1. The Perfect Sermon

2. I. Imperfect Views Of Perfection

3. Perfectionism 1. Some Gnostics denied they sinned 2. Tertullian: Hb.6:6 proves post- baptismal sins are unforgiveable 3. Some Pentecostals: second blessing Re-defined sin…to excuse sin Act of sanctifying grace Removes our ‘will’ to sin Act of sanctifying grace Removes our ‘will’ to sin

4. Perfectionism Imperfectionism “Carnal Christian” Theory Leap over courthouse Touch the stars Defeat Samson Christians may live in sin and still be saved Some Christians lower Bible’s standards and thus claim perfection

5. I. Imperfect Views Of Perfection II. Perfect Views Of ‘Perfection Passages’

6. Noah, Gn.6:9 “Perfect”: complete, whole, entire. Blameless; having integrity. “Perfect”: complete, whole, entire. Blameless; having integrity. But Noah did not live above sin. Gn.9; Ro.3:23.

7. Noah, Gn.6:9 As God, Mt.5:48 Complete, whole, entire... Integrity Cf. Gn.6:9 – fully developed; as God (absolute perfection: complete) Man: complete love (directional) 1 Jn.2:5; 4:18 Man: complete love (directional) 1 Jn.2:5; 4:18 Who is absolutely perfect as God is?

8. Noah, Gn.6:9 As God, Mt.5:48 RYR, Mt.19:21 Complete, whole, entire... Integrity Lacking in only one area. Unwilling to change. Lacking in only one area. Unwilling to change.

9. Noah, Gn.6:9 As God, Mt.5:48 RYR, Mt.19:21 Every Christian, Ja.1:4 Complete, whole, entire... Integrity Wanting nothing necessary to completeness

10. I. Imperfect Views Of Perfection III. Penetrating ‘Perfection Passages’ II. Perfect Views Of ‘Perfection Passages’

11. 1. NT never says Christians never sin Ph.3:12 – 1 Not already perfected (12) 2 As many as are mature (15) 1 Moral and spiritual perfection. His struggle against sin contiues 2 Mature, full-grown, mature, adult. V.16

12. 1. NT never says Christians never sin 1 Jn.3:6-9 – does not contradict 1:8-10 Does not ‘make a practice of…’ (SEB) Does not ‘keep on sinning’ (ESV) Ro.6:2. Cannot habitually practice sin.

13. 2. Bible records sins of best characters Noah, Abraham, Job, David, Peter…

14. 3. “Perfect” means different things  Hb.2:10; 5:9; 7:28 – qualify, consecrate  1 Co.14:20, opposite of children; grown up, mature. Hb.5:14 Only one who never sinned… “made perfect”? (4:15) Temptation, suffering, death, resur- rection… ‘qualified’ Him as Savior His ‘consecration’ came after His death Jn.1:29; Lv.21:10

15. 3. “Perfect” means different things  Hb.12:23, reached goal: “complete in heaven” – (11:40). In the meantime (6:1)  Ja.2:22, faith completed (ct. 19)  Ja.3:2, tongue

16. 4. Bible denies perfection doctrine  1 K.8:46  Mt.6:12  Ja.3:2  1 Jn.1:8-10; 2:1-2 Christians never excuse sin... Always seek forgiveness Christians never excuse sin... Always seek forgiveness

17. I. Imperfect Views Of Perfection IV. Imperfect Views Of ‘Imperfection’ II. Perfect Views Of ‘Perfection Passages’ II. Penetrating The ‘Perfection Passages’

18. 1. “I must wait until I’m perfect to become a Christian” Ph.3:12-14, Paul 1 Jn.1, John Inconsistent –  Avoid cooking until meal is perfect?  Avoid work until perfect employee?  Avoid marriage / children until perfect...?  Demand perfection of others…?

19. 2. “Since all Christians sin, I should quit fighting it” 1 Jn.2:1-2 Rv.21:27  Should husband... quit improving?  Num.15, attitude and intention  Romans to Revelation: teach imper- fect Christians how to grow, repent… Authors themselves struggled. Ga.2

20. 3. “Since I’m not perfect, I can’t share gospel with others” “Are you perfect?”  Ps.51; Mt.28 “I’m as good as hypocrites in church”  Of course! Ac.5 Difference is relationship: one saved by grace; others live in sin.

21. 4. “Since we are not perfect, we can’t discipline other sinners” 1 Co.5, Corinth Ga.6:1, the spiritual 1 The spiritual confess their sins 2 They are without sin (1 Jn.1:9) 3 Not in same category as one who will not confess (1 Jn.5:16-17) 1 The spiritual confess their sins 2 They are without sin (1 Jn.1:9) 3 Not in same category as one who will not confess (1 Jn.5:16-17)

22. 1. I must wait until I’m perfect to become Christian 2. Since all Christians sin, I should quit fighting it 3. Since I’m not perfect, I can’t share gospel... 4. Since we are not perfect, we can’t discipline other sinners Absolute perfection is not attained in this world, but in the world to come