Over the past 6 weeks, we have been in a sermon series entitled, "At the Movies." The idea behind this series is to explain biblical concepts using the storylines from popular movies. This week's movie is "The Notebook."
The idea of using movies in a series is not a new one, as many pastors have done this all across the country. Our series is not unique, except that our sermons are directed by the Holy Spirit for our church, for our people, and for our community. Just as other churches feel the same for their churches.
As I have said before, I love good stories. Whether they are in a movie or song, a good story will get me every time. A good movie should grab your attention. It should leave you with some sort of reaction or emotion.
The 5 main parts of a good story are:
Plot
Setting
Characters
Point of View
Conflict
This movie incorporates all of these concepts.
The movie starts with seeing an older woman who is obviously in a care center. She is offered to read a story. About the time that they get started, a gentleman comes by and wants to help out. So he begins to read this story to her. She is obviously suffering the effects of dementia or some sort of memory deterioration. She does not know this man, who obviously knows her. During the course of the movie, the woman has no idea, that this is her story. It is the story all about her and the gentleman that is reading it to her. In the end, as the story is completed, she realizes who he is, her husband, and who she is.
This story had power. The power it had was all about the love that it told. It had the ability to bring her back to him.
I imagine the Bible is much the same. It is a love story that is filled with so many twists and turns that affect our lives. It has action, adventure, horrors, love and romance. God wrote this story over our lives, and every part of it, declares his love for us. It shows that there is not a thing he won't do to win our love.
The Bible is filled with things that change our lives at the core. As a church, this notebook defines what we are, how we live, why we exist and what are future holds. It is an amazing story of life and power, healing and consequence. But too many times, we neglect it and forget the power it has for our lives.
Hebrews 4:12-16 (ESV) 12For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.14Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
When we read about what the bible is, it is said that it is a living and active word. Meaning that it is not some dead script that does not apply to our lives today. It was not just something for those who lived thousands of years ago. But alive. It is breathing. It is meaningful for your life and mine.
In the 66 books of the bible, you will find the story of God and You. You will find in its pages the story of His love for you and the GREATER PURPOSE that He has in store for your life. A church is not based on the latest touchy feely, but rather what is contained in the Word.
The Word will not return void in your life. The reasons that we don't get the full effect sometimes is because we neglect it. We don't take the time to discover what is in it for us because other things take priority. Psalm 119:16 tells us that we are to delight in the Word and not neglect its teachings. Neglect is a strong word, especially in our society.
Neglect says that you don't care for it or do the things that show concern for it. It happens when we become too comfortable with things. You overlook the deeper because the basics are handled. But what you miss in neglect, is the GREATER that God has for your life.
God’s word in your life has the ability bring:
Power (Hebrews 4:12) Alive and active
Healing (Psalm 107:20) He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.
Direction (Proverbs 16:9) The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. (through the word)
Freedom (Luke 4:18) The word declares freedom and captives let go
But all of these benefits are dependent on access. So how do we get the most out of the bible?
1. Download it into your life!
If you want to get the benefit of the latest app for your phone, it must be downloaded on to it. It's not something you can hear other talk about it. You have to take the time to learn it, study it and figure out how it works.
The same is true when it comes to the Bible. You have to take the time to put the work in. To download it into your life is not difficult, but it will take effort. And when you do it, the Word will have the full power to:
Transform you
Change you
Grow your faith
It will renew your strength
The word of God has power and that power changes our circumstances and who we are from the inside out. The movie showed the power of the story of love on Allie. It had the power to help her remember who she was and the road she had walked. When she heard it, it would stir her.
The same is true for your life today. When you get into the word of God, it has the power to help you remember the love of God over you and the rights and privileges that God has granted to your life. It brings that ability to overcome!
Practical Steps to download the Word into your life:
Find a bible you will read and understand
Study extra materials that deal with what you are reading
Look for background information
Seek out info from reputable websites
2. Once you have downloaded the Word...let it direct you.
It's not enough just to study the Word, you have to do it.
James 1:22 (ESV) But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
When we allow the bible to master our lives, we should walk in the way Jesus walked, love the way that he loved and live a life that is pleasing to God in our actions and responses.
At the end of the day, this story should bring you back to life. It should give you power and heal the hurts. It should bring confidence to your everyday situation and leave you ready to tackle the moments.
PJ