Hungarian Church Press, 1949 (1. évfolyam, 4-13. szám)
1949-08-26 / 10. szám
Ho 10. 4./ 2hat he might know your -state. Paul did not send his fellow servant to Colossia Tor a Icind of control or inspection, hut rather for service, the first step of which was to get to know the life and circumstances of the Christians of Colossia. It involved both physical and spiritual life, for the life of a disciple mu3t be open and pure in both respects. Tychicus looked into the things of the Colossians merely as a faithful servant and a fellow servant in the lord and by no means to interfere with them. 5./ And comfort -/our hearts. This is a v/onderful spiritual service for which only a few are suitable. And it is here that we understand that Tychicus was not sent by Paul out of mere curiosity or to control, but to do one of the most difficult of services, .the service of true comfort... The first Christians were namely rarely in a situation where true comfort was not needed and this v/as the first service Paul confided to the care of his faithful companion. But only he can really comfort, who knows the comfort of God, "...that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." /2»Cor. 1:V That is why Paul calles God in the preceding verse "The God of all comfort". All these may serve as a lesson for us, concerning what to give, and also concerning what to expect in a true spiritual service. May the example of this little known but faithful servant inspire many with a proper and fruitful service in the lord, and may there be many to receive such a service joyously. MARTIN LUTHER GENERAL MISSIONARY INSTITUTE POUNDED IN THE BUDAPEST HEADQUARTERS OP THE HUNGARIAN LUTHERAN CHURCH The work of the institute was launched by Dr.Ivan Reok, inspector general of the Hungarian Lutheran Church. The first course is for training lay-workers, Christian women, girls and men to serve in the church. Among the subjects the foz’emost place is taken by the study of the Scriptures, fundamental biblical notions, especially by the study of the Creeds, and the questions of religious teaching. In free hours books are studied and discussed. Morning devotions and a series of evening evangelistic meetings complete the work. Participants of the course visit different congregations to acquire personal contact v/ith the different working branches of the church* The leaders of the congregations are looking forward with great anticipation to the activities of this Institute and some fruit of a regenerated and vigorous church life is already noticable.
