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

Jesus repeated the command, “love your neighbor as yourself” (see Matthew 22:37-40 cf. Leviticus 19:18). Traditionally, we say that we are to first love ourselves and then we are able to love others. While there is truth in that concept, there is more to the command.

The verse could have been translated, “Love your neighbor who is like (or as) yourself.” This is a reminder of my shortcomings and desire for grace. How often do I yearn for acceptance “just as I am”? However, how willing am I accept others on the same basis?

This verse reminds me that my neighbors are just like me. They, like me, have shortcomings and inconsistencies. They have needs — just like me. I am to love them in spite of their shortcomings and when I see those shortcomings it is a reminder of the patience with which I want others to treat me.

If we love God, as we profess, the display of that love is in how we treat others. It is easy to say we love God or even people. It is another thing to put that love into action and accept people with the same kinds of imperfections we have.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

Recently I read of an interesting comparison.  In World War II, the Allies measured progress by the number of miles or kilometers that the army advanced each day. So, we took Africa from the Nazis, then Italy, then France, and finally Germany. The last complete victory for American troops came in 1945.

On the other hand, during Vietnam, progress was determined in a different way. Someone came up with the concept of the “body count.” Instead of measuring progress through captured territory, we measured success by how many casualties there were. If we inflicted more casualties than we received, we were making “progress.” Experts say that this view negatively affected our service personnel in Vietnam.

How do we measure progress in the church? Typically, we have adopted the “body count” mentality. If we have more bodies in the pews this week than last, we are making progress. If we are able to put “notches in our gun handle” to count the converts we have made, then we are successful and making progress.  By the way, certain Jewish teachers used to display the foreskins of the Gentile converts on their walking sticks.

Is that all we are about — just a body count? The numbers of which we boast or despair represent people. These people are the ones for whom Jesus died. These people are the ones who are to grow into fully devoted followers of Jesus. They are not just a statistic or a yardstick of progress.

The Great Commission has two parts. One is to make disciples. The other is to help these disciples mature in Christ.

Maybe there are other ways to measure our progress. Maybe there are spiritual factors that need to be considered as well as the numeric. Maybe we can measure our progress by fruit that is born. When love, joy, peace, etc. are displayed we can see progress where once we say hate, sadness, conflict, etc. This is harder than a head count, but maybe it is more accurate.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

One of the fascinating things about Jesus’ twelve disciples is the diversity of the group. How could this little band of men get along? No one was all that skilled with the word of God. None was rabbi material. Yet, Jesus chose them to change the world.

What did they have in common that drew Jesus to them? They certainly had differences. Some were fishermen; one was a pro-Roman tax collector; another was an anti-Roman Zealot. They argued regularly over their own greatness in the kingdom. What did they have in common?

One of their common characteristics was courage. The fishermen would go daily onto the Sea of Galilee. Not only was this a grueling work, it was hazardous. The Sea can be a deadly place and they risked their lives every time they ventured out (see “The Deadliest Catch” on TV for an idea of what they might have faced — without the ice and snow).

Matthew had to be courageous to collect taxes from his fellow Jews. We can imagine their disdain for him when he would turn their money over to the Romans. Simon the Zealot had to have courage to resist the Romans in any fashion.

Jesus took this imperfect rag tag band of men and molded them into fully devoted followers. He fanned the flame of their courage so that they would be able to deliver the good news to the world in the face of a relentless enemy. Along with courage he helped them develop faith in him.

366 times the Bible tells us not to fear. That’s once for every day of leap year. In this day and time we must muster our faith and courage to be fully devoted followers of Jesus and do what he invites us to do.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

During the 2004 Summer Olympics, Mike Phelps won six gold medals. In one event, his time was 51.25 seconds. The silver medalist finished .04 seconds later. The bronze medalist finished.01 seconds after the silver. The three finalists finished within .05 seconds of each other.

.05 seconds is not a big difference between the three, but what a big difference in outcome! Phelps went home with GOLD and countless financial opportunities. The other two went home with silver, bronze and memories of Greece.

God reminds us not to despise the day of small beginnings in Zechariah 4:10. Through a comparatively small group of Jewish emigrants God would rebuild his temple and his nation. Through these people the Messiah would come. God’s plan to redeem the world would work out. It started small but will end in a big way!

God has often started great things in small ways. Even Jesus’ entrance into the world was in a humble manner. Yet, he would do great things. Look at the impact of the son of God! He influenced the 11 apostles; the 120 disciples; the 3000 at Pentecost; and the daily additions to the church.

What are the little things we can do that may make a big difference in the long run? What might we overlook that seems insignificant to us? God can take these things and make an eternal impact!

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene