WHY HASN'T HOLLYWOOD GOTTEN THE MESSAGE?
Phil. 1:27 (p 830) May 29, 2011
INTRODUCTION:
"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ".
Every Saturday of my childhood my Aunt Mae and I took a bus to downtown Lexington. Our destination was "The Strand" or one of the other two movie theaters on Broadway to see a movie…It was with my Aunt Mae I experienced Mary Poppins, Old Yeller, Snow White, Pinocchio, Sleeping Beauty…
The movies made me a better person when I was growing up…In those days almost every movie extolled virtue. Good triumphed over evil…there were absolutes and there were true heroes. Respect for women was lauded. Courage, bravery and sacrifice were present. Love of country was promoted.
I'll never forget watching "The Audie Murphy Story”…the story about America’s most decorated WWII Veterans… His willingness to sacrifice himself for his fellow soldiers…I went home and pulled out my Dad's purple heart to compare it to the one I'd seen presented on screen and I felt a pride and respect for my father and for our country.
I remember when watching the moves back then I pulled for the underdog, who was shown to be pursing righteousness. True romance included faithfulness and fidelity. Family life was depicted favorably…Parents were honored; education was shown as a prize to be sought after.
God, the church and those who worked for the church were never demeaned…and once in a while the Big Screen was used to bring powerful messages of God and even Jesus Christ…the 10 Commandments, King of Kings, The Robe…I still watch them as an adult and remember how they impacted my life as a young person.
When I was a teenager I remember….even in my rebellion watching "The Hiding Place" and before that "The Cross and the Switchblade" both of which powerfully affected my soul. I grew up during a time when Rob and Laura slept in 2 different beds, even though they were married, Jeanie's belly button was covered and when Gilligan was kissed by either Mary Ann or Ginger it was on the check and he blushed like crazy.
In 1969 the movie Midnight Cowboy was given an X rating…but by today's standards it would probably receive a PG 13 rating by the MPAA of today.
There's a wonderful quote that goes "What's tolerated today becomes normal tomorrow".
1.
And what's become normal…the top five movies last week: 1) Pirates Of the Caribbean, On Stranger Tides, Bridesmaids, Thor, Fast Five and Priest.
The Nielsen top 5 watched shows last week American Idol (Wed.), American Idol (Thurs), Dancing with the Stars, NCIS, and Dancing with the Stars (results). What I'm not doing is trying to cause you to feel guilty if you loved one of these movies or if I listed one of your favorite tv shows…whether it's Supernatural, House, Grey's Anatomy, Game of Thrones, or Bones.
What I am dealing with in this series of messages called "Becoming Lambs That Roar"
is how we as Christians most effectively influence our world and culture as salt and light. What are we as Christians doing to be the movers and shakers of social change? Do we have a strategy other than talking about how horrible things have become? How are we Lambs that Roar with conviction and change our world and being the people Paul challenged "Whatever happens conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ"
What does it really mean when Jesus, says in Acts 1:8 "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
I WHERE ARE HIS WITNESED IN HOLLYWOOD?
[Bob Briner an Emmy award wining producer writes in his book “Roaring Lambs,” "Remember 20 million people will go to the movies this week. Millions more see movies on T. V. and DVD's. Only very rarely do they see anything that points them to Christ... that's our fault…Typically our response to the sacrilege and blasphemy of modern movies is to whine, demonstrate, boycott and keep score. But we've offered no real alternatives or supported them when they've been offered. We cannot say "don't watch that trash… watch this film that is uplifting and ennobling.” We can't say that because we haven't produced those films in any number. Basically we are saying to those 20 million people each week "stay home," but don't watch T.V. because we haven't produced anything there either…this is not a logically defensible position. It won't play…not even in Peoria!"]
Maybe because we've been absent so long Hollywood may be the uttermost part of the earth, more foreign in many ways than China, India or Africa as far as the Gospel is concerned…Still we are commanded to go there and be His witnesses…And if we want to penetrate this culture like salt and light isn't it one we should consider?
You see, unless we've given up on America then we as God's people need to infiltrate and influence the segments of our society that impact our culture. Is there anyone here that believes Hollywood hasn't impacted our culture through television and the big screen…anyone?
[Anyone here remember the Movie "Chariots of Fire"? It's been several decades since its release and consequent Best Picture award…It had an amazing theme song…a compelling story. It depicted Christian people in fair and sympathetic ways.
The screen play was written by a committed Christian, but its producer David Putnam said that for years after chariots he tired to reproduce the "next chariots". But no one was bringing him scripts of quality.]
I considered that problem…here is a non-Christian producer that had the funds and the clout to produce whatever he wanted …and what he waited was another "Christian based powerful story”…and no one brought him the scripts.
My daughter Karissa is an amazing writer…what if I encouraged her to think about impacting this world with the talent God gave her through a mission field of 20+ million people a week? I want her to be a "Lamb that Roars."
Yes we need missionaries in Mara, yes we need to be absolutely concerned about the unreached people around the globe…but for the majority of us here in America…this is our mission field…We are in this world every day and every weekend…We are not of it…but the only way we can prevent the decay of our society or add the flavor of Christ is to think proactively about where God can use us.
And lest you think its easy…please try imaging what it would be like to be a real and genuine follower of Christ in the world of Hollywood, or politics, or the Arts. You will
definitely have to practice the advice of Jesus," Be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves."
When Paul says in our text "whatever happens conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ" He's giving us a clear mandate-No mater where you are…no mater what you’re doing… SHINE…BE SALT. ROAR!
I believe with all my heart too many people have fought and died for the freedoms we enjoy for us as Christians to surrender. But what has happened to many in the church is we've taken the easy way out…We see something wrong and we denounce it…We hate the direction we’re going so we become critical and negative about it…
For example, there is a group called Movie Morality Ministries and several times a week they send representatives into movies to count “cuss” words. We learn the “F” word is used 78 times in “The Hangover.” I’m sure this makes them feel active and engaged, that they serve God in their hearts where movies are concerned. I could be wrong and often am but I do not believe this is what Christ meant when he said, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost part of the world.” It doesn’t take a mass of movie monitors or millions of dollars to tell us Hollywood produces a lot of trash.
But it would take the heart of Jesus and the courage of Paul to go into that mission field and produce, write and distribute another “Chariots of Fire.”
One last comment as we consider why Hollywood hasn’t gotten the message and what steps we as Christians can take to become lambs that roar.
Our attitude as parents, church leaders, and teachers must be…
God-given gifts need to be used for His purposes.
Here’s what I mean---if God has given you the ability to be the best baseball player ever, become it. But as you become it, influence your world for Christ. If God’s given you the ability to make music, yes, you can use it for His glory in the church. But you can also use it for His purposes in the world. If God’s given you a creative heart, the ability to write and produce quality scripts and plays, understand where that gift comes from and why you have it.
Yes, the Lord needs preachers (I think). Yes, he needs pastors, prophets, evangelists and teachers. But do you know why? Ephesians 4 says “to prepare God’s people for works of service.” That’s what our text is calling us to do. This is exactly what it means to become a lamb that roars. Matthew 28:18, 19 find Jesus saying “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to one. Therefore, (because of that authority) go and make disciples of all nations.” A more literal translation of “go” is “as you are going.” As you follow the Lord’s calling, it’s not to make money or glorify yourself. “Whatever you do in word or deed do all to the glory of God in Christ Jesus.” Be what the Lord has called you to be, the absolute best at it in quality and energy. And as you do that, remember your purpose. Make disciples.
Become lambs that roar.
Run the race!
(Clip from Chariots of Fire)
