Magyar Egyház, 1978 (57. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1978-07-01 / 7-8. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 11 MAGYAR CHURCH BE FAITHFUL (Excerpts from the sermon preached at the ordination of the Rev. Debra M. Johnson on June 18, 1978, at Roebling, N.J.) In the gospel of Matthew, Chapter 10 we read about Jesus, as he sends out his disciples and warns them: “beware of men, for you will be brought before magistrates and persecuted for my name’s sake.” He even added these strong words: “brother shall deliver brother to death, and children shall rise against parents.” The first disciples of the Lord were prepared, for they knew what to expect: most of them became martyrs and gained their eternal reward. It is good to remember these words of the Bible today: for there are many disciples of Christ who meet opposition along the way and often, discouraged and disillusioned, they turn away from God. So it is understandable why Paul said these words: be ye faithful unto death! As we are gathered together to ordain and install this young servant of the Lord, we must recall the great biblical advice of the Bible “be ye faithful unto death!”. As a servant of the Lord God Almighty you shall take the oath to love the Lord with all your heart, with all your might, and with all your soul. Also, you pledge and vow to uphold the constitution and by-laws of the church, and you promise to do everything in your power to promote the cause of Christ and the welfare of the people in this congregation, to the best of your ability. This may not please everyone, at times it may be difficult but I pray that God’s Holy Spirit may apply these words into your heart and soul, so that you may be able to obey God rather than men, and remain to be a faithful servant of our Savior Jesus Christ. There may be great obstacles in the way that you will have to overcome: for example, you may find carelessness and negligence in the hearts of the people. Parents will demonstrate this, when they show with their words and deeds, that they do not care what their children do. Oh, how many times your heart will ache for you will expect the faithful and loyal people of God to come and worship the name of our Savior, and you will hear one excuse after another, why they do not come. Sometimes you will wonder, who is more responsible for the negligence of the Christian education of the children, the parents who refuse to bring or send them to the House of God, or the children? Thank God, there are loyal and faithful members of the Church who will serve the Master, regardless of the times and seasons, no matter how many trials may come, they will be faithful. BE YE FAITHFUL! For you can only teach the children, if you yourself dedicate your heart and soul to God. You can only visit the sick and comfort the sorrowful, and lead those who are perplexed, if you yourself are strong enough to stand firm amid the storms of life and face the many trials and difficulties, which the servants of God often have to endure. Remember, your service never ends. You have to be ready to serve your Master day and night, in the summer heat and in the blustery winds of the cold winter, in the church and in the community, and wherever the good Lord will lead you. I know, that your parents taught you to be faithful to God and to love our Lord Jesus Christ. The schools where you studied to be a servant of the Lord emphasized this, and now you must go forward in
