August 3, 2008
Sermon Notes
August 3, 2008
Citizen Kane
OPENING - FAMOUS LAST WORDS
(I don’t know how true any of these are; but they are interesting)
James Brown (1933-2006) "I'm going away tonight." (Reported by his personal manager, Charles Bobbit, who said he was at Brown's bedside when he died, and added that Brown said the statement above, then took three long, quiet breaths, and closed his eyes.)
Charles Chaplin (1889-1977) When the priest who was attending him at his bedside said "May the Lord have mercy on your soul", Chaplin is reported to have replied "Why Not? After all, it belongs to him."
Beecher, Henry Ward (1813-1887) "Now comes the mystery."
John Barrymore (1882-1942) Die? I should say not, dear fellow. No Barrymore would allow such a conventional thing to happen to him.
Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) "... the fog is rising."
Marie Antoinette (1755-1793) "Farewell, my children, forever. I go to your Father."
QUESTION: Do last say words say anything about us?
Errol Flynn (1909-1959) "I've had a hell of a lot of fun and I've enjoyed every minute of it." (Said shortly before his death.)
Bing Crosby (1903-1977) "That was a great game of golf, fellers."
Lou Costello (1906-1959) "That was the best ice-cream soda I ever tasted."
John Adams (1735-1826) "Thomas Jefferson--still survives..." (4 July 1826. Jefferson died on the same day.)
Humphrey Bogart (1899-1957) "I should never have switched from Scotch to Martinis." (Unverified -- attributed.) (A recent television biography of Bogart includes Lauren Bacall, his wife, saying that he was at home bedridden with cancer when she left the house briefly, maybe to do grocery shopping. "Hurry back", he said as she closed the door. When she returned he was dead.)
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) "Drink to me."
Dylan Thomas (1914-1953) "I have just had eighteen whiskeys in a row. I do believe that is a record."
Laurence Olivier (1907-1989) "This isn't Hamlet, you know, it's not meant to go into the bloody ear." (To his nurse, who spilt water over him while trying to moisten his lips.)
Voltaire (1694-1778) "This is no time to make new enemies." (When asked on his deathbed to forswear Satan.)
Karl Marx (1818-1883) "Go on, get out. Last words are for fools who haven't said enough."
Question: what do you want your last words to be?
Joshua – Joshua 24
“But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." (the most important message of Joshua)
INTRO TO CITIZEN KANE
In 1988 American Film Institute named “Citizen Kane” the greatest film of all time (that’s because they haven’t seen “Casablanca”). What would you consider the greatest film of all time?
Clip 1 “No Trespassing” (Scene 1) (0:22 – 2:09)
Observation Note: Cay “Watch for spatial relationship”
The sign says, “No Trespassing.” The mansion is off in the distance. What does this say about Kane? Is he distancing himself from others? Why?
Does it look like he wants to allow others to enter into his life (fence keeps people out)?
Is this a rational position?
Did Previous Experience impact this decision?
One solitary light in the huge mansion is on.
Clip # 2 - “Rosebud” (2:10 – 3:00)
One solitary last word, “Rosebud.” Then he dies.
One solitary, nameless, faceless nurse enters the room after his death.
Fade to black
NOTE: The story of Kane is told 6 times from 6 different perspectives:
A. Film Reel
B. Mr. Thatcher (Guardian)
C. Mr. Bernstein (Business Manger)
D. Jedeiah Leland (Best friend)
E. Susan Alexander (2nd Wife, ex)
F. Raymond (Butler)
QUESTION: If 5 people told your story what would it sound like?
Clip # 3 – Xanadu (a film clip about the life of Kane) (Scene 2) (3:11 – 4:50)
“Xanadu, the most costly monument a man has built to himself.”
Is Xanadu a symbol of Kane’s identity?
Notice: not completed
Clip # 4 – “Find out about this Rosebud” (Scene 3) (12:30 – 14:20)
The quest of the story is to find out about “rosebud”
Clip # 5 - Clue (18:56 – 23:05)
The childhood of Kane, and when love was withheld.
Clip #6 - “All he wanted was love” (54:03 - :39)
TENSION: within Kane’s desire to be loved & the pathological fear of giving love in return
Clip # 7 - “Love on my terms” (1:14:00 – 1:15:22)
Clip # 8 - “You don’t love me” (1:42:20 – 1:43:26
Kane says to his wife as she is leaving him, “You can’t do this to me.”
Second wife in anger, “You don’t love me. You want me to love you.”
Note: It’s all about me (Kane).
Clip #? “Why Don’t We Go Out?”
Observation Note: Cay “Watch for spatial relationship”
Notice: 2nd wife working on a puzzle and how far away Kane is from her. She then asks, “Why don’t we go out?” His answer, “we did, last week.” What is your sense of Kane in this relationship?
Tension: love given and love received
Implication of not receiving love is to distance oneself from others (previous experiences)
Even though one may be a rationalist, the emotions of not receiving love can cause one to respond with emotions due to previous experience of not receiving love.
POINT
Rosebud is the last time Kane felt love. It is his best memory of his childhood. The love of mother. It is a time he would want to go back to. Is there a time yhou want to o back to?
POINT
Kane is an individual who lacked love. His lack of love began with his parents holding back on love. The one thing he really loved is his sled, Rosebud.” Rosebud brought to him a feeling of what he loved and his great joy of love, the love he never experienced. As a result, he held others at a distance and missed out on life. His life began and ended with Rosebud.
POINT
Kane can’t find the love he needs because “No Trespassing” (his refusal to be vulnerable in love)
IRONY
Do you know anyone who needs love desperately, and they have put up a “No trespassing” sign.
They have distanced themselves from others. A huge barrier between the world and them (Simon and Garfunkel, “I am a Rock”) Often time, those who need love the most, are those who put up “No Trespassing” signs.
LAST WORDS OF JESUS
MT 27:50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
MT 27:51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. 52 The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
Point – the “No Trespassing” sign at the Holy of Holies was ripped in half
POINT
The love of Jesus rips the “No Trespassing” signs that people have posted keeping love out. We love, because God loved us first
POINT
Withholding love damages the other. Love heals.
SIMON AND GARFUNKEL: “I’m a Rock’
BIBLICAL CHARACTERS WHO LACKED LOVE
WOMEN AT THE WELL (John 4)
John – Jesus seven Last Words
Point of the last words of Jesus – Love
They’re killing you Jesus, forgive them. That requires great love,
John 15: No greater love than
PUPPETS
CHUCK: What are you doing?
STAN: Preparing to be loved by the masses.
CHUCK: What are you some kind of politician?
STAN: Nope
CHUCK: Then are you some kind of celebrity?
STAN: Nope, just your average Joe, I mean Stan.
CHUCK: So, what’s thing about being loved by the masses?
STAN: Well I’ve I been thinking.
CHUCK: Oh, oh. I know where this is going.
STAN: For the good of the masses, me an ordinary citizen, is willing to receive the love of the masses. Mind you, I am not doing this for me, but for the betterment of humanity.
CHUCK: How is you being loved by the masses for the betterment of humanity?
STAN: It’s simple. I am volunteering to receive.
CHUCK: Receive?
STAN: Masses of the world, step right up and give me your love.
CHUCK: I don’t get it.
STAN: Now, isn’t it better to give than to receive?
CHUCK: Yes.
STAN: Well, it just stands to reason that the best way I can help all of humankind is to let others give and I will be the recipient of all this love. Mind you I am only doing it to help humanity, my share of the load you know. Okay everybody, the love line forms to the left. Liner up and bring me your love, and gifts would help in this whole process.
Chuck: There’s something wrong with this picture.
STAN: Listen citizens, I am being a good citizen here, helping others by receiving, even though it is better to give, I shall receive. I don’t see anything wrong with this picture, except I am getting the short end of the stick if it is better to give than to receive.
CHUCK: I don’t get it.
STAN: Chuck, isn’t it better to give than to receive?
Chuck: Yes.
STAN: That means, wouldn’t your first choice be to give?
CHUCK: Yes.
STAN: And isn’t the first choice better than the second choice?
CHUCK: Yes.
STAN: So since giving is better than receiving, I am giving all citizens the first choice and I will take the second choice, which is to receive. Because it is better to give than to receive, right?
CHUCH: (hesitation) ahhhh….yes, I guess so.
STAN: So for the citizens of the world, I am willing to forgo my opportunity for the first choice and what is best, and take 2nd best, the 2nd choice, which is to receive. Citizens of the world, those who choose the best choice, the first choice to give, the line forms to the left.
CHUCK: I don’t understand.
STAN: Just get in line Chuck. Citizens of the world join chuck as he prepares to give, because it is better to give than to receive.
CHUCK: I don’t see any line.
STAN: Nonsense, there are a lot of people who want to give, because it is better to give than to receive.
CHUCK: Including love
STAN: Including love.
CHUCK: I still don’t see any line.
STAN: Nonsense, give it a time, a lot of people want to do the best choice and give.
CHUCK: No line.
STAN: (SCREAMING) What do I have to do to get these people to give me love?
(Silence)
STAN: So all I am doing is letting everybody have the best choice first, let them choose the best, that is to give, and I will forfeit any opportunity I have to give, which is a second choice and not as good as the first choice, you know like giving. I am a martyr here. So, line forms to the left
NEXT WEEK: August 10
Movie: Batman
Question: Why Doesn’t Batman Kill the Joker?
9 am, no clips
11 am, several clips
RESPONSE
There is a time to “trespass” and a time to “No Trespass”
We trespasss at different levels, for some folks, NO Tespassing, others differently, and how close is determined (spouse one level, children another level, friends, etc.).
August 3, 2008
Citizen Kane
OPENING - FAMOUS LAST WORDS
(I don’t know how true any of these are; but they are interesting)
James Brown (1933-2006) "I'm going away tonight." (Reported by his personal manager, Charles Bobbit, who said he was at Brown's bedside when he died, and added that Brown said the statement above, then took three long, quiet breaths, and closed his eyes.)
Charles Chaplin (1889-1977) When the priest who was attending him at his bedside said "May the Lord have mercy on your soul", Chaplin is reported to have replied "Why Not? After all, it belongs to him."
Beecher, Henry Ward (1813-1887) "Now comes the mystery."
John Barrymore (1882-1942) Die? I should say not, dear fellow. No Barrymore would allow such a conventional thing to happen to him.
Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) "... the fog is rising."
Marie Antoinette (1755-1793) "Farewell, my children, forever. I go to your Father."
QUESTION: Do last say words say anything about us?
Errol Flynn (1909-1959) "I've had a hell of a lot of fun and I've enjoyed every minute of it." (Said shortly before his death.)
Bing Crosby (1903-1977) "That was a great game of golf, fellers."
Lou Costello (1906-1959) "That was the best ice-cream soda I ever tasted."
John Adams (1735-1826) "Thomas Jefferson--still survives..." (4 July 1826. Jefferson died on the same day.)
Humphrey Bogart (1899-1957) "I should never have switched from Scotch to Martinis." (Unverified -- attributed.) (A recent television biography of Bogart includes Lauren Bacall, his wife, saying that he was at home bedridden with cancer when she left the house briefly, maybe to do grocery shopping. "Hurry back", he said as she closed the door. When she returned he was dead.)
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) "Drink to me."
Dylan Thomas (1914-1953) "I have just had eighteen whiskeys in a row. I do believe that is a record."
Laurence Olivier (1907-1989) "This isn't Hamlet, you know, it's not meant to go into the bloody ear." (To his nurse, who spilt water over him while trying to moisten his lips.)
Voltaire (1694-1778) "This is no time to make new enemies." (When asked on his deathbed to forswear Satan.)
Karl Marx (1818-1883) "Go on, get out. Last words are for fools who haven't said enough."
Question: what do you want your last words to be?
Joshua – Joshua 24
“But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." (the most important message of Joshua)
INTRO TO CITIZEN KANE
In 1988 American Film Institute named “Citizen Kane” the greatest film of all time (that’s because they haven’t seen “Casablanca”). What would you consider the greatest film of all time?
Clip 1 “No Trespassing” (Scene 1) (0:22 – 2:09)
Observation Note: Cay “Watch for spatial relationship”
The sign says, “No Trespassing.” The mansion is off in the distance. What does this say about Kane? Is he distancing himself from others? Why?
Does it look like he wants to allow others to enter into his life (fence keeps people out)?
Is this a rational position?
Did Previous Experience impact this decision?
One solitary light in the huge mansion is on.
Clip # 2 - “Rosebud” (2:10 – 3:00)
One solitary last word, “Rosebud.” Then he dies.
One solitary, nameless, faceless nurse enters the room after his death.
Fade to black
NOTE: The story of Kane is told 6 times from 6 different perspectives:
A. Film Reel
B. Mr. Thatcher (Guardian)
C. Mr. Bernstein (Business Manger)
D. Jedeiah Leland (Best friend)
E. Susan Alexander (2nd Wife, ex)
F. Raymond (Butler)
QUESTION: If 5 people told your story what would it sound like?
Clip # 3 – Xanadu (a film clip about the life of Kane) (Scene 2) (3:11 – 4:50)
“Xanadu, the most costly monument a man has built to himself.”
Is Xanadu a symbol of Kane’s identity?
Notice: not completed
Clip # 4 – “Find out about this Rosebud” (Scene 3) (12:30 – 14:20)
The quest of the story is to find out about “rosebud”
Clip # 5 - Clue (18:56 – 23:05)
The childhood of Kane, and when love was withheld.
Clip #6 - “All he wanted was love” (54:03 - :39)
TENSION: within Kane’s desire to be loved & the pathological fear of giving love in return
Clip # 7 - “Love on my terms” (1:14:00 – 1:15:22)
Clip # 8 - “You don’t love me” (1:42:20 – 1:43:26
Kane says to his wife as she is leaving him, “You can’t do this to me.”
Second wife in anger, “You don’t love me. You want me to love you.”
Note: It’s all about me (Kane).
Clip #? “Why Don’t We Go Out?”
Observation Note: Cay “Watch for spatial relationship”
Notice: 2nd wife working on a puzzle and how far away Kane is from her. She then asks, “Why don’t we go out?” His answer, “we did, last week.” What is your sense of Kane in this relationship?
Tension: love given and love received
Implication of not receiving love is to distance oneself from others (previous experiences)
Even though one may be a rationalist, the emotions of not receiving love can cause one to respond with emotions due to previous experience of not receiving love.
POINT
Rosebud is the last time Kane felt love. It is his best memory of his childhood. The love of mother. It is a time he would want to go back to. Is there a time yhou want to o back to?
POINT
Kane is an individual who lacked love. His lack of love began with his parents holding back on love. The one thing he really loved is his sled, Rosebud.” Rosebud brought to him a feeling of what he loved and his great joy of love, the love he never experienced. As a result, he held others at a distance and missed out on life. His life began and ended with Rosebud.
POINT
Kane can’t find the love he needs because “No Trespassing” (his refusal to be vulnerable in love)
IRONY
Do you know anyone who needs love desperately, and they have put up a “No trespassing” sign.
They have distanced themselves from others. A huge barrier between the world and them (Simon and Garfunkel, “I am a Rock”) Often time, those who need love the most, are those who put up “No Trespassing” signs.
LAST WORDS OF JESUS
MT 27:50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
MT 27:51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. 52 The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
Point – the “No Trespassing” sign at the Holy of Holies was ripped in half
POINT
The love of Jesus rips the “No Trespassing” signs that people have posted keeping love out. We love, because God loved us first
POINT
Withholding love damages the other. Love heals.
SIMON AND GARFUNKEL: “I’m a Rock’
BIBLICAL CHARACTERS WHO LACKED LOVE
WOMEN AT THE WELL (John 4)
John – Jesus seven Last Words
Point of the last words of Jesus – Love
They’re killing you Jesus, forgive them. That requires great love,
John 15: No greater love than
PUPPETS
CHUCK: What are you doing?
STAN: Preparing to be loved by the masses.
CHUCK: What are you some kind of politician?
STAN: Nope
CHUCK: Then are you some kind of celebrity?
STAN: Nope, just your average Joe, I mean Stan.
CHUCK: So, what’s thing about being loved by the masses?
STAN: Well I’ve I been thinking.
CHUCK: Oh, oh. I know where this is going.
STAN: For the good of the masses, me an ordinary citizen, is willing to receive the love of the masses. Mind you, I am not doing this for me, but for the betterment of humanity.
CHUCK: How is you being loved by the masses for the betterment of humanity?
STAN: It’s simple. I am volunteering to receive.
CHUCK: Receive?
STAN: Masses of the world, step right up and give me your love.
CHUCK: I don’t get it.
STAN: Now, isn’t it better to give than to receive?
CHUCK: Yes.
STAN: Well, it just stands to reason that the best way I can help all of humankind is to let others give and I will be the recipient of all this love. Mind you I am only doing it to help humanity, my share of the load you know. Okay everybody, the love line forms to the left. Liner up and bring me your love, and gifts would help in this whole process.
Chuck: There’s something wrong with this picture.
STAN: Listen citizens, I am being a good citizen here, helping others by receiving, even though it is better to give, I shall receive. I don’t see anything wrong with this picture, except I am getting the short end of the stick if it is better to give than to receive.
CHUCK: I don’t get it.
STAN: Chuck, isn’t it better to give than to receive?
Chuck: Yes.
STAN: That means, wouldn’t your first choice be to give?
CHUCK: Yes.
STAN: And isn’t the first choice better than the second choice?
CHUCK: Yes.
STAN: So since giving is better than receiving, I am giving all citizens the first choice and I will take the second choice, which is to receive. Because it is better to give than to receive, right?
CHUCH: (hesitation) ahhhh….yes, I guess so.
STAN: So for the citizens of the world, I am willing to forgo my opportunity for the first choice and what is best, and take 2nd best, the 2nd choice, which is to receive. Citizens of the world, those who choose the best choice, the first choice to give, the line forms to the left.
CHUCK: I don’t understand.
STAN: Just get in line Chuck. Citizens of the world join chuck as he prepares to give, because it is better to give than to receive.
CHUCK: I don’t see any line.
STAN: Nonsense, there are a lot of people who want to give, because it is better to give than to receive.
CHUCK: Including love
STAN: Including love.
CHUCK: I still don’t see any line.
STAN: Nonsense, give it a time, a lot of people want to do the best choice and give.
CHUCK: No line.
STAN: (SCREAMING) What do I have to do to get these people to give me love?
(Silence)
STAN: So all I am doing is letting everybody have the best choice first, let them choose the best, that is to give, and I will forfeit any opportunity I have to give, which is a second choice and not as good as the first choice, you know like giving. I am a martyr here. So, line forms to the left
NEXT WEEK: August 10
Movie: Batman
Question: Why Doesn’t Batman Kill the Joker?
9 am, no clips
11 am, several clips
RESPONSE
There is a time to “trespass” and a time to “No Trespass”
We trespasss at different levels, for some folks, NO Tespassing, others differently, and how close is determined (spouse one level, children another level, friends, etc.).
posted by Pastor Stan at
2:20 PM
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