Failing The Grace of God

Temple Baptist Church - 8-5-2020

Hebrews 12:14-15

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Verse 15 is an interesting verse when it is interpreted within its context.

 

1.  Verses 1-3 – Our Witnesses, those who have maintained their Christian character in adverse circumstances; Our Race, particular to each individual; Our example, the Lord Jesus Christ’s suffering.

 

2.  Verses 4-14 – Our Chastening when we fail; Our Restoration when we repent; Our Shame when we become castaway.

 

3.  Our context is about Faith and Following!  Hebrews, chapter 11, is about Faith while chapter 12 is about Following that same Faith.

 

B.  Verse 15 looks at our Potential Failure and gives an Old Testament example: Esau.

 

C.  I want to look at the phrase “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God.”

 

D.  First, I want to look at this phrase in the reverse, then we will look at it the way that it is written. 

 

“God of grace … fail man” 

 

1.  Can the God of grace fail man?  The biblical answer is “no.”  Did God fail Esau?  No, God did not fail Esau, Esau failed God!

 

a.  He has never failed an individual.  Deuteronomy 31:6  Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

 

b.  He has never lost a battle.  Psalms 24:8  Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

 

c.  He has never forsaken His own.  Hebrews 13:5-6  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  (6)  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

 

2.  Can the grace of God fail man?  Again, the biblical answer is “no.”  Did the grace of God fail Esau?  No!  Esau failed the grace of God.

 

a.  God’s grace is always available.  1 Corinthians 10:12-13  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.  (13)  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

 

b.  God’s grace is always sufficient.  2 Corinthians 12:7-10  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.  (8)  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  (9)  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  (10)  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

 

c.  God’s grace is always abounding.  Romans 5:20  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

 

d.  God’s grace is always manifold.  1 Peter 4:10  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

 

“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God.”

 

1.  Can man fail of the grace of God?  The biblical answer is “yes.”  Thus, Esau!  I do not want to deal with Esau tonight, but he is the “sterling” example used by God. 

 

a.  Men can fail of the grace of God through Discouragement. 

 

Numbers 21:4  And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.  (Doubting what God can do.)

 

b.  Men can fail of the grace of God through Deception.

 

Deuteronomy 11:16  Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;  (Deceived about who God is.)

 

c.  Men can fail of the grace of God through Doubt.

 

Hebrews 3:17-19  But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?  (18)  And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?  (19)  So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.  (Doubting what God promised.)

 

d.  Men can fail of the grace of God through Disobedience.

 

1 Samuel 12:15  But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers.  (Disobedient to what God said.  Men are so quick to blame God for their personal failures and quit.)

 

Now, how not to fail of the grace of God.

 

1.  Be Watchful – “Looking diligently”  Keep a spiritual temperature check on self.

 

2.  Be Careful – “lest any man fail”  Yes, it could happen to you or me.

 

3.  Be Content – “the grace of God”  God’s grace is available and sufficient  for every trial.

Faultless - Part 2

Temple Baptist Church - 8-10-2016

Jude 24-25

Introduction

A.  Last week, we looked at this verse in the light of the context which is earnestly contending for the faith once delivered.  We do not want to be “falling” or moving from our biblical position and we want to remain “faultless” in these last days by continuing to win souls, support missions, and steadfastly walk in the “old paths” that were paid for with such a high price.

B.  By application, there are 2 kinds of righteousness that I want to mention:

1.  The Righteousness of the Law.  The self-righteousness of fallen man in his sinful state which is moral goodness or kindness. 

Isaiah 64:6  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Galatians 3:10-13  For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.  (11)  But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.  (12)  And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.  (13)  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

2.  The righteousness of God which is the absolutely impeccable, immutable holiness of God which must be imputed to man for salvation as man has never and will never be able to be sinless or good enough to be saved!. 

Romans 1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Romans 3:21-23  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;  (22)  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:  (23)  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

James 2:23  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

C.  One of the most misunderstood of all doctrines is the doctrine of Eternal Life and that life is found only IN Christ! 

1 John 5:11-13  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  (12)  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.  (13)  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Titus 3:4-7  But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,  (5)  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;  (6)  Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;  (7)  That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.

D.  The mistake is not knowing the difference between relationship and fellowship.  The Bible makes a plain distinction between the believer's position in Christ and his practice for Christ.

1.  The believer’s Position is in Christ.  It is instantaneous, secure, and—therefore—eternal. 

2.  The believer’s Fellowship is found in Practice.  It depends upon our moment by moment walk with Christ.  Can the believer sin?  Yes!  Can the believer then be lost?  No!  Salvation is a finished work and depends upon what Christ did and not what the believer does.

E.  Let me give you a few things that the Bible says about who and what we that are saved are.

1.  We have been purchased by Christ, bought by Christ, sanctified by Christ, cleansed by Christ, received by Christ, perfected in Christ, secured by Christ, and will be one day presented to Christ by Christ.

2.  He took our sins, in Him is no sin, we are in His body in which is no sin, in His righteousness, and in His faith.

3.  We have everlasting life, eternal life, full assurance, strong consolation, and hope.  We have been forgiven, justified, sanctified, reconciled, risen with Christ.

