• A person could be guilty of unintentional manslaughter.

• The nearest kin was permitted to avenge the blood of the deceased.

• Six cities were appointed for the unintentional manslayer to seek refuge.

Numbers 35:11-34

• A person could be guilty of unintentional manslaughter.

• The nearest kin was permitted to avenge the blood of the deceased.

• Six cities were appointed for the unintentional manslayer to seek refuge.

Numbers 35:11-34

• Roads for fast travel• Clear of rubble and holes

• Signs pointing the way to refuge

• Levitical cities that were hospitable to all

• City elders would investigate each case.

• Only the innocent were granted entrance.

• The person remained safe inside.

• The person was subject to death if they left the city before the high priest died.

• Levitical cities that were hospitable to all

• City elders would investigate each case.

• Only the innocent were granted entrance.

• The person remained safe inside.

• The person was subject to death if they left the city before the high priest died.

• The guilt?—responsible for taking life• The embarrassment?—leaving home.• BUT—there would be a new livelihood.

Can You Imagine?

• BUT—there would be new neighbors.• BUT—there would be peace and security.• NO ONE THERE WOULD STAND ALONE

• The guilt?—responsible for taking life• The embarrassment?—leaving home.• BUT—there would be a new livelihood.

Can You Imagine?

• BUT—there would be new neighbors.• BUT—there would be peace and security.• NO ONE THERE WOULD STAND ALONE

“…we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.”

ESV

Hebrews 6:18

“…we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.”

ESV

Hebrews 6:18

The church for which our Savior purchased with His blood (Acts 20:28) is a City of Spiritual Refuge. It is a sanctuary for all who flee from the guilt of sin.

Hebrews 6:18

The church for which our Savior purchased with His blood (Acts 20:28) is a City of Spiritual Refuge. It is a sanctuary for all who flee from the guilt of sin.

Hebrews 6:18

We arethe “Son of Man”-Slayers

• Who killed Jesus?

• The Jews, Gentiles, Herod, or Pilate?

• It was the Plan of God! (Acts 4:27,28).

• He bore our sins! (1 Cor. 15:3; 1 Pt. 2:24).

WE KILLED JESUS!His blood should be on our hands

We arethe “Son of Man”-Slayers

• Who killed Jesus?

WE KILLED JESUS!His blood should be on our hands

TheWrath of God is Upon Us

• Vengeance belongs to God (Dt. 32:35; Jn. 3:36).

• God would not be righteous if He had no wrath (Rom. 3:5).

• Jesus gave pardon and satisfied God’s wrath against murder (Lk. 23:34; 1 Jn. 2:2).

But through our sins we are still

MANSLAYERS!

TheWrath of God is Upon Us

• Vengeance belongs to God (Dt. 32:35; Jn. 3:36).

But through our sins we are still

MANSLAYERS!

TheRoad to Refuge is Paved

• The road to refuge is simple (Mt. 7:13,14; Is. 35:8).

• God desires that everyone would have refuge (1 Thess. 5:9; Tit. 2:11; 2 Pt. 3:9).

• The impenitent, however, store up wrath by not traveling the road (Rom. 2:5).

Salvation is available now!

FLEE FOR REFUGE!

TheRoad to Refuge is Paved

• The road to refuge is simple (Mt. 7:13,14; Is. 35:8).

Salvation is available now!

FLEE FOR REFUGE!

TheGate to Refuge is Open

• Jesus said He would give refuge (Jn. 6:37; 10:9).

• We have access by faith through Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:2; Col. 3:3).

• By being immersed into Christ we enter Jesus’ refuge (Jn. 3:5; Acts 2:38-47; 1 Cor. 12:13; 6:9-11).

Cross the threshold of Christ by

IMMERSION!

TheGate to Refuge is Open

• Jesus said He would give refuge (Jn. 6:37; 10:9).

Cross the threshold of Christ by

IMMERSION!

The Placeof Refuge is a Sanctuary

• There are blessings and benefits in refuge:

• No one is in danger (Rom. 5:9; Rom. 8:1; Heb. 7:25).

• No one is a stranger (Eph. 2:19; 2 Pt. 2:9).

It is a city of fellowship where refugees

COEXIST IN PEACE!• No one is a foreigner (Heb. 12:22,23; Phil. 3:20).

• No one stands alone (1 Jn. 1:7).

The Placeof Refuge is a Sanctuary

• There are blessings and benefits in refuge.

It is a city of fellowship where refugees

COEXIST IN PEACE!

The Safetyof Refuge is Conditional

• In the city there is encouragement to hold fast to hope (Heb. 6:18; 3:12-14).

• Withdrawing from the city makes one vulnerable to wrath (Heb. 6:6; 10:26-31).

• Having refuge does not stop the wrath of God anymore than a house stops the rain (2 Pt. 2:20,21).

The righteousness of Christ demands

REMAIN IN REFUGE!

The Safetyof Refuge is Conditional

• In the city there is encouragement to hold fast to hope (Heb. 6:18; 3:12-14).

The righteousness of Christ demands

REMAIN IN REFUGE!