Decisive Obedience
To experience God as the living God, we must live in obedience to His commandments, even if it means suffering, for heaven will open and we will experience its joy and radiance.
In this sermon, Basilis Shlink discusses the story of Stephen from the seventh chapter of Acts, drawing parallels between Stephen and Jesus. Stephen, like Jesus, was falsely accused and brought before the high priest. Despite facing imminent death, Stephen remained full of the Holy Spirit and gazed into heaven, seeing the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Shlink emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commandments, as it unites us with Him and strengthens us in times of trial. He acknowledges that obedience may bring suffering, as the powers of darkness oppose those who are obedient, but assures that heaven will open for those who remain obedient.
Full Transcript
God lives and works today. The only question that remains is, how can we experience him as the living God? The answer is in the following meditation by Basilea Schlink called Decisive Obedience. In the seventh chapter of Acts, we read about Stephen, whose life story parallels that of our Lord Jesus in several ways.
Stephen, too, was dragged before the high priest and was accused by false and lying witnesses. At the end of his defense, when he was about to be stoned to death, we read that Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, Behold, I see the heavens open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.
Acts 7, 55 and 56 When I read these words, one thought pierced my heart. As soon as a person stands in obedience to the commandments of God, the hatred of Satan will be aroused and the powers of darkness will be enraged. However, suffering is not the end of the story, neither for Stephen nor for us.
Whoever lives out God's commandments will experience that heaven will open. His heart will be lifted up to heaven right in the midst of his suffering. We should keep in mind three things.
First, we must obey a command of the Lord. The second, consequences will follow. The powers of darkness will be infuriated.
We will have to suffer. But third, heaven will open. Yes, out of suffering comes glory.
Even people who may have no conception of heaven will experience its joy and radiance in a real way. This principle applies for large and small matters of daily life. Therefore, let us learn to obey each commandment of God, for then we are united with him and strong in every trial.
It is true that we will have to suffer. The powers of darkness always rage against obedient people. They know that such people accomplish great things for the kingdom of God, for his honor.
However, heaven will also be open for us. If you wish to live in heaven, be obedient. And if obedience is hard for you, look to Jesus.
One glance at him gives us strength to take the next step of obedience. My heart is at peace and so joyful For all I desire he supplies I look now for nothing but Jesus Who all of my hopes satisfies Copy leaflet by the same author. Please write to God Lives and Works Today, 9849 North 40th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85028-4099.
That's God Lives and Works Today, 9849 North 40th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85028-4099. God bless you.
Sermon Outline
- I. Introduction
- A. The question of experiencing God as the living God
- B. The answer in the meditation on Decisive Obedience
- II. Stephen's Story
- A. Parallels with Jesus' life story
- B. Accusation and defense before the high priest
- III. The Power of Obedience
- A. The hatred of Satan and powers of darkness
- B. Suffering as a consequence of obedience
- C. Heaven opening in the midst of suffering
- IV. Three Principles of Obedience
- A. Obeying God's commandments
- B. Consequences of obedience
- C. Heaven opening in response to obedience
Key Quotes
“As soon as a person stands in obedience to the commandments of God, the hatred of Satan will be aroused and the powers of darkness will be enraged.” — Basilea Schlink
“Heaven will open, and the person will experience its joy and radiance in a real way.” — Basilea Schlink
“One glance at him gives us strength to take the next step of obedience.” — Basilea Schlink
Application Points
- We must learn to obey each commandment of God, for then we are united with Him and strong in every trial.
- When obedience is hard, look to Jesus for strength to take the next step.
- Heaven will open for us if we live in obedience to God's commandments.