Perry’s Scope: Christian sermons, lessons, and resources for teachers

 In the old days when there were only 3 TV channels, no cell phones, and no computer games many of us played games on summer evenings until after dark (o yeah, there weren’t predators on every corner, either). We remember the familiar “Ready or not, here I come!” as we hid, waiting for the seeker.

Those were fun and games for us. There is, though, a more serious Seeker. Ready or not, he IS coming! He came once to seek those who were hiding from God much as Adam and Eve did in the Garden after their sins. He is coming again to bring an end to things we know, to judge the living and the dead, and to take us “home.”

Heed his words from Matthew 24:42-44:

Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

What could be more important than being ready for his coming?

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

  Open

Please share your response to one of the following:

• Would you say you have a “green thumb,” a “brown thumb,” or you are “all thumbs”?
• What is your favorite “success story”?

Study

Please read Luke 8:4-15 and discuss the following with your group:

• Why do you think Jesus uses this parable?
• How would you describe the soils in modern terms?
• Which of the soils do you think is the most difficult to change (either for the good or for the bad)? Which is the easiest?
• What role does the word of God play in impacting the soils?
• Why do you think it is important to keep sowing the seeds of God’s words on ALL soils?

Apply

• How would you describe the soil of your heart right now? Five years ago?
• How would you say your heart has changed over the years?
• What will be helpful for you to produce 100 times more than has been sown?
• What are some ways you can sow the seed of the kingdom on all soils?

 As you may know I am a Civil War Reenactor. I wear blue or gray and try to imitate what the old soldiers did in their battles and camps. That is, to a point. Yes, I, along with the other reenactors, wear wool; sleep in a tent; eat food cooked over an open fire; and use an “outhouse” of sorts. However, there is a limit to our authenticity. Some of us bring coolers to store drinks and foods. Some will use heaters for their tents when it is cold. You see, we only go so far with our portrayals because we do not actually live in 1861 and we are not the same people as they were.

When I think about trying to be the “first century church,” I realize that can only go so far. I do want the unencumbered simplicity of the first church. I think denominationalism is a stain on Christianity (see John 17). I think many of man’s ideas stand in direct conflict with God’s clearly stated truths. But how far can we go?

When we reenact, we do so out of a sense of honor for our ancestors, blue and gray. There is a sense of patriotism in the ranks. There is a sense of honor there. Those qualities exist in modern troops, too.

When we step into the church world we do something similar. Faith, grace, and good works were in the disciples of the first century. Those things are in the modern disciple, too. These qualities are based on the word of God.

But some things are different. The early church did not “go” by air or auto. The early disciples did not enjoy the benefits of electricity or computers or the internet. Yet, that group of people shared the message of Christ to an entire generation.

As I think about it, maybe it is not the externals as much as the internals that matter. Maybe it is faith in God through his word that matters. Maybe it is reaching people with the good news that matters.

As a student of the Bible, I realize I am ever so fallible. I realize that I see the Book through 20^th (and now 21^st) Century eyes. But maybe, just maybe buildings should not matter; nor the order of worship; nor the polish of a preacher. Maybe what matters is a worship that embraces spirit and truth (John 4:24). Maybe it is practicing “pure religion” by caring for the hurting (James 1:27). Maybe it is being like Jesus and resisting the tendencies of people to formalize and bind our views on others.

That’s my view, anyway. 

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

 Our VBS theme this year will be “Who’s Your Hero?” Heroes come in a variety of categories. We might have an historical hero like George Washington, Robert E. Lee, or Abraham Lincoln. We might have a sports hero like Lou Gehrig, Vince Lombardi, or Michael Jordan. We might have heroes in uniform like the warriors putting their lives in harm’s way for us; the Coast Guardsmen who know they have to go out to rescue but don’t have to come back; or the Firefighter who races into a burning building to save a soul.

In spite of their imperfections, dads have a distinct opportunity to be heroes to their children. Kids look up to their dads with respect and admiration (I have one of my dad’s Navy hats in my office out of respect for his memory). This opens an important door. Imperfect dads can introduce their children to the perfect Father and His Son.

Jesus is our ultimate hero. He is the image of the Father. He is the demonstration of the word of God alive in the world. He not only takes away sin, he displays life and lifestyle.

Dads, take the opportunity to use your unique influence with your children. Imitate Jesus in your life. Show your sons and daughters the Father by the Christ-like way in which you conduct yourself. Make Jesus your life and share him with those who look up to you.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

 I wrote a few weeks ago about the culture of a nation impacting the church. I thought of some more ideas that I want to share with you. In the American Restoration Movement, one of the urgencies was unity (as in John 17). The leading men of the Movement attempted to unify the denominational world into one body.

What was going on in the historical proximity? This was close to the American Revolution. One of the pushes for the Founders was to unite the colonies. Remember Ben Franklin’s “Unite or Die” motto? It seems to me that these events caused religious people to think about their circumstances and they realized that unity in Christ was a missing element that served many purposes.

• Unity pleases God
• Unity identifies the followers of Jesus
• Unity glorifies the Son
• Unity gives strength to the disciples
• And more

The times impacted Christian thinkers. They did not come up with the Restoration ideals in a vacuum. They saw what was going on in their society and overlaid those things onto the church. It occurs to me that the American Restoration Movement was a bit of an American Revolution in itself.

Take a minute and observe our culture. What is going on in our society? What impact is it having on the church? Is that impact positive or negative? What can you and I do to fan the flame of the positive or head off the negative? Maybe in turn we can impact the culture as leaven.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

The KJV of the Bible made us think in John 14:1-6 that when we get to heaven we would each receive a Gone with the Wind “Tara” mansion to live in. Those translators wrote Jesus’ words as, “in my Father’s house are many mansions.” So, we thought of Tara. A better word is “rooms.” Jesus is describing a huge Jewish insula. God lives at the center and Jesus builds on room after room for his “bride.”I don’t begin to understand the whole picture. I cannot comprehend the magnificence of heaven. I do know that it will be a special place because of God the Father and his children - people just like you and me.

I believe there will be a special place for the witnesses/martyrs of Jesus (see Revelation 6).  These are the people who suffered punishment and death rather than renounce the name of Jesus. Stephen will be there. So will Polycarp (burned alive in AD 155). Modern martyrs will be there, too. These are people from Iran, Laos, China and other countries where Christianity is illegal yet flourishing. Our brothers and sisters in the faith are putting their lives on the line daily, even as you read this article. They would rather be imprisoned, tortured, and killed than deny Jesus.

We have it so easy in the US - at least for now. Severe persecution may come to us, who can say? For now we fight things like apathy in the church.

I have wondered about the people of the faith called, martyrs. They may be “nobodies” to us, but “giants” to God. I hope Jesus has built a special room for each of them, very close to the Father. I hope I get to “wash their feet” and hear their stories. I hope I get to see the look of appreciation on the Father’s face for their unwavering loyalty to Jesus. I hope I can have the same faith and courage if the same circumstances come my way.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

Open

Please share your response to one of the following:

• What are three words that you hope people would use to describe you in ten years?
• What is something you enjoy doing? What makes it fun?

Study

Read Ecclesiastes 5:8-12 and discuss the following with your group:

• Why do you think there is a constant oppression of people in the world? In what ways is the “chain of command” a comfort? How can a king/leader be a good thing? (vv. 8-9)
• What would you say is meaningless in vv. 10-11-12?
• Why do you think we have so much trouble being content with what we have?
• Why is this especially true about money? Why do we want more and more?
• How can workers have “sweet sleep”? What keeps the wealthy from it?

Apply

• What applications can you make from the writer’s observations in 5:13-17?
• Where do you put the pursuit of wealth in your life?
  • At the Top
  • In the Middle
  • On the Bottom
  • Off the Chart
• Playing the “devil’s advocate,” defend the pursuit of wealth. How much is “enough”?
• Which of Jesus’ teachings helps you the most in regard to the issue of wealth and contentment? (example - Matthew 6:28-34)
• In your experience, how does contentment feel? What suggestions can you give to help the group achieve it? (see Philippians 4:12-13)

As you know, I reenact with a Civil War artillery unit. Last weekend I enjoyed participating in the “Chisholm Trail Days” in Yukon, OK (the city of my residence). I camped out with the crew on Friday night and we demonstrated firing the cannon several times on Saturday. All in all, it was a fun event.

One of the most interesting events of the weekend had nothing to do with firing the gun. It had to do with interpersonal relationships. The leader of our gun crew dealt with a touchy situation regarding one of our unit members. It ended with a win-win for everyone involved. I won’t name any names, but the parties involved in the “cannon conflict” impressed me with their humility and willingness to work out their difficulties.

A few weeks ago I preached a sermon in regard to dealing with difficulties between Christians. I used the text from Matthew 18:15-20 where Jesus teaches us to go personally to others to settle differences. The bottom line is that we go face to face rather than behind the back.

Most of us do not enjoy conflict or confrontation. From time to time, it is essential. When handled correctly, we usually will “gain our brother.” That is exactly what happened with the cannon crew and everyone left camp uplifted and encouraged. It really works.

Next year we are planning to come to church in uniform. That should be good for some eyebrow raising.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

 Perry’s Scope

Love Myself?

Someone has observed that the greatest harm done to us usually comes from us. Self-hatred and self-abuse are often our biggest enemies. Without thinking more highly of ourselves than we should, let’s take an inventory of the reasons we should love ourselves (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:43).

Loving ourselves is not just an egotistical exercise. On the contrary, not recognizing our beauty and gifts is a denial of God’s creativity in us. Take a minute and write down your unique qualities. You are the only one of you - ever! Don’t just focus on externals, but also look at your personality, intelligence, athletic ability, and other talents. Look at your spiritual gifts and the ways you have used them. Think back to your victories, not just the defeats.

Then recount the additional ways God has shown your value to him. You are made in his image. You cost the ultimate price, life of his Son. You are worth more than the whole world to him (Matthew 16:26). Feel how special you are!

When we are secure in God’s love and have a healthy self-image we are able to love others. We are able to love even the “unlovable.” Start within and let it move out.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

 Open

Share with the Group one or two of the following:

• If I could throw caution to the wind and really risk, I would. . . . .
• The comic character I would like to be like is. . . . .
• The most important decision of my life was/is. . . . .
• As a child, my favorite game was. . . . . .
• My favorite movie of all times is. . . . . .
• What makes me laugh is. . . . . .
• Today, I like to play by. . . . . . .
• I cry when . . . . . . . .

Study

Read Mark 10:35-45 and discuss the following with your group:

• What do you think motivated James and John to make this request?
• How do you think they saw the “kingdom”?
• If you had been James or John, how would you have felt about Jesus’ response?
• What were the cup, baptism, and glory Jesus spoke of?
• Why did the other disciples respond to James and John as they did?
• Jesus did not” waste the crisis.” What lesson does he teach? How does it go contrary to the norm?

Apply

• When have you seen a sacrificial spirit of service? A submissive spirit of service? How did you feel about that kind of person?
• What values has Jesus turned upside down in your life? How has it impacted your life?
• In following the example of Jesus, what is one way you can display a servant’s heart this week?