This week, we met at the Vue Cinema in Cleveleys for a James Bond themed service and then watched the new movie, No Time To Die. Jonny brought a Bond-themed message for us.
James Bond is cool, with his cars and his gadgets. Ian Fleming wrote a masterpiece with his collection of James Bond books, and they’ve been given a new lease of life with the movies that have been released over the past 60 years. Bond really is an example of great storytelling.
But James Bond isn’t the best story ever written. Your life probably has some twists and turns in it that are more interesting than a Bond movie. If you’re not a Christian, trust us when we say that following Jesus will provide you with the best possible life story that could begin today. Despite the twists and turns, having Jesus at the centre of your life allows you to rest in Him, enjoy the fun parts, endure the tough parts, and find joy in everything in life.
3 similarities between the Christian life and a James Bond Story.
It’s personal. James Bond is not just a generic agent, he is the 007. Whether you are for him or against him, he wants people to know who he is. Luke 12:7 says that God knows every hair on your head. He knows you personally, and He wants you to know Him personally. He wants you to find the hope and promises that are written in His Scriptures.
James Bond is always on a mission and nothing comes in the way of that mission. He is either getting more information or he is gaining influence to advance in his mission. Christians are on a mission to share the Good News of Jesus, and that mission of the Great Commission. Nothing comes in the way of it; God is always on the move.
Bond never dies. He gets into tough situations and almost dies, but he never dies. There is a scene in Goldfinger where he is almost about to be killed and he says “do you expect me to talk”. Goldfinger replies saying that he expects Bond to die. Christians have an enemy who wants us dead, falling into sin. Jesus died on the cross to set people free from the power of sin and its penalty, eternal death and punishment. Christians will have eternal life and spend it with Jesus. The gospel message will never die, and neither will a Christian.
James Bond has communication with his boss, M; the provider of his gadgets, Q, and his trusty car for his mission. It’s tempting to compare these 3 things to the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). The difference is that for James Bond, those 3 things assist him on his mission, whereas Christians are assisting the Trinitarian God of the Bible on His mission.
So we hope you enjoy a trip to the cinema in this season and enjoy the new Bond movie, but please also consider the message of Jesus, that He calls everyone to Himself. Trust in His perfect sinless life that you can never live, trust in His death on the cross that He died to pay for your sin, and repent and bow to Him as the Lord of your life for a life more exciting and joyful than you could possibly imagine!