Calvin Synod Herald, 1994 (94. évfolyam, 2-6. szám)
1994-09-01 / 5. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD- 3 -REFOMflTüSOK LAPJA by The Rev. Alexander Jalsó Pastor of the Calvin United Presbyterian Church in Brownsville, PA Scripture reading: Philemon 1 -18. Text: "Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?" Hebrews 1:14. Although Labor Day is not a church holiday, yet we can celebrate it also because the concept of labor and its related problems are dealt with in the Bible, for example, Ephesians 6:5-9,1 Timothy 6:1- 2, James 5:4. Besides job description, contract negotiation, unemployment, and decent wages may we see also the spiritual side of productive work. "Six days you shall labor, and do all your work" Exodus 20:9 Before Adam knew Eve, he already received instruction to be industrious: "The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it." Genesis 2:15. Sin destroyed man's original "labor relation" too, because this is what Adam had to hear after they had been expelled from the garden of Eden: "...cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall on it all the days of your life...In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread..." Genesis 3:17, 19. Soon the smarter and stronger secured for himself the leadership and used others as "helpers." Noah did not have any outside help besides his family members to build the ark, Genesis 6:14-18, however, Abraham and Lot already had several hired farmhands: "and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abraham's cattle and the herdsmen of Lot's cattle." Genesis 13:7. In the New Testament's original language, we find various expressions forthose who labored and are not relevant today, but we know these words:- Slave: "Perhaps this is why he (Onesimus) was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave ". Philemon 15-16- Laborer: "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;" Matt. 11:28. Also: "Come unto me, all who labor and are heavy laden,..." Matt. 11:28.- Worker: "Paul...To Philemon our beloved fellow worker..." Philemon 1. Also: "Greet those workers in the Lord,..." Romans 16:12.- Servant: "he who is greatest among you shall be your servant;" Matt. 23:11. Also: "Well done, good and faithful servant;..." Matt. 25:21.- Minister: "as you learned it from Epaphras... Heisafaithful minister of Christ on our behalf..." Colossians 1:7. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord, your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58." What do you think which one should influence us more: Christ-like compassion or profit-hungry business? Money is not only legal tender, but also a lethal weapon. What it means to lose the paycheck, please ask those who were laid off. How wonderful it would be if the teaching of the Bible would improve our present economical, social and moral conditions. Even if changing the social and economic structure is not within our power yet we can do what apostle Paul did when he had pleaded on behalf of the fugitive slave Onesimus: Philemon 15-16. Apostle Paul promoted this slave to a brother. Can this world benefit from our ministry? Namely: preaching the gospel, practicing charity, striving for equality, working for reconciliation, helping the destitute, and finding jobs for the unemployed. If every employer and employee, professional and businessman, elected leader and volunteer would consider his/her job and duty a service and ministry, individuals, companies and our whole nation would gain by it. Apostle Paul's admonition will help to make our work become more spiritual and our faith more productive: "for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will reap from the Spirit reap eternal life". Galatians 6:7-8. From a Young Attender of the Hungarian Reformed Youth Conference My experience at the Laurelville Mennonite Church Center was very important and greatly appreciated. It changed the way I feel towards the Lord and told me that I should get closer to Him. I also realized that there were more than 50 Hungarian Reformed Youths in this region. When I arrived, I knew that these kids were extremely differentthan me. For instance, there were groups of churches, with about 25 kids from each group. I was the only child from my church, which I knew was not right. We all shared the same common bond: that we were all close to the Lord. With the exception of a few who were just there to smoke, to be with their friends, and play sports. I could do all ofthat at home, except smoke of course. While I was there, I associated with people I did not know, I made about 10 decent friends. I shared a motel room with three other youths. They were OK. We had one counsellor, while the other rooms had three or four, because all they did was goof-off. I guess we were mature enough. I tookthree nature hikes. One to a cave that was about twenty square feet big and to another with a well. Our group of seven people that went came to a town by the name of Acme, Pennsylvania. Which consisted of a well, a stable, a half-mile of gravel road, about trailer park homes and one house. Fortunately, there was a man there weed-whacking his yard. He sent a guide down with us to the Church Center because we were obviously lost in the middle of Pennsylvania. I spent most of my free-time relaxing, playing table-tennis, and reading the Bible. There were Vesper services and workshops that I attended with my friends. There were Hungarian, Cooking, Hungarian Woodcarving, Self-Defense, Whip-Making, Tie-Dying, The Influence of Rock 'n' Roll on Youth, and a various assortment of sports that I can play at home. I swam for five seconds because I was freezing up in those mountains. By the way, the food took a while getting used to. There were also a few down-falls to the camp. Fifteen new Compact Discs were stolen with the case. About sixty dollars was stolen out of a few of the boy's rooms. Half of it was given back anonymously. There were also refreshments sold by the honor system, about half of the money was retrieved. I kept thinking how this is happening at a Christian Church Camp. It was so unlike how the Lord had taught us. Overall, the camp experience was very exciting and I was very grateful for the opportunity to attend. Hopefully I will be able to attend it nextyear. I would like to thankthe congregation for sending me there. by Andy Toth 14 years old Pittsburgh, PA
