Narnia: Turkish Delight, Christmas Sorrow

NARNIA: TURKISH DELIGHT, CHRISTMAS SORROW

(Mat. 2:1-18)

Movie: NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE

It is a Christmas story.

It also illuminates the crucifixion of Christ in this dramatic, moving, and breathtaking story of salvation

Narnia, the world beyond the wardrobe, is about the exploits of the four Pevensie siblings: Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy

This message focuses on Edmund.

I. EDMUND’S TURKISH DELIGHT

How did the Jadis, the White Witch get control of Edmund?

Turkish Delight! “Each piece was sweet and light to the very center and Edmund had never tasted anything more delicious.”

The White Witch Spell: Edmund eats the magic Turkish Delight. He can’t stop eating, until he has consumed over two pounds of the sweet. Then he asks for more. The White Witch has him now. Edmund is in her power and will do whatever she asks if it will get him more Turkish Delight.

The Turkish Delight Represents SIN

FOUR TROUBLESOME TRUTHS ABOUT SIN

1. SIN IS ATTRACTIVE Heb. 11:25; Gen. 4

"What do you want to eat"

2. SIN IS ADDICTIVE

“At last the Turkish Delight was all finished and Edmund was looking very hard at the empty box and wishing that she would ask him whether he would like some more.”

“He had eaten his share of the dinner, but he hadn’t really enjoyed it because he was thinking all the time about Turkish Delight… ”

ADDICTION/OBSESSION – abnormal or intense preoccupation; irrational attachment

3. SIN IS DECEPTIVE

Jadis made all kinds of promises to Edmund.

4. SIN IS DESTRUCTIVE

The castle of the White Witch is decorated by the stone statues of people who believed her lies.

II. HEROD’S MAD DELIGHT (Mat. 2:16-18)

How could anyone do what Herod did? How could anyone issue an order to murder innocent children? Caesar Augustus said, “It is safer to be Herod’s pig than to be Herod’s son.”

Herod started with little lies and little acts of dishonesty, and soon it was easy for him to issue the decree, “Kill the Children!”

Herod had tasted power; he was so wrapped up in himself that nobody else mattered. He was so callused by his sin. Sin does that. If you continue in your sin, then each time it just gets easier to sin.

Sin caused Christmas sorrow – “Weeping and lamentation in Ramah...”

HOW SIN GETS A GRIP OF OUR LIVES (James 1:14-15)

1. We LET our desires lead us:

“…each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (:14)

2. We CONSENT to our desire:

“when desire has conceived…” (:15a)

3. We ACT on our desire:

“…it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death” (:15b) Cf. Luke 22:1-6

WARNING: THE DANGER OF SIN

Sin is Attractive

Sin is Addictive

Sin is Deceptive

Sin is Destructive

III. GOD’S SAVING DELIGHT (2 Pet. 3:9)

God does not delight in anyone perishing; but wants everyone to come to salvation.

In the fullness of time, He sent forth His Son!

Encounter the Power of Aslan!

Edmund was saved by the mercy of Aslan.

Narnia: Land/Life under the power of sin and evil …

… Always winter, never Christmas!

“O, Wretched man that I am … who shall deliver me from the power of sin?” (Rom. 7:24)

If you will but confess … The Lion of Judah shall set you free!

Aslan’s sacrifice did not end all struggle in Narnia. He did however provide confidence, comfort, hope, joy... The struggles in life continue for a believer, but the presence of Christ provides strength to overcome.

Our Greatest Need

If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator;

If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist;

If our greatest need had been money,

God would have sent us an economist;

If our greatest need had been pleasure,

God would have sent us an entertainer;

But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior

“Good news of great joy… a Savior has been born to you, Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10,11)

It is winter, but Christmas has come into your life! When you have Christ in your heart!