Reformátusok Lapja, 1970 (70. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1970-11-01 / 11. szám
REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA 11 “LIVE AND WITNESS BY FAITH” SERMON DELIVERED AT FAITH UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, HAMMOND, INDIANA, ON SEPTEMRER 27, 1970, BY A. L. BERETZ “That Christ may actually live in your hearts by your faith.” Ephesians 3: 17 Last Friday night, those of us who attended the Fall Conference of Calvin Synod, had an unforgettable experience. And what made it unforgettable was that one by one we made witness to our faith in God and Jesus Christ. All walls were suddenly broken down. The wall of age, of generation, the wall of ethnic background or place of birth, the wall of education, of language, of lay or clergy. Only one thing mattered, and that was our witness to God and to each other. How could this happenP No gripes, no criticism, no snide remarks, no talk of fund-raising, and yes, no altar call, no 3,000 voice choir, no manipulating of emotions by tear-jerking sentimental songs — no circus atmosphere and environment. And after all, were not a witnessing, hallelujah church and people! We’re stiff-necked Calvinist who keep their faith hid and even the symbol of the cross is held in the heart rather than in ostentatious exposure. But still it happened — quietly, with dignity, with sincerity, with openness and with faith. We didn’t know it was going to happen. The theme was “Our Christian Witness.” But that’s “old hat” for most of us. We would talk about our need to witness, tell each other about the problems we face in our respective congregations and then go home. But this time it was different! The Ministers pointed out the dilemma of the Church in today’s world — How materialism reigns supreme — Spirituality is ignored — Man and science no longer need the Creator, they can create without God — God is dead. The world has invaded the church so much so that church people cannot distinguish between the secular and the spiritual anymore. The early Christians faced with a similar situation were ready to give their lives in martyrdom as witness to their faith. During the Reformation, John Calvin called for the witness of a Christian life in all things — A total commitment. Following these remarks, the meeting began to discuss in earnest? What is a Christian Witness? How do we achieve it? Can we get others to witness? One minister told of how he had to make a decision for Christ that involved the risk of losing his very life — Another testified how God led him to the Ministry, when he wanted to go another way. Women, men, in various accents, articulated their love for the church and their sincere belief that God walks with them. They spoke especially of how the youth of the church is alienated because we only mouth our Christianity and is not basic to our very being and work. The words that surfaced time and again were “total commitment.” The church is filled with people who lack total commitment. Our troubles stem from the fact that everything else comes first. A woman, who worked in the church for 40 years, was asked, “How did you do it?” She replied, “I always put the church first.” Let’s forget the gripe-sessions, the destructive and searing criticisms, the pettiness and the nitpicking which has as its final aim nothing else but to gloss over with a thin facade our own lack of total commitment. Oh, we’d like to be committed, but the price is too high — So instead let’s pretend I’m committed — that’s tragic! Lack of commitment will always be found out — it can’t be hidden. It is found out first by children, husband or wife, friends and relatives. Pretending is not commitment. Our policy of non-involvement is simply not valid. There is no such thing as non-involvement. There is rather, a lack of total commitment. With total commitment, non-involvement vanishes. The “I don’t want to be involved” mentality is simply witnessing to our own deficiencies in the spirit. And it must be total commitment — commitment that goes all the way — if need be, to martyrdom — to the sacrificing of one’s very life. That’s the key! Our commitment to God and Christ with our very life and blood. Without this total commitment there is no Christian and no church. For the first time, at meetings like this, money, fund-raising was never even mentioned. Why? Because everyone knows that if we have a church whose members are totally committed, fund-raising becomes secondary. For example, — it is estimated that the people of our congregation have around two million dollars income per year — The minimum biblical tithe would mean $200,000 for the work of the church, local and world-wide. 5% would mean $100,000. Our giving is around 11/2 % ■ With total commitment, money would not be a problem — fund-raising and projects would be unneeded. Everytime we have a fund-raising affair or project, it testifies to our own lack of total commitment and support for the work of the Kingdom. No one wants fund-raising projects, yet the few who undersand the need and are willing to give of themselves, because others will not, are to be
