I know, I know... I've heard it a million time, "there is no perfect church and if there was one, we would ruin it by joining it." I am here to say I disagree. There is a perfect church, and I've found it. If that doesn't get your attention and make you want to read on, nothing will. Last Sunday we honored our veterans and were reminded of the sacrifices they made on our behalf. I was wondering what they thought of the state of our country with all the bickering and animosity in our government and the loss of civility in our social dialogue. Is this what they fought and died for? Yes they did. They did not fight for happiness for all, but for the pursuit of happiness for all. There's a big difference. And that got me thinking about the church, its purpose and its perception. If we find fault with the church, with the music, the pastor, the traditionalism, the lack of hospitality, are we revealing faults not in the church, but in ourselves. We see the church not as it is, but as we are.  We find faults because we unsatisfied, we lack grace, we struggle with forgiveness, and fail to see the hope Jesus promised to those who surrender their lives to him. The church is a hospital for spiritually wounded people to be made whole, not a museum for perfect people to be admired and protected. So don't expect to find perfect people there, that's not the purpose! In this message I try my best to lay out why I think the church IS perfect, perfectly changing, perfectly healing and perfectly following Christ. If you don't think so, them maybe the reason is the cure, but the narcissism that is so prevalent in our society. I realize not everyone who left Egypt was thrilled about the journey. Many grumbled against God, many thought more of their stomach's ache than of the Promised Land, and many longed for the comforts of Egypt more than the Presence of God. Yet God was with them, leading them and transforming them, perfectly. The Church, at least my church, is a process, a possibility and path, but it is certainly not an final destination. Sometimes I have to walk through the desert to get to the Promised Land. The path will get me there, but I should never mistake the path for the final vision of what life will be like when I arrive. Listen, learn then lead others to find a perfect church inside themselves. Sermon Notes:      Sermon Notes 11.17.13 The Perfect Church Sermon Slides:     Worship 11.17.13 Perfect Church Sermon Audio:     The Perfect Church 11.17.13E