Grace That Looks Beyond Our Faults
Pastor Erickson teaches from Ephesians 2:8 that salvation comes by an undeserved grace, and he shows from David's sin with Bathsheba and his prayer in Psalm 51 that God forgives and restores the repentant even when justice still has its cost. He says grace is not a license to sin but the power to live holy, and he calls people to repent, be baptized in Jesus name and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
The message in 6 points
Saved by a grace we do not deserve
He reads Ephesians 2:8, that we are saved by grace through faith and not of ourselves. Grace is undeserved, yet it is required for salvation, and he says he is reaching today for the person who does not feel worthy of salvation.
46:55The story behind He Looked Beyond My Fault
He tells how Dottie Rambo finished her song about grace after her dying brother said God would never accept someone like him. Before he died he gave his life to God, and Pastor Erickson sings the song as a picture of the grace he wants to preach.
51:44David's fall and the cost of sin
In 2 Samuel 11 David stays home from battle, takes Bathsheba, and has Uriah killed to cover it. Nathan confronts him with the parable of the poor man's lamb, and the child dies, because grace does not take the place of justice.
1:01:27Create in me a clean heart
In Psalm 51 David confesses his sin and asks God to wash him and renew a right spirit. Genuine repentance opens the door to grace, and God the creator and regenerator can lift us out of the miry clay and repurpose our lives.
1:08:52Grace is not a license to sin
Grace is God's undeserved favor for saint and sinner alike, but it is not a covering for living in sin. It convicts without condemning and empowers holy living, and like the prodigal son's father, God restores the identity we lost in sin.
1:17:00Jesus came for the sick
Jesus says he came to call sinners to repentance, and his grace is sufficient in our weakness. God even brought Solomon, and the line of Jesus, from David and Bathsheba, so he calls people to worship, repent, be baptized in Jesus name and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
1:27:28
In his words
“I know a God who has enough grace to pull us out of anything we get ourselves stuck into. He's still creating clean hearts. He's still renewing right spirits.”
“I'm thankful for grace, but I don't use it as a crutch so I can sin. I use it because it's what is going to cause me to truly want to be holy.”
“He looked beyond his fault and he saw his need, not to come back as a servant but to come back as a son. He gave his son his identity back. And I want you to know God is here today and he wants to return to you the identity you lost in sin.”
Taken word for word from the video, with punctuation added.
Scripture
He reads
Ephesians 2:8-9
8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
King James Version.
Psalms 51:3-4
3For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
King James Version.
Psalms 51:1-2
1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
King James Version.
Psalms 51:7
7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
King James Version.
Psalms 51:10
10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
King James Version.
Psalms 51:12
12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
King James Version.
Psalms 51:17
17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
King James Version.
Titus 2:11-12
11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
King James Version.
Romans 5:20
20Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
King James Version.
Mark 2:17
17When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
King James Version.
2 Corinthians 12:9
9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
King James Version.
Psalms 30:11-12
11Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; 12To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.
King James Version.
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