"Perfection" - 4-4-21
Introduction
What is the ultimate goal of preaching Christ? In Colossians 1:28, the apostle Paul explained that the goal of preaching Christ is “perfection” – “that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” In today’s lesson, let us consider perfection – what it means and how it is accomplished – as the goal of preaching Christ.
Key Verse
“Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (Co. 1:28).
Lesson Summary
First, what does perfection mean? In Ephesians 5:27, Paul wrote about “a glorious church,” and in 4:13 he wrote of “a perfect man.” Perfection indicates a spiritual goal or completion for God’s church (Ph. 3:12-15). The church is the bride of Christ – she will be perfect and glorious to him when he comes for her. Perfection necessarily means reaching the goal that God has in mind for his church, individually and corporately. The idea in perfection is when you have reached your end, that is when you have become all you can be in Christ and thus you are perfect. At that point, nothing more can be added. Therefore, when you have fulfilled your God-given potential and you are doing your best to follow Christ, then you are perfect at that point because you cannot be more than what God enables you to be. Consequently, perfection is presently a quality of relationship, but also a goal of reaching God’s ultimate perfection in your relationship with Christ. In other words, a believer should live perfect in the sense that he does not allow himself to fall beneath God’s grace in love; and in striving to be his best at all times, he will become more like Christ until God is finished with him. We therefore live perfect each day in the love of Christ by striving for perfection, seeking wholeheartedly to follow Christ and to be like him. Still, a believer is not yet perfected in another sense, in that he has room to grow; but he can live perfect before the Lord in the sense that God is pleased with him, even as he strives for Christ’s perfection. Spiritually then, one can be perfect in Christ even as he is being perfected in his relationship with Christ. Thus, spiritual perfection involves having a perfect mindset (Ph. 3:15). Second, how will perfection be accomplished in the church? In Ephesians 4:11-13, Paul connected unity with perfection, and in 5:26-27 he connected sanctification with perfection. We may glean from these verses that God will both sanctify and unite his people in order to have a glorious, perfect church at his coming. Furthermore, such perfection will be accomplished through the preaching and teaching of God’s word. Paul explained how the ministers of the church would equip the saints in the faith and knowledge of Christ, and how the word of God would spiritually wash and cleanse the saints. God’s church will reach a state (condition) of perfection through both sanctification and unity. In fact, sanctification (perfect love ruling our hearts) enables our unity in Christ (Jn. 17:17-23; Ep. 4:2-3, 13). Ultimately, God’s perfection of his church through sanctification and unity will excel unto his glory and honor (Ep. 5:26-27, 2 Th. 2:13-14).
Scripture Study
What is perfection? – Ep. 5:27; 4:13; Ph. 3:12-15
How will perfection be accomplished? – Ep. 4:11-13; Ep. 5:26-27; Jn. 17:17-23; Ep. 4:2-3, 13; 2 Th. 2:13-14
Conclusion
Since we know that the church is destined for God’s glory, let us continue preaching Christ until we reach this goal, for God’s word will not fail. The church will be perfected, and Christ will come for a glorious church.
Introduction
What is the ultimate goal of preaching Christ? In Colossians 1:28, the apostle Paul explained that the goal of preaching Christ is “perfection” – “that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” In today’s lesson, let us consider perfection – what it means and how it is accomplished – as the goal of preaching Christ.
Key Verse
“Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (Co. 1:28).
Lesson Summary
First, what does perfection mean? In Ephesians 5:27, Paul wrote about “a glorious church,” and in 4:13 he wrote of “a perfect man.” Perfection indicates a spiritual goal or completion for God’s church (Ph. 3:12-15). The church is the bride of Christ – she will be perfect and glorious to him when he comes for her. Perfection necessarily means reaching the goal that God has in mind for his church, individually and corporately. The idea in perfection is when you have reached your end, that is when you have become all you can be in Christ and thus you are perfect. At that point, nothing more can be added. Therefore, when you have fulfilled your God-given potential and you are doing your best to follow Christ, then you are perfect at that point because you cannot be more than what God enables you to be. Consequently, perfection is presently a quality of relationship, but also a goal of reaching God’s ultimate perfection in your relationship with Christ. In other words, a believer should live perfect in the sense that he does not allow himself to fall beneath God’s grace in love; and in striving to be his best at all times, he will become more like Christ until God is finished with him. We therefore live perfect each day in the love of Christ by striving for perfection, seeking wholeheartedly to follow Christ and to be like him. Still, a believer is not yet perfected in another sense, in that he has room to grow; but he can live perfect before the Lord in the sense that God is pleased with him, even as he strives for Christ’s perfection. Spiritually then, one can be perfect in Christ even as he is being perfected in his relationship with Christ. Thus, spiritual perfection involves having a perfect mindset (Ph. 3:15). Second, how will perfection be accomplished in the church? In Ephesians 4:11-13, Paul connected unity with perfection, and in 5:26-27 he connected sanctification with perfection. We may glean from these verses that God will both sanctify and unite his people in order to have a glorious, perfect church at his coming. Furthermore, such perfection will be accomplished through the preaching and teaching of God’s word. Paul explained how the ministers of the church would equip the saints in the faith and knowledge of Christ, and how the word of God would spiritually wash and cleanse the saints. God’s church will reach a state (condition) of perfection through both sanctification and unity. In fact, sanctification (perfect love ruling our hearts) enables our unity in Christ (Jn. 17:17-23; Ep. 4:2-3, 13). Ultimately, God’s perfection of his church through sanctification and unity will excel unto his glory and honor (Ep. 5:26-27, 2 Th. 2:13-14).
Scripture Study
What is perfection? – Ep. 5:27; 4:13; Ph. 3:12-15
How will perfection be accomplished? – Ep. 4:11-13; Ep. 5:26-27; Jn. 17:17-23; Ep. 4:2-3, 13; 2 Th. 2:13-14
Conclusion
Since we know that the church is destined for God’s glory, let us continue preaching Christ until we reach this goal, for God’s word will not fail. The church will be perfected, and Christ will come for a glorious church.
Sunday School Lessons
April 2021
ADULT - English
ADULT - English
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ADULT - Spanish
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Children - English
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Teen - English
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