RESTORING THE ALTAR “It’s about relationship”
RESTAURANDO EL ALTAR “Se trata de relación”
[NEW SERIES SCRIPTURE]
In His kindness, God called you to share in His eternal glory BY MEANS OF CHRIST JESUS.  So, after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation. - 1 Peter 5:10  
En Su bondad, Dios los llamó a ustedes a que participen de Su gloria eterna POR MEDIO DE CRISTO JESÚS. Entonces, después de que hayan sufrido un poco de tiempo, Él los restaurará, los sostendrá, los fortalecerá y los afirmará sobre un fundamento sólido. - 1 Pedro 5:10
 
[INTRODUCTION]
  • Here at the altar, God restores everything — especially OUR personal altar.
  • In other words, every visit to a physical altar is an opportunity to improve our relationship with Him.
  • This is when God restores that which is weak, hurting, or broken.
  • What does it mean to “restore” something?
“RESTORE” - To bring back to a state of health, soundness, or vigor.
“RESTAURAR” - Devolverlo a un estado de salud, sano, o de vigor.
  • 1 Peter: to comfort suffering Christians. It is thought to be written around 65AD during the persecutions of the Roman emperor Nero, who accused the Christians of burning Rome.
  • A key word in this epistle is “suffering.” It, or its equivalent is used 16 times. Six times it speaks of Christ’s suffering and ten times about believers.
[POWER POINTS]
RELATIONSHIP RESTORED
RELACIÓN RESTAURADA
  • In our first encounter with God – our RELATIONSHIP with Him is RESTORED
  • God sent His Son into the world not to condemn the world, but to save it through Him. John 3:17
  • God’s plan & desire from the beginning.
…to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12
…a todos los que creyeron en él y lo recibieron, les dio el derecho de llegar a ser hijos de Dios. Juan 1:12
God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Ephesians 1:5
Dios decidió de antemano adoptarnos como miembros de su familia al acercarnos a sí mismo por medio de Jesucristo. Eso es precisamente lo que él quería hacer, y le dio gran gusto hacerlo. Efesios1:5
For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. - Romans 5:10
Pues, como nuestra amistad con Dios quedó restablecida por la muerte de su Hijo cuando todavía éramos sus enemigos, con toda seguridad seremos salvos por la vida de su Hijo. - Romanos 5:10
 
MY LIFE IS ON RESTORATION MODE
MI VIDA ESTÁ EN MODO RESTAURACIÓN
  • Restoration is a process - until we die or when Jesus returns.
I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. - Philippians 1:6
Estoy seguro de que Dios, quien comenzó la buena obra en ustedes, la continuará hasta que quede completamente terminada el día que Cristo Jesús vuelva. - Filipenses 1:6
  • God is restoring us — we just got to keep on believing.

[APPLICATION]
WE NEED TO TRUST IN THE PROCESS
NECESITAMOS CONFIAR EN EL PROCESO
  • From discarded & worthless to its original purity. De desechado y sin valor a su pureza original.
  • Requires a process:  Money; Time; Water; Soup, Tools, Work, Dedication.
  • Somehow everything became – dirty, broken, difficult, we got hurt, junk [basura]:
  • Wear & tear of life, bad relationships, trials, difficulties, and problems. We need to be restored.
  • Now we want -we need- to get RESTORED — We need to be restored from Junk to Original Conditions.
  • Above all we have to Trust: That God knows what he’s doing.
  • That’s the result of trusting the process.
Airplane mode disconnected.
  • God wants to restore our altar – our relationship with Him and with others. “U good G-U good Others”
  • Communion, here at the altar, is your opportunity to be part of your relationship restoration.
 
[CONCLUSION]
HERE ON THE ALTAR, MY PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS ARE RESTORED
AQUÍ EN EL ALTAR, MIS RELACIONES PERSONALES SON RESTAURADAS​
RESTORING THE ALTAR “It’s about relationship” II
RESTAURANDO EL ALTAR “Se trata de relación” II
[SERIES SCRIPTURE]
   But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. - I Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭10‬
   Mas el Dios de toda gracia, que nos llamó a su gloria eterna en Jesucristo, después que hayáis padecido un poco de tiempo, él mismo os perfeccione, afirme, fortalezca y establezca. - 1 Pedro 5:10 

[INTRODUCTION]
  • Let us take out of our treasures new things and old things - Inspired by Jesus. 
  • ​First, I Made You and Then I Bought You:  Builds it; Tries it; Finds it; Buys it; & Restores it. 
  • Parts of a sailboat: Mast; Sail; Hull
[POWERPOINTS]
RELATIONSHIP RESTORED 
RELACION RESTAURADA
   Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. - Titus‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬
   Quien se dio a sí mismo por nosotros para redimirnos de toda iniquidad y purificar para sí un pueblo propio, celoso de buenas obras. - Tito 2:14 
   The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. - Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭44‬ ‭
   El reino de los cielos es como un tesoro escondido en un terreno. Un hombre encuentra el tesoro, y lo vuelve a esconder allí mismo; lleno de alegría, va y vende todo lo que tiene, y compra ese terreno. - Mateo 13:44

WITH BANDS OF LOVE
CON CUERDAS DE AMOR
   I drew them with gentle cords, With bands of love, And I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them. - Hosea‬ ‭11‬:‭4‬
   Con lazos de ternura, con cuerdas de amor, los traje hacia mi; los acerqué a mis mejillas, como si fueran niños de pecho; me incliné a ellos para darles de comer. - Oseas 11:4
   I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, And like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you. - Isaiah‬ ‭44‬:‭22‬
   Yo deshice como una nube tus rebeliones, y como niebla tus pecados; vuélvete a mí, porque yo te redimí. - Isaías 44:22

RESTORATION MODE
MODO RESTAURACIÓN
  • Trust the Process. 
   Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ - Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬
   Estando persuadido de esto, que el que comenzó en vosotros la buena obra, la perfeccionará hasta el día de Jesucristo. - Filipenses 1:6

AIRPLANE MODE
MODO AVIÓN 
But they didn't want to turn back to me. That's why they're going to have to return to Egypt. - Hosea 11:5
Pero ellos no quisieron volverse a mi. Por eso tendrán que regresar a Egipto. - Oseas 11:5
But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. - Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭20-21‬ ‭
Y el que fue sembrado entre pedregales, este es el que oye la palabra, y al momento la recibe con gozo: pero no tiene raíz en sí, sino que es de corta duración, pues al venir la aflicción o la persecución por cause de la palabra, luego tropieza. - Mateo 13:20-21
Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. - Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭22‬ ‭
El que fue sembrado entre espinos, este es el que oye la palabra, pero el afán de este siglo y el engaño de las riquezas ahogan la palabra, y se hace infructuosa. - Mateo 13:22 

JESUS MODE
MODO DE JESUS 
This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. - John‬ ‭15‬:‭12‬-‭13‬
Este es mi mandamiento: Que os améis unos a otros, como yo os he amado. Nadie tiene mayor amor que este, que uno ponga su vida por sus amigos. - Juan 15:12-13 

THE BLAME GAME
EL JUEGO DE LA CULPA
  • World Mode
  • Adam and Eve. 
  • Man is first responsible. 
  • Woman may build or destroy a house with her hands

THE SAD ENDING OF A SAILBOAT
EL TRISTE FINAL DE UN VELERO
  • Free, no direction or purpose. Enjoying sin. 
  • But the day came and he got tired. 
  • Just in the middle of the sea and hopeless.

[APPLICATION]
  • Do not be discouraged. 
  • Though on the outside you look deteriorated, inside you renew day by day. 
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. - 2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬ ‭
Por tanto, no desmayamos; antes aunque este nuestro hombre exterior se va desgastando, el interior no obstante se renueva de día en día. - 2 Corintios‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬

[CONCLUSION]
I DECIDE TO RESTORE MY RELATIONSHIP WITH MY CREATOR, WHO WILL RESTORE ALL MY RELATIONSHIPS
DECIDO RESTAURAR MI RELACION CON MI CREADOR, EL CUAL, RESTAURARÁ TODAS MIS RELACIONES
​LOVE ON THE ROCKS 
AMOR SOBRE LAS ROCAS
[FOCUS SCRIPTURE] 
  • In Scripture, there’s a story of a confrontation between good & evil - God vs. Baal. 
  • The contest is on Mount Carmel - Prophet Elijah vs. 450 prophets of Baal. 
  • Elijah tells the people
If the Lord is God, follow Him! But if Baal is God, then follow him! - 1 Kings‬ ‭18‬:‭21‬ 
Si el Señor es Dios, ¡síganlo! Pero si Baal es el verdadero Dios, ¡entonces síganlo a él! - 1 Reyes‬ ‭18‬:‭21‬
The god who answers by setting fire to the wood is the true God!  And all the people agreed. - 1 Kings‬ ‭18‬:‭24‬
El dios que responda enviando fuego sobre la madera, ¡ese es el Dios verdadero!»; y toda la gente estuvo de acuerdo. - 1 Reyes‬ ‭18‬:‭24‬ ‭
Then Elijah called to the people, “Come over here!” They all crowded around him as HE REPAIRED THE ALTAR of the Lord that had been torn down. - 1 Kings‬ ‭18‬:‭30‬
Entonces Elías llamó a la gente: «¡Vengan acá!». Así que todos se juntaron a su alrededor, mientras ÉL REPARABA EL ALTAR del Señor que estaba derrumbado. - 1 Reyes‬ ‭18‬:‭30‬ ‭
And HE USED THE STONES TO REBUILD THE ALTAR in the name of the Lord. - 1 Kings‬ ‭18‬:‭32‬
Y USÓ LAS PIEDRAS PARA RECONSTRUIR EL ALTAR en el nombre del Señor. - 1 Reyes‬ ‭18‬:‭32‬ ‭
HE PILED WOOD ON THE ALTAR, cut the bull into pieces, and laid the pieces on the wood. - 1 Kings‬ ‭18‬:‭33‬ ‭
APILÓ LA LEÑA SOBRE EL ALTAR, cortó el toro en pedazos y puso los pedazos sobre la madera. - ‭‭1 Reyes‬ ‭18‬:‭33‬
  • What a story of confrontation - good vs. evil. 
[SNIPPET]
Have you ever had a “good vs. evil” moment?
  • It’s similar to a confrontation - kind of like your favorite team vs. the evil opposing team. 
  • In real life, it’s a moment of needing to decide between good & evil, right & wrong, I’m right she’s wrong. 
  • And to win that moment, moral clarity & good judgment are a must.​
[POWER POINTS]
ROCKY TERRAIN
TERRENO ROCOSO
  • Sometimes a relationship can be on rocky terrain.
  • AKA “Love on the rocks” - reflects emotion of a hurtful relationship possibly needing to end it. 
  • Feelings of betrayal - results emotional instability.
  • Intense challenge of needing to get over the heartbreak - like riding a 4x4 over rocks.
  • Rocky terrain relationships is common: family; friend; love interest; marriage; Believers; w God. 
  • But God is love - perfect love - to the extent of…
God was using Christ to restore His relationship with humanity. He didn’t hold people’s faults against them. And He has given us this message of restored relationships to tell others. - 2 Corinthians‬ 5:19
Dios estaba usando a Cristo para restaurar Su relación con la humanidad. No sostuvo los defectos de la gente en Su contra. Y nos ha dado este mensaje de relaciones restauradas para decirle a otros. 2 Corintios 5:19
  • God doesn’t want you on rocky terrain w anybody. 


SOLID ROCK
ROCA SÓLIDA 
  • God wants you on solid rock — Jesus is solid rock.
Whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. - Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ 
Cualquiera, pues, que me oye estas palabras y las pone en práctica, lo compararé a un hombre prudente que edificó su casa sobre la roca. Descendió la lluvia, vinieron ríos, soplaron vientos y golpearon contra aquella casa; pero no cayó, porque estaba cimentada sobre la roca. - Mateo‬ ‭7‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. - Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭2‬ ‭
El Señor es mi roca, mi fortaleza y mi salvador; mi Dios es mi roca, en quien encuentro protección. - Salmos‬ ‭18‬:‭2‬ ‭
Who but our God is a solid rock? - Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭31‬
¿Quién más que nuestro Dios es una roca sólida? - Salmos‬ ‭18‬:‭31‬ ‭
  • This speaks to relationship with God first. 
  • For our relationships to succeed, for me & my house to serve the Lord, I need to be on a solid relationship with Jesus Christ. 
  • Jesus is the solid rock.

DOING MY PART 
HACER MI PARTE
  • Elijah teaches us to do our part. 
  • Elijah is the who:
    • Calls & Challenges people to decide. 
    • Confronts the evil affecting God’s people. 
    • Repairs the altar-type of relationship w God. 
    • Did it in the name of the Lord. 
    • Placed the sacrifice on the wood that was on the altar that was made of rocks. 
  • Elijah restored relationship between God people. 
  • He did his part — WE have to do our part. 
[APPLICATION]
  • You might ask?  Me? Repair? I’m too hurt myself. 
  • Yes!  You - You are able to restore relationships. 
  • W/ God you can restore any relationship in ur life. 
  • God loves you perfectly and He has given you the message to restore other relationships. 
  • You can take a “Love on the rocks” relationship and place it on the solid rock which is Jesus. 


