Great Cloud of Witnesses

[spurly]

Just a side note:  As a minister I find it hard to read a book or watch a movie and not have illustrations jumping off the page at me.  Do any of the rest of you experience that?

Kevin

[James Rondon]

Good thoughts, and good illustration, Kevin.

Behind my desk at work, up on the wall, is a painting entitled, "A Great Cloud of Witnesses". It depicts a young man preaching, unknowingly surrounded by such heroes of the faith as Peter, Paul, John the Baptist, Noah, Abraham, Isaiah, John the Baptist, and Jesus (at least, that's who I think they're supposed to be...).

It is truly an awesome image, and stands to me as a helpful reminder, and constant encouragement...


James Rondon

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb. 12:1-2)

[Arkstfan]

When I found a great illustration in the terrible movie Dracula 2000 I knew I had gone off the deep end.

[brandt]

In Remains of the Day, Anthony Hopkins plays a butler - he says something to the effect of "A man should not be truly content until he has done everything he can for his employer."  

Brandt

[janine]

Constantly.  And not always in a production that it would be wise to use in a church setting. :0

[spurly]

I was just rewatching a great movie tonight - Angels in the Outfield.

Of course it is hollywood so they take liberties with how angels are presented, but there is a great illustration at the end of this show.

It occurss when the pitcher, Mr. Clark, is getting very tired.  He is about to give up because, as he says, he doesn't have anything left.  

Then the coach points to Roger, an eleven or twelve year old boy who has been seeing the angels, and Roger starts flapping his arms like the wings of an angel.  The coach tells Mr. Clark that when Roger does that, it is a sign that an angel is with him (which isn't actually true).

But here's where the great illustration comes in.  When Roger starts flapping his arms, his little buddy J.P. does as well.  Then the rest of the players in the dugout join in.  Pretty soon, everyone in the stadium is on their feet, flapping their arms like angel's wings.  :angel:  :angel:  :angel:  :angel:  :angel:  :angel:  :angel:  :angel:  :angel:  :angel:  :angel:  :angel:  :angel:

When I saw this I immediately thought of Hebrews 12:1:  "Since we are surrounded by such a great a cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

When Mr. Clark looked at his teammates and the people in the stands, and saw that they were all on their feet encouraging him by flapping their arms, he was able to get past being tired and feeling like his arm was completely used up, and throw one more pitch, and make an incredible catch to end the game.

Sometimes, we just need to realize that we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses.  Some have gone before us (see Hebrews 11), some are still here, but they are cheering us on and encouraging us to lay aside everything that slows us down and focus totally on who we should be and what we should be doing so that God will get all the glory.

Just thought I would let you know.

Kevin

[Son of a Preacher Man]

[!--QuoteBegin--][/span][table border=\"0\" align=\"center\" width=\"95%\" cellpadding=\"3\" cellspacing=\"1\"][tr][td]Quote [/td][/tr][tr][td id=\"QUOTE\"][!--QuoteEBegin--]Just a side note:  As a minister I find it hard to read a book or watch a movie and not have illustrations jumping off the page at me.  Do any of the rest of you experience that?

Kevin[/quote]
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.

But... my favorite quote from any book or movie or song ever is but this: Life is material.  It's the last line of William Goldman's Color of Light (not to be mistaken with the movie  Color of Night with Bruce Willis--different thing altogether.)

As a minister it rings even more true.

Life is material.

SoaPMan

[spurly]

What are some scenes from movies that you have used in your messages?

I have used several scenes from the Last Crusade - it has great clips about making wise choices and faith.

Another one I have used is the scene from Toy Story when Woody see's his owner's name inscribed on his foot and realizes he has worth.

Of course I have used the red and blue pill scene from the Matrix as well.

Also the scene from Spiderman where he realizes the truth of the statement "with great power comes great responsibility".

How about you?

[Arkstfan]

I used Monty Python's Life of Brian for a class to illustrate the Rich Man and the Eye of the Needle (after blowing a few minds by explaining there ain't no such gate, Jesus is just saying it can't happen without God).

I used the part of the movie where they are at the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus says "Blessed are the peacemakers"

They are at the back of the crowd and think he said "Blessed are the cheesemakers"

Someone quickly explains "He means dairy workers in general"

I used that as a caution that sometimes we read into the word what we are looking for instead of what is there, just like people have tried to find a way that it was possible for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle.