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

I read the above words yesterday and it really struck a chord with me. When I think back to the major wars in US history, it is clear that the whole nation made sacrifices for the effort. Gas, food, and various other items were rationed so the troops could have the necessities to fight. Women went to work in factories, often for the first time, so that men could go into the Military and the manufacturing of equipment could continue.

Today, unless you have a loved one who is or can be in harm’s way, we have little conception of what is going on in Afghanistan or Iraq. We go about our day to day business with little or no thought to our young men and women putting their lives on the line for us. We do not think much about the fact that politicians are even keeping these brave warriors from fighting to win.

Maybe if we felt the pinch of war as a nation we would pull together. Maybe we would demand victory instead of mediocrity. Maybe we would want a quick victory instead of a drawn out conflict.

What is true in the physical world is true in the spiritual, also. Paul reminds us that we have a great struggle as Christians. In fact, he puts it on the level of war. The big difference, however is that we fight against principles, powers, and the unseen (read Ephesians 6:12).

To many Christians, the life of following Jesus is like a shopping trip to the mall. We might start early in the day, window shop for a while, see what we like, buy what we want, and discard the rest. We may even spend a little time at the Food Court to keep our energy up. All the while the war is raging and we are so busy acting like consumers of religion that we inadvertently  become casualties.

Paul refers to Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25); Timothy (2 Timothy 2:1-4); and Archippus (Philemon 1:2) as “soldiers.” What a privilege to be in this Army! Have you enlisted? Have you gone to battle? Remember, we are fighting in a war that involves spiritual conflict. Get into the battle, your fellow citizens need you.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

Richard and Mayumi Heene decided to deceive the nation by claiming their son Falcon was possibly in an experimental balloon that they launched from their back yard. After hours of anxious searching and worry, the boy turned up in the attic of their home. The country gave a collective sigh of relief. That is, until we discovered it was a hoax. The couple wanted to get a reality TV show and staged the event for publicity.

A list of spiritual lessons can be learned from this event. A key one is that of the danger of coveting. God explicitly states that we are not to “covet” in Exodus 20:17. James shows us that coveting often leads to greater sins in James 4:2. Desiring to have something that belongs to another (Acts 20:33; Joshua 7:21) may not seem all that bad on the surface. The trouble is, it grows to inflict great damage to peoples’ lives.

The Heene family may have coveted the fame or fortune of others. As a result, they tried to shortcut their way to success. In this case deception was used. This deception also led to endangerment of lives as the balloon headed for the local airport’s airspace. The deception involved poor parental example and .

Perhaps someone will grant their wish and give them a television show of their own. Would you watch a “reality” show of people whose word you could not trust? That seems like it would take some of the reality away. Yet another negative impact of a covetous spirit.

Keep The Light Burning!
Perry Greene

 There are a number of ways that the gospel writers point out that Jesus is the Messiah. One of the early thoughts about Messiah was that he would have healing in his “wings” (corners) of his garment (Malachi 4:2). The woman with the blood issue touched his fringes and was healed (Matthew 9:21). He would be a descendant of Abraham (Genesis 12:3) and Matthew (1:2) declares the fulfillment.

Each of the gospels records the feeding of the 5000 as a declaration of Jesus as Messiah. How amazing it would be to have (in their minds) a Messiah who could feed an army by multiplying food! To have a Messiah who could raise dead soldiers from a battle! To have a Messiah who could heal wounds received in a fight! The Romans could not stand against Israel if that were the case.

Perhaps Mark, in his account of the 5000, also gives a subtle affirmation of who Jesus was in Mark 6:39. The text says that Jesus told the people to sit in groups on the GREEN grass. Why is Mark the only one to add the grass’ color? Was it for a little drama? Could it be a reminder of Psalm 23 where the Lord makes us lie down in GREEN pastures? Jews ate in a reclining position. Thus, they were lying down in a green pasture when Jesus, the Lord, provided this feast.

What do we gain by Bible study? Is it just knowledge or is there more? What do you feel in your soul when you recognize that Jesus lived out his life fulfilling the word of God? Does it make you want to follow him more closely?

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

Years ago when the Star Trek series aired, Leonard Nimoy searched for something memorable for his character, Mr. Spock. The story goes that he went back to his Jewish background to find his unique contribution. If you have seen the shows, you know that he developed a blessing and a sign that all subsequent “Vulcans” have used.

Spock would say, “Live long and prosper.” As he said these words, he held up his hand with thumb extended and his fingers paired in a split. According to research, this was the way a Levitical priest blessed the people as in Numbers 6:22-27.

We read of blessings through the Bible. Isaac blessed Jacob; Jacob blessed Ephraim and Manasseh; and Jesus blessed his disciples. We know that this was a significant event of a father to son or a greater to a lesser. God (the greater) blessed Abraham (the lesser) in Genesis 12 and told him that he would “be a blessing.”

God has blessed us in Christ with all spiritual blessings! (See Ephesians 1:3-4). Those spiritual blessings are not meant to be hoarded, but shared. We have been blessed to bless.

Take time this week to bless someone. It may be a formal blessing, as a parent to a child. It may be an informal blessing of a cup of cold water in the name of Jesus. In whatever way it is, be a blessing and bless!

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene