JOHN SHIRK – In Matthew 18, the disciples came to Jesus and asked him, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

The disciples went through a stage when they were preoccupied with “Kingdom status.”  Who would receive the places of honor in God’s kingdom? Jesus places a little child among them to show that greatness came through humility. A little child depends on their parents to take care of their needs, and leans on them for support. In a similar way, Jesus invites us to lean on Him with our concerns.  He affirms His love for us over and over again.

The story is told of Karl Barth, who was a theologian with a deep knowledge of the Scriptures. Someone asked him, “what was the greatest theological discovery of your time?” His answer came from a song that he learned as a child.  “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”  This is the kind of statement that transforms lives from the inside out.

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK-When missionaries come home for a furlough, one of their common tasks is to report to the local church how God is working through their outreach.  This stirs enthusiasm in the church for missions when the Lord is honored this way.  Follow up reports go back to the early church.

In Acts 21:19, the setting was Jerusalem, and Paul greeted the church elders and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.  “When they heard this, they praised God.”

There are times when follow up reports can be beneficial today.  When God works through us to touch someone else in a meaningful way, that is an occasion to praise God.  The church can rejoice together when we share testimonies of God’s grace enabling us to reach out to others with the Gospel.

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In First Samuel 22, verse 3, David made this statement to the king of Moab: “Would you let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn what God will do for me?”

David was anointed to be the next king of Israel, but was on the run from the current king who was seeking to take his life.  David makes provisions for his parents to stay with one of King Saul’s adversaries. David also affirms that God has a plan for his life.  He just does not know how God will work out that plan for him, but he believes that one day God will reveal it to him as he trusts God with each step.  God has a plan for our lives to be His workmanship while we live on the earth.  We don’t know where the Lord will take us 20 years from now.   By faith, we might not see the future clearly, but we can trust in the One who does see our future clearly, and loves us sincerely. We can go forward with the confidence that He works out His redemptive purposes in the lives of those who follow Him.  We might not become a famous king, but by His grace, we can live a life that brings honor to the name of Jesus, the King of Kings.

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – The Apostle Paul had a desire to be home in heaven with the Lord, but while he remained on the earth, he also celebrated the opportunity to represent the Lord.

He said in Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”  When he died, he knew he was getting a promotion in the form of a new body that was made to last in the presence of the Lord he loved. Yet, he knew that God had placed him on the earth for an important mission, and he would continue that mission with faithful service to build the church and bring souls into God’s kingdom.

Hans Moetteli has gone the way of the Apostle Paul.  He died this year on May 31^st.  Before he died, his life counted for God. He was a volunteer, taking calls for the NEED HIM ministry.  During his nine years as a volunteer, he spoke with over 14,000 people about their relationship with Jesus Christ.  He was known for offering this advice, “Make Jesus number one in your life.”  That is essential for living a life that counts for God.

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – The book of Acts ends with an open-ended statement. 

“For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.”

This is the last of the early church narrative in the Bible. There is something to be said about lasting impressions.  Our farewell picture of Paul in the book of Acts is carrying on the work of the Lord in the form of preaching and teaching.  He used what freedoms he had to be an influence on others for the sake of the Kingdom.

Could it be that the book ends this way to impress on us that our mission picks up where Paul’s mission ended? Like a relay race, the baton has been passed along to followers of Jesus today to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ boldly and without hindrance. This is how the church serves as a redemptive influence in the world. Paul gladly welcomed all who came to him. By doing the same, we can keep avenues of communication open so that others might come to faith in Jesus.

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Psalm 119, verse 105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

In a world that is darkened by sin, we need light to be able to move forward without stumbling.  God’s Word here is compared to a lamp that keeps our feet on the right path.  This is enough light for our next step, but not enough to see our whole journey.  This requires faith that trusts in God to lead us, and to believe that His wisdom is higher than ours. The guiding impact of God’s Word on our lives is that His counsel is a light to show us where to go and what to do. His direction will lead us to productive places that bring honor to His name.

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.  

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Psalm 119:14 says, “I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.” 

A statute is a decree or law issued by a ruler or governing body.  In this case, a statute is a law given by God.  The prophet Isaiah talked about the LORD as being our lawgiver. The writer viewed God’s statutes as a precious treasure, not a rule book to be followed grudgingly.  Like a loving parent whose house rules are designed to protect children from harm and provide for their well-being, so God’s statutes have great value to protect us and provide for us. We ignore God’s laws at our own peril.

Psalm 19:8 says “The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.” The joyful impact of God’s Word is that His truth is a treasure that enriches our soul.  Our conscience is at peace when we have the assurance that we are doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord, and pleasing Him with a trusting heart.

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

One of the reasons that studying the Bible is so valuable is that God’s Word is a trainer of righteousness.  Sometimes, we might read the Scriptures and learn that our lives are not lining up with how God wants us to live.  As we read the Bible with a teachable spirit, we might become convicted that a change is needed in a particular behavior or attitude. God leads us to repentance through His kindness. As God’s Word is stored up in our heart as a treasure, we cling more tightly to the truth of the Scriptures. The values of the world loosen their grip on us.  The purifying impact of God’s Word on our lives is that He teaches us to hate what is evil and cling to what is good. We come to recognize our need for Jesus, the sinless one, who died on the cross to take away the guilt of our sin and give us a new life filled with hope. His Word will give us a craving for His righteousness.

That is today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – God is passionate about forming godly character within us.  He wants us to grow mature in the faith and produce fruit for His glory. His intention to make us holy fills the pages of Scripture in places like Second Peter 1, verses 5 to 7.

“For this reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge, and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness, love.”

These are qualities that form the building blocks of faith.  It is God’s will for our faith to be expressed in love.  These qualities are highly effective in representing Jesus to the world.  Verse 8 says, “For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – The Bible says that we are God’s workmanship.  A good way of viewing that is through the making of pottery.   

Isaiah 64:8 compares us to the clay and God as the potter.  He makes the pottery in ways that reflect His beauty and glory.  “Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”

God is still working on each of us as long as we have breath.  For best results, stay tender before God.  We are His masterpieces, designed and shaped by God to be useful in His kingdom and to reflect His glory while we live on the earth.  The clay does not deserve credit for its design.  The potter does.  Perhaps that is why David said in Psalm 139, “I praise you, because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Your works are wonderful. I know that full well.”

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com