THE MONUMENTS MEN
Ministry Resources Now Available
New film opening Feb. 7 starring George Clooney, Matt Damon and Cate Blanchett offers strong parallels to the lives
Christians are called to live
HOLLYWOOD (Feb. 6) – Columbia Pictures/Fox 2000 Pictures’ new film THE MONUMENTS MEN has launched a campaign to help pastors discuss the movie’s themes of self-sacrifice and service to churches nationwide. Pastor resources, including a film clip and a sermon outline, are available for free at www.themonumentsmenresources.com.
THE MONUMENTS MEN tells a story inspired by actual events of a group of allied art experts during World War II tasked with recovering and rescuing paintings, sculptures and millions of other works stolen by the Nazis. These men are not soldiers, yet they head straight for the front lines in their quest to preserve centuries’ worth of beauty and restore it to its rightful owners.
The quest of the everyday heroes depicted in THE MONUMENTS MEN – played by such stars as George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray and John Goodman — mirrors the life Christians are called to live. Like them, followers of God face a ruthless enemy whose goal is to steal, kill and destroy. Like the U.S, government commissions them to do, God asks Christians to enter the battle living for a greater and nobler purpose than self-preservation, being willing to make even the ultimate sacrifice in serving others.
An excerpt from the sermon notes:
We have a mission – and it is one of restoration
a. The Monuments Men’s mission was to recover stolen artwork. To do so, they had to be willing to sacrifice their lives for the cause of restoring what was lost.
b. Our mission as believers is similar: we are called give up our lives, if necessary, in the act of restoring others to right relationship with God.
c. Supporting Scripture: “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:18
The film is directed by George Clooney and also stars Cate Blanchett, Jean Dujardin, Bob Balaban and Hugh Bonneville. The screenplay is by George Clooney & Grant Heslov, based on the book by Robert M. Edsel with Bret Witter. Produced by Grant Heslov and George Clooney.