Jesus Revolution (My Takeaways)
/Tim and I went see this movie tonight- Loved it:) Born in 1970, I grew up hearing about the hippies- radical "Jesus Movement"- or as Time Magazine called it a 'Jesus Revolution" (in California and beyond) Mom and dad had much of the music from that time period but haven't really learned much about how it started/ leaders involved/ people affected, controversies etc. Although this was just a glimpse of that, I appreciated a ton of the story lines portrayed within. There is so much parallels with what humanity is crying out for and rebelling against the ‘establishment's’ of our day and aching for more. The movie reminds me to see people the way Jesus sees them- the hippie or the scholar, black-white, male- female, rich or poor, He is calling us to Himself- revival, restoration,… a revolution of our own hearts.
“Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
General Takeaways from Jesus Revolution Movie:
Real Life Stories are the Best!
Fascinating story lines of 4 characters:
Fun seeing Jonathan Roumie who plays Jesus in The Chosen series play the charismatic hippie-street-preacher Lonnie Frisbee.
Greg Laurie (Joel Courtney) and his girlfriend Cathe searching for love and meaning in all the wrong places before dedicating their lives to Jesus Christ. (Now married for over nearly 50 years and long time pastors of Harvest Church in California and Hawaii). I can so relate.
Pastor Chuck Smith (Kelsey Grammer), "they open the doors of Smith’s languishing church to an unexpected revival of radical and newfound love, leading to what TIME Magazine dubbed a JESUS REVOLUTION". Kelsey Grammer (known from his roles in Cheers 1984–1993 and Frasier (1993–2004) plays the conservative pastor who opened his doors to the hippies which radically changed his faith and church.
Learning from Historical Faith Movements
Can we see parallels to the unrest of the 1960’s and early 70’s as to what our culture has been going through? Be it wars, fears of wars, racism/ racial conflict, generations uprising against the "establishments" of our day. Asking God how to see people the way He sees them through the lens of truth and grace. We cannot duplicate a movement of God’s Spirit, but we can learn from them. Question remains, are we open to a fresh move of God in our hearts and communities today?
“ From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.” Acts 17:26-27
Pray for Revival for Spiritually Dead Churches
The movie showed the reality of a church that needed revival. It is sad how faith communities can be too internally focused that we loose sight of the full gospel an can tolerate judgemental, critical spirits in a church who has 'lost their way'. There is a time to flee from one if God is calling you to leave a church and go elsewhere. Plus, some churches need to address conflict well as the Bible says “A little bit of yeast affects the whole dough” (Galations 5:9, 1 Corinthians 5:6-7) It takes a whole lot of faith, hope and love to stay and be a part of the solution. Reading and praying through the letters to the Churches in the book of Revelation is one way to wake up individuals and church communities. Jesus has much to say on what a healthy church is verses a toxic one. If you are of the praying kind, let’s get to praying for the health of our own souls and then the health of the Church.
How a Move of God (sadly), Can Go Wonky
(That is, where humanity is involved!!!)… Even after one has been gifted to lead, inspire and be a conduit of God’s grace, that doesn’t make that person infalible. No- we all have shadow sides, humility and continued dependence on God and interdependence in the Body of Christ is required for a healthy walk of faith. . I noticed when Lonnie, (the main Character) allowed his ego to rule him later into his ministry, pride rears its ugly head. It’s sad to see, but it happened throughout the Bible, it happened in the Jesus Revolution of the 70’s and it happens today. I appreciated how they portrayed the character of Greg Laurie and how his pastoral role included a time of admonishing Jonathon Roumie when he was going off.
“Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” Revelation 2:5
(Lonnie’s story has redemptive threads towards the end of his life. which I later learned interviews and testimonials who knew him towards the end of his life in the 90’s that he made peace with God and sought reconciliation where able).
Revivals Begin in the Heart:
God is up to something! From early rumblings of the laster campus/ revival in Ausbury University in Kentucky this past month to the release of the film that was 7 years in the making before its release. I say, what incredible timing Lord! I see the need for people today (me included), to “go low”, meaning- be humble before God and one another. Where we need to confess, and repent of our wayward ways- let’s not hesitate to do so. Be it wrongful thinking or actions that dishonour God or is hate filled towards other people, revival is attracted to a “contrite heart”. True revival will attract God’s Holy Spirit in a pure way with an outflow of God’s love, grace, and evidence of healing and reconciliation. Ultimately, a desire for right living and holiness.
“For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” Isaiah 57:15
A Reminder How God Uses Unlikely People
“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” 1 Corinthians 1:27
Other takeaways?
If you have watched this movie, feel free to share what your takeaways were as I‘d love to hear!
Check out the Jesus Revolution movie website for more photos, reviews and resources like their prayer guide, Church pledge, devotional series and discussion guide.
