R sbc
October 22, 2006
Series: Christ is The Sum & Substance of The Bible”
Sermon # 98
Subject: “Christ Is Our Refuge”
Text: Heb 6:18-20
Intro: Are you looking for a place of safety this morning? Are you out in sin and away from the LORD, are you yet without forgiveness? Are you still in the Gaul of bitterness an din the bond of iniquity? Let me tell you a story.
In the bible there is a story in the old testament about some cities that were called , cities of refuge. Nu 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. This was the only safe place these people could get away from their persuers. The idea behind these cities was security and shelter.
I.. “ THIS IS A SAFE PLACE BASED UPON THE IMMUTABILITY OF THE LORD” ..VS 13-18
It is clear in the text that God made a promise that almost seemed absolute, and it was. God sware by himself. This is the illustration that he used to encourage those whom he was writing to.
Then he confirms that Abraham believed what the LORD told him and patiently endured and received it in his life. This is what we must lay hold of this morning. That our refuge is greater than any sin, greater than any failure, greater than any emotion.
It is clear, the LORD CANNOT, will not, did not and never will, lie. He has no nature to lie so bank on what he says this morning.
II.. “ CHRIST IS THAT REFUGE THE TEXT SPEAKS OF”..VS 18-20
(1.) You must flee to that refuge: “ fled” we all know that it means to run to, to take flight toward that refuge.
The fleer to the city of refuge: Nu 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.
The woman in Revelation flees to the wilderness: Re 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
If you refuse to flee to Christ then you will be overtaken by your persuers, which is sin, the world, the flesh and the Devil.
(2.) Those who flee to Christ are doing so based upon a hope: vs 18
Col 1-5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
II... “ WHAT NEED HAVE WE OF A REFUGE EVER DAY OF OUR LIFE?”
This refuge cannot just be for when we are saved, The fleer to the cities of refuge, remained there till he or she died. Outside the city they became subject to death by the pursuers. We need our refuge Christ for the following reasons:
(1.) We need Christ as our refuge from temptations every day:
Not that we can yield to our temptation, but so that we cannot and will not yield to our temptations. In the book of James we read:
Jas 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: Jas 1-14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Jas 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
(2.) Because of the perplexities of life:
Ec 3:19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.
Lurking around every corner, every house, every school, every pleasurable place in this world is trouble, death sickness, etc. If you have Christ you will not be exempt from them but you will have someone greater than you to flee to.
Psa 62-7 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.
III... “ THE KIND OF REFUGE WE HAVE IN CHRIST”
I assure you this morning that he is the greatest of refuge, he is far above all principalities and all that is. Christ is it.
(1.) That our Lord was an appointed refuge:
I can think of two right off that says specifically he was appointed: Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Heb 3:2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
(2.) That he is an capable refuge which makes him sufficient to be a refuge:
Ps 89:19 Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people. Look back at Chapter 2:17-18
In chapter 8 of Hebrews verse 25 “ Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
In this refuge Christ, he has plenty of redemption, forgiveness and mercy and protection and help. Come to him.
(3.) That he is a refuge that is present.
Ps 46:1 <<To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.>> God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
David said: Psa 121-1 ¶ <<A Song of degrees.>> I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. 3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. 4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
Christ will be there, no matter what comes, no matter what you have done, no matter if you fall he will not, he cannot change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Heb 7:24 “But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
(4.) He is a wide open refuge:
Zech 13-1 ¶ In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.
Philip Henry said: “His eye is always open to see and behold us; his ear, to hear our prayers, his arms, to receive and embrace us; his hand to give, to supply us, his doors to bid us welcome”.
(5.) He is the final and only refuge from the Father for us:
a. there is none for salvation Acts 4-12
b. there is none for justification: Rom 5-1
c. there is none for sanctification: I Cor 1:30
d. there is none for life: John 1
e. There is none for righteousness: Php 3-9
Let me make application:
(1.) Why are so many not coming to him, if he is such a great refuge?
They do not know him, Jesus said to the woman at the well: Joh 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
(2.) So many are deluded with all the false gospels of the world:
Isa 28-15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
(3.) God has sent them strong delusions:
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: It is easier to believe a lie than to lay hold of Christ, to flee to him. The Devil has blinded you, the heart has deceived you, your nature has disabled you... there is hope only in Christ.