Called but Not Exempt from Failure - We Need Grace

Podcast Title: Called But Not Exempt from Failure: We Need Grace
Speaker: Pastor Paul Bailey

In a message that both challenges and comforts, Pastor Paul Bailey speaks candidly to those who have responded to the call of God—yet still find themselves tripping, stumbling, or feeling stuck in spiritual limbo. Titled “Called But Not Exempt from Failure: We Need Grace,” this sermon confronts a subtle but dangerous mindset that assumes being chosen by God somehow insulates us from falling.

From the outset, Pastor Bailey reminds the listener that spiritual calling is not a shield against failure, temptation, or inconsistency. “Being called doesn’t keep you from falling,” he says. “And if we don’t understand that, we’ll disqualify ourselves when God hasn’t.”

Preaching from Ephesians 2:8, Romans 11:29, and Proverbs 24:16 among others, he makes the case that grace—defined as both unmerited favor and divine influence—is not just a starting point for salvation, but an ongoing necessity. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves,” he reads. “It is the gift of God.”

The sermon explores the tension many believers feel between progress and paralysis. Pastor Bailey describes the spiritual “middle ground” as a dangerous zone of unproductive contentment—where believers may no longer be doing wrong, but are no longer pressing forward either. “We end up resting on our laurels, thinking we’re okay because we’re not who we used to be,” he warns.

Drawing from Scripture, Pastor Bailey offers powerful examples of biblical figures who were undeniably called—and yet undeniably flawed. From Moses to David, from Samson to Peter, he shows that falling is not final. “Peter denied Christ, and later needed public correction even after Pentecost,” he says. “But God still used him. God still uses us.”

A recurring phrase punctuates the message like a heartbeat: “We need grace in our lives.” Whether it’s the grace to get back up, the grace to forgive ourselves, or the grace to keep moving forward despite imperfection, the message is clear—grace is not optional for the believer. It is essential.

Bailey does not shy away from hard truths. “Your righteousness is as filthy rags,” he quotes from Isaiah. “You’ll never live good enough to deserve salvation. That’s why we need grace.” But he balances this with an unwavering hope. “Falling isn’t failure—unless you stay down. A just man falls seven times and rises again.”

The sermon closes with an appeal to believers not to disqualify themselves from God’s purpose. “God is not sorry He called you,” he declares. “Even when you trip, He’s still working. But you’ve got to get back up.”

This message is a clarion call to the weary, the guilt-ridden, and the discouraged. It reminds us that the Christian life is not about perfect performance—it’s about persistent faith, powered by grace.