Passage: Matthew 5:48

Theme: Simple Obedience: Be “Perfect”

Misunderstanding “Perfection”

·     Sinlessness

·     “Just Do Your Best”

·     Impossibility

·     Perfection

Jesus’ Command: Be Whole

How can we be whole? Wholeness is ...

1.    Attained through Christ’s completed work.

2.    Received through whole-hearted belief in Christ’s completed work.

3.    Mirrored in undivided allegiance like our Heavenly Father.

Main Idea: Jesus makes us whole.

Application Questions:

·     When you hear the command given by Jesus, with which misunderstanding do you struggle?

·     How does grace and the work of Christ impact this command?

·     Is there an inadequate belief in Jesus Christ (cf. John 2:23–25; James 2:19)? What characterizes such belief?

·     How is our Heavenly Father whole/perfect? In what ways can we mirror and evidence Him?