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

People from all over the world have photographed the spectacular “Mount Taranaki” in New Zealand. Many days of the year clouds obscure the view. Once they have lifted people are amazed at the sight.

This is how I often feel about studying the Bible. There are magnificent truths there. Some of these are very simple and easily seen. Some, however, seem to be covered with a veil of mystery. When this is lifted and we clearly see the realities that God shows us, we are awe-struck by His beauty.

Jesus spoke of eating of his body and drinking of his blood in John 6. Some of his disciples said that it was a “hard (difficult) saying” and walked away from him. When his closest disciples refused to leave Peter gave the reason, “To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,” (6:68).

There is no doubt that Peter and the other disciples had experienced “seeing” the truths of God displayed in the life of Jesus. They saw his glory at the mount of transfiguration. They heard the Father’s voice at his baptism and witnessed the Holy Spirit’s descent to him as a dove. They saw Jesus as the Son of God.

You and I have an exciting task before us. It requires great determination and perseverance. We have the opportunity to learn the things of God by tenacious study of His Word. Some things are easy – some things require more time and effort. In the end we see a spectacular God!

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

South Yukon Church of Christ

In every culture, there are words that have special meaning to that culture. In America we know the meaning of phrases like:

• “It is raining cats and dogs.”
• “She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth.”
• “You are pulling my leg.”
• “Stop pushing the envelope!”
• “Just cool your heels!”

If someone from outside our country translated those idioms literally into their language the translation would not make sense to the readers. The idea of raining cats and dogs would be confusing.

The same is true of the Bible. There are words and phrases in the original language that we don’t understand because we are reading a translation. Consider:

• What is the “Green Tree” Jesus spoke of in Luke 23:31?
• What is the “Good Eye” in Matthew 6:22-23?
• What is the “Finger of God” in Matthew 12:22-30?
• How did Jesus “Set His Face” in Luke 9:51?

In the next few weeks we will note some of the “idioms” used in the Bible. Perhaps we will gain deeper insights as a result of the study.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

1. Back in the “barn-storming” day a stunt pilot sold rides in his biplane. He got into an argument with a tightwad who wanted to take his wife along for no extra charge. Finally the pilot agreed – on one condition. The man or his wife could not speak a single word throughout the trip – if they did, the price would double.

The pilot took them through all sorts of stunts and maneuvers that would make most people tremble. The passengers did not say a word. The pilot finally landed. As the cheapskate climbed out of the plane, the pilot said, “You are amazing. I made moves up there that even frightened me. You must have incredible self-control.”

The man thanked the pilot and then said, “I must admit that there was one time you almost got me.” “When?” – “When my wife fell out of the plane.”

2. Self-control is our final aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit

a. Difficult for us – maybe why it is at the end

b. Not unique to us

i. Felix – And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” Acts 24.25

ii. Roman Empire was successful with discipline and self-control; fell with self-indulgence and an “anything goes” mentality

iii. Ben Franklin – “He is a governor who governs his passions; and he is a servant that serves them.”

3. Self-Control requires strength because it is hard to say NO to SELF

a. Jack Paar – “Looking back, my life seems to be one long obstacle course . . . with ME as the chief obstacle.”

b. D.L. Moody was asked, “Of all the people you have come in contact with, who gives you the most trouble?” He replied, “D.L. Moody. I have the most trouble with myself.”

4. Self-Control requires great strength because it requires saying YES to what must be done

Tom Landry – The role of the coach is to make men do things they don’t want to do – to achieve the results they want to achieve.”

5. 1 Corinthians 9.24-27

I. Self-Control Involves Purpose – 9.24

A. Run to Win – Purpose – ALL of us can win, not just one

B. We May Lack Self-Control if we lack Purpose (Goals)

1. We want health – no goals – no health

2. We want money – no goals – no wealth

3. We want healthy relationships – no goals; no results

4. We want a Spirit-filled life – no goals; no life

Goals/Purpose help in developing self-control

Reason we keep looking to Yeshua (Jesus) – Hebrews 12.1-2

II. Self-Control Involves Discipline – 9.25

“Hit under the eye” – Knockout punch to self

A. Training for Contests

1. Different contests require different kinds of training – swimming vs. weightlifting

2. Merv Griffin Show – Bodybuilder – Merv asked what he used his muscles for – Bodybuilder stood up and flexed – “What do you use them for?” Bodybuilder was confused – only purpose was to show off his muscles – muscles are intended for more

