Finding God In Narnia:

"What If There Were No Christmas:
Would Your World Be Different?"

Sunday, November 25, 2005 - Rev. Kevin Kelly

Today begins our new Advent Series entitled "Finding God in Narnia." From Star Trek, Star Wars, to the X-Files, from Harry Potter to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, contemporary fantasy and science fiction has captured our culture. C.S. Lewis uses this same fantasy fiction to powerfully present the gospel of Jesus Christ in his series "The Chronicles of Narnia," and particularly the book, "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." You may know by now that Disney has put this book into a movie that will open on December 9.

We see this as yet another tool that many may find to be effective in communicating the message of Jesus to those who may not respond to other presentations. It is our hope that our church will see the opportunity here to reach another part of our community with the story of the not-so-tame Lion who loves and lays down his life to set the children of Adam free from bondage. We believe God will speak the gospel of Jesus Christ through this film. The Lion of Judah is about to roar. Maybe you can invite seeking friends to this film, and then tell them the rest of the story. Or, even better, invite them to our Advent Series beginning today.

We encourage you to get the book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and read it and to introduce your children to it if they have not already. In fact, get the entire set of The Chronicles of Narnia and read them. We will not be preaching from the book itself, but will be using relevant illustrations from the book to complement traditional Advent themes.

"What if There Were No Christmas? Would Your World Be Different?"

God’s plan of salvation was established before he created the universe. Even before Adam and Eve fell, God in his omniscience had already planned the way he would be incarnate in that world to atone for their sins and ours. Read Ephesians 1:1-14 giving special attention to the following portion of this passage:

NIV Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment-- to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

What does this passage teach us about salvation? What does the word "redeemed" as Paul uses it in verse 7 mean? If you have read "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," then you are aware that Aslan—the Lion (Christ figure)—redeems Narnia by entering Narnia on a mission to make all things new. In the process, Aslan gives his life for Edmund to redeem him from the wicked witch (Satan). Edmund cannot save himself; he is doomed to death without Aslan’s actions. Humanity was and is in this same predicament. Without the actions of God to enter humanity and save us from destruction, we would have no hope. Have you take the steps to become a Christian? What is keeping you from receiving the redemption offered through Jesus Christ?

2. This sermon poses two questions for us to answer. How would your life be different right now if there were no Christmas—no birth of Jesus? Would this situation change anything in the world—in your own life?

3. What excites you most about God’s relationship to you? How do you know that you are "chosen"? Knowing you are adopted, how will you view yourself and God differently?

4. Being a Christian does not free us from encountering problems in life. In this sermon, fatigue, frustration, failure and fear are mentioned as problems that can cause us to stay in a "winter" state of living. What are other problems you can name that rob us of discovering the life that God would have us lead?

5. Read Ephesians 2: What victory did we gain over sin and those things which enslave us through Christ work on the cross? Prior to salvation, we are in bondage to sin and meeting the insatiable desires of our fleshly nature. What is life like after salvation? Do all our problems suddenly disappear? Why or why not? Why do you think believers still battle with many inward and outward struggles? Many of these struggles cause us to live in "winter" with no Christmas—no joy, no victory, no hope. What problems do you need to be set free from so you can experience Christmas everyday of your life?

6. How will making these changes in your lifestyle help you live more effectively for the praise of God’s glory this week?

For further insight into "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" obtain a copy of The Soul of The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe by Gene Veith.