Introduction : The birth of Jesus had been prophesied before 600 BC, as Isaiah 9:6 states, (Isa 9:6). What is so amazing about this prophecy is that a baby, a son has been born to us, and He is our God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. That baby, the son will be a shelter from the wind, a refuge from the storm, streams of water in the desert, and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.
1. A shelter from the wind 1) Calmed the wind and waves of Galilee (Mk 4:39) 2) Stopped the wind of 3 calamities that were caused by Adam in the Garden of Eden (1) The wind of sin ruins the souls (Isa 38:15) (2) The wind of curse devastates life (Pr 1:27) (3) The wind of death brings despair (Eze 18:4, Ro 7:24) 3) We can take a refuge from the wind of life when we go under the shadow of cross (Col 1:13-14)
2. A refuge from the storm - The storm is rain that pours down. That means the judgment of God 1) A flood caused by the storm in summer sweeps away the base of life (Ps 90:50) 2) A burning sulfur rained down on Sodom and Gomorrah and it overthrew the entire plain (Jude 1:7, 2Pe 2:6) 3) A historical lesson that the obedient will prosper and the disobedient will go to ruin (Dt 5:29, Mal 4:1) 4) The wrath and judgment of God that was poured on the cross (Isa 53:4-5) 5) We can take a refuge from the storm of judgment under the cross (Jn 3:17, 2Co 5:21)
3. Streams of water in the desert 1) The whole earth is under threat of desertification - An extending of Gobi desert in China and yellow sand 2) The world will have a battle with a shortage of water 3) People become heartless and finds no solace (2Ti 3:1-5) 4) If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink (Jn 4:14. 7:38)
4. The shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land 1) The shadow of a great rock is the shelter for a wanderer in the desert (Ps 91:4, 16:11) 2) Today is the age of weariness - The young and healthy fall and tumble down - Murder, burglar, rape, merciless behavior, family trouble, suicide¡¦ (Gal 5:17, 1Jn 2:16) 3) We will gain new strength under the cross of Jesus - We will never be weary though we run or walk (Isa 40:31, Col 1:11)
Conclusion : People today think they can receive salvation and grace through their deeds, so they ask questions about what they must do to receive salvation and grace. But the Bible says that we receive salvation and grace not by our human deeds but by our meeting with Jesus. When we experience meeting Jesus Christ, Son of God, who has come to this world on Christmas, we will receive salvation and grace through our faith in Him. If we understand the meaning of Christmas and meet Jesus, we will have the best happiness and blessings we can get.
|