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It All Depends on
Basilea Schlink
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0:00 4:35
Basilea Schlink

It All Depends on

Basilea Schlink · 4:35

Basilea Schlink teaches that a life transformed by Jesus depends entirely on loving Him above all else, making Him the first love in our hearts.
In this devotional sermon, Basilea Schlink emphasizes the vital importance of making Jesus the first love in our hearts. She explains that true fulfillment and transformation come from loving Christ above all else and removing any idols that compete for our affection. Through this love, believers receive joy, peace, and strength to overcome life's challenges. Schlink invites listeners to respond to Jesus’ call and experience the life-changing power of a heart fully devoted to Him.

Full Transcript

God lives and works today. He is offering us a relationship with Him today that can change everything, our life, our happiness and our future. Today's meditation by Basilea Schlink will tell us what this depends upon.

To give love and to receive love makes life meaningful, and to love God will give our lives the deepest fulfillment. Jesus, however, only recognizes one kind of love as the true love for God. It is called the first love.

First love is the love which has first place in our hearts above all other people and things that we love. We cannot divide our love for Jesus between Him and another person or object. His love is too great, too overwhelming, too powerful to be put into a heart that is already filled with other loves.

Whoever really knows Jesus must love Him above everything, for He is the fairest of the sons of men. He is the reflected splendor of God the Father, the light of heaven who fills all of heaven with His brightness. He is absolute love which embraces the love of all men.

His countenance radiates only love, and He loves us more than any human being ever could. Sealed by His sacrifice on Calvary, His love gives us full satisfaction, yes, overflowing life and joy. Jesus is waiting for us to return His love.

However, in order to do this, we must change our priorities. Whatever has had first place in our lives must be put in second place, so that Jesus can take the first place. Then He can live in our hearts.

Then we will be joined in love with Him. And this union with Jesus, this union of mind and will, is an irresistible force. Today, Jesus is still offering His grace to us.

In the face of our present world situation, He doesn't want us to despair. He doesn't want us to be ruled by fear and anguish, or to be unhappy. He wants to give us the love that neither Satan, hell, nor death can extinguish.

In this love for Him, He is offering us the most precious gifts of joy, peace, and security, gifts that no one can ever take away from us. In this love for Him, He is offering us His aid, which is sufficient for every problem and trial. He is calling us to remove all other gods from our hearts, people, things, values, which we have put in first place and idolized.

Let us bring them to Him, to His cross. There, the power of His blood can free us from even the strongest bondage. To love Jesus, what a royal calling.

This love is the greatest gift there is, greater than people, objects, values, or any of the things that fill our lives. Jesus is asking us today, will you love me? My whole life to Jesus be loving. My heart seeks my love to reveal.

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 contact this radio station for our postal address. God bless you.

Sermon Outline

  1. I. The Nature of First Love
    • First love is loving Jesus above all else
    • Jesus demands exclusive love in the heart
    • His love is overwhelming and fulfilling
  2. II. The Call to Change Priorities
    • Put other loves in second place
    • Allow Jesus to take first place in the heart
    • Experience union of mind and will with Christ
  3. III. The Gifts of Loving Jesus
    • Joy, peace, and security that cannot be taken away
    • Strength and aid for every trial
    • Freedom from bondage through the power of the cross
  4. IV. The Invitation and Response
    • Jesus is waiting for our love
    • We must remove idols from our hearts
    • Respond to Jesus’ call with wholehearted love

Key Quotes

“First love is the love which has first place in our hearts above all other people and things that we love.” — Basilea Schlink
“Jesus is waiting for us to return His love.” — Basilea Schlink
“In this love for Him, He is offering us the most precious gifts of joy, peace, and security, gifts that no one can ever take away from us.” — Basilea Schlink

Application Points

  • Evaluate what currently holds the first place in your heart and be willing to reorder your priorities to put Jesus first.
  • Bring any idols or competing loves to the cross and ask Jesus to free you from their bondage.
  • Accept Jesus’ invitation to experience His joy, peace, and strength through a deeper union with Him.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'first love' mean in this sermon?
First love means loving Jesus above all other people, things, or values in our lives, giving Him the highest place in our hearts.
Why must we put other loves in second place?
Because Jesus’ love is too great to share our hearts with other idols, and only by prioritizing Him first can we experience true fulfillment.
What are the benefits of loving Jesus first?
Loving Jesus first brings joy, peace, security, and strength to face trials, gifts that no one can take away.
How can we remove idols from our hearts?
By bringing them to Jesus and His cross, where His sacrifice frees us from bondage and purifies our love.
Is this love for Jesus a one-time decision or ongoing?
It is an ongoing commitment to keep Jesus first in our hearts and continually deepen our union with Him.

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