Introduction : The mountains and fields were quiet during winter. But now in spring, they are suddenly filled with new sounds. The birds are singing so happily because spring has come. However, according to an expert, there is another reason for their noise. When spring comes, birds have to build a nest for their young birds, so they need a place to build a nest. That´s why they make loud noises in order to secure a place for a nest. Even animals fight desperately to defend their place to dwell in. Likewise, people are inseparable from the place where they will be.
1. Body - the most basic place where we will be 1) If we lose our health, we lose everything. (Mt 16:26, Pr 17:22, 18:14) 2) We should keep in shape when we are healthy - exercise, have good eating habits, and peace of mind. (Pr 3:7-8, 4:22-23) 3) The human body is the temple of God - we are healthy when our body is the temple of God, and we have Him in us. (1Co 6:19-20, Ps 16:3)
2. Home - the place where we will be 1) A family is the closest group in this world - a home where a family lives together is very important. We need a place to live in such as a rented home, a company home, or a private residence. (Ge 2:24) 2) We feel uncomfortable without a place to live in - we lose hope of buying our own home when home prices go up (1Pe 5:7) 3) We can have a happy home with love and justice only when God is with us, even if we have our own home and family. (Ps 128:1-2, Pr 21:20-21)
3. Workplace - the place where we will be 1) A job or a workplace is a site to earn a living. It was called a hunting field in the primitive age. People had to starve when they failed in hunting. (Ps 68:19, Pr 12:11) 2) A workplace is where we will be in society. (1) Our identity and name card (2) A sense of belonging to a group and a mutual fellowship (Col 3:23-4:1) 3) The Lord takes care of our job or our workplace when we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. (Ex 20:8-9, Pr 16:8, Mt 6:33)
4. People - the place where we will be 1) A country is the place where a people will be. 2) The Jews had a hard time without their own country for 2000 years. - They were persecuted all over the world, and six million Jews suffered from a holocaust by Hitler, a German, during World WarII. 3) Koreans also had a really hard time under Japanese rule for 36 years since 1910. 4) A country where God is (Dt 28:1-6; Ps 127:1-2).
5. The eternal place where we will be - People are travelers on this earth for a while. (Our life is like that of a traveler. Where are we from and where are we going?) (Ps 90:3-4, Heb 9:27) 1) The story of a rich man and Lazarus (Lk 16:19-21) (1) The rich man - he had many places where he would be, was healthy, lived in a great house, had an influential job, and lived a life of luxury and debauchery. (2) The beggar Lazarus - he was homeless, sick, jobless, wandered, and begged. 2) The eternal place where they would be (Lk 16:22) (1) Hell for a rich man - he loved only the world (2) Heaven for Lazarus - he loved God (2Co 5:1, 8-9, Rev 21:2-3, 8)
Conclusion : We will soon lose the place where we are on this earth. Death deprives us of everything like our physical bodies, homes, jobs, social places, and our country. Unless we have an eternal place where we will be, we will be abandoned forever (Jn 14:1-6).
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