Running To Refuge

Points to make

You have to run from the avenger of blood like your life depends on it (Study about Jesus being the avenger of blood)

You have to run towards the refuge God provides

Describe the refuge found in Jesus

Hebrews 6:18 says that Christians “have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us” That word refuge is the same greek word used in the septuigant (Greek old testament) in passages referring to the cities of refuge

The one guilty of murder had to stay in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest. Our high Priest Jesus will never die! (Hebrews 7:23-25) We are offered refuge from the avenger FOREVER!!

Abner walked outside of hebron! then he was killed! Don’t ever walk outside of the Lords church!

in Hebrew the kinsman redeemer is the same as the avenger of Blood. Jesus came the 1st time as a kinsman redeemer and the next time He will come as the avenger of blood

The guilty that refused to run to refuge were executed by the avenger of blood! Likewise anyone that does not run to Jesus will face judgement on the final day

Jesus is better than the cities of Refuge

(NEW) Outline for sermon

The Symbolism Of The Story

The Symbolism Of The Cities

Running To Refuge

(Closing/Invitation, the story of abner outside the city of Hebron

I.The Symbolism Of The Cities

1. The Manslayer

This manslayer represents us as humans when we were in our sinful and guilty state

If you made a mistake, there was refuge in the cities just like there’s refuge in Jesus (Dont spend a lot of time on this)

It was just/fair for the avenger of blood to kill someone who had committed murder just like its just for us to face the penalty of sin

2. The Avenger of Blood

This is a representation of Jesus! someone appointed by God to take vengeance on those who defied God

2 Thessalonians 1:6–8 “since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Hebrews 10:30–31 “For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

3. The Cities

There were only 6 appointed cities of refuge by God! There was no safety in any other city! God has appointed one church! And we better be in that appointed “city of refuge” There is no salvation in anyone else but Jesus

The cities of refuge were easily accesible to anyone that needed them! They were centrally located on both sides of the jordan. Access roads were built to this city! (Deut 19:3) God has given us an access road to Jesus through His word and prayer!

II. The Names Of The Cities

Kadesh in Galilee

Shechem in the mountains of Ephraim

Hebron/Kirjath arba in the mountains of Judah

Then there were 3 more cities on the other side of the jordan

4. Bezer from the tribe of Rueben

5. Ramoth in Gilead from the tribe of Gad

6. Golan in Bashan from the tribe of Manasseh

1.Kadesh

Kadesh means “Holy Place”

2. Shechem

Shechem means “Shoulder”

3. Hebron

Hebron means “Association”

4. Bezer

Bezer means "gold ore" or "remote fortress"

5. Ramoth Gilead

Ramoth means “Heights”

6. Golan

Golan means "their captivity: their rejoicing"

III. Running To Refuge

The person that fled for refuge had to realize that he made a mistake and make the choice to run to refuge

You have to run like your life depends on it! The avenger of blood could catch you at anytime outside of the city

God Himself in His grace offered the cities of refuge and safety for people in need