Directed by: Duncan Jones
Written by: Ben Ripley
US Distribution: Summit Entertainment
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga
Rated: PG-13
About the film:
A helicopter pilot finds he can relive the last eight minutes of another man’s life. He uses this as an opportunity to discover the identity of a terrorist before that terrorist can strike again.
Movie Quote:
“What would you do if you knew you only had one minute to live?”
“I’d make those seconds count.”
Colter (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Christina (Michelle Monaghan) in Source Code (2011)
Bible Quote:
“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
Ephesians 5:16 (KJV)
Commentary:
How we spend our time may be an individual choice but it is a choice which should be considered carefully. Time is the one commodity we possess that we simply can’t replicate, grow, or hoard. All we can do is to use it in the most effective, meaningful way possible.
Unlike Colter, who has multiple opportunities to relive the same time period to achieve a desired goal, we have just one opportunity to make our seconds count. Once time has passed, there’s simply no bringing it back. How we spend our time throughout the course of our life will determine whether we look back on it with regret or with satisfaction.
God exhorts us to redeem the time. A literal definition of the word “redeem” is to “rescue from loss.” The natural state of time is one of waste or loss. It is only through our action that time has purpose and meaning. Make the seconds count. Let life have its purpose.
Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. What does “redeem the time” mean to you? How is it demonstrated in the film?
2. What are the greatest “time stealers” in your life? What can you do to protect yourself against them?
Showing posts with label purpose. Show all posts
Showing posts with label purpose. Show all posts
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
FROST/NIXON (2009)
Directed by: Ron Howard
Written by: Peter Morgan
Studio: Universal Pictures
Starring: Frank Langella, Michael Sheen
Rated: R
About the film:
Disgraced former president Richard Nixon agrees to be interviewed by TV personality David Frost in what would become an historical event. As the event draws near both participants come to realize the significance and importance of this interview… not only for themselves but also for a nation at odds with itself.
Movie Quote:
“The unhappiest people of the world are retired – no purpose. What makes life mean something is purpose – a goal, a battle, a struggle.”
Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) in Frost/Nixon (2009)
Bible Quote:
“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
James 4:14 (KJV)
Commentary:
A life without purpose can’t be called much of a life at all. If we are to look back on our life as we draw near to its end, what do you suppose will provide the most satisfaction for us? Far too many of us may be surprised to find that the endeavors that took up most of our time are, in retrospect, rather insignificant.
A purpose for living provides two main benefits. First, it gives us a goal to strive for; a direction in which to follow. We need not wander aimlessly through life wondering why we are so discontent. Secondly, it provides us with a benchmark for success. With nothing to accomplish, a wasted day is merely another link to a wasted life. Having a purpose gives us a measurement for success… reasons to rejoice… and a life that has meaning.
Coming up with a purpose in life is no small task… and men who try to figure one out for themselves often discover too late that their self-constructed purpose for living grows into a disappointing reality – successful or not. We can be thankful that God has provided a purpose for us. He formed, made, and created us with a purpose in mind. When we are faithful to that, our lives will live on and have meaning forever.
Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. What is man’s purpose in this life that God has given us?
2. How are the qualities of ego and pride represented in the two characters? What decisions do they make that are based upon them?
Michael Elliott
www.screensermon.blogspot.com
Written by: Peter Morgan
Studio: Universal Pictures
Starring: Frank Langella, Michael Sheen
Rated: R
About the film:
Disgraced former president Richard Nixon agrees to be interviewed by TV personality David Frost in what would become an historical event. As the event draws near both participants come to realize the significance and importance of this interview… not only for themselves but also for a nation at odds with itself.
Movie Quote:
“The unhappiest people of the world are retired – no purpose. What makes life mean something is purpose – a goal, a battle, a struggle.”
Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) in Frost/Nixon (2009)
Bible Quote:
“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
James 4:14 (KJV)
Commentary:
A life without purpose can’t be called much of a life at all. If we are to look back on our life as we draw near to its end, what do you suppose will provide the most satisfaction for us? Far too many of us may be surprised to find that the endeavors that took up most of our time are, in retrospect, rather insignificant.
A purpose for living provides two main benefits. First, it gives us a goal to strive for; a direction in which to follow. We need not wander aimlessly through life wondering why we are so discontent. Secondly, it provides us with a benchmark for success. With nothing to accomplish, a wasted day is merely another link to a wasted life. Having a purpose gives us a measurement for success… reasons to rejoice… and a life that has meaning.
Coming up with a purpose in life is no small task… and men who try to figure one out for themselves often discover too late that their self-constructed purpose for living grows into a disappointing reality – successful or not. We can be thankful that God has provided a purpose for us. He formed, made, and created us with a purpose in mind. When we are faithful to that, our lives will live on and have meaning forever.
Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. What is man’s purpose in this life that God has given us?
2. How are the qualities of ego and pride represented in the two characters? What decisions do they make that are based upon them?
Michael Elliott
www.screensermon.blogspot.com
Monday, November 23, 2009
THE MATRIX: RELOADED (2003)
Directed by: Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski
Written by: Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski
Studio: Warner Brothers
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss
Rated: R
About the film:
The second film of the sci-fi trilogy finds the remaining “unplugged” humans fighting for their life and freedom against the machines that have tried to enslave them within a complex computerized matrix.
Movie Quote:
“Because as we both know, without purpose, we would not exist. It is purpose that created us; Purpose that connects us; Purpose that pulls us. That guides us. That drives us. It is purpose that defines us. Purpose that binds us.”
Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) in The Matrix: Reloaded (2003)
Bible Quote:
“In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.”
Ephesians 1:11 (NIV)
Commentary:
Agent Smith may be the ‘bad guy’ in this film but he shows a remarkable awareness of a fundamental truth. That truth, simply put, is that there is a reason for our existence; a purpose to which we were called.
It doesn’t take faith to understand that there is an order to this world. It simply takes eyes to see. For order to exist there must be structure. With structure comes reason and intelligence and, or course, purpose.
God designed and created this world for a singular purpose. To give a place where you and I could live and grow. He created everything that exists – everything that we can see, smell, hear, taste, and touch – for the expressed purpose of supporting and enriching our lives.
His motivation was simply this: Love. Love is what He desires and it is what He expects from us in return. It makes perfect sense to recognize that love is our purpose or reason to live.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30 (NIV)
Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. Why is having a purpose important to our lives?
2. How can we best discover what our purpose is? How can we know beyond any doubt where we are to serve in the body of Christ?
Michael Elliott
http://screensermon.blogspot.com
Written by: Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski
Studio: Warner Brothers
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss
Rated: R
About the film:
The second film of the sci-fi trilogy finds the remaining “unplugged” humans fighting for their life and freedom against the machines that have tried to enslave them within a complex computerized matrix.
Movie Quote:
“Because as we both know, without purpose, we would not exist. It is purpose that created us; Purpose that connects us; Purpose that pulls us. That guides us. That drives us. It is purpose that defines us. Purpose that binds us.”
Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) in The Matrix: Reloaded (2003)
Bible Quote:
“In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.”
Ephesians 1:11 (NIV)
Commentary:
Agent Smith may be the ‘bad guy’ in this film but he shows a remarkable awareness of a fundamental truth. That truth, simply put, is that there is a reason for our existence; a purpose to which we were called.
It doesn’t take faith to understand that there is an order to this world. It simply takes eyes to see. For order to exist there must be structure. With structure comes reason and intelligence and, or course, purpose.
God designed and created this world for a singular purpose. To give a place where you and I could live and grow. He created everything that exists – everything that we can see, smell, hear, taste, and touch – for the expressed purpose of supporting and enriching our lives.
His motivation was simply this: Love. Love is what He desires and it is what He expects from us in return. It makes perfect sense to recognize that love is our purpose or reason to live.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30 (NIV)
Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. Why is having a purpose important to our lives?
2. How can we best discover what our purpose is? How can we know beyond any doubt where we are to serve in the body of Christ?
Michael Elliott
http://screensermon.blogspot.com
Sunday, September 27, 2009
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
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
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