Decisive Obedience
Basilea Schlink teaches that decisive obedience to God's commandments leads to spiritual victory, even amid suffering, as believers experience the open heavens and the presence of Christ.
In this devotional sermon, Basilea Schlink explores the powerful connection between obedience to God's commandments and the spiritual realities of suffering and heavenly glory. Using the example of Stephen from Acts 7, she encourages believers to stand firm in obedience despite opposition, promising that heaven will open to those who remain faithful. Schlink offers practical encouragement to look to Jesus as the source of strength for decisive obedience in daily life.
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.
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. 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
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I. The Call to Obedience
- Obey God's commandments decisively
- Obedience unites us with God
- Obedience strengthens us in trials
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II. The Consequences of Obedience
- Hatred and opposition from Satan
- Suffering is inevitable
- Powers of darkness become enraged
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III. The Promise of Glory
- Heaven opens to the obedient
- Experience the joy and radiance of heaven
- Suffering leads to glory
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IV. The Example of Stephen
- Stephen's vision of Jesus at God's right hand
- Stephen's steadfastness amid false accusations
- Look to Jesus for strength in 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
“Whoever lives out God's commandments will experience that heaven will open.” — Basilea Schlink
“If obedience is hard for you look to Jesus. One glance at him gives us strength to take the next step of obedience.” — Basilea Schlink
Application Points
- Commit to obeying God's commandments daily, trusting in His promises.
- Expect and prepare for opposition and suffering as a natural consequence of obedience.
- Focus on Jesus as your strength and example when obedience feels difficult.