Introduction

• John 19:28 – The word translated “perfect” is also translated as “accomplished” and “fulfilled.”

• We must keep the word in its context.

  • Matthew 5:43-48 – “Perfect” here means loving everyone.

  • James 1:2 – Trials bring a state of maturity. This completeness is also a type of perfection.

  • Hebrews 5:7-9, 14 – Jesus was made perfect. He perfected Himself by carrying out His mission.

  • Philippians 3:11-16 – Paul wanted to be perfected in the sense of being resurrected. Christians can be perfect today in the sense of spiritual maturity.

My relationship with God

• Matthew 22:37 – Martin Luther was racked with guilt and didn’t think he or anyone else could live up to this. He misunderstood perfection and God’s crace, thinking that God must just do everything for us.
• Hebrews 9:1-14 – Our consciences can be perfectly cleansed today by the blood of Jesus.
• Hebrews 10:1-4, 10-14
• I John 1:7 – The sacrifice has been made!
• I John 2:1-2 – I can be perfect because I can partake of God’s perfect plan.

My relationship with myself

• Isaiah 55:3, 7-9 – God’s thoughts are far above us.
• Perfectionism can bring us down and lead us to procrastinate and be idle.
• Robert Turner is a good example of a man who, although he preached God’s word for many years, was still plagued with self-doubt.
• Haggai 2:3
• We need to come to terms with our limits as humans.

My relationship with others

• Luke 18:9-14
• Self-righteousness ruins our relationship with others.
• Ephesians 5:21
• Romans 12:16
• Romans 2:23
• I Timothy 1:15 – Paul said he was chief among sinners!

Conclusion

Let us live with humility and an understanding that we need God.

Last week

Giving – Jesus our example

• Gave Himself – I Timothy 2:5-6
• Left heaven – John 3:13
• Served His creation – Matthew 20:25-28
• Sacrificed His life – John 10:14-18

Importance of marriage relationship (Ephesians 5:25-33)

• Ordained by God – Genesis 2:24 (not new in Ephesians 5:31)
• Requires great knowledge of each other – John 10:14
• Lasts for life – Matthew 19:6
• Much like the most important spiritual relationship

Likeness of marriage

• The marriage relationship is:

  • Established in love

  • Maintained in purpose

  • Sustained in service

  • Steadfast in all things

  • Sealed in sacrifice

Marriage

Established in love

• A commandment to husbands – Ephesians 5:1-2, 25

• What kind of love?

  • John 3:16

  • Romans 5:8

  • I John 4:8

  • Much like “love your neighbor” from Luke 10:25-37

Maintained in purpose

• What purpose?

  • Ephesians 5:26-27

• Similar figure in Revelation 21:2; Colossians 1:21-22

• Requires God-ordained leadership – Colossians 3:18

  • Relationship of one in subjection

  • Similarity of Christ-church relationship

  • Importance of respect – Ephesians 5:23

    • Two-way street

    • I Peter 3:7 – Compare uses of “honor” in I Peter 2:17.

  • Leadership is gentle – I Peter 3:7

  • Leadership is responsibility, not privilege.

Sustained in service

• To become the greatest in a marriage – John 13:3-15
• Comparison of Matthew 20:25-28; 23:11

Steadfast in all things

• Example of Jesus’ steadfastness – Romans 8:38-39
• Steadfastness in consistency – Hebrews 13:8

Sealed in sacrifice

• Giving of self – Ephesians 5:25

  • Time

  • Effort

  • Resources

  • Love

  • Consideration

  • Respect

  • Concern

  • Ear

Introduction

• John 17:20-21
• Ephesians 4:1-3 – “unity of the spirit in the bond of peace”

Unity and peace among brethren

• Psalms 131
• Ephesians 4:13
• Philippians 1:27; 2:2
• Mark 9:50
• Luke 1:79
• John 16:33
• Romans 8:6; 14:19
• I Corinthians 14:13
• II Corinthians 13:11
• Galatians 5:22
• Ephesians 6:15
• I Thessalonians 5:13
• II Timothy 2:22
• Hebrews 12:14
• I Peter 3:11
• Jude 1:2
• Philippians 4:7
• John 17:23
• I can be the source of unity and peace or of discord in the local church.

