1. Jesus our Refuge

2. Joshua 20 v 1 - 3 1 Then the LORD said to Joshua: 2 "Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, 3 so that anyone who kills a person accidentally and unintentionally may flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood. 1 Then the LORD said to Joshua: 2 "Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, 3 so that anyone who kills a person accidentally and unintentionally may flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood.

3. Joshua 20 v 4 4 "When he flees to one of these cities, he is to stand in the entrance of the city gate and state his case before the elders of that city. Then they are to admit him into their city and give him a place to live with them. 4 "When he flees to one of these cities, he is to stand in the entrance of the city gate and state his case before the elders of that city. Then they are to admit him into their city and give him a place to live with them.

4. Joshua 20 v 5 5 If the avenger of blood pursues him, they must not surrender the one accused, because he killed his neighbour unintentionally and without malice aforethought. 5 If the avenger of blood pursues him, they must not surrender the one accused, because he killed his neighbour unintentionally and without malice aforethought.

5. Joshua 20 v 6 6 He is to stay in that city until he has stood trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest who is serving at that time. Then he may go back to his own home in the town from which he fled." 6 He is to stay in that city until he has stood trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest who is serving at that time. Then he may go back to his own home in the town from which he fled."

6. Joshua 20 v 7 7 So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah. 7 So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah.

7. Joshua 20 v 8 8 On the east side of the Jordan of Jericho they designated Bezer in the desert on the plateau in the tribe of Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead in the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan in the tribe of Manasseh. 8 On the east side of the Jordan of Jericho they designated Bezer in the desert on the plateau in the tribe of Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead in the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan in the tribe of Manasseh.

8. Joshua 20 v 9 9 Any of the Israelites or any alien living among them who killed someone accidentally could flee to these designated cities and not be killed by the avenger of blood prior to standing trial before the assembly 9 Any of the Israelites or any alien living among them who killed someone accidentally could flee to these designated cities and not be killed by the avenger of blood prior to standing trial before the assembly

9. (1) Jesus is our Refuge for averting wrath “for whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it” James 2 v 10 “for whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it” James 2 v 10 “God Himself is Judge” Psalms 50 v 6 “God Himself is Judge” Psalms 50 v 6

10. (1) Jesus is our Refuge for averting wrath “we were by nature objects of wrath” Ephesians 2 v 3 “we were by nature objects of wrath” Ephesians 2 v 3 “flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood” (v3) “flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood” (v3)

11. (2) Jesus is our Refuge for a clean conscience “How much more then will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God” Hebrews 9 v 14 “How much more then will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God” Hebrews 9 v 14

12. (2) Jesus is our Refuge for a clean conscience Satan.... “accuses day and night” Revelation 12 v 9 Satan.... “accuses day and night” Revelation 12 v 9

13. (3) Jesus is our Refuge to take away the fear of death “avenger of blood” (v3) “avenger of blood” (v3) “so that by his death he (Jesus) might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is the devil – and FREE those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” Hebrews 2 v14-15 “so that by his death he (Jesus) might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is the devil – and FREE those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” Hebrews 2 v14-15

14. (4) Jesus is our Refuge for sins committed against us “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and PURIFY us from ALL unrighteousness” 1 John 1 v 9 “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and PURIFY us from ALL unrighteousness” 1 John 1 v 9

15. (5) Jesus is our Refuge Discipleship “he is to STAY in that City” (v6) “he is to STAY in that City” (v6) “then they are to admit him into their city and give him a place to live with them” (v4b) “then they are to admit him into their city and give him a place to live with them” (v4b)

16. (6) Jesus is our Refuge for evangelism Cities to be accessible Cities to be accessible X6 of them X6 of them X3 either side of Jordan X3 either side of Jordan Roads Roads Bridges Bridges Signs Signs

17. (6) Jesus is our Refuge for evangelism Invite Invite Socials Socials EVERY Sunday morning is a guest service. EVERY Sunday morning is a guest service. Aim to get to know people !!! Aim to get to know people !!!