We must turn to God and repent of our sins to receive His love and strength to endure in the midst of tribulation.
In this sermon transcript titled 'Turn to God,' Basil E. Shlink addresses the widespread apostasy and departure from God in today's world. He highlights the increasing evil powers and hatred among nations, as well as the rejection of authority, which ultimately revolts against God. Shlink emphasizes the importance of turning towards God and dedicating oneself anew to Him, strengthening the bond of love. He emphasizes that love for Jesus is crucial in these times, as it breaks out through contrition and repentance, leading to true joy and happiness. The sermon encourages listeners to oppose the apostasy by calling upon Jesus for repentance and allowing Him to dwell in their hearts.
Full Transcript
God lives and works today, and He loves. That is why He is grieved when man departs from Him. In view of today's widespread apostasy, we cannot remain apathetic.
What can we do? The answer lies in today's meditation by Basilia Schlenk called, Turn to God. Unleashed are evil forces sent from below. Demonically increasing, hell's evil powers grow.
The nations hate each other, and they persecute those who still honor God. The great apostasy has been prophesied for our times. In the history of mankind, there has never been such a falling away from God.
Revolutionary trends are gaining the upper hand. They oppose all authority, declaring that we, the people, should be the sole authority, and that nothing should be above us. This rejection of authority is ultimately revolt against God, the supreme authority.
While so many are turning their backs on God, we should be turning towards God, dedicating ourselves anew to Him, and strengthening the bond of love. For love is the only force that can endure, that's stronger than death. Do we want to be amongst those who have fallen away? All who do not love Jesus now with their whole heart, who are not inspired by love to follow His path, they will be drawn over to the enemy's side.
Without realizing it, they will fall into the hands of Satan. Yes, this is why there is nothing more important in our present age than love for Jesus. As we've experienced since the founding of our sisterhood, this love breaks out wherever there is contrition and repentance.
Tears of repentance contain great blessing, for as we weep over our sins and repent deeply of our faults and failures, we find true joy and happiness. Time and again people come to us and ask, Sister, why are you so happy? And we can reply, because I love Jesus, who is the fairest in heaven and on earth. But this love is born out of repentance.
Repentance comes when I can recognize the wrong that I have done to my sister, my neighbor, and can say, I'm truly sorry, please forgive me. Repentance means to have a contrite, broken heart. And it is written in the scriptures that God will enter such a heart.
He will dwell there. Yes, out of this repentance comes love for Jesus, a love which is greater than that of a bride for her bridegroom. This love for Jesus will give us strength to endure in the midst of the tribulation that is coming upon us.
Therefore, let us oppose the apostasy of our times by turning again to our Lord Jesus with our whole hearts, by calling upon him for this repentance, which will open the way for him to come and dwell in our hearts. Jesus, Lord, to love you only, I shall live for that alone, To your heart some comfort bringing, All your suffering making known. You have been listening to a program written by Basile Schlenk 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
- The Importance of Turning to God
- The Need for Repentance
- The Power of Love for Jesus
- Opposing Apostasy
- Turning to Lord Jesus with whole hearts
- Calling upon Jesus for repentance
Key Quotes
“For love is the only force that can endure, that's stronger than death.” — Basilea Schlink
“Tears of repentance contain great blessing, for as we weep over our sins and repent deeply of our faults and failures, we find true joy and happiness.” — Basilea Schlink
“Repentance means to have a contrite, broken heart. And it is written in the scriptures that God will enter such a heart.” — Basilea Schlink
Application Points
- We must recognize our sin and ask for forgiveness to receive true joy and happiness.
- Love for Jesus gives us strength to endure in the midst of tribulation.
- We must turn to Lord Jesus with our whole hearts and call upon Him for repentance to oppose apostasy.
