The Hidden Glory
Basilea Schlink teaches that through embracing the hidden glory in the cross and suffering, believers can experience divine comfort, transformation, and eternal joy.
In this devotional sermon, Basilea Schlink explores the profound spiritual truth that the cross and suffering are not merely burdens but bearers of hidden glory. She encourages believers to view their trials through the lens of Christ’s redemptive suffering, discovering comfort, transformation, and eternal joy. Through heartfelt reflection, Schlink invites listeners to carry their crosses with Jesus and experience the strength and grace that come from sharing in His suffering.
Full Transcript
God lives and works today. Can you testify to his reality in your life, even on difficult days that are filled with suffering? Our cross and suffering need not oppress us any longer. Today's meditation by Basilea Schlink can help us to find the hidden glory in the cross and to discover a wonderful wealth and comfort for our entire lives.
How very few people have realized and won the glory that lies hidden in the cross and suffering. Yes, God the Father looks down from heaven very sadly and asks, where are those who have experienced the blessing of suffering? Who has been comforted in suffering? Where are the truly redeemed who do not live in bondage to their suffering? Where are those who in the midst of darkness can rejoice that they've been redeemed? Jesus probably has to lament. There are very few, and yet he suffered bitterly to redeem us.
He drank the cup of suffering unto death for us, so that suffering might no longer lead to death but to a new and blessed life. But who cares about Jesus' suffering? If we saw his grief, our own small troubles would seem trivial. He offers us the fruit of his suffering, resurrection, a new and blessed life, divine life.
In the midst of our troubles and afflictions, do we ever think about Jesus' suffering? All the pain and grief of the world are contained in his suffering. If we spent all our time thinking about our own troubles and spared just one thought for his suffering, we would see his amazing love. In love he suffered for our sakes, to heal our wounds and to comfort our hearts.
If we really grasped this, we would be full of joy. Therefore let us tell Jesus in this hour, my Lord Jesus, you show me so clearly that the cross brings both suffering and glory. It was your cross that brought us glory.
Therefore the crosses you allow us to bear will also bring us glory if we carry them with you. So let me think of my cross with you in mind. Then I shall praise you for the transformation and the glory that it will bring me.
I thank you for giving me the strength to carry my cross in such a way that it will bring you glory and a bountiful harvest. Bearing the cross of Christ, who can such grace as this? Glory in all his such lot, sharing with him the weight. Oh, what an hour of great, weeping eternal peace.
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
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I
- The reality of God's work in suffering today
- The rarity of experiencing blessing in suffering
- Jesus’ lament over few who embrace the cross
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II
- Jesus’ suffering as the source of redemption
- The cup of suffering leading to new life
- The call to recognize the fruit of Christ’s suffering
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III
- Reflecting on Jesus’ suffering amidst personal troubles
- The healing and comfort found in His love
- Joy arising from understanding the cross
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IV
- Carrying our crosses with Christ
- Transformation and glory through suffering
- Thankfulness for strength to bear the cross
Key Quotes
“How very few people have realized and won the glory that lies hidden in the cross and suffering.” — Basilea Schlink
“He drank the cup of suffering unto death for us, so that suffering might no longer lead to death but to a new and blessed life.” — Basilea Schlink
“Therefore the crosses you allow us to bear will also bring us glory if we carry them with you.” — Basilea Schlink
Application Points
- Reflect daily on Jesus’ suffering to find comfort in your own trials.
- Embrace your personal crosses as opportunities for spiritual growth and glory.
- Seek strength through faith to bear suffering with joy and thanksgiving.