The Cost Of Shining

THE COST OF SHINING “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.” Lk 8:16 NIV Matthew 16:24-25 NKJV 24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. “For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14 NKJV GREEK - 1588 /eklektós: ("select, chosen") describes people who choose to follow the Lord, i.e. become God's choice by freely receiving faith.   My yoke is easy…my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” "Cheap grace," "is the grace we bestow on ourselves...grace without discipleship....Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again....It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life." “IF THE GOSPEL HAS NOT COST YOU ANYTHING, YOU SERVE GOD ANYHOW”   4 Practical Stages of Shining   1. The Stage of NEW BIRTH 1 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV  Luke 15:7, Isaiah 64:6 NKJV COST: READINESS TO BE DISCIPLED !!   2. The stage of SERVICE “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…” Eccl 9:10 NKJV COST: READINESS TO SERVE IN ANY PLACE AVAILABLE 3. The Stage of IDENTIFYING YOUR AREA OF EFFECTIVENESS Acts 6:1-4 NKJV COST: COMMITMENT TO GROW IN THAT FIELD/AREA 4. The stage of “OWNING YOUR CALLING” 2 Corinthians 11:25 - 27 (NKJV) John 12:24-26 (NKJV) COST: DYING FOR THE ONE THING