Complete Me Series

COMPLETE ME

A STUDY OVER THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT: PART XIX (TOPIC: Perfect)

Intro: Perfect Defined:

Perfection is, broadly, a state of completeness and flawlessness.

The term "perfection" is actually used to designate a range of diverse, if often kindred, concepts. These concepts have historically been addressed in a number of discrete disciplines, notably mathematics, physics, chemistry, ethics, aesthetics, ontology and theology.

The word perfection derives from the Latin word, “Perfecto,” which has its origin in “Perficio,” which means: to finish, or to bring to an end. In it’s Greek form, “Teleos,” it is generally translated “complete” since nothing can be perfect until it is over.

BIBLE VERSE: Matthew 5:48

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

The Question: So based on the ancient definition of perfect, and the command by God to be perfect means to be complete. How do we look at God and say “Complete Me?”

Transition: To be honest, I am not really sure how to “be perfect.” But I do know how to complete something. Technically, I believe Jesus is saying in the Sermon on the Mount, to follow the rules, to obey the commands (notice, he wasn’t relinquishing any of the non-sacrificial commands). But how do we do that? I think I have an idea how to start.

1. REACT IMMEDIATELY

BIBLE VERSE: Genesis 18:1-5, 10

18:1 The LORD appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent during the hottest time of the day. 18:2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing across from him. When he saw them he ran from the entrance of the tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.

18:3 He said, “My lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by and leave your servant. 18:4 Let a little water be brought so that you may all wash your feet and rest under the tree. 18:5 And let me get a bit of food so that you may refresh yourselves since you have passed by your servant’s home. After that you may be on your way.” “All right,” they replied, “you may do as you say.”

18:10 One of them said, “I will surely return to you when the season comes round again, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” (Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, not far behind him.

A. Abraham Answers Fast: If we want to complete our walk with the Lord (which is what we are supposed to do by the way, than we have to start). And that start is made faithful here with the wisdom of Abraham!

B. How Did Abraham Know They Were Angels? Well, were they angels? It is hard to tell. But, Abraham is used to worshipping the Lord. He worshipped the Lord everywhere else he went through his many altars that he built. And Abraham would know NOT to worship an angel. So what was he doing here? Worshipping the Lord who was present with 2 other angels is usually the best guess (notice, if it is an angel Abraham is worshipping here, the angel would tell Abraham to stop his worship of him).

How Did Abraham Know It Was the Lord? Because people that worship the Lord, know when it’s the Lord. I can spot my wife, I can spot my Savior. Amen.

C. What Would I Do? Imagine with me, I am sitting out on my driveway and see 3 dudes. I totally believe one is Jesus, so I run to him and invite him to dinner. He says okay. Then I run home, where my wife is busy homeschooling my 5 children while pregnant with the 6th.

“Lori, stop everything you are doing, make dinner now…it’s Jesus and 2 angels!”

She is going to think I am crazy!

And that is exactly what your friends think whenever you give up your time, your money, your whatever and come here to worship Jesus! They think you are crazy, cause that is about how much sense this Jesus deal actually works for us.

D. So Why Don’t We React Immediately?

Circus Clown Example: To be honest, I have to tell you a story. You ever go to the circus? Maybe you have not, I dunno. But one time I actually saw a man riding two horses at one time. He was standing up, wearing American red white and blue clothing, and looked like a conquering hero. It was awesome.

But, what would happen if the horses split? Well, down would go the man.

Friends, most of us, if we are honest, ride two horses. We live in the world, and we live with Christ. Friends, those horses should have split ages ago, but we want to be the hero clown of the circus so we somehow ride them both, like a person sitting on a fence not sure which way we should go.