Message of Joy
Basilea Schlink teaches that loving Jesus is the greatest joy and privilege, as it invites God's presence and power to dwell intimately within believers.
In this devotional message, Basilea Schlink explores the profound joy and privilege of loving Jesus. She explains how loving Christ invites God's presence to dwell within believers, empowering them for life's challenges. Drawing from Jesus' words in John 14 and His post-resurrection question to Peter, Schlink emphasizes the personal and eternal significance of loving Jesus. This sermon encourages believers to cultivate a deep, intimate relationship with Christ as the source of true joy and power.
Full Transcript
God lives and works today. We will see this more practically in today's meditation that loving Jesus is a privilege and the greatest joy there is. But what does it really mean to be allowed to love him? Today's meditation, called Message of Joy by Basilea Schlink, gives us a biblical answer to this question.
Jesus says in John chapter 14, What a request, what a challenge, what a message of joy which Jesus always begins with these words, If you love me. The first question he asked Peter after the resurrection was, Do you love me? Again and again we find Jesus talking about this love. What does it mean to be allowed to love God above all things? Jesus answers this by saying, If anyone loves me, God himself will come and live within him.
He who made heaven and earth will dwell in us. He'll pray in us and speak through us. All power and authority is given to him.
He is the victor who solves our problems and carries out all his plans. Now we can say, The greatest and strongest power there is, whether for our inner conflicts and battles or for the needs of our nation, is the power of love. This love entails the most personal relationship of our hearts to Jesus.
It means that he is our closest, most intimate friend. We will be asked only one question in eternity, Have we loved Jesus? Jesus is love everlasting. He came to us below, that God to all his children a selfless love might show.
Eternal love is still waiting and bleeds with every heart. Oh, won't you hear and answer, I cannot bear to part. 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
- God lives and works today
- Loving Jesus is a privilege and the greatest joy
- Exploring what it means to love Jesus
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II
- Jesus’ words in John 14: If you love me
- Jesus’ question to Peter after resurrection: Do you love me?
- Repeated emphasis on love in Jesus’ teachings
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III
- God dwells within those who love Jesus
- Jesus prays and speaks through believers
- The power and authority given to Jesus
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IV
- Love as the strongest power for inner battles and national needs
- Personal relationship with Jesus as closest friend
- Eternal question: Have we loved Jesus?
Key Quotes
“If anyone loves me, God himself will come and live within him.” — Basilea Schlink
“The greatest and strongest power there is, whether for our inner conflicts and battles or for the needs of our nation, is the power of love.” — Basilea Schlink
“We will be asked only one question in eternity, Have we loved Jesus?” — Basilea Schlink
Application Points
- Cultivate a daily, personal love relationship with Jesus to experience His presence.
- Trust in the power of God's love to overcome personal and national challenges.
- Reflect on the eternal importance of loving Jesus as the core of your faith.