Perfection
Pastor Joe Lay
may 16, 2021
THREE TYPES OF PERFECTIONISTS
1. SELF-ORIENTED PERFECTIONIST
You hold unrealistically high expectations of yourself and battle with feelings of guilt, often obsessing to the point of inefficiency. You’re prone to procrastinate and struggle with deep feelings of inadequacy.
2. EXTERNALLY-ORIENTED PERFECTIONIST
You believe others expect you to be perfect. To cope with the pressure, you often use self-deprecating humor as a defense. You often feel alone, depressed, and desperate because you think you will never be enough.
3. OTHERS-ORIENTED PERFECTIONIST
You expect others to live up to your impossible standards. Because you tend to lack empathy, you often tear others down or use abrasive and demeaning humor toward those who don’t meet your standards.
THE SPIRITUAL SIDE OF PERFECTIONISM
We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away.
--2 Corinthians 3:13 NLT
For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.
--Romans 3:20 NLT
We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
--Romans 3:22 NLT
PERFECTIONISM
What I do
About me
If I obey, God will love me
Winning God’s approval
GRACE
What Jesus has done
About Jesus
Because God loves, I can obey
Living from God’s approval
BECAUSE THE PRESSURE IS OFF
1. CHOOSE PEOPLE OVER PERFECTION.
But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
--Luke 10:41-42 NLT
2. CHOOSE PERFECT LOVE OVER PERFECT PERFORMANCE.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you ...If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
--Matthew 5:43-44, 46-48 NIV
