We are not perfect, but we need the perfect One inside of us.
It’s not about trying to be flawless, but is about completeness in Christ --> Maturity is key.
“Mark the perfect man...” (Psalm 37:37)
God called out Abram (later Abraham) from Ur of the Chaldees --> Abraham had Isaac --> Isaac had Jacob --> 12 sons (12 tribes of Israel) --> the tribe of Levi set apart to take care of the things of God.
Levi was the only tribe to not have a portion of the land given to them. They remained in the house of the Lord.
Levites helped those who could not help themselves.
Aaron and 4 sons ministered in the priesthood
o Entered temple clean, left out bloody
You might see others get their blessings before you, but don’t get discouraged. God has a special plan for you as you continue to wait patiently and serve Him humbly with a glad heart.
Priestly garment --> ephod w/ 12 stones attached in the front (the 12 stones represented the 12 tribes of Israel)
o 2 onyx stones in pocket over the heart in the breastplate
o Urim and Thummim
o Urim – (white) symbolized light/illumination
o Thummim – (black) “complete… come to an end”
If there were plans made, the priests would look at the stones and the answer of God (either approval or disapproval) was based on the reflection off the stones.
Urim – plural word
o Not singular “light” but “lights” (you-the children of God-are the lights of the world as Christ is in you) (Matthew
5:14)
o Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he
shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)
Stones used to ascertain the will of God.
Inquire of the Lord, don’t just run off with your own plans without God’s guidance, lest you fall into danger that you could possibly never know about in advance.
Hebrews 6:1 – “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God”
To “leave” does not necessarily mean discard.
The foundation of Christ has been laid, and there is no other foundation better than this foundation laid by Christ, but a house is not just foundation/cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20; ref. I Corinthians 3:9, 10; I Peter 2:6), you still need walls and a rooftop.
So we have to go on to complete the house --> go on to perfection!
Jesus said “go tell that fox...” (concerning Herod in Luke 13:32)
o “And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow,
and the third day I shall be perfected.”
o Fox – nocturnal creature --> Herod doing business at nite --> some scholars believe Christ was insinuating that
Herod was on the “down-low.”
We are living in the “3rd Day” of Christ now (year 0 – 999; year 1000 – 1999; year 2000 …. Each 1000 year period is a prophetic day (2 Peter 3:8)
o He is soon to come, so let us work while it is day, “night cometh when no man can work” (John 9:4).
Hebrews 12:2 – “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Philippians 4:19 – “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
To perfect a thing is to bring it to a place of true usefulness. Completeness
Something can be perfect but not be perfected…
o Ex. A boxer can throw a perfect left-hook, but it is not perfected if the opponent didn’t feel the hit.
God created man perfect, but man was not perfected.
Something needed to be added in order for man to function in true perfection.
Every other creature that was made didn’t need anything else to function (besides dwelling place and food).
Adam was alive, but he did not have LIFE.
Tree of life vs. tree of the knowledge of good and evil
God had plans for Adam…. Get on God's "lay-away" plan... Don't try to rush God's plans for your life.
But Adam messed up and ate from the wrong tree (the tree of the knowledge of good and evil)
Adam was supposed to experience true life with God bit by bit as he would walk with God in relationship.
Adam wanted knowledge (knowledge he didn’t even need anyway) instead of true life… a life that would have been way simpler compared to the complex lives we have today…
Don’t get frustrated because you see someone else living the kind of life you want to live.
Look at us even now though… we’re still eating from the wrong tree… The Church is becoming a laughing stock more and more each day while we’re pursuing useless knowledge and becoming full of pride instead of pursuing TRUE LIFE with the Father.
That’s why we need to partake in communion… taking in the Lord’s body/blood.
When we get serious about the transformation God wants to do in us, we can go on to perfection.
John 14:12 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
We have to make a decision for or against the kind of life Christ wants us to have, God will not force the life on you.