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

A dating website recently dropped 30,000 of its clients, refunding the payments some had made. The reason is that the 30,000 were not attractive enough for  membership. To become members, applicants are voted on by current members based on their physical appeal. There was a glitch in the system and numerous people slipped through the validation process only to be rejected a few weeks later.
 
Certainly a business can set up its guidelines, but think about some of the implications of this site. First, people are passing judgments on others based solely on external values. Have you ever known a “pretty person” who was hard to get along with? External beauty alone may not be all it’s cracked up to be. Second, this puts an enormous amount of importance on “peer pressure.” O how we criticize our children for worrying about what others think of them! Apparently we don’t easily grow out of this trap. Third, there is the neglect of the creative ability of God. Often we take credit for many things we have no control over. Where were you in your creation process?
 
God has created us in his image (Genesis 1.27). That makes us each valuable and beautiful! God showed us our value in giving Jesus for EACH one of us (John 3.16; Romans 5.8; Galatians 2.20). There are no rejects in the kingdom of God!
 
Keep The Light Burning!
Perry Greene
Preaching Minister
South Yukon Church of Christ

Is it hot enough for you? We don’t like the intense heat much and we will tell whoever will listen. But wait! It wasn’t too many days ago that we were complaining about sub-freezing temperatures. Maybe there is a pattern here.

The Hebrews were enslaved in Egypt and cried out. The Lord delivered them under the leadership Moses. Not too long after their liberation they began to complain. They expressed their distrust in God as well as Moses. They feared the Egyptians; they complained about the lack of food and water; they complained about the type of food; and they even wished they were back in Egyptian slavery.

The Apostle Paul warns earlier Christians (and us) about this danger in Philippians 2:14 (Amplified Bible), “Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves].” He goes on to say that by living without complaining and faultfinding we show ourselves to be God’s children in a wayward world.

No doubt Paul has in mind bigger things than the weather but even in the little things we need to stand out by blessing God instead of cursing. Is he not in control of all things? It is easy for me to criticize the Hebrews for their lack of faith and criticisms of God but I can also fall into the same trap. Instead of whining in self-pity, I should be dining on the words and promises of God!

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene