Perfected Not Perfect

Eric Barton

Picture Perfect • Sermon • Submitted 3 years ago

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Intro

the Perfect Picture. It’s as elusive as the unicorn.

But we’ve all tried. Gotten close. 200 takes.

The Perfect picture has looked different over the years.

Anyone remember the “Glamour shot” (show a few pics)

How about trying to take a perfect picture with the family.

Everyone looking at the camera, no eyes closed, no one hitting, making faces or rabbit ears.

We have to get that just right shot to hang on the wall, to post online.

I wonder, how far does this “need” go into our lives?

We often don’t just have the need for the perfect picture, but to appear picture perfect.

Always, Just Right. Things a certain way.

Perfectionism.

I have to be perfect. And we work to create the image that everything is.

Perfect Definition - without flaw or defect.

So we struggle in this gap.

Gap between the perfection we seek and strive for, feel like we should be. What we think life should look like.

And the way life actually looks. The flaws and defects I see and I have.

It’s frustrating, discouraging, even depressing.

This is why some of the most put together looking people, are the most depressed.

So we easily become crippled by this need to create an unrealistic, unachievable image.

1. I’m Not Perfect

Obviously me..

But personalize this, say it.

It’s not just a statement, we know it’s true.

It’s permission.

Romans 3:23

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”

EVERYONE!

Sinned here is the greek word harmartano

This word has a sporting reference behind it.

It literally means to miss the mark.

Like in archery. you didn’t hit the bullseye.

Everyone has missed the bullseye.

Everyone has come in under the perfect stand that God is at.

You may be pretty good. You get it right most of the time.

But you haven’t his the bullseye every-time in life.

Perfectionism is an unattainable goal.

It will run and ruin your life.

im a failure. No good.

I’ll never preach the perfect sermon. Every Sunday afternoon I pick it apart. I wish this was better, would have done that...

I remember one time as a youth pastor I thought I got close.

I was preaching a good one. I thought...

Then I saw some people pointing, and start laughing.

I look down, and my zipper has been wide open!!!

Never perfect.

We feel like we’re never quite… enough.

We get into this thinking that I’ll be good enough if:

That person likes me, I get that promotion, I finally finish my degree, I lose those last 10 pounds, I get that...

We strive and we try to get better and closer to the mark of perfection, but

The problem is I’ll never do or be good enough to finally be enough.

it will steal your joy, the life from your relationships, your hope.

It creates more anxiety, and more worry, and stress.

Everything's never going to be exactly the way you think it should be.

And that’s ok!

You’re not perfect.

2. He is Perfect.

Psalm 18:30

“God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.”

Psalm 19:7

“The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.”

Hebrews 4:15

“This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.”

He never missed the mark.

He is all perfect. All the time.

But he’s the only one.

Unless you’re Jesus, you can’t carry the Completely Perfect title.

so then its no trying to reach a perfect me, but attain a perfect him.

3. I am Perfected

Matthew 5:48

“But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

Whoa! Ok. Well isn’t that a contradiction.

So are supposed to be perfect.

Now I’m really depressed. I was trying to be perfect to my standard (whatever that even meant) and now it’s at God’s!!

The difference, God defines Perfect differently than we do.

This word for perfect is Teleios.

Which means whole and complete.

Now it’s not a command it’s a promise.

You are to be whole and complete.

Colossians 2:10

“So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.”

I’m not having to try and be flawless and perfect, I’m made complete in Christ.

No Need to keep searching to fill what’s already been completed.

Perfect in Christ is lacking nothing!

Hebrews 10:14

“For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.”

Made and being made.

Instant and continual

Happened and still happening.

Because of Jesus perfect life and perfect sacrifice, I am made whole and complete and perfect.

But also I am continually being made to me more and more like him.

We’re perfected through Grace. It’s not about us or through us, but because of Him.

his perfection makes us whole, complete and perfected.

It’s about Perfected not perfection.

Perfected is always complete.

Perfection is never enough.

You’ll never be enough until he’s enough.

The picture is never good enough.

Challenge you to pursue 3 things instead of Perfectionism.

Luke 10:38-42

“As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.””