Snow- An Object Lesson

Introduction:

What are some of the qualities and characteristics of snow?

1. Snow is beautiful (Grace).

Each tiny snow flake is uniquely beautiful. I am made to think of the manifold grace of God and His enumerable blessings- they are never the same; each one is uniquely beautiful.

2. Snow acts as a covering (Redemption).

3. Snow is refreshing (The working of Spirit of God).

4. Snow is clean and pure (Holiness).

5. Snow is white (Righteousness).

6. Snow is bright (Glory).

7. Snow is cold and contrary to human comfort (Chastisement and Judgment).

So then, we can see how God's own person is in many ways symbolized by the snow.

What are some of the lessons taught by snow?

1. Snow is a providential work of God.

Have you considered that the Lord sends the snow? He sends snow to accomplish His purposes in the natural world.

God sends the snow as a providential means to control human affairs. One example is in the time of war. Job 38: 22-23

Job 38:22 Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,

23 Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?

Snow is sent forth by God in the natural realm to water the earth; so also He sends forth His Word in the earth to accomplish His Spiritual purpose. Is. 55:9-11

Is 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh 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 goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

2. Snow is used to describe the effects of sin.

Snow is used to describe the appearance of leprosy, which is a type of sin and the effects of sin upon the sinner.

-2 Kings 5:27 (Gahazi); Taking gifts for the Lord's work.

-Miriam (Numbers 12:1-14). Usurping the leadership and authority of Moses.

3. Snow is used to depict the failure of human works to make one spiritually clean. Job: 9:30-31.

Job 9:30 If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;

31 Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.

4. Snow is compared to spiritually cleansing in salvation and perpetual cleansing by the Lord. Is. 1:16-18; Ps. 51:7.

Is. 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Psalm 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

5. Snow is a type of the glory of Jesus Christ. Mk. 9:1-3; Rev. 1:14.

Mark 9:2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.

3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

Revelation 1:14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

One day we shall be like Him- our bodies fashioned like unto His glorious body! Think about that!

Conclusion:

In Pro. 25:13 the refreshing snow is likened to a faithful servant.

Proverbs 25:13 ¶ As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

Are you a faithful servant of the Lord? Then are you a refreshing person to those in the world and to those in the Lord's church.

In Pro. 26:1 snow out of season is compared with honor given to a fool.

Proverbs 26:1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

How many fools are honored in our world?

-God will not give His honor to a fool- this we can be sure of.

Who is a fool? One who says in his heart there is no God!

-One who says "there is no God for me!"

-One who says "I don't need Jesus; I don't want Jesus as my Savior?"

-One who says "…another day I will be saved; another day I will serve the Lord- I have better barns to build- I have other goals to accomplish with my life.

In Luke 12:20 Jesus said to the rich entrepreneur who had more things to tend to than his own soul:

"But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ today; as today is the day of salvation.

(Sermon preached by Pastor Burke at the Faith Baptist Church of Lawtey, Florida)