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RAHAB: NOT WHO SHE USED TO BE (Part 3)

RAHAB: NOT WHO SHE USED TO BE (Part 3)

III. Joshua 6 v. 12-22 RAHAB AND HER SPIRITUAL FULFILLMENT

When Rahab came to faith in God, her life was forever transformed! What God did in her is a miracle of His love and grace. What He did for Rahab, He can do for you. Notice a few insights into the changes God made in the life of Rahab. By the way, these changes in her life brought her fulfillment as she walked with the Lord.

Give examples of biblical and contemporary characters who were unexpected recipients of God’s grace like Rahab.

A. v. 1-7 She Was Fulfilled in Her Labor – One of the surest proofs that Rahab was genuinely converted is the fact that she involved herself with the work of the Lord. She hid the spies and covered up for them. Rahab told a lie. In no way does the Bible condone her lie; it merely records it. Rahab isn’t the only person in the Bible who lied. Abraham lied, Gen. 12:10-20. Isaac lied, Gen. 26:6-11. David lied, 1 Sam. 21:2; 2 Sam. 12. Elisha lied, 2 Kings 6:18-23. We cannot condone her lie. Your lie, if not repented of, would take you to hell. Rev 21:8

Testimonies of the wonders of the God of Israel brought about a change of heart in Rahab; what kind of testimonies can we share that can lead to the conversion of sinners?

Apparently, Rahab had already stopped living the life of a harlot. Verse 6 tells us that she hid the spies under some flax that was upon the roof. Flax was used in the production of linen. It seems clear that she had trusted the Lord before the spies arrived. It appears her life had been radically changed by the power of God before they ever arrived. Even James uses her as an example of the believer who proves their salvation by the works of their life, James 2:25. It is worthy to note that James elevates the faith of Rahab to the level of that of Abraham. The message here is that it doesn’t matter if you are the Father of the Faithful like Abraham, or a poor harlot like Rahab, the Lord loves you and He will save you regardless of who you are. God calls and saves people from both ends of the spectrum of life.

We can like it or not, but the truth of our profession is proven by the way we live our lives, James 2:18! We can say anything we like, but what we really are is revealed in what we do! A life that belongs to the Lord Jesus will be a life that wants to be involved in the things of God! The fruit of your life proves the root of your life, Matt. 7:20! After all, when Jesus saves our souls, He tells us that we have been “created in Christ Jesus unto good works,” Eph. 2:10. Works don’t save, but they sure point out those who are!

What are some outward evidences seen in the life of a genuine convert?

B. v. 12-13 She Was Fulfilled In Her Love – Notice that Rahab is concerned about those in her family who are in danger as well. She now knows that God will take care of her. She wants the same assurance for her family. Her heart is moved to reach out for help for them. Imagine what risk she placed herself at in telling her family of her plan. Rahab is a picture of the person who comes to faith in Christ. One of the first things that occurs when a person comes to Jesus is a desire to bring others to the Savior. Notice John 1:35-42; Mark 5:18-20. One of the surest signs of salvation is a desire to tell others about the Savior. Rahab proved she was saved. Can the same be said for us?

C. She Was Fulfilled In Her Life – Because she placed her faith in the Lord God of Israel, she obtained some precious possessions. Notice how God took this former harlot and blessed her new life with the richest of His blessings

What are some of the earthly benefits of giving our lives to Christ and walking with the Lord?

1. Josh. 6:20-25 She Got A New Reality – Because of her faith she was spared from the destruction that overtook her city. All those in her house were spared as well! When the walls of Jericho fell down, there was apparently one section that remained standing. It was the section that held the house of Rahab. It was a place that was marked by a scarlet rope that hung from her window, v. 18.

What a picture is given here. When a new believer places his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, he is immediately delivered from the penalty of his sins, which is Hell, Rom. 5:9! He finds a new freedom in Jesus that allows him to live while others all around him perish. And, just as a scarlet rope, v. 18, marked Rahab’s home the blood of Jesus marks us as belonging to the Lord. Ill. Israel in Egypt and the blood of the Passover lamb, Ex. 12. Thank God for the blood of Jesus, I Pet. 1:18-19; Rev. 1:5.

2. Josh. 6:25; Matt. 1:5; Ruth 4:21 She Got New Relatives – When all these verses are taken together, we have the rest of the story concerning Rahab. She married into the people of Israel and became part of all the covenant blessings of the Lord. She went from being part of condemned nation to being part of a holy nation! When a lost sinner trusts Jesus Christ for salvation, they are transformed from sinner to saint. They are no longer under the curse of God, but they become the children of God. As a result, they become the partakers of everything the Lord has for His children down here, 1 Cor. 2:9, and they become part of what He has for His children up there, John 14:1-3.

The point is, while the rest of Rahab’s neighbors died in the war, Rahab live and went to a wedding! One of these days, you and I, people who deserve nothing but judgment and death are going to be the honored guests at a wedding in the sky, Rev. 19:7-9. When we got saved, we became part of a new family – 1 John 3:2.

3. Matt. 1:5 She Got A New Reputation – Rahab was taken from the house of shame and wound up in the hall of fame. This woman became and ancestor of the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, she was David’s great-great grandmother and she was the mother-in-law of Ruth. God took her from the very gutter of life and made her eternally famous. He gave this trusting sinner a place in His eternal, divine plan.

What the Lord did for Rahab, He can and will do for you! You might think that God wouldn’t have you because you have been so wicked. The truth of the matter is that the Lord loves you just as you are and that He will take you, save you and make your life one of blessing and honor for His glory. You see, God specializes in taking old, lost sinners, saving them by His grace and then using them to touch the world by His power, 1 Cor. 1:26-29. Ill. John 6:37; Heb. 7:25.

God can take your life today, change it by His power and use you for His glory. He won’t make you an ancestor of Christ like He did Rahab, but you can be assured that you will become the ancestor of new believers as you allow the Lord to use your life. You may not become famous down here, but they will know who you are in Heaven! Imagine arriving in Heaven and being greeted by some you led to Jesus!

Based on the lessons learned from Rahab’s life, what should be our personal resolution today?

Conc: It’s plain to see that God changed Rahab’s life! What about you? Are you saved? If you were to die right now and stand before the Lord and He looked down at you and you looked up at Him and He said, “Why should I let you into my Heaven?”

What would you say?

Could you say, “Father, I should be allowed into Heaven because as a sinner, I placed my faith in Jesus Christ, and in His shed blood and His resurrection from the dead. I have nothing else to claim but faith in Christ.” If your answer would be anything else, then you need to come today and trust Jesus as your Savior. You need to be saved, and let me assure you that there is grace in Christ today to save your soul!

Don’t delay, for delay is dangerous. Consider this: Nineteenth-century Scottish preacher Horatius Bonar asked 253 Christian friends at what ages they were converted. Here’s what he discovered.

· Under 20 years of age – 138

· Between 20 and 30 – 85

· Between 30 and 40 – 22

· Between 40 and 50 – 4

· Between 50 and 60 – 3

· Between 60 and 70 – 1

· Over 70 – 0

How much time do you have left? God took an old harlot by the name of Rahab and saved her by grace and used her for His glory. He wants to do the same for you. Will you come and do what He is asking you to do today

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