Elf with Paul McDonald, Josh Boyer, Britt Mooney, and “Fancy” Rob Whisler
Coming up on the Men at the Movies podcast, we celebrate Christmas with Elf. We discuss why so many people love Christmas movies. In Buddy, we see how a person grounded in the truth can transform the people around him. Because he knew elf culture to his core, he was willing to speak out against the false North Pole around him. Join us as we pass through the seven levels of the candy cane forest, through the sea of swirly twirly gum drops and walk through the Lincoln tunnel to find God’s truth in this movie.
About JB and Rob
JB’s Bible and Bourbon Talk is a podcast that loves to talk about Jesus and good whiskey. JB and Rob are your co-hosts, JB is a Pastor at a church in Ohio and Rob is an Elder but has moved to North Carolina (cuz he’s a jerk). In each episode we go deeper into a sermon, then share and give our thoughts on a featured whiskey. Join us as we dig into Scripture and share some good pours. Cheers!
Visit their website for more information: jbbibleandbourbon.com/social/
Quotes
You can’t influence your surroundings if you don’t know Kingdom culture.
How excited is Buddy that Santa is coming, and how unexcited are we to go to church?
We can have a greater Kingdom impact in a secular job than as a pastor.
Buddy decorated Gimball’s as an expression of worship, not because of duty and obligation.
All the disciplines are focused on accomplishing one thing: staying close to the Holy Spirit.
There’s no better way to see a fake than by intimately knowing the real thing.
Kingdom culture is what people long for.
What makes a Christian different is the message of hope.
Themes
Why do people love Christmas movies?
We love the happy, fairy tale endings
Family focused, despite the conflict, sets the mood for the season
Nostalgia, feeling warm and loved, childlike element we long for, wonder and innocence, magic to the world, reminds us what’s really important
Vision of Santa how we would like God to be
Buddy as a static character: We don’t want him to change. Holds on to the magical/supernatural world he came from. How he reflects how we should act
Adopted and chosen
Keeps his wonder, shares and builds with others
Resilient
Changes the world around him by connecting, through relationship
Loves to tell his story and hear other’s stories
Parallels with the Christmas Spirit and Holy Spirit
Elf culture mirrors Kingdom culture
Buddy knew the truth because he knew elf culture
He couldn’t be fooled because he was knew the truth so well
Buddy was there to bring elf culture to New York
He was noticeable because he was different.
The Sermon on the Mount is a description of Kingdom Culture
Buddy excited to be in the presence of Santa, like we should be excited to be in the presence of God.
What’s your favorite: smiling or work?
Buddy decorated Gimball’s as an expression of worship, not because of duty and obligation.
Protect the children from the fake Santa
Resources
JB’s Bible and Bourbon website: jbbibleandbourbon.com/social/
JB’s Bible and Bourbon YouTube: www.youtube.com/@JBBibleandBourbon/featured
Britt’s Kingdom over Coffee podcast: www.brittmooney.com/
“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’ All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’ So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.” -Matthew 25:1-13 (NLT)
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” -John 10:27 (NLT)
Questions
How are we pulled by trappings?
How much joy do we have to experience the presence of God?
Why do you love Christmas movies?
How would you describe Kingdom culture?
How immersed are you in Kingdom culture?
More info
Check out our YouTube channel (@menatthemovies) for bonus content.
To dive into this content even more, visit our website: www.menatthemovies.com/podcast. You will find resources mentioned on the podcast, plus quotes and themes discussed.
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Edited and mixed by Grayson Foster
Logo and episode templates by Ian Johnston
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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