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Going on to Perfection

Introduction:  Just over a week ago we received one of those calls you dread; you know it’s coming but you still sorrow when it comes.  A good friend of ours in California had died.  [Story of Herschel & Jan.]

In thinking about this sermon, I was considering the biblical examples of what took place between the end of the Days of Unleavened Bread and the Day of Pentecost.  We normally think of that in reference to the disciples at the end of the Gospel accounts – after Jesus’ resurrection – and in the first chapter of Acts.  Actually, as I considered it, I found three more biblical examples of that time period with unique lessons for each one.  [From Red Sea to Sinai; from Jericho to Bethel; from Jesus’ resurrection to the Mt. of Olives; and from Philippi to Jerusalem.]

While there are lessons in each one, and I initially considered looking at all of those, I realized that was probably too scattered for one sermon.  So I asked – “What one theme is found in all of those accounts?”  There may well be more than one, but the one that struck me, and the one I wish to focus upon today – is that in each case, though blessings had been poured out on those who obeyed God’s instructions, the journey to God’s destination had only begun.

Popular religion often places little focus upon the journey we call “conversion,” and many are left with the feeling that once they have “given their heart to the Lord” there isn’t much more to do but wait for the reward and maybe try to win other souls for Jesus.  [Popularity of the Joel Osteen’s message and reaction of other ministers – 88% say his message is inaccurate and/or incomplete.]  Scripture actually shows us a very different story.

The writer of Hebrews wrote, “…Let us go on to perfection…” (Hebrews:6:1Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,)  How do you do that?

Have you ever known someone where no matter what you did, it was never quite good enough?  It may have been an employer, a co-worker, a teacher, a friend, or a family member.  Some people think they are prodding others to grow by always finding something that’s not quite right.  What they generally accomplish instead is to discourage people.

In a family relationship we call this kind of approach dysfunctional.  Dysfunctionality can show itself in any relationship.  It can even show itself in our relationship with ourselves.  We sometimes joke about people being perfectionists, always demanding more of themselves, and always convinced that whatever they did, it really wasn’t as good as it should have been.  [I remember a very sweet lady years ago who, when the pastor dropped by unexpectedly, he found her on the sidewalk in front of her home scrubbing the cracks between the concrete slabs with a toothbrush.]

Sometimes this shows up when a person is unable to accept a compliment for a meal, or the way they’re dressed, or how well their children behaved themselves.  Their house is never quite clean enough, their yard is never neat enough, their relationships are never satisfying enough.  No matter how good things may be, there’s always something that isn’t quite right.  I’m not talking about the emotionally healthy person who recognizes there is always room to grow; I’m referring to the person who lives with a constant feeling of dissatisfaction and discontent.

What about your relationship with God – is God ever pleased with you?  I heard about a sermon given a number of years ago in which the minister taught that we will never be able to please God as long as we are in this flesh.  Is that true?  Is our relationship with God essentially dysfunctional – we’ll never actually be able to please Him?

After all, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave us the simple instruction, “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”  Piece-of-cake, right?  To borrow from Dr. Phil, “How’s that workin’ out for you?”  Has God asked the impossible of his children?

Interestingly, Expositor’s Bible Commentary brings out that the tense of the verb in Jesus’ statement has two facets.  On the one hand it is imperative – a command to His disciples of what He expects of them.  However, it is also future – it is a promise to those who will follow the command that they actually will become perfect in exactly the same sense their Father is perfect.  So this passage becomes both a challenge and a marvelous promise.

Why do you want to be “perfect as [your] Father in heaven is perfect”?  What is your motivation?

Fear of what happens to those who aren’t.  [That’s a start but ineffective in the long run.]

Love for God and you want to please Him.  [That’s better, but is that all there is?]

You want to be perfect like Him because you have come to believe that His way is the right way; you have come into agreement with Him.  [You truly want to live that way because you believe it’s the right way, but you still struggle against your own human failings.]

Have you ever thought about how big a step it will be to step from this physical existence we call life into immortal life as a son or daughter of God?  We don’t even have the power to maintain this physical life, much less give ourselves immortality.  The only way it will be accomplished is by God’s power changing us once and for all.  It is right to do whatever we can to maintain this gift of life God has given us, but apart from God’s miraculous intervention, our human efforts will not be enough to maintain life.  Likewise, how big a step will it be from our best and honest efforts to live as perfectly as God would have us live and actually becoming perfect just as He is?  Will it be a tiny step we could almost accomplish on our own or will it be so awesome that it leaves now doubt for us or anyone else that it was miraculous?

S.P.S.:             What Does it Mean to “Go On To Perfection?”

One of the clear concepts of the Christian life – one that is often missed in what generally passes for Christianity in our world – is that Christianity is a process, not a destination.  We are not called to reach a point of spiritual accomplishment and stay there; we are in a journey, a process that requires constant examination and growth.

The Greek word generally translated as “perfect” – teleios – is not actually about perfection as in freedom from any and all flaws, but rather with the sense of maturity and suitability for the task intended.  It is from the Greek root word telos – end, purpose, aim, goal.  A fruit or grain which has ripened to the point it is ready to be harvested and used is “perfect.”

William Barclay in his Daily Study Bible describes it in this way: “A thing is teleios, if it realizes the purpose for which it was planned; a man is perfect if he realizes the purpose for which he was created.” “A victim which is [without blemish and] fit for sacrifice to God…is teleios.  A man who has reached his full-grown stature is teleios in contradistinction to a half-grown lad.  A student who has reached a mature knowledge of his subject is teleios as opposed to a learner who is just beginning…” [Daily Study Bible by William Barclay]

This word in its various forms is used approximately 50 times in the New Testament.  While we obviously don’t have time to look at all of those citations today, as we move from Unleavened Bread and toward Pentecost with its guarantee of the gift of God’s Spirit, it can be helpful for us to consider where we are in the journey toward God’s ultimate destination for us.

If the journey to biblical perfection seems almost unattainable, it may help to realize that Jesus Christ fully understands this journey because He walked it Himself.  It sometimes shocks or confuses people when we say Jesus had to be perfected, but that is what scripture tells us.

Heb:2:10For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. – For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

“Jesus’ stature was such that one would not have expected him to suffer. But he did suffer and in the process learned obedience. This, startling though it is, does not mean that Jesus passed from disobedience to obedience. Rather, he learned obedience by actually obeying. There is a certain quality involved when one has performed a required action – a quality that is lacking when there is only a readiness to act. Innocence differs from virtue.” [Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Frank E. Gaebelein, editor]

We learn deeper facets of obedience by obeying in the midst of trial.  We might already be determined to obey God’s instruction concerning the Sabbath, but when we lose a job because of our refusal to break the Sabbath, we learn obedience – and faith – at a deeper level.

Heb:5:8-9[8]Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;[9]And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; – though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him

perfected – teleiwqeiV – teleiotheìs – “Teleios can quite correctly be translated ‘perfect’ so long as we remember what the Greek meant by that perfection.  To him a thing was teleios if it perfectly carried out the purpose for which it was designed.  When he used the word he was not thinking in terms of abstract and metaphysical perfection; he was thinking in terms of function.  What the writer to the Hebrews is saying is that all the experiences of suffering through which Jesus passed perfectly fitted him to become the Savior of men.” [Daily Study Bible by William Barclay]

“Here we must make a similar comment about Jesus’ being ‘made perfect.’ This does not mean that he was imperfect and that out of his imperfection he became perfect. There is a perfection that results from having actually suffered; it is different from the perfection that is ready to suffer.” [Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Frank E. Gaebelein, editor]

Interestingly, it is in this context that the author writes his correction at the end of this chapter for those who had not matured as they should have.

Since He fully understood this process, we should begin by seeing what He said about this process of becoming perfect.

Mat:5:43-48[43]Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.[44]But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;[45]That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.[46]For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?[47]And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?[48]Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. – “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
Mat:19:16-22[16]And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?[17]And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.[18]He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,[19]Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.[20]The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?[21]Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.[22]But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. – Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

We have been focusing on the concept of discipleship and how we are supposed to fulfill Jesus’ command to disciple all nations.  Jesus incorporated this concept of “perfecting” into His description of what His disciples should be like.

Luke:6:39-40[39]And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?[40]The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. – And He spoke a parable to them: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.”

A disciple is much more than a mere student.  When your children go to school, they are not disciples of their teachers – they are merely learners.  You wouldn’t really want them to be “disciples” of most teachers.

It’s important that we examine ourselves to see if we are truly disciples of Jesus Christ or merely students.  How could we disciple others if we are not disciples ourselves?  How could we fulfill God’s purpose for us if we are nothing more than students?

[Remember the passage about those who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth (2 Tim:3:7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.).  Last week Mr. Kilough referred to the passage about people being destroyed for lack of knowledge and pointed out that the kind of knowledge lacking is knowledge of God.  This was illustrated on a recent Jeopardy quiz show with some of the brightest college students in the country.  They could answer all kinds of questions, but none of them even wanted to try the category “Bible Books.”  When they finally had to attempt that category, not one of them could answer even one of the questions.  Many of our young children in Sabbath school or camp could have answered most of those questions.]

The kind of perfection Jesus desires in his disciples inevitably leads to unity.

We all want unity, don’t we?  But many people approach unity by saying,” I’m perfectly willing to have unity as soon as the other guy sees I’m right.”

John:17:23I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. – I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

1 Cor:1:10Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. – Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Scripture clearly shows us that the goal of the ministry is to help all of us as we endeavor to fulfill that maturing process in our spiritual lives.

Col:1:28-29[28]Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:[29]Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. – Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

Phil:3:12-17[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.[13]Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,[14]I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.[15]Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.[16]Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.[17]Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. – Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.

Who, in the Church today, is a pattern for you?  As you probably remember, those in Corinth chose up sides, and the most self-righteous among them said, “I am of Christ.”  Paul tells us here that we should have such deep respect and appreciation for one another as Christians that we are able to see others who share this journey with us who are models we look up to and imitate.

Eph:4:11-15[11]And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;[12]For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:[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: – And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 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; 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, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ;

What is expected of us in this process?  What is our part?

2 Cor:7:1Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. – Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Col:3:14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. – But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

Jas 1:2-4 – My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

1 Jn 2:4-6 –He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.  [It is the love of God that is perfected by obedience, not the obedience which is perfected by love.]

1 Jn 4:12 – 12  No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. [NIV] No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

1 Jn 4:17-21 – Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

Have you ever experienced an imperfect – immature – love?  We all had to learn that what we first thought was “true love” was really something less.

[Immature love – “It’s difficult to analyze love when you’re in it. Once, when I raptured in a violet glow given off by the Queen of the World, my father asked me why, and I thought he was crazy not to see. Of course I know now she was a mouse-haired, freckle-nosed, scabby-kneed little girl with a voice like a bat and the loving kindness of a Gila monster, but then she lighted up the landscape and me.” – Travels With Charley – John Steinbeck]

If you’ve been married any length of time, you have undoubtedly noticed that the love you have for your mate today is not exactly like what you felt at the beginning of your relationship.  Young people assume that means there is no longer any passion.  I guess they’ll have to learn about that on their own because we old folks will never convince them.  But you’ve learned through the years that the kind of love that keeps a marriage strong and stable through the highs and lows of life is rich and meaningful and infinitely better than the fluctuating passions of youth.  The passions of youth are not sinful; they’re just immature.

The same principle can be true of our love for God and His ways.  The flush of excitement and gratitude that we may feel as we leave our old life behind and begin our new relationship with God is fine, but as time goes by we must add the mature love that brings us through the challenges of the Christian life.  Just as in the marriage, the passion should never die, but the mature love must be added for the relationship to grow and succeed.

Love that is not perfect is an immature love, and like infatuation, it may feel wonderful – for a while – but it won’t get us through the difficult times – personally nor as a body of believers.

Conclusion:    [How do you define “success” in this journey toward perfection?  Nellie Linder story.]

The ultimate perfection God wants for us is just ahead.

Heb:11:39-40[39]And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:[40]God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. – And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

History records that the journey from Passover to Pentecost is a journey that challenges us and makes us realize more fully how much we need the transforming power of God’s Holy Spirit in our lives.