W W J D ?

Do you remember the WWJD that ran through many church teen and youth groups like a wildfire about 10 years ago? If not, let me refresh your memory. WWJD essentially was a disciple and Christian integrity revival, helping young people strive to live more like Jesus did. What Would Jesus Do? was the simple, yet profound question to the things young people encounter in today's society. It was intended at helping them make the same choice in life as Jesus would have made.

Carried on to a ministry perspective, we recently had the privilege to listen to Pastor Matt Miller of New City Church, Shawnee, Kansas when speaking at Potential Church. Pastor Miller shared what Jesus actually did in his minstry and boiled it down to three basic things that Jesus brought to people. He brought 1. prosperity, 2. justice, 3. integrity. Jesus motivation to bring these three things wherever he went was that he cared for people. Jesus cared to improve, to repair, to heal the situations he encountered. He cared to bring the kingdom of God to people and the kingdom of God holds these three things. Prosperity, justice and integrity.

He brought prosperity to the wedding at Cana when he turned the water into wine. And it wasn't just any wine either. It was a quality wine so good that the master of the banquet was clearly surprised. Even as to the amount of high quality wine, between 120 and 180 gallons!, there was plenty for the town of Cana to continue the wedding celebration. (see John ch. 2)

Or take the tired fishermen who are back ashore after a long night without a catch. Jesus gets involved and again prosperity is so overwhelming that one can barely believe it. So much fish landed that the nets are about to burst and two boats about to sink from the sheer size of the catch! (Luke ch. 5)

Now, consider the woman caught in adultery. She was dragged out in the street by the religious people who wanted to stone her to death. They had the law on their side and she knew that very well. Jesus did not deny what the law said, but brought justice into the situation by saying that those who had no sin should throw the first stone. Justice is, of course, that all sin is equally wrong before God.

Finally, Pastor Matt Miller mentioned integrity and as example gave the exhortation found in Jeremiah 29:4-7 where the exiled Jews are told to be a blessing to the new and strange towns they have been brought to.

The implication is, of course, that we have to bring these three things to the people in our circle, the people who we meet in life. We need to bring prosperity to those who do not have sufficient for their daily needs, we need to bring justice where injustice prevails and we need to be people of integrity in our daily lives. That is our task as we attempt to make this world a better place for others. 

WWJD has now become WWID or What Will I Do? Are we willing to bring prosperity, justice and integrity to those who suffer? Or are we not? Our actions are the answer to the question.

If you wish to watch the message by pastor Matt Miller, click on this link: http://potentialchurch.com/teachings/bob-2012/ and then click on "Bob 2012 - Week 2."

W W I D ?