• Webster’s definition of the word “Perfect”: Being entirely without fault or defect.
• Is that a reflection of you? Do you think or see yourself as entirely without fault or defect?
• The Biblical definition of the word “perfect” from the Greek word “Teleios”: complete or lacking nothing.
• Which one would you rather be? Which one would God want you to be?
• Being Perfected is not so much a destination as it is a journey. A journey of faith that starts with Jesus.

I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST AND I NO LONGER LIVE, BUT CHRIST LIVES IN ME. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20 NIV)

• Our journey of “Being Perfected” begins with Christ. It starts with the acknowledgement: The “I” is no longer alive.
• Christ died once and for all. But for you and I is a daily thing.

This means that ANYONE WHO BELONGS TO CHRIST has become a NEW PERSON. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT)

#1: I’M NOT PERFECT

For EVERYONE HAS SINNED; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. (Romans 3:23 NLT)

• Everyone includes you and me!
• The root of the word sin here from the Greek has a sporting context – archery.
• To put that scripture in context, it simply means: EVERYONE HAS MISSED THE BULLSEYE.

What’s the penalty for missing the bullseye? What’s the penalty for sin?

For THE WAGES (penalty) OF SIN IS DEATH, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 NLT)

• The penalty for missing the bullseye is death.
• Is that possible for you and me? Absolutely NOT. But that’s where God’s grace comes in
• We cannot hit the bullseye all the time. So, God provided a perfect marksman, by the name of Jesus. He is so perfect that He never misses the bullseye.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NIV)

• God sent His son to take our place. Only if you allow Him.

If you OPENLY DECLARE THAT JESUS IS LORD and BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART that God raised him from the dead, YOU WILL BE SAVED. (Romans 10:9 NLT)

• It takes us from ADMITTING that we are NOT PERFECT to openly DECLARING that JESUS IS THE PERFECT ONE.
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#2: JESUS IS PERFECT

• Jesus went through life and yet He was without sin.

For we do not have a high priest (Jesus) who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses (imperfections), but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin (Perfect). (Hebrews 4:15 NIV)

• God accepts us just the way we are, imperfections and all. But He does not leave us in that state.
• Along this journey, He changes us, He shapes us, He molds us…In other words, He is perfecting us!
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#3: I AM BEING PERFECTED

“I do not pray for these alone (the disciples), but also for those who will believe in Me through their word (you and me); that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. (John 17:20-23 NKJ)

• Here Jesus uses the word perfect. He is not referring to webster’s definition as to be without fault, Jesus uses the Greek definition: “COMPLETE OR LACKING NOTHING”
• When I am in them and you Father are in Me then and only then will they be Perfect: Complete, lacking nothing.
• Jesus is the only One who completes us. Only in Him can we be perfect, complete and lacking nothing!

CONCLUSION
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?