VOLUNTEERS (1985)

Directed by: Nicholas Meyer
Written by: David Isaacs, Ken Levine
Studio: TriStar Pictures
Starring: Tom Hanks, John Candy, Rita Wilson, Tim Thomerson
Rated: R

About the film:
A spoiled rich ne’er-do-well runs up a huge debt which his tycoon father refuses to pay. In order to escape from his debtors, he enlists in the Peace Corps and finds himself in Southeast Asia where he is supposed to help the villagers build a bridge.

Movie Quote:
“It’s not that I can’t help these people. It’s just I don’t want to.”
Lawrence Bourne III (Tom Hanks) in Volunteers (1985)

Bible Quote:
“Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised.”
Romans 4:20-21 (NIV)

Commentary:
Granted, at the beginning of the film, the central character of Volunteers is not a sterling example of altruism. And yet, I don’t think a man alive, if he’s honest with himself, can say that a similar sentiment to the one Bourne expresses is one that has never entered his mind. Being of the flesh, we can sometimes get selfish with our time and energy by withholding our help from those in need.

Thankfully, we have a God who is better than that. His ability always equals His willingness. God does not withhold anything from us. If, in His Word, He has stated that something is available to us then we can know beyond any doubt that He is willing to give it to us. Eternal life, health and prosperity, peace and happiness… It doesn’t matter what the promise is, once made, He backs it up with action.

The key to life is, and always has been, found in the principle of believing. It is a universal law that God has woven into all of His creation. As we believe, without doubting, we shall receive all that for which we believe. If we want to receive blessings from God, we first have to believe that He wants to give them to us.

Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. Positive thinking is something that is taught in secular self-help books. From a spiritual perspective, why does positive thinking work?
2. What changes in Bourne as a result of his experiences? What causes him to mature in his thinking and attitude?

Michael Elliott
www.screensermon.blogspot.com