One of my favorite “buddy-cop” movies is “Rush Hour.” The movie begins with a Chinese diplomat's daughter being kidnapped in Los Angeles. Distraught over this and not trusting the FBI to find his daughter, he requests the aid of an old friend, Hong Kong Detective Inspector Lee (Jackie Chan), to assist the FBI with the case. However, the FBI resists this change of events and does not want to work with Lee. As a result, they assign Lee to the LAPD. The LAPD, though, also does not want to work with Lee, so they commission wisecracking Detective James Carter (Chris Tucker) to watch over him. At first, Lee and Carter cannot stand each other. Yet, over the course of the movie, they learn to come together and choose to work together in order to solve the case on their own.

What makes this movie so enjoyable is what makes all great “buddy cop” movies enjoyable. The premise is quite simple. Take two people, from very different backgrounds, who have very different personalities, and who possess very different perspectives, and then create some type of crisis that forces them to come together and work together toward a common and noble goal. Most of these movies are comical, but there is a great lesson in all of them: how do I learn to come together and work together with someone who is very different than me? Especially, if that person differs in background, culture, personality, and perspective. How do I learn from that person(s)? How am I made better by being in a relationship with that person(s)? How do I join together and work with that person(s) to make the world a better place?

 

Jesus believed in bringing people together like this. He did so with the twelve disciples. In fact, one could easily make a “buddy cop” movie about the twelve.

 

This upcoming Sunday, World Wide Communion Sunday, Oct. 5., I will be preaching on this topic. Jesus brings us together. And sometimes, being a disciples of Jesus Christ looks more like the plot of a “buddy-cop” movie than some sanitized version of Christianity in which we all think alike, behave alike, and look alike.

 

You can prepare for the service by reading Mark 6: 6b-13; 30, 31.

 

Worship starts at 11am, but if you are unable to attend the service, you can watch it online here:

 

Also, a few other things you can do in order to prepare for service:

1. Pray the rest of the week. Pray for me that I preach well. Pray that the people receive the message well. Pray that all of us meet God this Sunday.

2. Worship this week. Do not wait till Sunday to worship. Start singing the hymns and songs now. Help your neighbor. Spend time in quiet solitude with God. Take time to worship today.

3. Get there early.

4. Invite people to come to the service.

5. Bring your Bible.

6. Take notes during service.

7. Do not treat Church like a Country club.

8. Focus on God!

 

I hope to see you there if you can make it!

 

Please keep in prayer: