Invincible with Paul McDonald and Britt Mooney
This week on the Men at the Movies podcast, we picked a football movie for Thanksgiving and break down Invincible starring Mark Wahlberg, Greg Kinnear, and Elizabeth Banks. Vince shows us how we can be invincible when times are tough, how perseverance and persistence can lead to a miracle. It all depends on what voices we listen to, and what motivates us. Fly Eagles Fly, and let’s discover God’s truth in this movie.
Quotes
When people keep going and hold onto faith in hard times, it’s a miracle.
Perseverance and persistence leads to the supernatural miracle.
Vince is risking nothing but his hope.
You can always build your life on character.
When your only motivation is fear, it can only take you so far.
The Bible is a book of ordinary people whose stories changed once God got involved.
Themes
We feel like we are too old, our time is past.
What is invincibility?
Endurance, persistence, perseverance.
Holding on to hope when it’s dark.
Take action for those things you have control over.
Choosing what’s right even when it might not be profitable for you.
Doing the right thing when no one is watching, when others disagree
Depends upon what voices we are listening to
Admit that you have fears , and face them
Learn from mistakes/failures
Motivated by love, not fear
How can you endure? Hearing God’s voice, and having a community around you to keep you going.
Vince had three groups that believe in him:
His friends: support/encourage
Community/kids: inspire/look up to
Coach Vermeil: someone who sees potential/gives a chance
Vince had voices speaking against him:
Players/coaches: You don’t belong here.
Johnnie: You think you’re better than me? You’re a nobody.
Ex-wife: “You’ll never go anywhere. You’ll never make any money. You’ll never make a name for yourself.
Britt’s seven ways to become invincible:
Hear the voice of God
Have a community around you
Believe that barriers can be broken
Face your fears
Believe in second chances
Love the game
It’s gotta be about inspiring others
Resources
A professional author is an amateur who never quit. -Richard Bach
“After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care.” -Acts 15:36-40 (NLT)
“Then the LORD asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A shepherd’s staff,” Moses replied.” - Exodus 4:2 (NLT)
“But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” - Philippians 3:12-14 (NLT)
Questions
How do you measure whether or not something is “worth it?”
How do you measure your impact?
What does it mean to be invincible?
Where is your hope dim?
How do you hold on to hope when times are dark?
How do you try to dilute the hopelessness you feel?
How would you answer the question, “What is in your hand?”
Where are you being invited to run another lap?
When has someone taken a chance on you and you fell short? How did that feel? How did you respond?
More info
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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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