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

Believe it or not, the Bible addresses such things as storms, famine, and even earthquakes. With the recent tornadoes, earthquakes in Japan and now the United States, along with a hurricane heading for our eastern coast, some people are wondering if these are signs of the end of the world.

This is not new. The disciples of Jesus wondered such things too. They asked him about his coming and the end of the age (Matthew 24:3-14). He told them about international conflict, famines, and earthquakes. He spoke of false prophets and accepted lawlessness as the beginning of the end. Jesus also reminds us that no one but His Father knows the actual final day (24.36).

So, what can we take away from all that we see today? Is Jesus coming? The answer is a resounding, yes! Can we know the exact day? No!

Whether God is personally sending hurricanes and earthquakes into the world or they are just occurring naturally, there is a reminder for us. The end of the world IS coming and we have a window of opportunity to prepare for it. That window is what we call “life.”

Most believers live in anticipation of the return of Jesus. In the Revelation, John wrote, “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (22:20)

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

South Yukon Church of Christ

A preacher once illustrated the loneliness of Americans by mentioning an ad in a Kansas newspaper. It read, “I will listen to you talk for 30 minutes without comment for $5.00.” While this sounded like a hoax, it wasn’t. People called! It wasn’t long before this individual was receiving 10 to 20 calls a day. The pain of loneliness was so severe that some were willing to try anything for a half hour of companionship.

The fact of American loneliness has been validated by the American Council of Life Insurance. They found that college students are our loneliest group. The students are followed by the divorced, welfare recipients, single Moms, housewives, and the elderly.

As God created the world, he repeated in each phase, “It was good.” Then he said that it was NOT good for the man to be alone. So he created woman. Even from the beginning God declares the reality of our social needs.

There is another creation of God that exists in part to help fill our need for others. This is the community of faith we refer to as the “Church.” We generally think of the church as a worshiping people; a serving people; or a studying people. It is these and more. It also serves the purpose of mutual encouragement and partnership (Acts 2:41-47).

Sure, the church has its imperfections. That is because is made up of the imperfect. Jesus makes the difference for ALL of us (2 Corinthians 5:21). There is a place for each of us!

Keep The Light Burning!

Dr. Perry Greene

Did you hear that Texas Governor, Rick Perry called for a day of fasting and prayer for his state and the country? Over 32,000 gathered in Reliant Stadium in Houston to participate in the special event with the Governor. What a declaration of dependence!

Of course, as you can imagine, protestors opposed the event. Many stood outside the arena to voice their opposition to “a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence” (see the Declaration of Independence, 1776, for the full quote). They know that if Christians have their way there God will rule instead of “every man doing what is right in his own eyes.”

Governor Perry reminds us of what our Founders knew. We are a people who are dependent on God. There are standards to live by (John 14:6; 12:48). There are consequences to abusing those standards (Deuteronomy 11:26-28).

By the year 1815 state and federal governments had issued over 1400 calls to prayer. Thomas Jefferson, whom many vilify in regard to Christian virtue, called Virginia to prayer more than once.

America is in a mess. Our economy is bad. Our morals are in decline. Our integrity is low. The answer is not in voting for the “right” politician or party. The answer is in returning to our foundation – the word and will of God. Stand up for America by bowing to God!

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

South Yukon Church of Christ

On a recent road trip I noticed a local “Church of Christ” building in a small town. It was typical in many ways. One thing, however, stood out. Bushes had grown over the “Christ” part of the sign. All you could read was “Church of.”

This may or may not say something about the priority of their landscaping. It did make me think of a pervasive attitude among many churches. We church people often allow the things of the Church to obscure the Christ. The church’s mission is not self-promotion. It is CHRIST promotion. Our job is to lift Jesus so that people can be drawn to HIM (John 12:32).

Churches can easily develop traditions or actions that are well-intentioned. The danger is that these activities can overshadow Jesus and his purposes just as bushes over the sign. It could be a “sacred cow” ministry. It could be an order of worship. It could be a version of the Bible or any number of things that take our eyes off of Jesus and onto ourselves.

Some Greeks came to Philip and made a request. “Sir, we wish to see Jesus” (John 12:21). Showing Jesus to others is a fundamental element to the life of disciples of the Son of God. People are not necessarily interested in our perceptions about Jesus, they want to see Jesus. Thus, in-depth study of the Bible and clear teaching are essential to seeing Him.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene