Introduction : The most valuable knowledge in this world is the knowledge of Jesus. Paul had a wide knowledge of Jewish law and he was also very proficient in Greek philosophy. However, Paul said that everything in the world is just like decayed soil, because the knowledge of Jesus is so precious. (Php 3:7-9) Today´s scripture reading is giving us a precious knowledge of Jesus with overflowing grace and blessing.
1. He is like a shelter from the wind 1) The strong wind of desert could remove a big sand hill to all different directions in a moment People and animals can be buried under that sand 2) The wind blowing in the world (1) The wind of sin (2) The wind of secularism (3) The wind of disease (4) The wind of poverty and curse (5) The wind of desert and the darkness of devil (Pr 1:27) 3) Jesus calmed the wind on the cross. The bosom of Jesus is the only refuge (Isa 53:4-5, Col 1:13-14, Ps 5:11)
2. He is like a refuge from the storm - The storm is a wrath of God that falls from sky 1) The pouring storm cannot be covered with toy or paper umbrella (1) Good deed of humankind (2) Penance of humankind (3) Religion of humankind (4) Self-discipline of humankind (Pr 16:2, Ro 3:10-12, Ps 1:5) 2) Under the roof of grace of Jesus´ cross is a shelter that protects us from the storm (1) The wrath of God at present (La 3:39, Jer 14:10) (2) The wrath of God at degenerate age (Isa 13:9-11, 2Pe 3:7, 10) (3) The wrath of God and His judgment of eternal hell (Heb 9:27, Rev 20:12 15, Mk 9:48-49)
3. He is like a stream of water in the desert - The water is a life of animals and plants. The whole land could be turned to the desert if water disappears. 1) People left God and get devastated (1) The faith has been disappeared (2) The hope has been disappeared (3) The love has been disappeared (4) The righteousness has been disappeared (5) The peace has been disappeared (6) The joy has been disappeared. (Jer 2:13, 19) 2) Jesus of living water came to the world of dry land (Jn 7:37, Jn7:38-39) - The living water that flows from the cross of Jesus (1) The faith is recovered (2) The hope is recovered (3) The love is recovered (4) The righteousness is recovered (5) The peace is recovered (6) The joy is recovered (Jn 4:14, Jer 31:12)
4. He is like a shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land 1) The life in this earth is tired and weary (1) The desert of sin and guilty conscience (2) The desert of meaninglessness and emptiness (3) The desert of death and despair (4) The land of endless fight, conflict, and struggle for survival - Where can we find a revival of life in this weary land? (Ps 103:15, Jas 4:14) 2) Jesus is a big shade of weary land (1) Even steamy heat of sin (2) Even desert of emptiness and meaninglessness (3) Even desert of death and despair (4) Even a life of fight, conflict and suffering - We can overcome all these if we stay under the shade of Jesus (Mt 11:28, Isa 40:27-31, Isa 9:6)
Conclusion : When we get to know about Jesus, we will learn that His grace is so amazing (Isa 32:3-4).
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