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

American churches are enamored with numbers. More is always better. As long as our count equals or exceeds the previous one, we are “successful.”

It is true that Luke records some numbers in the book of Acts. That seems to be something that a Physician/Historian would do. Certain numbers, like weight and temperature, can tell us things about the health of a patient (or a church body).

Think about the flipside. David took a census in Israel after he was told not to. He was punished for his disobedience. A danger was that the nation could have looked at their own strength in numbers instead of looking to God. It was not the best thing.

What if (I always like to think in terms of what could be) we stopped counting attendance? Would we stop feeling so secure in our numbers? Would we shift our attention to people? Would we check on absentees? Would we be better motivated to fill empty seats with new people? Would our source of security be our God?

How large was the church in Corinth? Ephesus? Philippi? Jesus gave some criticisms regarding the “Seven Churches of Asia” (which, by the way are no longer with us). Not once did he criticize them for low numbers — there are bigger issues.

My challenge is for us to see past the numbers. See the people. Look to our God. This is not just about, “How many?” it is about, “Who?”

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene (greene.perry@gmail.com)

I bought a bag of oranges a few weeks ago, while Christmas shopping. That does not sound like a big deal, does it? Actually, it is not — I can pretty much buy a bag of oranges any time I wish. It was, however, Christmas time and I had a flashback to my youth. Every year I got an apple and an orange for Christmas, along with some assorted nuts.

The reason I got the fruit at Christmas was because my parents always got apples and oranges for Christmas when they were young. They grew up in a much less affluent time. Fresh fruit was a huge treat for them.

When my parents bought gifts for their kids, they included apples and oranges because it brought back happy memories of special treats. So, when I saw the oranges, I suddenly had a craving for the “old days” even though, fresh fruit is prevalent and not quite the treat of long ago.

We can do similar things in the church. Do we ever look back to the “good ol’ days” with fond memories? Don’t we want to recreate those things because those memories make us happy and secure today? Maybe those things originally had a particular purpose. Maybe “two songs and a prayer” gave us a sense of “order out of chaos.” Maybe the way we conducted a Bible Class was effective. Maybe a Visitation Program was fruitful.

One of the challenges about church work is finding successful methods in every generation without compromising the integrity of the gospel. There are lines we do not cross. There are truths we are to always uphold. But, “times are a-changin’.”

There is nothing wrong with my buying a bag of oranges for Christmas. There is nothing wrong with many of the things we have done in the past. Our challenge is to be able to be more efficient and effective in our methods of reaching and serving people — without compromising the gospel.

David had a group of men from Issachar who had, “understanding of the times” according to 1 Chronicles 12.32. What are the modern times teaching us? What methods can we use today to share the good news to people who hunger for it?

Your Bible Class may want to explore new ideas. Your Small Group may be a new idea in the making. What worked in the past may not work today. The souls of people matter too much to neglect the times and what is effective today.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene (perry.greene@southyukon.org)

During the 1970’s Dan Fouts played quarterback for the San Diego Chargers. In a particular game, Fouts was “off.” In fact, the whole team was playing poorly. Everyone associated with the team was frustrated and angry.

Down 14-0 with two minutes left in the game, the coach decided to pull his #1 quarterback and put in the back up — Bobby Douglas. Douglas strapped on his helmet and raced onto the field. As he headed for the huddle, he stopped, turned to the coach and yelled, “Hey Coach, do you want me to win the game or just tie it?”

That is a great question that makes a great statement for us. We are not playing “to tie” or to avoid a “loss.” We are playing to WIN! In fact, according to Romans 8, we have already won. We are MORE THAN CONQUERORS — through Jesus!

Think of what we have in Christ. We enjoy the promise of heaven. We enjoy the presence of a God who is able to do beyond what we ask or think. We have been freely given all things that we need for life and godliness. Our faith is more than a matter of avoiding hell, it is for abundant, victorious life — NOW!

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene (greene.perry@gmail.com)