Introduction: Today we are concluding our sermon series based on C. S. Lewis’ classic Christian allegory, “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.” In this story, four British children enter through a wardrobe to a new land called Narnia. In this land, it is always winter, and never Christmas. Narnia is enchanted by the evil witch who corresponds to Satan, but the Christ-figure, Aslan redeems Narnia by giving up his life on a stone table, but then is resurrected to defeat evil once and for all. This book has sold over 85 million copies world-wide…is accepted in most public schools…and is an allegory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
“The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” is also a major motion picture. In fact, we will be going opening night as a church—this Friday night, December 9th. We have purchased the entire 7:10 showing. We have 227 seats! This is more seats than we had for the Passion! We would like you to buy a ticket, and we will give you an evangelistic ticket for free. I believe this is one of our greatest evangelistic opportunities in recent years. So please be praying about a friend that you can take to this movie. You need to buy or reserve your ticket today…beginning tomorrow we will be releasing the tickets to other churches.
Two weeks ago, we looked at the lion’s roar, and discovered that he had a holy, loving, and winning roar. Last week the message was on the witch’s spell. The witch’s spell curses creation, lures lusts, hardens hearts, and fosters false-truths. Today we consider the wardrobe, with a message entitled “The Wardrobe’s Opportunity.” It is my prayer that this movie and this book, would stir up some holy imagination. If we would just have the courage to leave our humdrum, ordinary everyday existence…and walk through the wardrobe and experience the magic of Narnia…Narnia teaches us that first we must,
1. OPEN THE DOOR TO LIFE.
When Peter, Susan, and Lucy first meet Aslan, the dialogue goes like this, “Welcome Peter, Son of Adam,” said Aslan, “Welcome, Susan and Lucy, Daughers of Eve...” His voice was deep and rich and somehow took the fidgets out of them. They now felt glad and quiet and it didn’t seem awkward to them to stand and say nothing. “But where is the fourth?” asked Aslan. “He has tried to betray them and joined the White Witch, O Aslan,” said Mr. Beaver. And then something made Peter say, “That was partly my fault, Aslan. I was angry with him and I think that helped him to go wrong.” And Alsan said nothing either to excuse Peter or to blame him but merely stood looking at him with his great golden eyes. And it seemed to all of them that there was nothing to be said. “Please—Aslan,” said Lucy, “can anything be done to save Edmund.” “All shall be done,” said Aslan. “But it may be harder than your think.” (Chapter 12).
Aslan said that all would be done to save Edmund. None of the children realized the price that would have to be paid to redeem Edmund. As I describe in the message a couple of weeks ago, Aslan agrees to give up his life for Edmund the traitor. He is killed on the Stone Table for the sins of Edmund and all of Narnia. I have a friend who was talking about the movie to someone who said, “Isn’t there something biblical about the movie.” My friend replied… “Aslan is Jesus.” To which the person simply replied…oh…OH!” Jesus gave up His life for our sins and took our place on the cross. Romans 5:8 (NIV) But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Matthew 20:28 (NIV) just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Jesus took your place….He took my place. He did so to reconcile us to Himself, so that we could have fellowship with Him. Isn’t that amazing? All we have to do is open the door of our heart to His pleading. Rev. 3:20 (NIV) Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
Many of us live with guilt, depression, and fear…we often wonder if it’s all worth it. Jesus invitation is not to survive or barely get by. Jesus invitation is for LIFE! Romans 8:2 (Msg) A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death. We need to open the door to life, and then we need to…
2. OPEN THE DOOR TO ADVENTURE.
In the chapter entitled, “The Spell Begins to Break,” the children begin to hear jingle bells. Mr. and Mrs. Beaver get excited and explain to the children. “Come and see! This is a nasty knock for the witch! It looks as if her power was already crumbling.” What do you mean, Mr. Beaver?” panted Peter as they all scrambled up the steep bank of the valley together. “Didn’t I tell you,” answered Mr. Beaver, ‘That she’d made it always winter and never Christmas? Didn’t I tell you? Well, just come and see!” (Chapter 10).
Well they see a sleigh pulled by reindeer, with a huge man in a bright red robe and a great white beard. His name is Father Christmas. He arrives on the scene distributing gifts to the children. This is a clear reference to the British version of Santa Claus, and a signal in the story that Aslan is on the move and that Christmas is coming!
Now some of you may be surprised to find this secular reference to Christmas. Some may even be offended. I assume this character will be in the movie. I found two interested ideas about Father Christmas as I read some commentaries on “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.”
One author suggested that Father Christmas represented John the Baptist, as He seems to be preparing the way for Aslan. As Father Christmas leaves the children he says, “Merry Christmas! Long live the true King!” referring to Aslan. That’s an interesting possibility: Father Christmas as John the Baptist. Either way, a Father Christmas that points people to Jesus is alright with me.
