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