My Sanctuary
Pastor Erickson preaches from the cities of refuge in Numbers 35, from Abner dying just outside the gate of Hebron, and from Lot's wife looking back after reaching Zoar, two people given a way of escape who would not stay in it. He calls the church to get as far into God's sanctuary as they can, to keep the borders that protect their families, and to make the house of God their own sanctuary.
The message in 6 points
A guardhouse that keeps danger out
He tells of an anniversary trip to Jamaica where he tried to slip past a guard hut to a quiet beach. He soon learned the guard was not there to keep them in but to keep danger out, a picture of protection.
1:10:30God's cities of refuge
God told Moses to set aside six cities of refuge, three on each side of Jordan, easy to reach, where someone who killed by accident could flee. He focuses on Hebron, where Abraham dwelt and where David first reigned.
1:16:34Abner outside the gate
Abner kills Asahel, Joab's young brother, while only trying to warn him, and flees to Hebron for safety. Joab keeps coming to the gate with friendly words until Abner steps outside the border, and there Joab kills him.
1:20:58Lot's wife looked back
Lot chose the easy, well watered plains near Sodom, and he could not save his family from that life. God gave them Zoar, a little sanctuary, but Lot's wife lingered and looked back with longing. The angels got her out of Sodom, but not Sodom out of her.
1:29:04Stay far inside the borders
Abner and Lot's wife were both given a plan of escape and refused it. Satan keeps enticing people to step outside the gate. He urges the church to get as far in as they can, and describes Bible standards, pastoral standards and personal convictions as guard rails that protect families.
1:37:30This is my sanctuary
Jesus chose us out of the world, and the church is a sanctuary from it. Like David, who loved the house of the Lord, each person must say this is my sanctuary. He closes with the plan of salvation and calls people to the altar.
1:48:23
In his words
“Here the angels got her out of Sodom, oh, but they didn't get Sodom out of her.”
“If you live for God hard, it'll be easy, but if you live for God easy, your way is always going to be hard. You just got to get in with everything you are.”
“I did not title this message a sanctuary or the sanctuary, but I titled it My Sanctuary because I believe we got to begin to personalize this place of protection.”
Taken word for word from the video, with punctuation added.
Scripture
He reads
2 Samuel 3:33-34
33And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth? 34Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.
King James Version.
Luke 17:32
Psalms 27:4
4One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
King James Version.
Numbers 35:9-15
9And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 10Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan; 11Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares. 12And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment. 13And of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for refuge. 14Ye 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. 15These 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.
King James Version.
Numbers 35:24-28
24Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments: 25And 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. 26But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled; 27And 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: 28Because 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.
King James Version.
Genesis 19:26-27
26But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. 27And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the LORD:
King James Version.
John 15:18-19
18If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
King James Version.
Psalms 122:1
1I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
King James Version.
Psalms 84:1-2
1How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! 2My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
King James Version.
Psalms 84:4
4Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
King James Version.
Psalms 84:7
7They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
King James Version.
Psalms 84:10
10For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
King James Version.
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