The Salvation Altar
Romans 10:12–13 ESV
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.
13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Introduction:
Good morning, everyone!
We’re now in week six of our “Rebuilding the Altar” series, and today we’re focusing on building “The Salvation Altar”.
As we’ve been saying, whoever controls the altar controls the outcome.
One day, everyone will bow before Jesus and give an account for their lives.
No one will escape that judgment, and every tongue will confess that He is Lord.
But right now, in this season of grace, God is inviting people to recognize Jesus’ authority and receive Him as Savior—before it’s too late.
David Wilkerson once said
“The greatest tragedy is not the sin of the world, but the silence of the church.”
~David Wilkerson
How many of you have someone in your life you’re desperate to see come to Christ—family, friends, coworkers, neighbors?
People who need to find a place of surrender?
This message is for them—and for you—because real love can’t ignore the spiritual danger they’re in.
We have an altar of salvation we must pray on ourselves.
We must also invite others to approach it.
Not telling them about Jesus isn’t love; it’s abandoning them to a path that leads to destruction!
In today’s culture, there’s a movement that disguises itself as “love” but preaches a false Christ.
It suggests that we should “just love” the lost and avoid saying anything that might offend.
Some even use “speak the truth in love” as a way to avoid hard truths.
But remember, Jesus is Love, and He spoke the truth with compassion—and, yes, His truth often offended.
It’s true, some Christians HAVE failed people by delivering harsh truths without compassion.
When people are hurt, it’s rarely because the message was hard; it’s because it wasn’t shared with the Spirit’s empathy and compassion.
Don't Be a 'Jerk for Jesus,' but Don't Be a 'Coward for Christ' Either!
We must be honest and loving, but we must be clear.
This idea of a “soft” Jesus isn’t biblical.
Churches that don’t preach “Repent and sin no more” are not churches at all!
Pastors who water down the Word to be less confrontational, are not pastors!
Yes, God loves us unconditionally, even if we reject Him.
He will still love us, even if that choice leads us to spend eternity separated from Him.
But love without repentance is an incomplete Gospel.
We must preach the full truth, not just love, because that’s the whole gospel!
We are patient and gentle with new believers, allowing them to grow—that’s discipleship.
But those who are lost need to hear the truth, and it’s our responsibility to share it in love.
I saw a quote this week from Shane Pruitt, it says…
“We want doctors to be honest with us when something is wrong physically.
We should want pastors who will do the same thing when things are wrong spiritually”
Imagine going to a doctor who finds something seriously wrong but says:
“I want you to know that I care about you and this hospital loves you.
Some of your life choices, may have invited some health conditions that are less than favorable.
We care about you and want what’s best, but no pressure.
It may be a good idea to consider... maybe… if you feel that you should… possibly not do some of things you were doing.”
There is not a single person on this planet with half a brain that would say… I want that Dr… We’d call that malpractice!
What we really want is a doctor who says:
“You’re not well… If you don’t make these changes, you will die.
It’s your choice, but my professional advice is to follow this treatment or prepare for the consequences.”
That’s the same honesty we need when it comes to sharing the gospel!
See… every single one of those “lost” people that these “timid and insecure Christians” are afraid to tell the Gospel to, go to doctors who do not shelter them from the truth.
They go hospitals and get bad news all the time… why are we sheltering the gospel from them that can save their souls?
The goal of every Christian and every church should be to welcome the lost into the Kingdom of God!
We must love people enough to tell them the truth.
Romans 10:1 NLT
1 Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved.
As we build The Salvation Altar, the first step is to develop a deep, heartfelt burden for those who don’t yet know Christ.
Just as Paul carried a relentless desire for the salvation of his people, we’re called to approach God with that same urgency for the lost.
1. Cultivate a Burden for the Lost
A genuine burden for those who are lost aligns our hearts with God's compassion.
God’s heart longs for every person to know Him, and He calls us to partner with Him in reaching them!
1. A heart that breaks for the lost is a heart that beats in rhythm with God.
a. When our hearts break for what breaks God's, we begin to feel His heartbeat.
b. This divine alignment will transform our view of people—not as strangers or statistics… not as enemies or sinners but as beloved souls in need of salvation.
c. Paul expresses it simply: “My desire is that all would be saved”
d. We need this same desire—a passion that fuels intercession and launches us into action!
e. A true burden for the lost means we’re deeply moved by the reality that people we know are spiritually lost, separated from God, and need salvation.
Imagine a loved one, stranded on a road at midnight in January, with temperatures dropping below zero.
Would you just wave as you passed by, maybe roll down your window and say, “I’ll pray for you!”
a. Of course not!
b. You’d go to great lengths to bring them safely home, enduring any inconvenience out of desperation and urgency.
c. That feeling—the desperation, the urgency—is similar to the burden we need to develop for those who don’t know Christ.
d. When we’re genuinely burdened, we can’t ignore the lost.
e. It drives us to our knees in prayer, then into their lives, offering aid.
f. We are compelled to go because we know what’s at stake—eternal separation from God versus eternal life with Him
g. It is alarming to me, how many Christians have little or no burden for the lost.
i. Often, this comes from focusing on personal faith rather than Christ’s commission to share the Gospel.
ii. A lack of concern is a sign of spiritual complacency.
h. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us of God’s heart:
2 Peter 3:9 NLT
9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
a. As we cultivate compassion for the lost, we tap into God’s love, mercy, and desire for every soul to be saved.
b. When we allow ourselves to feel the weight of lostness, we ignite a fire to share the Gospel boldly.
c. This compassion is nurtured on the altar of intercession.
d. Prayer is powerful, and the enemy often tries to interrupt it… But it’s in prayer that our burden grows.
e. Be intentional in your prayers.
i. Ask God to break your heart for what breaks his.
ii. Ask God to give you his eyes, and his heart.
iii. Ask Him to give you His perspective on their needs.
iv. Immerse yourself in the word.
f. In Matthew 9 Jesus was traveling through towns and villages, healing the sick, setting captives free, and casting out demons.
g. In the middle of all this, He looked upon the crowd and truly saw them—not as a mass of people, but as individuals.
h. He saw their pain, their fears, their hopelessness.
i. He saw their confusion and their aimlessness, like sheep without a shepherd.
j. And His heart broke.
Matthew 9:36 NLT
36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
a. He wasn’t just acknowledging their presence as a crowd; He saw each person individually.
b. This wasn’t just pity; it was deep compassion that moved Him to action.
i. Have you ever looked upon a person who deserved no mercy, but began to feel an overwhelming ache in your heart for them?
ii. Perhaps they’ve hurt you, or their choices have led them down a destructive path, and they seem uninterested in turning around.
iii. But in that moment, something stirs within you—an ache that’s almost painful, a longing that reaches past the frustration and the disappointment.
c. That is more than just sympathy, that is the heartbeat of God!
d. Then Jesus turns to His disciples and says…Matthew 9:37-38
Matthew 9:37–38 NLT
37 He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.
38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”
a. Many people are ready to give their hearts to Jesus— they only need someone to show them how.
b. Jesus commands that we pray… pray that someone will respond to this need for workers.
2. Burdened hearts lead to fervent prayers; fervent prayers lead to changed lives.
a. When our hearts are burdened, especially for the lost, our prayers become more than casual requests—they become deep cries for transformation and salvation.
b. These fervent prayers are the bridges that connect the lost to the Savior.
i. They are the vital link that reaches across spiritual distance, bringing those who are far from God closer to Him.
ii. As we intercede, we stand in the gap, asking God to soften hearts and draw people into His love.
c. Fervent prayers lead to changed lives.
i. There is no substitute, no shortcut—we must be willing to pray!
ii. Like a farmer tilling soil before planting, our prayers break the hard ground of people’s hearts, preparing them to receive the seed of the Gospel.
iii. We can’t wait until the moment arrives to start praying; we need to saturate the ground in prayer beforehand.
d. Remember, as we pray for laborers, we are also called to respond ourselves.
e. God often answers our prayers by using us.
f. Be prepared for God to use you to show another person the way to him.
i. We have no idea who the Lord will bring across your path.
ii. We have no idea what they are carrying.
iii. We have no idea how broken they are.
g. The moment you just shared with that person, maybe their last opportunity to know Christ.
h. When your heart is burdened for the lost, you’ll be led to fervent prayer and will become sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
i. Then, when the Spirit moves, you’re ready to listen and respond.
2. Intercede for a Spiritual Awakening
Our prayers have the power to spark revival and bring about a spiritual awakening in those who are lost.
2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT
14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
1. When we pray for awakening, we ignite the fires of revival!
a. Revival is born from prayer—it ignites like a flame, spreading wherever there are hearts willing to receive it.
b. We desperately need a spiritual awakening in these times.
c. As we look around, it’s clear the world is hungry for a move of the Holy Spirit.
d. We are prime for revival!
e. Right now, we’re witnessing troubling events:
i. terrorist attacks on Israel,
ii. violence in schools,
iii. an evil agenda pushing to corrupt the minds of our children,
iv. and churches facing increasing persecution.
v. These are perilous times, just as the Bible warned in 2 Timothy 3:1-3.
2 Timothy 3:1–3 NLT
1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.
2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.
