Sermon preached by Matthew DelValle on January 28, 2024 at First Baptist Church in Delphi, Indiana. First Baptist Church is an evangelical church in Delphi, Indiana helping people find and follow Jesus. Our mission is to declare God’s truth, disciple God’s people, delight in God’s Son, and display God’s glory. Join us for Sunday Worship at 10:30am. Sunday School begins at 9:30am. We gather at 103 S. Indiana Street, Delphi, Indiana 46923.
Learn more about First Baptist Church.
Introduction
Big Idea: The God who justly condemns the criminal is also the God who provides refuge for all who seek his mercy.
1. The Provision of Mercy [Josh. 20:1–3]
A. The Precept [Josh. 20:1–2; Ex. 21:12–14; Num. 35; Deut.4:41–43; 19:1–13]
B. The Purpose [Josh. 20:3]
1) Refuge for the Perpetrator
2) Refuge from the Punisher [go’el hadam, “family redeemer of blood”]
2. The Process of Justice [Josh. 20:4–6]
A. The Preliminary Hearing [Josh. 20:4a]
B. The Protective Custody [Josh. 20:4b–5]
C. The Proper Trial [Josh. 20:6; Deut. 19:15–21]
D. The Prolonged Stay [Josh. 20:6]
E. The Priest’s Death [Josh. 20:6; Heb. 2:17]
F. The Principles for Today
1) Motives Matter [Deut. 19:4–6; 1 Sam. 16:7]
2) Legal Representation Matters [Gen. 9:5–6; Deut. 19:11–21; 1 Cor. 5]
3) The State is God’s Avenger of Wrath [Rom. 13:1–5]
4) The Church Reflects God’s Wisdom, Mercy, & Justice [Deut. 4:5–6; Mt. 5:13–16; Eph. 3; 1 Pet. 2:9–12; Rom. 12:19–21]
3. The Personal Accessibility [Josh. 20:7–9]
A. Selecting the Cities [Josh. 20:7–8]
B. Summarizing the Consequences [Josh. 20:9]
1) Refuge for Those Who Run [Heb. 6:17–18]
2) Retribution for Those Who Refuse [2 Thess. 1:5–10]