"What Is Perfection?"

We talk about perfection, but it is very abstract. We all know we want more than what we have and want to be more than what we are. But only One was perfect. On this "perfect" day, let's examine the Perfect One, Jesus.

What Is Perfection?

(Heb. 10:11-14)

Introduction:

A.  I read a perfect story this past week.

B.  Okay, so maybe it was not the perfect story, but today is 10/10/10.  Many times, in the Bible, the number 10 is used as a reference to completeness or that nothing is left wanting.  In today’s society it is often used as a ranking with 10 being perfect.

C.  Before 1976, no male or female had ever received a perfect score in any Olympic gymnastics event. And then came Nadia Comaneci, all 4-foot-11, 86 pounds of her.  The 14-year-old Romanian dazzled the judges in Montreal to the point where they couldn’t help but give her a perfect 10. And they didn’t stop there; for not only did Comaneci receive the first perfect score, she then proceeded to get six more!

D.  Perfection is something that is elusive to us.  We strive for it, we fail, we keep on trying, but we keep on failing.  It can drive us to greatness or drive us into depression.  We want to be better than what we are.  I am not satisfied just existing.  I want to live.  I don’t want to just live; I want to live to the fullest.  I want a life that is filled with purpose and meaning.  But in an imperfect world, how can I, being an imperfect person, ever really have fulfillment, completion, perfection in life?  Am I doomed to mediocrity?

I.  The Perfect One

A.  There are many people who wait on coming to Jesus until they get their life right on their own.  The problem is, you have not been able to get your life right thus far, why do think you can do it without him now?

B.  The Hebrew writer says that “day after day the priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.”

C.  What I need in order to be perfect, is for ever sin, every blemish, every spot that is unclean to be taken away.  But I am not able to do that.  I cannot get my ducks in a row spiritually.  But then the writer turns to talk about a different priest, one who offers one sacrifice for all time, Jesus the Christ.

D.  Since the time of his death, burial and resurrection and his ascension into heaven something new is offered.  Jesus is defeating the enemy of sin and death.  It will be fully realized when he comes back to claim his own, but now Jesus is in the transforming business.  Now look at verse 14.  You can only go so far in obtaining perfection on your own, but Jesus can take you all the way.  He can do for you what you could not do on your own.  The gift of perfection is for “those who are being made holy.”  That phrase can be translated, “those who are dedicated to God.”  Are you one of the dedicated?

II.  Perfect Plan

A.  Natalie Grant has a song that says in the chorus,

There’s no such thing as perfect people

There’s no such think as a perfect life.

So come as you are, broken and scarred.

Lift up your heart and be amazed,

And be changed by perfect God.

B.  There are people in pain all around us.  Maybe you are even one of those people.  Maybe you are here today because you so desire the perfection that only God can give.  Let me be honest with you as we study scripture.  God does not take away all pain and suffering.  He does not heal every illness or remove every trial.  What God does is greater.

C.  When Paul faced his “thorn in the flesh” he pleaded with God three times to remove it.  Paul was a great man.  But there is no one who is so good that God has to fix their problems.  Paul prays and pleads with God to take it way.  Do you remember the answer he is given?  It is found in 2 Cor. 12:9.

D.  Though the thorn in Paul’s life was hindrance or difficulty for Paul, God’s grace was sufficient.  It was “enough.” God’s grace is all Paul needed, but Jesus didn’t stop there.  He went on to explain, “for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  The transforming, saving power of Jesus will never be made perfect until the person in need of it realizes that they are too weak to do it on their own.

E.  I want that power in my life.  I want the perfect power of Christ at work in me, therefore, I will gladly tell you, I am weak.  I am not a perfect preacher.  I have sins that I struggle with.  But I know that in Christ the sacrifice has been made and I made clean.

III.  The Perfect Me

A.  The end result is that I am perfect.  Sinless?  Yes, and no.  1 John 1:7 tells us that “if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus, his son purifies us from all sin.”  That’s perfection.  I can stand before God on Judgment Day perfect.  Not because of my own efforts, lest I boast.  But because of his grace and my faith working together.

B.  Are you perfect?  You can be in Christ.  It means being dedicated to him.  It means accepting the fact that you are too weak to do it alone therefore you turn to him in humble repentance.

C.  It’s what the people did on the Day of Pentecost 2000 years ago.  They knew they were in sin.  They knew they crucified Jesus whom God had made both Lord and Christ and cried out to Peter and the apostles, “What do we do?”  The answer was to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of those sins in the name of Jesus.  The gift of salvation and the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit was for those who would accept that message and be humility come before God and be immersed in water – baptized, washed, cleansed.

Conclusion:

A.  There is a TV show about the poker game Texas Hold’em with different stars playing.  At some point in the game a person can go “all in.”  That is he puts in all his chips.  Everyone else must match his bet or fold.  We need to go “all in” for Jesus.  People will see us as “recklessly abandoning self” in order to serve Jesus.  Unless we are “all in” we are not “in” at all.

B.  God is waiting for you to come to him.  Jesus stands at the door of your heart waiting for you to open it to him.  The Holy Spirit is waiting to be united with you in baptism as you rise up a new creation.  But it takes you coming.  God’s invitation is extended for you to come, just as you are, and let him create in you perfection.  His perfection.  A sinless life and begin a journey home with fellow Christians right here in the church building.

C.  Just as I am is what you offer to God, just as He is, is what he offers you in return.  I invite you to arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins calling on the name of the Lord.