Striving for Completeness: The Call to Teleos
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church! Today, we are concluding our study of Matthew chapter 5, the first chapter of the Sermon on the Mount. We've been journeying through these verses for months, and today we focus on a single, yet profound verse: Matthew 5:48, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." This verse, though short, is packed with deep theological significance and calls us to a high standard of living.
The word "therefore" in this verse connects it to the preceding passages, particularly the command to love our enemies. Jesus challenges us to love not just those we tolerate but even those we might despise. This kind of love is rooted in the Hebrew concept of "chesed," which means loyal love and non-discriminatory generosity. It's a love that mirrors God's own love for us, a love that is perfect and complete.
The Greek word for "perfect" here is "teleos," which means whole or complete. It signifies something that has fulfilled its purpose. God, as the source of all things, is the ultimate example of teleos. He is perfect, whole, and complete. Jesus calls us to strive for this same completeness, to be teleos as our heavenly Father is teleos. This is not about achieving flawlessness but about fulfilling the purpose for which we were created: to love God and love others.
This journey towards teleos is ongoing. None of us have arrived; we are all in process. Even the Apostle Paul speaks to this in 1 Corinthians 14, urging us to grow up and be mature. Our goal is to fulfill the purpose God has for us, which is to live a life of righteousness—right living that honors God and loves others.
As we take communion today, let it serve as a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and a renewal of our commitment to strive for teleos. Communion is a time to reflect on our unity with Christ, our spiritual growth, and our commitment to live sacrificially. It's a moment to examine ourselves, repent, and step into a deeper relationship with God.
Let us commit to living a life of teleos, day by day, striving for holiness, unity, and ultimate righteousness for the sake of the Gospel.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Call to Perfection: Jesus' command to "be perfect" is a call to strive for completeness and maturity in our spiritual lives. This perfection, or teleos, is not about being flawless but about fulfilling our God-given purpose to love God and others wholeheartedly. [31:52]
2. Loving Our Enemies: The command to love our enemies is a radical call to embody God's chesed—loyal love and non-discriminatory generosity. This love goes beyond mere tolerance and extends even to those we might despise, reflecting the perfect love of our heavenly Father. [33:34]
3. The Journey of Teleos: We are all on a journey towards teleos, a process of becoming whole and complete in Christ. This journey involves growing in maturity, fulfilling our purpose, and striving to live a life of righteousness that honors God and loves others. [37:06]
4. Communion as a Reminder: Communion serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and our commitment to strive for teleos. It is a time to reflect on our unity with Christ, our spiritual growth, and our commitment to live sacrificially for the sake of the Gospel. [50:28]
5. Sacrificial Living: True teleos involves sacrificial living, where we daily choose to live a life of holiness, unity, and righteousness. This sacrificial living is a response to God's love and a commitment to love others as He has loved us. [56:19]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[28:48] - Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount
[29:46] - Closing Chapter 5
[31:16] - Focus on Matthew 5:48
[32:35] - The Importance of "Therefore"
[33:34] - Loving Your Enemies
[35:16] - The Challenge of Love
[37:06] - Understanding Teleos
[39:38] - Striving for Godliness
[42:41] - Paul's Call to Maturity
[45:08] - No Loopholes in Love
[47:55] - Righteousness to the Fullest
[49:12] - Communion Introduction
[50:28] - The Purpose of Communion
[53:27] - Unity with Christ
[55:19] - The Power of Community
[56:19] - Sacrificial Living
[57:46] - Communion Instructions
[01:00:49] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Matthew 5:48
- 1 Corinthians 14:20
### Observation Questions
1. What does the word "teleos" mean in the context of Matthew 5:48? ([37:06])
2. How does Jesus' command to "be perfect" relate to the preceding verses about loving our enemies? ([32:35])
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the word "therefore" in Matthew 5:48? ([32:35])
4. What does Paul urge believers to do in 1 Corinthians 14:20, and how does it relate to the concept of teleos? ([42:41])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "chesed" (loyal love and non-discriminatory generosity) challenge our usual understanding of love? ([35:16])
2. In what ways does striving for teleos differ from striving for flawlessness? ([37:06])
3. How can communion serve as a reminder and renewal of our commitment to strive for teleos? ([50:28])
4. What does it mean to live a life of righteousness that honors God and loves others, according to the sermon? ([47:55])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you found it difficult to love someone you despised. How can the concept of chesed help you approach such situations differently in the future? ([35:16])
2. What are some practical steps you can take to strive for teleos in your daily life? Consider areas where you can grow in maturity and completeness. ([37:06])
