Sermon Reflections from God at the Movies "Greater"| Alex Hardt | June 2, 2024  

​Pastor Alex is always up for something fun to stimulate us to think more biblically and to put our faith into action.  This month’s series focusing on movie themes highlighting our culture is an excellent way to show that God is not dead and that His principles are alive and well.  We often have to search for them but God has not abandoned us to our culture and left us without evidence of His world, His power and His might!  Thank you Jesus.

The movie ‘Greater’ focuses on a young man, Brandon Burlsworth, who overcomes great odds to accomplish his goals.  He has a never quit attitude and does not allow himself to focus on his fears but concentrate on his faith in himself and God. Pastor Alex likens Brandon’s story to that of David told in 1 Samuel 17.  David, like Brandon, did not let their own fears paralyze them into to non-action.   David was the youngest son of Jesse and his 3 older brothers were in the army of Israel serving King Saul.  They were in the valley of Elah facing the Philistine troops.  David carried things back and forth to his brothers and was tending his father’s sheep in between.   For 40 days the Philistines had sent their giant of a soldier, Goliath, to challenge the Israelites through the use of intimidation and fear.  His size alone would have given them pause to be worried.  David arrives bringing food to his brothers and asks what is happening.  David hears what is going on and the threats given by Goliath and is incensed by his words. He asks a couple of questions.  1 Samuel 17:26 And David said to the men who stood by him, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”   It was logical to ask what would be the reward given to the great warrior who could defeat this giant as soldier were paid for their services.  However, his second question comes from David’s faith and deep rooted belief that God watches out for and cares about the nation Israel.  He is not a God of stone or wood, not an idol but a living being who parts the seas, feeds the hungry, and frees the enslaved.   David knew that not standing up to this ‘giant’ showed their fear and lack of faith in Almighty God.  He knew that the God of Israel was greater than any Philistine giant.

Just like the character Brandon shows in the movie, David knew the character of God.  He knew Him to be the Almighty one.   How did he know this, he had personal experience.  1 Samuel 17 34-36 “But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, 35 I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. 36 Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”   David knew that His God was mighty and was bigger than anything, any giant, which would come his way.  

How about you?  Do you believe that the God of your faith is greater than any circumstances or people you will ever encounter?  1 John 4:4 gives us courage “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.’    David belonged to God’s people and knew God loved, cared and defended him.  As a believer, we too have that assurance.  God is with us.  Here are a few scriptures that give me hope and remind me that I can be like David and am seen as a love one by God himself.  Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”  For Joshua and the children of Israel the ‘them’ was their enemies.  What or who is your ‘them’??  God promises to be with us 24/7 standing beside us as we walk each day confronting our problems and He will give us the victory- just like He did David.    David did not let his fears overcome his faith and stepped out in faith to confront the giant Goliath.  He chose his weapons carefully and allowed God to use him to slay the giant.  Paul faced difficulties in his ministry and tells us he stood resolute, like David, in the presence of fear.  I use 2 Corinthians 12:9 as my go to verse along with the Deuteronomy passage when I am in need of courage.  “ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”   David and Paul both knew that God has it handled and we just need to walk in faith trusting Him to deliver us.

How good are you at trusting God when times get hard?  Do you cave or do you stand strong in the Lord?  I can say from personal experience that each time you have to face a challenge it gets easier to walk with God and trust Him.  Why? Because of personal experience!  You know that God has seen you though before and He will not let you down. That is what David relied upon, he remember the lion and the bear.  What experiences do you have that you can praise God for and remember His faithfulness?  God is faithful.  You can depend upon Him.  Claim Lamentations 3:21-23 “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: 22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;  his mercies never come to an end;   23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”  1 Corinthians 10:13 “ No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”   Just like David, God will see you though every trial, He is faithful.
 
Linda
 
Here are a few more movies similarly themed.  “I can only Imagine”, “Overcomer”, “The Rookie” and even “Sandlot”.  Good summer viewing.
 
Valley of Elah    I took this picture of the valley where the battle took place. You can just envision the armies on the hills facing one another.
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​MESSAGE LINK
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Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am.
​Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass

Sermon Reflections from Warning to Oppressors | Alex Hardt | July 30, 2023

In this week's sermon reflection, I would like to it be your response to the message. 
So, I have provided little bits and pieces from the message along with a few interactive components.  My hope is that it gives you, the listener, a chance to reflect on the message.  

POINT 1
YOUR WEEPING AND GROANING…
REVEALS TO THE WORLD WHAT YOUR SOWING. 

James 5:3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 

In Verse 3 James states that the corrosion of Gold and Silver affects the WEALTHY and POWERFUL in two ways. 
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First, it testifies AGAINST them, producing evidence of their greed and lack of concern. Take time to reflect on these questions.  What is God Saying to You and What are you going to do about it.  

• Do YOU have trouble letting go of objects? … 
• Are their things that YOU quarrel over? Lost relationships because of…
  
• Do YOU hold onto things as though they will be WITH YOU for all of eternity? … 
• Has the possession of an object EVER interfered WITH your relationship WITH the heavenly father? …
  
  

Second, James says it will consume their flesh as fire, a terrible image of divine judgment on those WHO had made money their chief aim in life.

• What good is it to gain the whole world BUT to lose YOUR Soul? …
• Is the allure of Money or Power a higher priority THAN your relationship with God?
  
• Think about it for a second… How much time are YOU spending investing in your Eternal life VERSUS your worldly life? 
  

POINT 2
YOUR PATIENCE AND ENDURANCE…
REVEALS YOUR TRUST IN GOD’S PERSEVERANCE.

In James 6:7-12, James redirects his focus to PATIENCE AND ENDURANCE in the Midst of Suffering.  While all of us need Patience and Endurance, there are particular times when we need a bit more patience.  

WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES ARE UNCONTROLLABLE
James 5:7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.
How do you respond when circumstances are uncontrollable?

WHEN PEOPLE ARE UNCHANGEABLE
James 5:10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
What's the most difficult thing about dealing with stubborn people?

WHEN PROBLEMS ARE UNEXPLAINABLE
James 5:11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
What is your initial response when problems frustrate you or are unexplainable?

POINT 3
THE POWER OF PRAYER…
LEADS BELIEVERS, IN BOTH DARKNESS AND SUNSHINE, TO A CONSCIOUSNESS OF GOD. 
How do you respond in times of Darkness/Trouble and in Times of Sunshine/Joy?  

What would it look like to glorify God in those situations? How would glorifying God look different in times of darkness than in times of sunshine? 
 

SERMON LINK
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Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am.
​Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.