Lack of unity among believers produces infidelity

• John 17:20-21
• How God looks on one that causes disunity:
  • Proverbs 6:16-19
• How God looks on one who sows discord demands that we mark those that cause disunity.
  • Romans 16:17

God’s platform for unity

• Ephesians 4:1-7
• I Corinthians 1:10
• If we build our lives on God’s platform for unity, we will be acceptable to Him.

Things that are detrimental to unity.

• III John 1:9 – Having our own way.
• II Timothy 2:14 – Strife among brethren
• James 3:5-6 – Uncontrolled tongues
• I Corinthians 5:1-5 - Worldlines

Means of promoting unity and peace

• Philippians 2:3-4 – Humility
• I Corinthians 9:19-22 – Serving others
• Ephesians 4:15
• I Thessalonians 2:10

Unity, peace, and joy

• Unity and peace will ultimately produce joy.
• Philippians 4:1
• Romans 12:12; Psalms 5:11; I John 1:4

Unity, peace, joy, and happiness

• Matthew 25:46
• I Thessalonians 4:13-17 – What happiness!

• Job 32-37

Elihu’s speeches to Job

• Job 32:3, 5, 12 – Elihu is not impressed with the words of Job’s three friends.
• Job 33:8-11 – Elihu summarizes Job’s stated position so far.
• Job 33:13-28 – Elihu points out that God has several ways of communicating with man.
• Job 34:7-8 – Elihu accuses Job of evil and associating with sinners.
• Job 34:9 – See Job 21:15.
• Job 34:12 – God will not do wicked things!
• Job 34:21-30 – God sees and punishes the wicked.
• Job 34:31-37 – Elihu claims Job has spoken inappropriately.
  • See Romans 3:23; 4:1-3.
• Job 35:12 – Elihu claims God does not reply because of Job’s pride.
• Job 37:14-24 – Elihu urges humility for Job. God is so far above us, we have no right to question Him.
• I John 4:20 – God does not look kindly on those who malign one of His own.

Introduction

• Dan Kimball, How Not to Read the Bible

God’s Laws Through the Ages

Genesis 1 – Laws for Patriarchs

• Genesis 3; 6:14; 12
• Genesis 4 – Cain and Abel presenting offerings, showing they had been instructed to do so.
• Genesis 18:19

Exodus 20 – Law of Moses for Israel (Old Covenant)

• Exodus 19:3-6
• Deuteronomy 5:1-3
• This was Gid’s law for Israel. It was specific to that group.

Prophets – Laws for Gentiles

• Isaiah 13:1; 14:29; 15:1; 18:1; 19:1; 21:11, 13 – Examples of God giving instructions to Gentiles.
• Jeremiah 46; Amos 1
• Romans 4:15 – Without law, there is no sin.
• Jonah 1:2 – The Ninevites evidently knew God’s laws.

Transition: Jesus Lived Under the Old Covenant, Taught the New Covenant

• Matthew 5:17-18 – Jesus came to fulfill the law.
• Matthew 4:23

Acts 2 – Law of Christ for ALL (New Covenant)

• Hebrews 1:1-2

• Acts 2:36-39

• Acts 10 – Law is for Gentiles also!

  • Acts 10:34-35

  • Galatians 3:28

• John 12:48 – Jesus’ law will carry on until the last day.

• Romans 1:16

Study each passage in its context to determine its relevance to us.

• Generally, the New Testament is for us, the Old Testament is not. But even that is an oversimplification.
• Not everything in the Old Testament is irrelevant.
• Not everything in the New Testament is an instruction for us.