In today's gathering, we explored the profound ways God brings light into our lives, contrasting the world's inclination towards retribution with the divine call for kindness and mercy. Reflecting on the famous line "Go ahead, make my day," we considered how this phrase, often associated with aggression, could be transformed into an invitation for unexpected joy and kindness. This shift in perspective aligns with the teachings of Jesus, who advocated for turning the other cheek and sharing with those in need, offering a radical departure from the world's norms.

We delved into the teachings of the prophet Micah, who emphasized that God desires justice, mercy, and humility over material offerings. This message is timeless, reminding us that our relationship with God is not about what we can give materially but how we live our lives in service to others. The recent inauguration of a new president brought this message to the forefront, as Bishop Budde's call for mercy sparked both praise and controversy. Yet, it echoed the prophetic voices of Micah and Amos, urging us to focus on justice and mercy.

Justice and mercy require time, creativity, and a willingness to engage in the messy realities of life. They demand commitment, much like the commitment God has made to us through His covenants. God shows up in our messiness, and He calls us to do the same for others. By engaging in acts of kindness, we not only lift our own spirits but also potentially transform the lives of those around us.

This week, I encourage each of us to perform one act of kindness daily. Whether it's through a simple gesture or a microloan to someone in need, these acts can be a powerful testimony of our faith and a reflection of Jesus' better way for us to live together. Let us strive to make someone's day, and in doing so, make God's day as well.

**Key Takeaways:**

1. **Transforming Retribution into Kindness:** The phrase "Go ahead, make my day" can be reimagined from a threat to an opportunity for kindness and joy. By choosing to respond with love and mercy, we align ourselves with Jesus' teachings and create a ripple effect of positivity in the world. [02:38]

2. **God's Desire for Justice and Mercy:** The prophet Micah reminds us that God values justice, mercy, and humility over material offerings. Our relationship with God is about how we live our lives and serve others, not about what we can give materially. [03:57]

3. **The Challenge of Justice and Mercy:** Justice and mercy require time, creativity, and a willingness to engage in the complexities of life. They demand a commitment to building relationships and addressing the needs of our neighbors, reflecting God's commitment to us. [05:49]

4. **God's Commitment to Us:** God has chosen to be in a relationship with us, despite the messiness of our lives. He calls us to show up for others in the same way, working towards justice and mercy together. [06:34]

5. **Acts of Kindness as Testimony:** By performing acts of kindness, we lift our spirits and potentially transform the lives of others. These acts serve as a testimony of our faith and a reflection of Jesus' better way for us to live together. [07:39]

**Youtube Chapters:**

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:02] - A Different Direction
[01:52] - The World's Retribution
[02:38] - A New Kind of "Make My Day"
[03:57] - Micah's Message
[05:09] - Inauguration Reflections
[05:49] - The Challenge of Justice
[06:34] - God's Commitment
[07:39] - Acts of Kindness
[08:19] - Invitation to Act

**Bible Study Discussion Guide**

**Bible Reading:**
- 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."

**Observation Questions:**
1. How does the sermon describe the world's current inclination towards retribution and aggression? [01:52]
2. What examples from Jesus' teachings were mentioned in the sermon that contrast with the world's norms? [02:38]
3. According to the sermon, what does the prophet Micah emphasize as important to God? [03:57]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of "making someone's day" through acts of kindness? [07:39]

**Interpretation Questions:**
1. What might be the significance of transforming the phrase "Go ahead, make my day" from a threat to an opportunity for kindness and joy? [02:38]
2. How does the sermon suggest that justice and mercy require time and creativity? What might this look like in practical terms? [05:49]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's commitment to us is reflected in our commitment to others? [06:34]
4. How does the sermon connect the teachings of Micah and Amos to contemporary issues of justice and mercy? [05:09]

**Application Questions:**
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt inclined towards retribution. How might you have responded differently by choosing kindness and mercy instead? [01:52]
2. Identify a specific act of kindness you can perform this week. How can this act serve as a testimony of your faith? [07:39]
3. Consider the relationships in your life that might require more time and creativity to foster justice and mercy. What steps can you take to engage more deeply with these relationships? [05:49]
4. How can you incorporate the teachings of Micah 6:8 into your daily life? What changes might you need to make to walk more humbly with God?
5. Think about a time when you experienced unexpected joy from an act of kindness. How can you create similar moments for others in your community? [02:38]
6. How can you support your community in addressing the needs of your neighbors, beyond just material offerings? [03:57]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about God showing up in our messiness. How can you be more present for others in their times of need? [06:34]

Day 1: Transforming Aggression into Opportunities for Kindness
In a world often driven by retribution, the phrase "Go ahead, make my day" is typically associated with aggression and confrontation. However, this can be reimagined as an invitation to bring unexpected joy and kindness into someone's life. By choosing to respond with love and mercy, we align ourselves with the teachings of Jesus, who advocated for turning the other cheek and sharing with those in need. This shift in perspective not only transforms our interactions but also creates a ripple effect of positivity in the world. [02:38]

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a situation where you feel wronged or hurt. How can you respond with kindness and mercy instead of retaliation today?


