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

I recently heard Dan Fisher of Yukon, OK tell a story about a church in Germany during WWII. A member of that church said that their church building was located near a railroad track. Each Sunday during their worship services, trains would come by at a particular time. When they discovered that the trains were loaded with Jews going to concentration camps, the church members would sing louder to drown out the noise of the trains. If they heard any screams from the people on the trains, they would sing even louder to cover the cries.

The man said, “Years have passed and no one talks much about it anymore, but I still hear that train whistle in my sleep. I can still hear them crying out for help. God, forgive us who called ourselves Christians yet did nothing to intervene. Now, so many years later, I see it happening all over again in America. The response is the same as it was in my country – silence.”

Dietrich Bonheoffer, a Pastor in WWII Germany said, “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”

Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that there is a time for everything. There is a time to shut up and a time to speak up. In this time of active national Socialism, American Christians are in a unique position to speak up for God and America. If we do not, we are guilty of taking the nation down.

The Hebrew Bible reminds us that silence is consent. A possible translation for Leviticus 19:16 is, “Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor.” God has expected his people to take a stand when necessary. The watchman of Ezekiel 33 would be guilty of the blood of his people if he failed to sound the alarm. His silence was consent to the enemy.

Martin Niemoller was attributed with saying, “First they came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unionists, but I was neither, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew so I did not speak out. And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me.”

Who will stand up for America if we don’t? Who will stand up for the gospel if we don’t? Who will sound the alarm if not us?

FDR was correct when he said, “Americans would rather die on their feet than live on their knees.” The only one to whom I want to bow the knee is to our God, the Giver of Liberty. Let us stand against those who would seek to take the blessings of God from our children.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

Somewhere along the way Americans have allowed a separation between “on the job performance” and the character of the individual. Perhaps we are afraid that if we speak out about character, our own words will bite us in our imperfections. Perhaps we just don’t care about character as long as we have “a chicken in every pot.”

Did you know that the US Constitution does not authorize lifetime appointments for Federal Judges? According to Article III, Section 1 they are to” hold their offices during good behavior.” There are accounts of Judges who were impeached for being drunk or using profanity in their courts. These were not examples of good behavior for American citizens.

God does not separate conduct and character. They go hand in hand. Jesus reminds us that it is the heart of a man that makes him unclean, not the foods that go into him (Matthew 15:11).

This is why the “first and greatest commandment” is so important. We are to love God with all of our hearts, soul, and might (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Matthew 22:37). This is not only inward, it is outward.

As we enter this New Year and new decade, let us resolve to work out what is within (Philippians 2:12). Let us resolve to “shine like stars” (Philippians 2:15). Let us resolve to do this, not only through knowledge of the scriptures, but in displaying it in our lives as well.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

Dr. Benjamin Rush was a delegate to the Continental Congress during the American Revolution. He and John Adams became close friends even though they were from different states. Rush was in charge of the Continentals’ medical facilities. During the first year we amassed great losses.

Deeply discouraged, Dr. Rush returned to the Continental Congress, sat down by his friend, Adams, and asked, “John, do you think we can win this war?” Adams’ reply was remarkable. He said, “Yes, if we fear God and repent of our sins.” He put the Revolution on a spiritual level, not merely a physical one.

Our Founders believed that they were establishing a Christian nation. They believed America would be like the “city set on a hill” that would point nations to God. They dedicated themselves to spiritual principles which are found in the pages of the Bible. As a result, we did win the War and America prospered.

You and I face all kinds of battles in our lives. Can we win? Certainly – If we fear God and repent of our sins! What we are engaged in goes beyond church programming. It goes beyond physical concerns. It rests in the spiritual.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

For years I have heard and said, “It is not what you know, it is WHO you know.” That is often true in finding employment. It is true in making things happen once you are employed. A person’s influence is hude.

Having said that, let me remind us of Jesus statement in John 8:32, “You shall know the TRUTH and the truth shall make you free.” One thing that jumps out at me about this statement is not only the need for truth, but that we must KNOW it. Truth is always there, but if we are unaware of it, it does little good.

Americans are waking up to the anti-American behavior of some of our political leaders. The truth has been there, we just did not see it. Now we do. Now we are acting.

The same is true about our God. He is always here. We may be unaware, but He is here. Once we “get it,” all manner of life changes because we learn His truths and HE frees us.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

PFC Amber Bahr is an American hero! During the shooting at Ft. Hood, Texas she managed to put a tourniquet on a wounded soldier. She then helped him and others to safety. After caring for some of the shooting victims, she discovered that she also had been shot.

Selfless spirit is one of the most commendable qualities we can see in an individual. This spirit has caused members of our military to act in heroic ways on the battlefield. The results of their actions have saved lives and brought Congressional Medals of Honor. Sometimes the heroes on the battlefield have made the ultimate sacrifice for their “battle buddies” and us.

In John 15:13, Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends.” He certainly laid down his life for his friends (i.e., his disciples). He went even further, Jesus laid down his life for his enemies. This is why he could pray, “Father, forgive them” for the Jews and the Romans as he hung on the cross.

Through Jesus, God went even further than those people who were literally killing his son. Hear Paul, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Before we get too high and mighty, we need to remember that WE are as guilty of crucifying Jesus as Pilate or Caiaphas.

PFC Bahr and others display the same kind of selfless spirit as Jesus. The willingness to put oneself in danger for the sake of others is admirable. Amber showed it at a Cavalry post; Jesus at Calvary.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

  I recently had a rare privilege. I met Charles Cox, a 97 year old man who is the SON of a Union soldier from the Civil War! We in the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War are descended from such soldiers but most of us fall into a 3^rd – 5^th generation of such men. However, this man was ONE generation from the conflict!

When the men from the SUVCW met Mr. Cox, we eagerly listened to the stories he told of his father’s exploits. He had marched with Sherman. He had been captured and survived Andersonville!. After the War he brought his family to Oklahoma.

As I reflect on the encounter I think of the term, “Real Son.” Then I think of the privilege we have, not in being a real son or daughter of a Civil War soldier, but of the God of Heaven! Paul says that God treats us as sons (children). When you have time, read some of these key passages: Romans 8:12-17; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Galatians 6:23-29; Galatians 4:1-7; Ephesians 1:3-10; and 1 Thessalonians 5:4-11.

God has given us such a privilege to be his “REAL Sons and Daughters!” How does that impact us? The SUVCW heard Mr. Cox recount tales of his father and the Union Army with pride. Do we Christians tell with pride of our Father? Do we tell of the exploits of His Army?

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

 Does it offend you that our government has put our descendants into trillions of dollars worth of debt? Does it seem even a little tyrannical that they have forced on them “taxation without representation”? Why are we surprised? Is that not the way of the world? Isn’t it all about what “I” can get and hang what may come to the innocent?

The American Founders believed that each generation should pay its own debts. What a novel idea! “Pay as you go” and “live within your means.” It is unethical and sinful to saddle someone else with our debts.  Their attitude reflected a Christian understanding of scripture and a respect for the Creator.

One of the major differences between Christianity and our political world is the willingness to sacrifice for others.  It is the “Greater love” of which Jesus spoke. Christians would rather suffer now so their children won’t have to suffer later. The ungodly prefer letting the next generation suffer so long as they don’t have to. Their motto is “No Pain, No Pain.”

The thing that those living away from God miss is that “payday” will come. Somebody is going to pay someday. It is just a matter of when (see Ecclesiastes 8:11).

The justice of God demanded payment for sin. Payday came at the cross. Jesus stepped up and made the payment for us. He suffered then so we would not have to suffer later.

What implications do you see for us?

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

A guide at Yorktown (this was the pivotal battle of the Revolution where we essentially won the war) said, “We won the battle for three reasons:

• Militarily: The Brilliance of General Washington and the help he got from the French;
• Division in British Army (bickering), and
• Luck -”

Cornwallis chose Yorktown because it was good ground for battle and it was the only place where the James River was narrow enough that if he needed to retreat he could cross.  When he learned that Washington and his troops were coming up from the South, he sent for reinforcements from New York but they were late in coming.

When the battle began, Cornwallis was hammered and knew he needed to retreat.  He thought that during the night he would evacuate his troops across the James River.  The first wave got across then a fierce storm came up and the wind blew so hard that the boats could not get back across the river to rescue any more British troops.

Cornwallis had no recourse but to surrender.  The guide called it ‘Luck’ but George Washington a few days later called it the ‘providence of God.’

¹⁰The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
   he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
¹¹ The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
   the plans of his heart to all generations. Psalm 33.10-11

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

 On August 27, 1776 British General Howe had trapped Washington and his troops on Long Island.  He intended to advance on them the next morning and crush them, ending the war.

In a desperate attempt to escape, Washington gathered every available vessel, including row boats and began to row his 8000 troops to the mainland.  When morning came, however, there were still large numbers of troops dangerously exposed to the British.

Major Ben Talmage, Washington’s Chief of Intelligence wrote, “At the dawn of the next day, those of us who remained in the trenches became very anxious for our own safety.  At this time, a very dense fog began to rise out of the river and it seemed it seemed to settle in a peculiar manner over both encampments.  I recollect this peculiar providential occurrence perfectly well.  So dense was the atmosphere that I could scarcely discern a man at 6 yards’ distance.”

The fog was so dense that the British could not attack and General Washington was able to evacuate all of his troops.  Never again did the British have such a rare chance to destroy the Continental Army. What a “coincidence!”

I received this information about President Harry Truman via e-mail today. I don’t know the source but I wanted to share it with you in light of modern politicians.

Harry Truman probably made as many important decisions regarding our nation’s history as any of the other 42 Presidents.  However, a measure of his greatness may rest on what he did after he left the White House.

Historians have written that the only asset he had when he died was the house he lived in, which was in Independence, Missouri.   On top of that, his wife inherited  the house from her Mother.

When he retired from office in 1952, his income was a U.S. Army pension reported to have been $13,507.72 a  year. Congress, noting that he was paying for his stamps and personally licking them, granted him an ‘allowance’ and later, a retroactive pension of $25,000 per year.

After President  Eisenhower was inaugurated, Harry and Bess drove home to Missouri by  themselves.  There were no Secret Service agents following  them.

When offered corporate positions at large salaries, he declined, stating, ‘You don’t want me.  You want the office of the President, and that doesn’t belong to me.  It belongs to the American people and it’s not for sale.’

Even later, on May 6, 1971,  when Congress was preparing to award him the Medal of Honor on his 87th  birthday, he refused to accept it, writing, ‘I don’t consider that I  have done anything which should be the reason for any award, Congressional or otherwise.’

He never owned his own home and as  President he paid for all of his own travel expenses and  food.

Modern politicians have found a new level of success in cashing in on the Presidency, resulting in untold wealth. Today,  many in Congress also have found a way to become quite wealthy while enjoying the fruits of their offices. Political offices are now for sale.

Good old Harry Truman was correct when he observed, ‘My choices early in life were either to
be a piano player in a whore  house or a politician.  And to tell the truth, there’s hardly any difference.’