Audio： A Father's Love
Basilea Schlink teaches that God's fatherly love is revealed through His compassion in suffering and the promise of eternal glory, encouraging believers to trust in His gracious plan.
This sermon emphasizes God's continuous presence and work in our lives, revealing His fatherly love through various means. It explores the story of Job as an example of God's compassion and mercy, showcasing how God restores and blesses His chosen ones after periods of suffering. The sermon encourages believers to await the gracious end of their trials, reminding them of the heavenly home God has prepared out of love. It concludes with the promise of God wiping away tears, embracing His children, and granting eternal glory beyond comparison for their earthly sufferings.
Full Transcript
God lives and works today, and he reveals himself to us in many different ways. Today's meditation by Basilia Schlink, A Father's Love, tells us about one of these special plans he has thought up to show us his fatherly love. In James 5.11 we read, The Lord is compassionate and merciful.
This verse applies to the life of Job. The Lord pitied Job. God as the Heavenly Father suffered with his servant when he had to go through such difficult trials.
Whoever bears the sufferings of another seeks ways to prepare a good ending. So at the end, God bestowed upon Job more than he had had before. This is an eternal law of the love of God and his relationships to his chosen ones.
Therefore, wait for the gracious end of your suffering, and you will experience that God will do more good things for you than before. Whoever wants to confirm what a loving father we have, picture in spirit the city of God. Out of great love, God has prepared a heavenly creation full of glory and perfect beauty to be the eternal dwelling place of those who belong to him.
Yes, the father wants to see his children happy. That's why he has prepared heaven, the city of God, for their eternal home where they can live forever in bliss. Therefore, in days of suffering, think of the love of the Father which has prepared a heaven full of glory.
Oh, that we were there. We'll pay this time to pleasure. Oh, who such bliss can measure? Oh, that we were there.
Oh, that we were there. The Father himself has promised that he will wipe away every tear from our eyes. He will take us into his arms and will embrace us just as Jesus depicted it in the parable of the prodigal son.
After this slight momentary affliction, he wants to give us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. Without end, our Father wants to repay us for our sufferings. Full of joy, he wants to show us the harvest of our days on earth.
Towards this goal, our thoughts should be directed. Then our greatest sufferings will seem small to us. Humming Heaven's glory bright, such wondrous holy light On sorrow, pain and woe, at sight of you must come Heaven calls to me, I long my Lord to see My heart for Father yearns, so hope whatever turns If you do not have access to the web, please contact this radio station for our postal address.
God bless you.
Sermon Outline
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I. God's Compassion in Suffering
- God suffers with His children as seen in Job's trials
- The Lord is compassionate and merciful (James 5:11)
- Suffering is part of God's loving plan
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II. The Promise of a Gracious End
- God prepares a good ending for those who endure
- He will restore and bless more than before
- Encouragement to wait patiently for God's deliverance
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III. The Heavenly Home Prepared by the Father
- God has prepared the city of God as an eternal dwelling
- Heaven is full of glory and perfect beauty
- Believers will live forever in bliss with the Father
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IV. The Father's Embrace and Eternal Reward
- God will wipe away every tear and embrace His children
- The parable of the prodigal son illustrates God's love
- An eternal weight of glory awaits beyond earthly suffering
Key Quotes
“The Lord is compassionate and merciful.” — Basilea Schlink
“After this slight momentary affliction, he wants to give us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” — Basilea Schlink
“The Father himself has promised that he will wipe away every tear from our eyes.” — Basilea Schlink
Application Points
- Trust in God's compassionate plan even during times of suffering.
- Keep your focus on the eternal home God has prepared to find hope and strength.
- Remember that God promises to comfort and reward His children beyond earthly trials.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does James 5:11 teach about God's nature?
It teaches that the Lord is compassionate and merciful, especially towards those who suffer.
How does the story of Job relate to God's fatherly love?
Job's trials show that God suffers with His servants and ultimately blesses them abundantly as an expression of His love.
What is the significance of the city of God in the sermon?
The city of God represents the eternal heavenly home God has prepared for His children, full of glory and perfect beauty.
How does the parable of the prodigal son illustrate God's love?
It shows God's readiness to embrace and forgive His children, welcoming them back with open arms.
What practical hope does the sermon offer to those suffering?
It encourages believers to focus on the eternal glory and joy that God has promised beyond their present afflictions.