Day 2: God's Preference for Justice and Mercy
The prophet Micah reminds us that God values justice, mercy, and humility over material offerings. Our relationship with God is not about what we can give materially but about how we live our lives in service to others. This timeless message calls us to focus on the quality of our actions and the intentions behind them, rather than the quantity of our offerings. It challenges us to live out our faith through acts of justice and mercy, reflecting God's heart for humanity. [03:57]

"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8, ESV)

Reflection: Consider your daily actions and decisions. How can you prioritize justice and mercy in your interactions with others today?


Day 3: The Commitment Required for Justice and Mercy
Justice and mercy are not easy paths; they require time, creativity, and a willingness to engage in the complexities of life. These virtues demand a commitment to building relationships and addressing the needs of our neighbors, reflecting God's unwavering commitment to us. Engaging in justice and mercy means stepping into the messiness of life and being present for others, just as God is present for us. [05:49]

"Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a specific area in your community where you can contribute to justice and mercy. What steps can you take this week to make a difference?


Day 4: God's Faithful Presence in Our Lives
God has chosen to be in a relationship with us, despite the messiness of our lives. He calls us to show up for others in the same way, working towards justice and mercy together. This divine commitment is a model for how we should engage with those around us, offering support and love even in difficult circumstances. By being present for others, we reflect God's faithful presence in our own lives. [06:34]

"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." (Zephaniah 3:17, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who is going through a difficult time. How can you be a faithful presence for them this week?


Day 5: Acts of Kindness as a Reflection of Faith
Performing acts of kindness lifts our spirits and has the potential to transform the lives of others. These acts serve as a testimony of our faith and a reflection of Jesus' better way for us to live together. By intentionally choosing kindness, we not only make someone's day but also align ourselves with God's desire for a world filled with love and compassion. [07:39]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works." (Hebrews 10:24, ESV)

Reflection: Plan one specific act of kindness you can do today. How can this act serve as a testimony of your faith and love for others?

What if make my day was not a threat, but a place of wonder and awe, a moment of unexpected joy that comes from a place of kindness and mercy? I think this is where the prophet Micah is talking from to us today. He is talking about what is important to God. What is God's way? [00:03:18] (23 seconds) Edit Clip


There's a list in Micah of what God did for the people. He freed them from Egypt, freed them from slavery. He brought them great leaders like Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. But in return, after receiving such a gracious gift from God, the Israelites, well, what do you want from us? How about we bring you some really perfect lambs for sacrifice? What about some... [00:03:45] (26 seconds) Edit Clip


She focused on justice and mercy in her message just as the prophets Micah did and just as the prophet Amos did. Micah's message is not easy. It takes time to work for justice. Justice often takes years and decades, sometimes centuries to make happen. Mercy takes creativity and time. We have to see the needs of our neighbors and find meaningful ways to alleviate suffering and struggle. [00:05:49] (30 seconds) Edit Clip


Justice and mercy mean building relationships which are messy and they're often a pain. Justice and mercy mean commitment. Wait a minute, doesn't this sound like what God does for us, God has chosen to be in relationship with us. God has made a commitment to us through the covenants that he has made with us. [00:06:23] (24 seconds) Edit Clip


God knows that his relationship with us is messy. He knows our lives are messy and God shows up every time. That is what God is asking for us, that we show up for the people that God has blessed us with in our lives, that we show up in the mess, in the chaos, and we work towards justice and mercy together. [00:06:47] (23 seconds) Edit Clip


We often feel our blahs and our blues lift as we do something nice for someone else and we will never know the impact that our acts of kindness and mercy have had on someone else. What if each of us did something, one something nice for one person each day this week. Would that change the world? Would that be a testimony, a sharing of our faith that Jesus has a better way for us to live together? [00:07:26] (32 seconds) Edit Clip


a micro loan to someone who is trying to improve the financial stability of their lives so they can better care for their families and their communities we have enough money in our church fund loan to make 10 25 loans today so kids adults anyone please join me in the fellowship hall and let us make someone else's day today god isn't looking for the fanciest worship or the shiniest offerings god wants us to show up every day god wants our hearts of kindness god wants our work of justice and we walk as we walk humbly with god through our daily lives god [00:08:19] (43 seconds) Edit Clip


would love for us to make his day as we make someone's day with a surprise of kindness. Amen. [00:09:02] (11 seconds) Edit Clip

Good morning and welcome to worship here at Suamico United Methodist Church. My name is Annalisa Hunter and I serve as pastor.

Let's open with prayer.

Show us your ways, Lord. Teach us your paths, God. Guide us in your truth and teach us, for you are God our Savior and our trust is in you. Amen.

Last week we talked about the benefits of laughter as a way to lift our blahs and blues during this dark season or whatever dark season we might be feeling that we're going through right now. I hope you found many ways to laugh this week.

My husband and I tried something new. For date night on Friday night, we went to an improv comedy club in De Pere, Comedy City, and we had a great time with a whole bunch of neighbors laughing and laughing and laughing. It was wonderful.

In fact, I was inspired to maybe try a little improv sermon here at church and just ask people to throw out a few ideas and have me put together a sermon on the spot.

Yeah, we decided not to do that today, but maybe some other time. You let me know if you're interested in that idea and we'll give that a try.

This week we're going to go in a different direction to look at the ways that God brings light into our lives.

There's a movie from the 80s that has a line that most of us have heard one way or the other: "Go ahead, make my day."

Now this is from a Clint Eastwood movie and he's the good guy and he's going after bad guys, and his comment is really a negative thing. It's like, yeah, you do something really stupid and just watch me take some action against you.

Now this is a line of retribution. It's a line of aggression. It is in a setting of criminal activity. It seems like our world today is focused on a lot of retribution and revenge. It seems like we have a bunch of people saying to each other, "Go ahead, make my day, see what I will do to you if you do that."

I am wondering though if doing a wrong in response to another wrong just creates two wrongs in the world instead of a wrong becoming a right. Where does it end? Wrong after wrong after wrong. That doesn't seem to be going to a happy place.

What if there's a different way to go? Jesus came with a different way to go.

His message for us: turn the other cheek; if someone's hitting you, give your coat to someone who's cold; share your lunch of fish and bread with everyone sitting around you. These are not the messages of the world.

Our theme today is a different kind of "make my day."

In 2000, there was another movie that came out called "Pay It Forward," and it talks about a boy who was challenged by a teacher to try to make the world a better place. This happened through the child saying, "You know what? If someone does something nice to me, instead of paying them back, I pay it forward, and I help three other people with favors."

What if "make my day" was not a threat, but a place of wonder and awe, a moment of unexpected joy that comes from a place of kindness and mercy?

I think this is where the prophet Micah is talking from to us today. He is talking about what is important to God. What is God's way? Which is what Jesus continued preaching on.

There's a list in Micah of what God did for the people. He freed them from Egypt, freed them from slavery. He brought them great leaders like Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.

But in return, after receiving such a gracious gift from God, the Israelites asked, "Well, what do you want from us? How about we bring you some really perfect lambs for sacrifice? What about some of the best olive oil and a whole herd of rams? What about our firstborn children? This is the best we've got, God. This is what we're giving to you."

And Micah makes it clear what God wants. God is looking for justice and mercy and walking humbly with God.

This verse from Micah chapter 6 is inscribed in the dome of the reading room of the Library of Congress. It was meant to remind our nation's leaders that God isn't looking for the best stuff. God is wanting justice and mercy and a humility that comes from a life lived daily walking with God.

This week, our nation celebrated the inauguration of a new president. One of our traditions is to have a prayer service the day after the inauguration.

This year, we seem to have some disagreements about whether the message the bishop shared was appropriate. Bishop Budde asked President Trump to show mercy. Some people have applauded this message as grounded in the scriptures of the Old and New Testament. Some people have criticized this sermon as inappropriate for the occasion and a misinterpretation of the Bible.

For me, I suspect Bishop Budde was channeling a bit of the prophet Micah. And for that matter, the prophet Amos as well. It's not about the worship. It's not about what stuff we bring to God. It's about how we live our life.

She focused on justice and mercy in her message just as the prophets Micah did and just as the prophet Amos did. Micah's message is not easy. It takes time to work for justice. Justice often takes years and decades, sometimes centuries to make happen. Mercy takes creativity and time.

We have to see the needs of our neighbors and find meaningful ways to alleviate suffering and struggle. Isn't it just easier to write a check, drop off some donations?

Justice and mercy mean building relationships, which are messy and they're often a pain. Justice and mercy mean commitment.

Wait a minute, doesn't this sound like what God does for us? God has chosen to be in relationship with us. God has made a commitment to us through the covenants that he has made with us.

God knows that his relationship with us is messy. He knows our lives are messy and God shows up every time.

That is what God is asking for us, that we show up for the people that God has blessed us with in our lives, that we show up in the mess, in the chaos, and we work towards justice and mercy together.

Practice card encourages us to make our day by experiencing the good feelings that come from unexpected acts of kindness for other people.

We often feel our blahs and our blues lift as we do something nice for someone else, and we will never know the impact that our acts of kindness and mercy have had on someone else.

What if each of us did something, one something nice for one person each day this week? Would that change the world? Would that be a testimony, a sharing of our faith that Jesus has a better way for us to live together?

Last week we packed our monthly gratitude bags to show kindness to our neighbors who work so hard for our community and yet so seldom receive a word of thanks.

Today I invite you to join me in the fellowship hall. If you are online, I invite you to go to kiva.org, k-i-v-a.org, a micro loan to someone who is trying to improve the financial stability of their lives so they can better care for their families and their communities.

We have enough money in our church fund loan to make 10 $25 loans today, so kids, adults, anyone, please join me in the fellowship hall and let us make someone else's day today.

God isn't looking for the fanciest worship or the shiniest offerings. God wants us to show up every day. God wants our hearts of kindness. God wants our work of justice as we walk humbly with God through our daily lives.

God would love for us to make his day as we make someone's day with a surprise of kindness. Amen.