The Problem with Perfection

So many people think that it is IMPOSSIBLE to be perfect - Of course I know that’s not true because my wife is perfect....(FOR ME - Because God said so)

But did you know that it is a prophetic declaration from God that you’ll be perfect just like your Father in Heaven?!

Matthew 5:48 NKJV

48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

It’s so easy to do, but let’s not fall for the Devil’s trick to tell us that it’ll never happen this side of eternity, so we shouldn’t even try!

Here are some of the “Problems” with Perfection & especially the expectation of Perfection

1. Our Perspective (Definition)

Perfect ≠ Never makes a mistake

Perfect = Complete; the end point or conclusion of an act or state

Revelation 1:8 NKJV

8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

1 John 3:2 NKJV

2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

The end game is that we will be like Him as soon as possible!

We are created to be just like Him (Genesis 1:26-27)

How do we become like Him?

1. The Word of God

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NKJV

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

When we yield to the Word of God as Lord, we accelerate the journey towards perfection

Word=Jesus (John 1:1,14)

There is not one scripture, whether we like it or not, that we should not do in proper division of the word of God.

2. The Spirit of God

John 14:25–26 NKJV

25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

Matthew 3:16 NKJV

16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.

Only the Word -> Dry up

Only the Spirit -> Blow up

Word + Spirit -> Grow up

If Jesus needed the Spirit of God, then WE NEED THE SPIRIT OF GOD!!!

Romans 8:26 NKJV

26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

3.Others, the Local Church, & The 5-Fold Ministry:

Ephesians 4:11–16 NKJV

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Isaiah 2:3 NKJV

3 Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

Proverbs 27:17 NKJV

17 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

This is why we keep urging us all to gather together in any capacity allowed AND to get faithful in attending a weekly Connect Group!

2. Expectations of the Perfection of Others

“Blessed is the man who expects nothing for he shall never be disappointed” - Alexander Pope

One of the greatest church arenas I hear disappointments in is in church pastors!

Pastors:

God didn’t promise to give us perfect people as pastors - God promised to give us shepherds after His heart

Jeremiah 3:15 NKJV

15 And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Pastors have sin and character issues too, but their lives are lived on display before MANY (sometime scrutinizing) eyes that are often looking for faults and shortcomings rather than progress in the process & the genuine heart of Jesus in them.

There is no perfect church or perfect preachers/pastors, just perfect hearts & the perfect place where God has placed you.

1 Corinthians 12:18 NKJV

18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.

Perfect Church:

Perfection becomes a problem if we cannot receive fully if the situation is not perfect (or if the minister doesn’t do it perfectly)

sound mix

lights

preaching style

clothing

atmosphere

pet programs

This is a key reason why some people end up church hopping/church shopping

Instead of being on the latest episode of “Church Hunters,” we should be content and bloom & give fruit where God has planted us

God doesn’t promise us a perfect spouse - just a perfect spouse FOR YOU!

Look for the whatsoever things (Ephesians 4:8)

3. Expectations of our Personal Perfection

Perfection freezes us if we aren’t willing to make a mistake

(esp if we have had a habit of criticizing other people & their lack of performance perfection)

If we aren’t working, we are often judging others’ performance.

Psalm 1:1 NKJV

1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

God doesn’t expect perfection, He expects our best, our love and our zeal - He can make up the difference

Many think if it’s not perfect, it’s not God - (Jesus had no beauty, but He was the vehicle God chose)

We won’t make a mistake if we don’t do anything!!!

Peter might not have stepped out of the boat perfectly, but he still walked on water!

2 Chronicles 16:9 NKJV

9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”

But God is a DOING God!

James 2:26 NKJV

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Faith without works is incomplete

I challenge you do be a potentially imperfect doer with a perfect heart!

Just One Thing:

God is perfecting us in the process; be willing to be an imperfect doer with a perfect heart and watch God move!!!

Discussion Questions:

What’s the craziest CLEAN video you’ve ever seen?

How does it feel to know that God expects you be perfect like He is? Share a bit about that.

Please read 2 Chronicles 16:9 and share about how you can respond to this scripture. If you have ever let fear of failure (or lack of perfection) stop you, how can this scripture be applied in your life?

Share a bit about some expectations of perfection you have had & how you can Biblically adjust your expectations based on this sermon.