INTRODUCTION
1. Open your bible to Job 37:6.
2. Last week on Thursday and Thursday night (2/11/10) North East Texas received the most snow that it had received in quite a few years.
(1) Longview had received 4” to 6” on the ground by Friday morning.
(2) Talco had received about 8” on the ground by Friday morning.
(3) I think all of us would agree that Friday morning provided some of the most beautiful scenery that most of us had seen in quite some time.
(4) For some of our children and young people it was the most snow that they had ever seen in Texas.
3. In this lessons we will discuss some things about snow that provide spiritual lessons.
DISCUSSION
I. FIRST, SNOW IS A REMINDER OF GOD’S GREAT CREATIVE POWER.
1. Let’s read Job 37:6, “For He [God] says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth’; Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength.”
(1) One of the most attention getting things about snow is when we begin to see those first snowflakes falling.
(2) The snowflakes are falling, because has told them to “fall on the earth”.
2. At first the snowflakes may be very small. They may not be very plentiful.
(1) After a short while they may begin to come a lot faster. They begin to come in larger sizes.
(2) They may be in different shapes and designs.
(3) It is said that there are a minimum of ten different forms of snowflakes. Some snowflakes just look like a small puff ball of white cotton.
1) Some look like a floating white feather or a floating white leaf. Some look like a star. Some look like a white needle. Some look like white fish bones. Some look like a white bullet. Some are in the form of a miniature white tree. I’m sure you’ve see some shaped different that what I have described.
2) Those who have done research say that there have never been two snowflakes just exactly alike.
3) For God to create the trillions of snowflakes that He has created and for no two of them to be alike points out the Great Power of God.
3. This unique thing about snowflakes reminds us that God not only created them, but that God created everything else.
(1) Turn to Jeremiah 32:17. Here, declaration is made that everything was created by God. Let’s read Jeremiah 32:17, “‘Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.”
(2) Turn to Jeremiah 51:15&16. Here, Jeremiah goes into detail about the power, wisdom and understanding of God and many of specific things that God created. Let’s read Jeremiah 51:15&16, “15 He has made the earth by His power; He has established the world by His wisdom, And stretched out the heaven by His understanding. 16 When He utters His voice— There is a multitude of waters in the heavens: “ He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; He makes lightnings for the rain; He brings the wind out of His treasuries.”
4. Just as no two snowflakes are alike, no two human beings are exactly alike. No set of finger prints are exactly alike.
5. Snowflakes and all of God’s creation prove in many ways that everything that was created came from our all powerful God.
(1) God has designed everyone and everything so wonderful.
(2) There is no way that man or any other part of creation could be the product of evolution. It is ridiculous to believe that everything came from a big bang explosion.
II. SECOND, TURN TO DANIEL 7:9&10. THIS IS ONE OF A FEW PASSAGES IN THE BIBLE THAT USE SNOW TO GIVE US A PICTURE OF THE PURE AND SINLESS NATURE OF CHRIST.
1. In Daniel 7:9&10 Daniel speaks of one called the “Ancient of Days”. This term refers to Christ and the fact that Christ is eternal in nature. Christ has always existed and Christ will always exist in the future.
(1) In Daniel 7:9&10 the clothing of Christ is said to be as white as snow. The hair of Christ is said to be like pure wool. The snow and the wool and their white color symbolize the purity and the righteousness of Christ.
(2) Let’s read Daniel 7:9&10, “ 9 “ I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, And the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, Its wheels a burning fire; 10 A fiery stream issued And came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, And the books were opened.”
1) The “fiery flame and stream” and the “wheels a burning fire” symbolize judgment administered by Christ: the pure and righteous One.
2) “A thousand thousands ministering to Him” refer to angels ministering to Christ and honoring Him.
2. Turn to Revelation 1:12-16. Again, the hair of Christ is described as being white like wool and like snow.
(1) The eyes of Christ are referred to as being like a flame of fire. Again, this and a few other descriptions of Christ refer to Christ as judge.
(2) Let’s read Revelation 1:12-16, “12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.”
3. Snow symbolizing the purity and righteousness of Christ can remind Christians that they are to live pure and holy lives. Each time that we see snow or each time that we think about the white and beautiful snow we should strive to live clean pure and sinless lives, just the same way that Christ was pure and sinless.
4. Turn to 1 Peter 2:21-22. This passage tells Christians of the pure and sinless life that Christ lived and it challenges Christians to follow the footsteps of Christ.
(1) Let’s read 1 Peter 2:21-22, “21For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”.
(2) Let’s read 1 Peter 1:18&19. This tells us that the pure and righteous Son of God was without blemish and without spot. “18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
(3) Look at 1 Peter 1:15&16. This passages teaches Christians that they are commanded to live pure and holy lives, just like God and Christ are pure and holy. Let’s read 1 Peter 1:15&16, “15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
5. Every time that you see snow or someone that is grey headed you should be motivated to live a pure and holy life and follow the example of Christ.
(1) Each time you look at me and my grey hair, I know that it doesn’t inspire you, like snow inspires you, but again, let it inspire you to liver pure and holy lives.
(2) Don’t wait for another snow, but whenever and whoever you see with grey hair, let them motivate you to live a pure and holy life.
III. THIRD, TURN TO ISAIAH 55:10&11. THIS PASSAGE USES SNOW AND RAIN TO ILLUSTRATE GOD’S WORD AT WORK WITHIN INDIVIDUALS.
1. In Isaiah 55:10&11, Isaiah teaches that snow and rain come down from heaven and provide moisture for the crops and help in their growth.
(1) God’s snow and rain will cause plant life to flourish and provide seed for the farmer and food for the hungry.
(2) In a similar manner God’s word comes from heaven and penetrates the hearts of men and women, who are willing to hear and obey and provide the opportunity for spiritual growth.
(3) Let’s read Isaiah 55:10&11, “10 “ For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
2. Turn to 2 Tim. 3:15-17. In this passage Paul reminds Timothy that he had been taught God’s word since he was a baby.
(1) Paul also teaches that God’s word provides man with everything that man needs, so that man might accomplish the spiritual work that God wants man to do.
(2) Let’s read 2 Tim. 3:15-17, “15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
3. Each time you see or think about snow, hopefully you be reminded of the importance of regular bible study taking place in your life.
(1) Hopefully, snow will be a reminder to young people to do your best in your bible classes and for your Bible Bowl practice.
(2) Hopefully, the joy and fun you have when you play in the snow will be a joy and thrill that you express when you have opportunity to study the bible.
IV. FOURTH, TURN TO PSALM 51:7. THIS PASSAGE TEACHES THAT SNOW ILLUSTRATES FORGIVENESS AND THE COVERING UP THAT WHICH IS DIRTY AND UGLY.
1. Yards and pastures with dry, brown and short grass aren’t very pretty to look at. Trees with all the leaves gone aren’t very pretty to look at.
(1) But once a blanket of snow covers them, the yards, the pastures and the trees are extremely beautiful.
(2) Trash piles, wrecked vehicles, shabby houses, muddy roads are not things enjoyable to look at, but once they are covered with a blanket of snow, you forget their ugliness and disgusting appearance.
2. From Psalm 51:7, most bible students, agree that David is pleading with God to forgive him of the sin he committed when he committed adultery with Bathsheba.
(1) Let’s read Psalm 51:7, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”
(1) David already had many wives but he committed the horrible sin of adultery with the wife of one of his trusted and brave soldiers.
(3) David made his sin even more ugly, when he had Bathsheba’s husband (Uriah) killed, to try and cover up his sin.
3. When we read Psalm 51:1-4 we will find out that David was not able to cover his ugly sins. After David’s cover up tactics, David’s ugly and dirty sins continued to eat at his conscience.
(1) What we read a few moments ago from Psalm 51:7 teaches us that David knew that God could cover up his ugliness to the extent that snow covers up things that are ugly.
(2) However, Psalm 51:1-4, teach us that David had failed miserably to try, on his own, to cover up his sins. David’s sins were eating at his heart and soul.
(3) What about you? What about me? Is there sin in my life that I have tried to cover up on my own? Does my conscience bother me?
