READ: Hebr. 12:18-29
Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down. – 1 Kin. 18:30
Elijah now calls the people forward to restore the LORD’s altar, which they had used to serve the LORD in former times, right before their eyes. Since the establishment of idol worship, this altar of the LORD had been torn down.
The covenant breach had led to church division with false worship services. There was no longer the ministry of reconciliation and the service of gratitude. No sacrifices were made that were pleasing to God and pointed to the sacrifice of Christ. Instead, sacrifices were made to idols.
The LORD wants to meet His people only in pure worship with the ministry of reconciliation, as He has prescribed. With the blood of animals that foreshadowed the blood Christ would shed.
Therefore, this old altar must first be restored. Fire from heaven alone is not enough to restore the relationship between the people and God.
The LORD had already made it clear to Moses in Ex.20 how He wanted the altar to be built. With the warning that it should not be different than this if it were to be pleasing to God.
When the church falls into decline, it also affects worship. The LORD is then no longer served in a way that is pleasing to Him. Such worship services become an abomination in God’s eyes, no matter how beautifully songs are sung, how actively people are engaged, and how often the name of the LORD is used (compare Hebr.12:28,29).
In every reformation, the first step needed is the restoration of worship for good covenant fellowship with pure Word ministry, sacrament administration, and liturgy. That is pleasing to God and brings His blessing.
How do we maintain the holiness of our worshipservices?
Sing: Ps. 84:1,2