3 reasons to see 'God's Not Dead'

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3 reasons to see ‘God’s Not Dead’

March 3, 2014 -

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        <strong>God’s Not Dead | Official Full Movie Trailer</strong><br />
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        <strong>God’s Not Dead | Official Trailer #2</strong><br />
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        <strong>God’s Not Dead | Official Trailer #3</strong><br />
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{/source}Imagine you’re a college freshman in your first day of classes.  Your philosophy professor informs the entire class that they will need to disavow, in writing, the existence of God or face a failing grade.  Other students begin scribbling the words, “God Is Dead” on pieces of paper as instructed.  What would you do?

In the upcoming movie, God’s Not Dead, Josh Wheaton (played by Shane Harper) must choose between his faith and his future.  He nervously refuses the professor’s request.  The professor responds by assigning him a daunting task: Josh must prove God’s existence through evidence and arguments and by engaging the professor in a head-to-head debate in front of the class. He is just one of several characters who are challenged to stand up for their faith.

I recommend God’s Not Dead to you for three reasons.  One: it shows the real-life challenges believers face, especially on college campuses.  A rising chorus of critics are claiming that religious beliefs are hazardous, citing 9/11 and other tragedies perpetrated in the name of religion.  Some claim that we have evolved beyond religion, that faith is based on illusion, and that religious beliefs are irrational.  When we know what believers are facing, we can pray for them and be prepared to defend our commitments with confidence.

Two: the movie asks us what risk we are willing to take for Jesus.  It would have been easy for Josh Wheaton to submit to his professor’s demand.  It would be easy for the thousands of Christians being martyred around the world to deny Christ and save their lives.  In a culture where God is more a hobby than a King, Jesus is looking for someone who will “deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

Three: God’s Not Dead offers the kind of evidence-based reasoning Christians need in defending their faith today.  God’s command is clear: “in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15).

I invite you to check their website to find out where the movie is playing near you, and plan to see the movie when it’s released on March 21. You might pray about inviting someone to come with you as well.

There’s a story about a group of Christians in Nazi Germany who were meeting in secret.  Suddenly a band of soldiers broke through the door, rifles at their shoulders.  They herded the believers against a wall and ordered them to deny their faith.  Those who renounced Christ could leave, but those who remained would be shot.  Most of the group chose to save their lives; only a handful stood against the wall, ready to die for Jesus.  The soldiers herded the others out, locked the door behind them, dropped their weapons, and embraced the shocked believers.  “We have been looking for genuine Christians,” they explained.  “We want to join you.”

What price are you willing to pay for Jesus today?

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