Sermon Central
-
In The Film Version Of Ray Bradbury’s ...
Contributed by Johnny Wilson on May 29, 2010 (message contributor)
In the film version of Ray Bradbury’s “Something Wicked This Way Comes,” the action starts with a cold October wind blowing through a Midwestern town. Let’s look at the theater film preview of this film and give you an idea of what I’m talking about. The “October People” had come with their carnival that promised the fulfillment of everyone’s deepest desires. The wind offered the sense of danger, a sense that something was about to change this town and not necessarily for the good.
A little known Johnny Depp film called “Chocolat” began in a village where a sour-faced aristocrat ordered the local priest around and, together, they emphasized sin and penance to the exclusion of the joy of the Lord. One day, in the middle of mass, a wind begins to blow. It gutters the candles, makes the worshippers uncomfortable, and the aristocrat rushes to the door of the church and bolts the doors against the wind. The reason for the wind quickly becomes clear. Two newcomers have come to town to open their “chocolaterie” and they offer a fresh joy of life and new energy for the frightened, subdued town. But in the light of today’s text, I find it ironic that the first doors shut against the newcomers and their refreshing wind was the church.
I also supposed everyone has seen “The Wizard of Oz.” We all know that virtually the entire movie is a dream sequence because of Dorothy being injured in a cyclone, a storm wind. Did you know that they actually built a miniatures set of the Gale farm and destroyed it for the movie, but took out some of the scenes because the cyclone effects were perceived as too frightening? Nevertheless, the beautiful color adventure through the Land of Oz wouldn’t have occurred if Dorothy hadn’t experienced the frightening cyclone. And, since she actually finds out about herself, her courage, her love for others, and her appreciation of home, it is reasonable to suggest that she discovered a certain amount of maturity after weathering the storm.
So, I have suggested three movies which began with a wind sweeping through the lives of the characters. In the first two illustrations, towns were changed; in the last, an individual was changed. It seems safe to say that wind is a powerful metaphor for sweeping away the familiar, the comfortable, and the predictable in order to bring some sort of transformation, be it destructive or be it productive. We also have a wind, a storm wind to be specific, in today’s text, the familiar account of the Day of Pentecost from Acts 2:1-21. [Read the text.]
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
An Ancient Chassidic Parable Tells The Story Of ... PRO
Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Aug 21, 2004
An ancient Chassidic parable tells the story of Yechiel, the young grandson of a Chassidic rabbi, who once played hide-and-seek with a friend. When it was his turn to hide, he found a great hiding place where he waited, somewhat impatiently, for his friend to find him. He waited and waited; it ...read more
-
Early In My Ministry, I Met A Man Named Worral. ... PRO
Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Oct 13, 2004
Early in my ministry, I met a man named Worral. He had been stricken with rheumatoid arthritis at age 15, and when I met him 30 years later, he was totally paralyzed except for 1 finger, could barely speak and was totally blind. But he had a string tied to that one mobile finger that could turn on ...read more
-
Mitsuo Fuchida Was The Pilot In Charge Of ... PRO
Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jul 26, 2004
ILL. Mitsuo Fuchida was the pilot in charge of one of the most successful aerial attacks in recorded history. Under his command was a squadron of 360 specially selected pilots, & on Dec. 7, 1941, Fuchida’s squadron bombed Pearl Harbor. He quickly became one of the most highly decorated pilots ...read more
-
Billy Graham Once Said, "What Is Heaven Going To ...
Contributed by Greg Buchner on Sep 26, 2004
Billy Graham once said, “What is heaven going to be like? Just as there is a mystery to hell, so there is a mystery to heaven. Yet I believe the Bible teaches that both are literal places. I’m not worried about where ...read more
-
In "Let's Roll: Ordinary People, Extraordinary ... PRO
Contributed by Jeff Simms on Apr 18, 2004
In “Let’s Roll: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage”, Lisa Beamer reflects on the loss of her dad. She says, “Slowly, I began to understand that the plans God has for us don’t just include “good things”, but the whole array of human events. The “prospering” he talks about in the book of ...read more
Related Sermons
-
God’s Power Can Change Your Life Series
Contributed by Tom Shepard on Apr 21, 2016
This sermon looks at three areas that God can help you change your life. 1. God’s Power Can CANCEL Your Past 2. God’s Power Can CONQUER Your Problems 3. God’s Power Can CHANGE Your Personality
-
What Jesus Touches, He Changes. Series
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 24, 2016
His name had been Saul, but that - along with his entire life - was changed when he met Jesus. What changed him and what can we learn from his experience?
-
God Will Do It Again
Contributed by Bright Adeyeye on Jun 14, 2020
Everything God does is good. What He did in the Bible, He's still able to do today.
-
Open The Eyes Of My Heart, Lord Series
Contributed by David Dykes on Jan 28, 2018
When people try to hinder your crying out to Jesus, do what Bartimaeus did: Resist them. Don't let them intimidate you into silence.
-
Resultados De Un Encuentro Con Dios
Contributed by Raquel Martinez on Mar 5, 2011
Cuando tienes un encuentro con Dios, habran cambios en tu vida. No podemos tener una experiencia con Dios y seguir siendo igual.
