Author: Samuel Burger

Shine-Share-Shape

God has called us to shine His light and to share His word that will shape others into the character of Jesus Christ. How we live and how we share His message will be proportionate in molding others to be like Christ.

God is actually making His appeal through us. His appeal is to restore people back to Himself. He saw fit to have human instruments be His ambassadors. God gives His urgent request through us to reach others. God isn’t looking for someone to make the appeal for Him but to allow Him to make the appeal through us. How exactly is God making His appeal?

1. Through the Bible which is God’s revelation to humanity. All 66 books work in harmony with a reaching overall theme: Redemption. It was written over a period of 1,500 years by a number of authors who were inspired by the Holy Spirit. God worked through human instruments to deliver His written word. Although believers bear witness of its validity by God’s Spirit, there is physical evidence, archeological evidence and internal consistency. The Bible is the key to understanding God’s eternal plan for everything. Without it, there’s no way we can know God’s appeal.
2. Through proclamation and teaching God’s word. Father God works in us and then through us. God has given the universal church with His gifts. Through these gifts, people are drawn to Father God by the Holy Spirit. We proclaim the Good News and we teach others how to speak and demonstrate the Good News. From evangelistic media to church meetings, God is constantly making His appeal everyday through human instruments. There’s not a day that goes by that He isn’t making His appeal.

Who will go? Who will be God’s ambassador? Who will stand in the gap? Why not you? Why not now?

6/17/16 Doomsday Prepping

Have you ever seen the TV show “Doomsday Preppers?” I’m sure you’ve probably at least heard of them. Perhaps you’ve heard of conspiracy theories? The list could go on and on when it comes to apocalyptic matters but I think there needs to be a balance. I think the focus can be too extreme or one-sided. Nevertheless, I think we should focus more on what God has to say about the end-times. Yes, I believe in the Book of Revelation because it is God’s history written in advance. It is the apocalypse or the unveiling of what’s to come. However, it’s my concern that we can be extreme talking about the kingdom of God that is to come instead of being the expression of the kingdom of God now.

We need to live as though He may come tomorrow but prepare as if He may not come back in 100 years. As a young teenager, I remember Y2K very well. Almost everyone I met was in a frenzy of how the world will never be the same. Granted, the world isn’t the same as it was before the year of 2000, but it still doesn’t negate the fact that there was fear in lots of people. I also remember how everyone of us held hands in a circle on New Year’s Eve and we made this statement in repeated unison, “Come Lord Jesus!” Obviously, the Lord didn’t come back and after we were done we all went back to our routine!

I said all that to say this. Let’s have a balance in our message. This balanced message conveys that Jesus is coming soon unexpectedly but He also wants us to continue building, preparing and planning until He comes again. It doesn’t do any good to prep for doomsday instead of prepping to meet our precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I know, I know. There’s a lot of bad things happening out there. It’s terrible. Recently, there’s been a terrorist attack killing 50 people in Orlando. Last year, Chattanooga suffered a terrorist attack killing 4 marines and 1 sailor. There’s much unrest in this nation and the world. If there ever was a time for the church to shine, it’s now. Everything is a mess but look who has the message! For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. We know there will be a rapture of the church and there’s a Great Tribulation coming but let’s not forget this simple message of truth and love. I don’t know what will happen in the near future but I do know God is sovereign and I trust in that truth and in God the Creator and Redeemer.

Let’s face it. There could be way more years left here on earth which means there’s more time to reach people for Christ Jesus. We are looking for that great reunion which could take place tomorrow but we should also be seeking the lost at any cost. Let’s pray for the peace of Jerusalem (when you pray for the peace of Jerusalem you are actually praying for Jesus to come again because there can be no true peace without Him) but let’s also pray for more laborers and workers because the harvest is ready.

5/27/2016  Togetherness

Community is key in the kingdom of God. Its more than just attending a church service but actually getting involved in some type of ministry. There are so many opportunities to experience the togetherness God desires for us. It is by our love for each other that the world will know that we are His disciples. Jesus prayed that we would be one even as He and the Father are one. However, this togetherness is not just about doing things but having a genuine relationship with each other while doing things for God. There are 4 togetherness principles that are essential for spiritual growth:

1. Get Together: Hebrews 10:25 is clear upon getting together. Today, we think getting together with other believers is not important but getting together is highly important. Notice what the verse says, “not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.” He actually tells us to get together more.
2. Go Together: Jesus told us in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.” So not only do we need to get together but we must go together with one mission in mind.
3. Give Together: What if we saw the success of others as our own? We should be known for our generosity. We have worn people out with words. How about we give them a breath of fresh air with acts of generosity. Also, we are to give a tenth of our income. Just think if the whole church body gave a tenth of their income? Think of the possibilities.
4. Grow Together: I honestly believe if we don’t get together, go together and give together we will not grow together. We will remain spiritual babies if we don’t live in obedience to God. If we never take the time for togetherness, then we put a heavy load on those who are expressing these principles and commands in their lives. You can get all the information you can get on every subject in the Bible but until you apply what you know there will be no growth. What if the depth of your application of the word was more than the knowledge of the word?

I know getting together, going together, giving together and growing together doesn’t make you a Christian but it’s what Christians do. If you aren’t doing this, then maybe you should evaluate on why you aren’t doing these things.