The Lost Art of Altar Calls

            Today I want to talk about something that has been missing from churches not all churches, but many churches today and that is the lost art of altar calls. I think that many times pastors and clergy tend to negate the power and the importance of having an altar call during their church worship services. One reason for this is that many have fallen into the erroneous belief that they do not want to single people out embarrass them or cause them to feel as if they're being put on the spot. This cannot be further from the truth. If we were to use biblical times, as the example of how to hold church we would see that Jesus did not seem to be too worried ever about whether or not he put someone on the spot or embarrassment. Likewise, many if not all of the occurrences where Jesus was approached in the New Testament. Those who were unashamed to meet with Jesus, confess their sins and express their needs were those who were most likely to walk away changed by the power of God.

            Jesus shares with us that those who are ashamed of him and deny him before their fellow man will also be denied before the father who is in heaven. As well Jesus said those who are not ashamed of him and confess Him before fellow man. Their Heavenly Father will accept them in heaven.

            Today it seems as though many church services are lacking what I believe to be the most important element the church service can contain. Yes, I agree that there are other reasons for coming to church and joining with the congregation then just meeting with God. However, meeting with God is the most important aspect of any church gathering our fellowship of believers. I believe that more sermons would come to life and that God could resurrect the power of his Spirit through the anointed preaching of the gospel if preachers were preparing their messages prayerfully considering what God wants to do in the heart of the congregation and how to connect the congregation with the heart of God!

            I believe that more participants in church services and church members would leave blessed and encouraged by the Holy Spirit even closer to God than how the come into the church service if they were led to a meaningful connection with God and with other congregants by the power of the Holy Spirit. Scripture says in Romans 12:1 –2 that we should be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Also in Hebrews 4:12 the Scripture says that the word of God is living, powerful and sharper than any two edged sword… It is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of our hearts.

            Throughout the Old Testament Scripture says in many places that man-made alters to signify points or places in which they met with God. The original intention for having alters put into our church buildings upon their construction was with the intention that man would meet with God. We desperately need to meet with God! The difference between church and any other form of clubhouse activity is that we meet with God, and that God has direct access to our hearts as his people!

            Is there really any shame in responding to the conviction of the Holy Spirit as he deals with our hearts in a church service? Are we really more concerned with what other people in church will think of us if we answer an altar call and go forward in front of our brothers and sisters in Christ and pour our hearts out to God and allow the Holy Spirit to mold and shape us into the person that he created us to be?

            In the book of Jeremiah 18 we see that the Lord wants to mold and shape us as Clay in his hands even like the Potter mold it, the vessel that he was so carefully crafted. Amazingly, the Scripture says that God spoke to Jeremiah, and said to him, go to the Potter's House and there I will cause you to hear my words. This tells me that God has chosen the hearing of his word. To be one of the instruments that God uses to change us and to transform us into the people he has called us to be! We can no longer afford, as the people of God to discount the truth concerning God, wanting to change us into the people he created us to be. The relationship God intended for us to have with him is far greater and bestows far more meaning and purpose than any other relationship that this world could provide. Therefore, we must go back to our grassroots and realize that we are created for divine purpose and for special relationship with God our father and Creator. It's time for us as the church to realize that nothing else in this world is more important than becoming who God would want us to be.

            By implementing altar calls back into our church services. Two things will happen one is that the pastor's sermons will become more directed and God focused. Two, the church members will begin to come with more expectancy and fervor to receive from God, and to allow him to speak to their hearts. But there's one other thing that will happen as we begin to learn how to preach the gospel and respond to the preaching of the gospel in such a manner that God can work in and through our hearts and change us into the people he's called us to be. That third thing, being sinners will begin to get saved as God knows that he can lead sinners by the Holy Spirit to a church that will invite them to a born-again experience and a newfound salvation through a relationship with Jesus Christ and forgiveness of sins, God will draw sinners by the Holy Spirit to our churches and begin to do the work that God came to do to begin with and that work is to save sinners to change lives to heal hearts to raise up disciples to send forth preachers and to change this world back what God created us to be all originally.

“The War for Ephesus”
            The books of 1&2 Timothy offer a young leader more than just instruction on the affairs of running a ministry. The pages of these two books contain the out pouring of a general’s heart toward not just some guy who would step into his place but an upcoming warrior and leader in the spiritual battle that waged in what was becoming a central church in God’s Kingdom at that time. The apostle Paul was urgently charging this young man Timothy to not only know and remember sound doctrine but to live it with emotion, passion, discipline Godly power. Why? Why Ephesus? And why did Paul choose Timothy? Did Paul know that this was to become one of the seven churches mentioned as an example for the world in John’s book of Revelation?

