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2. The Cities of Refuge Click here to add text Reference January 11th, 2013 Article “The Cities of Refuge” by Clem Thurman Gospel Minutes by the Ephesus Church of Christ in Athens, AL Click here to add text. Click here to add text. Click here to add text. Click here to add text. Click here to add text. Click here to add text. • Church of Christ at Medina • June 16th, 2013

3. Kedesh: “separate, set apart” • Location / Events • Located in the land of Naphtali, NW of the Sea of Galilee • At Kedesh, Deborah and Barak assembled 10,000 men to fight Sisera(Judges 4:1-10) • Foreshadowing the Church • The church is the called out, or separate people of God. • We are called out to be separate from the world. • 1 Corinthians 1:2 • Acts 2:47 • 2 Corinthians 6:17 • Colossians 1:13 • 1 Peter 2:9-10 • The Cities of Refuge – Foreshadowing the Church • June 16th, 2013

4. Shechem: “shoulder, support” • Location / Events • Located in the hill country of Ephraim, 20 miles from the Jordan • 1st city that Abram stopped at when he entered Canaan • Where Jacob stopped • Joshua’s farewell address • Genesis 12:6-7 • Genesis 33:18-19 • Joshua 24:1 • Foreshadowing the Church • The church is the pillar and support of the truth. • Truth is defined by God. • We are to teach the truth. • We are to defend the truth. • 1 Timothy 3:15 • John 17:17 • 1 Cor. 2:14-16 • Matthew 28:19-29 • Jude 3, Titus 1:9-11 • The Cities of Refuge – Foreshadowing the Church • June 16th, 2013

5. Hebron: “alliance, fellowship” • Location / Events • SW of Jerusalem • Originally known as Kiriath-arba • Land around Hebron was given to Caleb as an inheritance • David’s first capital was in Hebron • Joshua 14:6-15 • 2 Samuel 2:1-4 • Foreshadowing the Church • The church, collectively, has a fellowship with God. • Individual Christians have fellowship with God. • Individual Christians have fellowship with one another. • 1 Corinthians 1:9 • 1 John 1:7 • Philippians 1:3-5 • Acts 2:41-47 • The Cities of Refuge – Foreshadowing the Church • June 16th, 2013

6. Bezer:“enclosure, fortress” – represents strength • Location / Events • Located in the plateaus on the eastern side of the Jordan among the possession given to Rueben • Foreshadowing the Church • The church, or kingdom of God, stands as a symbol of strength and endurance. • Nothing and no one will defeat the kingdom of God – it will not be shaken. • Daniel 2:44 • Matthew 16:16-18 • Hebrews 12:28-29 • The Cities of Refuge – Foreshadowing the Church • June 16th, 2013

7. Ramoth: “elevation, high place” • Location / Events • Also known as Ramoth-Gilead • Very eastern portion of Israelite territory • Final battle of King Ahab • 1 Kings 22:1-37 • Foreshadowing the Church • The church has an elevated position because it is the bride of Christ. • Individually, we have high positions being the children of God and brothers to the King. • Ephesians 5:22-33 • Romans 8:12-17 • The Cities of Refuge – Foreshadowing the Church • June 16th, 2013

8. Golan: “circle, passage” – signifying a way • Location / Events • Located in the eastern portion of the Manasseh inheritance • Probably about 20 miles east of the Sea of Galilee • Foreshadowing the Church • The only way to the Father is through Christ. • Jesus will save the church. Therefore, the only way to be saved is to be part of His church. • The church has great importance. • John 14:6 • Ephesians 5:23 • Ephesians 2:16 • Acts 20:28 • The Cities of Refuge – Foreshadowing the Church • June 16th, 2013

9. Conclusion • God made provisions for those under the Law of Moses to find refuge, when they were not guilty of sin. • God has made provisions today to remove sin from our lives through His Son. • Being part of the Son’s Church or Kingdom, we… • …are set apart. • …support the truth of God. • …have fellowship with God and with other Christians. • …have a strong kingdom. • …have elevated positions. • …have the way to God. • The Prophet Joel: “The Day of the Lord” • June 16th, 2013 Place logo or logotype here, otherwise delete this.