Home Page Contact Us Service Times Sermons Are You Going To Heaven?
NOTICE: THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!
RAHAB'S FAITH
JOSHUA 2:1-24
Introduction
Israel was about to begin their conquest of the promised land that God had given to them and Jericho was the first obstacle that lay in their path.
In our text we see that Joshua sent out two spies to check out the situation in Jericho.
This city was a stronghold of the enemy that was surrounded by high walls which were very well fortified and very secure.
This city was known to be grossly immoral so it is not strange that the spies went to the house of Rahab, a woman who was known to be a harlot who also provided lodging as part of her business.
An observer might think that the spies just happened upon Rahab’s house.
Nevertheless, their going to Rahab’s house was not an accident, but rather it was the working of God’s providence in both their lives, the life of Rahab, and the lives of the Children of Israel.
In Rahab the harlot can be seen a beautiful picture of the power of God’s Gospel of Grace!
I. RAHAB’S CHARACTER–SHE WAS A SINNER! (Vs 1)
Though some might try to improve her image or gloss over her character by saying that she was just an inn-keeper, the Bible says that she was a harlot.
The Bible doesn’t pull any punches does it? God calls it like it is!
Rahab was a sinner and she is a picture of everyone who is a sinner.
Some might balk at the idea of Rahab being a picture of every sinner because when we compare ourselves to Rahab we may look pretty good.
Understand though that even though we may not have sinned in the same manner in which Rahab did, our sin had just as tight a grip on us as it had on her.
Rahab was lost and bound in her sin, of which one of her sins just happened to be the sin of immorality.
The Bible says that we are all sinners.
Romans 5:12–“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”
We feel pretty good about ourselves. But the Bible says:
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.”
Romans 3:10–“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”
RAHAB’S CHARACTER–SHE WAS A SINNER!
II. RAHAB’S CONDITION–SHE WAS CONDEMNED! (Vs 9)
Rahab belonged to a doomed people, a people against which a curse had been pronounced.
Among that doomed people who were great in their sin, she had joined in and practiced her vile occupation. She was deserving of dying with the rest of them.
Her condition is a picture of the condition of every lost person!
Ephesians 2:1-3–We were dead, deceived, debased, degenerate, damned. But when Jesus entered, praise God we were delivered!
John 3:18–“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
John 3:36–“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
III. RAHAB’S CONCERN–SHE WANTED TO BE SAVED FROM DESTRUCTION AND SHE WANTED HER FAMILY TO BE SAVED FROM DESTRUCTION. (Vs 12-13)
Rahab is a picture here of what every sensible lost person should be.
She knew she was a sinner, she knew she was condemned, and she was scared of the impending judgment of God.
Rahab’s concern is a picture of the concern that every lost person should have. She had a realization of impending judgment and the judgment of her family and she wanted to do something about it if she could.
Most people today live in sin, but they cope with their guilt by denying God’s judgment will ever happen.
That is a dangerous way to live, because it keeps a person from dealing with their sin the way that God would have them deal with it.
Anyone who truly understands that judgment for sin is coming and has no concern for themselves or their family either has to be ignorant of what God’s judgment truly entails or they’ve got to be crazy.
Some folks may deny the existence of hell, but denying it does not change the reality of it one iota!
(Exp–A blind man)
2 Corinthians 4:3-4–“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
RAHAB’S CHARACTER–SHE WAS A SINNER!
RAHAB’S CONDITION–SHE WAS CONDEMNED!
RAHAB’S CONCERN–SHE WANTED TO BE SAVED FROM DESTRUCTION AND SHE WANTED HER FAMILY TO BE SAVED FROM DESTRUCTION.
IV. RAHAB’S CONFESSION–SHE BELIEVED THE LORD!
A. She Believed The Judgment Of God Was A Reality, But That Is Not What Saved Her. (Vs 9-11)
Believing in the judgment of God without doing anything about it is foolish.
B. She Believed The God Of The Israelites Was The True God, But That Is Not What Saved Her.
Rahab could not help but confess that Jehovah was indeed God, but confession of Jehovah as God does not constitute salvation.
James 2:19–“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
(Explain the difference in “believing in” and “believing on.”)
Salvation comes when personal faith and trust is placed in God as the only Saviour of mankind.
That action stems from a great awareness and conviction of need.
C. She Was Obedient To The Plan Of Salvation And That Is What Saved Her.
1. The Deliverer Set The Conditions For Her Escape.
a. Rahab Did Not Tell Them How She Wanted Them To Save Her, They Told Her. (Vs 18)
If you listen to people today, you might think there are thousands of ways to be saved.
Some people think you can just take any old route you want to and it will be acceptable with God.
John 8:24–“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”
b. Many Today Are Trying To Work Their Way To Heaven, Thereby Saving Themselves.
They may say, “I’m doing the best that I can.”
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.”
The Deliverer has told us that it is not our works that saves us, but it is the work He did on Calvary.
c. The Deliverer Is Looking For That Scarlet Thread. (i.e. The Blood of Jesus)
The Deliverer Set The Conditions For Her Escape.
2. The Deliverer Provided The Place Of Protection.
(Vs 19)
The Deliverer was saying that all of those who wanted to be saved but felt they could go wherever they wanted to go, would be in a big surprise on judgment day.
Many are seeking safety in a religion, Church, or good works.
Matthew 7:22-23–“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
There are so many who are trusting in their own places of protection, bu the spies told Rahab that if she did not remain in the house, they would not be responsible for her safety.
The only place of protection that God, the Deliverer, has established for the lost is the place of safety in Christ Jesus.
1 John 5:11-12–“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.”
3. Those Who Want Deliverance Must Meet The Conditions. (Vs 21, 6:17, 22-25)
Rahab Knew that judgment was coming and she was scared because she knew she was a sinner who was condemned. She heard the Good News of how she could be saved and she met the conditions set for her deliverance.
Conclusion
Every person born into this world is a sinner.
Although we may not sin tho the same extent as someone else, nevertheless, we are sinners who stand condemned of judgment that is to come.
Have you looked to the Deliverer and met His conditions for escape?
He has provided the place of protection. That place is in Christ Jesus! Are you under His protection?
If not, aren’t you at all concerned about your condition and the condition of your loved ones?
Deliverance is available! If you want to be saved from the wrath to come, you must meet Christ’s conditions for deliverance!
If you don’t know those conditions, come today and let us help you!
Home Page Contact Us Service Times Sermons Are You Going To Heaven?
NOTICE: THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!