Although I am not a part of the Nazarene Church, I have included something like a Nazarene call to the alter given by a pastor for the ears of the meek to surrender their hearts to Jesus for the great gift of mercy unto death on a cross to pay the price for our sins, because he loved each one of us so much. This happened to me when I was 12 years old and I will always remember that day. Thank you Lord for your loving kindness to rescue me from myself and from the world.
Called by Grace: A Nazarene Altar Call Sermon
Good morning, church family. Today we gather to hear anew the invitation of our Lord Jesus Christ—a call that resounds through every generation and reaches into the deepest corners of the human heart. As a community in the Nazarene tradition, we believe in the power of God’s grace to transform lives, to call sinners home, and to set the captives free.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29, LSB)
Jesus invites those who are weary—not merely tired, but exhausted by life’s burdens. His promise of rest is not a temporary reprieve but a deep, soul-resting peace that only He can give. We come not in our own strength but in humble dependence on Him.
Scripture reminds us that none of us stands righteous before God: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, LSB). We cannot earn our way back to God by good works or moral effort.
The consequence of sin is death, yet the gospel offers a different kind of exchange: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23, LSB).
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17, LSB)
To become a new creation is to receive fresh identity and purpose. The past is not erased, but it no longer defines us. In Christ, every stain of guilt is washed away, and every burden is lifted.
Salvation is not a reward for our labors but a gift of grace: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, LSB).
In this moment, Jesus stands at the door of our hearts and knocks:
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20, LSB)
Church, this is not a rhetorical question—it is a living invitation. If your heart is heavy, your conscience guilty, or your spirit restless, hear Him knock. Open the door of your life today and welcome the Savior in.
As we stand and sing our hymn of response, let us remember that true rest, true peace, and true transformation are found only in Jesus Christ. Come to Him, receive His grace, and walk in the newness of life He provides.
Reference Section (LSB):
Mathew 11:28-29, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."
Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, so that no one may boast,”
Revelation 3:20, Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me."
