Fan or Follower? What It Means to Be a "Christian" Week 4

"Fan or Follower? What It Means to Be a Christian" Week 4: “From Prayer to Practice: Making Earth Like Heaven” Theme: Living on Earth as in Heaven  Big Idea: Christians are called to live out the values of God's Kingdom here on earth. Key Practice: Acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God. Core Values of a “Christian”: Kingdom-minded living. Justice, mercy, and humility. Hope in the eternal Kingdom. Main Scripture Passages: Matthew 6:10 - "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Micah 6:8 - "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Cross References: James 1:27 - Pure and undefiled religion. Romans 14:17 - The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Matthew 5:14-16 - You are the light of the world. I. God's Kingdom: From Heaven to Earth (Matthew 6:10) Explanation: Jesus teaches us to pray for God’s Kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. What does this look like in practical terms? Heaven’s Values: Characteristics of God's Kingdom—righteousness, peace, justice, love. Jesus' Example: How Jesus embodied these values in His earthly ministry, bringing heaven's realities into everyday life. Illustration: The Lord's Prayer as a daily reminder of our calling to be agents of heaven on earth. II. The Call to Act Justly (Micah 6:8) Definition: Acting justly involves pursuing fairness, standing against oppression, and advocating for those who cannot advocate for themselves. Biblical Examples: Jesus confronting the Pharisees and religious leaders, challenging unjust systems (Matthew 23:23). The Good Samaritan’s justice in action (Luke 10:25-37). Self-Evaluation: Reflect on areas in your lives where you need to pursue justice—at work, in their community, within their relationships. Application: Practical steps to engage in justice—volunteering, advocacy, being a voice for the voiceless. III. The Call to Love Mercy (Micah 6:8) Definition: Loving mercy means showing compassion, kindness, and forgiveness even when it’s undeserved. Biblical Examples: Jesus and the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11). The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)—a powerful illustration of God's mercy and our call to mirror that mercy. Self-Evaluation: Think of someone you need to extend mercy to—where might God be calling you to love mercy in your life? Application: Embrace forgiveness, reach out in compassion, and practice reconciliation. IV. The Call to Walk Humbly with God (Micah 6:8) Definition: Walking humbly with God involves surrendering our pride, recognizing our dependence on Him, and following His lead. Biblical Examples: Jesus washing the disciples' feet (John 13:1-17)—the ultimate act of humility. The humility of the tax collector in the temple (Luke 18:9-14). Self-Evaluation: Are we truly humble before God, or are we driven by self-sufficiency and pride? Application: Cultivate a lifestyle of prayer, study, and simple obedience, always seeking God’s direction. V. Responding to the Call: From Prayer to Practice Call to Action: It's not enough to pray for God's Kingdom; we must live it out. Personal Next Steps: Invite the congregation to commit to one tangible way they will act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly this week. Community Impact: Challenge them to think beyond themselves—how can we, as a church, make our community more like heaven? 9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name (act justly). 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors (love mercy). 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one (walk humbly with our God). For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13 NKJV