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

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

We experience a variety of emotions in connection to “September 11″ (9.11). We feel sadness at the loss of life and property. We feel anger at the unprovoked terrorist attacks. However, from our American history, I want to share with you another September 11^th.Did you know that the Continental Congress approved the import of 20,000 BIBLES to the American people on September 11, 1777? The Revolution had interrupted trade with England and the American people needed Bibles so, our Congress sought to purchase copies from other countries. The special Congressional Committee wrote:

“The use of the Bible is so universal and its importance so great that your committee . . . recommends that Congress will order the Committee of Commerce to import 20,000 Bibles from Holland, Scotland, or elsewhere, into the different parts of the States of the Union.”

On November 1, 1777 Congress issued the colonies our First National Proclamation of Thanksgiving to God in regard to our victory over the British at Saratoga. Isn’t it ironic that our country was founded upon biblical principles by Bible-literate men and the Book is rejected today? Isn’t it ironic in light of today’s stances that the leaders of our fledgling nation not only felt the need to read the Bible but used government monies to provide it to Americans?

Do you think there is any connection to our reliance on God’s word and our blessings as a nation? Obviously! “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance” (Psalm 33.12).

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

Mark Twain once said, “A great, great deal has been said about the weather, but very little has ever been done.” It is a fact that we often complain about the weather and it is a fact that we can do little about a 106 degree day. About the only things we can do are: step into the shade or sit in an air conditioned room.

The same is true about a lot of things in life. How often do we complain about things that we have little or no control over? Generally, the best we can do is make adjustments.

The Bible makes it clear that we have little control over most things. The world is a bad place and getting worse. We would like to change it but it does not want to change. What do we do? The best I can figure is that, just like with the weather, we make adjustments on a personal level.

The Bible reminds us that we change ourselves and then help others change. The following list reminds us that we can only make changes within ourselves. We can:

• Consider ourselves dead to sin - Romans 6:11
• Present ourselves to God - Romans 6:13
• Devote ourselves to prayer - 1 Corinthians 7:5
• Examine and test ourselves - 2 Corinthians 13:5
• Clothe Ourselves in Christ - Galatians 3:27
• Have the mind of Christ - Philippians 2:5
• Rid ourselves of sinfulness - Colossians 3:8

I would like it if I could wave my “magic wand” and have YOU do the above things, but I cannot. I can only do them myself and encourage you. The interesting thing that happens however is that as each one of us becomes more Christ-like; the world becomes a better place.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

The American Restoration preachers used to tell this story. A man was going on a trip so he left his son in charge of building his farm. He gave him a map of where he wanted everything located and went away. His son took the map and saw the location of the house, barn, well, etc. He said, “I agree with the location of all these things except the barn, it should be in a different spot.” Then he built the farm. The preachers then asked, “How many times did the son do his father’s will? The answer was zero. He only did what he was in agreement with. If his father had a different view, he rejected it.

We might change the setting but the point is still applicable. How many times do we read the Bible and when we come across something tolerable, we will do it; yet, if we find something that puts us out of our comfort zone, we go “around the barn” to find a way NOT to do it? Then we cry, “Grace! Grace!”

When Thomas finally saw the resurrected Lord, he exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” John 20:28. Do you think Thomas spoke those words casually? Do you think he was saying, “You are my Lord and God as long as your words please me.”? No, most likely, Thomas reverently said that he recognized that Jesus was exactly who he claimed to be; and with that he would do whatever Jesus wanted.

Legend has it that Thomas was run through with a spear as a martyr for Jesus. That is not the end of a man who would take Jesus casually. It is not the end of a man who spent his life doubting the reality of God or his son. It is not the end of a man who would expect to do as he pleased so that “grace would cover it.” This was the end of a man who sold out to Jesus - come what may.

Jesus is not our Lord and God if we are still in charge. We do not get to pick and choose. We are the servants. He is the Master.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

  “You can do more after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed” (John Bunyan).We may try to treat prayer as a magic cure-all, like the little girl who prayed, “Dear Lord, please make Boston the capitol of Vermont because that is what I put on my test.” Prayer is much more! It connects us to the will and mind of God (Matthew 6:9-13).

A reporter once asked Samuel Morse, “In inventing the telegraph, did you ever come to a place where you did not know what to do?” Morse replied, “Yes.  I asked God for knowledge. That is why I never felt that I deserved the honor I have received for inventing the telegraph. I have made a valuable application of electrical power, but it was all through God’s help. It was not because I was superior to other scientists. When the Lord wanted to bestow this gift on mankind, he had to use someone.  I am just grateful he chose to reveal it through me.”

It is no wonder that the first telegraph message Samuel Morse sent, ‘What hath God wrought?’

How do we view our prayers? What great things are we asking from God? How do we honor him?

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

The American Restoration Movement does not care much for creeds of men. We have fought the use of creeds because of the potential for dividing believers. Rather, we have opted to “speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent.” We do not always accomplish this sentiment but that is the intention.

Recently, I read about the Nicene Creed of 325 AD. The Roman Emperor, Constantine, had converted to Christianity following a military victory that he attributed to Jesus. He legalized Christianity and wanted to unite factions through a standardized creed. He ordered a council to meet and agree on key doctrines.

If you read the tenets of the Creed, you will see its influence on some of our modern beliefs. The Trinitarian view of God came from this meeting. In addition, one baptism for the forgiveness of sin; the universal church; the resurrection; and our concept of eternal life are found in it.

One of the men who helped formalize the Nicene Creed was a church leader from the area where Jesus had exorcised the demoniac in Mark 5:1-20. This unlikely preacher, in an unlikely location paved the way for a strong church to exist. You  never know the extent of your influence when you tell people what the Lord has done for you.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene