Sunday, January 31, 2010

THE PRINCESS BRIDE (1987)

Directed by: Rob Reiner
Written by: William Goldman
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Starring: Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Robin Wright Penn
Rated: PG

About the film:
A grandfather reads to his sick grandson and tells a tale about a beautiful princess in need of rescuing. It is a tale of great adventure – with giants, pirates, wizards, and exciting swordplay. But, above all else, it is a tale of love.

Movie Quote:
“You can’t hurt me. Wesley and I are joined by the bonds of love. And you cannot track that, not with a thousand bloodhounds. And you cannot break it, not with a thousand swords.”
Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright Penn) in The Princess Bride (1987)

Bible Quote:
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
Romans 8:35-37 (NIV)

Commentary:
The Princess Bride is a story about true love. True love is the strongest bond that exists in this world and the truest love of all is the love of God exemplified by the standard that was set by Jesus Christ.

When we operate with the love of God in our heart, the impact our loves make upon others is both palpable and real. Nothing in this world can change the fact that God loves us. Nothing in this world should change the fact that we love Him back. With His love, we are more than conquerors… we are winners in every sense of the word.

Our love need not be affected by the trials and tribulations of this world. We recognize that we will go through hard times or, as the scriptures say, “night seasons.” But the love that binds us to God is not changed by outward circumstances. It abides within us and it grows stronger every day and with every passing moment. The challenges of life will come and go but the love of God is constant and shall never fail.

Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. What are the different ways that the characters in the film express their love?
2. Wesley defied the odds and overcame every obstacle in order to be reunited with his love. What won’t God do for us to reconcile us to Him?

Michael Elliott
http://screensermon.blogspot.com

Saturday, January 30, 2010

THE PREACHER'S WIFE (1996)

Directed by: Penny Marshall
Written by: Nat Mauldin, Allan Scott
Studio: Touchstone Pictures
Starring: Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston
Rated: PG

About the film:
A hardworking reverend is allowing his marriage to falter due to the constant pressures of his work and the financial difficulties of his church. He prays to God for help but the angel who arrives as his answer to prayer seems to be making matters worse.

Movie Quote:
“Just because you can’t see the air doesn’t keep you from breathing. And just because you can’t see God doesn’t keep you from believing.”
Jeremiah Biggs (Justin Pierre Edmund) in The Preacher’s Wife (1996)

Bible Quote:
“We live by faith, not by sight.”
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)

Commentary:
The Preacher’s Wife presents us with a story which can be hard to believe. The scriptures speak of angels and describe angelic encounters that men have had. That doesn’t mean that it is easy to embrace the concept of an angel appearing before us.

There’s no question that it is easier to believe what is right before our faces than it is to believe something that is invisible. If we think about it however, there are many things that we do not doubt exist even though we may never be able to see them.

The quote from The Preacher’s Wife identifies one: Air cannot be seen yet we have no doubt that, when we inhale, we replenish our lungs with that substance required of all human life. When we get out of bed each morning, we are confident that our feet will remain on the floor because of an invisible reality called gravity.

We believe in these things that we cannot see because we can see the effects caused by their existence. If we are spiritually attuned, we will also see the effects of the invisible God who is every bit as real and vital as the air and gravity which He created.

Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. How can we believe in that which we cannot see? How can we build our faith?
2. The angel does not seem to immediately satisfy the prayers of Rev. Biggs. Why not? What does this teach us about how God answers prayers?

Michael Elliott
http://screensermon.blogspot.com

Friday, January 29, 2010

THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE (1972)

Directed by: Ronald Neame, Irwin Allen
Written by: Wendell Mayes, Stirling Silliphant
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Starring: Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, Shelly Winters
Rated: PG

About the film:
When a luxury liner capsizes while at sea, a small band of survivors make their way to the “bottom” of the ship in order to be prepared for the possible rescue that might follow.

Movie Quote:
“So what resolution should we make for the New Year? It’s to let God know that you have the guts and the will to do it alone. Resolve to fight for yourselves and for others… for those you love. And that part of God within you will be fighting with you all the way.”
Rev. Frank Scott (Gene Hackman) in The Poseidon Adventure (1972)

Bible Quote:
“For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”
Deuteronomy 20:4 (NIV)

Commentary:
Rev. Scott reminds us that prayer and believing must be backed by our actions. God will always expect us to do what we can for ourselves. As we do, He is willing and able to step in whenever we are lacking and have need of help. But first, it is our responsibility to act. Life affords us plenty of opportunities.

Anyone who has lived on this earth for a sufficient period of time can see the fallacy in the adage that “life is just a bowl of cherries.” There is a spiritual adversary in this world that stands in opposition to all which we hold true. Because of this, life is often a struggle. But it is a struggle that we can win if we but put our trust in the One who is stronger than our adversary.

We all battle daily against a spiritual enemy whether we are aware of it or not. But we do not battle alone. God stands with us, arm bared, ready to fight against those invisible powers who mean to defeat us. It is an unseen reality that we can often forget in the heat of the battle.

Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. What motivated the other passengers to remain where they were instead of following Scott and his small group? What would you have done and why?
2. There were a number of sacrificial acts made during the film that enabled the survivors to be rescued. Compare and contrast these acts against the sacrifice of our Lord.

Michael Elliott
http://screensermon.blogspot.com

Thursday, January 28, 2010

THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (1960)

Directed by: John Sturges
Written by: Walter Newman, William Roberts
Studio: United Artists
Starring: Yul Brynner, Eli Wallach, Steve McQueen
Rated: PG-13

About the film:
A gang of seven gunslingers with no vested interest in the cause for which they were hired nevertheless try to protect a tiny Mexican village from invading bandits.

Movie Quote:
“You think I am brave because I carry a gun? Well, your fathers are much braver because they carry responsibility: For you, your brothers, your sisters, and your mothers. And this responsibility is like a big rock that weighs a ton. It bends and it twists them until finally it buries them under the ground. And there’s nobody says they have to do this. They do it because they love you, and because they want to. I have never had this kind of courage.”
O’Reilly (Charles Bronson) in The Magnificent Seven (1960)

Bible Quote:
“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?”
Luke 11:11 (NIV)

Commentary:
What leads a man to make the ultimate sacrifice? It is a question that strikes at the heart of Christianity. After all, our Lord and Savior was sent to earth for the sole purpose to sacrifice himself for us. Like Jesus Christ, the seven gunfighters in The Magnificent Seven chose, for reasons of their own, to risk their lives in order to bring freedom to people they didn’t know.

Sacrifice is an unusual thing to explain. The survival instinct within man is strong and unrelenting. And yet, at times, it is available for man to suppress his natural survival instinct in order to give dominance to a stronger force – a force that compels him to give his life in order to save another.

A father knows instinctively that he is capable of giving his life for his child. Anyone who has been blessed with a child knows this. Of course, our God takes this a step further. He allowed his only begotten son to suffer and die in order that he might welcome more of His children to His side. Such love is difficult to fathom. But it is not impossible to understand.

God empowered us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He enabled us to free ourselves from the bondage of fear and death. He did this for one reason only. He loves us.

Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. Why did these gunfighters decide to stay and fight for a village that wasn’t theirs?
2. Compare the qualities and attributes of the gunfighters. Did these qualities help to determine whether or not they survived the battle? Why or why not?

Michael Elliott
http://screensermon.blogspot.com

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

POINT BREAK (1991)

Directed by: Kathryn Bigelow
Written by: W. Peter Iliff
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Starring: Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, Gary Busey
Rated: R

About the film:
A young FBI agent infiltrates a gang of bank robbers who seem to enjoy the emotional rush that comes from engaging in daredevil activities. In order to get to the bottom of what is happening, he has to climb to the top of the gang’s machismo actions.

Movie Quote:
“Fear causes hesitation and hesitation will cause your worst fears to come true.”
Bohdi (Patrick Swayze) in Point Break (1991)

Bible Quote:
“For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.”
Job 3:25 (KJV)

Commentary:
Fear continues to be the instrument by which most men are defeated. And yet, for a believing man or woman, it is the most irrational state of mind one could possibly adopt. A quick search shows us that God’s Word commands us well over 60 times to “fear not.”

Whenever we fear something, we are in essence telling God that we pay more respect to that which we fear than we do to God who continually tells us that we need not fear. The reason fear defeats us is because it is a form of believing. In the spiritual world, believing has power… even the negative believing which manifests itself as fear.

To drive fear out of our lives, we must replace it with something stronger – Trust. We must build an absolute assurance in our minds that the promises of God are true. By so doing, we can turn our believing around to something which has a positive impact. Trusting or believing God leads to hope and is fueled by love which we are promised will eradicate fear.

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18 (KJV)

Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. How does fear aid or inhibit success as seen in the context of this film?
2. How does love cast out fear? What properties does love contain that cannot co-exist with fear?

Michael Elliott
www.screensermon.blogspot.com

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

PINOCCHIO (1940)

Directed by: Hamilton Lueke, Ben Sharpsteen
Written by: William Cottrell, Otto Englander, Erdman Penner, Joseph Sato, Ted Sears, Webb Smith
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Starring: Dickie Jones, Cliff Edwards, Christian Rub
Rated: G

About the film:
A wooden puppet comes to life but desires to become a real boy. With his conscience, Jiminy Cricket, as his guide, he has many adventures on his way to achieving his dream. That dream does not come true easily.

Movie Quote:
“A conscience is that still small voice that people won’t listen to.”
Jiminy Cricket (Cliff Edwards) in Pinocchio (1940)

Bible Quote:
“And after the earthquake, a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire, a still small voice.”
1 Kings 19:12 (KJV)

Commentary:
It’s funny how a small, humorous quote can be filled with such meaning. The still, small voice which Jiminy Cricket called a “conscience” is exactly what God described in His Word when teaching His prophet Elijah the way to recognize His voice. God’s voice was not heard within the strong wind, the fierce earthquake or the roaring fire which He sent before Elijah. It was heard in the sudden stillness that followed.

People who are waiting for bold, booming, majestic declarations from God may spend a lifetime waiting and never experience the sweet fellowship and communion that God desires and enjoys with His children during quiet moments.

And yet, as Jiminy reminds us, even if we attune our ears to hear His voice, listening to it is still a matter of choice. We should aspire to reach the level where, with peace of heart and quietness of soul, we may both hear and listen to what God has to say. And, in addition to that… we should heed it.

Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. With all the false teachers and false prophets that exist in this world, how can we know beyond certainty that the still small voice we’re hearing is coming from God?
2. Scripture says that foolishness is bound in the heart of a child. How is this represented in the film? How could it have been avoided?

Michael Elliott
www.screensermon.blogspot.com

Monday, January 25, 2010

PATCH ADAMS (1998)

Directed by: Tom Shadyac
Written by: Steve Oedekerk
Studio: MCA/Universal Pictures
Starring: Robin Williams, Monica Potter, Michael Jeter
Rated: PG-13

About the film:
Based on a true story, the film follows a medical student who adopts a rather unorthodox method of treating the sick. In order to practice these methods, he decides to open his own clinic which breaks down the emotional barrier between patient and doctor.

Movie Quote:
“You’re focusing on the problem. If you focus on the problem, you can’t see the solution. Never focus on the problem.”
Arthur Mendelson (Harold Gould) in Patch Adams (1998)

Bible Quote:
“Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead – since he was about a hundred years old – and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God.”
Romans 4:19-20 (NIV)

Commentary:
Sometimes, profound statements will be made by secondary or inconsequential characters. Arthur Mendelson had only a few moments of screen time but his words speak volumes.

A successful runner will not, in the middle of his race, look down at his feet and wonder why they’re not moving faster. No, he’ll keep his eyes focused ahead, towards the finish line… towards the victory that awaits him.

God promised Abraham that he would be the “father of many nations.” As he neared the age of 100, he was still childless. His wife, Sarah, was ninety. It would have been easy for them to believe the physical conditions of their aging bodies. They chose instead to keep their minds focused on God’s promise. They received the victory because God kept his promise despite the “physical impossibilities.”

Focusing on the reasons why something can’t be done is often the primary reason why things don’t get done. Victory and deliverance are promised to us. Let us turn our eyes from that which holds us back and focus instead on that which will draw us forward.

Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. Success or victory is largely dependent upon attitude. How is this truth reflected in the film?
2. Scripture says that a cheerful heart is good medicine. Does the film support that truth? How?

Michael Elliott
www.screensermon.blogspot.com

Sunday, January 24, 2010

THE PARTY (1968)

Directed by: Blake Edwards
Written by: Blake Edwards, Tom Waldman, Frank Waldman
Studio: United Artists
Starring: Peter Sellers, Claudine Longet, Marge Champion
Rated: PG

About the film:
When an incompetent Indian actor ruins a day’s shooting, the studio intends to fire him. A clerical error sends him an invitation to an exclusive Hollywood party instead of a pink slip. He arrives and, as his nature is, brings chaos with him.

Movie Quote:
“Wisdom is the province of the aged, but the heart of a child is pure.”
Hrundi V. Bakshi (Peter Sellers) in The Party (1968)

Bible Quote:
“I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Luke 18:17 (NIV)

Commentary:
He may be an incompetent buffoon who destroys just about everything he touches but Hrundi V. Bakshi makes at least one valid observation. Senior citizens as well as the very young possess positive qualities or traits attributable to their age.

Wisdom is simply learned knowledge that has been applied in one’s life. The more one experiences, the broader and deeper his or her wisdom becomes. Children should look to their elders and respect the knowledge and wisdom that comes with age and experience.

At the same time, older generations may continue to learn from the very young. Children do possess qualities which are much to be admired and emulated. Their pureness of heart, the degree to which they trust, and their ability to believe fully without doubt or reservation; these are qualities that we often lose as we grow older.

God wants us to discover them again in our dealings with Him. He wants us to know that we can trust Him implicitly and believe in His Word with all of our heart without fear, worry or doubt. He wants us to approach Him as beloved little children for that is exactly how He sees and how He loves us.

Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. What is the main reason we lose our pureness of heart as we grow older? How might we recapture it?
2. Why does Jesus say that unless we receive the kingdom of God like a little child, we won’t enter into it? What does he mean?

Michael Elliott
www.screensermon.blogspot.com