Saturday, July 29, 2006
July 16, 2006--Does the World Need Superman?
Note: This post is based on the loose outline notes of the pastor. Actual delivery of sermon may have varied. No video available. Sorry.
Scripture: Isiah 53:1-6; John 8:12; 14:6-7; Romans 8:1-2
Look! Up in the sky! It is a bird! It's a plane! It's ....you know how it goes. Superman is back in the theatres, and of course, I had to go see it. I love superheroes. Something about them, represents our dreams as well as our highest aspirations, our capacity for good. Well, as I watched Superman and saw some scenes, I began to think about if the world really does need a superman, something that was addressed in the film.
I see some similarities between Christ and this alien fella, Kal-El. Both are strange visitors from elsewhere, Supes being from Krypton and Christ being from Heaven. Both were given powers and abilities far beyond mortal men, and both could do amazing things. Both fought for good and truth justice, and the American way. Well, when Christ was around, there wasn't an America, but you get my drift. Both were ridiculed and rejected. Clark Kent, a good and noble boy, kept his powers secret in plain view, and was ridiculed for being a good person. Christ in like manner was rejected by those whom He came to save. Both were men who at times seemed full of sorrows. Both were sent by their fathers for the good of humanity, in fact, the Superman films borrow a great deal from Christian theology in this respect. In the first movie, and in this new one, Jor-el says that part of the reason he sent little Kal to earth was our capacity or good, and our need to be shown the light. In like manner, Christ was sen tot us in the same way. God created us, He knew we could do good, just we lacked the Light. He brought us that light.
Both Christ and Superman have the ability to change the course of history, and both did. Superman through his acts of heroism, Christ through His sacrifice. So, I see a lot of Christ in Superman. However, Superman could be defeated by Kryptonite. Superman could not see through lead. Most of all Superman is a fictional character, while Christ is real, alive and able to overcome all, even death, to save us.
Back to the movie. You see, it has been five years since Superman up and disappeared. Life has gone on, Lois Lane is now a single mother, engaged, when all of a sudden, he shows back up. And, who was the person who in the interim wrote a prize winning story on "Why the World Doesn't Need Superman?" One Lois Lane.
Her logic is that people don't need to be rescued, they don't want a savior. Well,Lois says that people don't need a savior, don't need a superman. Superman takes her up for a flight so she can see the world below, and he says, you know, you say that, and I hear others saying it, but I hear and see about everything. And I hear and see people every day, every hour, crying out to be saved, crying out for a savior.
See, Lois, and the humanists and those who don't believe in God are wrong. WE do need a superman. There are things beyond our control that only someone beyond us can help with. However, here is the good news, we have a superman. His name is Jesus. Both Christ and Superman gave up their own lives for the betterment of us all. However, Christ gave us something superman cannot--eternal life, and the power of the holy spirit. The world doesn't need the comic superman, because we already have the real one, Jesus! And, Jesus can act through us. So, don't go looking for that Red S underneath the suit, look for the J.
If we cry out, Jesus will save us. If we tell Him our needs, He will provide and protect. And, if we keep the faith, if we stay true to our Superman, then one day, we truly can Look, Up in the Sky....
Scripture: Isiah 53:1-6; John 8:12; 14:6-7; Romans 8:1-2
Look! Up in the sky! It is a bird! It's a plane! It's ....you know how it goes. Superman is back in the theatres, and of course, I had to go see it. I love superheroes. Something about them, represents our dreams as well as our highest aspirations, our capacity for good. Well, as I watched Superman and saw some scenes, I began to think about if the world really does need a superman, something that was addressed in the film.
I see some similarities between Christ and this alien fella, Kal-El. Both are strange visitors from elsewhere, Supes being from Krypton and Christ being from Heaven. Both were given powers and abilities far beyond mortal men, and both could do amazing things. Both fought for good and truth justice, and the American way. Well, when Christ was around, there wasn't an America, but you get my drift. Both were ridiculed and rejected. Clark Kent, a good and noble boy, kept his powers secret in plain view, and was ridiculed for being a good person. Christ in like manner was rejected by those whom He came to save. Both were men who at times seemed full of sorrows. Both were sent by their fathers for the good of humanity, in fact, the Superman films borrow a great deal from Christian theology in this respect. In the first movie, and in this new one, Jor-el says that part of the reason he sent little Kal to earth was our capacity or good, and our need to be shown the light. In like manner, Christ was sen tot us in the same way. God created us, He knew we could do good, just we lacked the Light. He brought us that light.
Both Christ and Superman have the ability to change the course of history, and both did. Superman through his acts of heroism, Christ through His sacrifice. So, I see a lot of Christ in Superman. However, Superman could be defeated by Kryptonite. Superman could not see through lead. Most of all Superman is a fictional character, while Christ is real, alive and able to overcome all, even death, to save us.
Back to the movie. You see, it has been five years since Superman up and disappeared. Life has gone on, Lois Lane is now a single mother, engaged, when all of a sudden, he shows back up. And, who was the person who in the interim wrote a prize winning story on "Why the World Doesn't Need Superman?" One Lois Lane.
Her logic is that people don't need to be rescued, they don't want a savior. Well,Lois says that people don't need a savior, don't need a superman. Superman takes her up for a flight so she can see the world below, and he says, you know, you say that, and I hear others saying it, but I hear and see about everything. And I hear and see people every day, every hour, crying out to be saved, crying out for a savior.
See, Lois, and the humanists and those who don't believe in God are wrong. WE do need a superman. There are things beyond our control that only someone beyond us can help with. However, here is the good news, we have a superman. His name is Jesus. Both Christ and Superman gave up their own lives for the betterment of us all. However, Christ gave us something superman cannot--eternal life, and the power of the holy spirit. The world doesn't need the comic superman, because we already have the real one, Jesus! And, Jesus can act through us. So, don't go looking for that Red S underneath the suit, look for the J.
If we cry out, Jesus will save us. If we tell Him our needs, He will provide and protect. And, if we keep the faith, if we stay true to our Superman, then one day, we truly can Look, Up in the Sky....
# posted by Mark : 12:12 PM
