Summary of the Sermon: “God’s Expectations”
The sermon centers around God’s expectations for His people, particularly regarding the altar—both as a physical place and a spiritual symbol. The preacher emphasizes that God’s altar is meant to be holy, joyful, prayerful, and a place of sacrifice, and that God actively inspects what He expects from His followers.
Key Themes and Insights
- The Choice of Submission: The preacher highlights a crucial biblical correction—verses like Philippians 2:10 use the word “should” rather than “shall” or “will”, emphasizing that bowing the knee to Jesus is a decision, not an automatic event. This sets the tone for the theme of personal responsibility and choice in faith.
- God’s Altar Is For All People: Emphasizing inclusivity, the altar is described as a place where all people are welcome, with no exceptions or excuses. This ties into the biblical promise in Isaiah 56:7 that God’s house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.
- “Mine”—God’s Ownership: A significant point is God’s ownership of the altar and what is offered there. When something is placed on the altar, it becomes God’s property, and He reserves the right to control the outcome. This ownership is described as absolute and sovereign.
- Six Altars as Spiritual Milestones: The preacher outlines six biblical altars, each representing a different spiritual principle or stage:Altar NumberBiblical ReferenceName/ThemeDescription/Significance1Genesis 8:20Altar of ThanksgivingNoah’s altar after the flood; a place of gratitude for deliverance and survival.2Genesis 22:9Altar of SubmissionAbraham’s altar where he was willing to sacrifice Isaac; symbolizes faithful submission to God’s will.3Genesis 35:7Altar of PromisesJacob’s altar; represents God fulfilling His promises and destiny for His people.4Exodus 17:15Jehovah Nissi (Altar of Miracles)Moses’ altar; a place that signals God’s miraculous intervention and power.5Judges 6:24Jehovah Shalom (Altar of Peace)Gideon’s altar; symbolizes peace and God’s calming presence amid fear and uncertainty.62 Samuel 24:21Altar of IntercessionDavid’s altar; a place of interceding for others, especially in times of national or communal crisis.
- The Altar as a Place of Action: The Hebrew meaning of “altar” involves killing, slaughtering, and offering—actions that imply surrendering or letting go of something to God. The preacher challenges listeners to consider: “What needs to die at this altar in your life?”
- Joy, Prayer, and Holiness: The altar should be a place where the presence of God makes it holy, where joy springs up, and where prayer flows naturally, even from those unaccustomed to praying aloud. The presence of God triggers transformation in the hearts of believers.
- Submission vs. Surrender: A key distinction is made—submission leads to victory, while surrender leads to defeat. Submission is framed as an active, willing choice to align with God’s will.
- God’s Inspection and Ownership: The preacher repeatedly stresses that God will inspect what He expects and that believers should live in awareness of God’s watchful presence. What is offered to God is no longer the believer’s but God’s to manage for blessing or correction.
Core Concepts
- “Inspect what you expect”: Accountability is crucial in spiritual life; God will evaluate whether His expectations are met.
- The altar symbolizes surrender, sacrifice, and transformation: It is not merely a physical structure but a spiritual locus where believers place what they need God to take control of.
- God’s ownership (“mine”): What is laid on the altar belongs to God, who will handle it according to His divine plan.
- The altar is a place of joy and prayer: Encountering God’s presence brings joy and naturally leads to prayer and intercession.
- Submission is empowering, not burdensome: Unlike surrender, submission to God’s will results in victory.
Conclusion
The sermon calls believers to actively engage with God’s expectations by bringing their lives to the altar in thanksgiving, submission, and faith, trusting that God will transform these acts into promises, miracles, peace, and intercession. The altar is portrayed as a dynamic spiritual center where believers meet God’s presence, experience joy, and participate in His divine purpose. Ultimately, God’s expectation is that every knee should bow and every tongue confess, but as a voluntary, conscious decision aligned with His inspection and ownership.
