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

I remember shortly after my conversion, reading a verse that caused me some confusion.  It said, “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”  (Titus 2.14, KJV, emphasis added).  I thought calling us “peculiar people” was peculiar in itself.  The newer versions of the Bible clarify the issue.  The idea is that we are uniquely God’s people.

We do not live by the world’s standards.  So, to the world, we may appear to be odd, but we are uniquely God’s.  He has always intended for his people to be different from the world in which they live.  Jesus says that we are “salt and light.”  Paul said that we shine like stars in the universe.

One of the great stories that illustrates, “Daring to be Different,” is that of the young man Daniel.  Daniel and his friends found themselves in Babylonian captivity.  They had choices as how they would act in a difficult setting.  Daniel made up his mind to honor God with his life.  He took all of the risks associated with being different, including putting his life on the line.

Every day we have opportunities to stand up and stand out for God.  Let’s Dare to Be Different!  Let’s honor him who blesses us.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

  We often appeal to the congregation to be involved in various activities of the kingdom of God.  Many times these appeals fall on deaf or weary ears.  Perhaps a story will help explain our purpose in inviting the church to participate in God’s work.

A dentist in the National Guard sued the US Government when they called him up to serve during Desert Storm.  His reasons were: 

• He might be killed
• He would lose business if the war escalated

When asked why he joined the Guard he gave three reasons.  First, he liked to play soldier.  Second, he (and his wife) liked his uniform.  Third, he liked the benefits.

Does the dentist sound familiar?  Many Christians like to play “Weekend Warrior” on Sunday, but don’t want to fight the good fight daily (2 Timothy 4:7).  Many Christians want to wear the look of Christianity without paying the price of discipleship (Galatians 3:27).  Many Christians want the crown (the benefits) without the cross (Luke 9:23).

We are a volunteer army.  We serve under the Supreme Commander.  Where is He leading us?  Are we willing to follow?  Will we pay the price?

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

While we still have the right to freedom of speech, I thought I would express some concerns about the election of Obama. This is the clearest example yet of how liberal, permissive education has influenced the minds of seemingly intelligent people. This educational system has “dumbed down” Americans by rewriting and diluting history so that we are unaware of what really happened in the past so that we do not prepare for the future. As others have eloquently stated we will repeat the mistakes of the past if we don’t learn from them. How can we avoid the mistakes if we do not know the true history?

I watched America vote in an unworthy President. He is a pseudo Christian. He is a Marxist at his core and will no doubt bring about change. This change will not be to the liking of Americans once it has been revealed, but it will be too late. The government will become Big Brother. We will join in the quest for a one world government - officially. We will lose our freedoms one by one. Like sheep being led to slaughter Americans will not open their mouths.

The principles on which our country flourished are gone. Who was it that said that America was great because America was good; when America stops being good she will stop being great? The acceptance of partial-birth abortion, if nothing else, shows that we have stopped being good - as a nation. God puts before us two paths - life and death and urges us to choose life. Obama, the Democrats (in general), and the spoiled rotten, self-centered, immoral Americans choose the death of the innocents over life. With the choice of life and death also comes the promise of blessing and cursing. Life (God’s ways) brings blessing; death brings the curse. Get ready to endure the punishment for our sins.

This morning I wondered what our founding fathers would have thought of the election. At first I thought the typical things - “They are rolling over in their graves, etc.” Then I thought a little more. I doubt they would be surprised at what happened the last few weeks. They were BRILLIANT men. They were vastly superior to the minds that are currently running our country. They knew that when a republic learns to vote itself money it will die. They knew that politics is a corrupt business and that power corrupts the otherwise good intentions of people. It was Thomas Jefferson who advocated a revolution every hundred years or so. We are behind schedule on that one.

I imagine our forefathers knew this would happen. They knew the struggle between “states rights” and a strong centralized government. Both have good points but a Federal government that imposes its power on its people was not the intention of the Fathers. In fact, it is my humble opinion that the founders did not want an overpowering central government. They had come out of a tyrannical empire with centralized power in its king. They did not want to establish another empire. They wanted a country where FREEDOM reigned, not a king or president. They were wiser, smarter, sacrificial, and far better people than we are today.

Before the American Civil War (the War of Rebellion - that revolution Jefferson spoke of; or War of Northern Aggression, depending on your perspective) the United States was spoken of in the plural. “The United States are. . . ” After the War, it was spoken of in the singular, “The United States is. . . . ” Like it or not, the founders saw America as a confederation of small countries with a loose Federal control. The STATE was the powerful agency of rule. When men joined the military prior to 1861 they took an oath of allegiance to their state first, then to the US. That is why Robert E. Lee was in such turmoil over his decision whether or not to accept the command of the Federal Army. I think he loved the US but his first loyalty was to Virginia - according to his oath. He was an honorable man and stood by his word, even though he had great angst about it.

What has transpired in this country is a tragedy. The America we pledged our allegiance to is gone with the wind. Obama may have been right to not salute the flag or pledge his allegiance because his allegiance is not with America, the great country of long ago. His allegiance is elsewhere. His allegiance is to a form of government that the founders would oppose.

Fly your flag at half staff, America has died.

Thank you for enduring my ramblings — it is a sad, sad day.

 A Rabbi in Jesus day said, “If all you teach your children is that they must believe in God, you are the worst of heretics. The correct way is not only to teach that they must believe in God; but with equal passion that God believes in them.”

Normally, when covenants were made, both parties kept a copy. When God made a covenant with Israel, he gave Moses both tablets of the Ten Commandments. He showed his faith in the Hebrews by giving them the copies.

Does it shock you to think that the God of heaven has faith - us? With all of our “warts” and wants, God has given to us great treasures (Matthew 13:44; 2 Corinthians 4:7). He has entrusted us with:

• The Gospel (Matthew 28:18-20)
• His word (Romans 3:1-2; 2 Timothy 2:15)
• Forgiveness (John 20:23)
• Each other’s souls - Hebrews 13:17
• And more

God believes in YOU and ME! He believes that we will do right things. He believes we will be his people in the world in which we live. Sometimes we disappoint him but he keeps on believing that we will be lights and salt.

We understand why we need to believe God. We NEED his direction. When he leads, we must follow. However, it is quite another thing to see how much God believes in US. How does it feel to join the ranks of the great heroes of the Bible whom God trusted with resources and people to accomplish his will?

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

When my daughter was young we often flew back from Texas to visit her grandparents in Tennessee and Kentucky.  On one flight, when the flight attendant gave her mandatory instructions, my daughter became upset. You see, the attendant told us that if we had need for oxygen masks, to put ours on first and then help our children.  In my daughter’s mind, she should be taken care of first.  In reality, if the adults take care of themselves first, they are more capable of taking care of their children.

That principle holds true in many situations.  Elders; Deacons; Teachers; HOME Group Leaders (etc.) need to take this to heart. As they lead groups, teach lessons, shepherd, and serve, they must not neglect themselves.  One of the best things church leaders can do for the church is to maintain a strong relationship with God.  The stronger they are, the more able they will be to lead and help others, especially in times of need.

Church Leaders, regardless of your capacity, let me encourage you to take the time to study God’s word - just for you.  Take the time to pray, not only for your others’ needs, but for yours as well.  Take time to practice spiritual disciplines.  Take the time to worship in spirit and truth.  You will be glad you did and so will your Church Family!

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

A key element of Christianity is community. God never intended that we go through the Christian life alone. Rather, he determined that we serve him in the “called out” communities we refer to as, churches.

When Jesus called his disciples, he used the plural, “you all” follow me (Matthew 4:19)( Southern people have no difficulty grasping this). Not only did he call them in the plural, he sent them in the plural. “Go ye” in Matthew 28:18 (KJV) means “you ALL go.” Paul refers to the church as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16). He emphasizes that we are together that temple.

Over and over the Bible reminds us of our need for others. We need to give and receive encouragement. We need to give and receive support. We need to pray for others and have others pray for us. We need to speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual song. These things cannot occur in isolation. Even in the beginning Adam felt the need for human companionship.

