Basilea Schlink teaches that the kingdom of heaven is experienced through genuine repentance and humble surrender to Jesus, enabling believers to manifest God's grace and joy on earth.
In this devotional sermon, Basilea Schlink explores the mystery of why the kingdom of heaven is so seldom experienced among Christians today. She emphasizes that genuine repentance and humble surrender to Jesus are essential for the kingdom to manifest in believers’ lives. Schlink calls the church to live out God's love and grace visibly, so that the joy and redemption of heaven can be tasted here on earth.
Full Transcript
God lives and works today. He has established a church of his followers to help him build his kingdom. But why is it that we experience so little of the kingdom of heaven? Today's meditation by Basilea Schlink will answer this question.
How often we preach about love but don't show it, or we talk about God's goodness but do not demonstrate it. Jesus, however, came to build the kingdom of heaven. At the start of his ministry he said that it was dawning.
Now he's waiting for it to be established among us. He went the bitter way to death, not only to open the door to heaven for us, but also to redeem us here on earth. Both God and the world are waiting and yearning for his kingdom to be manifested among us Christians.
The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Jesus said this when he was on earth. Now he says the same thing about his church.
However, let us ask ourselves, where is it at hand? Where is it possible to say if you go to this house or to this church you will become happy? There you will be healed of the suffering of your soul. There you will be surrounded with so much love that it will seem as if you have been born anew. You will taste the fullness of joy because eternal joy is there.
Sadly enough, these cases are few and far between. No wonder so many people prefer to spend their Sundays outdoors. There, in the midst of creation, they experience something of the joy and beauty which nature reflects.
How painful it is for God. The stones and all of nature must preach because we, his own, keep silence. We do not radiate the joy of redemption and are such poor witnesses to his glory.
But why is there so little of God's kingdom in our midst? Why? Only one word brings about the kingdom of heaven. Repent. It is a call as mighty as a peel of thunder.
It's a call which cannot be ignored for it concerns us sinners. And it is not simply any call. It is the call of Scripture.
It is a holy law of Scripture that God will only come with his blessings and his kingdom to the heart of a humble soul. That is, to a sinner who has repented. The kingdom of heaven remains closed to all others.
The kingdom of heaven is a kingdom full of grace. Therefore, only he who lies prostrate at the feet of Jesus in contrition and repentance will experience it. For grace belongs to the repentant sinner.
Then he will be blessed. Then he will experience the kingdom of heaven here today. Yes, in all its abundance here on earth.
Kingdom of heaven is truly at hand Where sinners for their sins to repent Jesus, our joy eternal Heaven may be entered, thou here on earth Penitent sinners given to birth Jesus, our joy eternal For more information, please contact this radio station for our postal address. God bless you.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Reality of God's Kingdom
- God has established a church to build His kingdom
- Jesus proclaimed the kingdom of heaven was dawning
- The kingdom awaits full establishment among believers
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II. The Lack of Visible Kingdom Experience
- Many preach love but fail to demonstrate it
- Few churches manifest joy, healing, and love
- Nature often reflects God's joy more than believers
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III. The Cause: Lack of Repentance
- Repentance is the key to experiencing the kingdom
- God blesses only the humble, repentant sinner
- Without repentance, the kingdom remains closed
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IV. The Promise of Grace and Joy
- Repentance opens the door to grace
- Believers then experience the kingdom abundantly on earth
- True joy and redemption flow from surrender to Jesus
Key Quotes
“Only one word brings about the kingdom of heaven. Repent.” — Basilea Schlink
“The kingdom of heaven is a kingdom full of grace. Therefore, only he who lies prostrate at the feet of Jesus in contrition and repentance will experience it.” — Basilea Schlink
“How painful it is for God. The stones and all of nature must preach because we, his own, keep silence.” — Basilea Schlink
Application Points
- Examine your heart and embrace genuine repentance to open yourself to God's kingdom.
- Strive to demonstrate God's love and grace visibly in your daily life and church community.
- Seek to be a joyful witness of redemption so others may experience the kingdom of heaven through you.