4.  We are accepted in the beloved, saved from the penalty of sin, citizens of heaven, children of light, elect, peculiar, and born again.

5.  We have passed from death unto life, shall never perish, never die, have peace with God, saved from the wrath to come, cannot be separated from the love of Christ, are children of God by faith, confirmed until the end, a new creature, and sealed by the Holy Ghost until the day of redemption.

6.  We are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, made fit for heaven, complete in Him, and perfected forever.   We are a part of the family of God, in the body of Christ, filled with all spiritual blessings, and shall be translated into the kingdom of His Dear Son.

7.  We have access to God, eternal redemption, eternal glory, everlasting consolation, a Propitiation, an Advocate with the Father, an Intercessor, a High Priest, and a returning Lord. 

             

8.  Our sin is past, God’s wrath is gone, we have been made free, and there is now no condemnation.  We are predestinated to be conformed to the image of God, are joint heirs with Christ, and have an everlasting reward.   We have an incorruptible inheritance and a glorious liberty in Christ Jesus.

                       

9.  You see, we are and will be presented faultless before the throne of His presence with exceeding joy!  Not because of anything that we have done but because of a finished work on Calvary.  He is our Sacrifice, our Saviour, our Salvation, our Lord of lords and King of kings.  His our God!

                       

10.  What a blessing to be saved and know it!

Faultless

Temple Baptist Church - 8-3-2016

Jude 24-25

Introduction:

A.  Last week we saw that it is God who gives us the power to contend for the faith once delivered.  In this two verse Doxology, it is God who gets all of the praise and glory, not those who stand.

Romans 11:36  For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

B.  Tonight, I want to look at the phrase: “and to present you faultless.”  The preceding phrase “now unto him that is able” goes with both “keep you from falling” and “to present you faultless.”  It is God alone who gives the desire and power to stand firm to the child of God.  It is also God who is able to present us faultless before the throne of His glory.

C.  I fully understand our faultless standing positionally.

1.  Our position in Christ is faultless because of the precious blood of Christ that paid our sin debt in full  I can never stop saying, “Thank God for Calvary!” 

2.  It was there that my sin was taken away for all of eternity!  It was there that I was made free! 

Psalms 103:12  As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Isaiah 38:17  Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered itfrom the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.

Micah 7:19  He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

D.  But, I believe that these verses must be interpreted within its context of contending or not contending for the faith once delivered.  Faultless, when interpreted within its context means that one has done all that they can in the area of contending for the faith.

1.  We must remain Faultless in our standing for the Word of God: the King James Bible!  We must continue to contend for the Word of Truth.  The Word of Truth cannot be a mixture of truth and error as that would make in only the partial Word of Truth.  We will continue to unapologetically stand for the King James Bible and none other.  Things that are different are not the same as God only wrote one Bible!  His inspiration was singular in action and continuing in nature.

Psalms 68:11  The Lord gave the word (the faith once delivered): great was the company of those that published it (those who have kept or contended for it).

Acts 20:27  For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

2 Corinthians 4:1-2  Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;  (2)  But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.  (To preach or to teach contrary to its principles or doctrines.  The greatest of all Bible doctrines is that of infallibility and inerrancy!  No place in the Bible does it ever refer to itself as fallible or erroneous!)

2.  We must remain faultless in our Christian Walk before both the saved and the unsaved!  “A life lived is worth a thousand sermons preached!”  “Your talk talks and your walk talks but your walk talks louder than your talk talks!”Psalms 40:1-3  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.  (2)  He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.  (3)  And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

a.  Faultless in our walk before God.  1 John 2:4-6  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  (5)  But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.  (6)  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

b.  Faultless in our walk before the unsaved.  2 Corinthians 3:2  Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:

c.  Faultless before the Brethren.  1 Thessalonians 2:10  Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

3.  We must remain faultless in our Witness to a lost world!  If we are to preach the gospel to every creature; if we are to go into all of the world; then we must be soul conscious and missions hearted!  We witness where we go and send witnesses to where we cannot go.

Matthew 28:18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  (Power available.  The power to Go and the power to Give!)

Acts 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Power received.)

Romans 1:14-16  I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.  (15)  So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.  (16)  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  (Power to reach.  Every creature!)

Romans 10:13-15  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  (14)  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?  (15)  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

4.  We must remain faultless in our Worship!  Too many churches in our day have substituted flesh for spirit because many have failed to identify them biblically.  The spirit of our worship must be found along with the truth of our worship.

John 4:23-24  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.  (24)  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.  (Spirit without truth will cause you to blow up; truth without spirit will cause you to dry up; a right mixture of spirit and truth will cause you to grow up!)

1 Chronicles 16:29  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.  (Holiness, not worldliness, is a requirement for true worship.)

Psalms 96:9  O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. (Worship is reverence coupled with fear!  I fear that many have lost both!  Worldliness and emotion do not go hand-in-hand with spirit and truth!)

Conclusion:  As God is able to keep us from falling, He is also able to present us faultless.  We, through the Spirit of God, the Word of God, and the power of God, will have done what we could.

The Cities Of Refuge

Temple Baptist Church - 5-22-2011

Numbers 35:9-28

Introduction:

A. One of the most interesting studies in the Bible is that of the Cities of Refuge. Before Israel entered into Canaan, a type of victorious living in Christ, God told Moses to appoint six cites of refuge for the manslayer. When an Israelite killed another person—with the exception of pre-meditated—God gave to the individual a place of refuge. (vs. 11)

B. This refuge was safety from the avenger of blood. That appointment of this avenger rested on the principle of Genesis 9:6, which reads, “whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed.” The unwritten code of the East conceded to the nearest kinsman of a murdered man the right of avenging the blood that had been shed. (vs. 12)

C. There was no such refuge for the pre-meditated murderer. When the guilty came into the city of refuge, it was only a temporary refuge u until the case could be fairly examined by the magistrates in the presence of the people, or the elders their representatives; and this was done in the city or place where he had done the murder (Joshua 20:4-6). If he was found worthy of death, they delivered him to the avenger that he might be slain (Deuteronomy 19:12); if not, they sent him back to the city of refuge, where he remained till the death of the high priest (Numbers 35:25).

D. These 6 cities are a beautiful type of grace.

1. There Was Grace In Their Position – vs. 13-14

a) Three on the West Bank –Grace in the place of God’s will: Canaan.

b) Three on the East Bank – Grace in the place of man’s compromise: Ruben, Gad, half tribe of Manasseh.

2. There Was Grace In Their Purpose – vs. 15-23

a) A Place For The Manslayer of the Children of Israel – Grace for the Jew.

b) A Place For The Manslayer of the Stranger and Sojourner – Grace for the Gentile.

3. There Was Grace In Their Provision – vs. 24-25

a) A Place of Protection From The Avenger of Blood

b) A Place of Provision Until The Death of The High Priest

E. As the Cities of Refuge were a type of Christ and His protection, we have the very person of Jesus Christ as our Refuge.

Psalms 9:9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

Psalms 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Psalms 32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

Psalms 27:5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

Psalms 62:7-8 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. (8) Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Psalms 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Psalms 142:4-5 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. (5) I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Isaiah 4:6 And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.

Hebrews 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

F. Let me give to both you and I a good verse this morning as we look at these cities for a few minutes:

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

G. The Cities Of Refuge are both a type of Christ and a contrast to Christ! There are 7 vivid similarities as well as 7 vivid contrasts, which we will look at.

7 CONTRASTS BETWEEN THE CITIES OF REFUGE AND CHRIST

1. The Manslayer In The City of Refuge Was Not Exempt From Judgment

Joshua 20:6 And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled.

The Saint In Christ Is Exempt From Judgment

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

2. The Manslayer In The City of Refuge Could Still Perish

Numbers 35:26-27 But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled; And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood:

The Saint In Christ Will Never Perish

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

3. The Manslayer In The City of Refuge Had Temporal Safety

Numbers 35:28 Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession.

The Saint In Christ Has Eternal Safety

1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

4. The Manslayer Could Possible Survive Outside of The City of Refuge

Numbers 35:26-27 But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled; And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood:

The Sinner Can Not Possible Survive Outside of Christ

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

5. Once Inside The City, The Manslayer Was Absent From His Home And Longed To Go Back

Numbers 35:28 Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession.

Once Inside Christ, The Saint Is At Home And Never Longs To Go Back

Hebrews 13:14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

6. The City of Refuge Was For The Manslayer, Not The Murderer

Numbers 35:19-21 The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him. (20) But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die; (21) Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.

Jesus Christ Welcomes The Murderer!

Acts 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

7. You Could Be Taken Out Of The City Of Refuge By Man

Numbers 35:24 Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments:

No Man Can Take You Out Of Christ’s Hand

John 10:28-29 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

7 SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE CITIES OF REFUGE AND CHRIST

1. The Cities Of Refuge Were Appointed Cities

Numbers 35:11-12 Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares. (12) And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment. (None other would do)

Christ Is The Appointed Refuge Of Salvation

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (None other will do)

2. The Cities Of Refuge Were Strategically Placed For Easy Access

Numbers 35:14 Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge.

Christ Is Easily Accessible For The Sinner

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

3. The Cities Of Refuge Were There For All

Numbers 35:15 These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.

Christ Is A Refuge For All Who Will Come To Him

Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

4. There Is Imminent Danger To Both The Manslayer And The Sinner

To The Manslayer – Physical Death

Numbers 35:12 And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment.

To The Lost Sinner – Eternal Death

Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

5. There Is Immediate Need Of Fleeing For Refuge To Both The Manslayer And The Sinner

To The Manslayer – no promise of escape otherwise

Numbers 35:11 Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares.

To The Lost Sinner – no promise of tomorrow

James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

6. There Is Immense Folly In Hesitation To Both The Manslayer And The Sinner

To The Manslayer – Death

Numbers 35:12 And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment.

To The Lost Sinner – Hell

2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

7. There Is Safety To Both The Manslayer And The Sinner

To The Manslayer – Safety From The Avenger Of Death

Numbers 35:25 And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.

To the Sinner – Safety From Satan And Hell

Colossians 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.