Perfecting of Saints

Now here we have a passage of Scripture, which for the sake of a sermon we have entitled Perfecting the Saints. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus made a rather shocking statement. He said,

Matthew 5:48 KJV 1900

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

“Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect.” Now that really puts the standard up there. Our Lord asked of the Jews perfection. Now that statement really in one simple phrase gives the will of God for men.

God wills that we be perfect.

God’s desire since man’s fall was to call out a redeemed people to be perfect. The perfection of the saints then, is the redemptive plan of God from eternity past.

What are we talking about when we talk about perfecting the saints. Let me make some clear doctrinal distinctions to begin with.

There are three kinds of perfection that the Bible talks about.

The first one is what we call positional perfection.

Positional Perfection.

That is we are perfect in Christ before God. In 1 Corinthians 2:6,

1 Corinthians 2:6 (KJV 1900)

6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

We saw in our study of I Corinthians Paul says, “We speak wisdom among them that are perfect.” And there he makes reference to believers. When you believed in Christ, when you received Him, positionally before God through salvation, you became, in God’s eyes, perfected in Christ.

Colossians 2:10 (KJV 1900)

10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

The Scripture says, “and ye are” what? “Complete in Him.”

Hebrews 10:14 (KJV 1900)

14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

The writer says, “For by one offering He has perfected forever them that are His.” So from the positional standpoint that is our standing before God. We are made perfect when we believed in Jesus Christ. When sin is paid for and removed, as a barrier between us and God, in Christ we are made perfect.

Second kind of perfection is

Ultimate Perfection.

This is something that we haven’t yet experienced, but we will experience it in the future. In

Hebrews 12:23 (KJV 1900)

23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

it refers to “the church of the firstborn who are written in heaven to God the judge of all and the spirits of just men made perfect. The spirits of just men made perfect.”

What it means is saints who have been taken to heaven.

Now when Paul in Philippians 3 talks about his death and resurrection he says,

Philippians 3:12 (KJV 1900)

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

“Not as though I already attained,” Philippians 3:12, “Either were already perfect.” He’s looking toward his ultimate perfection when he’s like Christ.

So there’s a positional perfection, which is ours now, we don’t need to worry about that, done.

There is an ultimate perfection, which is ours in the future, which we can’t do anything about ‘til we get out of this world.

There’s a third area of perfection. That’s what we call

Experiential Perfection.

And here is the practical day-to-day life of the believer. And this is the emphasis that the apostle Paul wants to make in Ephesians 4.

Positional perfection, that’s taken care of, ultimate perfection, that will be taken care of, what we need to work on is experiential perfection.

This is the point of our Christian life to become perfect in practice.

Now notice verse 12,

The reason that there are evangelists and teaching pastors, as there were apostles and prophets, is for the perfecting of the saints.

Ephesians 4:12 (KJV 1900)

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Now mark it. Those men couldn’t make you position ally perfect, only Christ could do that. Those men can’t make you ultimately perfect, only God can do that. But we are called to bring the saints to a practical kind of perfection. Now that’s what this passage is all about.

Now the word perfecting deserves our attention. It’s the word in the Greek contarkiso is the root word. It means fully equipped, full-grown, mature, complete, total. “strengthening, developing, furnishing completely, or equipping.”

God is not demanding out of us sinless perfection. If He was demanding that we wouldn’t be able to deliver and we’d be in a lot of trouble.

God is not asking for sinless perfection, but He is asking for fully equipped, full grown, mature, complete Christian, as Christ-like as possible in this world. God is asking that we mature to Christ-likeness and beloved nothing less than that satisfies God. God’s standards must be absolute and they must be high, and He settles for nothing less. That’s why 2 Corinthians 7:1 says, “We ought to perfect holiness.”

2 Corinthians 7:1 (KJV 1900)

1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

This speaks of

Our Completion

Ephesians 4:12 (KJV 1900)

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

The word “perfecting” has the idea of “strengthening, developing, furnishing completely, or equipping.” It simply means that God has placed the various members in the body to help the body achieve its fullest potential for His glory. He has given the church, through the work of the Holy Spirit in gifting the various members of the body, all that we need to be strong, whole, and complete for His glory.