            The book of Acts 18:18 through chapter 20 describe the victories and challenges Paul faced in Ephesus. From the twelve disciples of John the Baptist who first converted and were filled with the Holy Spirit to the book burning party where thousands of books on idolatry and sorcery were burned in public, Paul experienced first hand the power of God’s saving hand. It was at Ephesus he saw some of his most powerfully anointed ministry. He cast out demons there many were healed just from receiving aprons or handkerchiefs that had touched Paul’s body. It was here that the sons of Sceva tried to imitate Paul’s anointing and cast out a demon which overpowered them and sent them running bruised and naked.

            Ephesus was also where Paul was opposed and those who were there hardened themselves against him and spoke evil of his ministry opposing him the entire time. This is where they shouted “Great is the goddess Diana of the Ephesians” as they rioted and plotted against him. His ministry was so profound at Ephesus that the tradesmen who made idols and false were concerned for their prosperity. And here we see Timothy being discipled by Paul and groomed for his upcoming ministry. Before I bring us back to the books of Timothy I want you to note that in the end of Acts 20 Paul mention that the overseers of this city should “take heed” because savage wolves would come and not spare this flock. Then at Paul’s departure there were many tears shed and much embracing as the love between this apostle and the church he had just fought would separate.

            Timothy himself was mentioned by Paul in his epistles to the Romans and Corinth. But in 1 Cor. 4:17 Paul refers to Timothy as his “beloved son” I mentioned Paul’s investment into the church at Ephesus and now I mention his love for Timothy because I believe it is paramount to fully understanding this two letters that we know how much Paul had invested into both the church and the man who was now to oversee it. Yes, Paul did say that he loved many people in his letters. Timothy however was like a son to Paul perhaps there was a bond formed between them around both being half breeds. (Timothy a Jewish/Greek and Paul Jewish/Roman) The important thing is that we understand how Paul was emotionally invested into the man Timothy and the church at Ephesus.

            The letters to Timothy were full of content. They addressed issues including knowing and staying true to sound doctrine, staying focused, how to choose men that God could build His church on, walking in the fruits of the spirit, staying faithful, keeping pure and so on. I want to focus on the “how” and “why” rather than the “what” of these epistles. The how Paul addressed Timothy was as a fatherly and militant disciple maker. The why because Paul seemed to be divinely in tune to the spiritual warfare aspect of what was happening in Ephesus.

            In Ephesians 6 we know the famous analogy of God’s armor. Paul writes the church and tells them “we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers, spiritual wickedness in high places.” In 1 Co. 15:32 Paul says he fought with beasts at Ephesus. Now in Timothy 1&2 he writes this young leader and addresses him as a soldier! Using statements like; “This charge I commit you young Timothy….that by them you wage a good warfare.” Let’s look at a few of the things Paul urged Timothy toward practicing that we can take seriously today as well:

…       1 Tim 1:3 – Charge others that they teach no other doctrine

…       1 Tim 1:18 - This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare.

…       1 Tim 2:1 - Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.

…       1 Tim 3: 14-15 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; 15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

…       Endure sound doctrine

…       Preach the word, be instant in and out of season

…       Don’t neglect the gift inside you.

…       Study to show yourself approved.

…       Let no man despise your youth.

…       Reject unsound doctrines

…       Be an example to the believers in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith and purity.

…       Hold fast the pattern of sound words…

…       Endure hardship as a good soldier

Then Paul tells Timothy that he himself has fought a good fight and finished his course. That he has kept the faith and is looking forward to his crown! Demas has forsaken me having loved this present world …and watch out for Alexander the coppersmith as he did me much harm. In this warning I get the picture of Paul trying in the depth of his heart to warn and equip young Timothy with everything he can think of.

            Did the master discipler succeed in his writings to Timothy in equipping him to see the battle for God’s Kingdom won in Ephesus? I think so. Did Timothy hold true to the doctrine that Paul so desperately tried to impart? We see some of that answer in Rev.2. I hope and pray that the essence of Paul’s shows through today that we are in a real battle for the souls of men and the enemy wants nothing more than seduce us away from the basics of sound doctrine, and the power the Holy Spirit, to hold true to the call of the great commission, making disciples with a heart to impart love, faith, endurance and Godly wisdom to the next generations.