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

The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. . . . They worshiped idols, though the LORD had said, “You shall not do this.”  (2 Kings 17:9-12)

The ancients believed that each country had its own god.  These gods were limited by national boundaries. A country’s god was thought to control the prosperity of the people who worshiped them. To find favor with a god, the people had to worship and make sacrifices (external works).

We, on the other hand, do not believe in territorial gods. We believe in the one true God of the Bible. Yet, idolatry exists, even in our churches.

Whenever we stop relying on God we make idols out of what we start trusting. Whenever we become agenda-oriented, making non-essentials central, we serve the gods we have created. If we focus on church growth numbers to the exclusion of God, his ways, and the real needs of people, we have raised a new god.

Whenever we overrule God and his ways, we become idolaters. If we choose to be “in control,” we have become idolaters. Simply not trusting the living God means we have found another god to trust (see 1 Kings 18:20-40).

Our God is greater than our gods. He is worthy of trust. He alone is God.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

My good friend, Rusty McLen, lives in Abilene, Texas. A few years ago west Texas was experiencing a terrible drought. Summers there can be brutal, but especially so with no water.

During that time I went back to Abilene and visited Rusty. As we were leaving his house for lunch, he made sure he picked up his umbrella. When I saw it, I started to tease him because of the dismal forecast for rain. Rusty quickly responded, “If you are going to pray for rain, you should carry your umbrella.” What a great outlook!

How often do we fail to ask God for “rain” because we don’t really believe he will answer? It is usually a lack of faith on our part. In fact, it can keep us from praying at all.

Jesus said, “For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20.

James said, “You do not have, because you do not ask.” (James 4:2c).

How about us? Will we carry our “umbrellas” when we ask for “rain”? Will we talk about faith or display it?

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

Someone has defined rebellion this way: “Reserving for myself the right to make the final decision” When we look back at the nation of Judah we find that they often came to a crossroad of decision. They could follow God or go their own way.  Too often, they chose the latter.

The prophet put a choice before them.

Thus says the LORD:
“Stand by the roads, and look,
   and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way is; and walk in it,
   and find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’  Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV)

We, too, have many crossroads of decision. We have to stop and think about the implications of the directions we choose to go. The ultimate “right choice” is to follow God’s direction.

The culture in which we live is consumed with the new and exciting. The wisdom of God is displayed in his “ancient paths.” The irony is that men have been out of step with God’s ways for so long that the “old ways” actually seem new. Which way have you decided to go?

Keep The Light Burning!