3. How can you use the practice of communion to deepen your relationship with God and renew your commitment to live sacrificially? ([50:28])
4. Identify one area in your life where you feel you have not yet fulfilled your God-given purpose. What steps can you take to move towards teleos in that area? ([37:06])
5. Think about a recent conflict or disagreement you had. How can you apply the principle of loving your enemies to resolve it in a way that honors God? ([33:34])
6. How can you incorporate sacrificial living into your daily routine? What specific actions can you take to live a life of holiness, unity, and righteousness? ([56:19])
7. Reflect on your spiritual growth over the past year. What are some areas where you have seen progress, and what are some areas where you still need to grow? How can you continue to strive for teleos in the coming year? ([53:27])
Devotional
Day 1: Striving for Completeness in Christ
Jesus' command to "be perfect" is a call to strive for completeness and maturity in our spiritual lives. This perfection, or teleos, is not about being flawless but about fulfilling our God-given purpose to love God and others wholeheartedly. [31:52]
In Matthew 5:48, Jesus sets a high standard for His followers, urging them to be "perfect" as their heavenly Father is perfect. The Greek word "teleos" used here means whole or complete, signifying something that has fulfilled its purpose. This call to perfection is not about achieving flawlessness but about striving to fulfill the purpose for which we were created: to love God and love others. This journey towards teleos is ongoing, and none of us have arrived; we are all in process.
As we strive for this completeness, we must remember that it is a journey of growth and maturity. The Apostle Paul also speaks to this in 1 Corinthians 14, urging believers to grow up and be mature. Our goal is to live a life of righteousness—right living that honors God and loves others. This journey requires daily commitment and reliance on God's grace to help us grow in our spiritual lives.
Matthew 5:48 (ESV): "You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to grow in spiritual maturity and strive for completeness in Christ?
Day 2: Radical Love for Enemies
The command to love our enemies is a radical call to embody God's chesed—loyal love and non-discriminatory generosity. This love goes beyond mere tolerance and extends even to those we might despise, reflecting the perfect love of our heavenly Father. [33:34]
Loving our enemies is one of the most challenging commands Jesus gives us. It requires us to go beyond our natural inclinations and extend love to those who may have wronged us or whom we find difficult to love. This kind of love is rooted in the Hebrew concept of "chesed," which means loyal love and non-discriminatory generosity. It is a love that mirrors God's own love for us, a love that is perfect and complete.
Jesus challenges us to love not just those we tolerate but even those we might despise. This radical love is a reflection of God's perfect love for us, and it calls us to rise above our human tendencies and embody the love of Christ. By loving our enemies, we demonstrate the transformative power of God's love in our lives and become a living testimony of His grace and mercy.
Luke 6:27-28 (ESV): "But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you."
Reflection: Think of someone you find difficult to love. How can you show them God's love and kindness today?
Day 3: The Journey Towards Teleos
We are all on a journey towards teleos, a process of becoming whole and complete in Christ. This journey involves growing in maturity, fulfilling our purpose, and striving to live a life of righteousness that honors God and loves others. [37:06]
The journey towards teleos is an ongoing process of spiritual growth and maturity. It involves striving to become whole and complete in Christ, fulfilling the purpose for which we were created. This journey is not about achieving perfection in the sense of being flawless but about growing in our relationship with God and living a life that reflects His love and righteousness.
As we grow in maturity, we learn to live in a way that honors God and loves others. This involves daily choices to live righteously, to seek God's will, and to allow His Spirit to transform us. The Apostle Paul encourages believers to grow up and be mature, recognizing that we are all in process and that our goal is to become more like Christ. This journey requires perseverance, humility, and a reliance on God's grace to help us grow and mature in our faith.
Ephesians 4:13 (ESV): "Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."
Reflection: What areas of your life need growth and maturity? How can you take steps to grow in these areas today?
Day 4: Communion as a Reminder of Our Commitment
Communion serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and our commitment to strive for teleos. It is a time to reflect on our unity with Christ, our spiritual growth, and our commitment to live sacrificially for the sake of the Gospel. [50:28]
Communion is a sacred practice that reminds us of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and our commitment to follow Him. It is a time to reflect on our unity with Christ and our spiritual growth. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the love and grace that Jesus extended to us through His sacrifice. This moment serves as a renewal of our commitment to strive for teleos, to grow in our relationship with God, and to live a life that reflects His love and righteousness.
During communion, we are called to examine ourselves, repent of our sins, and recommit to living a life that honors God. It is a time to reflect on our spiritual journey and to seek God's guidance and strength to continue growing in our faith. Communion also reminds us of our unity with other believers and our shared commitment to live sacrificially for the sake of the Gospel. It is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of Christ's love and the call to live a life that reflects His grace and mercy.
1 Corinthians 11:28-29 (ESV): "Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself."
Reflection: As you prepare for communion, take time to examine your heart. What areas of your life need repentance and renewal?
Day 5: Embracing Sacrificial Living
True teleos involves sacrificial living, where we daily choose to live a life of holiness, unity, and righteousness. This sacrificial living is a response to God's love and a commitment to love others as He has loved us. [56:19]
Living a life of teleos involves embracing sacrificial living, where we daily choose to live in a way that reflects God's love and righteousness. This means making choices that honor God and demonstrate His love to others, even when it requires personal sacrifice. Sacrificial living is a response to the love and grace that God has extended to us, and it is a commitment to love others as He has loved us.
Sacrificial living involves putting the needs of others before our own, seeking to serve and bless those around us. It requires a willingness to give of our time, resources, and energy for the sake of the Gospel. This kind of living is not always easy, but it is a powerful testimony of God's love and a reflection of our commitment to follow Christ. As we embrace sacrificial living, we grow in our relationship with God and become more like Christ, fulfilling the purpose for which we were created.
Romans 12:1 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can practice sacrificial living today? How can you show God's love to someone in need?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We got the air pumping in here. We got the word of God, the people of God, and we got some good stuff here. So this morning, here's the thing, right? We are factually closing up our very first chapter of the Sermon on the Mount. Right. There's still two more to go. Right. But chapter five has been good to us." [29:11] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We have to understand this, right? Because leading up to this verse that we just read of being perfect, therefore, as God in heaven, our heavenly father, he is perfect. Even leading up with that section of loving the people who hate you, loving the people that you hate, loving your neighbors, loving the foreigner. Loving all people." [43:51] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "See, listen to me, church. This right here is like the pinnacle conversation of you and I choosing to work our hardest at just being people who are like Jesus. Because God is the ultimate goal. He is, in fact, who we are striving to be like in all ways, in all shapes, in all forms." [39:38] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So everything that is not God is on a journey. Everything that is not God is on this journey of becoming teleos. In fact, if you were to fast forward just a little bit ahead to when Jesus has already ascended back into heaven, he's left his spirit here on earth, and then all of a sudden a guy by the name of Paul comes on the scene." [41:34] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So this morning as you hold your elements. And you may need to kind of pop that piece of bread out of the bottom. But I'm going to read to you how Jesus took his disciples through communion. This was later on in the same book that we've been in, the Gospel of Matthew. This is right before Jesus was going to be arrested, tortured, tossed up on a cross, dying behalf of you and me." [57:46] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Now, teleos means whole. And so to bring a little more clarity to this, it means something that has ultimately fulfilled its purpose. It means something that has achieved its original goal, its original design, its original reason, right? Whatever that might be. It has come to the fullness, if you will. It is whole. It is perfect. It is teleos." [37:06] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And the section is really focused. If you were here last week on this little word that packs a very, very deep and significant definition, this word, chesed. And again, if you were here last week, we talked about chesed, meaning loyal love, meaning non-discriminatory generosity. And really what we're looking at is generosity and love in its most basic, fundamental, and purest forms." [35:16] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So Jesus right here is bringing everything that he's already talked about up until this moment in the Sermon on the Mount, which really is only about halfway through. Everything that's kind of brought up to this moment. And that's what he's talking about when he makes this statement of, be perfect like me. Jesus is saying, look, be perfect like I am perfect." [46:33] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And so it's really just imitating the generosity, the cassette of God almighty. And so it's It's what we were made for. It's what we are called to. It's what we were created in. And what's amazing is because Jesus has officially called us to this, that must mean that it's possible. That must mean that it is attainable. Be teleos as I am teleos." [49:12] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So this morning, we are taking just one little, little tiny verse. So literally, the percentage that we are knocking off today is very, very little. Very, very minimal. But we will be looking at one single verse this morning. It is nine words. But truthfully, they come with a fairly decent amount of conversation and discussion and theological perspectives." [31:16] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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