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

If you put any ten chickens into a pen, an interesting thing happens in a short time. Through a series of skirmishes, a “pecking order” is established. Instinctively the chickens decide who the top chicken is all the way down to the lowly tenth place chicken.

This hierarchical thinking is not limited to the barnyard. It seems to be in every arena. It is in our businesses, schoolyards, sporting events, family picnics, class reunions, and even in our churches. There seems to be something in us to want to be the one to “call the shots.”

Jesus opposed the pecking order. Every time the disciples tried to set one, he stopped them (Luke 9:46-50; Mark 9:33-37; Luke 22:24-30). The bottom line for Jesus was not getting the prestige of power, but SERVING. He said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the last and servant of all (Mark 9:35).

How is that for radical leadership? It goes against our natural way of doing business. Yet, when we try it, it pays off. Why do we follow Jesus? It is because he became the servant to all of us and we want to go where he has gone. After all, HE knows how to get there!

Keep The Light Burning!

Dr. Perry Greene

Pulpit Minister

South Yukon Church of Christ

There is an old story of two men sharing a meal. One says, “You are my best friend. I really love you, brother!” The second man replies, “O yeah, if you really love me, tell me where I hurt.”

Mutually listening and regarding one another is key to true friendships. If we really love a person, we know where that person hurts. They know where we hurt. It is even true of our relationship with God.

Psalm 116:1-2 reads, “I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me,    therefore I will call on him as long as I live.” God knows our pain. He is the answer to our deepest plea.

Here is the interesting part – we reciprocate that same love and concern. We learn where God’s pain is. Then, because of our love for him, share in it.

God has pain regarding the lost state of people (Romans 10:1-2; John 3:16). He hurts when we do not fulfill the “law of Christ” by bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:1-2). He feels for those in need, even the least of his brothers (Matthew 25:31-46). When we neglect or violate his word we bring him sorrow (Psalm 119:105).

A relationship or covenant goes two ways. As friends of God, what shall we do when we know His pain? He knows ours and has provided aid. We know His and we . . . ?

Keep The Light Burning!

Dr. Perry Greene

Pulpit Minister

South Yukon Church of Christ

You have probably heard about Ted Williams by now. No, not the baseball star of bygone days, the homeless, unemployed radio announcer. He is no longer homeless or unemployed.

It is interesting that his story is really the story of each of us. Ted made some bad decisions. He trashed his life with drug abuse. His decisions created a downward spiral which cost him his relationships, his career, and his dignity.

He says that he found God in 2010 and that turned his life around. Instead of isolating himself from others, he reached out for help – not a handout but help. He advertised his professional voice on his homemade sign and was discovered. His “audition” demo went onto YouTube where literally millions of people heard that golden voice. Now he has more job opportunities than he can handle. He attributes his success to God and prayer.

Whether we admit it or not, this is our story, too. How many of us have decided to go our own way instead of God’s way? How many of us have found ourselves in a jam because we did not listen to God – we knew better than He. As a result we are down and out. Yet, God is the way back!

God has given us a significant choice. Notice his declaration to the Hebrews in Deuteronomy 30.19:

¹⁹I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live. That is our choice, too.

Keep The Light Burning!

Dr. Perry Greene

Pulpit Minister

South Yukon Church of Christ

An elderly man on the beach found a magic lamp. He picked it up and a genie appeared. “Because you have freed me,” the genie said, “I will grant you a wish.” The man thought for a moment and then responded, “My brother and I had a fight 30 years ago and he hasn’t spoken to me since. I wish that he’d finally forgive me.” There was a thunderclap, and the genie declared, “Your wish has been granted.” The genie continued, “You know that most men would have asked for wealth or fame. But you only wanted the love of your brother. Is it because you are old and dying?” “No way!” the man said. “But my brother is, and he’s worth about $60 million.”

Have you ever done the right thing for the wrong reason? Have you tried to appear one way so that you could manipulate people into your way? It is easy to do. Yet, there is a better way.

The Bible teaches us to do the right thing for the right reasons. Sometimes we must do what is right when it makes us uncomfortable. We tell the truth instead of lying. We hold our tongues instead of speaking wrongly (is that a trick or what? See James 1.26). There are many such examples for us to learn and live by.

Do you have relationships that you need to renew? Do you have sins you need to put behind you? Then, do what you need to do – just because it is right.

Keep The Light Burning!

Dr. Perry Greene

Pulpit Minister

South Yukon Church of Christ