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

We live in an amazing time. Technology simply astounds me. I grew up with three black and white TV channels (actually two black and white and one fuzzy blend); test patterns before cartoons on Saturday; AM radio only; and 8-Track tape decks. To see where we have come with cable; satellite radio; Mp3 players; cell phones; etc. is staggering.

Among David’s soldiers were men of Issachar who “understood the times” (1 Chronicles 12.32). I am not sure of all that was involved with these men, but I feel certain David adjusted his strategies according to their counsel. I doubt he used “sling and stone” strategy when bows and arrows were needed.

Today, George Barna and others have made careers understanding our times. They tell us that the strategies and methods of the 1950’s are generally irrelevant today. The military understands this and relies on satellites and laser-led missiles instead of muzzle-loading rifles. Do you remember when ”Gospel Meetings” and “Bus Ministry” were our key evangelism strategies?

We need to develop a new mindset. We need a new dependence on God as we sail into the uncharted waters of our times.  As we follow, he certainly would advise us to:

1. Study the times
2. Apply the unchanging gospel to our changing world (Hebrews 13.8)
3. Get over our discomfort with new methods
4. Get serious about reaching out to lost and broken people

It is not just about methods. It is not just about strategies or mission statements. It is about finding the most effective ways to take God’s message of love to the world.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

When theology professor, Dr. Joseph Haroutunian came to America from Armenia, a colleague suggested that he change his last name. He suggested something simpler like Harwood or Harwell. These would be easier to spell and pronounce and would help his career.

Haroutunian asked, “What do these names mean?”

His friend said, “Nothing, they are just easier to remember.”

Dr. Haroutunian then made a significant point, “In Armenia, when my grandfather was baptized, they named him, ‘Haroutunian’ which means, ‘Resurrection.’ I am Joseph Haroutunian and will be a son of Resurrection all of my days.”

As Christians, we become “children of the resurrection” through our faith in Jesus. Paul reminds us that Jesus is “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15.20). Since he has been raised from the dead, we will be as well.

We know that the resurrection of Jesus is the most significant event - ever. It has changed the course of the world. It changed the course of individuals throughout the ages. That empty tomb gives us new life and hope.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

 I am convinced that Small Group Ministry is key to the spiritual, emotional, and numerical growth of the church. Not everyone wants to be in a small group (for a plethora of reasons) but building Christian relationships is essential to our spiritual well being. Whether that occurs formally or informally, it is essential. I ran across this story by K. Edward Skidmore at www.sermoncentral.com (it may be just a “Preacher story”), but it makes a great point.

A Preacher decided to experiment with changing some sad statistics in his church. He made a list of 12 people who had recently been baptized in their church, and then he and his wife invited them over. Naturally, these new Christians were thrilled to be invited to their Preacher’s house. They were excited about their new connection with the Lord and with His Church.

After supper the Preacher sat down with this group of enthusiastic new Christians — and he asked them an unexpected question. He asked if they would like for him to predict their futures for the next 2 or 3 years.

They were a little surprised at that offer, but they all said “yes”
— so, the Preacher made this prediction: “As I look at the 12 of you, I must predict, that … statistically speaking — in the next 2 or 3 years —

2 of your marriages will break up — and your feelings of shame will cause you to leave the church
3 of you will have conflict with someone in the church and you, also, will leave the church
1 of you will experience tragedy and lose faith. You, too will leave the church.
2 of you will have some sort of moral failing and will leave the church.
2 of the 4 remaining will simply lose interest and drift away from the church … for no obvious reason.

In two or three years, out of this group of 12 …

• … only 2 of you will still be attending church —
• — and only 1 of you will still be attending THIS church.

There was dead silence in the room. All these wide-eyed new Christians looked around at each other as if to say, “How could that happen to us?”

Finally, one of them spoke up and asked, “What can we do to change those statistics?”

The Preacher was waiting to hear that question. He had his answer ready. He said, “You can get together and as a group decide that you are not going to let anyone go.”

That is exactly what they did.

These strangers — who had never been together until that gathering at the Preacher’s home — formed themselves into a Small Group. Week by week they came to really KNOW each other. They supported each other through the tragedies, divorces, conflicts, and moral failings. In 4 years of meeting together, only 1 person left the church. That small caring group changed the Statistics from losing 10 out of 12 to losing only 1 out of 12.

What are your priorities? Do you want to GROW as a Christian? Do you want to show LOVE to others? Taking time to meet with a Small Group is one of the best ways to make progress in your Christian life.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

The Christian calendar marks Sunday, March 16 as “Palm Sunday.” It is the day many churches will remember Jesus’ “triumphal entry” into Jerusalem. There are many details in this event that are useful to our understanding of him as the Messiah.

Each gospel writer records this event. You may read of it in Matthew 21:1-9; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:28-44; and John 12:12-15. The writers remind us that, as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the borrowed donkey, he fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. We are also reminded that he came from the direction of the wilderness (beyond Bethany) which was a fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 40. But, there is more.

Remember the occasions when Jesus told his mother, the disciples, and others that his time had not yet come? When we read of this event, we know why he waited to be crucified. God used the symbolism of this week to illustrate what he was doing in his son. Take a minute and read Leviticus 23:4-14 before continuing.

Remember that the Passover symbolized the deliverance of the Hebrews from Egypt. That feast was to take place on the fourteenth day of the first month. Notice in the reading that on the tenth day of the first month the people were to select their lamb for sacrifice at Passover. Among the things taught by the “triumphal entry” is that GOD had selected his LAMB on the tenth day to be sacrificed on what we refer to as “Good Friday.” This was “Lamb Selection Day” and Jesus was indeed “the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”

In addition, Jesus would be in the tomb as the Feast of Unleavened Bread began on the fifteenth day of the first month. It was a reminder of Jesus’ sinlessness and that the grains of wheat must be planted in the ground. Here is when it gets exciting — The Feast of First Fruits occurs the day after the Sabbath after Passover. That could be one to six days, depending on the year. We easily see the fulfillment of this feast in that Jesus is God’s “first fruits from the dead” (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). The Jews were to present the initial grains of their crop to God as an act of faith. God presents his son as his first fruits as a sign of his promise of life to us.

There are few years that all three of these feasts would occur on the same weekend. The year that Jesus died was one of those rare years. He would be in the tomb three days — just like he said. He would visually fulfill the symbolism of the three feasts at the same time.

This was no coincidence. Jesus fulfilled prophecy after prophecy. He lived out the words of God. He displayed the life God wants us to live. Do you select the Lamb this “Lamb Selection Day”?

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

Over the years I have been involved in Small Group Ministry in a number of ways. I have led groups and I have led programs. One of the on-going necessities that I have observed is the need for an apprentice (or co-leader) within each group.

We can easily see the value of a Leader who will contact his/her group each week; pray for group members; study; and lead the group discussions. However, the apprentice plays a vital role in group’s growth and multiplication. The apprentice gains experience with the leader and when the group grows large enough, he/she will lead the new group that is established from the initial group.

To provide the necessary experience, the group leader can delegate responsibilities to the apprentice. Not only does this provide important experience, it helps the leader avoid burnout. The group leader then leads the group, and also becomes a trainer for the apprentice. This follows the 2 Timothy 2:2 pattern.

If you are leading a small group, be sure you have an apprentice/co-leader. Give the apprentice opportunities to gain experience and grow. As your group grows, assist the apprentice in leading the new group. Then find a new apprentice. Keep passing the baton!

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

  I read that a number of years ago a young man was one of 200 who applied for a job with a major company. The application process included a test of creativity.  One question was:You are driving your car on a wild, stormy night. You pass a bus stop and see three people waiting for the bus. They are:

• 1. An older woman who looks as if she is about to die;
• 2. An old friend who once saved your life;
• 3. The perfect woman (or man) you have been dreaming about.

Which one do you choose to give a ride, knowing that you only have one seat in your car?

You could pick up the older woman, because she is going to die, and thus you should save her first; or you could take the old friend because he once saved your life, and this would be the perfect chance to pay him back. However, you may never be able to find your perfect dream lover again.

The young man who got the job had no trouble coming up with an “out of the box” answer. He said, “I would give my car keys to my friend and let him take the older lady to the hospital. I would stay behind and wait for the bus with the woman of my dreams.”

Jesus came with a different perspective than his contemporaries. He had a radically different approach to our relationship with God and one another. Whoever heard of a world built on love? Jesus taught it and we are to live it (Matthew 22:34-40).

Think outside the world’s box. See things the way Jesus sees them then live them out. His first disciples “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). What can we do with a little faith and a little creativity?

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene