CONTACT (1997)

Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
Written by: James V. Hart, Michael Goldenberg
Studio: Warner Brothers
Starring: Jodie Foster, Matthew McConaughey, Tom Skerritt
Rated: PG

About the film:
Ellie, even as a young girl, has been fascinated with the stars. She is now grown and works on a grant from SETI (Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence), listening for sounds from outer space. When she finally hears a message, it becomes the biggest event in all of human history and attracts people from every walk of life… including religious/spiritual leaders. It doesn’t take long for Ellie to begin feeling pushed out of the spotlight of her own discovery.

Movie Quote:
“For as long as I can remember, I’ve been searching for something… some reason why we’re here. What are we doing here?”
Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster) in Contact (1997)

Bible Quote:
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."
Ecclesiastes 12:13 (KJV)


Commentary:
God bless her, Ellie’s questions are the same ones that many of us once asked. For some of us, our inquiries eventually led us to the Scriptures where, if we had the meekness to receive what they had to offer, we found the answers we sought.

Through the ages, man has always wanted to know the answer to the ultimate question: “What is the reason for our existence?” Unbeknown to most, the answer we seek has been recorded for eternity within the pages of the Bible. Simply put, man was created by God because God desired a family.

Just as a new parent will make preparations in expectation of bringing a baby home, all that is around us was designed by God with us in mind. The very universe was formed so that conditions would be perfect to sustain human life on this planet.

All He has ever asked in return – all any parent should ever want - is to love and be loved in return. This is our purpose. This is the reason why we’re here. We were created to love God and the way we can best manifest that love is to keep His commandments.

Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. What does God say about the possibility of life on other planets? What does He say is the reason for the creations of the stars and planets?
2. How has the experience changed Ellie’s beliefs? Why could she not be convinced before this?

Michael Elliott
http://screensermon.blogspot.com