When I fill my place and you fill yours, the Lord is glorified and the church becomes what the Lord established it to be. We become His body, carrying His light to a world trapped in darkness.

Our Commitment

Ephesians 4:12 (KJV 1900)

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

When Paul refers to “the work of the ministry,” he is talking about “the business of serving.”

Effective ministry is the work of the entire church.

No matter how talented a Pastor or a group of leaders may be, there is no way that one person, or even a few people, can effectively do everything that needs to be done in the local church. No one is that gifted, and no one has that much time.

God has designed the church so that each member brings a different piece of the collective puzzle to the table. When the “evangelists” and the “Pastor/teachers” are faithful in prayer and the ministry of the Word, the church is equipped to serve the needs of the body of Christ.

It is not enough for us to simply to show up at the church.

We must go beyond merely attending and become actively involved in the work of the Lord in the world.

We do this by yielding to Him and exercising the gifts we have been given. In other words, we serve the Lord and His church by doing just what He saved you and equipped you to do. Nothing more, and nothing less!

Our Confirmation

Ephesians 4:12 (KJV 1900)

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Now, Paul tells us that the gifts of God, especially the ones mentioned in verse 11, exist “for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

The word “edifying” means “to build up, to establish, or to confirm.”

It speaks of the church progressing from salvation to sanctification.

It pictures the church doing more than merely professing Jesus, but actually projecting Jesus.

It speaks of us reaching our fullest potential and maturity in Him. It speaks of the church growing up and being settled in our walk with the Lord. Paul tells us how the gifted individuals in the church make this a reality. Again, Paul is referring to the ministry gifts make this possible, but I would remind you that everyone has a stake in this. As I serve in the manner God gifted me to serve, and as you do the same, the church will grow spiritually and leave a more Christlike footprint in the world.

Ephesians 4:13–16 KJV 1900

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Maturity Displayed

Now, what he’s saying is that He’s given us gifts, and when these gifts work together, then the Body matures and the Body becomes like its head, the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to be mature.

What happens when all of us begin maturing?

Well, look in verse 13:

Ephesians 4:13 (KJV 1900)

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Look in verse 13: “unto a perfect man.” (Ephesians 4:13) The word perfect here does not mean “sinless”; it means “mature.”

Now, let me mention some ways we’re going to be mature, and then I’m finished.

Mature in Stature

First of all, you’re going to be mature in stature. That means you’re going to be like the Lord Jesus Christ—“unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13) You can tell when the gifts are working in a church when the church becomes like the Lord Jesus Christ. When the gifts are operating, we’re becoming more and more like the Lord Jesus.

Begins with Conviction

—“till we all come in the unity of the faith.” As the church is properly led, fed and service by the gifted individuals that make it up, it will come to the place where it believes and practices the same body of doctrine. God’s goal in sending preachers to the church is to teach the church His Word, so that the body might be built up through a belief in common truth.

Building Of Consciousness

—“of the knowledge of the son of God.” As we are taught the truth by those gifted to share it, we learn more about the Savior. The word “knowledge” means “to fully discern.” God sends the church preachers and teachers to help us come to know Christ better. As the gifts of the Spirit are exercised in the church, one of the outcomes in a fuller knowledge of Christ.

One of the surest ways for a church to grow in power, love and glory is for that church to more fully understand Whom they serve and who they are in Christ. Phil 3:10

Philippians 3:10 KJV 1900

10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Paul phrased it this way:

Benefitting Of Christlikeness

—“unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” This phrase simply refers to “reaching a place of maturity.” God has gifted His church to help the whole body come to a place of maturity. He wants us to grow up into the image of His Son. That is why He saved us! He saved us so that Christ might be formed in us, Gal. 4:19.

Galatians 4:19 KJV 1900

19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

God’s desire for every one of His children is that we all, without exception, become like His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, Rom. 8:28–29.

Romans 8:28–29 KJV 1900

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

One of the ways God works to achieve this goal is by giving His church gifted individuals who use their giftedness for the glory of God and for the good of the church!

Mature in Stability

Mature in stature and mature in stability. Look in verse 14:

Ephesians 4:14 KJV 1900

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

When we grow up in Him, we are no longer little children trussed around by every changing wave of doctrine that strikes us.

We are not washed off our feet by every new teaching we hear.

We are not easily deceived by those who would try to trick us and lead us away into error.

The word “sleight” refers to “dice.” It speaks of those who rig the game in their favor by using “loaded dice.” Satan and has agents try to trick and trap the people of God, (e.g. “Lie in wait to deceive”) but when we are mature in the Lord, we are not so easily lead into a game of chance with the devil.

The false cults out there are getting Baptists and evangelical Christians going door to door. They do not evangelize. They don’t win souls. What they do is corrupt and deceive people who are immature who have not come to the measure of the stature of Christ. And people get “[blown] about [by] every wind of doctrine.” (Ephesians 4:14)

But when the Body is healthy, when the gifts are operating, we become mature in stature, we become mature in stability. We’re not “[blown] about [by] every wind of doctrine.” (Ephesians 4:14)

Mature in Speech

Number three: We become mature in speech. Look in verse 15, if you will:

Ephesians 4:15 KJV 1900

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Now, we’re to “[speak] the truth in love.” (Ephesians 4:15)

If you speak the truth without love, that’s brutality.

But if you speak in love without truth, that is hypocrisy.

Immature people cannot blend the two.

We have some people who are just already speaking the truth, but they have no love. Other people who talk about love, they have no truth.

Truthless love and loveless truth are the signs of immature people.

The idea of “speaking the truth in love” speaks of the truth of the Gospel proclaimed and lived out by a church that is in love with the Lord, one another and the lost world around it.

This kind of church, the church that preaches truth, loves truth, shares truth and that loves the God of truth is the kind of church that God will use in powerful ways to glorifying Himself and to reach the lost.

Mature in Service

But when the gifts are working, we’re mature in stature, we’re mature in stability, we are mature in speech, and we are mature in service.

Look in verse 16; here’s how it all works together:

Ephesians 4:16 KJV 1900

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Now, what does that mean? It speaks of flexible harmony. He talks about every joint.

My elbow is a joint. You see that? It’s flexible. Now, what holds my forearm to my upper arm? My elbow. It’s a joint. It enables me to bend this arm. Now, it keeps me connected, but it’s flexible. And that’s the way the Body is: it is to be flexible harmony.

My body works together because of the joints, and that’s the way God put the Body together. Every member has his ministry, and we’re held together by all of these joints.

Now, you know what happens to some people? We get stiff. We get spiritual arthritis. And rather than having this flexibility, we get rigid and firm because the Body is not healthy. Oh, it’s so wonderful to see a healthy Body—all of the joints just working together in harmony.

The Greek word joint is harmos. It’s the word we get harmony from.

Now, when I studied human anatomy and physiology, I found out in college that we have synovial fluid that lubricates these joints. And when the cartilage gets dry, and the synovial fluid is not there, and it gets inflamed and swollen and it gets stiff and painful, then the body is not lubricated.

What is the synovial fluid? It is love. When we love one another, then we don’t inflame one another—we don’t get stiff; we don’t get rigid. We all have our gifts of God.

And we become mature in stature: we become like Christ.

We become mature in stability: we’re not blown about.

We become mature in speech: we know how to speak the truth in love.

And we become mature, dear friend, in service: we serve one another, and the Body works together.

Don’t you want to be a part of a church like that? Say “amen.” I know you do. And may God help us to find our place in the Body.

Conclusion:

Look up here. I’m telling you, you are a gifted child. And don’t you leave that thing framed and hanging on the wall. Find out what God wants you to do and get busy doing it.

You say, “Pastor, I just don’t have any joy.” Well, what do you do? “Well, Pastor, I come hear you preach.” Do you think you’ve done God a wild favor when you’ve done that? Friend, if you’re not serving, you won’t have joy. The Greek word charis means, not only “grace,” but it also means “joy.” When you serve the Lord, that’s when the juices of joy begin to flow.Let’s bow our heads in prayer. Heads are bowed, and eyes are closed.

Would you pray that God would show you your ministry in this body?

Will you accept yourself, discover yourself, be yourself, and give yourself for the glory of God?