The Family Altar by Apostle Emmanuel Iren: MP3 Download & Sermon Notes

The Family Altar — A Forgotten Priesthood

Original priesthood in the Bible was paternal, not ecclesiastical. Before Abraham met Melchizedek, he had already built many altars. The first altars were built by a father for his family — not by a priest for a congregation. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was a family affair.

Genesis 12:7-8 — Abraham built altars for his household and for his lineage. Job did it too. This tells you that before the advent of Levitical priesthood, there was paternal priesthood. There were fathers who were priests before there were priests who were fathers.

Teach Them Diligently

Deuteronomy 6:6-7: "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children. You shall talk to them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up."

This is not good parenting advice — it is an instruction. God placed the teaching responsibility on parents. Some of you have not had quality time with your children even once this month. And many of the things a good pastor is trying to do in your life — it is not his job. It is yours.

Your first marriage lessons should not come from a sermon. You were supposed to see love before you heard a lesson on it.

Do-It-Yourself Christianity

Many people's default when they go through trials is to look for a man of God. But God's design is for every believer to come to a place of personal spiritual authority — where you gather your family and deal with the enemy decisively.

If your pastor needs to be called for every spiritual challenge in your home, something is wrong. The first manifestations of power in life should not all be in church — they should be at home.

Ephesians 6:4: "Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath. But bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord." Was he talking to pastors? It is your job.

Store Evidence for the Next Generation

Exodus 16:32-33 — God told Moses to fill an omer of manna and keep it for generations. In the promised land where manna would cease, let the children see what God did for 40 years in the wilderness — let them see what supernatural provision looks like, so that if they ever face famine, they will know their God is faithful.

Jacob, blessing his children as he was dying, said: "The God who has fed me all my life long to this day. The angel who has redeemed me from all evil." He was not just transferring wealth — he was transferring spiritual infrastructure. That is the family altar.

Cast Out Anxiety — A Command, Not a Suggestion

Philippians 4:6: "Be anxious for nothing." This is not motivational advice — it is a biblical instruction. Anxiety is not normal for a child of God; it is a sin. Jesus rebuked the disciples for their fear in the storm — not just the storm itself.

It says: "Be anxious for nothing — but in everything with prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." The way Jesus entered Gethsemane was not the way He came out. That is the prayer altar at work. In the place of prayer, resolution is built. Faith is built. The image of your prophetic destiny is locked into your spirit.