Does God Allow Imperfection?

2. Does God Allow Imperfection? True obedience Is a hard act to follow

3. A works/merit based approach • Leads to inherent dangers of… • Trying to earn salvation • Becoming slaves to traditions, or • Engaging in empty actions and vain worship • Attendance at both services and mid week Bible study • Regular contribution • Partaking of the Lord’s Supper • Attendance at Bible classes, gospel meetings, etc. • Adherence to “correct” beliefs, doctrinal compliance on accepted standards. • Being evangelistic toward friends/family.

4. A works/merit based approach Viewing obedience only through this lens leaves little room for failure. Some live in constant disappointment, misery, guilt, and anxiety...feeling they are just not good enough for God. • Attendance at both services and mid week Bible study • Regular contribution • Partaking of the Lord’s Supper • Attendance at Bible classes, gospel meetings, etc. • Adherence to “correct” beliefs, doctrinal compliance on accepted standards. • Being evangelistic toward friends/family.

5. What we have heard…Obedience is necessary!! Hebrews 5:8-9 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, Jesus was obedient Luke 6:40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.  Christians should be also

6. There is Purpose in obeying God Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. • An opportunity to be “equipped” to do God’s will • An opportunity for God to build a working relationship with us

7. There is Purpose in obeying God Philippians 2:12b-13 work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. • An opportunity for us to serve Him in His way • An opportunity to please/glorify Him

8. There is Also a Promise, a BlessingJoshua 6 You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days. 4 Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. 5 And when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him.” 2 And the LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor. The city was the promised gift, the blessing

9. There is Also Reward, a Promise, a Blessing for us.. Romans 6:23 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Hebrews 5:9 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,  The key to promised blessing

10. We Hear What Obedience is… • Matthew 7:21 - “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Doing the will of the Father. • 1 Corinthians 4:6 - I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written. Not going beyond what is written. • 2 John 9 - Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. Abiding in the teaching. • Hebrews 8:5 - …when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” Building according to the pattern.

11. Obedience is a whole person response to God. It involves a commitment to become more like Him every day. Obedience acquaints us with God who enables us to carry out His purposes for us and for those in the world.

12. Does God accept imperfection? YES! What this does NOT say… • We are ok with the status quo • A mundane spiritual life is ok • Don’t be concerned about growth • Sin is acceptable

13. Renewal is a PROCESS Renewal is demanded Ephesians 4:22-24 22 in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

14. What does this say individually? Remember when you first obeyed? Were there things that needed correcting? Attitudes / actions / convictions ?? Have WE arrived? Are we open to correction still? 2 Peter 3:18… Butgrow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.

15. What does this say congregationally? Has the restoration ended? Are there things that need correcting? Attitudes / actions / convictions ?? Have WE arrived? Are we open to correction still? 2 Peter 3:18… Butgrow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.

16. God’s grace allows for growth and perfecting…(but we must obey in spirit, not just in actions) Spiritual obedience is demonstrated in… • Never defying God • Praying for greater awareness of our weaknesses • Withstanding weakness and temptation • Staying prepared to be objective, grow, change

17. Hebrews 4:15-16 • For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.