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The Family Altar does not refer to the family meeting, preferably daily, where as a family we practice the presence of God.
Today's sermon is a dangerous sermon. There is a very deep risk in what we are going to see on this day. The risk lies in this: that what I am going to teach you can become just another obligation, something else that I have to do because if not, God will get mad at me, and I am so tired of doing so many things to try please God
It's not about that. If you are living a faith that focuses on doing certain things for God to love you, you are in a trap. God's love is not something we can earn, but something that He freely gives us and that we simply receive. Please, if you are in that trap of love that has conditions, free yourself!
The danger of what we will see today is to take it that way, as something that we have to carry as a heavy burden and as an obligation. It does not have to be like that. The reality is that what we are going to see today can transform your home, bringing joy, peace and well-being to the heart of your family.
What do I mean? I refer to the practice of the family altar. Before they go looking for some stones to build an altar in the room and a calf to sacrifice in it, let me clarify that the family altar does not refer to a physical altar that is built in the house.
No, it refers to the family meeting, preferably daily, where as a family we practice the presence of God. The family altar consists of spending time with the Word of God and in prayer, as a family. We will see three things that we achieved with the celebration of the family altar, and then talk about some guidelines to be a blessing and not an obligation.
The family altar reflects the family commitment to the Lord
What do you notice in common among all these passages? In each place, we noticed that Abraham raised an altar for the Lord. Here we are clearly talking about a physical altar, a pile of stones on which sacrifices of animals were offered. This was the place of worship during Abraham's time.
The important thing in the case is the reason why Abraham did it. Could not he have simply made an altar somewhere, to visit him from time to time? Why did he build an altar in every place he lived? That altar served as a visible sign that Abraham and his family were committed to the Lord.
Compare Abraham and Lot. Abraham's camp was a place of worship, seen in the presence of the altar in every place he lived. Lot's house, on the other hand, was a place of concession. Lot granted his authority as a just man to the mundane and perverse culture of Sodom. Which it was the result? He lost everything!
What separates your family from the families that surround you? What sign is that you are different? God does not want you to put images in your home to reflect his presence, for He is Spirit. Nor is it a matter of putting a sign on the door that says, "This home is Christian."
The best way to reflect the family's commitment to the Lord is to spend time with Him, together, every day. This begins to produce a spiritual change in the family, because the most valuable thing we have is our time. When we begin to give part of our time to the Lord, He begins to manifest among us.
In addition to reflecting the family commitment with the Lord,
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The family altar educates children in the ways of the Lord
The most important thing you can do for your children is to teach them about God. The story of a dinner at the church is told. One of the sisters placed a sign next to the fruit plate that read: Take only one piece of fruit; God is watching. Up ahead there was a plate of cookies, and one of the children had put up another sign. He said: Take all the cookies you want; God is looking at the fruit.
It's funny, but clearly that child did not understand that God is everywhere, and he sees everything. God wants every child to learn about Him in their home.
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The family altar contributes to the salvation of the family
Through his Word, God works through families. He wants your family also to be impacted by his truth, and that many come to know his salvation. So it was with a man that Pablo and Silas met in jail. He was not another prisoner, but rather the jailer.
As the head of the household, when the jailer surrendered to the Lord, God's blessing came to all his family. In their case, they all believed in the Lord, and were baptized together. If you as a father or mother are devoted to the Lord, you must serve as a channel for your blessing to flow to your children as well.
Through the example you give them, what you teach them, and the answers they see in their prayers, your children can get closer to that day when they will make the decision to accept Christ on their own, and they can be strengthened in their faith.
How can this happen in a family? The first thing that has to happen to have a family altar is that you have to set an hour to do it and turn off the television. I could preach a whole sermon about television, but suffice it to say that they will not die if they turn it off for 10 or 15 minutes, and at the best it does them good.
Second, make sure you always use the Bible. If you have small children, you could use a book of Bible stories or another source, but be sure to show them where the story is in the Bible so they can see that the Bible is the center of our faith. Do not leave the Bible aside.
Third, look for a rhythm - perhaps you can start with prayer for different family and Church needs, and then read the biblical portion. If you have a rhythm that you always follow in your family altar, it is easier to continue. However, it is good to vary from time to time too - perhaps singing a corito, or watching a video clip.
Fourth, remember why you do it. Do not let it become a habit anymore. Remember that, at that table, you and your family are meeting the God of the universe. Actually, that is the most important part of the day and of your family life. Let your children share; do not make it a space to give them a speech.
Fifth, make it fun! Find ways to get children involved with questions and opinions. Let them choose from time to time what they are going to study. Teach them to pray. Make sure there is something they can apply to their lives. What does God want us to do, think or say?
Do you have an altar in your house? I do not mean a pile of stones or an altarpiece, but rather a daily family altar where you can reflect your commitment to the Lord, educate your children in the faith and seek the salvation of your family. If you do not have it, I encourage you to commit yourself today to the Lord in the beginning. I know it will be a blessing.
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