sin offering and kill the sin offering in the place of burnt offering."

Observation Questions

1. According to the sermon, what are the five foundational elements found in every faith tradition, including Christianity? ([01:20:18])
2. In the Old Testament, what was the purpose of laying hands on the sacrificial animal before it was offered on the altar? ([01:29:40])
3. How does Philippians 3:1 relate to the idea of repeating foundational truths in the Christian life? ([01:24:28])
4. What does the pastor say is the main function of the altar, beyond being a physical structure? ([01:29:40])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does the pastor emphasize that Christianity, while a relationship, still includes the five elements of religion? How does this help us understand our faith more fully? ([01:24:28])
2. What is the significance of the act of identification at the altar in the Old Testament, and how does this point forward to Christ’s sacrifice? ([01:29:40])
3. According to the sermon, why is it important for both new and seasoned believers to revisit foundational teachings like the altar? ([01:24:28])
4. How does the synergy of the five elements (deity, temple, altar, priest, faithful) prevent us from reducing Christianity to just doctrines or rituals? ([01:24:28])

Application Questions

1. The pastor shared about transitions in family life, like sending a child to university, as moments that remind us of deeper spiritual structures. Have you experienced a life transition that made you reflect on your faith’s foundations? What did you learn? ([01:18:29])
2. The sermon teaches that the altar is a place of exchange and transformation. Is there an area of your life right now where you need to bring something to God’s altar—such as a struggle, sin, or brokenness? What would it look like to do that this week? ([01:29:40])
3. The act of identification at the altar meant the worshiper’s sin was transferred to the sacrifice, and the sacrifice’s innocence was given to the worshiper. How does this truth about Christ’s sacrifice affect your confidence before God today? ([01:29:40])
4. The pastor said that even if we have heard these teachings before, repetition protects us and brings deeper understanding. Are there foundational truths you tend to overlook or take for granted? How can you intentionally revisit them? ([01:24:28])
5. The victorious Christian life is not just about knowledge but about engaging with God’s structures, especially the altar. What practical steps can you take to make your faith more than just theory this week? ([01:33:20])
6. The sermon warns against reducing Christianity to isolated doctrines or rituals. Are there areas in your spiritual life where you tend to focus on one part (like prayer, Bible reading, or service) and neglect the others? How can you pursue a more holistic faith? ([01:24:28])
7. The pastor mentioned that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. What is one way you can expose yourself to God’s word more regularly, and how might this strengthen your faith? ([01:24:28])