Embracing Redemption: The Power of Faith and Invitation
Summary
In today's gathering, we focused on the power of redemption and the incredible story of Rahab, a woman whose faith led to her salvation and the salvation of her family. As we prepare for Easter, we are reminded of the importance of inviting others to experience the love and grace of God. We took a moment to write personal invitations to friends, family, and coworkers, encouraging them to join us for our Easter services. This act of reaching out is not just about filling seats but about extending the invitation of redemption and hope to those who may feel far from God.
We also celebrated the ongoing work of our youth through Project Timothy, a program that nurtures young leaders in their faith journey. This initiative is a testament to the fruitfulness of investing in the next generation, as they learn to serve and minister to others, both locally and globally.
Our discussion on Rahab's story from the book of Joshua highlighted the transformative power of faith. Despite her past as a prostitute, Rahab's faith in the God of Israel led her to protect the spies sent by Joshua, ultimately securing her place in the lineage of Jesus Christ. Her story is a powerful reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace and that our past does not define our future.
We also reflected on the importance of being spirit-led in our giving and service, recognizing that we cannot meet every need in the world but can make a significant impact through focused, intentional acts of generosity. Our partnership with organizations like Convoy of Hope allows us to extend our reach and provide disaster relief and support to those in need.
As we continue our series on stepping into the unknown, we are encouraged to trust in God's guidance and provision, knowing that He is with us every step of the way. We are called to be a church that seeks to rescue and redeem, sharing the love of Christ with those around us and inviting them into a relationship with Him.
Key Takeaways:
- The Power of Personal Invitation: Inviting others to experience God's love is a personal and meaningful act. By taking the time to write a handwritten invitation, we demonstrate the value we place on relationships and the importance of sharing the hope of Easter with those around us. [00:45]
- Redemption Through Faith: Rahab's story illustrates that faith can lead to redemption, regardless of one's past. Her belief in the God of Israel not only saved her but also placed her in the lineage of Jesus, showing that God's grace can transform any life. [51:04]
- Investing in the Next Generation: Programs like Project Timothy highlight the importance of nurturing young leaders in their faith journey. By investing in the next generation, we ensure the continuation of God's work and the spread of His message of hope and redemption. [12:46]
- Spirit-Led Generosity: While we cannot meet every need, being spirit-led in our giving allows us to make a significant impact. Our partnership with organizations like Convoy of Hope enables us to extend our reach and provide support to those in need, demonstrating the love of Christ in practical ways. [01:03:36]
- Trusting God in the Unknown: As we step into the unknown, we are reminded that God is with us, guiding and providing for us. Our faith in His presence and provision allows us to face uncertainties with confidence, knowing that He is working all things for our good. [01:16:20]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Inviting Others to Easter
[05:30] - Project Timothy and Youth Leadership
[12:46] - Spirit-Led Generosity
[20:15] - The Story of Rahab
[30:00] - Rahab's Faith and Redemption
[40:10] - The Power of Confession
[51:04] - Rahab's Legacy
[01:03:36] - God's Mission of Redemption
[01:10:00] - Generational Blessings
[01:16:20] - Trusting God in the Unknown
[01:20:00] - Invitation to Faith
[01:25:00] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Joshua 2:1-21
- Hebrews 11:31
---
Observation Questions:
1. What actions did Rahab take that demonstrated her faith in the God of Israel? [49:33]
2. How did the spies respond to Rahab's request for protection for her family? [01:03:36]
3. What was the significance of the scarlet cord in Rahab's story? [01:03:36]
4. How did Rahab's faith impact her family and future generations? [01:03:36]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Rahab's story teach us about the nature of faith and redemption, especially considering her past? [49:33]
2. How does the act of writing personal invitations to Easter services relate to the theme of redemption and hope in Rahab's story? [49:33]
3. In what ways does the story of Rahab illustrate the concept of being spirit-led in our actions and decisions? [01:03:36]
4. How does Rahab's inclusion in the lineage of Jesus Christ reflect God's grace and the transformative power of faith? [01:03:36]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt far from God. How did you experience His grace and redemption in that situation? [49:33]
2. Who in your life could benefit from a personal invitation to experience God's love, and how can you extend that invitation this week? [49:33]
3. Rahab's faith led to the salvation of her family. How can you actively pray for and support the spiritual journey of your family members? [01:03:36]
4. Consider the ways you can be spirit-led in your generosity and service. What specific action can you take this week to make a significant impact? [01:03:36]
5. As we step into the unknown, how can you trust in God's guidance and provision in your current circumstances? [01:16:20]
6. Rahab's story shows that our past does not define our future. What steps can you take to let go of past mistakes and embrace God's plan for your life? [49:33]
7. How can you invest in the next generation, like Project Timothy, to ensure the continuation of God's work and message of hope? [49:33]
Devotional
Day 1: The Transformative Power of Personal Invitation
Inviting others to experience God's love is a deeply personal and meaningful act. It goes beyond simply filling seats at a service; it is about extending the hope and redemption found in Christ to those who may feel distant from God. By taking the time to write a handwritten invitation, you demonstrate the value you place on relationships and the importance of sharing the hope of Easter with those around you. This act of reaching out can be a catalyst for transformation, both for the inviter and the invited, as it opens the door to experiencing God's grace together. [00:45]
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life could benefit from an invitation to experience God's love this Easter? How can you make this invitation personal and meaningful?
Day 2: Redemption is Possible Through Faith
Rahab's story is a powerful testament to the transformative power of faith. Despite her past as a prostitute, her belief in the God of Israel led to her redemption and secured her place in the lineage of Jesus Christ. This narrative illustrates that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace and that our past does not define our future. Rahab's faith not only saved her but also brought salvation to her family, showing that God's grace can transform any life, regardless of its history. [51:04]
"And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness'—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone." (James 2:23-24, ESV)
Reflection: What aspects of your past do you feel hold you back from fully embracing God's grace? How can Rahab's story inspire you to trust in God's redemptive power today?
Day 3: Investing in the Next Generation of Faith Leaders
Programs like Project Timothy highlight the importance of nurturing young leaders in their faith journey. By investing in the next generation, we ensure the continuation of God's work and the spread of His message of hope and redemption. This initiative is a testament to the fruitfulness of investing in young people, as they learn to serve and minister to others, both locally and globally. Encouraging and equipping young leaders is vital for the growth and sustainability of the church's mission. [12:46]
"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12, ESV)
Reflection: How can you support and encourage the young people in your community to grow in their faith and leadership? What practical steps can you take to invest in the next generation today?
Day 4: Spirit-Led Generosity Makes a Lasting Impact
While we cannot meet every need in the world, being spirit-led in our giving allows us to make a significant impact. Our partnership with organizations like Convoy of Hope enables us to extend our reach and provide support to those in need, demonstrating the love of Christ in practical ways. By focusing our generosity on specific, intentional acts, we can make a difference in the lives of others and reflect God's love through our actions. [01:03:36]
"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you be more intentional and spirit-led in your giving? How can you ensure that your generosity reflects the love of Christ to those in need?
Day 5: Trusting God in the Unknown
As we step into the unknown, we are reminded that God is with us, guiding and providing for us. Our faith in His presence and provision allows us to face uncertainties with confidence, knowing that He is working all things for our good. Trusting God in the unknown requires a deep reliance on His guidance and a willingness to follow where He leads, even when the path is unclear. This trust is a testament to our faith and a reflection of our belief in His promises. [01:16:20]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: What unknowns are you currently facing in your life? How can you actively choose to trust God's guidance and provision in these areas today?
Quotes
That's pretty good. That's like 90%, and there's guests here, and they don't know that guy's weird. This is a weird church. I knew it was going to be weird. I sensed it when I came in. This is a reminder that we have four services on Easter, and we're going to commit to bringing four new people. So, to do that, we're going to take a moment in the service right now. And we've done this two years in a row, and we've seen some tremendous fruit in this. So, here's what it is. Find your program, and you can be filling out your Let's Connect card, your prayer needs if you want. But there's a logo here, like you'll see up on the screen for our Easter service. And so, if you'll find your invited card, and it's got our times, the point of this, and there's an envelope. There's actually two in each one. If you'll take a minute, just right now, we're going to give you a couple of minutes, a pen. If you need a pen, borrow one from somebody when they get done with theirs. So, take a moment. And, again, these should be people that live here, unless you're going to pay for their airfare to fly them in. Okay. Let's start with they live here. And relative, friend, co-worker. So, who is somebody you would like to invite to the Easter? So, you're just going to write a personal. Dear John and Pam, you know, we just wanted to give you a personal invitation to join us. For our Easter services. It would be our honor to have you here with us. [00:29:56] (98 seconds)
You know, sincerely in your name. That's like 60 seconds to do that. And you could put it in the envelope. If you know the address, put it on there. We'll mail it for you. There will be boxes on the way out. Or you can mail it. If you don't have the address, you can mail it yourself. So, take a moment. Take a pen. Take that. Write on the. You can write on either side of it. I would write underneath. You're invited. And it's got all the times and info. And it's a personal. They're going to get something in the mail. Not an email. Not a time. I know it's kind of out of vogue. Snail mail. But to me, something special that you took the effort to write a note. [00:31:36] (41 seconds)
story, the full story in the book of Joshua in the Old Testament, Joshua chapter 2. Now, they're getting ready to cross the Jordan and enter in, and looming in front of them is this fortress, this prison, if you will. The people in there think the walls have them safe, and that it's intimidating to anybody that would try to take them. But there's more going on than just this battle to tear down Jericho, or to surround it until the walls fall down. I want to pick up the story in Joshua chapter 2, verse 1. [00:41:52] (37 seconds)
It says, then Joshua, son of Nun, secretly sent two spies from Shittim to go over. I always hate saying that. I'm sure there's a better way to say that word, but it wouldn't bother me if it wasn't for your sick minds. And so [00:42:29] (19 seconds)
that's like somebody from Alabama. That's how they'd cuss. They'd say they're from Shittim. And no offense, Alabama. I love the South. [00:42:53] (14 seconds)
So Joshua says, go look over the land, he said, especially Jericho. So they went, entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab. Basically, the logic would be people are in and out, in and out. It's a, it's, it's, it's, there's some probably pretty evil people going in there, and they're undercover. [00:43:08] (23 seconds)
And so they wouldn't make a stranger going into the prostitute's house is not going to create unnecessary concern. But it says, verse 3, the king of Jericho sent this message. She heard that there were some Israelites among them. And he sent word to Rahab, bring out the men who came to you and entered your house because they have come to spy out the whole land. But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, and we know from Hebrews, she did it by what? Why would she, why did she hide them? By faith. Something's gone on in her heart. God has been at work. [00:43:50] (40 seconds)
Walls don't hold him back. Bars don't stop him. Distance can't hinder him. The Holy Spirit has been secretly at work in this woman's heart. It says, but the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, yes, the men came to me, but I don't know where they had come from. At dusk when it came time to close the city gate, the men left. I don't know which way they went. Go after them quickly. Now this is, she's speaking in front of the people that could kill her. She's putting her life on the line for these two spies that she doesn't know who they are. Verse 5, I read that. Verse 6, but she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax that she had laid out on the roof. So the men sent out, that she sent them out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan. And as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. Verse 8, before the spies laid down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, I know. [00:44:56] (66 seconds)
The only way this is true is faith. When you move into a realm of certainty about the unknown future, you can only know it's certain by faith. She says, I know the Lord. Now this is a confession. You got to remember that there were pagan gods. They had prostitutes in the temple. These were wicked, blind people that did not worship the true and living God. She says, I know that the Lord has given this land to you and a great fear of you has fallen on us so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. Now she's not melting in fear. She's melting in love. She's melting in, I want to know this God. They're terrorized of the people of God. She wants to be calm. [00:45:16] (57 seconds)
part of them. So she says in verse 10, we have heard. Now you've got to understand some of you that kind of like to go a little deeper in your Bible, but the book of Romans chapter 10 verse 17 says, faith comes by hearing, hearing by the word of God. That's why when you hear the word of God preached, if it's preaching the word, your faith is built up. [00:46:12] (23 seconds)
He loved you when you're in your worst of life. If he loved you then, how much more can you enjoy his love after coming to know Jesus? So here's Rahab. She's, this, this is costly. This is a count the cost. [00:50:15] (16 seconds)
I'm putting all of my chips into trusting the God of Israel. And so she says to them, and I love this, because this faith in the confession she makes of the true God, she says in verse 12, now then, please swear to me by the Lord. So she's mentioning three times now, the Lord, the Lord God, the Lord. This is faith, that you can't be secret if you can't mention the name of Jesus in an honoring way to others. [00:50:32] (31 seconds)
We're not trying to be religious, and whenever my wife and I are speaking, or I'm speaking to somebody that doesn't know Christ, we don't beat them over the head with the Bible. We just say, you know, we found out that there's a God who loves us, and he loves you. [00:51:09] (15 seconds)
Maybe that's why we're here. No, maybe. We don't believe in accidents. We're talking to you right now, just reminding you how much he loves you. Rahab had no one to remind her. These spies didn't realize they're no longer on a military mission. Now they're evangelists. They've gone into the unknown, and they've met someone that needed the living God. And so now they're turning their focus. This is hated. They thought, these are our hated enemies. Think of people that you despise. People maybe you watch on TV. People that have different political views. People that are trapped in darkness like Rahab. Maybe some of the letters you're writing are the people that are trapped in lies. They're held captive in bondage. But listen to her heart. Now then, she says, verse 12, Please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness. It's a big word there. It's a Hebrew word, chased. It's a deep covenant word. It's a word of love that's filled with the steel of commitment. I mean, this is more than just, oh, would you be kind to me? This is life or death kindness. This is kindness that I can put my whole, base my being on. Would you, she said, please swear to me by the Lord that you'll show kindness to who? Say it with me. My family. Think about that. [00:51:16] (85 seconds)
She's immediately, I never forget one of the, my friends I led to Jesus when I was in school. And he got down on his knees with me and he was praying to give his heart to Jesus. And I kind of led him in the beginning of the prayer, you know, asking, not that words have to be perfect, but just, Lord Jesus, I want you to come into my life, forgive my sins, be my Lord and Savior. And I stopped praying at that point and he kept praying. And he immediately started saying, and Lord, I have so many friends that don't know you. Would you save them like you're saving me? [00:52:53] (36 seconds)
That is what happens when God takes over our hearts or should happen. We don't want to make salvation about us. Salvation. That's why we teach our church over and over again. All of our volunteers. All of the reasons. The reason we're here is for those that are not yet believers. Those that are seeking. Those that are far from God. Those that are hurting. Those that are broken. Those that need redemption. So she says, promise me. She said that my family. In verse 12. That my family. You'll show kindness to my family because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign. I want to know. I need a pledge. Verse 13. That you will spare the lives of my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all who belong to them. This is a small church. I mean, if you do the numbers and children and, you know, there's no husband here. And I'm sure she might have been the shame of her family. I don't know. Maybe there was no shame back then in that culture. Maybe it was just considered a valid occupation. But it's an unholy one that degrades the being of a person. And so she. [00:53:56] (74 seconds)
I don't think she kept a rope handy. I think they made a rope. Think of the redemption here, what once was used for evil, and now they escape with this rope over the side of the wall. She says, go hide yourself. Verse 17, the men said to her, this oath you made us swear will not be binding on us unless, unless, verse 18, when we enter the land you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, unless you have brought your father, mother, brothers, and all your family into your house. If anyone goes outside your house, into the street, his blood will be on his own head. We will not be responsible. Anyone who is in the house will be with you. His blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on them. [00:55:28] (54 seconds)
I love this because most of you have heard or made the connection with, again, if she knew the story of them crossing the Red Sea, she had to know the story of the blood over the door. I mean, that's what got them out. Pharaoh's son dies. All the firstborn Egyptians die. Those that were not in a house with the blood over the door were destroyed by the destroying angel. She knows that story. But even if not, she knows that there's a sign that's scarlet. There's a reason it's red. There's a blood covenant that's being made here. Her security was beyond just their promise. It was in the scarlet sign. [00:56:28] (45 seconds)
And there's times that you need to learn to pray and plead the blood of Jesus, which means, Lord, it's your blood that's redeemed me. I claim that power of that blood over my mind if I'm being tormented. I claim the power of that blood over my wife if she's being attacked. [00:57:19] (19 seconds)
I claim the power of the blood, Jesus, over my grandchildren. I claim that. Lord, I claim over our home that you'll protect us. When my wife and I travel and go to a different house or hotel, we always pray the cleansing of that. We pray forgiveness on anybody that's done something wicked in there. And then we say, Lord, let the blood cleanse this room. Let it cleanse anything that's wicked or evil that's been in this house. Lord, would you drive it out? We stand in that promise of his blood. So putting that scarlet cord out was the sign that they had made a promise. She had made a promise. And she says, I agree. And then the spies go back. They tell Joshua. They make battle plans. And, you know, they get the army ready in the next couple chapters. Go to chapter 6 with me, which is the actual destruction of Jericho. Chapter 6. Now, you've got to put, I want you to get a word picture of this. If you would throw up Luke, I think it's 12. It's the only Luke scripture we got. But I want to give you a New Testament picture of what's happening in the Old. [00:57:58] (72 seconds)
Jesus said, no, that's not right. It's the wrong verse. I think it's 20. It should be Luke 12, 20, and 22. Luke 12, 20, and 22. Anyway, while they find it, I'll tell you what Jesus said. He had just drove out a demon. And then he says to them, you can't enter a strong man, a warrior, a king. [00:58:49] (25 seconds)
Some say, well, it was just a convenient earthquake that happened. It's like, okay, people, they'll go to greater lengths to explain away a miracle than, okay, yeah, the timing was perfect. The seventh time, and they blew the trumpets, and just then, well, maybe they stomped their feet, and they created an earthquake. No, no, this is God rescuing Rahab. He's pillaging the enemy's fortress. Now, in chapter 6, after this battle, it says in verse, we'll go to verse 22, [01:03:36] (33 seconds)
She talked them into it. They're leaving their false gods. They're joining Israel. And he got her mother, her father, her brother, her sister. And it says, and all who belong to her, they brought out. It says it three times in these two verses, her entire family, and put them in a place outside the camp of Israel. Then they burned the whole city, everything in it, but the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron, and they put it into the Lord's treasury, verse 25. But Joshua spared Rahab. You could just say Jesus spared, and put your name in there, the prostitute, the sinner. It's just not to make her worse than anybody. It's just that's her background. He saved Rahab. He rescued Rahab, the prostitute, with her family and all who belong to her because she hid the men. Joshua sent in as spies. She lives among Israel to this day. Now, some of you may know the back story, what happened to her after this. The theory is we know that she gets married to an Israelite. The theory is it was one of the two spies that came in because they would send spies from the largest prominent tribe, which one the most was Judah. So there was a man named Solomon, S -O -L -O -M. If you put up Matthew 1, verse 5, this is the genealogy of the birth of Jesus. It says, Solomon, the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Solomon was, we don't know if he was a spy, but it makes great, great romantic thought. [01:05:10] (98 seconds)
I mean, isn't that great? I mean, Pastor Phil shared how his wife was the spy that saved him and brought him to Jesus. And what a mission. We don't know it's true, but they got married. She embraces Israel as God. But they have this child named Boaz, who's an amazing gentleman. The book of Ruth is written about Boaz redeeming, as the kinsman redeemer, redeeming Ruth. So Ruth's mother -in -law was Rahab. Ruth herself was a pagan, not originally an Israelite. Well, if you go on, Ruth, they have Obed, and Boaz and Ruth have Obed, and then Obed fathers Jesse. And then verse, I don't know, I probably didn't give you verse 6. Then Jesse is the father of who? King David, which you go on to the lineage of Jesus. From Rahab that gets rescued, there's a plan of generational blessing. Remember, some of you were pretty provoked by what I said a few weeks ago, that if you're a first -generation believer in your family, I'm not talking about churchgoers. I'm talking about you've stood for Jesus, you've got baptized, you're all in with Christ. If you're the first in your generation that you're aware of, you've created ripples, good ripples, that affect your generation all around you and your generation to come. That's why often there's a major blowback when you represent light that breaks into a generation that the enemy has held captive. [01:07:57] (106 seconds)
But you've got now that responsibility that Rahab took to be an intercessor. To say, God, rescue my mother, my father, my sisters, my brothers. Rescue my friends. If you lose that heart of God rescued me so that I could believe that he'd rescue others, Rahab becomes generationally, she becomes a blessing. That guy, Boaz, was such a quality dude. When you read the book of Ruth, I mean, he's just every woman's dream of what a man ought to be. I mean, he's kind and generous and sacrificial and loyal. And he redeems out of bondage. [01:08:23] (47 seconds)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?