The Perfect Religion, A Beacon to the True Kingdom of God: Where Have you Been Hiding?

By Phillip Cimei

Is there such a thing as a perfect religion? If so, then why are there over 34,000 branches of the Christian faith? If there is one true body of believers, why do some feel like the following: - I need to wander around from church to church because I'm not satisfied - I'm afraid if I make a mistake I'm hell bound - I'm stuck in a lukewarm church with members who are satisfied with a mediocre religious life - I'm tired of that one doctrinal point that defines my church and excludes other Christians - I'm not sure if what the preacher is teaching is correct, but I'm afraid to buck the system The author, having embraced all of these distressing feelings, takes the reader on an unprecedented treasure hunt to find that illusive perfect religion. And after fifty years of digging, he might have hit the mother lode""the Sermon on the Mount. Will it satisfy those still searching for the truth? Will it reaffirm the faith of those who have found the treasure? Will this truth set those shackled to a confused state free? The author addresses the problem head on. He weaves through the maze of controversy, theological mumbo jumbo, and religious opinions to give answers to why there is so much division in the church, and why so many wandering souls are searching, if not in their heart, from church to church. He uses captivating illustrations""a girl with a moose, a boy ravaged with a flesh-eating disease, and a vulture eyeballing a starving child""to bring to life Christ's quest to show those wandering souls the way. Are you brave enough to take the journey? "Will I truly find God?" you ask. "I love those who love Me and those who seek Me diligently will find Me" (Prov. 8:17).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 23, 2019
• ISBN: 9781642588194

Book preview

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The Perfect Religion, A Beacon to the True Kingdom of God

Where Have you Been Hiding?

Phillip Cimei

ISBN 978-1-64258-818-7 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64258-820-0 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-1-64258-819-4 (digital)

Copyright © 2018 by Phillip Cimei

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved

Cover photo by landscape photographer Brian DeWolf

briandewolf.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Book Overview and Introduction

Introduction

The Perfect Vessel—Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 

5:3)

The Perfect 180—Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted(Matthew 5:4)

The Perfect Seat—Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5)

The Perfect Appetite—"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. For they shall be 

filled" (Matthew 5:6)

The Perfect Compassion—Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy (Matthew 5:7)

The Perfect Heart—Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God (Matthew 5:8)

The Perfect Diplomat—Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God 

(Matthew 5:8)

The Perfect Martyr—"Blessed are those that are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the 

kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10–12)

The Perfect Covenant—You are the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13)

The Perfect Reflection—You are the light of the world (Matthew 5:1)

The Perfect Law—"Do not think that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets, I did not come 

to destroy but to fulfill" (Matthew5:17–19)

The Perfect Competition—"For I say unto you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the 

righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven" 

(Matthew 5:17)

Final Words

About the Author

Dedication Page

Dedicated to Lois, my wife of 50 years. She has done me good all the days of her life.

Her faithfulness and devotion exemplify the covenant relationship between husband and wife, which God intended from the time of Adam and Eve.

That oneness of spirit is the basis I have tried to instill in the readers of this book—the perfect relationship with God.

Her love has been the beacon that has guided me along the path of our marriage relationship.

May the readers of this book find such light in the words of Christ, through the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount, and find that perfect relationship with God, hence, The Perfect Religion.

Book Overview and Introduction

The Perfect Religion is the first book to address the issue of finding an example of the perfect religion through the Sermon on The Mount. This book will be of interest to those wandering from church to church, trying to find an answer to the question everyone has—Is there such a thing as a perfect religion?

Is imperfect good enough? Well, is partial truth good enough? Will God accept half-hearted devotion? When Jesus says, Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48), He doesn't really mean perfect, perfect, does He?

This will be the first book in a series of books that explore the complete Sermon on the Mount. This book will include an introduction background and perspective as to why this book is needed and will conclude with Matthew chapter 5, verse 20. I felt that concluding with Jesus encouraging us to exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees was a good breaking point. The following two books will pick up and start giving examples of how we can exceed their righteousness.

