LION KING
Blockbuster Lessons from the Movies
[Video: Lion King 2019 Trailer]
The original Disney animation first came out on 6/15/1994–before the existence of New Hope Oahu! And its worldwide gross? Over $968 Million.
Among animated films it ranks #4 on the all-time list.
Can you guess the first 3?
#3 Shrek 2
#2 Finding Dory
#1 animated film of all time (drum roll)…Incredibles 2
Lion King has perhaps the most epic opening scene of any animated film.
A new prince is born!
It’s Christmas in Africa! For unto you a child is born, a son is given!
That’s just like US when we are BORN AGAIN!
All of Heaven rejoices when (how many?) ONE comes to repentance.
We are gloriously born into a NEW LIFE in Christ Jesus.
“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12 NLT).
Circle that word “right.” In the Greek (according to Mounce) it is the word EXOUSIA, which means power, ability, and (here it is) AUTHORITY.
Because of Jesus we all now have the POWER, ABILITY, AND AUTHORITY to be the SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF GOD. He is our Heavenly Father. We are brothers and sisters.
But then something happens to us…
[Video: Mufasa dies and Scar blames Simba]
1. BREAKDOWN
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1 NLT).
You have the BIRTHRIGHT to be the King’s son.
But the Devil comes and REMINDS you of something you did in the past.
A tragedy? A mistake you made?
You feel DISQUALIFIED!
The Devil tells you to RUN AWAY from your true destiny.
Hakuna Matata!
It’s your motto. What’s a motto? I don’t know, what’s a motto with you!
Lyrics:
It means no worries for the rest of our days.
It’s our problem-free…philosophy
Hakuna Matata
But you’ve got big problems.
This is NEVER the way you were intended to live.
This is BENEATH you.
Return to your BIRTHRIGHT!
[Video: Rafiki: “Remember who you are”]
2. BREAKTHROUGH
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:14-16 NKJV).
We need to receive a REVELATION (from who? Church? Friends? Bible?). This REVELATION may come THROUGH the Church or your friends or the Bible, but ultimately it is NOT by OUR might, not by OUR power, but how? BY HIS SPIRIT, says the Lord!
Your breakthrough comes from the Spirit!
When you hear the Spirit speak to you, what does He say? NOT FEAR!
Instead, He whispers in your ear, “You are My child, nothing can separate you from Me!” No tragedy, no mistake! Your sin is taken away! There is NO condemnation on your life!
What’s our response? From the depths of our hearts we cry out, “Abba! Father!”
God, you are my DAD! I AM your SON!
***BONUS LESSON*** GO DEEP!
“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is” (Ephesians 3:18 NLT).
Go DEEEEEEEP into the depths of God’s love for this revelation!
Totally worth it for your summer vacation project!
You guys know what happens to us when dive DEEP into the ocean?
The pressure builds and builds. Your ears start to hurt!
If submarines go too deep the hull starts to crack and implode on itself.
But listen…you were made to DIVE DEEP into the DEPTHS of the Father’s love.
In fact, you will dive SO deep, the Devil can’t follow you there!
So when the Devil starts chasing you, don’t just run away, GO DEEP!
You see, the Devil can’t dive deep!
You just go deeper and deeper into the love of the Father.
Pretty soon the Devil’s ears start popping! The pressure on his lungs is too great!
But you’re just getting started!
Deeper and deeper you go.
The Devil is turning purple now!
Deeper still!
And the Devil gives up! Starts heading back to the surface!
Other demons are like, “What happened, bro? Your catch got away?”
“Shut up!” as he walks away in disgust.
The Devil is the god of what? THIS world.
The further you get from this world the better!
Go deeper into the depths of the Presence of God!
Finally…
[Bonus Video: Testimony of Ikaika Alama Francis]
3. BREAKOUT!
“For the earnest expectation (Greek: apokaradokia: “intense anticipation”) of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God” (Romans 8:19 NKJV).
Mike’s Testimony: Healed high blood pressure (off all meds)
Let’s stand for closing prayer | respond to what the Father is telling you.
Come to Jesus! Get baptized in the Spirit!
Questions for Meditation & Discussion
1. How would you summarize the main message today from the Father to you?
2. What is the “blockbuster lesson” from “Lion King?”
3. Have you experienced a “breakdown?” Do you live with condemnation?
4. What does the Bible say is the key to “breakthrough?” What do we cry out?
5. This week how will you “go deep” where the Devil can’t follow you into the depths of the Father’s love?
6. What is the world intensely anticipating?
7. How will you “breakout” and think, say, and do your Father’s will today?
