Not only was the altar prescribed by God; it was prominent. It was the first thing seen as one entered the door; he couldn't miss it. The brazen altar was also prominent in that it as by far the most often used of all the tabernacle furniture. The high priest went into the Holy of Holies only once a year. He went into the holy place morning and evening, but he was at the altar all through the day as the people came with their sacrifices. This should be true in our preaching today. Paul was "determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified" (1 Co. 2:2). in Corinthians 1:11-25 great stress is put upon :preaching of the cross". Much that is called Gospel preaching today is a million miles from it, for not one word is mentioned about the cross or Christ's death for our sins. Occasionally a preacher has the audacity to stand and beg lost people to be saved when he has not told them a thing about how to be saved. if we leave the gospel out of our witnessing, we have left out everything. There is no salvation apart from it.
In so many Gospel tracts today there is not one word about Christ suffering and dying for sins, but people are exhorted to "give their hearts to Christ" or "to ask Jesus to come into their hearts." The Word of God clearly tells us to preach the Gospel, "how that Christ died for our sins...was buried, and...rose again and seen by hundreds" (1 Cor. 15:3) and exhort sinners to "believe" this Good News for themselves. Most preachers would vow and declare they "preach the Gospel" and give the Gospel in their witnessing, but one who listens carefully will discern how little is mentioned of the cross, whether in public, private or print. As Vance Havner has said "They almost say it and most will think they have said it, but they make a neat detour at the cross."
The Presentation at the Altar
The altar was the place of personal presentation of sacrifice and public profession of faith. Some of the details for offering a sacrifice as a whole burnt offering are in Lev. 1:2-5.
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man
of you bring an offering unto the Lord, ye shall bring your offering
of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock. If his offering be
a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish:
he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the taber-
nacle of the congregation before the Lord. And he shall put his
hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted
for him to make atonement for him. And he shall kill the bullock
before the Lord: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring the
blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that is
by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
The offerer brought his offering personally and willingly. At the moment we are saved today, it must be just as real as if we reached out and extended a lamb in our hands to the Lord and that Lamb were the Lord Jesus, "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (Jn. 1:29). God looks at the offering we make just
as He looked at the offering of Cain and Abel. ABC Sumner
You MUST make a copy of Helen Rosevear's message. It is the greatest single message I ever heard. It will motivate you beyond comprehension. http://www.sumnerwemp.com/tapes
"Praise God. My inner man is always renewed with your encouraging and motivation mails." from one of you. God did it and will for you!!
