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

When my daughter was young we often flew back from Texas to visit her grandparents in Tennessee and Kentucky.  On one flight, when the flight attendant gave her mandatory instructions, my daughter became upset. You see, the attendant told us that if we had need for oxygen masks, to put ours on first and then help our children.  In my daughter’s mind, she should be taken care of first.  In reality, if the adults take care of themselves first, they are more capable of taking care of their children.

That principle holds true in many situations.  Elders; Deacons; Teachers; HOME Group Leaders (etc.) need to take this to heart. As they lead groups, teach lessons, shepherd, and serve, they must not neglect themselves.  One of the best things church leaders can do for the church is to maintain a strong relationship with God.  The stronger they are, the more able they will be to lead and help others, especially in times of need.

Church Leaders, regardless of your capacity, let me encourage you to take the time to study God’s word – just for you.  Take the time to pray, not only for your others’ needs, but for yours as well.  Take time to practice spiritual disciplines.  Take the time to worship in spirit and truth.  You will be glad you did and so will your Church Family!

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

A key element of Christianity is community. God never intended that we go through the Christian life alone. Rather, he determined that we serve him in the “called out” communities we refer to as, churches.

When Jesus called his disciples, he used the plural, “you all” follow me (Matthew 4:19)( Southern people have no difficulty grasping this). Not only did he call them in the plural, he sent them in the plural. “Go ye” in Matthew 28:18 (KJV) means “you ALL go.” Paul refers to the church as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16). He emphasizes that we are together that temple.

Over and over the Bible reminds us of our need for others. We need to give and receive encouragement. We need to give and receive support. We need to pray for others and have others pray for us. We need to speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual song. These things cannot occur in isolation. Even in the beginning Adam felt the need for human companionship.

While we have individual responsibilities in following God, we have collective ones, too. Each of us has a responsibility to be living parts of God’s house (1 Peter 2:5). As God’s house (family) we are obliged to be a light to our world – together. WE are to embrace GOD’S mission – together.

Who is building you up? With whom are you serving? Who are you encouraging? It takes a community to raise a child of God.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

We remember that Adolf Hitler was a vile, wicked person. It is safe to say that he was easily one of the world’s greatest ego-maniacs. I recently read that when he needed a chauffeur he interviewed over thirty men for the position. He finally chose the shortest man of the group, even though the man required blocks on his feet to reach the peddles. One of the reasons (probably the main one) was that this short man made Hitler appear taller. In fact, Hitler surrounded himself with people who made him look better than he really was.

The Bible teaches a different purpose for our lives. The apostle Paul teaches us to consider others as more significant than ourselves (Philippians 2:3-4). In Christ, our roles become that of helping others “look good” and succeed, rather than trying to use them for our own advantage.

Reciprocity occurs in the actions of our lives. When we help others, others help us. When we treat others better than ourselves, they will likewise treat us in a similar way. The result is, we have helped them become better and they have helped us. It becomes win-win.

How’s your ego? Are you trying to look better by putting others down? Or, are you trying to BE better by lifting others up?

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene