She reframed his mistake.   Oh, I wish I could do that for you…and wish you could do that for others. How often do we yearn for someone to see value in us when we don’t perform well. The good news...is that Jesus does!

You see, it’s hard to believe, but even church folk tend to believe the lie that our world is pumping into our ears every day.  If you want to be accepted, if you want to be loved, try harder to perform better.  Make yourself more beautiful, then they’ll love you. Make yourself taller, with insoles for your shoes or heels for your feet.  Make yourself thinner, maybe even anemic, then you’ll win their hearts.  Make yourself look younger, with the hair dyes and the sneakers, and the sports car and the exercise room.  If you make yourself look younger, then you will be accepted.  Make yourself smarter by reading more books—then people will listen to you, and when they listen to you, then you can feel important.

Younger, thinner, taller, prettier, smarter, tougher, calmer, richer – take your pick.  The Grace of God in the face of Christ tells us—that’s not needed. My grace is sufficient. I chose you…because I love you.

Your importance is rooted in the love of God. Your identity is found in the grace of God. And your security is found in the arms of God. 

The sermon today is titled "Amazing Grace." The Scripture reading is from Ephesians 2:8-10. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on May 1, 2022.

These lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Gracious Gospel.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

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