English Service by Rev, DR. Willy Mutiso

REBUILD THE ALTARS.

SERIES: MY CUP OVERFLOWS

TEXT: GENESIS 12:6-20; 13:7-18.

 

God is God of abundance. He desires to bless us until we can testify “My cup overflows”-Psalm 23:1, 5.

There are four altars that Abraham built at various times in his life and each of them had a special significance. As we understand what these altars represent may we take time to rebuild these areas where we are still lacking. We read in Genesis 21:22, “At that time Abimelech went with Phicol, the commander of his army and said to Abraham, God is with you in everything you do.”

Here we see Abimelech a king from a foreign nation came to meet with Abraham. In general kings do not go to people, they rather summon them to their palaces. A king will never go seeking audience with someone. What did King Abimelech see in Abraham that he went seeking after him? If we can only understand why this was so, our days will come seeking after us!! Those in authority will come looking for us. Imagine, when you want to accomplish something how many people you have to run to in order to get the job done.

Abimelech the king of a foreign nation came to Abraham and spoke to him. Why? Abimelech noted that Abraham had everything in abundance!! This made King Abimelech to wonder.

  • At this point in time Abraham was a nomad but his life was overflowing with bounty.
  • Abraham did not have land to call his own.
  • Abraham dug wells in the desert and immediately they were filled with water.
  • Abraham’s herds of cattle increased tremendously.
  • When there was a problem in Abraham’s family he did not fight for his rights.
  • Abraham fought with kings and overpowered them.
  • Abraham was hundred years old when he sired a son. He had ability to produce children at 100 years.
  • All these things confused King Abimelech. The king could not comprehend the life of Abraham.
  • King Abimelech had seen many people but not like Abraham. Abraham was a wonder miracle. 
  • Abimelech came seeking after Abraham even though Abimelech was a king.
  • Abimelech gave a testimony about Abraham, “God is with you in everything you do.”
  • Abimelech made a treaty with Abraham, “so make a (treaty) a promise to me here before God. Promise that you will be fair with me and with my children. Promise that you will be kind to me and this country where you have lived. Promise that you will be as kind to me as I have been to you”-Gen. 21:23.
  • Abimelech knew that God was with Abraham and that God blessed Abraham. What made Abraham so special? God’s presence-Gen. 12:6-7.
  • When God gives no man can stop it-Psalm 122:6.
  • What was the secret of Abraham’s prosperity and his cup overflowing? The altars he made. Let us see:-

THE ALTAR OF THANKSGIVING-Gen. 12:7.

  • An altar is the place of sacrifice, the place where you meet with God. God is met at the place of sacrifice. At the cross!!
  • As soon as the Lord promised Abraham that He would give him the place, Abraham built an altar of thanksgiving to the Lord.
  • Although Abraham had not materialized the land of promise, by faith he believed and thanked God in advance.
  • The reason that God was with Abraham all the days of his life, so that no one could stand against him and there was an overflow of abundance in his life is because Abraham believed God and trusted His word without doubt-Romans 4:20-21.

THE ALTAR OF PRAYER-Genesis 12:8.

  • There was nothing spectacular that was happening to Abraham’s life.
  • Everything was going on as usual and at that point in time Abraham built this altar of prayer.
  • Even when everything in our lives are going on normally, we should build this altar of prayer.
  • Even when there is no sign of miracle or a wonder, build your altar of prayer to God.
  • Only when we obey by faith will we receive our miracle.
  • However, in Genesis 12:9-20 there is something happening in Abraham’s life.
  • There is a famine in the land and Abraham forgot about the altar of prayer and moved into the land of Egypt.
  • It was dangerous for Abraham to move from the promise of God.
  • Security and safety is only found in the land of promise.
  • That is the place where we will be fed and receive all the nourishment that is needed for us.
  • The prophet Elijah who stood before King Ahab had to remain at the brook of Cherith where the Lord God commanded ravens to feed Elijah.
  • There are many who when they have a problem in one place will never settle the issue at hand.
  • They move away from that place to another place, sometimes they move far.
  • When you go away even to another church you will not be blessed.
  • In Genesis 13:4, this is where Abram had built an altar earlier, he worshipped the Lord there.
  • Abraham returned back to the same place to build the altar of prayer.
  • There are those in the time past used to pray much, fast regularly and share the gospel with everyone.
  • Sadly they have stopped doing this and only talk about what they did in the past.
  • As a result they live in danger and peril and hardships.
  • God is calling us back to our altar of prayer.
  • Your prayer life should be your stepping wheel not your spare wheel.
  • Don’t get into the habit of praying only when you are in trouble.

THE ALTAR OF PEACE.

  • Before Abraham built this altar there was a conflict that had accord-Gen. 13:7.
  • Abraham and Lot were same (brothers) family or relatives.
  • The herdsmen of Lot and the herdsmen of Abraham were fighting.
  • Families do have times of quarrels and arguments, but we need to know that there are unbelievers around us who are watching and listening to every conversation.
  • Because of these quarrels, Abraham lost his peace-Gen. 13:8.
  • The solution was that Abraham decided to settle the issue, “Let us separate”-Gen. 13:9.
  • Abraham gave Lot the first choice, “Choose” (The forgiver, the opener of dialogue pays the whole cost).
  • Remember separation does not apply to marriage (“what God has joined together man should not separate”).
  • If you find that someone continues to argue and quarrel and does not seek for settlement, the answer is separation.
  • Sometimes if we want to have peace we will have to release some people and let them go.
  • The best part to this situation is found in Genesis 13:14-17.
  • When God takes some people away from us we should not pursue them.
  • Some friendships are not worthy keeping.
  • Abraham built an altar of peace.

THE ALTAR OF LOVE-Gen. 22:9.

  • This is the fourth altar that Abraham built, it was an altar of love.
  • Abraham was hundred years when he got Isaac.
  • When Abraham was sacrificing his son Isaac he must have been almost 115 years.
  • Abraham loved Isaac more than anybody or anything.
  • This altar is the place where you say to God “Above all the things you have given to me, more than all the people you have put into my life, you are my greatest treasure.”
  • Who is the Isaac in your life? Isaac could be a thing, a friend or anything else.
  • God wants us to lay on the altar the things we love the most.
  • But look at Hebrews 11:17-19. Anything that is given to God will most certainly be given back to us.
  • God gave Isaac to Abraham.

CONCLUSION

  • If we have these four altars in our lives, we will receive all the blessings that Abraham received.
  • When we have these four altars, kings will come to us and will seek to be at peace with us.
  • Our cup will overflow to bless the nations of people.
  • May God give you grace to build your four altars. It begins with a personal relationship with God.
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Rev, DR. Willy Mutiso

Rev, Dr. Willy Mutiso is the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Athiriver. He is widely known for his practical and dynamic teaching style which helps people apply the timeless truths of Scripture to their everyday lives.

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