You Are a Walking Temple: The Fire on Your Altar Never Goes Out

Sermon outline

The believer is God's living temple: the heart is the altar, the Holy Spirit is the fire that never goes out, and God has put His words in our mouths, so we pray without ceasing and speak with His authority.

1. Say what you already are

   The mistake Christians make is to say what they want to be instead of what God has already made them. Confession verbalises what is in your spirit, and your words paint the week ahead. Do not pray for favour, grace or success; you are already favoured, graced and successful, so live up to what God has made you.

   Illustration: He told Pastor Wesley the night before: imagine saying, 'Lord, I want to be like Wesley,' and God replying, 'You are Wesley.'

   “Don't pray to be what you already are.”

   • James 3:4
   • Psalm 91:10
   • 2 Corinthians 5:21
   • 2 Timothy 1:7

2. Make a demand: stop being too dignified for God

   The woman with the issue of blood said in her heart, 'If I touch the hem of His garment I shall be made whole,' and nothing was going to stop her. The friends of the paralysed man tore open a roof to reach Jesus. Worrying about looking dignified short-circuits the power of God; your faith makes you whole, and when your faith meets the minister's faith there is an explosion in the spirit.

   Illustration: He calls back a woman who had hesitated about coming forward and blesses her, saying the Lord showed him she was wondering whether to go to the front.

   “Some people are just too smart to receive anything from God.”

   • Mark 5:25-34
   • Mark 2:1-12

3. You are the temple of God

   The church building is a sanctuary of brick and mortar where believers gather to worship; the believer is the temple in whom the Spirit of God dwells. Wherever you walk, you carry God's temple and His presence. God knows you more deeply than by your name: He knows you as His temple.

   Illustration: 'In this suit of clothes, I carry God's temple.'

   “Wherever you go, you carry God's presence.”

   • 1 Corinthians 3:16

4. The fire on the altar never goes out

   In the Old Testament the fire on the altar of sacrifice had to burn day and night, and the priests kept it alight. Believers are now priests, and Jesus sent 'another Comforter' of the same kind, so we have an advocate in heaven and an advocate living in us who never leaves. He baptises with fire. So three things are established: you are the temple, your heart is the altar, and the Holy Ghost is the fire burning there twenty-four hours a day.

   Illustration: With Jesus in heaven and the Holy Spirit within, 'I don't think you can lose a case in a hurry': you have senior counsel and junior counsel.

   “Your heart is that altar.”

   • Leviticus 6:13
   • Revelation 1:6
   • John 14:16
   • John 16:7
   • 1 John 2:1
   • Matthew 3:11

5. That is how you pray without ceasing

   It is impossible to pray in words without ceasing while you work, eat and sleep, so the command means that the fire on the altar of your heart never stops. There are set times of public, group and private prayer, but every thought, every word under your breath and every 'thank you, Lord' while driving is prayer. Even in sleep the Spirit can pray through you.

   “Every thought is a prayer.”

   • 1 Thessalonians 5:17

6. Live a life of preparation

   Believers put a lot of emphasis on getting prepared for a cell group, a sermon or a meeting, but needing to get prepared means there are seasons when you are unprepared. Pray, study, fast, confess and come to church as a way of life, so that you are always prepared, just as you breathe or shower without thinking about it.

   “A child of God is never unprepared.”

7. The priest of your temple offers living sacrifices

   As the priest of your own temple, your reasonable service is to present your body to the Word: in praise, in communion, in confessing healing while you still feel pain. When you bring tithes and offerings, here men receive them but in heaven your High Priest receives them, so you are not trying to get heaven's attention; you already have it. All God's promises are yes and amen, so say you have already received them.

   “I already have the attention of heaven.”

   • Ephesians 5:19
   • Romans 12:1
   • Hebrews 7:8
   • 2 Corinthians 1:20

8. The New Testament pattern of prayer: God works through a body

   It is illegal to function on earth without a body: the demons in the man of Gadara begged to be sent into the pigs. In the same way the Holy Spirit looks for a body, vocal cords and a heart to live in, so believers are His operational headquarters. Yield yourself so the Spirit can use you as an instrument of righteousness. You were bought with a price and chosen before the foundation of the world, so whoever touches God's temple is in trouble.

   “You are his operational headquarters.”

   • Mark 5:12-13
   • Romans 6:13
   • 1 Corinthians 6:20
   • Ephesians 1:4

9. God put His words in Jeremiah's mouth

   God called Jeremiah a prophet to the nations before he was born, though in the natural he had little influence. When Jeremiah said 'I am but a child', God told him not to say it, touched his mouth and put His words there, setting him over nations and kingdoms to root out and to build. The transfer of authority was in his mouth, and believers born of the incorruptible Word carry the same: what is in the heart comes out of the mouth with Holy Ghost power.

   Illustration: People may see believers as 'crazy charismatics going to church', but in the spirit God has made them prophets to the nations, like Elisha's servant who saw the hills full of chariots once his eyes were opened.

   “The transfer of authority was not in the man's hands... it was in his mouth.”

   • Jeremiah 1:4-10
   • Matthew 28:19
   • John 7:38
   • Matthew 12:34
   • 1 Peter 1:23
   • 2 Kings 6:16-17

10. You are not ordinary: create your future with your words

    When a believer speaks, divinity is released through human lips. Speak to your business, bank account, cell group and home and they must respond. It is not only the anointing but the authority behind it. Make room for growth, as the widow brought vessels before the oil multiplied, because God will enhance your work, your relationships and your wisdom, whatever your profession.

    Illustration: He hands an object to a young woman and then another, repeating 'whatever my hands touch will prosper', as a prophetic act.

    “It's not just about the anointing. It's about the authority behind the anointing.”

    • Genesis 1:3
    • 2 Kings 4:3
    • Genesis 13:2
    • Luke 4:18