A Greater Power
The sermon emphasizes the greater power of love for Jesus, which is stronger than all tribulation, affliction, and death, and offers a promise of divine life and bliss for those who follow Him.
In this sermon, the speaker discusses the power of love for Jesus in overcoming affliction, temptation, suffering, and even death. The story of Father Maximilian Kolber, a priest martyred in Auschwitz, is shared as an example of someone who chose to die out of fervent love for Jesus. Despite being in a starvation cell, Father Kolber's love for Jesus was so strong that he did not scream or lose his mind like others. The speaker emphasizes that divine life, which is fueled by the love of God, is greater than any tribulation or affliction we may face. The sermon encourages listeners to cultivate a deep love for Jesus and to accompany him on his path.
Full Transcript
God lives and works today. Do you feel oppressed by the powers of darkness that fill our world today? The powers of hatred, suffering, and death? Today's program by Basilía Schlinck will tell about a power that is greater than all of these. Mother Basilía once shared with us an experience which she had as she stood before the starvation cell of Father Maximilian Kolbe, a priest who was martyred in Auschwitz during World War II.
She said, I had read Maximilian Kolbe's story and it moved me very deeply. Some of the men who were brought to these starvation cells lost their minds. They screamed day and night.
However, there was one cell from which no one ever heard any screaming. It was the cell of Maximilian Kolbe, a man who loved Jesus and who had chosen this death out of fervent love for Him. Up until the end, he could be heard singing in this cell as he praised and worshipped our Lord Jesus.
And his face shone till the very hour of his death. What kind of power can be greater than such tribulation, such torture, such a death by starvation? What power is greater than all fears, than all physical sufferings, than all temptations? What power is greater? Affliction, temptation, suffering and death, these all belong to our earthly life. Jesus, however, tells us about another life, divine life.
This life has been promised to all those who love Jesus and will follow Him, those who are willing to forsake, lose and sacrifice that which they hold dear. These people value Jesus above all. They have divine life which consists of love, the love of God that is shed abroad in our hearts.
Oh, none can be loved as is Jesus, none like Him is found anywhere. Tis He whom I love, whom I live for, for no one with Him can compare. Yes, love is the strongest power, and love for Jesus, this divine life inspired by the Holy Spirit, is greater than all tribulation and all affliction that may descend upon us.
We need this love for Jesus, and Jesus needs our love too. And so Jesus stands before us ever anew, begging for our love. He asks us, Will you give me your love? Will you accompany me on the path that I take? I won't disappoint you.
I will make you blissful because I am love itself. Oh, make me thine, my Savior, Lord most holy, that I may only live to give thee glory. Oh, make me thine.
Oh, make me thine. Take all I love and treasure, my life, my honor, if that brings thee pleasure and shows my love. Yes, make me thine.
You have been listening to a program written by Basileus 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.
Sermon Outline
- I. Introduction to the Greater Power
- A. The power of darkness in the world
- B. The experience of Mother Basilía and Father Maximilian Kolbe
- II. The Power of Love
- A. The love of Jesus and its strength
- B. The promise of divine life for those who love Jesus
- III. The Call to Love
- A. Jesus' request for our love
- B. The promise of bliss and glory for those who follow Jesus
Key Quotes
“Oh, none can be loved as is Jesus, none like Him is found anywhere.” — Basilea Schlink
“Tis He whom I love, whom I live for, for no one with Him can compare.” — Basilea Schlink
“I will make you blissful because I am love itself.” — Basilea Schlink
Application Points
- We must surrender our lives to Jesus and allow Him to take control in order to experience the greater power of love.
- Following Jesus requires sacrifice and surrender, but it brings bliss and glory to those who do so.
- We must respond to Jesus' request for our love by giving Him our hearts and lives.