Here is a recap of our message from this weekend...

ALTAR'D: ALTAR'D PRIORITIES

In “Altar’d Priorities,” Pastor Jared kicked off a powerful new series on stewardship, not as a financial topic but a heart one. Using Noah’s example in Genesis, the message reminded us that the first thing we build in life sets the tone for everything else. When we build altars that put God first, our lives begin to reflect divine order, alignment, and favor.

Weekly Bible Study List

1. Genesis 8:20–21 (NIV) – “Then Noah built an altar to the LORD... The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: ‘Never again will I curse the ground because of humans…’”
2. Exodus 20:24 (NIV) – “‘Make an altar of earth for me… Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you.’”
3. Matthew 6:33 (NIV) – “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

The Sunday Outline & Notes

Pastor Jared starts by reframing the concept of stewardship—not as something churches want from people, but something God wants for them. He draws on Genesis 8 where Noah, after surviving the flood, builds an altar—not shelter, not tools, but an altar—to prioritize God.

This act was more than symbolic. In Scripture, the altar represents order. It was always the first thing built before anything else. The message is clear: the altar sets priority.

Point 1: The Altar Establishes Priority

What gets your “firsts” shows what you value. Your time, energy, and money follow your priorities. Noah gave his first moment post-flood to God. We’re challenged to do the same today—not as obligation but devotion. We’re reminded that we can have the right parts in our life (family, career, finances), but without the right order, it doesn’t work.

Point 2: The Altar Brings Alignment

Using Exodus 20:24, we see that the altar is where God’s blessing meets our obedience. Pastor Jared uses a guitar illustration to show that even something beautiful sounds wrong when out of tune—just like our lives when misaligned with God. When we build an altar in our lives, we come into alignment, and with alignment comes blessing.

Point 3: The Altar Attracts Favor

Favor isn’t about striving—it’s about positioning. When God is honored, His favor follows. Just as fire always came down on altars in Scripture, our obedience draws divine response. Stewardship and priority make favor a natural byproduct, not something we chase.

Application

If we want to lay the foundation to build an altar with our lives, here's where it starts:

1. Build the Altar Every Week - Put worship first. Before you set your calendar, set your heart.
2. Bring the Right Mindset - Let this series challenge and stretch you. God may want to reorder your life for something better.
3. Trust the Fire Will Bring Favor - Fire (testing, molding, refinement) is part of every altar. But it’s also where God meets us.

Worship Setlist

1. No One
2. All Hail King Jesus
3. Who Else

Quotes Worth Reposting on Social Media

1. “Stewardship is not about trying to get something from you. It's about trying to get something to you.”
2. “The altar you build reveals what comes first in your life—and what comes first reveals who you trust.”
3. “You can’t give God your least and expect His best.”
4. “When your priorities go up, God's favor comes down.”
5. “The altar isn’t just something you build—it’s something you become.”
6. “Most of us aren’t missing pieces—we’re missing the right order.”
7. “When you seek God first, everything else finds its place.”
8. “An altar isn't decorative—it's sacrificial.”
9. “Favor doesn’t have to be chased when your life is aligned with God.”
10. “The first thing you build determines how everything else stands.”

WATCH SERMON

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