Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- There are many war cries
- There are many unsung heroes
- Today we are going to look at an unsung hero of the Bible - Rahab who hid the Jewish spies
- She is referenced in Heb 11:31, James 2:25, Matt 1:5
Rahab's Loyalty - she sided with the people of God
- Rahab remarkably sided with the people of God and not the people of Jericho
- She lived in a fortified city
- She lived in a wicked city
- She lived on the city wall
- She was a prostitute and familiar with their ways
- She had heard of the people of God and the works of God
- The Canaanites did many evil things and she believed that the
city and people had been given over to the judgement of God
- She allowed the spies into her home and protected them
- It was a dangerous situation
- At certain times it is right to side not with your own people but with the 'enemy'
- Example of George Fernidand Duckwitz during the war
- Rahab sided with the right side
- Example of Moses
- Example of Ruth
- Rahab knew that God's judgement had come
- She had conviction that God was the true and living God
- v10-11
- Her belief was evident and she was justified by her actions
- Do you have the courage to stand out?
- There are only two kingdoms in this world - the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of the devil
- Example of our own country allegiances
- Consider the spiritual element
- What about family, work, the community, in a difficult situation, when it is risky or dangerous?
- Which side are you on?
- Are you on the Lord's side?
- Is you heart in the world or with Jesus Christ?
Rahab's imminent belief in the judgement of God
- Rahab was convinced of God's imminent judgement
- The people around did not believe (even though people had heard)
- Do you believe in God's judgement?
- Does that move you?
- Do you feel the judgement of God?
- There will be a far worse judgement for people than happened to Jericho?
- Do you understand the judgement of God?
- The Canannites were a cancer on mankind - Isis is a cancer on mankind
- Example of the American pastor
- Example of the Prodigal son
- Rahab believed and so she did something about it
- She hid the spies
- She pleaded with them
- She asked for deliverance (v13)
- This was granted but they had to gather the family in and put a scarlet cord in the window
- Do you really believe in the judgement of God?
- If you do, get up and go to Christ
God always rewards faith
- Heb 11:6
- We like to debate whether Rahab should have lied
- God did not honour her sin (she was a harlot and lied)
- God honoured her faith
- God extended grace and mercy to a pagan woman
- Rahab showed great faith in God [at great personal cost]
- Joshua 6
- Rahab and her family are saved
- Because they trusted in the living God
- Example of Noah and the Israelites - they were saved
- How will we be saved?
- Only by trusting in Jesus and His shed blood
- Example of Carla Jacobs - an illustration of what Christ has done for us
- There is refuge in Jesus Christ from God's wrath