Clear Directives
Basilea Schlink emphasizes that the Bible provides clear, practical directives for living a victorious Christian life, urging believers to obey wholeheartedly and rely on Jesus' redemption.
In this teaching sermon, Basilea Schlink highlights the living power of God's Word and its clear, practical directives for Christian living. She emphasizes the importance of obedience to Scripture, the challenge of overcoming sin, and the vital role of Jesus' redemption. Listeners are encouraged to pursue spiritual wholeness by fleeing temptation and fully trusting in God's guidance. This message offers both encouragement and challenge for believers seeking to live victoriously.
Full Transcript
God lives and works today, and his word, the Holy Scriptures, is also alive, with helpful, practical, and powerful directives for our lives. Today's meditation by Vassalia Schlink will share about some of these. The battle cry rings round the world, It's challenge even to hell is heard, Jesus, the Lord, is victor! He has subdued the devil's might, For he has won the fateful fight On Calvary's cross, so dreadful! The Bible gives us many clear directives for our fight against sin.
For example, in Matthew 6.19, we read how to fight against worry. Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break in and steal. Or in Matthew 6.33, Jesus tells us so clearly, Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.
Perhaps we need to fight against our inability to love. Jesus tells us in Luke 6.27 and 28, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. And so we could go on.
The Bible gives us clear directives, but it also shows us through them how totally incapable we are of fulfilling God's commandments. Therefore we are driven even more to praise the redemption of Jesus and the power of his blood. These verses are a great help to us, for they do not let us indulge in our own inclinations.
They do not let us continue to sin indifferently. They make us set goals of faith for ourselves and search to find the next step. For example, imagine a person who is in danger of forming a wrong relationship with another person, and yet he believes in the redemption of Jesus over this sin.
But what good will it do if he continues to live near this person, or even helps him or her to get a job in the same firm, thus intentionally bringing himself into a situation of temptation and sin? Scripture constantly challenges us to escape from the corruption, to flee from Babylon. Whoever deliberately nourishes his sins cannot expect them to die. And unless his sins die, he will never be spiritually whole, nor will he have the blessing of the Lord.
That is why it is so important that we keep our eyes open and accept and obey the Bible with our whole hearts. You have been listening to a program written by Basilea 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. That's K-A-N-A-A-N dot 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 write to God Lives and Works Today, 9849 North 40th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85028-4099. God bless you.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Living Word and Its Power
- God's word is alive and active today
- The Bible provides practical and powerful directives
- Jesus' victory over sin and the devil
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II. Clear Biblical Directives for Daily Life
- Fight worry by prioritizing heavenly treasures (Matthew 6:19)
- Seek first God's kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:33)
- Love enemies and pray for persecutors (Luke 6:27-28)
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III. The Challenge of Obedience and Spiritual Growth
- Recognizing our inability to fulfill God's commands perfectly
- The necessity of relying on Jesus' redemption and blood
- Avoiding temptation and fleeing from sin
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IV. Commitment to Obedience and Spiritual Wholeness
- Obey the Bible with the whole heart
- Do not indulge or nourish sin
- Pursue spiritual wholeness and receive God's blessing
Key Quotes
“God lives and works today, and his word, the Holy Scriptures, is also alive, with helpful, practical, and powerful directives for our lives.” — Basilea Schlink
“The Bible gives us clear directives, but it also shows us through them how totally incapable we are of fulfilling God's commandments.” — Basilea Schlink
“Whoever deliberately nourishes his sins cannot expect them to die. And unless his sins die, he will never be spiritually whole, nor will he have the blessing of the Lord.” — Basilea Schlink
Application Points
- Prioritize seeking God's kingdom first to overcome worry and anxiety.
- Avoid situations that lead to temptation and deliberately nourish sin.
- Rely on Jesus' redemption as the power to obey God's clear directives.