“In Search of a Perfect Christian”

 Romans 7:14 -25 (NIV)
14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

 Christianity is not obtaining perfection.

Christianity is the everyday process of being with God.

 The Law is…

• Perfect - Imperfect man cannot keep it.

• Holy - Sinners are condemned by it.

• Just - The guilty are unable to receive mercy by it.

Perfectionist: “Those whose standards are high beyond reach or reason, people who strain compulsively and unremittingly toward impossible goals and who measure their own worth entirely in terms of productivity and accomplishment. For those people, the drive to excel is self-defeating.”

--David Burns, Psychology Today

Problems with Perfectionism

1.   How do you know when you have done enough or well enough?

2.   It lasts only as long as our willpower

3.   It squeezes the joy out of life

John 1:14 (NIV)
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:16 -17 (NIV)
16 From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

4.   It hurts our relationships

A.  God

B.   Others

“A legalist is a person who insists on letting his conscience be your guide.”

5.   It stunts our growth

6.   It hurts the Church

“God calls us to salt and light, not judge and jury”

“A legalist is a person who insists on letting his conscience be your guide.”

7.   It nullifies the cross

 Focus on Perfection- 

• My goodness

• My achievement   

• I feel worthy or unworthy

• Result? Pride or defeat

Focus on the Cross-

• God’s grace

• God’s achievement

• I feel thankful and humble

• Result? Humility and joy

  Why do we strive for perfection?

1.   We try to find self-worth through striving

2.   We are eager to please others

3.   We don’t understand God’s grace

Application:

1.   Obey God

Matthew 4:19 (NIV)
19“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

2.   Get to know God

Jeremiah 9:23 - 24 (NIV)
23This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight, declares the LORD.

3.    Trust God

John 14:1 (NIV)
1“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.

The Perfect Christian is one who…

Seeks God’s advice when they struggle.

Seeks God’s forgiveness when they fail.

Praises God’s goodness when they are blessed.

Relies on God’s power when they are exhausted.

Trusts in God’s timing when things look hopeless.

Admits weakness, shows vulnerability,

and never has to pretend.

What is Christian perfection? Loving God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength.

   --John Wesley (1703-1791)

Life Group Notes:

• What do you think is the purpose of Life Groups?

  • Critique the sermon    

  • b.  Invite discussion about the sermon    

  • c.  Enjoy food & fellowship    

  • d.  Share life together     e. Invite others into community    

  • e. To pray for each other    

• What is your favorite part of Life Groups?

• What confused you or enlightened you about today’s sermon?

• Read Romans 7:14 -25 and discuss what is meaningful to you about this passage and how you relate to it.

• How have you seen perfectionism hurt you or the lives of others?

• How would you help someone who deals with perfectionism?

• Why do you think it is so hard to understand God’s grace?

• Do you trust God’s grace?

• John 1:16 says “From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.”  What does that mean to you and other than salvation, what blessings have you received because of God’s grace?

• How does Jeremiah 9:23 - 24 speak to you?  What changes do you need to make to be a wise man?