“Taste & See That God is Good” (Summer At The Movies #1)

This sermon is the first installment of our “Suncoast at the Movies” series highlighting the biblical principles found in many of our beloved films! Featuring a live musical performance from the movie, this teaching is inspired by the movie “Wonka” and the scene where the character, “Noodle”, experiences her very first taste of chocolate. The biblical inspiration comes from James 1:22-24 and unfolds with three power-packed points!

Point 1: Being IN CHURCH should never replace being THE CHURCH.

This point stems from what is known as Incarnational Theology. The followers of Christ embody the mission to bring forth the Kingdom that Jesus inaugurated, loving God and others. Dr. Doucet explains,

“It is crucial not only for your walk with God– but for the world– that you begin to see that “church” is NOT merely a:

• Building for us to sit in…but we sit in this building in order for something to be built within us to share with our world!

• Organization – it is an organism!!  And this organism is something that you bring with you to infect and affect everything around you!

• Company 501(c)3 – we are a community!  A community that aligns our values with the teachings of Jesus who calls us to love God with all of our being, and to love others as ourselves!!

YOU ARE THE CHURCH!!”

Point 2: TRANSFORMATION requires your PARTICIPATION.

Jesus never says, “Hey guys, I want you to gather every Sunday and just talk about the things I did.” Rather, Jesus did say, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these…” (John 14:12). Pastor Troy points out,

“That’s what a disciple does…he doesn’t just wanna know what his rabbi knows…he doesn’t just wanna believe what the rabbi believes….a true disciple wants to FOLLOW and DO what his rabbi does!! He doesn’t want to simply SMELL and DWELL– A true disciple wants to TASTE AND SEE!”

POINT 3: If my faith plays it SAFE, then it’s safe to say I don’t really have much FAITH.

James 1:22 says, “Become poets who perform the word not merely hearers who delude themselves.” Pastor Troy encourages us to be people of courageous action saying,

“Faith without being Faithful is like Smelling a delicious aroma but never tasting the food.

Having faith requires very little of us– other than holding certain intellectual beliefs (or opinions) about God. However, being faithful requires courage to trust God enough to step out of the boat of our comfort zones in order to accomplish all that Christ is calling us to.

TASTE AND SEE FOR YOURSELF— THAT GOD IS GOOD!”