(4) Let’s read Psalm 51:1-4, “1 Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. 4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight— That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge.”
1) David pleads for God’s mercy. He confesses his sin, not just sinning against Bathsheba and her husband (Uriah), but David said that his first and ugliest sin was against God!
2) Muddy roads, wrecked automobiles, falling down house, trees with no leaves and many other things present ugly pictures. Even melting snow along the curbs of the streets is ugly.
3) But sin provides the ugliest of all pictures!
4. The sin of alcohol takes the limbs and lives of many who have never taken a drink, but their injured or killed by a drunk driver. That is ugly.
5. The sin of drugs has caused a many a person to commit the ugly sin of stealing from their own family and even taking the life of another.
6. The sin of adultery, homosexuality and/or rape has caused the ugly sin of breaking up homes and the ugly situation for children to not ever have both parents under the same roof, on a regular basis.
7. Turn to Isaiah 1:18. Isaiah, like David, teaches that no matter how ugly sin is, God can cover up and get rid of the ugliness, by His remedy.
(1) Let’s read Isaiah 1:18, ““ Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD,
“ Though your sins are like scarlet, [which is a deep red color] They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, [which is a deep red purplish color] They shall be as wool.
(2) The deep red and the deep red purplish colors symbolize the deep-dyed or the double-dyed condition caused by sin.
(3) I do think that we would all agree that David had begun to see his ugly sins as double ugly.
(4) Since any “one” un-repented sin will keep us out of heaven, we need to understand that what we might call, the smallest of sin, as one that is ugly to God.
CONCLUSION
1. Turn to Revelation 1:5. This verse teaches that God has a cleansing agent that can make dirty & ugly sin look like it has been covered over by beautiful white snow.
2. Amazingly, not only does God’s cleansing agent cover over sin that is dirty and ugly, but God’s cleansing agent completely cleanses and washes the dirty and ugly stains of sin completely away .
3. Let’s read Revelation 1:5, “and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.”
(1) This teaches us that God’s cleansing agent is the blood of His Son that was shed on the cross.
(2) The “what for washing away our dirty and ugly sins is Jesus’ own blood”.
4. Turn to Acts 22:16. This passage contains a command to the apostle Paul before Paul obeyed the plan of salvation. Before Paul obeyed the gospel plan of salvation, Paul’s sins were ugly and dirty.
(1) The verses ahead of verse sixteen teach us that Paul had become a believer in Jesus.
(2) Paul repented and resolved to turn from the ugly sin of persecuting and killing New Testament Christians.
(3) Paul verbally called Jesus, “Lord”. Thus, acknowledging that Jesus was the Son of God.
(4) Due to Paul’s belief, Paul’s repentance, Paul’s verbal confession that he believed that Jesus was the Son of God, Paul was a qualified subject to obey the command of baptism.
(5) Acts 22:16, contains the command to obey, “for ‘the when’ for the blood of Jesus to wash one’s ugly and dirty sins away”. The blood of Jesus washes the sins of a believing, repentant, confessing that one believes that Jesus is the Son of God person during the time that they are being immersed in the waters of baptism.
(6) Let’s read Acts 22:16, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
5. “The calling on the name of the Lord” is an expression describing what Paul did as he believed, repented, confessed and obeyed the command of baptism.
(1) “Calling on the name of the Lord” does not refer to a verbal or prayerful calling on the name of the Lord. It refers to an active calling on the name of Lord, by Paul completing his obedience to the plan of salvation.
(1) As Paul was in the waters of baptism the powerful cleansing blood of Jesus washed his sins away.
(2) In the mind and eyes of God, Paul became as clean and pure, as pure as white snow. God no longer saw any of that old ugly and dirty sin that had been on Paul’s soul.
6. The same cleansing can take place for you. Come forward and let us assist you in obeying what will remove all your ugly and dirty sin.
7. If you are a Christian and sin has come back into your life and there is public knowledge of that sin, you need to come forward and ask for the prayers of the church.
8. Take advantage of the opportunity to become as pure and clean as fresh snow!
8. Whatever your need, please come as we stand and sing.
