Sunday at the Movies

Frozen

August 25, 2024 • Greg Burdine • 1 Corinthians 13

Frozen is a 2013 animated movie inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, The Snow Queen. It centers around two sisters, Else and Anna, and their relationship with each other and several other characters. It ends like every good fairy tale - they lived happily ever after. It has catchy songs, quirky characters and a heartwarming story of love. The Bible presents a true meaning of love in 1 Corinthians 13. 1. Love is essential (v. 1-3) 2. Love is effective (v. 4-7). 3. Love is eternal (v. 8-13). Love is putting someone else's needs first. Sacrificial love is powerful. 

Spiderman

August 18, 2024 • Greg Burdine • Luke 12:42–48

"With great power comes great responsibility." This quote sets the theme for the contemporary Spiderman movies. Based on Marvel Comics' superhero character, Peter Parker, was bitten by a genetically altered spider and develops spider-like superhuman abilities. Not knowing what happened, his Uncle Ben challenged his use of power. We can learn lessons about power and responsibility as we are called to live out our faith. 1. Responsibility has power. 2. Identity has struggle. 3. Sacrifice is real.

I Can Only Imagine

August 11, 2024 • Dan Crist

Toy Story

August 4, 2024 • Greg Burdine • Ecclesiastes 4:9–12

Toy Story is an animated movie about toys who pretend to be lifeless when humans are around, but come to life when they are gone. It is also a story about friends and friendship. The Bible teaches much about friendship. Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes that friendship is a good investment. We discover three characteristics of a friend. 1. A friend lifts you up when you're down. 2. A friend provides warmth in a cold world. 3. A friend fights to protect you and your reputation.

Star Wars

July 28, 2024 • Greg Burdine • Psalm 90:2, Luke 17:21, Ephesians 1:19, Isaiah 41:10

Star Wars is one of the most successful and influential movie franchises in history. It depicts the adventures of characters "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away" surrounded by a mystical power known as the "Force." Creator George Lucas said, "I put the Force into the movie in order to try to awaken a certain kind of spirituality in young people - more a belief in God..."  Today we will follow George Lucas and the Bible to see if we can discover something about God. 1. God is eternal (Psalm 90:2).  2. God is internal (Luke 17:21). 3. God is powerful (Ephesians 1:19) 4. God is personal (Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 23:1-6)

Inside Out

July 21, 2024 • Greg Burdine • Galatians 5:22–23

Inside Out is an animated movie about a young girl and her emotions. The personified emotions interact to help her deal with changes in her life. Emotions and feelings are a big part of who we are and how we react to life situations. Though emotions are difficult to control, the Holy Spirit produces "fruit" that helps us think and behave more like Jesus.  What "fruit" does the Holy Spirit produce in a Christian's life? 1. Love. Love is the greatest thing in the world. Love is not an option; we are to love whether we feel like it or not. 2. Joy. Happiness is momentary, but joy is deep. Joy is sometimes related to suffering. 3. Peace. The peace of God is preceded by peace with God. Peace is the absence of worry, fear, and turmoil. 

Despicable Me

July 14, 2024 • Greg Burdine • Ephesians 4:15–16

Despicable Me is a bunch of movies that center on a former supervillain, Gru, turned secret agent. His Minions add to the comedy of the plot.  The Minions illustrate the cooperation and unity between believers. Why should church members cooperate? 1. The Obedience Factor: Christ has connected us. 2. The Need Factor: You have what others need. 3. The Testimony Factor: Our unity builds and matures the church.

Barbie

June 30, 2024 • Greg Burdine • Psalm 8:3–4, Luke 12:6–7, Romans 12:3

Barbie (2023) is a movie based on the fashion doll by Mattel. It was the highest-grossing movie of 2023 and is in the top 20 biggest movies of all time. It is the adventure of a doll who transfers into the real world in search of meaning. Our world searches for meaning and value in appearance, possessions, status, and other subjective attributes. However, our true value is spelled out in the Bible. What is our value? 1. Our value is grounded in the value God places on our life (Psalm 8:3-4). 2. We are valuable to God (Luke 12:6-7). 3. Our self-value is affected by how closely we identify with Christ (Romans 12:3).

Karate Kid

June 23, 2024 • Greg Burdine • 2 Timothy 2:1–2

Karate Kid is a movie about a young boy, bullied by classmates, and mentored by an older karate expert. He overcomes his adversaries and learns many important life lessons. Mentoring is a valuable relationship, including the Christian life. It's called discipleship.  What lessons do we find about discipleship? 1. The importance of example. 2. The selection of disciples. 3. The cycle of mentorship.

Rocky

June 16, 2024 • Greg Burdine • 1 Corinthians 9:24–27

Rocky is a movie about a struggling boxer who gets a chance to fight the heavyweight champion of the world. It illustrates the spiritual discipline needed to be a champion Christian. What does it take to win? 1. Pursue the prize. 2. Persist in self-control. 3. Persevere to Heaven. 

Wizard of Oz

June 9, 2024 • Greg Burdine

The Wizard of Oz is the story of a group of adventurers on a journey. They all eventually find what they are looking for: a brain, a heart, courage, a home. All people are on a journey. Whether they realize it or not they are looking for home, Heaven. We can help them find it. The Wizard of Oz illustrates several eternal truths: 1. There's more than this life. 2. Follow the right path (Yellow Brick Road). 3. You need friends to make it. 4. Don't give up your principles. 5. There's no place like home.