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

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

Storm Chasers

The story in Matthew 8:23-27 is a prelude to the exorcism of the demoniac of the Gadarenes. Jesus has explained to the twelve that to follow this rabbi, they had to be committed to him 100%. He takes them on an offensive attack across the Sea of Galilee to a “far country” inhabited by evil.

Symbolically, as they cross the abyss of the Sea, they are assaulted by the “Prince of the Power of the Air” in the storm he sends against them. Jesus is able to instantaneously calm the sea and winds. In actuality, he simultaneously confronts and defeats Satan. He then goes ashore and cast out the legion of demons from the “demoniac.”

Life is filled with conflict. The disciples of Jesus have the “normal” conflicts and then a few more thrown in by the Enemy. He may use the storms of self-doubt or fears of inadequacy. It may be stresses at work or in the family. It may be our time constraints to get “everything” done. These “storms” come as an assault on those who have chosen to follow THE Rabbi.

There is only one place to go when those times come. It is to the one who has power over the one sending the trial. We boldly go to him and seek his aid. With his help, the storms dissipate and life grows calmer. In those times when instant calming does not occur, we have peace in the storm until the sun shines again, because we walk in the dust of THE Rabbi.

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 came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10.10b

To have the abundant, fulfilled life in the present, we must follow Jesus completely. This is reflected in the “Shema” of the Hebrews (Deuteronomy 6.4-9) and repeated by Jesus as “the greatest commandment” (Matthew 22.36-40). We must love God with all of our beings. Every aspect – heart, soul, mind, and body must be under His control.

Jesus’ presence was for the purpose of bringing us into complete harmony with God. He came to give abundant/eternal life. That life is with the Father now and forever. In order to help us achieve this, Jesus healed. Sometimes He healed the body (Matthew 8.1-17). Sometimes He healed the spirit (Mark 5.1-20). Sometimes He healed the soul (Luke 7.36-50). Sometimes He healed the mind (Luke 24.13-35). He came to help us make the necessary corrections to our lives that would produce the abundant life that comes from God.

Jesus did not come merely to heal the bodies of the physically infirm; to raise the dead; or just to forgive sins. He came to give fulfillment (wholeness) to the lives of people. This comes through faithful obedience to the living God (Deuteronomy 4).

To have the abundant life, we must walk with God. This requires faithful obedience. It requires effort and discipline. What do we think about? What do we do with our lives? Do these things honor God or do they diminish His influence?

Keep The Light Burning!
Perry Greene

I read the above words yesterday and it really struck a chord with me. When I think back to the major wars in US history, it is clear that the whole nation made sacrifices for the effort. Gas, food, and various other items were rationed so the troops could have the necessities to fight. Women went to work in factories, often for the first time, so that men could go into the Military and the manufacturing of equipment could continue.

Today, unless you have a loved one who is or can be in harm’s way, we have little conception of what is going on in Afghanistan or Iraq. We go about our day to day business with little or no thought to our young men and women putting their lives on the line for us. We do not think much about the fact that politicians are even keeping these brave warriors from fighting to win.

Maybe if we felt the pinch of war as a nation we would pull together. Maybe we would demand victory instead of mediocrity. Maybe we would want a quick victory instead of a drawn out conflict.

What is true in the physical world is true in the spiritual, also. Paul reminds us that we have a great struggle as Christians. In fact, he puts it on the level of war. The big difference, however is that we fight against principles, powers, and the unseen (read Ephesians 6:12).

To many Christians, the life of following Jesus is like a shopping trip to the mall. We might start early in the day, window shop for a while, see what we like, buy what we want, and discard the rest. We may even spend a little time at the Food Court to keep our energy up. All the while the war is raging and we are so busy acting like consumers of religion that we inadvertently  become casualties.

Paul refers to Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25); Timothy (2 Timothy 2:1-4); and Archippus (Philemon 1:2) as “soldiers.” What a privilege to be in this Army! Have you enlisted? Have you gone to battle? Remember, we are fighting in a war that involves spiritual conflict. Get into the battle, your fellow citizens need you.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

Richard and Mayumi Heene decided to deceive the nation by claiming their son Falcon was possibly in an experimental balloon that they launched from their back yard. After hours of anxious searching and worry, the boy turned up in the attic of their home. The country gave a collective sigh of relief. That is, until we discovered it was a hoax. The couple wanted to get a reality TV show and staged the event for publicity.

A list of spiritual lessons can be learned from this event. A key one is that of the danger of coveting. God explicitly states that we are not to “covet” in Exodus 20:17. James shows us that coveting often leads to greater sins in James 4:2. Desiring to have something that belongs to another (Acts 20:33; Joshua 7:21) may not seem all that bad on the surface. The trouble is, it grows to inflict great damage to peoples’ lives.

The Heene family may have coveted the fame or fortune of others. As a result, they tried to shortcut their way to success. In this case deception was used. This deception also led to endangerment of lives as the balloon headed for the local airport’s airspace. The deception involved poor parental example and .

Perhaps someone will grant their wish and give them a television show of their own. Would you watch a “reality” show of people whose word you could not trust? That seems like it would take some of the reality away. Yet another negative impact of a covetous spirit.

Keep The Light Burning!
Perry Greene

 There are a number of ways that the gospel writers point out that Jesus is the Messiah. One of the early thoughts about Messiah was that he would have healing in his “wings” (corners) of his garment (Malachi 4:2). The woman with the blood issue touched his fringes and was healed (Matthew 9:21). He would be a descendant of Abraham (Genesis 12:3) and Matthew (1:2) declares the fulfillment.

Each of the gospels records the feeding of the 5000 as a declaration of Jesus as Messiah. How amazing it would be to have (in their minds) a Messiah who could feed an army by multiplying food! To have a Messiah who could raise dead soldiers from a battle! To have a Messiah who could heal wounds received in a fight! The Romans could not stand against Israel if that were the case.

Perhaps Mark, in his account of the 5000, also gives a subtle affirmation of who Jesus was in Mark 6:39. The text says that Jesus told the people to sit in groups on the GREEN grass. Why is Mark the only one to add the grass’ color? Was it for a little drama? Could it be a reminder of Psalm 23 where the Lord makes us lie down in GREEN pastures? Jews ate in a reclining position. Thus, they were lying down in a green pasture when Jesus, the Lord, provided this feast.

What do we gain by Bible study? Is it just knowledge or is there more? What do you feel in your soul when you recognize that Jesus lived out his life fulfilling the word of God? Does it make you want to follow him more closely?

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

Years ago when the Star Trek series aired, Leonard Nimoy searched for something memorable for his character, Mr. Spock. The story goes that he went back to his Jewish background to find his unique contribution. If you have seen the shows, you know that he developed a blessing and a sign that all subsequent “Vulcans” have used.

Spock would say, “Live long and prosper.” As he said these words, he held up his hand with thumb extended and his fingers paired in a split. According to research, this was the way a Levitical priest blessed the people as in Numbers 6:22-27.

We read of blessings through the Bible. Isaac blessed Jacob; Jacob blessed Ephraim and Manasseh; and Jesus blessed his disciples. We know that this was a significant event of a father to son or a greater to a lesser. God (the greater) blessed Abraham (the lesser) in Genesis 12 and told him that he would “be a blessing.”

God has blessed us in Christ with all spiritual blessings! (See Ephesians 1:3-4). Those spiritual blessings are not meant to be hoarded, but shared. We have been blessed to bless.

Take time this week to bless someone. It may be a formal blessing, as a parent to a child. It may be an informal blessing of a cup of cold water in the name of Jesus. In whatever way it is, be a blessing and bless!

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

 Over the years I have found it interesting that men feel called by God to lead churches. I don’t mean preachers, I mean the men who typically serve churches as elders or deacons or in other volunteer capacities. They do not receive a paycheck for their efforts, yet they serve. They often do not receive praise for their efforts but criticisms when things don’t go “my way.”

Let me ask, do you pray regularly for our leaders? Do you ask God to:

• Strengthen their hearts?
• Give them wisdom?
• Give them courage?
• Bless their families?
• Help them grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ?

If you pray regularly, no doubt you have prayed these and other prayers.

Now, let me ask you a harder question. Do you ever pray to be a better follower? The writer of Hebrews gives us this admonition: “Obey your leaders and act under their authority. They are watching over you, because they are responsible for your souls. Obey them so that they will do this work with joy, not sadness. It will not help you to make their work hard.” (13:17, NCV).

Examine yourself for a moment today. Are you making our leaders’ jobs easier or harder? Are you trying to keep your life free from sin? Are you willing to give them the benefit of the doubt in matters of judgment? OR, are you demanding, complaining, and spiteful?

Remember Abraham Lincoln’s words? “You can please some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.”

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

 Her name was Irena Sendler. She died recently at age 98. Never heard of her? Most of us had not until the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize nominees were announced. She lost.

During WWII she worked in the Warsaw Ghetto as a plumbing/sewer specialist. She knew of the Nazis’ plans for the Jews so she worked to smuggle infants out in the large tool box she carried. She smuggled older children out in burlap sacks.

She trained a dog to sit in her truck and bark when the soldiers let her in or out of the ghetto. They wanted nothing to do with the dog. The barking covered the children’s noises. She smuggled about 2500 out. In time she was captured and beaten severely.

She kept a record of their names in a jar buried in her yard. After the war she tried to locate surviving parents to reunite families. Most had been executed. The children were placed in foster care or adopted by other families.

She lost the Nobel Prize to Al Gore’s slide show on Global Warming. Does that sound like injustice? God is just (Psalm 9:16). Do you think this is a misguided priority? God sets the proper order (Matthew 22:37-40). Does it sound like we forgot the danger of the Nazi Party, the terror of WWII, and our real heroes? The Lord remembers (Psalm 115:12).

Irena risked life and limb to save the helpless. Jesus gave His all to rescue us (Romans 5:8). Satan would like nothing more than for us to forget. We will not, we will tell THE story.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene