How to Draw Down the Grace of God
Basilea Schlink teaches that the grace of God flows into the lives of those who truly repent and weep over their sins, drawing down His transformative power.
In this devotional sermon, Basilea Schlink explores the vital condition for experiencing God's grace: true repentance. Through poignant examples, including the story of Sister Claudia, Schlink reveals how heartfelt sorrow over sin opens the door for Jesus' transformative power. Listeners are encouraged to examine their motives, repent sincerely, and reach out to Jesus to draw down His grace and live a life renewed by His love.
Full Transcript
God lives and works today. But why do so few people experience his reality? The grace of God can only flow into our lives under one condition. However, it's an easy condition within everyone's reach, as we'll hear in today's meditation by Bezelia Schlink called How to Draw Down the Grace of God.
Some time ago, I had a talk with the leader of a large foreign ministry. He was well known and respected, loved by everyone. But he confessed to me that his greatest problem was his tremendous desire to be important.
Even in all of his work for the Lord Jesus, deep down, this need to be important was the driving motive. However, what upset me most about this person was that although he recognized and confessed his sin, he nevertheless did not repent. Instead of turning over a new leaf, he just continued working and living as he had always done.
It was a great sorrow for me, because I knew that the man was heading straight towards the judgment of God. He did not weep over his sins. However, only when we are truly sorry for our sins can the grace of God come down into our lives.
Sweet Lord of life, I will now strive No more to grieve you and burden Your loving heart, sorrow laden Repent and tears, my Savior, cheers Followed by praise and rejoicing Love and my gratitude I sing I remember our sister Claudia, whom the Lord called home at the age of 35. Her name, Claudia, meant weeping, and she was truly one who wept. Whenever she came for a talk with me, her heart, and sometimes her eyes too, would be filled with tears over what she had done, how she had hurt God.
After she died, all the sisters testified, whenever the Lord had judged our sisterhood because there were things which were not pleasing to Him, it was Sister Claudia who bowed herself the most under her guilt. And in the last years before she died, she really radiated something of the nature of our Lord Jesus. How did she happen to be so filled with the Lord's grace? Sister Claudia was one who wept over her sins.
Truly repentant, she stretched out her arms to Jesus, her personal Savior and Redeemer, and He rescued her from judgment. Jesus delivered her and completely transformed her. You shall be first for this Jesus, my dearest treasure My joy and bliss beyond measure An Easter picture once moved me very deeply.
It portrayed Jesus' descent into hell. The picture showed many outstretched arms of people crying for deliverance. And Jesus, with the strength of His mighty arm, was pulling them out of the clutches of hell.
Whom does He deliver? Whom does He set free? Whoever weeps over his sins, crying out to be delivered, that person draws down the grace of God. If you do not have access to the Web, please write to God Lives and Works Today, 9849 N. 40th St., Phoenix, AZ 85028-4099 God Bless You
Sermon Outline
-
I
- The reality of God's living presence today
- Why few experience God's grace
- The necessary condition for grace to flow
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II
- The danger of unrepented sin
- The story of a ministry leader's struggle
- The sorrow of unrepentance leading to judgment
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III
- The example of Sister Claudia's heartfelt repentance
- How weeping over sin draws down grace
- Jesus' power to deliver and transform
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IV
- The call to true repentance
- Stretching out arms to Jesus for rescue
- Living a life transformed by grace
Key Quotes
“The grace of God can only flow into our lives under one condition.” — Basilea Schlink
“Whoever weeps over his sins, crying out to be delivered, that person draws down the grace of God.” — Basilea Schlink
“Jesus, with the strength of His mighty arm, was pulling them out of the clutches of hell.” — Basilea Schlink
Application Points
- Examine your heart honestly and identify any unrepented sin.
- Approach Jesus with genuine sorrow and repentance to receive His grace.
- Trust in Jesus’ power to deliver and transform your life completely.