Finding Refuge: Mercy, Justice, and Our Role
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor emphasizing the importance of being a safe place for others, drawing parallels to the Cities of Refuge established by God for the Israelites. The pastor encourages the congregation to extend the same mercy that God has shown to them, to others. The congregation is reminded of their role as a royal priesthood, representing God wherever they go, as described in 1 Peter 2. The pastor then emphasizes the importance of living a life that overflows with the grace of Jesus, reminding the congregation that they are called to live differently than the world, not conforming to its ways. The pastor also highlights God's faithfulness, using the example of how He fulfilled His promises to the Israelites.
The pastor then acknowledges the human inability to escape the consequences of sin, mistakes, guilt, or overwhelming situations in life. However, he emphasizes that there is hope and refuge in Jesus, who is described as a gracious and merciful God. The pastor introduces the passage from the Book of Joshua, specifically Joshua chapter 20, which talks about the appointment of Cities of Refuge. The pastor highlights the importance of these cities as a place of protection from the Avenger of blood.
The pastor then emphasizes the importance of reflecting on the state of our hearts and the ways in which we live. He reminds the congregation that each individual matters to God and is immensely valuable, emphasizing that no life should ever be mistreated or undervalued. The pastor also addresses recent tragic events, such as mass shootings, and calls for justice and prayer to combat violence and uphold the value of human life.
The pastor then discusses the consequences of bloodshed and the concept of justice and mercy in God's plan. He refers to Numbers 35, which explains that intentional or unintentional bloodshed pollutes the land and brings about exile in the City of Refuge. The pastor connects this concept to Jesus, who is seen as the greater high priest symbolically atoning for the sins of humanity. The sermon concludes by emphasizing that God is both just and merciful, even though these qualities may seem contradictory.
Finally, the pastor discusses the concept of finding refuge in Jesus. He begins by referencing the story of Rahab, a prostitute in the city of Jericho, who turned to God and was spared because of her faith. The pastor highlights the significance of Jesus coming from Rahab's lineage, emphasizing that Jesus is the ultimate refuge for all. The pastor then quotes Hebrews 7, emphasizing that Jesus fulfills this role as the perfect high priest. Jesus took on the full wrath of God and offered mercy to humanity. Through his sacrifice on the cross, Jesus satisfied God's justice and extended his mercy to all who come to him and confess their need for him.
Key Takeaways:
- God has established us as a royal priesthood, representing Him wherever we go. We are called to extend the same mercy that God has shown to us, to others. This is a significant part of our Christian walk and a reflection of God's love and mercy in our lives. ([12:45])
- God's faithfulness is a cornerstone of our faith. He fulfilled His promises to the Israelites, and He will fulfill His promises to us. We are encouraged to live in light of God's promises, believing that He will bring them to pass. ([22:33])
- The Cities of Refuge in the Old Testament serve as a powerful symbol of God's mercy and justice. They provided a place of protection for those who unintentionally caused harm, illustrating God's desire for justice and mercy in our lives. ([34:12])
- Jesus is our ultimate refuge. He took on the full wrath of God and offered mercy to humanity. Through his sacrifice on the cross, Jesus satisfied God's justice and extended his mercy to all who come to him and confess their need for him. ([45:23])
- We are called to reflect on the state of our hearts and the ways in which we live. Each individual matters to God and is immensely valuable. We are encouraged to uphold the value of human life and combat violence through justice and prayer. ([56:17])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
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1. Joshua 20:1-6: "Then the Lord said to Joshua: 'Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, so that anyone who kills a person accidentally and unintentionally may flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood. When they flee to one of these cities, they are to stand in the entrance of the city gate and state their case before the elders of that city. Then the elders are to admit the fugitive into their city and provide a place to live among them. If the avenger of blood comes in pursuit, the elders must not surrender the fugitive, because the fugitive killed their neighbor unintentionally and without malice aforethought. They are to stay in that city until they have stood trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest who is serving at that time. Then they may go back to their own home in the town from which they fled.'"
2. Numbers 35:20-21: "If anyone with malice aforethought shoves another or throws something at them intentionally so that they die or if out of enmity one person hits another with their fist so that the other dies, that person is to be put to death; that person is a murderer."
3. Hebrews 7:26-27: "Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself."
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Observation Questions:
1. What were the specific instructions given to the Israelites regarding the cities of refuge in Joshua 20:1-6?
2. How does Numbers 35:20-21 differentiate between intentional and unintentional harm?
3. What characteristics of the high priest are highlighted in Hebrews 7:26-27?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of cities of refuge reflect God's justice and mercy?
2. What does the distinction between intentional and unintentional harm in Numbers 35:20-21 reveal about God's view of justice?
3. How does the description of the high priest in Hebrews 7:26-27 relate to Jesus' role and sacrifice?
Application Questions:
1. How can you create a 'city of refuge' in your own life, providing a safe and merciful space for others?
2. Reflect on a time when you unintentionally caused harm. How did you seek forgiveness and how can you extend that same mercy to others?
3. In what ways can you emulate the characteristics of the high priest described in Hebrews 7:26-27 in your daily life?
4. How can you actively uphold the value of human life in your community, especially in light of recent tragic events?
5. How can you demonstrate your faith in Jesus as your ultimate refuge in a tangible way this week?
Devotional
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Day 1: Embodying God's Mercy and Love
As a royal priesthood, we are called to represent God in all aspects of our lives. This includes extending the same mercy and love that God has shown us to others. This is not just a part of our Christian walk, but a reflection of God's love and mercy in our lives. [12:45]
1 Peter 2:9 - "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
Reflection: Reflect on your interactions this week. Were there moments when you could have shown more mercy and love? How can you better embody God's mercy and love in your daily interactions?
Day 2: Trusting in God's Faithfulness
God's faithfulness is a cornerstone of our faith. He fulfilled His promises to the Israelites, and He will fulfill His promises to us. We are encouraged to live in light of God's promises, believing that He will bring them to pass. [22:33]
Joshua 21:45 - "Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled."
Reflection: What promises of God are you holding onto today? How can you actively trust in His faithfulness?
Day 3: Understanding God's Mercy and Justice
The Cities of Refuge in the Old Testament serve as a powerful symbol of God's mercy and justice. They provided a place of protection for those who unintentionally caused harm, illustrating God's desire for justice and mercy in our lives. [34:12]
Numbers 35:15 - "These six cities shall be a refuge, a place for the Israelites and for strangers and sojourners among them, that anyone who kills a person accidentally may flee there."
Reflection: How do you see God's mercy and justice at work in your life? How can you extend this mercy and justice to others?
Day 4: Finding Refuge in Jesus
Jesus is our ultimate refuge. He took on the full wrath of God and offered mercy to humanity. Through his sacrifice on the cross, Jesus satisfied God's justice and extended his mercy to all who come to him and confess their need for him. [45:23]
Hebrews 7:25 - "Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to find refuge in Jesus? How can you surrender these areas to Him?
Day 5: Valuing Every Life
Each individual matters to God and is immensely valuable. We are encouraged to uphold the value of human life and combat violence through justice and prayer. [56:17]
Genesis 1:27 - "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."
Reflection: How can you uphold the value of human life in your community? What specific actions can you take to combat violence and promote justice?
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Quotes
"God prizes human life above all creation... in every human being there is worth and value and purpose and meaning that no life should ever be taken mistreated overlooked undervalued." ([18:27])
"How do we live out as this royal priesthood? How do we continue to be places of refuge as God has been to us? See, we have to live in light of that promise. Are we living as if every promise that God has made to us will come to pass? Do we really believe that God's faithfulness calls for faithfulness in God's people?" [37:10]
"We who have fled for Refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the Hope set before us. We have this as sure and steadfast anchor of the Soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf and having become a high priest forever." ([27:02])
"If you haven't caught already, a City of Refuge is a place of protection for people who unintentionally committed manslaughter. When a person accidentally killed someone, the killer could flee to a City of Refuge." #!!11:43!!#
"God brings chaos to order...God brings Justice he brings Mercy into the picture...he's creating a culture where life would be valued and violence would not continue to happen." #!!15:23!!#
"The beauty of this is that the high priest symbolically atones for the sin of the manslayer and points to the greater high priest that we have in Jesus." #!!23:21!!#
"You know what's even more mind-blowing is that from her line that she would come, that Jesus would come, that the greater high priest, the perfect lamb, the Son of God would come to make atonement for sin came from the line of Rahab, the one that we could find true refuge in." #!!23:58!!#
"In Jesus, the full wrath of God was satisfied. Jesus takes our place where we deserve punishment, he offers us Mercy, it's fully available to us at the cross. You see, God shows Mercy through his Justice, he doesn't set Justice aside to make room for Mercy, but Christ took our sin and punishment and substitution for us and satisfied the full wrath of God." #!!25:45!!#
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