1. We All Stumble
in Many Things
A sad fact that we all must face…

2. For we all stumble in many things
For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
James 3.2
James, the Lord’s brother, makes a great admission here…

3. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us…If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
1 John 1.8, 10
John drives home the point…
All disciples of the Lord must come to grips with this fact…we sin

4. Determination to strive against sin
Two reactions:
Excuse for sinning
Determination to strive against sin
Provokes different reactions in us…
We see it as an excuse to continue in sin…or
We acknowledge the fact and determine within ourselves to fight against sin…
Facing this fact should make us better Christians in three important ways…

5. Should make us better Christians in three ways…
It Should Make Us All More Reassured.

6. More Reassured
It Should Make Us All More Reassured.

7. Not Alone
I. It Should Make Us All More Reassured.     A. Knowing that we are not alone in this matter.    

8. Perfection is Goal, not Condition of Salvation
I. It Should Make Us All More Reassured.     A. Knowing that we are not alone in this matter.     B. Knowing that we do not have to be absolutely perfect to be saved - just forgiven.

9. And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.
Acts KJV
        1. “Perfect” is sometimes relative. (Acts 24:22; Acts 18:26 -KJV).

10. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
Acts KJV
        1. “Perfect” is sometimes relative. (Acts 24:22; Acts 18:26 -KJV).

11. "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."
Matthew 5.48
                2. “Perfect” is sometimes “complete”, “mature” or “whole” (Mt. 5:48; 19:21; Phil. 3:12,15; James 2:22)

12. Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
Matthew 19.21
                2. “Perfect” is sometimes “complete”, “mature” or “whole” (Mt. 5:48; 19:21; Phil. 3:12,15; James 2:22)

13. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me… Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.
Philippians 3.12, 15
                2. “Perfect” is sometimes “complete”, “mature” or “whole” (Mt. 5:48; 19:21; Phil. 3:12,15; James 2:22)

14. Not Alone James Paul Apostles Peter
    C. Knowing that stumbling people can be saved and used by the Lord.         1. The twelve. (“O ye of little faith.”)         2. Peter.         3. Paul.    

15. More Reserved
II. It Should Make Us All More Reserved.     A. Enough to know that we need help.         1. From the Lord. (Heb. 4:16).             a. To be saved.                 (1) Saved by His power, not ours. (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:1).                 (2) Saved by His wisdom, not ours. (1 Cor. 1:29-31).                 (3) Saved by His grace, not our goodness. (Eph. 2:8-10).             b. To stand as Christians. (1 Cor. 15:1; cf. Rom. 14:4).             c. To succeed as Christians. (1 Cor. 15:9, 10; cf 3:5-7)         2. From faithful brethren. (Eph. 4:16; 1 Cor. 12:21).             a. One reason we meet together. (Heb. 10:25).             b. One reason we worship and work together. (1 Cor. 14:16,17; Eph. 5:19)     B. Enough to effectively teach others.         1. All Christians ought to become teachers in due time. (Heb. 5:12).         2. All teachers ought to be properly equipped.             a. With necessary wisdom and knowledge. (v. 13).             b. With “the meekness of wisdom” - Modesty, humility, reserve (v , cf. Gal. 6:1).             c. With an awareness of their own weakness (Matt. 7:1-5).

16. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4.16
II. It Should Make Us All More Reserved.     A. Enough to know that we need help.         1. From the Lord. (Heb. 4:16).             a. To be saved.                 (1) Saved by His power, not ours. (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:1).                 (2) Saved by His wisdom, not ours. (1 Cor. 1:29-31).                 (3) Saved by His grace, not our goodness. (Eph. 2:8-10).             b. To stand as Christians. (1 Cor. 15:1; cf. Rom. 14:4).             c. To succeed as Christians. (1 Cor. 15:9, 10; cf 3:5-7)   

17. from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Ephesians 4.16
II. It Should Make Us All More Reserved.     A. Enough to know that we need help.              2. From faithful brethren. (Eph. 4:16; 1 Cor. 12:21).             a. One reason we meet together. (Heb. 10:25).             b. One reason we worship and work together. (1 Cor. 14:16,17; Eph. 5:19)

18. More Resolved
III. It Should Make Us All More Resolved.     A. To improve our lives.         1. Always going toward perfection (Heb. 6:1; Phil. 3:12-15).         2. Always growing. (2 Pet. 3:18).     B. To strive against sin (cf. Heb. 12:4)         1. By always trying to avoid sin. (Rom. 6:1; 1 Cor. 9:27; 1 John 2:1).         2. By always repenting and turning from sins. (1 John 1:7-9).         3. By always trying to help others overcome sin (Prov. 24:24-25; Lk. 17:3; Jas. 5:19, 20)         4. By always refusing to let “nobody is perfect” be an excuse.

19. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians
III. It Should Make Us All More Resolved.     A. To improve our lives.         1. Always going toward perfection (Heb. 6:1; Phil. 3:12-15).         2. Always growing. (2 Pet. 3:18).     B. To strive against sin (cf. Heb. 12:4)         1. By always trying to avoid sin. (Rom. 6:1; 1 Cor. 9:27; 1 John 2:1).         2. By always repenting and turning from sins. (1 John 1:7-9).         3. By always trying to help others overcome sin (Prov. 24:24-25; Lk. 17:3; Jas. 5:19, 20)         4. By always refusing to let “nobody is perfect” be an excuse.

20. We All Stumble in Many Things
Conclusion:     A. Let us profit from knowing that “we all stumble in many things”:         1. By letting it keep us humble.         2. By letting it cause us to seek forgiveness.         3. By letting us seek to forgive.         4. By letting it keep us on guard against sin.     B. Let us have our sins washed away in the blood of Christ (cf. Acts 22:16; 1 John 1:7-9).