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

The recent wave of severe storms that swept through our communities caused great loss – more for some than others. We saw the events in Alabama, Missouri, and now here at home in Oklahoma. Our hearts and prayers go out to those who suffered injury, loss of life and loss of property.
 
For all of us, the storms brought the more than subtle reminder of how very little we can control. Who can harness the storm? Who can direct the tornado? We are reminded of our total dependence on God every day of our lives. One day the weather is calm, the next it is stormy, the next it may be deadly.
 
A man once asked his teacher when he should repent. The teacher told him that he should repent on the day before the last day of his life. The man correctly asked, “But how will I know when the last day of my life will be?” the teacher responded, “You cannot, so repent every day.”
 
There are few things we have much control over. We can control our part of our relationship with God. The Bible reminds us of his nearness: “‘in him we live and move and have our being’;” (Acts 17.28). Stay close to God no matter what may come!

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

 How did you feel when you heard the news about this enemy of America? Maybe you felt relief. Maybe you felt gratitude towards the warriors who risked their lives in finding him. Maybe you felt some exuberance at the thought of one less enemy.

The Bible teaches that there is great joy in the presence of God when a sinner repents and returns to him (Luke 15.7). I wonder what the atmosphere of heaven is when one does not repent and then through death returns to him. Do you suppose there is sadness for the impenitent in the same proportion as the joy of the penitent? Do you think God is delaying the return of Jesus and the accompanying judgment of the world because he does not want any to be lost (Luke 12.49-50; 1 Peter 3.21)?

Don’t get me wrong, I fancy myself a bit of a patriot. I am all for meting out justice to people who initiate and rejoice in the suffering and deaths of innocent people. However, it bothers me to think about the sorrow that must be in heaven when anyone enters eternity without a Christ-based relationship with God.

We serve an unimaginable God. He is filled with grace and longsuffering toward us. However, he is also a just God who will one day rightly judge the world. Will we live our lives so that there is joy over us or sorrow?

Keep The Light Burning!

Dr. Perry Greene

Preaching Minister

South Yukon Church of Christ