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

The other day I ran across a humorous political cartoon. A man is talking with his wife and asks, “If a man yells, ‘You lie!’ in a room full of politicians, how do they know who he is talking to?”

That may have brought a grin to your face. It probably also brought a grimace. The sad truth is many (not all) politicians don’t care about truth, the Constitution, or principles of character.

I can criticize corrupt politicians. So far, along with you, I have the right to assemble and to speak freely, even if our politicians don’t like it. This is the major check and balance that the Founding Fathers understood.

Here is the bigger problem. The leaders we select are a mirror of our culture. They are really our REPRESENTATIVES. If we are a godly people, we will elect godly leaders. If we are ungodly and corrupt. . . .

God said:

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14:34 (ESV)

“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” Proverbs 29.2 (KJV)

Part of the solution to political corruption is to be a nation with godly character. This can only occur one person at a time. If you and I determine to be better people, by the grace of God we will become a nation who walks closely to the words of God. We, in turn, elect leaders who lead by principle, not by “pork.”

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

The bible reminds us of the “blessedness” of our trials in James 1:2. Some of our greatest lessons come, not from our triumphs but from our tragedies. O, yes, we do love to win but in winning, we may overlook important lessons for the next round.

George Washington is my favorite American. At the battle of Monongahela, he was an officer fighting with the British against the French and Indians. The British and their Virginian allies lost this battle to inferior forces. The greatest army in the world broke rank and fled from the field in panic.

Washington had horses shot from beneath him during the battle. He later found at least four bullet holes in his uniform – but had no wounds. The Indians (and some of his comrades) believed that God had protected him and that he “could not die in battle.”

Later, he would reflect on Providence. He also reflected on the fact that the British army could be beaten. This is something that had been unimaginable to him heretofore.

The lessons would accompany him into our War for Independence. The Continental Army, under the leadership of George Washington, defeated the British and established the greatest nation in modern history. He, along with other Founders attributed this monumental accomplishment to the providential hand of God.

Perhaps if the British had won the Battle of Monongahela Washington would not have seen the possibility. His trials brought a nation from oppressive slavery to freedom. When it was all said and done, the trials – all of them – brought incredible joy to countless people.

What trials are you facing? There is discomfort (or it wouldn’t be a trial). There is also a blessing hidden within it. Our task is to learn and do.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

During this election year we are hearing all kinds of rhetoric. We hear about the economy is bad. We hear about who is at fault for the economy. We hear proposed solutions. We do not hear much about the real answer.

When the Jews returned from Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem, the temple, and their religious practices they got off track. They started well, but soon they stopped building for God and started building for themselves. Their economy went into a tailspin.

In the little book of Haggai, God declares:

Consider your ways. ⁶ You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes (1.5-6).

Does this sound familiar? Gas is supposed to be $5 per gallon soon. This will force increased costs in other industries. We are earning wages that seem to go into a bag with holes in it.

The answer to the problem does not lie only in our political system. It lies in the original foundation of the nation. As a nation, GOD was our foundation in the beginning. We have elected poor leadership for our country and gotten off track because we have left God out of the picture and made it all about US.

Do you want to improve the country? Do you want to make it a better place for our children and grandchildren? The answer begins with each of us determining to live with GOD as the center of our lives. Just as Israel of old, when we honor God, He will honor us.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

One of my favorite Americans was John Quincy Adams. He served America virtually his whole life. He is the only President who became a Congressman AFTER his presidency. In fact, he was so devoted to America that he actually died on duty in the House of Representatives. Note a couple of his quotes:

“The highest glory of the American Revolution was this; it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.”

“From the day of the Declaration…they (the American people) were bound by the laws of God, which they all, and by the laws of The Gospel, which they nearly all, acknowledge as the rules of their conduct.”

Adams, as other Founders, saw Americans as a people to put the laws of God into practice on every level within the newly formed country. America was not just a land of opportunity or Liberty. It was a nation that based its existence on the Word of God. Its teachings were to be the standards of conduct within the land.

The Founders knew that “righteousness exalts a nation” (Proverbs 14:34). They knew that the Constitution was not suited for people with no standards for their behavior. They knew that the only “separation of church and state” was that of keeping the government out of the affairs of the churches.

We are seeing numerous erosions of the founding principles of our nation. As a nation, we have chosen economy over spirituality. If we choose spirituality, we would have both. Since we choose money over God, we have neither. Can we see the wisdom of our Founders?

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

In 1831 Alexis de Tocqueville visited America. He came, observed, and realized that America was great because America was “good.” He observed that no country on earth was more affected by Christianity than America. Through his observations he stated that if America ever stopped being good, she will stop being great. How are we are doing today?

How much impact would you say Christianity has on America today? Millions of Americans claim to be Christians but is it real or just lip service? American Christians have allowed biblical morality to decay within our nation. We have allowed abortion on demand and same-sex marriages because we have been quiet.

We can make a difference if we vote our biblical values. About 75% of American Christians have not registered to vote or do not take the time to make their voices heard. Founder, Samuel Adams once stated that he believed we would be accountable to God for how we vote.

Samuel’s cousin, John Adams stated, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” If we ignore God, his word, his standards, and sit idly by why should he bless us?

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ I want to encourage you to be involved in the restoring of our nation. You can:

•          Pray to God (2 Chronicles 7:14)
•          Speak Up in God’s Name (Colossians 3:17)
•          Act (including voting) for God’s Standards (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

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