Christ follower, you are called to be a shining star for Christ, and you can be! But you must step out in faith, get out of your comfort zone, take risks, be willing to sacrifice for the cause of Christ if you are going to shine!

Jesus told a parable in Matthew 25 about a wealthy man who was leaving on an extended journey. He entrusted a great deal of money/talents to three of his servants. To one he gave 5 talents, to another 2, and to the last he gave 1. The first two invested and doubled the money. The third, afraid of losing his, dug a hole and buried it. 

The master returned and was very pleased with the wise investments the two servants had made and the excellent return on his money. He told them, “Well done!” But the servant who buried the money was berated and deemed “wicked and lazy.”

Too many Christ-followers are playing it safe and comfortable. They are guarding what they have, not taking risks. Can you imagine what Jesus will say when he returns?

As a church we cannot play it safe, we must shine. Our goal cannot be to keep everyone happy and comfortable, not that it’s possible anyway, but our mission is “to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.”

The world isn’t rejecting God as much as the church. Many have been there, done that, and nothing happens! If we’re going to shine, we must be willing to do whatever it takes, aside from sin, to bring others to God.

If we as individuals and as a church are going to shine brightly for Jesus, there are some realities we must accept. 

First, pain is inevitable. Next, we must take risks. Jesus gave us another reality, it’s only in losing our life that we will find it. It’s called sacrifice. Losing to gain!

Jesus came for the lost not the found. If you are one of the found, you are on the team and should be risking, sacrificing, feeling a bit of pain so that others will come to know Jesus.

Christ followers, the return on your investment is clear, and worth every bit of suffering, risk and sacrifice. We all have people around us who don’t know Jesus. Heaven and Hell are at stake!

Verses: (Mt 5:14-16) “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Jn 15:18-19) “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” (1 Pt. 4:1) So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too…. (Hb 12:2)

Scriptures: Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV); John 15:18-19 (NIV); 1 Peter 4:1 (NLT); Hebrews 12:2 (NLT); Acts 19:16 (NIV); 2 Co 5:7 (ESV); Matthew 16:25 (GNT); Luke 5:11 (NIV)

Questions: How has your commitment to Christ caused you pain or suffering? What are you risking? What is most valuable to you? (money, time, family, comfort) How have you risked or sacrificed any of these for Christ?

Prayer: Dear Lord, make me willing to sacrifice, to risk and to suffer for the eternity of those around me. Nothing matters more than bringing people to you. Give me a passion for those far from you. When you return, I want to be a servant who hears “well done!” In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.