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

Did you hear that a couple in San Juan Capistrano, California was fined for hosting a Bible study in their home? The initial charge was $300. The next payment is to be $500 for each additional gathering. City officials cite a municipal code violation that prohibits religious, fraternal, or non-profit organizations from meeting in residential neighborhoods without a permit.

Do you see ANY problems with this? Has the city of San Juan Capistrano overstepped its bounds? Are the people of the community restricted from practicing freedom of religion? Where does the Constitution limit Christian activity to a church building? If this is an issue of frequency or the size of the crowd, should that not be the regulation rather than restricting a “religious” organization? “At the same time that our government is singling out homosexual groups for special protection (under the guise of civil rights) it is also singling out religious groups for special discrimination!

Isn’t it interesting that when the church began, people met in public places like the temple in Jerusalem as well as in houses (Acts 2:46)? In addition to eating meals together, they taught the bible in homes (Acts 20:20). Those early believers treated their homes as “small temples” in which they would honor God with worship, prayer, and study.

Have you ever heard people say, “That could never happen in America (or Oklahoma)? Well, it IS happening in America. What is to prevent such governmental actions in our state or other parts of the country?

The answer is – WE THE PEOPLE. We are the keys to stopping unconstitutional government activities. We must let our voices be heard in our Capitols, both state and federal. We must demand Constitutional compliance. If we do not, Christian silence will have no voice.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

Do you remember where you were and what you were doing on September 10, 2001? You probably do not. You may, however, vividly remember where you were when you heard the news about the destruction of the Twin Towers on September 11. We stand on the eve of the tenth anniversary of the destruction of the Towers and the murders of innocent people. We haven’t forgotten the attack on America, nor shall we any time soon.

Perhaps a decade ago you felt fear. Maybe you felt anger. Maybe you felt frustration – or any combination of emotions. Maybe you are reliving some of those emotions this weekend.

The Bible gives us some “911 Passages” to help us in trying times. Please consider the following:

• Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. Ecclesiastes 9.11

• ¹He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
  will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91.1

• ¹¹Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion!
  Tell among the peoples his deeds! Psalm 9.11

The circumstances of life come to all of us. Yet, we find shelter in the presence of God. We honor Him by telling of His mighty works.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

South Yukon Church of Christ

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

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

One of the earliest stories of heroism I can remember was that of the Alamo. It was the first movie that my parents allowed me to see alone (the one with John Wayne, that is). The story still stirs me, and every time I am in San Antonio, I try to go by and visit that shrine.

The small group of about 200 Texans withstood the siege of Santa Anna and his vast Mexican army – to the end. Great names come to mind – Crockett, Travis, Bowie are the better known. Each man who took a place in those ranks is no less a hero.

Weather permitting, I will fly the flag of Texas independence on Sunday, March 6, to mark the anniversary of the fall of the Alamo. I want to remember the men who paid the ultimate price for the cause in which they believed. In April, a few days later, Texas finally achieved her independence at San Jacinto – thanks in part to the sacrifice of those brave men at the Alamo.

Do you have a cause to which you are that committed? Jesus laid down his life for all of us (Romans 5:8). The apostle Paul committed to that same cause his life and his death (2 Timothy 4.6-8). It is the cause of ultimate freedom (John 8:31-32) and life (John 10:10). For what are you willing to give your all?

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

Pulpit Minister

South Yukon Church of Christ

I have ancestors who fought on both sides of the War Between the States. My Union ancestor was from East Tennessee. My Confederate ancestor was from Georgia. As a result, I am a member of both the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and the Sons of Confederate Veterans. The SUVCW is the successor to the old “Grand Army of the Republic.”

The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was a fraternal organization  composed of veterans of the Union Army, Navy, and Marine Corps who had served in the American Civil War. It was founded on the principles of “Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty” in Decatur, Illinois on April 6, 1866. It was inclusive of Blacks and Whites who had fought together for the Union cause.

This organization of Union Veterans became the most powerful political arm of the Republican Party and grew during the latter part of the 19th century. It helped elect several United States presidents, beginning with U.S. Grant and ending with William McKinley. Five members of the GAR were elected to the presidency. For a time, it was impossible to be nominated on the Republican ticket without the endorsement of the GAR.

What if American Veterans organized into a strong political base like the GAR of long ago? Do you think there might be a resurgence of Patriotism? Do you think there would be more Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty in our country? Do you think these patriots would demand that out political leaders really defend the Constitution? Veterans took that oath as do our political leaders. The difference between them and the politician is the veteran literally put his life on the line, not just his political life.

I believe it would be a different country if a GAR-type organization held our politicians accountable along with the rest of us. The flag would be saluted. Our true history would be remembered and taught. American Exceptionalism would be reclaimed. Above all, God would ultimately be honored for He is the Foundation of our Republic.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

Samuel Whittemore was an American hero in the early days of the Revolution. He had come to America as a British soldier during the conflict with France. He loved the Colonies and decided to stay and purchased a farm in Massachusetts.

Sam believed in American independence and took up arms against the British. On April 19, 1775 the 80 year old warrior joined the Minutemen to attack the British on their retreat to Boston following the battles of Lexington and Concord. He chose a strategic spot on the road and at just the right time fired his musket into the British line. He then fired two pistols at the soldiers and then wielded his old saber against the Redcoats. After inflicting casualties, he was wounded and beaten by the British and left for dead.

Following the conflict Sam’s neighbors came to tend the wounded. They found him not only alive, but trying to reload his musket! They brought him to the doctor, who gave them no hope of survival. To everyone’s surprise, Sam did survive and lived another 13 years!

We might question Sam’s tactical judgment but we can never question his courage or his patriotism! You know veterans of the same caliber as Mr. Whittemore. It is because of these bold patriots that we enjoy God’s liberties! Thank a Veteran for serving!

Keep The Light Burning!

Dr. Perry Greene

http://perrysscope.com

Are you glad the elections are over? I am, too. However, our vigilance is just beginning. We must hold our political leaders accountable to “We the people.”

One of the personal stories that caught my attention last night was that of Marco Rubio. He was elected to the U. S. Senate by Floridians. In his victory speech he mentioned that he was the “son of exiles” from Cuba. What a great American success story! This IS the place where extraordinary things can happen!

I am reminded by his words that we too are children of exiles. Our parents, Adam and Eve, were exiled from the Garden of Eden. In their case, it was their own sin that led them away from the tree of life. Yet, God provided a way to bring us back.

Jesus is the “way, the truth, the life” who leads us back to the Father (John 14:6). Jesus is the source of the extraordinary in our lives. Jesus is the key to real success in our lives (Matthew 22:34-40).

Marco Rubio and his family may never get back home to Cuba. Unless dramatic changes occur there, they may not want to go. We can, however, “go home” to God. Jesus made that possible for us. In a little while, our exile will be over and we can enjoy the eternal presence of our God (see Revelation 22)!

Keep The Light Burning!

Dr. Perry Greene

perrysscope.com

In this election year I have been thinking and studying a lot about the early beginnings of our country. The Founders practiced Christianity and established a nation based on the Bible. They declared:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,” (Declaration of Independence, emphasis added).

As I read these words, I see a key biblical principle. Governments are to rule by the consent of the governed because God does.

God is the Creator and King of the Universe. However, He gives us free will. He wants us to choose his rule and thereby governs us by consent (Joshua 24:14-15). He does not force Himself on us and will allow us to walk away (John 6:66-67). Of course the real irony is that there is nowhere else to go (John 6:68; Matthew 7:13-14).

How have you enjoyed removing God from our classrooms and other public places? Has our education level risen or fallen without Him? He won’t force his way in, but will allow us to reap the consequences of our choices.

It is a shame to see how far we have gone from God in our country. No longer can we legally pray in public gatherings. We are not supposed to speak freely in our churches about governmental issues. This was not the intention of the Founders. We must work to put God back at the core of our nation.

When you vote Tuesday, vote your Christian values. Vote for the people who will uphold the words of God in our government. Consent to be governed – by God!

Keep The Light Burning!

Dr. Perry Greene

Recently Richard May mentioned in a sermon that if we spent the same amount of time in our formal schooling that we do in our formal church Bible classes, we would be in First Grade for twenty-four years! As I heard that I thought, “What would happen if our public schools could help us with our Bible study? How much quicker could we grow if we had at least one class per day in Bible study as well as our church time, family time, and personal time?” That is a reason that many people choose to send their children to Christian schools or home school.

Then it hit me. That is EXACTLY what the Founding Fathers intended for our education system. They knew the power of knowledge. They knew that America was established, as Patrick Henry said, “not on religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ.” America was to be a FREE country and it was to be a CHRISTIAN nation. People needed to be able to read so they could study the Bible.

I read that Connecticut once passed a law for their citizens where the authorities would send inspectors to each home in their state. The inspectors would test the children in each household to be sure they could read at the level they were supposed to. If not, the parents were fined. What was their reasoning? They knew that legislators need accountability. They determined that if the people could read, they would be able to read the laws that were being passed by Congress. If those laws did not match the Bible, the people could protest and have the laws removed.

The New England Primer used the Bible to teach children to read and write. It was written in 1690 and used in one form or another until the early twentieth century. The children learned stories and doctrines from the Bible at an early age. Some were so adept at learning that they were able to enter schools like Harvard and Yale (once Christian schools) while in their early teens!

How far from our moorings we have drifted as a nation! How amazing the wisdom of our ancestors! How can WE get back on track?

Beginning where we are, we must make a more concerted effort to learn and to learn. Most importantly, we must learn the word of God from Genesis to Revelation. We must see His hand in the history of the world and our country. America did not happen by accident. Even men like George Washington realized that Providence established the nation, not the military or political skills of the citizens (see also Zechariah 4:6).

Turn off the TV and slow down. Take time to read the Bible daily. In the words of Jesus, “Could you not tarry one hour?” Knowing the Bible will make all the difference on all the levels!

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene