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

2.      Your life journey will be an adventure if you walk with God.

3.      2 Timothy 3:14-17

I.       A God  (Psalm 19:1)

Christ’s relationship to the Universe – As God (Colossians 1:16-17)

Think about what it means to be Creator of the Universe.

II.    THE God

Will Rogers said, “You can summarize American History into two great movements: the passing of the Buffalo and The passing of the buck.”

Things written aforetime were for our learning

•         The God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc. – Exodus 3; 4; 1 Kings 18:36; Acts 3:13;
•         The God of Israel – 1 Kings 8:22-26

III.  MY God

A.     Christ’s relationship to You (Colossians 1:21-23)

God came to earth in order to reconcile all of us to himself by means of the cross.

Jesus paid the full price. He offers you a gift of salvation.

B.     Ruth (1:16) —

C.     David – 2 Samuel 22:1-3

D.     Thomas – John 20:27-29

E.     Yeshua (Jesus) – Psalm 22

IV.  OUR God

No believer is complete by himself, we are to minister to one another, as a family. (Source unknown).

A.     There are no loners as disciples of Yeshua (Jesus)

B.     We are a community of believers – Matthew 16.18; Acts 2.42-47

C.     We don’t go it alone – F-S-HS + community of faith

John Adams said, “There are two types of education: One should teach us how to make a living, and the other how to live.”

Are you a 1 mile worker or a 2 mile worker? Do you do only the bare minimum or do you go the 2nd mile and leave the mark of excellence on your work? People always remember second-mile-worker.

Aren’t you glad God went the second mile for you?

May I confess one of my many flaws to you? I like to learn about things in the Bible. Sounds harmless, right? Here is the flaw – I often like to learn to the exclusion of DOING. You might say that I am “educated above my level of obedience.” I KNOW more than I PRACTICE.

We certainly need to study the words of God. These words can help us avoid difficulties. There are numerous passages that remind us of this. Ezra 7:10 reads, “For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” Note the progression – learning – doing – teaching.

One of the traps we may fall into is thinking that if we just know enough we will avoid having to deal with the issues in real life. Whatever the temptation may be, whether it is the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, or the pride of life, it is not always handled with mere understanding. There are times when we must face the temptation head on, and with the knowledge we have gained from the biblical text, defeat it.

A football team prepares for a game by watching their opponents game films. They learn what they must do to defeat them. Then, they must go out on the field and DO what they know. They have to get into the game.

Are you tempted to know and not do? Join with me as we learn the words of God and seize the opportunities to do them.

“If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” John 13.17

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

South Yukon Church of Christ

Open

Please share your response to one of the following:

• Tell the Group of a significant accomplishment in your life?
• What is one thing that gives you satisfaction?
• What is one thing you are good at? How did you get that skill?

Study

Read the following verses and share your responses to the questions below:

Psalm 19.1-6

• In what ways has creation reminded you of the presence of the Creator?

Colossians 1.16-17

• With these verses in mind, what image of Jesus do you have?
• Knowing that the universe is so immense, what does that say about our God (Jesus)?

1 Kings 8.22-26

• In what ways do you see God as being “unique”?

2 Samuel 22.1-3

• How is God your: rock; fortress; deliverer; shield; horn of falvation; stronghold?

John 20.27-29

• Why do you think Thomas wanted to touch Jesus’ nail prints and side?
• When he encountered Jesus, why do you think he used the word, “MY” in his expression?

Deuteronomy 6.4

• Why is it important to remember that God is OUR God, not just A God; The God; or My God?

Apply

• How has your view of God changed over the years?
• Which attribute(s) of God are most appealing to you now?
• Why do you think understanding the history of a culture (such as Israel) is helpful to the present? To the future?
• What does it take to grasp an understanding of who God is and what he wants us to do?

1.      Part of a daily Jewish Prayer (by men):

“Blessed are you, LORD our God, King of the Universe, for not having made me a Gentile.”

“Blessed are you, LORD our God, King of the Universe, for not having made me a slave.”

“Blessed are you, LORD our God, King of the Universe, for not having made me a woman.”

2.      Women had a big teaching/serving role at home:

My mom taught me so many things, like…

*Spiritual habits – “You’d better pray that comes out of the carpet.”

*How to appreciate a job well done – “If you and your brothers are going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.”

*Logic – “Because I said so, that’s why!”

*More logic – “If you fall out of that tree and break your neck, you won’t be going to the mall with me.”

*Justice – “One day you’ll have kids and I hope they turn out just like you!”

3.      Think of how often in scripture it is the woman who is the vehicle for ministry.

•          Who prompted Jesus to perform His first miracle? A Woman!
•          Who ministered to Christ during His public ministry? The women!
•          Who anointed the body of Jesus? The women!
•          Who stayed with Jesus throughout his trial and crucifixion? The women!
•          Who were the first witnesses to the resurrected Savior? The women!
•          Who makes up the majority of the population of most churches today? The women!

4.      In the final chapter of Romans, Paul sends greetings to numerous people in Rome. Among those are at least 6 women (depending upon translating the names) – Note from Romans 16:1-16

I.       God’s Esteem for People

A.     Dignity Through Design

1.       Created in the Image of God – Genesis 1:27; Matthew 19:4
2.       Created Male and Female

B.     Dignity Through Demonstration

1.       God’s Love for Us – Romans 5:8
2.       Our Love for Him
3.       Our Love for One Another

II.    Jesus’ Regard for Women

A.     Yeshua (Jesus) is Inclusive by Nature

1.       He did not come to exclude but to save – Luke 19:10
2.       This included men and wome

B.     Yeshua (Jesus) Honors Women:

1.       He Addressed Women in Public

a.   Unusual – “Bleeding Shoulder Pharisees” covered their eyes so they would not lust after women and ran into walls

b.   Samaritan Woman – John 4

c.   Woman in Adultery – John 8

d.   Widow of Nain – Luke 7

e.   Woman with Issue of Blood – Luke 8

f.    Included women as part of his teaching –

• Queen of the South – Matthew 12:42

• Woman Leavening the Loaf – Matthew 13:33
• Woman with Lost Coin – Luke 15

4.      He Held Women Accountable for their Sins

•         Level of equality with men – no excusing
•         Samaritan Woman – Not your Husband
•          Woman in Adultery – Sin no more

5.      He Ministered TO Women

• Healed Peter’s Mother-in-Law – Matthew 8:14-15
• Raised the Widow’s Son and gave him back to her (Luke 7)
• Jairus’ Daughter – Luke 8
• Mary and Martha at Lazarus’ Tomb – John 11

6.      He Received Ministry FROM Women

• Financial Support – Luke 8:1-3
• Anointing His Feet – Luke 7
• Anointing His Head – Mark 14

III. Paul’s Respect for Women

[Rabbi-Disciple Relationship

Paul has a bad rap – not a male chauvinist – Romans 16.1-16

A.     Phoebe (Single Lady?) – 16:1-2

B.     Priscilla (Wife) – Teacher – 16:3-5

C.     Rufus’ Mother (a Mom) – 16:13

Simon of Cyrene had two sons, Alexander and Rufus (Mark 15:21) – this may have been the wife of the man who carried the cross of Yeshua (Jesus)

[When my mom was looking for a car after my dad died, we went to my friend, Ken Pence, who was the Sales Manager at a Lincoln-Mercury dealer in Jacksonville, FL. I was not asking him for any ‘extra-special’ deal, just to treat my mom fairly. He said, “I will treat your mom as if she was my mom.”

Mothers in Yeshua (Jesus) – Matthew 10:29-30

Conclusion

Robert Fulton and Napoleon

Applications

1.       Acknowledge and build relationships with co-laborers in Christ – Male and Female
2.       Women – Do not forget your place – YOU ARE KEY SERVANTS OF YESHUA (JESUS)
3.       Men – Serve and fan the flame for our ladies to excel in Ministry
4.       Remember, we are not a faceless sea of people but a community of individuals making up the body of Christ, each in his or her own place
5.       Whenever we experience a lack of appreciation, remember, God sees and rewards.

I am sure you have been there. You are at a party, in a restaurant, or at a sports event. You try to have a conversation with the person next to you but the noise level is too high. Maybe your hearing has been damaged. Maybe it’s just loud. In any event, you can’t hear what your friend is saying, or even what YOU are saying.

The Bible repeatedly reminds us to HEAR. Jesus often stated, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” The greatest commandment begins with the word “Hear” (see Deuteronomy 6.4 and Mark 12.28ff).

In the bible, “hearing” not only includes the reception of the sound waves in our ears, but comprehension of what is stated followed by action. Biblical hearing is actually obeying what is spoken. So, when God says to hear that we are to love him with all of our hearts, souls, and might, he means we are to put it into action.

It is no accident that we live in a world full of diversions. How many things each day divert you from the mission of loving God whole-heartedly? Think of the numerous distractions that come from television, just to name one avenue. There are shows we just “can’t miss” each week. Often we spend hours mindlessly viewing – what? Mostly nothing. Our lives are not really enriched by it; we have merely been sidetracked from a higher calling.

Today hear his voice (see Hebrews 3; Psalm 95). Comprehend God by listening to his word (taking the time to read it). Then put it into action in real life. That’s “hearing God.”

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

1.  THE IMPORTANCE OF FOCUS — Alaskan Pipeline Story

2.      A similar situation occurred for the Jews returning from Babylonian Captivity in the 6^th Century BC

a.       Zerubbabel and about 50K refugees returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls; restore the temple; the priesthood; the religion of the Jewish people

b.      They laid the foundation for the temple, met obstacles and stopped building for about 16 years

c.       God raised up the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, to stir the hearts of the people to resume the building.

d.      They did their jobs, focusing on the work, not the obstacles.

3.      Zechariah 4:1-10

I.                   The Presence of Overwhelming Obstacles

“If you find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere.”

Everything worthwhile has some obstacle. Note some things that confronted the Jewish Builders:

A.     Obstacle #1 – Confusion

1.      Confusion about God’s Revelation – Zechariah did not understand what he saw

a.       Ethiopian (Acts

b.      Our Prayers – “God, what do you want?”

