2. GOD’S PERFECT IMPERFECT CHURCH Ruins of Medieval church in York, England

3. God’s Perfect Imperfect Church In one sense… The church is made up of imperfect people. The lifelong task of attaining perfection will be incomplete when we die. However… God designed and built His church to perfection according to His Divine Plan.

4. The Perfect Church A Divine Architect –Ephesians 3:10-11

5. Ephesians 3:10-11 “To the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” God planned the church from all eternity

6. The Perfect Church A Divine Architect –Ephesians 3:10-11 A Perfect Blueprint –Hebrews 8:5 (cf. 1 Cor. 4:17; 7:17)

7. Hebrews 8:5 “who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, "See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

8. 1 Corinthians 4:17; 7:17 (4:17), “For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.” (7:17), “But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches.”

9. James 1:25 “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”

10. The Perfect Church A Divine Architect –Ephesians 3:10-11 A Perfect Blueprint –Hebrews 8:5 (cf. 1 Cor. 4:17; 7:17) A Perfect Builder –Matthew 16:18

11. Matthew 16:18 “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

12. The Perfect Church A Divine Architect –Ephesians 3:10-11 A Perfect Blueprint –Hebrews 8:5 (cf. 1 Cor. 4:17; 7:17) A Perfect Builder –Matthew 16:18 A Perfect Head –Ephesians 1:22-23

13. Ephesians 1:22-23 “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

14. The Perfect Church A Divine Architect –Ephesians 3:10-11 A Perfect Blueprint –Hebrews 8:5 (cf. 1 Cor. 4:17; 7:17) A Perfect Builder –Matthew 16:18 A Perfect Head –Ephesians 1:22-23 A Perfect Foundation –1 Corinthians 3:11; Ephesians 2:20

15. 1 Corinthians 3:11 “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

16. Ephesians 2:20 “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.”

17. The Perfect Church A Divine Architect –Ephesians 3:10-11 A Perfect Blueprint –Hebrews 8:5 (cf. 1 Cor. 4:17; 7:17) A Perfect Builder –Matthew 16:18 A Perfect Head - Ephesians 1:22-23 A Perfect Foundation - 1 Cor 3:11 By Perfect Blood – Acts 20:28

18. Acts 20:28 “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”

19. The Church Has A Perfect Plan Worship Saving Souls Work Organization

20. The Church Has A Perfect Plan Doesn’t appeal to the majority who put their trust in human wisdom - 1 Corinthians 1:18

21. 1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”

22. Made up of imperfect beings We are imperfect in: Our worship Our saving souls Our leadership THE IMPERFECT

23. OUR IMPERFECTIONS 1. Are not an excuse for not improving our efforts 2. Are not an excuse for not growing 3. Are not an excuse for changing God’s plan

24. Sardis - Rev. 3:1 Men: “It LIVES!” God: “It’s DEAD” Laodicea - Rev. 3:14-17 Men: “We’re rich…” God: “Poor, blind, miserable”

25. Smyrna - Rev. 2:8,9 Men: “They’re poor, and struggling…” God: “They’re rich!”

26. What counts is not what others think of us, or even what we think of ourselves, but WHAT DOES GOD THINK? WHAT ABOUT THE CHURCH THAT MEETS HERE?