The Cities of Refuge: Hebron Joshua 20:1-9
The Cities of Refuge show us some of the things that we have in Christ. I fear that we often take these things for granted. We come to Christ by faith, are gloriously saved, and then basically “forget about it.” We know that we are going to heaven one day but trudge our way through this life thinking that we have to make it on our own.
In Kedesh we find His holiness: 1) Positional 2) Perfect 3) Permanent!
In Shechem we find His care for us: 1) He Cares for The Wandering Saint 2) He Cares for The Helpless Saint 3) He Cares for The Old Saint 4) He Cares for The Weary Saint 5) He Cares for The Burdened Saint 6) He Cares for The Dying Saint
Look at the third of the Cities of Refuge: Hebron. The word “Hebron” means fellowship. I find that amazing! A holy God wants to have fellowship with you and me. It is hard to believe that He would even recognize me, much less want to spend quality time with me. The Lord desires you!
God initiated fellowship with sinful man in eternity past as He pre-determined our Lord Jesus Christ to die for our sins that we might spend a glorious eternity with Him.
- Fellowship Initiated By God – Genesis 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. (Fellowship was initiated by God in eternity past through Christ Jesus.)
a. He Bought Us Before We Knew Him Or Even Knew About Him
Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
b. He Sought Us Before We Sought Him
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. - Fellowship Was Broken By Sin And Restored By God
a. Fellowship Was Broken By Sin In The Garden – Genesis 3:9-10 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? (10) And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
b. Fellowship Was Restored By God through Sacrifice – Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
c. Fellowship Was Eternally Broken By Cain Through Disobedience – Genesis 4:16 And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
d. Fellowship Was Eternally Established By God At Calvary – Colossians 1:20-22 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in you mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
INWARD RESULTS
- Blessed Assurance
Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
1 Thessalonians 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
- Answered Prayer
1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: - Peace of Mind and Heart
Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, - Confidence and Trust in the Lord
Ephesians 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
1 John 3:21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: - Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory
1 Peter 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
1 Thessalonians 1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
OUTWARD RESULTS
- Fellowship With The Lord Brings About Separation From The World
1 Corinthians 10:20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? - Fellowship With The Lord Brings About Love With The Saints
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. - Fellowship With The Lord Brings About Soul Winning
Philippians 1:5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
2 Corinthians 8:4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. - Fellowship With The Lord Brings About Suffering
Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Through Creation, He Shows Us His Glory – Creation For Our Seeing
Through Calvary, He Shows Us His Grace – Calvary For Our Salvation
Victory Baptist Church 17 August 2022 victorypalmetto.com