A Gift Beyond Compare
Basilea Schlink teaches that the greatest gift is rediscovering and nurturing the first, exclusive love for Jesus, which transforms life and ministry.
In this heartfelt testimony, Basilea Schlink shares her personal journey of losing and rediscovering the first love for Jesus Christ. Drawing from Revelation 2:4, she reveals how even devoted ministry can fall short without this foundational love. Through repentance and renewed intimacy with Jesus, she experienced a transformative gift beyond compare. This sermon invites listeners to embrace a deep, personal relationship with Christ that brings true spiritual fruit and a foretaste of heavenly joy.
Full Transcript
God lives and works today. He is offering us a precious gift, a gift beyond compare. It is love for Jesus, the first exclusive love.
Today's meditation, a testimony from the life of Basilea Schlink, will share what this love is and how she discovered it. Has the word of God in Revelation chapter 2 verse 4 ever halted you in your tracks? Have you ever felt a strange uneasiness that pierced to the heart as you read these words? I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love that you had at first. This was my experience many years ago.
It was during a time when I was fully occupied with the work of God's kingdom. What could be missing from this full life in God's service? Didn't it all revolve around Jesus? I thought so. But then came a moment when this word of scripture about abandoning your first love unsettled me.
I realized one thing clearly. No matter how praiseworthy our ministry may be, in the end it will fall under judgment if first love to Jesus is lacking. Further, I realized that without this first love, we cannot expect to bring forth real fruit.
What did the Lord mean by this first love? I discovered that first love for Jesus seeks not people, but a person, the one who alone merits our first love. The first love is the intimate, personal relationship of love which one has with our Lord Jesus Christ. But I had lost this first love.
How? In a way I never would have thought of. He convicted me of a sin. At that time I had to live together with a difficult person.
This person made life difficult for me. I felt sorry for myself. Then the Lord showed me one day, you are at fault.
You are bitter, and that is sin. Then repentance came into my heart. My relationship to the other changed.
Through repentance I learned how to love this person. But this repentance also helped me to lie at Jesus' feet as a sinner. And behold, I then experienced what Mary Magdalene did.
Love for Jesus. This first love which the book of Revelation speaks about came into my heart. First love for Jesus.
Can any gift compare with it? What greater wish could one desire? Truly, it is the foretaste of heaven here on earth. One is born on the wings of this love to the heavenly glory which God has prepared for those who love Him. The marriage supper of the Lamb.
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 write to God Lives and Works Today, 9849 North 40th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85028-4099 God bless you.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Introduction to the gift beyond compare: first love for Jesus
- Personal experience of losing first love despite active ministry
- Scriptural basis from Revelation 2:4 about abandoning first love
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II
- Understanding what first love truly means
- The importance of loving Jesus as a person, not just a cause
- Consequences of lacking first love in ministry and fruitfulness
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III
- The role of conviction and repentance in restoring first love
- Personal story of repentance and changed relationships
- Experiencing love for Jesus anew, like Mary Magdalene
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IV
- The incomparable value of first love as a foretaste of heaven
- Invitation to embrace this love for eternal joy
- Encouragement to seek God’s work and presence today
Key Quotes
“I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love that you had at first.” — Basilea Schlink
“First love for Jesus seeks not people, but a person, the one who alone merits our first love.” — Basilea Schlink
“Can any gift compare with it? What greater wish could one desire? Truly, it is the foretaste of heaven here on earth.” — Basilea Schlink
Application Points
- Examine your heart to ensure your love for Jesus remains your first and greatest priority.
- Repent of any bitterness or sin that hinders your relationship with God and others.
- Cultivate a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus to experience true spiritual renewal.