Sermon Notes: July 5, 2015

Joshua 20:1-6
The Refuge of God

Pastor Chris Castaldo
New Covenant Church
Naperville, IL

We all ask: what does God want from us?

Different people have different answers.  What about the Christian God?

(Skipped to chap. 20 because ... something about John Stott)

1) How can we be faithful to this text and 2) How can we bring this to our congregation?

15-19 are worthy of our attention (just not this summer from the pulpit)

(Explanation of the custom of the time)

Numbers 35: God differentiates between intents.
Not just saving lives, there is a definite God-ward view in this rule, stand the lands when there is an unlawful shedding of blood.  We reflect God and so our actions reflect attributes of God, so our actions have double meaning.  Do we feel this as a church?  Sanctity of live has MANY implications!  If e are all in the image of God, Joe can we belittle our demean any of them, nor allow it to happen to others. (list including: Utilitarianism is also a problem.)

"Such behavior grieves the heart of God."

Doctrinal positions are not people!

Address others as image-bearers even if you don't, maybe even especially when you don't agree with them.

Verse: self declaration is key.  Manslayer stays in the city until the high priest dies, even if you're innocent of murder.  Why that long?  The high priest represents the whole nation, his death pays the ransom for the manslayer.

Romans 3:23 all of us are guilty, either intentional or not.  We are vulnerable to divine wrath, God's punishment.  Where can we go?  Where is there protection?  Jesus died to pay the penalty,  reconciles us to God.  Once an individual steps into that place, you step into a union with Christ that cannot be broken.  "Neither height nor depth nor...can separate us from the love of God"

Cities of Refuge are spread for access, each are within a day's journey.  Not just Jews but also sojourners and strangers.  Which is why The Church reaches out to as many as possible.  How to reach out?  More help, more assistance when people need it, in as many ways as possible.

(He shared with his neighbor)