Sermon for January 5th, 2025 - Revision history

Iraneal at 07:57, 5 January 2025

2025-01-05T07:57:45Z

Iraneal at 07:50, 5 January 2025

2025-01-05T07:50:43Z

Iraneal at 07:24, 5 January 2025

2025-01-05T07:24:22Z

Iraneal at 03:22, 5 January 2025

2025-01-05T03:22:41Z

Iraneal at 03:15, 5 January 2025

2025-01-05T03:15:58Z

Iraneal at 02:58, 5 January 2025

2025-01-05T02:58:17Z

Iraneal at 01:57, 5 January 2025

2025-01-05T01:57:20Z

Iraneal at 01:30, 5 January 2025

2025-01-05T01:30:03Z

Iraneal at 01:29, 5 January 2025

2025-01-05T01:29:37Z

Iraneal: Created page with "==Philippians 2:5-11 (NT p. 197)== 5Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as somet..."

2025-01-05T01:23:47Z

Created page with "==Philippians 2:5-11 (NT p. 197)== 5Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as somet..."

New page

==Philippians 2:5-11 (NT p. 197)==
5Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, 7but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, assuming human likeness. And being found in appearance as a human, 8he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.

9Therefore God exalted him even more highly and gave him the name that is above every other name, 10so that at the name given to Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

==Faith & Film XIII: Gladiator II==

*Film Clip #1: Trailer

====Three-Minute Film Summary====

@@ Line 46: / Line 46: @@
 The Dream of Rome, as described here is probably more of a Hollywood invention than an actual historical Roman one--and yet its appeal speaks to our longing for a more perfect and just world--something that is also baked into the core of our Christian story.
-====The Coming of Christianity====
+====A Great Physician====
 Even though Christianity existed in the period in which this film is set, it only gets a passing mention in a comment about crucifixion as a form of punishment.  But there's actually a character in the film who embodies Christian virtues, and who gives hints that he may, in fact, be a Christian.

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:50, 5 January 2025
Line 54:		Line 54:

	*Film Clip #6: Ravi and Rivers		*Film Clip #6: Ravi and Rivers
		+
		+	For a middle eastern Christian, the river was the place of baptism, of conversion and transformation. And in many ways, Ravi functions in this story as an agent of transformation for Lucius, the main character. He helps Lucius to let go of his rage and embrace his legacy. Transformation and Conversion are actually key themes in all six of our films this year. More on that next time.
		+
		+	====Panem et Circences====
		+	In the Roman Empire, during the time depicted in this film, there was a government policy of providing two things to the people in order to keep them occupied, to keep them from rioting or other mischief: Panem et Circences--bread and circuses. The whole movie is about the circuses--the violent entertainment in the gladiator arena. At one point in the film, you can actually see them passing out the free bread, too.
		+
		+	In the world of the film--the bread and circuses are mostly about diversion, distraction, placating people and keeping them superficially happy. I think that happens in our world today, too--we often use cheap food and entertainment to distract us from our problems, and the problems of those around us.
		+
		+	Contrast that with the central sacrament in Christianity: Not bread and circuses, but the bread and wine of the Lord's Supper. Rather than placating us, the bread and the wine remind us of the suffering and the sacrifice made by Christ for our sake. Rather than distracting us from one another, we gather together around a common table, and in that way we see each other, we recognize each other, and are given the opportunity to love and care for each other as we share this ancient ritual together.

