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

Recently I heard that the “Arbeit Macht Frei” sign that stood at the entrance to the Auschwitz concentration camp was stolen. Literally thousands of Jews lost their lives at the hands of Nazi atrocities there. The prisoners were used as slave labor until they were used up. Then they were exterminated and their bodies cremated.

The sign’s words are translated to English as, “Work Makes Free.” This was a Nazi lie. It was intended to trick the Jews into thinking that if they just worked hard enough, they would gain their freedom. In the end, most of them perished.

This reminds me of one of Satan’s lies, “Work for Salvation.” He uses any number of ways to get us to believe that if we work hard enough, God will love us more. If we work hard enough, we gain eternal life.

Our God has always been a God of grace. He chose the Israelites and led them out of Egypt through the Sea to Sinai. He gave them the option as to whether or not they would follow Him. When they accepted His invitation, He gave them His conditions and instructions. Obeying God declares one’s love for Him. Thus, if the Hebrews kept the Ten Commandments, they showed their love and had a better life than the pagans who surrounded them.

The same message carries over to the followers of Jesus Christ. He said that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments (John 14:15). The apostle John reminds us that the love of God is keeping His commandments which are not burdensome (see 1 John 5:3). Obeying God is a joy, not a burden.

Why would someone steal the “Arbeit Macht Frei” sign? Maybe they will sell it on Ebay and make some money. Maybe they want the world to forget the atrocities to innocent people. Maybe the Enemy has yet another trick up his sleeve. Be sure you know God and keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

Last weekend I took some vacation time and participated in “Christmas at Old Ft. Concho” in San Angelo, Texas. This is an old Indian Wars fort that was constructed in 1867 and closed in 1889. Some great Americans served there.

This is an annual event in which a variety of reenactors turns out. There are “Mountain Men,” Civil War types, Indians, Indian Wars soldiers, and even some Spanish American War soldiers. The community comes out to buy Christmas gifts in the shops and to see demonstrations from the various eras of American history.

This year, the weather surprised us with SNOW and FREEZING temperatures! (Listen closely and you’ll hear my teeth chattering — maybe this years event shoud have been called ‘Christmas at COLD Ft. Concho’). I could not help but think, as I huddled on my bunk in the barracks, of how intelligent and tough our American ancestors had been. They were able to brave the elements and the various hostiles to establish a country “from sea to shining sea.” They did it without the use of modern technology or comforts! I doubt a little cold weather slowed them down.

Then my thoughts turned to our ancestors in the faith. Our brothers and sister of old did a phenomenal thing. They took the gospel to their world in ONE generation! They did not have the communication devices we have. Nor did they did have our advanced transportation. How did they do it? Simply put, one person told another and another and another. Suddenly the gospel filled their world (2 Timothy 2:2; Philippians 1:13; Acts 17:6).

What would it take to get the gospel to our world? It is the same process now as then.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene