by Mark Stecher

Series: Kingdom Life

Our dear friend and passionate servant, Mark Stecher, launched the OneCity Foundation in 2004 to bring together churches, ministries, donors, organizations and individuals from all over Cincinnati to help lead change in our city. We are pleased to welcome him back to continue the Kingdom Series while Pastor Denis is on vacation break with Marianne. Prior to OneCity, Mark spent 11 years at Procter and Gamble, started several companies, and then served as associate pastor at the Vineyard for seven years. He lives in Cincinnati with his wife Laurie.

Message Outline

Series Message 9:
Moving Beyond the “American Dream”

Series theme verse: "Change your life. God's kingdom is here....Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." (Matthew 4:17b, 11:30, The Message)

Kingdom Life series goals:

• Learn to think, act and be like Jesus - Matthew 5:48
• Live His radical love for God and for people - Matthew 22:37-39
• Going beyond the elementary teachings about Jesus - Hebrews 6:1
• Be like The Rabbi - spread his “yoke”, live his rhythm - Matthew 11:28-30
• Moving to maturity, by His confidence & His power - Acts 1:8
• Becoming the chosen royal priesthood - 1 Peter 2:9, Ephesians 3:20-21
• Ushering in the fullness of the Kingdom - Matthew 6:10
  Remember: Jesus believes we can become like him!

Remember: Jesus believes we can become like him!
 
Series Update and Today’s Theme:

Our culture blinds us from the calling and the serious battle that is going on around us.  Christ left the earth and gave the responsibility to advance his kingdom—here on earth! We can do this by getting into the battle outside our comfort and margin, and entering experiences that change the world around us. Today, we’ll explore how we can join the battle in a way that capitalizes on our interests, uses our skills and experiences, and fits within the schedules of our lives.

Memory Verse for this week – Daniel 7:14a (NKJV)

Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a Kingdom, that all peoples, nations and languages should serve Him."

Focus Stories – Woman at the well, the Good Samaritan, and the Great Banquet

Jesus took a very interesting path less traveled—the shorter path through Samaria which Jews walked an extra couple days to avoid—and finds a very interesting woman who he builds relationship with. She was an unlikely person to connect with—having five husbands and living with yet another man (John 4:5-30, 39). Jesus invites her to life change and because of their interaction, other Samaritans became believers. All of this, because he didn’t avoid her. Jesus hailed the Samaritan (whom Jews held contemptible) as the real “neighbor” when he explains whom to love and what love looks like (Luke 10:25-37). Finally, He speaks of expanding his “guest list” at the Banquet he is throwing for which all the people in the countryside are invited because those on the original guest list are too busy (Luke 14:15-24). These stories provide a context for us to examine our focus; reflecting on who we respond to Christ’s call; a call which ironically leads to fulfillment.

1) What does it mean to be the church versus attending it?
2) Fighting war with the most radical weapon
3) OneCity city-wide collaboratives and mobilization.
4) Intentionally walking through Samaria, not around
5) Being on the Offensive
6) Called By Christ, With each other, To our City

Application questions for reflection and sharing in small groups

1) Have you been treating the world around you like a Kingdom battle? Are there specific areas where God is prompting you to take your responsibilities differently? Perhaps more offensively than passively or defensively?

2) Jews had few, if any encounters with Samaritans.  With whom do you avoid or just don’t’ have dealings or encounters?

-types of people

-areas of our city

-types of situations

3) Upon further reflection, what point of contact could you have with someone who’s totally different from you? Is there someone God is putting on your heart to bridge a relationship with?

4) What will it take to get you involved in that area you may have been avoiding? 

5) What barriers or blocks to today’s message would you like a friend help you with?

For Parents:

1) Is there a specific area you think your family can work together where you “walk around” a certain people? 
2) Are there areas of intolerance or indifference where you would like to have a family talk, so you begin waging a fight for reaching out to people different from you?
3) Try to identify situations where you could extend interest to others this week and share what’s working and what’s not.  
4) Consider getting involved in a project or relational outreach opportunity with your child.

Resources for further study:

1) Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller
2) Revolution by George Barna