12 Strong with Paul McDonald and Dustin Oprea
This week on the Men at the Movies podcast, we remember and commemorate 9/11 by diving into 12 Strong. We describe September 11th as a day the world changed—but what if the world didn’t change, but simply our perspective of it? Likewise, when massive events occur in our lives, we know God doesn’t change, but how we view Him does. Like Nelson, we have brothers to walk with us into battle, discovering the power of submitting to authority along the way. Follow me as we discover God’s truth in this movie.
About Dustin
Dustin Oprea lives in Roswell, GA with his wife Stephanie of 15 years and their three boys; Jude (4) Ryder (7) and Finn (8).
“What makes me come alive?
Adventure with people that I love and those that love me.
I love watching my boys play sports and realize their God given true awesomeness. I love playing sports with my boys and going on adventures with my wife. What makes me come alive is seeing other people realize their true strength, their true self and risk to live that out.”
What’s the difference between a soldier and a warrior?
Quotes
After 9/11, the world didn’t change, but our perception changed. Similarly, when we experience major events in our lives, God doesn’t change, but how we see Him changes.
We can spend so much time and energy training that we miss the actual battle.
I want to train myself so that when life comes at me I am ready and prepared.
When life comes crashing down, my instinct is to do something. But I tend to fly off in my own strength because I don’t trust the leadership.
In the absence of leadership, we react in our own strength and lack awareness of what’s really happening. Instead of being having laser focus or the precision and intention of a surgeon’s scalpel, we go off like a shotgun blast, injuring anyone in the vicinity.
When we know who we are and who God is, we can use our gifts and abilities in submission, a harnessed strength.
By receiving the order, we receive the authority. It’s safe when we are under God’s authority.
The danger doesn’t come from what’s around us, it’s from being separated from the presence of Christ.
When we know the impact we can have, we can face the cost.
Themes
9/11 was a day everyone remembers as a moment that things changed. But the world didn’t actually change, just the way we perceived the world changed.
When major events happen in our lives, God doesn’t change, but how we look at him does.
Importance of brotherhood:
To tell us there’s a battle going on
To help us train for the battle
To engage in the battle together
Share in context, commitment, and direction
Understand the stakes and the impact
Trusting God in the battle:
Waiting for His leadership
Trusting in His decisions
Following Him anywhere
The difference between volunteering and submission
Invitation to home and restoration
Resources
Men at the Movies YouTube channel (@menatthemovies)
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” - Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)
“Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.” 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 (NLT)
“Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.” - Matthew 10:1 (NLT)
“Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT)
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” - Romans 8:18 (NIV)
Questions
What are your memories of 9/11? What changed?
How did your view of God change from the major events in your life?
What’s the difference between training for the battle and engaging in the battle?
Whose input has changed the way you looked at God, yourself, and/or the world?
What about God and you are absolute truth?
How have your feelings contradicted those truths? Which is more trustworthy?
What is the difference between volunteering and taking orders? Which one do you prefer?
What is the impact that you might have on those around you? What’s the cost?
More info
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Edited and mixed by Grayson Foster (https://graysonfoster.com/)
Logo and episode templates by Ian Johnston (https://ianhjohnston.com/)
Audio quotes performed by Britt Mooney, Paul McDonald, and Tim Willard, taken from Epic (written by John Eldredge) and Song of Albion (written by Stephen Lawhead).
Southerly Change performed by Zane Dickinson, used under license from Shutterstock
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