2.      Confusion about THEIR MISSION

a.       Sidetracked with selfish interests (Haggai 1 – wages/houses)

b.      They forgot their mission –Do we?

George Shultz, Story: “Where’s your country?”

B.     Obstacle #2 – Limited Abilities (4:10)

¹⁰ For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.

1.      Their BIG task required: Money; Labor (time & Energy); Sacrificial Leadership; Determined Following; Unity of Purpose

So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. Nehemiah 4:6

2.      We do, too – How will we proceed?

C.     Obstacle #3 – A Persistent Enemy

1.      Heathen/Samaritans of the Land

2.      Satan – Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5.8

Enemies of God – Voltaire

II.                The Power to Overcome the Obstacles (4:6)

Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.

A.     Power Is Not:

1.      Our Numbers –

a.       What would happen if we did not count attendance?

b.      Extremes: Small Churches feel Inadequate; Large Churches feel overconfident

2.      Our Wealth

a.       It is God’s – Haggai 2:8

‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty.

b.      It is useless

 Titanic Story

3.      Our Abilities – God uses ‘earthen vessels’ to do his work – dependent on HIS abilities

B.     Power IS – God’s Spirit Hebrews 13:20-21

1.      God’s Ability (Ephesians 3.:0-21) – immeasurably more than we ask or think

2.      Trust in selves – We lose – we rise no higher than our level of incompetence

3.      God is present to lead us by his Spirit – Romans 8:14 

HS and Dove –

1.      Zerubbabel did finish his task. The second temple was completed.

2.      This was not an ending, it was a beginning of a new era in the history of Israel. [Graduations

3.       We are not so different today. We must overcome the negativity we are fed on every level.

4.      Overwhelming Obstacles are present; power to overcome is there as well.

Open

Please discuss with your Group your response to one of the following:

• What are you like when awakened from a deep sleep?
• What project do you most want to complete (home or work)? What will it take to finish it?

Study

Please read Zechariah 4.1-10 and share your responses to the following:

• What do the symbols of the vision represent? (vv. 3, 14; Revelation 11.3-4)

• Golden Lampstand
• Bowl of Oil
• Olive Trees
• Capstone
• Plumb Line

Apply

• Why do you think our strength cannot be in our numbers or our money?
• How hard is it for you to trust in the intangible (God) over the tangible (our church’s size; our finances)?
• What is the correlation between our trials and our dependence on God?
• What are some ways you can definitely say God has directed your steps? What did you accomplish when He did?
• In what ways was the rebuilding of the temple a beginning, not an end?

The other day I ran across a humorous political cartoon. A man is talking with his wife and asks, “If a man yells, ‘You lie!’ in a room full of politicians, how do they know who he is talking to?”

That may have brought a grin to your face. It probably also brought a grimace. The sad truth is many (not all) politicians don’t care about truth, the Constitution, or principles of character.

I can criticize corrupt politicians. So far, along with you, I have the right to assemble and to speak freely, even if our politicians don’t like it. This is the major check and balance that the Founding Fathers understood.

Here is the bigger problem. The leaders we select are a mirror of our culture. They are really our REPRESENTATIVES. If we are a godly people, we will elect godly leaders. If we are ungodly and corrupt. . . .

God said:

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14:34 (ESV)

“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” Proverbs 29.2 (KJV)

Part of the solution to political corruption is to be a nation with godly character. This can only occur one person at a time. If you and I determine to be better people, by the grace of God we will become a nation who walks closely to the words of God. We, in turn, elect leaders who lead by principle, not by “pork.”

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

Open

Please discuss your responses to one of the following:

• What is the most powerful storm you have witnessed? How did you feel?
• As a teenager, what did you not like about yourself that you changed?

Study

Read Romans 1.16-17 and discuss the following

• Why do you think the FACTS of the gospel are important as in 1 Corinthians 15.3-4?
• How do: Facts-Understanding-Action interrelate?
• How does Paul express his personal transformation by saying, “I am not ashamed of the gospel?”
• In what ways does the gospel “Re-Form” us – even after we are believers in Jesus?
• In what ways is the gospel good news? In what ways could it be bad news?
• How would you explain verse 17 to someone who does not speak “Christian-ese”?

Apply

• How have you seen the gospel change people?
• How has the gospel changed you? How is this change a process? How is it instantaneous?
• What failure in your life can you look back on and NOW see good from?

This Sunday (April 29) the South Yukon Church of Christ will participate in a “Million Dollar Sunday” with an organization called Eastern European Missions. The purpose of this contribution is for US congregations to  gather money to publish Bibles for – wait for it – the PUBLIC SCHOOLS in two states of Ukraine.

An amazing thing is happening in formerly Soviet-controlled countries. They want BIBLES to influence and improve the character of their children (and adults). They are doing this through their school systems.

EEM publishes and distributes Bibles in the languages of the people. It is having an amazing impact. Children are changing. They take their Bibles home from school; share it with their parents and the parents change. Faith is being produced by God’s word in places where atheistic Communism once thrived!

Paul declared:  ¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.¹⁷ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”Romans 1:16-17

Please pray for this effort!

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene