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Why Is It That We Experience So Little of the Kingdom of Heaven?
Basilea Schlink
Basilea Schlink (1904 - 2001). German religious leader, writer, and co-founder of the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary, born Klara Schlink in Darmstadt to a professor of mechanics. Raised Lutheran, she studied at Fröbelseminar in Kassel (1923) and Berlin’s Inner Mission girls’ school (1924), later earning a doctorate in psychology from Hamburg University in 1934 with a thesis on adolescent faith struggles. From 1933 to 1935, she led the Women’s Division of the German Student Christian Movement, resisting Nazi exclusion of Jewish Christians. In 1947, with Erika Madauss, she founded the Sisterhood in Darmstadt, taking the name Mother Basilea, growing it to 209 sisters across 11 global branches by 2001. Schlink authored over 60 books, including My All for Him, translated into 60 languages, and published tracts in 90. Her radio programs aired in 23 languages, emphasizing repentance and reconciliation, especially between Germans and Jews. Unmarried, she dedicated her life to prayer and ministry, shaping interdenominational Christian communities.
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In this sermon, Basilias Schlinck discusses the lack of manifestation of the kingdom of heaven among Christians. He emphasizes the importance of not only preaching about love and God's goodness but also demonstrating it in our actions. Jesus came to build the kingdom of heaven and it is now waiting to be established among us. The key to experiencing the kingdom of heaven is repentance, as God will only come with His blessings and kingdom to the heart of a humble and repentant sinner.
Sermon Transcription
God lives and works today. He has established a church of his followers to help him build his kingdom. But why is it that we experience so little of the kingdom of heaven? Today's meditation by Basilia Schlink will answer this question. How often we preach about love but don't show it. Or we talk about God's goodness but do not demonstrate it. Jesus, however, came to build the kingdom of heaven. At the start of his ministry he said that it was dawning. Now he's waiting for it to be established among us. He went the bitter way to death, not only to open the door to heaven for us, but also to redeem us here on earth. Both God and the world are waiting and yearning for his kingdom to be manifested among us Christians. The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Jesus said this when he was on earth. Now he says the same thing about his church. However, let us ask ourselves, where is it at hand? Where is it possible to say if you go to this house or to this church you will become happy? There you will be healed of the suffering of your soul. There you will be surrounded with so much love that it will seem as if you have been born anew. You will taste the fullness of joy because eternal joy is there. Sadly enough, these cases are few and far between. No wonder so many people prefer to spend their Sundays outdoors. There, in the midst of creation, they experience something of the joy and beauty which nature reflects. How painful it is for God. The stones and all of nature must preach because we, his own, keep silence. We do not radiate the joy of redemption and are such poor witnesses to his glory. But why is there so little of God's kingdom in our midst? Why? Only one word brings about the kingdom of heaven. Repent. It is a call as mighty as a peel of thunder. It's a call which cannot be ignored for it concerns us sinners. And it is not simply any call. It is the call of scripture. It is a holy law of scripture that God will only come with his blessings and his kingdom to the heart of a humble soul, that is, to a sinner who has repented. The kingdom of heaven remains closed to all others. The kingdom of heaven is a kingdom full of grace. Therefore, only he who lies prostrate at the feet of Jesus in contrition and repentance will experience it, for grace belongs to the repentant sinner. Then he will be blessed. Then he will experience the kingdom of heaven here today. Yes, in all its abundance here on earth. Kingdom of heaven is truly at hand Where sinners fall their sins to repent Jesus, our joy eternal Heaven may be entered, thou here on earth Penitent sinners given to birth Jesus, our joy eternal You have been listening to a program written by Basile Schlink of the Little Land of Canaan. To learn more about how God lives and works today, visit us at our website www.canaan.org If you contact us we would be happy to send you a free inspirational booklet. If you do not have access to the web, please contact this radio station for our postal address. God bless you.
Why Is It That We Experience So Little of the Kingdom of Heaven?
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Basilea Schlink (1904 - 2001). German religious leader, writer, and co-founder of the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary, born Klara Schlink in Darmstadt to a professor of mechanics. Raised Lutheran, she studied at Fröbelseminar in Kassel (1923) and Berlin’s Inner Mission girls’ school (1924), later earning a doctorate in psychology from Hamburg University in 1934 with a thesis on adolescent faith struggles. From 1933 to 1935, she led the Women’s Division of the German Student Christian Movement, resisting Nazi exclusion of Jewish Christians. In 1947, with Erika Madauss, she founded the Sisterhood in Darmstadt, taking the name Mother Basilea, growing it to 209 sisters across 11 global branches by 2001. Schlink authored over 60 books, including My All for Him, translated into 60 languages, and published tracts in 90. Her radio programs aired in 23 languages, emphasizing repentance and reconciliation, especially between Germans and Jews. Unmarried, she dedicated her life to prayer and ministry, shaping interdenominational Christian communities.