Come to the alter

INTRODUCTION: "Oh Come to the Altar"

There’s something sacred about an altar.

It’s not just a few steps at the front of a stage. It’s not just a place for the broken, or the new believer. It’s a place where heaven meets earth.

The altar is the place where stories change— Where prodigals stop running and find their way home. Where the hardest hearts are melted by mercy. Where the burdened find rest, the addicted find freedom, and the lost are found.

The altar is where God does business with the soul. It’s where ashes are traded for beauty, And garments of heaviness are replaced with robes of praise.

But here’s the tragedy— Many of us have learned to sit comfortably in our seats while our souls cry out silently for change. We stay back, we hold tight, we pretend we’re okay.

We scroll. We sing. We smile. But we don’t move.

Because deep down we’re afraid. Afraid of being seen. Afraid of being vulnerable. Afraid that stepping out means admitting that something isn’t right. And maybe—just maybe—we’re afraid that God won’t meet us there.

But let me remind you:

The altar isn’t a place of shame—it’s a place of grace. It’s not a stage for performance, but a table for restoration. It’s not for the perfect—it’s for the willing. It’s not where you go because you’ve got it all together—it’s where you go because you know you can’t do it without Him.

And the call is still going out today, loud and clear:

"O come to the altar. The Father’s arms are open wide. Forgiveness was bought with The precious blood of Jesus Christ."

Can you hear it? It’s not just a lyric—it’s an invitation. From the One who gave everything so you could come freely.

And yet... many still hesitate.

We stay in our comfort zone, when God is calling us into holy surrender.

We remain spectators to someone else’s breakthrough, when God is ready to do something brand new in us.

We look at the altar like a place for "those people"—the struggling, the lost, the sinful— But if we’re honest... that’s all of us.

Because every single one of us is in desperate need of grace.

So here’s the question…

What are you holding back?

What’s keeping you from stepping forward?

What burden are you still carrying alone?

What sin have you tried to manage instead of surrender?

What relationship needs mending?

What wound have you buried so deep that even you don’t want to look at it anymore?

The altar isn’t magic. It’s not about the location. It’s about your posture—your heart before God.

He’s not asking for perfect words. He’s not asking for a performance.

He’s asking for you.

So today, as the Spirit calls, don’t resist. Don’t wait for a better time. This is the moment.

Come with your questions. Come with your baggage. Come with your hurt. Come with your worship.

Just come.

Because the altar is ready.

The arms of the Father are open. And Jesus—our Savior—is waiting to meet you there.

Oh come… to the altar.

HISTORY OF THE ALTER (374 times based on google)

📜 Old Testament Origins of the Altar

1. First Mention – Genesis 8:20

The first recorded altar in the Bible was built by Noah after the flood:

“Then Noah built an altar to the Lord…” — Genesis 8:20

This altar was an act of thanksgiving and worship to God for salvation and deliverance. It set the precedent for the altar as a place to respond to God's mercy.

2. Abraham’s Altars – Genesis 12–22

Abraham, the father of faith, built multiple altars during his journey of obedience.

Genesis 12:7 — He builds an altar when God first appears to him.

Genesis 13:18 — Another altar after separating from Lot.

Genesis 22 — The most famous altar: Mount Moriah, where he prepares to offer Isaac.

🔑 Significance: Altars were places of covenant, testing, and trust. Abraham showed that the altar was where faith is proven and where God provides.

“On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” — Genesis 22:14

3. Moses and the Tabernacle Altar

In the wilderness, God instructed Moses to build two main altars:

The Altar of Burnt Offering (Exodus 27) — where animals were sacrificed.

The Altar of Incense (Exodus 30) — symbolizing prayers rising to God.

These altars were part of the tabernacle, God’s portable dwelling place with Israel. They emphasized:

Holiness

Atonement

Worship through sacrifice

4. Altar in the Temple – Solomon’s Day

When Solomon built the temple (1 Kings 6–8), it included a massive bronze altar where sacrifices continued.

This became the central place of worship for Israel. The altar was now not only personal but national—representing the relationship between God and His people.

🔥 Spiritual Themes of the Old Testament Altar

Sacrifice for sin (Leviticus 1–7 outlines offerings for atonement and cleansing)

Worship and thanksgiving

Remembrance (Altars were built to remember where God had shown up)

Covenant and promise (God often confirmed promises at altars)

✝️ New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, something radical happens:

1. Jesus Becomes the Final Sacrifice

The need for physical altars and animal sacrifices ends at the cross.

“We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.” — Hebrews 13:10

“Christ… offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins.” — Hebrews 10:12

🔑 Jesus becomes:

The Lamb on the altar

The High Priest offering the sacrifice

The fulfillment of every Old Testament altar

2. The Altar Becomes Personal

Now, the altar isn’t just a physical place—it’s spiritual.

Our hearts become the altar

Worship becomes a lifestyle

Sacrifice becomes internal

“Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” — Romans 12:1

⛪ The Altar in the Church Today

In many churches, the altar is symbolic—a place for prayer, repentance, healing, or dedication.

Altar calls invite people to respond publicly to what God is doing in their hearts.

Whether it’s wooden steps, a platform, or a place of quiet surrender, the altar still serves as a space for divine encounter.

MAIN POINTS

1. The Altar Is a Place of Encounter

The altar is not just a place for ritual—it’s a place where God actively meets His people. From Abraham’s altar in Genesis 12 to Moses’ tabernacle altar, God chose altars as sacred meeting spots. This encounter transforms us. When we come to the altar, we leave behind the distractions of life and focus on God’s presence.

Scripture:

Genesis 12:7 — “The Lord appeared to Abram and said…”

Exodus 29:42 — The altar is where God dwells among His people.

Illustration: Imagine going to meet someone very important. You prepare, clear your schedule, and dress your best. Coming to the altar is like that—God is the most important presence you will ever meet. It’s a holy appointment you don’t want to miss.

Application: Stop hiding in your comfort zones. Step forward knowing God wants to meet you—not to condemn but to embrace.

2. The Altar Is a Place of Sacrifice

Sacrifice might sound old-fashioned or scary, but it’s the core of worship. The Old Testament altars were places where sacrifices were offered for sin, thanksgiving, and dedication. Today, Paul tells us in Romans 12:1 that our lives are the living sacrifices. Sacrifice means surrendering control, pride, and sin. It means choosing God’s will above our own desires.

Scripture:

Leviticus 1:3-9 — Details of animal sacrifice for atonement.

Romans 12:1 — “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice.”

Illustration: A man once brought a gift to a king. The king noticed the man’s reluctance and said, “If it costs you nothing, it means nothing.” True worship costs something—it’s a gift from a willing heart.

Application: What “sacrifices” do you need to bring today? Maybe it’s bitterness, selfishness, fear, or something else. True worship requires something real.

3. The Altar Is a Place of Surrender

Surrender is the moment we say, “God, not my will, but Yours.” It’s not easy; Abraham wrestled with it when he was asked to offer Isaac, and Jesus agonized in Gethsemane. But surrender unlocks God’s power in our lives. It is an act of trust, yielding our agenda to His plan.

Scripture:

Genesis 22:9–12 — Abraham’s obedience in faith.

Luke 22:42 — Jesus’ prayer of surrender.

Illustration: A tightrope walker cannot walk successfully if they try to control every step. Sometimes you have to let go of the safety net and trust God to catch you.

Application: What are you gripping so tightly that God is asking you to release? Bring those to the altar and surrender fully.

4. The Altar Is a Place of Restoration

The altar is not only a place for sacrifice and surrender but also for restoration. God promises to bring beauty from ashes (Isaiah 61:3) and to restore what the enemy has stolen. Broken marriages, lost dreams, shame, and guilt—all can be brought to the altar and made new.

Scripture:

Isaiah 61:3 — God gives beauty for ashes.

Joel 2:12-13 — “Return to the Lord with all your heart.”

Illustration: Like a potter reshaping broken clay, God takes our shattered pieces and creates something beautiful. The altar is the place we allow Him to do this work.

Application: If you’re struggling, come forward with faith that healing and restoration are possible. No shame, no judgment—only grace.

5. The Altar Is a Place of Invitation

Jesus’ invitation is simple and clear: “Come to Me.” This invitation is for everyone—every burdened soul, every broken heart, every weary traveler. The altar symbolizes God’s open arms. The call to come is not just historical; it’s alive and urgent today.

Scripture:

Matthew 11:28 — “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden.”

Revelation 22:17 — “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’”

Illustration: A lifeguard standing at the shore sees someone struggling in the water and shouts, “Come here, I’ll save you!” The altar is God’s lifeline to us, offering hope and rescue.

Application: Respond to God’s call. Come as you are—not because you’re perfect, but because His grace is sufficient.

ALTER CALL

Let me remind you:

The altar isn’t a place of shame—it’s a place of grace. It’s not a stage for performance, but a table for restoration. It’s not for the perfect—it’s for the willing. It’s not where you go because you’ve got it all together—it’s where you go because you know you can’t do it without Him.