@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 ====Three-Minute Film Summary====
-I like to begin each film with a brief summary, without giving away too may spoilers.  This film in particular has a lot of complex character arcs, but if you get lost, don't worry too much--it will come together in time.
+I like to begin each film with a brief summary, without giving away too may spoilers.  This film in particular has a lot of complex character arcs, but if you get lost, don't worry too much--it will come together.
 Sixteen years after the death of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, corrupt twin emperors Geta and Caracalla rule in Rome. Meanwhile, far away in the Kingdom of Numidia, a hidden heir to the Roman throne lives--Lucius Verus Aurelius, the grandson of Marcus Aurelius, and the son of the the famous gladiator Maximius.  Lucius lives a peaceful life with his wife, until one day Numidia is invaded by Roman General Acacius.  Lucius is enslaved, and his wife is killed. He is taken to Rome and forced to fight in the Gladiator's arena. His owner--the stable master Macrinus, is impressed with his skills, and promises him vengeance against General Acacius.
@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 As Caracalla’s behavior grows more erratic, Lucius unites with his mother at last, taking up the sword and armor of his father to inspire the other gladiators. Macrinus orchestrates a final, bloody spectacle in the Colosseum to kill Lucius and Lucilla, hoping to seize control. Meanwhile, Acacius’s army approaches the city, setting the stage for a climactic confrontation. The outcome will determine whether Rome collapses into tyranny or rises under the virtuous leadership of Lucius.
-==Thinking About Rome==
+====Strength and Honor====
-Early last year, there was a viral tik tok challenge that had women ask their husbands or boyfriends how many times a day they think about the Roman Empire--and then record the answer.  What made it funny was how surprised the women were when their husbands generally said they thought about Rome at least three or four times a day.
+Early last year, there was a viral tik tok challenge that had women ask their husbands or boyfriends how many times a day they think about the Roman Empire--and then record the answer.  What made it funny was how surprised the women were when their husbands generally said they thought about Rome at least three or four times a day.  Perhaps it shouldn't be surprising, though.  The image of Rome in our collective imagination--swords and sandals, military legions, giant statues and colosseums--is all very hyper masculine. "Strength and Honor" is the rallying cry heard throughout the film--and yet, sometimes those two virtues seem to be at odds with one another:
-*power
+====The Dream of Rome====
-*dream of rome/kingdom of God
+In both this and the previous Gladiator film, there were frequent references to something called "The Dream of Rome" that is usually attributed to the Philosopher-Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Lucius' grandfather in the film).  Here's a clip explaining it:
-*servant leadership
-*transformation/conversion
+*Film Clip #3: Dream of Rome
-*Christianity (Ravi)

@@ Line 30: / Line 30: @@
 *power
 *servant leadership
 *transformation/conversion
 *Christianity (Ravi)

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 ==Faith & Film XIII: Gladiator II==
 *Film Clip #1: Trailer
 ====Three-Minute Film Summary====
 Sixteen years after the death of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, corrupt twin emperors Geta and Caracalla rule in Rome. Meanwhile, far away in the Kingdom of Numidia, a hidden heir to the Roman throne lives--Lucius Verus Aurelius, the grandson of Marcus Aurelius, and the son of the the famous gladiator Maximius.  Lucius lives a peaceful life with his wife, until one day Numidia is invaded by Roman General Acacius.  Lucius is enslaved, and his wife is killed. He is taken to Rome and forced to fight in the Gladiator's arena. His owner--the stable master Macrinus, is impressed with his skills, and promises him vengeance against General Acacius.
@@ Line 16: / Line 23: @@
 As Caracalla’s behavior grows more erratic, Lucius unites with his mother at last, taking up the sword and armor of his father to inspire the other gladiators. Macrinus orchestrates a final, bloody spectacle in the Colosseum to kill Lucius and Lucilla, hoping to seize control. Meanwhile, Acacius’s army approaches the city, setting the stage for a climactic confrontation. The outcome will determine whether Rome collapses into tyranny or rises under the virtuous leadership of Lucius.