3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.
a. It doesn’t take a scientist to see we are living in the days that Paul described.
i. The enemy has waged war against the body of Christ and against God Himself.
ii. But let’s hold onto this truth: the enemy is fighting a battle he’s already lost.
iii. He cannot and will not prevail against God or His Church.
b. I am telling you… we desperately need a spiritual awakening!
c. Revival is born from prayer!
d. I want to encourage you not to focus your mind on what you are seeing but instead pray for a spiritual awakening to hit this nation!
e. We need the power of God to infiltrate our families, infiltrate our communities, infiltrate our cities, infiltrate our schools.
2. Awakening starts with us!
a. May our hearts and prayers awaken a generation!
b. Before we can see revival sweep through our communities, our schools, our workplaces, and our nation, it has to begin in our own hearts.
c. God is looking for people who are willing to be stirred, people who are willing to let their hearts break for the lost and be set on fire for His purposes.
d. If we want to see God move, we have to let Him move in us first— We are the starting point.
e. Our prayers need to awaken a generation!
f. Imagine the ripple effect of a church filled with people on fire for God, passionately interceding for those who don’t know Him.
g. That kind of awakening is unstoppable—it has the power to ignite a generation with a hunger for God, a passion for holiness, and a desire to see lives transformed.
h. We have a unique moment before us.
i. This younger generation is largely unfamiliar with the Gospel.
j. They have grown up in a more secular environment, with less exposure to the faith and teachings that many of us grew up with.
k. Some might see this as an obstacle, but I believe it’s one of the greatest opportunities of our lifetime.
l. Why? Because this generation comes without the baggage of stale traditions or the cynicism born of seeing hypocrisy in the church.
m. They are not jaded by religious pretenses or lukewarm faith.
n. They’re seeking something genuine, something powerful, something authentic.
o. They are hungry for something real.
i. They’re not looking for shallow, stale, or outdated practices.
p. This generation is open to the true, life-changing Gospel, one that’s alive and active.
q. Here is what I know in my spirit, there is a rumbling beginning to happen in these younger generations.
r. We are standing on the edge of a spiritual awakening like never before, and this generation will be a catalyst.
s. When they are awakened and equipped, they will embrace the Gospel wholeheartedly.
i. They will not settle for superficial faith but will pursue a relationship with Jesus that is deep and transformative.
t. This generation has the potential to spark a revival that becomes an unstoppable inferno, burning away dead traditions and igniting a movement that spreads across the world.
u. Revival will spread like wildfire, and it will bring new life, purpose, and passion to countless lives.
v. Let our hearts and prayers awaken a generation that will carry the torch of revival and transformation for years to come.
w. We need to intercede for a spiritual awakening— Our prayers today can shape the spiritual climate of tomorrow.
3. Pray for Divine Encounters
When we pray for connections with the lost, we’re inviting God to arrange moments where His purpose meets human need
These are not random occurrences but intentional intersections—divine appointments crafted by God to open hearts and change lives.
1. Divine encounters are not accidents; they are the answer to our prayers— specifically designed by God to open hearts and change lives.
a. Think about it: each time we lift up a prayer for someone who doesn’t know Christ, we’re essentially asking God to create a pathway for His love to reach that person.
b. Each encounter we pray for becomes a doorway to someone’s salvation journey.
c. These divine appointments can happen anywhere—in the grocery store, at work, or even in a casual conversation with a stranger.
d. What is a divine encounter… Unlikely place + Unlikely person = Divine Appointment.
e. It’s the unexpected meeting of an unlikely person in an unlikely place, which results in a significant impact.
i. For instance, you might find yourself having a heartfelt conversation with a neighbor you’ve never really spoken to, or you might bump into an old friend at a ball game, and the conversation leads to spiritual questions.
Recently, God set me up. I was looking for a little tractor to plow snow with, so I started looking around and I found quite a lot actually.
I honestly have no idea what I was looking for, I am not a mechanic and I am not a farmer.
I am a pastor who was a plumber… but each time I looked at the piece of equipment, I felt in my spirit that it wasn’t the right one.
Then one day, Bridgette sends me a picture and a phone number.
She found a tractor. I almost dismissed it…however by mere chance, the girls happened to be playing a volleyball game 8 miles from the place where this tractor was.
So I decided after their game to drive over and look at it… with zero anticipation of purchasing it…
when I got there… I knew 2 things immediately… it was a tractor and it ran…
We then began making small talk, and quickly the casual conversation turned into a spiritual conversation.
I then was able to minster to this person and help bring healing to an area of hurt he had experienced.
I then knew… it was a set up!
f. These moments are not mere coincidences; they are orchestrated by God.
g. We need to be praying for these divine encounters!
h. Every prayer for a lost soul can lead to a divine intersection of faith.
i. This a reminder that God is always working, always moving, and always drawing people to Himself.
ii. He invites us to partner with Him through our prayers, to become active participants in His redemptive work.
i. Imagine the power of your prayers!
i. They can pave the way for someone to encounter the love of Christ in a profound way.
ii. Your prayer for a lost loved one can lead to a moment when they are receptive to hear the Gospel.
iii. Your intercession can set the stage for someone to receive hope, healing, or a message that speaks directly to their situation.
j. Every prayer we pray not only touches heaven but also creates an avenue for God’s grace to intersect with someone’s life.
k. This is the beauty of divine appointments: they remind us that no one is beyond reach and that God is intimately involved in our lives and the lives of those around us.
2. When we pray for connections, God orchestrates divine appointment.
a. Prayer is not just a routine; it is a powerful tool that paves the way for God to move in ways we might not even anticipate.
b. It creates opportunities for His love to shine brightly through us, illuminating the paths of those who are lost.
c. Paul instructs the Colossian church to pray for divine encounters.
Colossians 4:2 NLT
2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
a. This call to devotion is an invitation to be actively engaged in seeking God’s presence, prepared for what He wants to do through us.
b. Then in...
Colossians 4:3 NLT
3 Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains.
a. Here, Paul exemplifies the heart of a missionary—one who understands that every challenge, every imprisonment, and every setback can become a platform for God’s glory.
b. Paul recognized that his circumstances were part of a greater divine plan, and he sought prayer to create opportunities for sharing the Gospel, even in the most unlikely situations.
c. Paul was confident that God was directing his life by opening and closing doors of opportunity—at just the right time.
d. He understood that his effectiveness depended not on his own abilities or strategies but on his willingness to let God lead.
e. This is a powerful reminder for us today: how effective we are largely depends on how willing we are to allow God to interrupt the natural course of our lives.
f. Are we prepared to pause our routines for a moment of divine connection?
g. Are we sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s prompting when He nudges us to speak to someone or to pray for someone?
h. Each prayer we lift up creates a ripple effect that can lead to a divine appointment, where God orchestrates a meeting that changes lives.
i. Imagine being so attuned to God’s voice that you can sense when He’s opening a door.
Conclusion:
a. We need to always be ready to share the Gospel.
i. This readiness requires us to be in constant prayer, asking God to open doors for us to witness to others.
ii. We have to actively pray for and create opportunities for people to come to the altar of salvation.
b. Everywhere we go, we should be ambassadors of Christ.
i. Whenever people encounter us, they should encounter Christ Himself—His love, His grace, and the transformative power of the Gospel.
ii. Our lives should reflect the light of Christ, creating opportunities for others to receive Him.
c. Everywhere we go, we need to build altars of salvation.
d. For some individuals we meet, it may be their first prayer of repentance; for others, God could be calling them to renew their commitment to Christ.
e. The important point is that you will never know what God is doing in someone’s heart unless you give them the opportunity to respond.
i. We know that Romans 10:9-10 says...
Romans 10:9–10 NLT
9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.
a. Leading someone to Christ is simple and straightforward.
i. This is something you must have saturated in prayer, approaching each conversation with an open heart and a readiness to present the Gospel clearly.
ii. Having a preplanned way of sharing the message of salvation, along with a moment built in for a prayer of salvation, can make a profound difference.
A Simple Way to Share the Gospel and Lead Someone in a Salvation Prayer:
1. Build a Connection: Start with a conversation.
a. Ask about their beliefs or share your own story of how Jesus has impacted your life.
b. Find common ground to create a comfortable environment.
2. Share the Good News: Explain that everyone has sinned and is separated from God (Romans 3:23).
a. However, God loves us and provided a way to be saved through Jesus Christ (John 3:16).
b. Emphasize that Jesus died for our sins and rose again, offering us forgiveness and eternal life (Romans 5:8).
3. Invite a Response: Ask if they would like to receive this gift of salvation.
a. Let them know that it’s a personal decision that requires a declaration of faith.
4. Lead Them in a Salvation Prayer: Offer to pray with them.
a. Here’s a simple prayer to guide them:
b. “Dear God, I come to You today recognizing that I am a sinner in need of Your grace. I believe that Jesus is Your Son, that He died for my sins, and that He rose again. I ask for Your forgiveness and invite Jesus into my heart as my Lord and Savior. Help me to follow Him and live for You every day. Thank You for loving me and for this gift of eternal life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
5. Follow Up: Encourage them to read the Bible, pray regularly, and connect with a local church community.
a. Offer your support and let them know you’re there to help them grow in their faith.
The greatest tragedy is not the sin of the world, but the silence of the church.
Romans 10:14–15 NLT
14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?
15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
Remember we are ambassadors of Christ, trusted with the most sacred message for all humanity… let us not be silent now, when the world needs us most!
We need to Rebuild this Altar, The Salvation Altar… we need to Cultivate a burden for the lost, intercede for a spiritual awakening, and pray for divine encounters!
