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

This sermon reminds us of the reality of temptation. We do not escape it by following Jesus. Temptation comes to all of us. We do not have to sin, however.

In addition, this sermon gives us some tips on how to deal with the temptations that come our way. When we are aware of temptation we can better avoid sin. When we plan in advance how to handle temptation when it comes, we are more able to withstand.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

 

 Handling Temptation [22:32m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Often we allow fear or procrastination to keep us from our true potential. Sometimes we blame others for our decisions. While each of us has a pool of influence, all of us are responsible for our own decisions.

Caleb, as an 85 year old man, wanted the inheritance he spied out 45 years before. He had been faithful to God and unafraid of the giants in the land. He focused on what God had promised him.

Our lives are a test of our faith. We also face “giants” today. They may be giants of uncertainty or doubt. Whatever form they take, we have a choice — be faithful to God or run away out of fear and a failure to trust him. This sermon explores that choice.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

 

 What Can Be [23:23m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I love stories about Sam Walton. I appreciate his humility in the sight of his enormous wealth. In the mid-90’s he was named one of the richest men in America. However, you would never have realized that he was wealthy unless you knew who he was. He drove an old pickup truck — just like “real people.”

Once someone asked him why he did not drive a Rolls Royce. He replied, “Where would I put my dogs?” His success came in part because he connected to the common man.

Think about Jesus coming to the world. Unless people knew him, they would not have been able to tell who he was just by looking. However, his goal was to connect with the common man.

This is why the Lord of the Universe came as a baby in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. This is why the King of Kings lived a no frills life as a carpenter and a rabbi.

He did not do it for fame. He did not do it for money. He did it to regain what was lost - a wonder-filled relationship with us.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

Light has always been of importance to man. Light takes away darkness. The sun’s light provides us with nutritional and energy needs. Light is also a type of security and safety for us.

Children often feel the need to sleep with a light on. They fear the darkness — which is our natural tendency. So, the nightlight takes away the fear.

In the scriptures above, Jesus tells us of our value as light to the world. Our usefulness as light helps with the direction of people’s lives. We help people see the difference between the light and the darkness.

There is another thing I have discovered about “letting our lights shine.” In Jesus time, people normally  burned oil in s small lamp all night. One of the reasons for this is to indicate that someone was home. If thieves came to break in, they were less likely to break into a lighted house. If travelers came, they would know if they might be able to enjoy hospitality.

When our lights are burning in the night, we show people that “someone’s home.” The Spirit of God is alive and well within his people. It is only when the light goes out that we lose our influence and indirectly hurt His.

So, this week — Keep The Light Burning! Let people know you are home. Give the gentle, useful direction that separates the light from the darkness. You will make a difference.

Perry Greene

William Wilberforce is the central character to the movie, Amazing Grace. The movie depicts Wilberforce’s ambition to end the British involvement in the slave trade. It took many years to accomplish this task. It culminated with some ingenious political maneuvering. The end result was that Wilberforce achieved his dream.

Wilberforce’s impact does not actually end with the removal of England’s slave trade. It had a much broader impact. It affected the American Civil War as well as other international events.

While the Confederacy was blockaded by the North in our Civil War, the South looked for an ally. Diplomats from the CSA approached England. By 1861, thanks to William Wilberforce, England opposed slavery. The American South embraced slavery so England could not assist the Southern states.

Let’s speculate for just a moment. Suppose Wilberforce had failed and the slave trade continued in England. Suppose that England had entered our Civil War. Suppose the addition of England tipped the scales and the South seceded and formed the CSA. If we had been two countries instead of one, imagine how difficult World War II might have been. It might have been impossible to defeat the Nazis in Europe and the Japanese in the Pacific.

It is speculative, but we can see what might have been — had it not been for one man working tirelessly on his quest. One man affected the British Empire. One man impacted the American Civil War and possibly modern history.

What is your dream? What are you willing to make your life’s quest? How will you impact future generations?

Perry

How hard is it for you to make a decision that God would be pleased with? Sometimes it is easy for us, some times it is difficult. This sermon is an attempt to look into the life of one of the Bible’s most influential individuals, Daniel, and see how he was able to make right decisions in his life.

Daniel is one of the few Bible characters that has no black marks recorded against him. That is not true of Abraham, Moses, David, and most others. Yet Daniel, in the midst of Babylonian captivity would be true to God - because he decided to be.

Remember that the Book of Daniel contains great things about Daniel. It also contains famous faith statements by his friends. The hero of the book, however is God. Watch his hand at work and decide to follow.

Perry Greene

 

 Decision Making [20:28m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

C.S. Lewis once came into a room where several of his colleagues were hotly debating an issue. Being late to the discussion, Lewis leaned over and asked a friend, “What are we discussing?” His friend replied, “The difference between Christianity and the other religions in the world.” Lewis remarked, “That’s easy. It’s grace.”

Grace is a magnificent subject. Over the years, we have seen it abused from one extreme to the other. Some will discard grace and try to earn their salvation. Others will live as they please in order to abusively  take advantage of grace in their lives (see Romans 6:1-4 for God’s response).

This sermon is an attempt to appreciate God’s grace in our lives. When we consider that God seeks US, we are amazed. When we consider the price he was willing to pay, we are amazed!!

Perry Greene

 

 Amazing Grace [23:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download