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 ====Three-Minute Film Summary====
-Sixteen years after Marcus Aurelius’s death, the corrupt twin emperors Geta and Caracalla rule Rome. In Numidia, a hidden heir—Lucius Verus Aurelius, alias Hanno—lives with his wife, Arishat, until General Acacius invades, killing Arishat and enslaving Lucius. Forced into brutal exhibitions, Lucius impresses stable master Macrinus, who promises vengeance if Lucius triumphs in the Colosseum.
+Sixteen years after the death of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, corrupt twin emperors Geta and Caracalla rule in Rome. Meanwhile, far away in the Kingdom of Numidia, a hidden heir to the Roman throne lives--Lucius Verus Aurelius, the grandson of Marcus Aurelius, and the son of the the famous gladiator Maximius.  Lucius lives a peaceful life with his wife, until one day Numidia is invaded by Roman General Acacius.  Lucius is enslaved, and his wife is killed. He is taken to Rome and forced to fight in the Gladiator's arena. His owner--the stable master Macrinus, is impressed with his skills, and promises him vengeance against General Acacius.
-Acacius returns to Rome hailed as a hero but loathes the emperors’ grandiose plans to conquer Persia and India. He secretly conspires with Lucilla, daughter of Marcus Aurelius and mother to Lucius, to overthrow the twins. Lucius, unaware of Lucilla’s true identity, channels the spirit of the legendary Maximus—his father—to win deadly gladiatorial games. When Lucilla tries to reconcile with him, he bitterly rejects her, blaming her for his exile and the death of his wife.
+Meanwhile, General Acacius is hailed as a hero but secretly conspires with his wife Lucilla, to overthrow the twin Emperors. Lucius, unaware that Lucilla’s is in actuality his mother, channels the spirit of the legendary Maximus—his father—to win repeatedly in the arena. When Lucilla recognizes him and tries to reconcile, he bitterly rejects her, blaming her for his exile and the death of his wife.
-Factions clash in Rome. Senators Thraex and Gracchus join the conspiracy, but Macrinus, seething with resentment toward Rome, betrays them to curry favor with the emperors. Lucilla and Acacius are arrested. In a public showdown, Lucius refuses to kill Acacius, but guards execute him anyway, sparking riots across the city. Macrinus manipulates Caracalla into turning on Geta and gains immense power, pushing Rome toward chaos.
+Factions clash in Rome. Several Senators join the conspiracy, but Macrinus, seething with resentment toward Rome, betrays them to curry favor with the emperors. Lucilla and Acacius are arrested. In a public showdown, Lucius refuses to kill Acacius, but guards execute him anyway, sparking riots across the city. Macrinus manipulates Caracalla into turning on Geta and gains power over the Praetorian guard, pushing Rome toward chaos.
-As Caracalla’s behavior grows more erratic, Lucius unites with his mother at last, taking up Maximus’s sword and armor to inspire the gladiators. Macrinus orchestrates a final, bloody spectacle in the Colosseum to kill Lucius and Lucilla, hoping to seize control. Meanwhile, Acacius’s loyal legions approach the city, setting the stage for a climactic confrontation. The outcome will determine whether Rome collapses into tyranny or rises under Lucius’s legacy.
+As Caracalla’s behavior grows more erratic, Lucius unites with his mother at last, taking up the sword and armor of his father to inspire the other gladiators. Macrinus orchestrates a final, bloody spectacle in the Colosseum to kill Lucius and Lucilla, hoping to seize control. Meanwhile, Acacius’s army approaches the city, setting the stage for a climactic confrontation. The outcome will determine whether Rome collapses into tyranny or rises under the virtuous leadership of Lucius.

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:57, 5 January 2025
Line 9:		Line 9:

	====Three-Minute Film Summary====		====Three-Minute Film Summary====
		+	Sixteen years after Marcus Aurelius’s death, the corrupt twin emperors Geta and Caracalla rule Rome. In Numidia, a hidden heir—Lucius Verus Aurelius, alias Hanno—lives with his wife, Arishat, until General Acacius invades, killing Arishat and enslaving Lucius. Forced into brutal exhibitions, Lucius impresses stable master Macrinus, who promises vengeance if Lucius triumphs in the Colosseum.
		+
		+	Acacius returns to Rome hailed as a hero but loathes the emperors’ grandiose plans to conquer Persia and India. He secretly conspires with Lucilla, daughter of Marcus Aurelius and mother to Lucius, to overthrow the twins. Lucius, unaware of Lucilla’s true identity, channels the spirit of the legendary Maximus—his father—to win deadly gladiatorial games. When Lucilla tries to reconcile with him, he bitterly rejects her, blaming her for his exile and the death of his wife.
		+
		+	Factions clash in Rome. Senators Thraex and Gracchus join the conspiracy, but Macrinus, seething with resentment toward Rome, betrays them to curry favor with the emperors. Lucilla and Acacius are arrested. In a public showdown, Lucius refuses to kill Acacius, but guards execute him anyway, sparking riots across the city. Macrinus manipulates Caracalla into turning on Geta and gains immense power, pushing Rome toward chaos.
		+
		+	As Caracalla’s behavior grows more erratic, Lucius unites with his mother at last, taking up Maximus’s sword and armor to inspire the gladiators. Macrinus orchestrates a final, bloody spectacle in the Colosseum to kill Lucius and Lucilla, hoping to seize control. Meanwhile, Acacius’s loyal legions approach the city, setting the stage for a climactic confrontation. The outcome will determine whether Rome collapses into tyranny or rises under Lucius’s legacy.
		+

	*Rome tik tok challenge		*Rome tik tok challenge

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:29, 5 January 2025
Line 9:		Line 9:

	====Three-Minute Film Summary====		====Three-Minute Film Summary====
		+
		+
		+	*power
		+	*servant leadership
		+	*transformation/conversion
		+	*Christianity (Ravi)