Sermons on American Movies:

Panic Room

Contributed by Carla Powell on Apr 20, 2002

References the movie "Panic Room" (Jodie Foster). Recalls the disciples’ reaction to hide out in a locked room after finding the tomb empty. The "Panic Room" can be both a safe haven and a well-fortressed prison.

"Panic Room" - Easter 2A April 7, 2002 - John 20:19-31 This week I saw the newly-released movie "Panic Room". In this movie, "Jodie Foster plays a wealthy single mom with a teenage daughter. They buy a fancy brownstone in NYC that has a ’panic room’, a fortified hi-tech room in the center of ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Lutheran

Miracle On 1st Century Street Series

Contributed by David Owens on Dec 23, 2008

In this sermon, I use the movie Miracle on 34th Street to illustrate the difference between fact and fiction. The miracle of Jesus’ birth and life on 1st Century Street are altogether true and are worth believing in.

Introduction: A. Good morning and welcome to our annual special worship service on the Sunday before Christmas. 1. I hope and pray that you have a very happy and healthy Christmas holiday filled with much joy and peace. 2. Although none of us knows the exact day when Jesus Christ was born, His ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Sinner’s Friend Series

Contributed by Bob Hostetler on Jan 21, 2014

Jesus loves the lowly, broken, and sinful. A special sermon contribution from the SON OF GOD sermon packet for pastors, inspired by the SON OF GOD movie from Mark Burnett and distributed by 20th Century Fox.

I’d like to take a short quiz here today. Don’t worry, there are no wrong answers. I’d just like to poll this group to see who had childhoods like mine. For example, by a show of hands, how many of us here have actually cried over spilled milk? Some of us are too old to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Cowboy Postcard

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Jan 30, 2013

In the old silent movies you could tell the good guys by their white hats and the villains by their black hats. There are two "good guys" and one "bad guy" in this short postcard. This Bible study examines them and their character.

The Cowboy Postcard Series: New Testament Postcards Chuck Sligh January 27, 2013 TEXT: Please turn in your Bibles to 3 John INTRODUCTION We have a tendency to look at the past through rose-tinted glasses. Have you ever heard anyone talk about “the good old days”? Well, the good old ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Miracle On 34th Street Series

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Jan 5, 2015

In this movie, the real Santa came to town, but, he was rejected. Drop back in time, 2000 years. Jesus Christ came to his own, but he was rejected. The Miracle happens every time someone believes.

Miracle on 34th Street Today our Advent sermon is the first in the series of sermons that come from great Christmas movies. There are many great Christmas movies... A Christmas Carol, A Christmas Story, White Christmas, Ernest Saves Christmas, And my personal favorites: Home Alone and Home ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:3-9

Denomination: Baptist

Discipline

Contributed by Neal Gracey on Oct 28, 2017

Have you ever eaten all your popcorn before the movie started? I have! It’s called no self-discipline. There is something to be said about butter and salt on a fluffy kernel of no taste; Yummy.

Happy “Disciplined” Weekend, Everyone! Have you ever eaten all your popcorn before the movie started? I have! It’s called no self-discipline. There is something to be said about butter and salt on a fluffy kernel of no taste; Yummy. Admit it, you have something in your life that just overpowers ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Imagine-A Loving Father

Contributed by John Oscar on Jul 2, 2018

Note: This sermon is part of a series provided to church's that purchase a marketing kit for the movie "I Can Only Imagine". They have been edited to fit our congregation and culture, but the main body of the sermon is not original to me.

Imagine- A Loving Father Matthew 3 I want to talk to you today about imagination. There is a small art organization that goes into public schools in rough areas of cities and teaches art therapy, so that kids whose imagination have been crushed by poverty can experience the possible through what ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Do You Believe?

Contributed by Paul Dietz on Mar 19, 2015

This sermon is inspired by the movie beginning on March 20, 2015 by the same title. It uses Thomas and the story of his "doubting" in his faith-believing following Jesus' resurrection. It leaves us with the question, "Do you believe?"

In 2012, the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life conducted a survey including White, Black and Hispanic Catholic, Protestant and Non-Denominational Christians. In this survey was the following statement, “I never doubt the existence of God.” Survey results are as follows: 80% ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: *other

Jesus, The Friend Of Sinners

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Jan 1, 2021

Loneliness is one of the plagues of our time. With so many things to do, so many diversions-- movies, videos, sports, television, night clubs, amusements, the job, etc.--people still find themselves alone.

Loneliness is one of the plagues of our time. With so many things to do, so many diversions-- movies, videos, sports, television, night clubs, amusements, the job, etc.--people still find themselves alone. Along with loneliness, there is a famine of friends. Someone has said, “Friendship doubles ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Loveliest Lynchee Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 4, 2001

The poetry of Gwendolyn Brooks, recently deceased African-American poet, illustrates how a commitment to justice begins with hope, turns to a sense of responsiblity, rises to act, but also acknowledges the depth of human sin.

The dateline was to be Little Rock, Arkansas, September 1957. The story was to be about the vicious hatred of a city whose people were resisting justice and terrifying school children. Little Rock, Arkansas, where Governor Orval Faubus had become the symbol of massive resistance, and where an ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-40

Denomination: Baptist

One Nation Under God? Series

Contributed by Alex Perednia on Jun 22, 2003

As Americans, we should be thankful for our citizenship in this great nation under God. But, Christians have dual citizenship and have been incorporated into "one new humanity" in the church of Jesus Christ.

INTRODUCTION "One Nation Under God…" That phrase, One Nation Under God, which features so prominently in our Pledge of Allegiance has been the subject of much discussion and has become the scrutiny of many people over the last year. It all started last year when a self-avowed atheist by the name ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-20

Denomination: Baptist

Excellence - The Series Introduction Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Aug 31, 2003

According to the Department of Labor web site, Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the cont

SERMONIC THEME INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: From time to time we have missionaries in our home. When these times come, the Nelson’s have a decision to make. Either we are going to clean the house and welcome them with excellence or we can just leave it as it is – and that is a frightening ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:31

Freedom – In Christ Alone

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Feb 20, 2008

Does our birth / lineage / descent determine from where we came, who we are and our eternity? Born in the USA – does it really mean liberty / freedom / living the American dream?

Illustration: You ever watch those shows about these submarines that go down 2 and a half miles to the wreck of the Titanic? That’s one thing that I think I could never do. To be crammed into a machine not much bigger than a telephone booth with 2 other guys, 2 miles below the surface of the water, ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-36

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Election Results From A Biblical Perspective

Contributed by Richard Tow on Nov 15, 2016

The Nov. 8, 2016 election results represent an open door of opportunity for the American Church? What now? What will we do with this opportunity? What is at stake? This message is a prophetic call to seize the day!

A monumental event occurred in America last Tuesday. The media has been talking about it ever since. Some people are so upset about it that they are rioting in the streets. Although there is some evidence that some of that was planned and people bussed in to make it happen. The point is that people ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6

Denomination: Charismatic

The Once And Future King

Contributed by John Gaston on Nov 9, 2015

64% of this parable is devoted to Christ asking Christians to give an account for their lives! Christ highlights the great sin of doing nothing -- 35% is devoted to the negligent servant. God help American Christians at the Judgment!

THE ONCE & FUTURE KING [The Great Sin of Doing Nothing] Luke 19:11-27 INTRODUCTION A. DEMONSTRATION: LIFE IS LIKE BROWNIES 1. My wife makes the best brownies. I’m going to give away these brownies to those who got the slips of paper. Please come up and get them. 2. Imagine this pan of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:11-27

Denomination: Assembly Of God