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

 We tend to try and create God into an image we can “live with.” These disciples had a picture of the Messiah that differed from reality. They were discouraged because they had invested heavily in Jesus and seemingly found that he did not live up to that expectation – one of reigning over an earthly kingdom in Israel.

On the road to Emmaus (Luke 24), Jesus displayed his reality to two disciples. He did so, first by using rabbinic questioning – “What things?” As they recounted the events around the crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus interjected teachings from the Hebrew Bible regarding the Messiah. All the way through the Bible shows that the Messiah had to do as he had done.

While eating the meal with them, he suddenly and clearly reveals himself. They understood and gained a new insight into who he was. They gained a new insight into who they were.

It is critical that we walk with Jesus. It is more critical that we walk with him even when things do not make sense to us. Life is burdensome. It tends to discourage us. It tends to break our spirits. This is where Jesus steps in. It is in the arena of confusion and discouragement (two of the Enemy’s best tools) where Jesus creates harmony and understanding. Jesus makes sense out of life for us. This is the reason we stay connected to him through reading the bible and prayer.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

 When I was a kid I built model airplanes and ships. I put together the Japanese Zero, the German Stuka dive bomber, the British Spitfire, the American Mustang and others. I would hang the planes from the ceiling in my room and let them have have imaginary dogfights. At one point I even put together a biplane or two.

I discovered that I could put the models together without reading the instructions but they did not look like the picture on the box and I generally had parts left over. When I started following the instructions an amazing thing happened. The models looked like the picture on the box AND, I used all of the pieces.

We typically view the Bible as a “Rule Book.” It contains facts to be believed and commands to be obeyed — like it or not. Too often that translates into a harsh view of God.

What if we changed our perception just a little? What if we saw the Bible as an Instruction Manual instead of a “rule book” or even a “text book” of facts?

There are still facts and commands but the feeling is a little different. Our actions are different. Instead of a drudgery, Bible study becomes a joy. There are remedies for our problems! There is a God who cares deeply that we know Him!

Why do we view the Bible as a harsh set of rules? Perhaps it is because of translation options. We have the ten commandments and the law of Moses (and Christ). Those words could have been translated as “instructions.” By translating as “command” or “law,” we perceive God as a celestial policeman waiting to pounce on us for even the smallest infraction.

However, if we see the words of God as “instructions,” we have a different view of Him. He still has standards. He still is holy and just. However, he is the respected Coach, leading us on to victory. It changes how we perceive God and his will. It is no longer, “I have to obey God.” It becomes, “I get to obey God.”

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

 Does it bother you how the traffic lights are set up? It seems to me, and this may just be my frustration speaking, that whenever I approach an intersection, the light nearly always changes to red. So, I have to stop and wait the allotted time in order to proceed.

It appears that the traffic lights are set up to stop traffic rather than have it flow safely. Stopping traffic is a good thing. If intersections were wide open, we would be in trouble. It reminds me of the story of the taxi driver in Mexico City. He would run red lights repeatedly. His passengers would scream in fear. He would assure them, “My brother does this all of the time.” Then he came to a green light and stopped. When the passengers asked why, he said, “My brother might be coming.”

Doesn’t there seem to be a better way? Why is it so hard to time the lights so that when you clear one intersection, you don’t have to stop one block later? If the lights were coordinated we would save time, gas, and those evil emissions.

You have been waiting for the application, so here goes. I know a lot of people who are like the “stop lights” and very few people who are like “traffic lights.” Most of us are set up to say, “No” or, “Stop.” Yet, Jesus wants us to “go.”

Jesus wants us to go in our spiritual lives to become who God made us. Sometimes there are “accidents” when we go, but it is never always safe. We have to go and try; then learn from our mistakes.

Jesus wants us to go in our relationship with others. We were not intended to live in isolation. So, we must develop proper people skills.

Jesus wants us to go in our relationship with God. How do you see God? We either see him as a permissive grandparent or as a tyrannical old man. While He has his limits, one of the most encouraging things about Him is that He is FOR US! He wants us to win and has done everything possible to secure that victory (see Romans 5:8; 8:31; John 3:16).

Jesus wants us to go with the good news. One of the reasons that Christians are not fulfilling the “Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-19; Mark 16:15) is because it does not feel like good news. It feels like we have come to yet another stop light.

