Evangéliumi Hírnök, 2001 (93. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2001-02-01 / 2. szám
8. oldal 2001. február Co-workers with Christ By Ernest J. Kish The apostle Paul writes in his second letter to the Corinthians, 6:1" We then as workers together with Him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. ” In the following verses he outlines the manner in which we should perform our services as God’s helpers. What a privilege is conferred upon man. What dignity we have received as coworkers with God, in the 8th Psalm we read, “For thou hast made him (man) a little lower than the angels and hath crowned him with glory and honor. ” Here the Psalmist is writing about you and I. Make no mistake, we are God’s helpers. "He has no hands but our hands To do His work today, He has no feet but our feet To lead men in His way, He has no voice but our voice To tell men how He died, He has no help but our help To lead men to His side. ” Although the word of God can go out into the world through His Holy Spirit, God looks to man to do His will here on earth. God uses helping hands wherever He can find them. He has used the hands of great men and women as well as the hands of the not so great. He used the hands of Moses, Abraham, David, Solomon, the disciples and many others great and small. These are recorded for time immemorial in God’s holy Bible. But God also used the hands and feet of David Livingston, Dr. Schweitzer, Billy Graham, our missionaries, our own ministers, doctors, Sunday school teachers, young people’s leaders, choir directors and so many more people who help in large and small ways to spread the word of God throughout the world. God also uses you and I to enhance His presence in the communities in which we live. Large or small, He has a need for our help. Who among us heard of Bezaleel? Exodus 31, “The Lord fdled him with the spirit of God. To devise cunning works, to work in gold, silver and brass. Cutting stone, timbers and all manner of workmanship. ” He helped build the temple of God. He was a small unknown helper doing a great work for the Lord. There have been many small helpers throughout our own convention of churches who have done great things for the Lord. Look around you within your own church, you will find so many “unknown” people doing great work for the Lord. These are all co-workers with Christ. It could take the hands of many people to shape the life of just one person. God creates a little child and He uses the skilled hands of a doctor to bring him into this world. He uses Christian parents to help rear that child in a Christian home. He uses a Sunday school teacher to teach that child in the ways of the Lord. Then follow the school teachers and college professors whom God uses to further the growth of that child. God uses all workers who are willing to give of themselves to further the growth of the kingdom of God. Do we remember the two men who held up the arms of Moses when he was old and tired. How about the man who loosened the colt and took it to Jesus for use In His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. So many more examples can be cited. These were all co-workers with God. You and I are also co-workers with God when we teach Sunday school, sing in the choir, when we serve as officers in our church, when we tithe our monies or even when we only have strength to pray. We can be the crusader for Him by carrying the cross of Christ into the battle, or we can be the quiet one who can do no more than to pray and encourage those who can do the work. The call is out to all those who will use whatever talent they may have, large or small, as “workers together with Him. ” God does not ask us to do things beyond our capabilities, only to use those talents which He has already gifted to us. Our efforts will be greatly rewarded, not only when we meet our Heavenly father, but also when we see our efforts gain one more soul for Christ. May God grant that we take to heart God’s call for co-workers. Antonio Stradivari, the famous violin maker of Italy stated it quite simply. “ When any master hold twixt head and chin A violin of mine, he will be glad that Stradivari Lived, made violins, and made them of the best. For while God gives them skill I give the instruments to play upon. God using me to help Him. If my hand slacked, I should rob God. Leaving a blank behind Instead of violins. He could not make Antonio Stradivari violins, Without Antonio. ” + _________........................'(___________ The Hungarian Ministry: Church Within a Church KELOWNA, BC., CANADA If you’ve ever wanted to visit another church without leaving Trinity, then just visit the Hungarian Ministry in the Fellowship Room. Thirty people attend a Friday Bible study and a Wednesday service, and 60 to 100 people attend a Sunday service. The Sunday service is followed by a social time with plenty of goodies and warm smiles - this would be a great opportunity to introduce someone to a Hungarian service. Services are held in Hungarian, but Pastor John Viczian, the pastor of the Hungarian Ministry, speaks English fluently and is happy to answer questions. (By the way, Delora Kuyvenhoven describes him as a real sweetheart with a wonderful accent.) Hungarian services started at Trinity in 1992 with about 20 people. Members are of all ages and include newcomers to Canada and those who have been here for years. The church is non-denominational, so people associated with Hungary’s Catholic, Baptist, and other denominations worship side by side. Unlike many countries that were formerly behind the iron curtain, churches were tolerated in Hungary under communism. The Hungarian Ministry’s goal is to reach out to Hungarian-speaking seekers, helping them experience a lifechanging relationship with Christ. Yes, it’s the same vision as Trinity’s — we may speak different languages, but the message is the same. The Hungarian Ministry will hold a Christmas program on December 24 at 3:00 p.m., most likely, in the Friendship Center. A choir will make the rounds again at Cottonwoods, much to the delight of the shut-ins. Irene Krasznai, the church treasurer, is very grateful to Trinity for giving the Hungarian Church a place to worship. The Hungarian Ministry requests prayer for their pastor and his wife, as well as prayer for their ministry to reach more people. For information, contact Pastor John Viczian (250/763-7476) or Irene Krasznai (250/712-0310). (Appeared in Trinity Baptist Monthly, November, 2000)
