Repair the Altar

The message was brought by Rev. Tim Powers on 3/22/26.

I Kings 18:30  And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down.

Back in verse 20 of this chapter Elijah asked the people how long were they going to halt between two opinions.  Is this not where America is today?  We say we’re a Christian nation, but we’re not anymore.  Most don’t live like it.  How long America?  How long church?  We cannot follow the Lord and the world.  We cannot love the world and follow it Monday through Saturday, and come to church on Sunday and sing “O How I Love Jesus.”  Then turn around again on Monday and curse and live in sin the rest of the week.  We cannot serve two masters.  We must repair the altar of the Lord.

There had been no rain for 3 ½ years.  Not only was there a drought in the land; there was a spiritual drought.  How did it happen?  They halted between two opinions for too long.  They integrated the worship of Baal into the worship of God.  Our nation is allowing a professing of Jesus to be mingled with many things, while a majority do not possess Him in their hearts.  We can’t say we love Jesus, but I want to………whatever anything.  We can’t live in sin.  Do we want revival?  It has to start in each heart.  You may not be committing something very sinful, but do you have resentment toward anyone?  Repent.  Hatred?  Repent.  Pride?  Repent.  Is there room for Jesus?

What did the people answer?  Nothing.  The challenge was issued. The God/god who answered by fire would be God.  It was an awful scene to watch the Baal worshippers try to get him to send down fire from heaven. He didn’t because he couldn’t.  Do you sometimes find yourself calling upon everything but God?  Elijah began to make light of them suggesting maybe Baal was sleeping or on vacation.  Finally, he called the people together. The altar was in disrepair after that.  If we don’t use our altars, they become like a house not lived in.  They will break down.  Where is the altar?  At the cross.  Elijah commanded the rocks of the altar be set back up and a trench of protection made around it.  The bullock was cut in pieces, a type of the sacrifice of Jesus. He poured water on it three times so that it filled the trench.  Washed in blood and water: both flowed from Jesus on the cross.  Elijah prayed a simple, short prayer.  It was only 63 words; he got to the point.  He was praying for his people of Israel.  We need to pray for America.

After Elijah’s prayer, the fire of the Lord fell.  It can happen.  Pray.  Seek God.  Jesus wants to send the fire.  Get rid of sin.  Repent.  Live for God.  When we do, we will also hear the sound of an abundance of rain as once again God sends down the fire of revival.