Part 1 of this book addresses some of these nagging questions and lays the foundation for the remaining parts of the book series. People want answers, and they want the truth. Some can't handle the truth, and this book deals briefly with that. But this is not a bashing of the imperfect religions; it is a treasure hunt, as the title indicates, for the perfect religion.

Part 2 deals with the map to the treasure: the Sermon on the Mount. While researching for this book, I used many resources. One resource, Naves Unabridged Topical Bible, caught my attention, and under the topic of religion in that book was pure religion. Most topics and subtopics had a wide range of verses throughout the Old and New Testaments. Under the subtopic of pure religion, I found it interesting that they used all of the Sermon on the Mount—Matthew chapters 5 to 7. However, there certainly are many more verses that deal with God's perfect religion, and this book will explore those also.

Part 3 will sum it up and give some scriptural guidance to those seeking an opportunity to be part of this perfect religion.

This book will appeal to people regardless of their age or gender, according to their religious appetite and desire to find the treasure. It is not just limited to Christians and non-Christians searching, but it is also for those confident that their faith is the perfect religion. It will reaffirm their faith and expose them to the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount. It will give them directions for living a fruitful life in the Lord.

My hope after publication is to use the book as a source for doing evangelistic work. I will travel and preach this message while promoting the book for the glory of God. The book contains the stories and illustrations I used during the year-long preaching I did on the Sermon on the Mount. It has fresh and captivating stories that have received rave reviews from those receiving the message.

I have searched the Internet at such sites as Goodreads, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon, as well as googling the title, The Perfect Religion, and did not find any with such a title or approach. I feel that it will be highly appealing. There is a reason that there are so many diverse opinions about the perfect religion. From the beginning of the human race, people have desired to have the perfect relationship with God. How could this book not be of interest to many?

The Apostle Paul states, Study to show thyself approved unto God (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV). Many have misinterpreted this to just mean study the Bible.

The word study means endeavor or be diligent. Paul was a tentmaker, (a workman as the complete verse states). He wanted his work to be the best, acceptable, and approved by those receiving it. We want our work, our worship, our devotion to be the best. Perfect! Do we really think God wants less? This book gives us the map to that illusive perfection so many want, but just can't figure out how to get it.

Part 1

Introduction

The Perfect Oxymoron

Have you ever wandered around aimlessly—with a purpose? I know that seems like an oxymoron, but millions have done so, and still are. They are wandering around seeking after something. As the saying goes, They don't know where they are going, but they will know it when they get there. They have a mission, but can't seem to find the map to lead them to their treasured quest—finding God and the perfect religion.

It is in the nature of humans to seek after God. God put that nature in all of us. Then why can't some people find God? Why can't they find the perfect religion? Is there such a thing? Is it hiding? Then again you might be saying, I have the perfect religion. I am happy and satisfied, so leave me alone. That might be, and praise the Lord if you have found it. But many think they have it, only to find out religion is not just a place to visit, feel good, pay their dues, then go home satisfied.

I am reminded of a man who was a member of a church I attended and at which I preached many times. He was a fixture there. He attended every time the doors were open, he closed the services with the same prayer (literally the same words) every time he was asked, and he put the same dollar bill into the collection plate every time it was passed. He attended there his whole life. When he was on his deathbed, I went to minister to him. He cried because he was afraid to die. He was so secure in his religion that he was insecure in his destination. How sad! Maybe his focus was on the wrong thing—himself.

Stephen Covey, in his book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, states as one of the seven habits, begin with the end in mind. The end for any true worshiper of God, follower of Jesus, and seeker of the perfect religion is more than satisfying oneself. If all we are doing is going through the motions and thinking that we have done our duty and then God owes us, we will be sorely disappointed at the end. Works will make you weep on your deathbed because you will always wonder, Did I do enough?

The beginning and end of our religion is the grace of God and the understanding that as Romans 3:24 states, Being justified freely [without cost] by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

The story of the Pharisee and the publican illustrates the point very well. The Pharisee tried to justify himself by what he did, and the publican prayed for mercy, knowing that it would only be the grace of God that in the end would make him justified.

Another illustration is when the apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith. Jesus used the parable about faith, service, and influence in (Luke 17:5–10).

Jesus was illustrating the total submission we must have, which only comes from that faith that focuses on our Master not ourselves, that if truly possessed will allow God to perform unbelievable events in our lives. When the apostles approached Jesus and asked him to increase their faith, Jesus used two parables to illustrate pure faith pointing to true north—away from me and pointing to thee.

And the apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith.' So the Lord said, ‘If you had faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you'" (Luke 17:5–6).

If our faith is pure and unwavering, we will be able to ask God anything and He will respond. Jesus then goes into the parable about the servant laboring hard all day. Jesus said his master wouldn't say to him as he came into the house at the end of the day, Come sit down and eat at my table. In other words, you didn't earn this right just because you performed the services required of you. Then points out how our attitude should be about the service and worship we show to God: Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not (verse 9).

Then Jesus answers the question, Can I earn or do works to be able to sit at my Father's table in His kingdom?

So likewise you, when you have done all those things which are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty' (verse 10).

Jesus laid the foundation for the perfect religion, So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which were commanded you, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.'

We begin and end with the attitude, We are unprofitable servants doing our duty, not Look at what I have done to earn my reward. Jesus points this out in the first, Blessed art thou—poor in spirit.

The Perfect Motivation

The perfect religion described in this book is not a mediocre religion. It is a religion of passion and zeal. In the book of Revelation, John writes about the Lord warning a church with a mediocre religion, I know your works that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot I will vomit you out of my mouth (Revelation 3:15–16). God wants your heart, and He wants it on fire for Him.

My dad owned an Edsel. Back in the late 1950s, Ford announced an innovative, creative, and uniquely designed vehicle. They had so much confidence that this would be well-accepted by the public that they named it after the first-born son of Henry Ford—Edsel. It was a monumental flop, and it became the laughing stock of the Ford Motor Company. Why? They tried to list some reasons for its failure, but one point stands out.

The Lincoln Continental was the top of the line with Ford. If you owned one, it symbolized that you made it. You were a success. You had the best that Ford could offer. The Mercury was the next level; those who owned Mercuries were on their way up. It symbolized that you were striving for the best. Finally, the Galaxia was for those at the lower end of the economy. Only those who had no car at all and couldn't afford better purchased a Galaxia. Then Ford introduced the Edsel.

The Edsel came to symbolize mediocre success. You hadn't made it to the Mercury level yet. Who wants to be thought of as a failure? With all the build-up by Ford, the Edsel failed to live up to its hype. It was a disappointment.

What does this have to do with religion?

Nobody should want to be connected to a religion that is mediocre or second best. Some do, and they miss out on the wonderful benefits of the perfect religion. But then there are those who realize that the programs, the preacher, or the ethics of moral code is substandard, and they bolt. They seek what they feel is better; they want the Lincoln. If they don't find it, they will build their own vehicle. They have the desire, they have the motivation, and they have the heart. Now all they need is the map to find the perfect religion. It is about finding God's grace.

The Perfect Route to God

God is not far from us. The perfect religion is not far from us. Then why has humankind, ever since creation, been acting like it is a hidden treasure to which they have no map? According to World Christian Encyclopedia: A Comparative Survey of Churches and Religions in the Modern World, there are over 34,000 separate Christian groups stemming from 270 larger religious groups who are subdivided from 19 major religious groups.

This book will neither examine where people have traveled to find God and the perfect religion, nor will it examine each imperfect religion that humans have invented. It doesn't have enough room, and its intention is not to bash every religion that claims to be the perfect religion. Its intent is to reveal the map to find the treasure, the perfect religion.

The perfect religion has