Maybe we need to change our perception. Instead of following God JUST to cease sin, maybe we need to follow Him for the true life he offers. It is not easy, but it is the life of relational health, freedom from bondage, and fulfillment in service. God is not the “stop light” He is the “traffic light” to keep us going in His direction.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

 The Bible teaches us a great deal about purpose. Throughout its pages it reminds us that we have been created for God’s purposes. The wise man said,

“Now all has been heard;
       here is the conclusion of the matter:
       Fear God and keep his commandments,
       for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13

Whatever we do, wherever we go, we are to be obedient people. This is one of the key marks of God’s servants. It is essential that we make the right choices in harmony with Him. We must learn to resist the temptation to go our own way and do our own will. God knows best and his instructions give us the best possible lives. When we follow the course he has laid out for us, we are able to run the race and complete the task of sharing the good news that God is gracious.

Hear the apostle, “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace (Acts 20:24). His whole life and his whole person were wrapped up in being God’s man and fulfilling the purpose He had given him. Therefore, Paul was able to demonstrate that it was best (not easy) to follow Jesus and imitate His life.

What has the good news done for you? Of what can you testify? Has your relationship with God been better since you embraced it? Do you know more about who you are and why you are here?

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

P.S. This is my 200th post. Thanks for reading!

We often sing a song at our congregation called, “Make Me a Servant.” It has memorable sentiment in the words. “Make me a servant, make me like you; for you are a servant, make me one, too.”

If I am seeking to live the life of a servant, I will want to follow the example of THE Servant, Jesus. He came to serve, not to be served (see Mark 10:45). He showed that servant spirit in everything from washing feet at the last supper to healing the sick to raising the dead to sacrificing his life on the cross.

I heard a statement the other day that has caused me to reevaluate myself. The speaker said, “I want to be a servant, I just don’t want to be treated like one.” I can certainly identify. I wear the title, “Minister” (or “servant”), yet often don’t want to get my hands “dirty” with work that is “beneath” my elevated position.

It must be that I am trying to be like the disciples instead of the Master. They argued over greatness. Do you remember what Jesus told them? He said that the greatest would be the servant of all (Matthew 20:25-28).

Here is a scary thought. Sometimes we take on the mantra of a “servant,” not to actually serve, but to gain recognition as a “great one.” The reality is that when we pursue spiritual things with impure motives (i.e., what’s in it for me?), we lose the very thing we try to gain. When we serve from a pure heart we gain everything. Do you think that has something to do with saving and losing our lives (Matthew 10:39)?

I want to encourage us today to be servants. Serve, not in title, not in what we can get out of it, just serve. God deserves it; Jesus is honored by it; and people are better for it.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

 When I was about twelve I made the statement that I could not wait until I was sixteen so that I could drive a car. My dad made a profound statement. He said, “You are wishing your life away!” At the time I did not really understand what he was saying but in retrospect he was right. I can remember wishing it was time for the Navy to send us to a new location; that I could go to college; get married; get my first job; and so on. In the process I missed many of the blessings of the moment.

I am afraid that too often Christians get so caught up in wanting to go to heaven that we miss out on blessings – now. Jesus said that eternal life is knowing God and His Son (John 17:3). That is now as well as in heaven. John said that we have (present tense) eternal life (1 John 5:13).

Heaven is a reality for the followers of Jesus (John 14:6). However, we need not forget that God is present with us NOW. He wants to walk with us today as well as in heaven. If we are merely enduring life and waiting on heaven, we will fail to practice an active faith. We will miss out on the blessings God has provided in this world.

Jesus came to give us abundant life (John 10:10). Let’s really live. Let’s experience his life in our world – NOW. Don’t hold back!

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

  I found this story at Sermoncentral.com. I could not pass up sharing it with you — especially in light of what may be coming.

How much power can people in agreement have? The answer: the power of life and death. During the brutal reign of Joseph Stalin, who murdered thirty million Russians and bought godless communism to Russia, Stalin, let it be known that he planned to murder the Jews of Russia.

When the believers in England heard this report, they committed themselves to fasting and prayer for the Jews of Russia. Praying in the spirit, they found the Demonic forces that drove Joseph Stalin. Three weeks later, Joseph Stalin had a brain hemorrhage. Sixteen gifted brain surgeons worked on him for eight hours, and still Joseph Stalin stepped into eternity, on March 5, 1953, to meet the son of God, a Jewish rabbi from Bethlehem.

Pray! You can help change the world!

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene