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

  Super Bowl Sunday!  Just the sound of the words excites most Americans men and even a few women.  The hype has even gone world-wide.  It is one of the biggest events on the planet.This Sunday, two coaches will be motivating their teams.  Undoubtedly they will make a statement like, “This is what we have trained for all year - for all of our lives!”  Then they will go onto the field to play a game.

Christians encounter many challenges.  We meet everything from minor disappointments to death itself in faith.  These encounters are what we train for.  Whether it is large or small, we exercise our faith.  This is not a game.  We are dealing with life and eternity.  These things will last whereas Super Bowl Champions come and go.  By the way, who won the Super Bowl in 1975?  No peeking.

Jesus came to do his Father’s will.  He said, “Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” (John 12.27-28).  This is what he “trained” for.

Keep training (James 1.2-4).  Keep running (Hebrews 12.1-2).  Don’t quit when we face the challenges, big or small.  This is what we have trained for!

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

In Matthew 5:13, Jesus describes us as the “salt of the earth.” This is a powerful description of who we are to be in our world. As I think about the description, I wonder why Jesus did not just call us ’salt.’ Why did he add, ‘of the EARTH’ to the statement?

We have heard sermons about how salt is a preservative; how it gives seasoning to food; how it is a medical aid; and even how it is able to melt the ice. That does not have to be ’salt of the earth.’ That could be other salts, too. In fact, I season my food with sea salt and it has many of the same characteristics as other salts.

Perhaps there are a couple of things that we can add to the expression. First, ’salt of the earth’ is mixed with the earth. As Christians, we do not generally want to ‘dirty ourselves’ in the sinful world. Yet, that is what Jesus has called us to do. We are to go and season the world and we cannot do that in the salt shaker. We have to mix with the earth to fulfill our function.

Second, Jesus is giving us the task that he began. He is not sending his people anywhere he did not first go. It is thought that the stable in which Jesus was born was a dirty place. There were possibly layers of animal dung and other kinds of filth present when Mary gave birth to the Son of God. Certainly Jesus saw the very worst of man during his public ministry and, especially in the crucifixion event. Yet he came to a dark, sin-stained, ugly world to give it life. He sends us to do the same.

The principle to which Jesus alludes is seen in other ways. In Matthew 13 he describes the kingdom of God as leaven in a lump of dough. It has to mix with the dough in order to do its job.

We do not have the luxury of isolating ourselves from the world in which we live. We cannot retreat into our “ivory tower” and expect to impact people. It is only when we mix with the earth (or dough) that we have the seasoning, preserving, healing impacts.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

I ran across the following story in Beyond the First Visit by Gary L. McIntosh:

The bubonic plague terrorized the city of Carthage, North Africa in AD 252. People died all over the city. Due to the stench of death and disease, people resisted helping one another. No one wanted to contract the illness, so they isolated themselves.

There was a dedicated church in the city that committed to caring for people. They invested in the people of Carthage and came to their rescue. These people chose to lay down their lives in the face of the plague to save some from the terrible disease. They referred to themselves as the “Risk Takers.”

They followed the daring example of Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25-27). As a result of their loving acts of kindness, they made a lasting impact on the entire city. Carthage was saved by the “Risk Takers.”

The third century “Risk Takers” truly risked everything for the good of others. They risked their health and literally, their lives. Yet, they were greatly successful.

We may not be called to go to a plague-infested city. We are called to the risky business of serving others. We risk being infected by the “world virus.” We risk taking our eyes off of Jesus. We risk comfort and security — all for others.

Are you willing to take the risks? Are you willing to put yourself on the line for others? Aren’t you glad Jesus and his disciples were willing?

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene