By Faith: Beyond The Walls

By Faith Series
July 25, 2021
Chris Seidman, Sr. Minister, The Branch Church

Hebrews 11:31 (NIV)
By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.

Joshua 2:1 (NIV)
Then Joshua … secretly sent two spies … . ”Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.

Joshua 2:8-11 (NIV)
Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed.

“When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.”

Joshua 2:8 (NIV)
“I know that the Lord has given you this land … .”

What Was It About Rahab’s Faith?

• Her faith in what God has done and what God will do leverages her response to what is.

• She took steps to see that others in her sphere of influence would have an opportunity to be delivered.

Joshua 2:17b-18, 21 (NIV)
“This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house.”

“Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” So she sent them away and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.

A Few Takeaways …

• God is at work on behalf of anyone coming to faith in Him – and before His people even get there.

• Our present trust in God is greater than our past choices.

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (NIV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God … .

• Through surrendering to the will of God, our past becomes a resource to be shared instead of something to be buried.

1 Timothy 1:16 (NIV)
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

Romans 3:22-25a (NIV)
This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood – to be received by faith.

Communion Question

• What is it about Rahab’s story that encourages or challenges you for the week ahead?