[CONCLUSION]
FROM LOVE ON THE ROCKS TO LOVE ON THE SOLID ROCK
DE AMOR SOBRE LAS ROCAS A AMOR SOBRE LA ROCA SÓLIDA
MEET YOU AT THE ALTAR 
TE ENCUENTRO EN EL ALTAR
Have the people make an Ark of acacia wood…overlay it inside & outside with pure gold…place inside the Ark the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant…I will meet with you there & talk to you.
Que el pueblo haga un Arca con madera de acacia…recúbrela de oro puro por dentro y por fuera…coloca dentro del Arca las tablas de piedra inscritas con los términos del pacto…Allí me encontraré contigo y te hablaré.

Do you have a favorite meeting place?
  • You know, that safe place that becomes a favorite spot 2 meet. 
  • It can be in a home, a cafe, or a restaurant. 
  • For sure, it’s a place for a successful encounter. 


INTRODUCTION]
  • Every time we meet with somebody, it’s a type of meeting at the altar. 
  • It is an opportunity for friendly dialogue, to resolve issues or business, etc. 
  • For success in any kind of encounter, we need to first want to be there. 
  • Especially when we meet with God. 
  • I believe God is still telling us today, I want to meet you at the Altar.” (quiero encontrarte en el altar) 
[POWERPOINTS]
WE NEED TO MEET 
NECESITAMOS VERNOS
  • We are human - made to be with somebody. 
  • It’s beautiful to meet physically - we need that. 
  • We see the face - hear the voice - strength of shaking hands - warm embrace – we need that.
  • For some, it’s become the norm to phone meet, text meet, email meet, virtual meet, etc. meet. 
  • At times it’s a necessity - things can move fast. 
  • But doesn’t it feel great when all of our physical senses are part of the encounter? - We need that!
  • After God encounters Job to challenge him, Job has a life changing experience. Why?  Job said,
I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. - Job‬ ‭42‬:‭5‬ ‭
Hasta ahora solo había oído de ti, pero ahora te he visto con mis propios ojos. - Job‬ ‭42‬:‭5‬ ‭
  • Every time we physically meet & see each other, we are meeting a need every human being has.

FAVORITE MEETING SPOTS 
LUGARES DE ENCUENTRO FAVORITOS
  • Business Assoc. - hotel meeting rooms - neutral. 
  • Friends - Cafe & Restaurant. 
  • Love Interests - Restaurant. 
  • Family - Home, Airbnb - Vegas Thanksgiving. 
  • Interesting - in common is table - symbolic altar. 
  • Believers - Church, Restaurants, & Homes. 
They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, & shared their meals with great joy & generosity. - Acts 2‬:‭46‬ ‭
Adoraban juntos en el templo cada día, se reunían en casas para la Cena del Señor y compartían sus comidas con gran gozo y generosidad- Hechos 2‬:‭46‬‭
  • Places mentioned become favorite meeting spots because of the atmosphere that is sensed. 
  • God will meet us anywhere, especially at one of his favorite meeting places – the Altar. 

A FAVORITE MEETING PLACE FOR GOD
UN LUGAR DE ENCUENTRO FAVORITO PARA DIOS
  • “Meet you at the altar” popular phrase:  Wedding day expression, Famous movie quote, & Song lyrics (sacred & secular)
  • The Altar HAS ALWAYS BEEN a favorite meeting place for God:
    • Noah - 1st altar mentioned - Gen 8
    • Abraham - altar at Moriah - Gen 22
    • Moses - a victory altar - Exo 17
    • High Priest - Ark of the Covenant - Exo 22
    • Solomon - bronze altar - 2 Chron 1
    • Jeshua - Jerusalem’s rebuilt altar - Ezra 3
    • Zecharaiah - altar of incense - Luke 1
    • Paul - altar of “Unknown god” - Acts 17
  • If there is an Altar, God is there to meet us. 
  • It’s one of His favorite places.
[APPLICATION]
  • God will meet you at the Altar. 
  • Your closest altar is inside of you — your heart. 
  • God will always meet you there, anytime you want to meet Him. 
  • Let your personal altar become your favorite meeting place with God.
CONCLUSION

GOD WILL MEET ME AT ANY ALTAR 
DIOS ME ENCONTRARÁ EN CUALQUIER ALTAR