While we have individual responsibilities in following God, we have collective ones, too. Each of us has a responsibility to be living parts of God’s house (1 Peter 2:5). As God’s house (family) we are obliged to be a light to our world - together. WE are to embrace GOD’S mission - together.

Who is building you up? With whom are you serving? Who are you encouraging? It takes a community to raise a child of God.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

We remember that Adolf Hitler was a vile, wicked person. It is safe to say that he was easily one of the world’s greatest ego-maniacs. I recently read that when he needed a chauffeur he interviewed over thirty men for the position. He finally chose the shortest man of the group, even though the man required blocks on his feet to reach the peddles. One of the reasons (probably the main one) was that this short man made Hitler appear taller. In fact, Hitler surrounded himself with people who made him look better than he really was.

The Bible teaches a different purpose for our lives. The apostle Paul teaches us to consider others as more significant than ourselves (Philippians 2:3-4). In Christ, our roles become that of helping others “look good” and succeed, rather than trying to use them for our own advantage.

Reciprocity occurs in the actions of our lives. When we help others, others help us. When we treat others better than ourselves, they will likewise treat us in a similar way. The result is, we have helped them become better and they have helped us. It becomes win-win.

How’s your ego? Are you trying to look better by putting others down? Or, are you trying to BE better by lifting others up?

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

In this time of politicking for President there are numerous positive and negative events going on. We read of the candidates’ good characteristics (from them) and their bad ones (from their opponent). So, every four years we draw our political lines and make a big “to do” over the election.

I recently read that in 1992, as the campaigns heated up, the Associated Press took a poll among Americans.  They asked, “To which candidate are you most strongly committed?” The results were:

• 34% of Perot supporters were strongly committed to him
• 30% of Bush supporters were strongly committed to him
• 25% of Clinton supporters were strongly committed to him (so much for polls)

But here is the kicker - at that same time the pollsters found that 65% of Americans were strongly committed to their brand of deodorant!

In 1862 President Lincoln’s popularity waned. He was the focus of criticism in the North. Many had feelings of despair. Unable to stand the controversies any longer a Preacher named Joseph Gilmore wrote a poem entitled “He Leadeth Me” to express his faith in GOD, not politicians. Later music was put to the poem and is still in our song books today.

Regardless of which person is our President; regardless of which brands we prefer; God deserves our ultimate loyalty. Daily we live out a commitment to the one who loved us beyond our comprehension. You won’t get that from a politician. You won’t get that from the business world.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

In the Bible, “living water” refers to moving water that comes directly from God and not carried by people. A river would be an example of living water. A bucket down the well is not.

The Sea of Galilee and the River Jordan are living waters. They “receive” water and they “send” it out. The water moves from one location to the next, all the way to the “Dead Sea.”

The Dead Sea receives water but keeps it for itself. Over time it has become a huge mineral-laden, stagnant body of water that lives up to its name.

It occurs to me that we need to drink of the true living water. That water is from Jesus (John 4.10-14; 7.37-39). After drinking that water, it keeps moving as we share it with others.

It is easy to make Christianity all about ME and what I get. It is another to make it about what I can give - both to God and others. On the one hand we are in danger of becoming like the Dead Sea; on the other, we have the privilege of sharing life through Jesus and his Spirit.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

 Don’t you love those “epiphany” moments when you gain insight into a topic? I just read something that had never ever occurred to me. In John 8 a woman is caught in adultery and taken to Jesus. The accusers tried to trick him into violating the Law of Moses. They ask him what to do in light of the fact that the Law said to stone her to death.

At first, Jesus appears to ignore them by writing in the dirt. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8.7).  They all leave so that the woman has no accusers. Jesus assured her, “Neither do I condemn you.”

I had always assumed that Jesus was making a point about their hypocrisy; and loving the sinner without loving sin. These are true. He also takes the Law literally. To condemn someone there had to be two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy 17:6).  All of her accusers left — according to the Law, Jesus could not condemn her alone. So he upholds the Law, saves a sinner, and silences his critics all at the same time.

Some questions to answer: What are my motives regarding others? How well do I know God’s word? How concerned am I for those walking out of step with God? Am I walking with God?

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene