July Sermon Series: Gospel in Disney
Each week, Pastor Jiyeon’s sermon will be based on a Disney movie with a biblical connection. Before each Sunday, you’re welcome to check out the following movies: Inside Out (7/2), Tangled (7/9), Pinocchio (7/16), Up (7/23), and Peter Pan (7/30).
July 2 – “Gospel in Disney – Inside Out: Real Joy” (Communion Sunday)
Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9
Riley, 11-year-old girl, has five dominant emotions: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust. The five characters in Riley’s head, forms her memories and Riley’s personality. She finds out what a good life truly means – it is not free from sadness or anger, but it allows joy to live in a harmony with complicated emotions. Let us find out a biblical lesson about real joy that we can find in our daily lives.
July 9 – “Gospel in Disney – Tangled: Every Perfect Gift from God”
Scripture: Judges 16:16-20
From the time Rapunzel is born, people believe that the magical power of healing and age-reversal is contained in her beautiful hair. In the Book of Judges, we read about Samson, whose unusual powers were also associated with his hair. But is the power really in the hair? We have all been created in the image of God and we all have powers. We call them “gifts.” Our Creator has given us powers so that we may participate in God’s healing plan for all of creation.
July 16 – “Gospel in Disney – Pinocchio: Godly Change”
Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:6-13
Our appearance and what we see with our eyes are not crucial as God sees inside. Pinocchio, a wooden marionette, dreamed of becoming a real boy. But, the longer he followed the dream, the further he was pushed away from home. When his heart changed, he found a way back home. Let us find out the message of Pinocchio from God’s eyes as David, the youngest son of Jesse, was anointed as the new king.
July 23 – “Gospel in Disney – Up: Unlikely Family ”
Scripture: Romans 12:3-8
Carl, an elderly widower, wants nothing more than to be left alone. But the doorbell rings, and there stands an 8-year-old Wilderness Scout by the name of Russell. Since then, his life totally changed, and they became a family for each other in their adventurous journey. God brings unlikely people together (older and younger). When it is all said and done, God rings the doorbell, finds us, and helps us find each other.
July 30 “Gospel in Disney – Peter Pan: You and Your Shadow”
Scripture: Acts 5:12-16
Our shadow is different from our substance, but it is still a part of us. We all have our shadows. It can be an ugly side of us or a part of us that we want to hide from ourselves and others. As we see our shadow as a reflection of ourselves, we need true healing for our true-selves. Let us hear a message of healing that we all need to face our true-selves.