B. God’s Initiative

1. Crete – One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” Titus 1.12

2. God Breaks in – ¹¹For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, ¹²training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, ¹³ waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. 2.11-14

a. Grace Redeems Us (11, 14a)

b. Grace Reforms Us (12, 14b)

c. Grace Rewards Us (2.13)

III. Self-Control Involves Focus – 9.25-27

A. Begins in the Mind – Romans 12.1-2 (be transformed by the renewing of your mind)

1. Sore muscles – strong mind overrules

2. Victor Frankl – Psychologist; spent time in Nazi concentration camp; “They stripped me naked. They took everything – my wedding ring, my watch. I stood there naked and all of a sudden realized at that moment that although they could take everything away from me – my wife, my family, my possessions – they could not take away my freedom to choose how I was going to respond.”

B. Is Greater Than We Are – Galatians 5.22

1. Do not be disqualified – performance-enhancing drugs

2. Key – leadership of Yeshua (Jesus)

1. As President, LBJ was somewhat overweight. One day his wife challenged him with a blunt assertion, “You can’t run the country if you can’t run yourself.” The President proceeded to lose 23 pounds.

2. The 9 aspects of the Fruit of the Spirit do not represent our work – it is the work of the Holy Spirit (Greeks wanted to master themselves; Hebrews wanted God to master them)

3. Who is controlling your self? – Galatians 2.20

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

4. We may have enough Christianity to be miserable – trying to do it on our own

5. Galatians 5.23 – no Torah against this

a. Not opposed by Torah

b. Legalists cannot demand control

c. Inside – Jeremiah 31.31-34

³¹ “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, ³²not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD. ³³ But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. ³⁴And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

A retired person became interested in the construction of an addition to a shopping mall. Observing the activity regularly, he was especially impressed by the conscientious operator of a large piece of equipment. The day finally came when he had a chance to tell this man how much he’d enjoyed watching his exceptional workmanship. Looking astonished, the operator replied slowly, “You’re not the supervisor?”

Have you noticed how important it is to keep the proper perspective on things? When churches assemble we are reminded that the “audience” is not in the pews and the “performers” are not on the stage. God is the audience and we all are the performers. We must keep the perspective or we distort the reality of our relationship to God.

An elderly man owned a 1965 Ford Mustang which he purchased brand new. For all those years he kept it in his garage and only brought it out for a drive on special sunny summer days. What caused him to act so unusually? It was his perspective – the car was his treasure!

How do we see our relationship with the living God? Is it a treasure? Is it a burden? It is a matter of perspective. God sees us as special to him (John 3:16). How do we view him?

Take time to read: Matthew 6:19-21; 13:44; 2 Corinthians 4:7-12. Remember that from God’s viewpoint our relationship is a treasure!

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

Preaching Minister

South Yukon Church of Christ

There is a story about Earl Weaver, former manager of the Baltimore Orioles. Weaver had a rule that no one could steal a base unless given the steal sign. This upset one of his star players, Reggie Jackson, because he felt he knew the pitchers and catchers well enough to judge who he could and could not steal off of. So one game he decided to steal without a sign. He got a good jump off the pitcher and easily beat the throw to second base. As he shook the dirt off his uniform, Jackson smiled with delight, feeling he had vindicated his judgment to his manager.

Later Weaver took Jackson aside and explained why he hadn’t given the steal sign. First, the next batter was Lee May, his best power hitter other than Jackson. When Jackson stole second, first base was left open, so the other team walked May intentionally, taking the bat out of his hands. Second, the following batter hadn’t been strong against that pitcher, so Weaver felt he had to send up a pinch hitter to try to drive in the men on base. That left Weaver without bench strength later in the game.

The problem was, Jackson saw only his relationship to the pitcher and catcher. Weaver was watching the whole game. We, too, see only so far, but God sees the bigger picture. When he sends us a signal, it’s wise to obey, no matter what we may think WE know.

In our Search for Significance we come to the real beginning – developing an understanding of what GOD is about –

¹³The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. ¹⁴For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12.13-14

Getting the Big Picture – Colossians 3.1-4

To Get the Picture we must:

1. I. Renew Our Lives – 3.1a; Romans 6.1-4)

¹What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? ²By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? ³Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

A. To Be Raised Up We Must Go Down – 3.3a; Galatians 2.20

1. Die To Sin (Romans 6.2b)
2. Die To the Guilt of Sin ¹³ And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, ¹⁴by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2.13-14 – [“King of the Jews]
3. Die To Self in order to become servants of God

B. Starting Over

1. Can’t go back and redo; can begin again
2. Nicodemus – “You must be born again.” – confusion
3. Normally – proselytes (circumcision; sacrifice; mikveh)
4. New Identity – “Ben Abraham”
5. New Family – “Jew” – we have been grafted in also – Romans 11
6. New Start

There’s a custom amongst some of the churches in Africa that (after they’re baptized) they burn their old clothes and then put on a new white robe to show our new position in Christ.

When we become Christians, we need to change our clothes. Our old way of living life is like filthy garments that need to be taken off & burned. Then we need to cloth ourselves with Christ, like a new and beautiful garment.

C. Church is not a place for “good” people who do not need God; it is a place for “bad” people who do need God and forgiveness

 

II. Renovate Our Perspective – Seek the Above – 3.1b-2

April 17, 1964 something unique and noteworthy took place in America… That event was the introduction of the Ford Mustang. On that day the following events took place:

1. A Ford Mustang had been chosen as the pace car for a stock car race in Huntsville, Alabama. When it drove onto the track, thousands of people scaled the retaining wall to get a better look at it and the race was delayed for over an hour.

2. A cement truck crashed through the plate-glass window of a Seattle Ford dealer when the driver lost control of his vehicle. The reason: He was staring at the new Mustangs on display there.

3. A Chicago Ford dealer was forced to lock the doors of his show-room models because too many people were trying to get into them at the same time.

4. A New Jersey Ford dealer had only one Mustang and 15 eager buyers, so he auctioned it off. The winner of the auction insisted on sleeping in the car to be sure the dealer didn’t sell it to someone else before his check cleared.

APPLY: Why did they do all this? They did all of this because of a Ford mustang!

BUT it was THE car they wanted to see.

It was THE car they wanted to have.

It stood for everything they ever wanted in a vehicle

I heard about a man in his 70’s who kept a vintage Mustang in his shed. He drove it ONLY on nice summer days. But otherwise he kept it the shed… and it was in mint condition. It was the car of his dreams. He had literally fallen in love with that vehicle and his love for that car caused him to behave in ways he NEVER would for any anything else in his life.

A. The Person of Yeshua – Deserves Our Affection (3.2)
1. He Is Seated at the Right Hand of God
2. [High Priest – entered the Most Holy Place on Yom Kippur – he did not sit – no chair – work continued each year; Yeshua has entered the REAL MHP and sat down – atonement is complete
   a. Know OF Yeshua (Jesus)
   b. KNOW Yeshua (Jesus) – Matthew 7.21-23

²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ ²³ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

B. The Priorities of Yeshua – Demand Our Attention
1. Kingdom of God – Matthew 6.33
2. Bigger than a Ford Mustang

III. Reorder Our Lives (3.3B)

A. Call to Discipleship

1. More than becoming “converts” – Disciples
2. Imitation – 1 Corinthians 11.1
3. Talmud – Make Many Disciples
4. Yeshua (Jesus) – Matthew 28.18-20

B. Call to Serve

Dave Thomas, Founder of Wendy’s Hamburgers, “I got my MBA long before my GED. I even have a photograph of me in my MBA graduation outfit; a snazzy knee length work apron. I guarantee you that I’m the only founder among America’s big companies whose picture in the corporate annual report shows him wielding a mop and a plastic bucket. That wasn’t a gag; it was a case of leading by example. At Wendy’s, MBA does not mean Master of Business Administration. It means Mop Bucket Attitude. It’s how we define satisfying the customer through cleanliness, quality food, friendly service, and atmosphere.”

1. Yeshua (Jesus) and the towel

¹³ You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. ¹⁴If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. ¹⁶Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. John 13.13-16

1. We are on Yeshua’s (Jesus’) Mission

Pony Express riders had ONE assignment – deliver the message safely and quickly. They seized every advantage – shortest route; fastest horse; lightest saddle. Only the sturdy were hired – young and orphaned preferred.

Those selected received $125/month, a Colt revolver, a lightweight rifle, a bright red shirt, blue pants, and 8 hours to cover 80 miles; 6 days/week. It was hard work, but the message had to be delivered.

1. Paul understood the mission – Romans 1.14-16; do we?

¹⁴ I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. ¹⁵So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. ¹⁶For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

IV. Ready for the Return (3.4)

A. Jericho – A Picture of the Second Coming (Joshua 2and 6)

1. Joshua (Yeshua) is their leader
2. His second time in the Promised Land
3. Marching strategy –

¹²Then Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD. ¹³And the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD walked on, and they blew the trumpets continually. And the armed men were walking before them, and the rear guard was walking after the ark of the LORD, while the trumpets blew continually. ¹⁴And the second day they marched around the city once, and returned into the camp. So they did for six days.

¹⁵On the seventh day they rose early, at the dawn of day, and marched around the city in the same manner seven times. It was only on that day that they marched around the city seven times. ¹⁶And at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, “Shout, for the LORD has given you the city. Joshua 6.12-16

B. The Second Coming in Detail (1 Thessalonians 4.13-18)

¹³But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. ¹⁴For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁵For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. ¹⁸Therefore encourage one another with these words.

A pilot’s flying over a mountainous terrain, and as he’s flying, he looks down to see two vehicles driving down the highway.

The first vehicle is a semi-trailer, pulling his load up and down the highway. The second vehicle is a sports car driven by a guy who’s got better things to do than be stuck behind a semi that can’t always maintain the speed limit up the mountain grades.

Well, what the pilot can see that the drivers can’t is that there is no traffic coming the other way. The car could easily pass the truck with no danger.

The problem is that neither the truck nor the car driver can see that. They can only see what’s immediately in front of them.

They can’t see the big picture.

You see, we only see things from the perspective of the created, not the Creator. We don’t see the big picture. Only God does.

So it is in the Kingdom of God – We battle our egos; we make our decisions –

We must keep the big picture:

God made us; Christ died for us; he rose from dead; we are here to advance his cause

Every year around the anniversary of our Independence Day I cannot help but think back to the Founding Fathers. They certainly risked their “lives, fortunes, and sacred honor” to establish this country. The driving force for their efforts was an unwavering faith in the living God.

John Adams (who was to become our first Vice President and second President) developed a friendship with Dr. Benjamin Rush (a leading educator; the “Father of American Medicine,” he also began the Sunday School movement in America). Early in the Revolution, during a meeting of the Continental Congress, Dr. Rush asked Mr. Adams, “John, do you really think we can overcome Great Britain in this struggle?” Adams responded, “Yes we can, if we fear God and repent of our sins.”

I hear a lot today about our rights as Americans. MY free speech; MY right to bear arms; MY, MY, MY. I don’t hear much about fearing God and repenting of our sins. I don’t hear much about getting back to the foundation of America for which our Founders were willing to sacrifice. That foundation was God in every aspect of life.

This is why Dr. Rush and others established Bible societies. This is why the BIBLE was taught in our PUBLIC schools. This was actually the reason we had public schools.

July 4 should be more than a day off. It is a good time to read the Declaration of Independence. It is a time time to visualize the struggle for our freedom.

Let us appreciate what those patriots sacrificed to give us. Then take up the mantle of freedom in God for this generation.

Keep The Light Burning!
Perry Greene
Preaching Minister
South Yukon
Church of Christ

Well, did she get away with it or is she innocent? The Florida jury decided that Casey Anthony did not murder or abuse her two year old daughter, Caylee. The verdict is in and cannot legally be changed.
 
This puts us in memory of another high profile case. Did O.J. kill his wife? The jury said, “No.” The debate still rages.
 
Maybe Casey and O.J. committed the crimes they were accused of and got away with murder; maybe not. In either case we are mindful that there is a Judge before whom they will give an account (Hebrews 9:27; 2 Corinthians 5:10). The truth will be revealed.
 
But wait! There’s more. Not only will O.J. and Casey be there, I will, too; so will you. Crimes such as murder or child abuse are serious. So is ANY sin. We tend to categorize sin as “acceptable” or “unacceptable.” Some are serious to us and some we can live with. The truth is all sin is serious. All sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2).
 
How often do we sit in judgment of others? How often do we want to determine the guilt of someone else? How often do we gloss over our own actions?
 
Maybe Justice was served with Casey and O.J., maybe not. One day the books that matter eternally will be opened and we will know. In the meantime, we must remember those books are recording the actions of each of our lives as well. What story are you writing?
 
Keep The Light Burning!
Perry Greene
Preaching Minister
South Yukon Church of Christ