As a part of our Reel to Real series, this sermon by Pierre Fulford unpacks how the movie Masters of the Universe unveils truths about Jesus in unexpected ways. Pierre highlights the importance of taking hold of God’s story to the point it becomes our story, transforming our lives from the inside out.
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I Have the Power
• Pierre Fulford
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In this sermon, Pierre Fulford explores the connection between the movie Masters of the Universe and the gospel. He uses this movie to highlight the fact that we have been given power by God to be who we are, thereby overcoming paralyzing fear and doubt as we embrace God’s blessing.
Masters of the Universe tells the story of Prince Adam who is sent to Earth as a child when his home planet of Eternia falls to the tyrannical Skeletor. This technologically-advanced planet blends medieval sword-and-sorcery with high-tech science fiction, featuring magic, futuristic weapons and monsters. Fifteen years transpire on earth, and now an adult Adam works an ordinary job while obsessively searching for the lost Sword of Power. When the sword finally resurfaces, Adam is tracked down by his childhood friend Teela, forcing him to return to a ruined Eternia to face the dark magic of Skeletor, and to embrace the power given to him to be He-Man.
Pierre expounds begins by asking the question “Am I truly sold on the story?” He asks this because Adam is ridiculed during his 15 years on earth because he is sold on the story about his origin. While others think he is crazy, he holds on to what he knows to be true. Other key characters forget who they are, and their lives take detours that are disconnected from their identities.
We too have an origin story, one that does not completely make sense from a worldly point of view. God told Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations (Jeremiah 1:5).” And according to Hebrews 12:2, Jesus is the author or pioneer of our faith. Who we are is rooted in Jesus and how we live into our faith depends upon if we are sold on the story of Jesus.
Pierre draws out three basic truths from this grand story of Jesus. First, each of us has the power to believe the sacred story. Even though others may not understand why we believe what we do, we can still hold on to what we know to be truth. This means that when the promise is delayed, we believe because the truth in the promise keeper, not in the promise itself.
Second, we have the power to re-imagine because of the sacred story. The story that shapes our lives is not a one-time thing. It plays out in our lives through repetition. We imagine it and then we re-imagine it in different situations of life. And through this re-imagining, we discover how Jesus’ story intersects with our lives, resulting in unique manifestations that fit our circumstances.
Finally, we each have the power to steward the sacred story with Christ. As we live out the story, we can help others to see and embrace Jesus’ story for themselves. We are constantly forgetting who we are as God’s children. We need each other to tell the stories and challenge us to remember, even when we don’t want to.
Hide Extended SummaryTopics: Faith, Identity in Christ, Imagination
Sermon Series: Reel to Real
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The MuseCast: August 18
Focus Scripture:
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Hebrews 12:2
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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
"Thank you all the way from Oregon. I deeply appreciate being shepherded by Pastor Greg and everyone else on the panels. You are a rare find in the church nowadays. Tackling tough questions with humility and a kingdom perspective. It has been life changing for me in such tumultuous times."
– Heather, from Oregon