Sermon Tone Analysis

Who doesn’t love a good Christmas movie?

Over the years we have watched the emotional, nostalgic and transforming stories that help us to look deep within to discover ourselves and what truly matters.

Its A Wonderul Life - brings the discovery of the impact each life makes regardless of how much wealth one possesses

A Christmas Carol - reminds us to be kind to our fellow man, and to have a heart that is soft and loving toward our fellow man

Home Alone - reminds us to check our kids before we leave for vacation

and then there’s ELF!!!

There are really some great discoveries in this story that parallel some truths in Scripture.

We start out with an Elf named Buddy - he is clearly not really an Elf - he is 6ft 3in and does not seem to have the same “know how” as the elves when it comes to making toys, cookies and shoes…

The story progresses to show Buddy the Elf as he sets out to discover where he came from and who he truly is!!!!

SHOW VIDEO CLIP 1 - 10:40-14:40 - Buddy learns the truth...

1.

Who Am I?

You know this question is a HUGE DEAL THESE DAYS!!!

It seems like the struggle to figure out who we are, what do we identify with has grown from inclusions in the rebel group to now changing genders, adapting unnatural sexual behavior and other extremes...

A week or so ago I watched the story the Green Book about a phenomenal Concert Pianist - African American and an Italian from Brooklyn on tour --- much of was around the sense or lack of identity the pianist had as he felt he did not fit into the American Black culture nor in the white culture...

People are struggling to figure out where they fit in...

The reality is that people are not finding their TRUE IDENTITY IN CHRIST!!!!

When we take the Lord out of our lives, families and identity we come up EMPTY!

We did not just happen - we were created by God! Created for purpose and destiny...

Not only as the HUMAN RACE - but as individuals - the Lord says - I FORMED YOU IN YOUR MOTHER’s WOMB ...

This also agrees with

Ps 139

God knows our complete life!!!!Every moment of our lives are numbered… think about that...

He is not controlling our lives, but He knows the choices and decisions we will make and what our future holds.

God also has a part for each one in HIS BODY - the FAMILY OF GOD - the CHURCH!!!

We all have a role to play and a part to do… we are HIS WORKMANSHIP

How do we come to allowing our true identity - the person God has truly designed us to be to come forth and fulfill all its potential --- by surrendering our will to God’s will and allowing Christ to live in and through us!

are greatest purpose is to Worship God - to serve him… we are created to show HIM his WORTHSHIP!!

We cannot begin to understand who we are until we come to know Jesus!

The creator of the universe made us, formed us, has a plan for us - if we are running in our own direction trying to do our own thing and create our own identity we are probably so far from the right mark we will never be fulfilled in life, but simply live life empty.

Relationships, Job Performance, Talents, Achievments, — all this won’t matter if we miss the mark in surrendering to Christ!!!

Like Buddy the Elf we can go on a whole heap of journeys trying to discover who we are and where we came from - but we really only have to discover that to be in Christ is to be fulfilled!!!!

The movie Elf showed the fulfillment of family for Buddy ---

The reality is becoming a part of the family of God!!!

2. What are My Gifts

SHOW VIDEO CLIP 2 from Movie 8:56-1-:40

What has God designed me to do???

As the story of Elf opens we find Buddy struggling to keep pace with the other elves making toys --- he gets into the human realm and he is amazing - but amongst the elves he falls shorts.

His talents and abilities just don't measure up.

But by the end of the movie has a much greater understanding that there is more than doing three elf tasks.

(making shoes while the cobbler sleeps, baking cookies, and making toys)

Many people are still trying to discover not just who they are, but what can I do?

Some how in our society if we are not the BEST at something - it is not good enough!

Truth is there will always be a better singer, pianist, drummer, preacher, teacher, chef, decorator, etc.

Each of us how not just one thing, but many things we can contribute into the work of God’s Kingdom and into the lives of others.

1 cor

1 cor

Wouldn’t it be a sad world if we were all just alike?

Wouldn’t it be a sad world if we were all just alike?

The same personality

The same ability

The same look

God has made us each unique with different skills, personalities, strengths and weaknesses - so we can each be a part.

Imagine if everyone were eyes --

We could see things happen, but we could not hear to know what was said

We could see someone in need, but we could not run to help

We could see another struggle, but we could not offer a hand of assistance

God has made us each unique that when we come together as the body of Christ we all fulfill our purpose in a greater way..

Hold it, did you hear that ---

We may identify with Christ, but we are also to identify and find our place in the BODY OF CHRIST!!!!

We were not designed to be an ear or an eye, or a foot or a hand, or even a belly button onto ourselves!!!

Even greater than our talents are when all that we do is combined with the LOVE THAT COMES FROM KNOWING CHRIST!

at the end, Buddy realizes he has much love to give, and being the best at anything is nothing compared to loving other people… to helping people...

LOVE is not limited to our talents - but flows out of those who are experiencing the LOVE OF CHRIST!

3. Then there is Faith

In our story, faith in Santa Claus has gone down and the Claus o Meter is failing to create the energy needed to fuel the sleigh for Santa...

VIDEO CLIP #3 - 1.:19:37 - 1:21:30

Can I first say - that JESUS IS NOT A FAIRY TALE OR A MYTH - and this is not to put HIM in the same category as something make believe!

The reality is that FAITH IN CHRIST is waning in our world!

We near the time of the SECOND COMING OF CHRIST — and as we do the love of money has waxed cold

When faith wanes the world returns to darkness — as Christians have lost their faith in the truth, the church has ceased to keep the light of the world shining in the hearts of men --- sin has taken over - even in the CHURCH --

We need faith to arise and keep the Spirit of Christ proclaimed over the earth!

Just like the kid believed when he saw the present Santa brought him --- many only believe when they get what they ask for from God ---

But that is not real faith!

Faith is believing what we cannot see!

Faith is the foundation of Christianity… we need to get back to believing even though we do not see or understand all things!

CONCLUSION

SO, this morning let’s let ELF point us in a few directions...

Know who you are!

Your true identity comes from belonging to Christ

Know that each of us has unique gifts.

You don’t have to do what everyone else does well.

Find and discover how God has gifted you… and remember - the love we show is still greater than our abilities can ever be

Faith in our world is dimming -we have the REAL TRUTH - not a myth — let faith arise so the light of Christ shines through us