A Million Miles Away | At The Movies | Jentezen Franklin
Monday, July 7
Escrituras clave
Matthew 19:26; Joel 2:28; Galatians 6:9; Luke 2:52; Psalm 90:17; Exodus 33:17; Hebrews 12:1-2
Laying the Foundation
"A Million Miles Away" tells the true story of José Hernández, a Mexican American migrant farm worker who overcame numerous obstacles to become a NASA astronaut. The film follows his decades-long journey, from his childhood in the fields to his eventual mission on the Space Shuttle to the International Space Station. It highlights his perseverance, the support of his family and community, and the sacrifices they made to help him achieve his dream.
The film emphasizes several key aspects of José's life:
- His migrant farm worker background: José's parents were migrant workers, and he spent much of his childhood working alongside them picking produce in the fields.
- His repeated rejections: He applied to the NASA astronaut program 11 times before finally being accepted.
- The importance of family and community: The film focuses on the unwavering support of his wife, Adela, his parents, and his teachers, who all played a crucial role in his journey.
- Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks, José never gave up on and kept fighting for his dream of going to space.
- His eventual mission: The film culminates with José's successful 13-day mission to the International Space Station.
Introducción
Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (ESV)
Some of us are born with red-hot aspirations to accomplish very specific things in life. We have an innate desire that says: ‘we were born for this!’ Others have talents and are gifted in things that come easy for them. Still there are some of us who have a vague sense or no idea at all what their God-given dreams are.
When we look at our lives in pursuit of our ‘purpose’, we must ensure that we have a relationship with our Creator. We must have more than the mindset of calling on God in emergency situations. When we understand that God gave His only Son, Jesus, to take our place so He could restore our relationship with Him then we will seek Him for every decision of our lives.
How are you seeking His will for your life? Are you seeking Him with your whole heart? Or have you become self-reliant?
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV): "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV): "‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’"
How do we know we can hear God?
- When we know His Character, Who He is and how He has acted on behalf of others by example throughout the Bible then we have better insight.
- Learning His Word is critical as He will never contradict Himself. Scripture is a standard we can trust. God’s Word is unchanging.
- Be involved in a church, be involved in a connect group, there is wisdom in Godly counsel!
God tells us that He has equipped us with gifts to serve others and to expand His Kingdom.
1 Peter 4:10–11 (NIV): "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."
1 Corinthians 12 describes spiritual gifts that are freely given to those who follow Jesus and are filled with His Holy Spirit.
There is the fruit of the Holy Spirit also spoken of in Galatians 5:22-23. The Apostle Paul describes “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…”
2 Timothy 1:6–7 (NIV): "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."
God fulfills dreams through a combination of personal effort, and divine intervention.
He may provide opportunities, open doors, but He will unfold His plan for your life and the desires of your heart when they align with His purpose in our lives.
This week we will dig into:
Q: Was there a point in time in your life when you had a dream or a vision and lost sight of it? Or have you never had a dream or a vision?
Q: Do you see evidence that your plan aligns with God’s plan for you? In what ways?
Dream Dreams and See Visions
Pastor Jentezen mentioned Joel 2:28 (NIV):
“And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.”
Did you catch the “and afterward” at the beginning of verse twenty-eight? After what? Joel 2:25-27 reminds us that our God can repay us for whatever has destroyed our hopes and dreams. He can feed us and satisfy us. That leads us to praise His name; we will never be put to shame again. Jose Hernandez could have certainly let his social status, or the perceived lack of NASA qualifications, destroy his hopes and dreams. But Jose didn’t define himself or his abilities by his current situation, nor did the Lord. God’s perception is not limited to external features. God sees the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Jose, like all of us, are God’s masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago (Ephesians 2:10). Jeremiah 29:11 says,
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV)
Q: What do you think it takes to make the vision and purpose God had for your life before the foundation of this world, your vision?
Q: If God placed a dream in your heart a long time ago and you have not taken steps toward that dream, what circumstances or mindsets are hindering you?
Do Not Grow Weary in Well-Doing
Jose never gave up. In fact, when he showed up at NASA to hand-deliver his application, he corrected a NASA executive saying it was actually his twelfth application (not eleventh) saying if he were rejected again, he would be back next year with the thirteenth application. That’s perseverance! God has much to say about not getting weary.
2 Thessalonians “But as for you, brothers, do not grow weary in well-doing”.
Galatians 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Q: Notice “at the proper time” in Gal 6:9. Does the harvest always come immediately after seed is sown? What practical things did this movie show us about dealing with a delay in achieving the dream?
Q: If you experienced a delay between the vision and the realization, what enabled you to keep going and not grow weary?
Jose was focused on something bigger than himself. When the other scientists asked, “Now who are these people that are going to protect people in Manhattan from such an attack?” Jose answered, after no response from others, and said, “I say, we are.”
A God-given vision will always be bigger than we are, affect more people than just ourselves and cannot be done alone. We are to work hard in everything, with a spirit of excellence, knowing that the work is never in vain when it is aligned with God’s purpose and plan. 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Q: Romans 12:6 says, “We have different gifts according to the grace given us.” What gifts and talents have God given you? Are you using them?
Jose finished strong. He also started strong by reaping the seeds of encouragement of those who believed that through God, all things are possible.
Q: Do you have people in your life that will give you a godly “nudge” toward perseverance? If you don’t have people like that, would you consider getting connected to others via Connect groups or other equally yoked fellowships?
Remember, whether you get praise or encouragement or not; your labor is never in vain in the Lord. Without Him, we can do nothing. He is for us and not against us. This makes us steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord!
God’s Favor
Scripture reveals God’s deep love and intimate purpose for each individual, calling us to a personal relationship with Him as He knows us by name, guides our growth, and establishes the work of our hands.
He even knows us by name and His favor can open doors we sometimes never even dream of!
Exodus 33:17 (NIV): "And the Lord said to Moses, 'I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you, and I know you by name.'"
Luke 2:52 (NIV): "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man."
Psalm 90:17 (NIV): "May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands."
Have distractions and circumstances taken precedence over your dreams? Re-focus, surrender, sacrifice and persevere to stay faithful for breakthroughs to happen, and yes, even miracles, by human, societal, cultural standards, are marvelously waiting to be experienced as we push through!
- Exodus 33:17 highlights that God knows us by name and responds to our prayers with favor. How does the idea that God knows you personally and has a unique purpose for you shape the way you approach your relationship with Him?
- Share a time when you felt God’s favor opened an unexpected door in your life.
- Luke 2:52 describes Jesus growing in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and others. What are some practical ways you can cultivate a deeper relationship with God to grow in wisdom and align with His purpose for your life? How can your small group support you in this?
- Psalm 90:17 asks for God’s favor to establish the work of our hands. Have you ever experienced distractions or challenges that pulled you away from pursuing a God-given dream or purpose? How can surrendering to God and persevering through faith lead to breakthroughs, as mentioned in the text?
Persevere in Surrender
Hebrews 12:1–2 (NIV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Dreams don’t come without a cost. They often require sacrifice, discipline, and—most importantly—surrender. In A Million Miles Away, we saw José’s ten-year pursuit to become an astronaut. He faced rejection, criticism, and long seasons of waiting. But instead of giving up, he kept showing up. He surrendered his comfort, his timeline, and even his fears—so he could step fully into the dream God placed in his heart.
This is a picture of what walking with Jesus looks like. We don’t persevere in our own strength—we persevere in surrender. When we fix our eyes on Him, we remember why we keep going. It’s not just about reaching the dream; it’s about being formed by God along the way. That’s where the real reward is.
God is not asking for perfection—He’s asking for surrender. Keep going. Keep trusting. He is faithful to finish what He started.
Q: What’s one dream or calling you believe God has placed in your heart?
Q: In what area are you being challenged to surrender more fully to God?
Q: How does fixing your eyes on Jesus help you persevere when it feels hard or slow?
Q: What part of José’s story inspired or challenged you the most?
Conclusión
Matthew 19:26: “With God ALL things are possible.”
Jesus’ promise in Matthew 19:26 proves that the fulfillment of your dreams is not impossible. Jose’s story illustrates the truth of Romans 8:31: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (NIV)
The question is, do you have a dream? Do you have something that burns within you to pursue? It doesn’t matter if the dream is big—such as becoming a business or political leader, an inventor, or an astronaut—or small, like becoming a spouse, a parent, a small business owner, or earning an education. There is no small role in God’s kingdom. Every role is critical, as it impacts not only others but their roles as well.
As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12: “…There is one body and many parts…” and “God has placed each part in the body just as He wanted it to be.” “You are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of it.”
If your dream is from God, nothing is impossible. If you have a dream or are living out your dream, great or small, remember that it belongs to the Lord and it is for His glory that you are to live it out.
Be wary of pride, lest you fall into the temptation of forgetting where the gift came from or using it solely for your own benefit, instead of serving those whom God has called you to impact.
Remember the words spoken to Esther by Mordecai in Esther 4:14: “…Who knows? It is possible that you came into this position for a time just like this.”
- Matthew 19:26 declares, “With God all things are possible.” How does this promise encourage you to pursue the dreams God has placed in your heart, whether big or small? Share an example of a dream you’re pursuing or a moment when you saw God make something possible that seemed impossible.
- 1 Corinthians 12 emphasizes that every role in God’s kingdom is vital, no matter how big or small. How does this perspective shape the way you view your own dreams or purpose? How can you encourage others in your group to see their roles as significant in God’s plan?
- Esther 4:14 suggests that God places us in specific positions for specific purposes. Have you ever considered that your current circumstances or dreams might be part of God’s bigger plan “for such a time as this”? How can surrendering your dreams to God, as the text suggests, help you avoid pride and align with His purpose for impacting others?
Whether you have a dream or are still longing for one, surrender it to God today—and see what He can do through you!
Call To Action:
- If you have a dream, lift it up and surrender it to God in prayer.
- If you don’t have a dream, or are not sure, then lift that up to the Lord to let His Holy Spirit inspire you to a dream of His choosing.
- Let Christ redeem your life and your dreams. If you’ve never accepted Christ, know you are His dream. Take that step now and receive Christ in your heart!
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, Thank you for the gift of visions and dreams. You did not need us to accomplish anything in this world and yet You chose us and gifted us to serve You. Guide us by the power of your Holy Spirit and inspire us to dream dreams and see visions that are of Your design. Empower us to walk them out with faithfulness and obedience. Embolden us to persevere against the setbacks and challenges that we will face. Help us to pursue them with excellence and, in humility, let us use them to fulfill our role in Your purposes. Sanctify our hearts and minds so that we may be vessels by which You do “…more than we can ask or imagine...” to the glory of your Holy Name. In Your Holy Name Jesus, Amen.
Recursos
Download this Group Guide GG 7-6-25 Million Miles Away.docx