A second author suggested that Father Christmas represented the Holy Spirit as he distributed gifts to the children. Father Christmas gives Peter a sword and a shield; Susan a quiver full of arrows and a little ivory horn, and Lucy a small dagger and a diamond bottle of healing juice.
About these gifts Father Christmas said, ‘These are your presents…and they are tools not toys. The time to use them is perhaps near at hand. Bear them well.” (Chapter 10). As Peter received his gifts he reflected that the shield and sword were just the right size and weight for him to use. Lewis writes, “Peter was silent and solemn as he received these gifts for he felt they were a very serious kind of present.”
Peter and the children learned that their gifts were given tailored made for each of them and were tools for the greatest adventure of their lives. Whether or not Father Christmas represents the Holy Spirit or not, each of us as believers are given tailored made spiritual gifts…they are very serious kind of a present, tools to serve the King! You don’t truly find yourself, until you understand the gifts the Lord gives you and you utilize them for His glory. He will take you on adventure and will involve you in His Kingdom…just step through the wardrobe.
3. OPEN THE DOOR TO ROYALTY.
“Come, Son of Adam, and I will show you a far-off sight of the castle where you are to be King.” And Peter with his sword still drawn in his hand went with the Lion to the eastern edge of the hill-top. There was a beautiful sight…just where the land of Narnia met the sea—in fact, at the mouth of the great river—there was something on a little hill, shining. It was shining because it was a castle and of course the sunlight was reflected from all the windows which looked towards Peter and the sunset; but to Peter it looked like a great star resting on the seashore. “That, O Man,” said Aslan, “Is Cair Paravel of the four thrones, in one of which you must sit as King. I show it to you because you are the first-born and you will be High King over all the rest.” (Chapter 12)
We have such low expectations of ourselves. We wallow in self-pity and self-deprecation. God has such high expectations for us. He has such incredible plans for us…and they are not because we are worthy, but because we are loved. His plans for us include us to be knighted as royalty. 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
After the witch had been defeated there was a great ceremony in the castle Cair Paravel—that wonderful hall with the ivory roof and the west door all hung with peacock’s feathers and the eastern door which opens right onto the sea, in the presence of all their friends and to the sound of trumpets, Aslan solemnly crowned them and led them onto the four thrones amid deafening shouts of ‘Long Live King Peter! Long Live Queen Susan! Long Live King Edmund! Long Live Queen Lucy!’ ‘Once a king or queen in Narnia, always a king or queen. Bear it well, Sons of Adam! Bear it well daughters of Eve!’ said Aslan. (Chapter 17)
Peter was known as King Peter the Magnificent; Susan as Queen Susan the gentle; Edmund as King Edmund the Just; and Lucy as Queen Lucy the Valiant. They received the crown from the King of Kings! They had the incredible opportunity to reign with Aslan and for Aslan! Because we have such low expectations of ourselves, we can’t conceive of ourselves as royalty.
I had the weirdest experience recently on a mission trip to El Salvador. As the four of us step through the door for an adventure and sought to do God’s will, we were treated like royalty. It was humbling. It is hard for me to think of myself that way. But listen to God’s Word… 2 Tim. 4:8 (NIV) Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
After Peter’s first battle and defeat of a wolf, we have this account, “Peter still out of breath, turned and saw Aslan close at hand. ‘You have forgotten to clean your sword,’ said Aslan. It was true. Peter blushed when he looked at the bright blade and saw it smeared with the Wolf’s hair and blood. He stooped down and wiped it quite clean on the grass, and then wiped it quite dry on his coat. ‘Hand it to me and kneel, Son of Adam,’ said Aslan. And when Peter had done so he struck him with the flat of the blade and said, ‘Rise up, Sir Peter Fenris-Bane. And, whatever happens, never forget to wipe your sword.’”
Rev. 20:6 (NIV) Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
Conclusion: Nicole Nordeman’s new song, “I will Believe” has this as it’s opening line… “We were meant to open doors. We were went meant to face the dangers. Never knowing what’s in store. Never having met a stranger.”
Sword Object lesson - God wants to ‘knight’ you for life adventure and royalty! Bear it well Sons of Adam. Bear it well Daughters of Eve.
D. R.’s story – She was teacher’s aide who was asked to read “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” to her kids. She had never read the story, and starting reading where Aslan was being led up the hill to the Stone Table to be killed. She became emotional and couldn’t finish. She gave the book back to the teacher and went out into the hallway with tears in her eyes. She realized that the story she was reading was just like Jesus and His crucifixion. A few minutes later, the kids came out to the hall way and said, “Mrs. Robert…Mrs. Robert…it’s okay. He’s alive! He’s alive!
It is my prayer that we can read this book and see this movie with a fresh sense of what Jesus did for us. We were meant to open the door to life, adventure and royalty.
