Rahab's Faith (Hebrews #44) - Bible Baptist Church

Text: Hebrews 11:31

Sinner’s Faith

By faith the harlot Rahab…
Hebrews 11 is highlighting one thing – faith. That’s made clear by the diversities of situations and people spoken of there. Rich people, poor people, mighty people, lowly people, all sorts that had this one thing in common – faith. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. God said it and they responded in faith to His words. And the way God highlights faith in these folks lives is He shows you the results of their faith.
Like the woman at the well who had five husbands and was shacking up with another fornicator when she met Jesus.
First understand this personally; you came as a sinner.
Then understand this as a witness. Some people just need an opportunity. They just need to hear the Lord speak and they’ll respond.

She perished not (Hebrews 11:31 & Joshua 6:25)
Now, that’s not said about anybody else in Hebrews 11, but the fact that her faith was a saving faith is said about Rahab.
When God knocked the walls of Jericho down, Rahab and her household were saved by faith. When Israel came in and destroyed the people of Jericho according to God’s words, Rahab and her family were spared by faith.
Rahab’s house on the wall (Joshua 2:15)
The spies tell Rahab to hide all her family in her house (Joshua 2:19)
Walls come down (Joshua 6:20)
What was left standing when the walls came tumbling down? RAHAB’S HOUSE!

Rahab wasn’t cleaned up – her faith in the words of God got her clean.
Even her faith was sloppy some might say. Because she lied to the men of Jericho and sent out the spies. She didn’t know what else to do. But you would’ve done the same thing. Or, you wouldn’t have been brave enough to hide the spies
The Lord told Israel their righteousness is as filthy rags. But God’s righteousness is not filthy rags. You keep trying to clean up with filthy rags. The only thing that is clean is the holy spirit of God and the pure words of God.
Rahab is saved from destruction. Her life of prostitution is over. She is cared for, marries one of the spies, and goes on to become the great great grandmother of King David. (Matthew 1:5-6)
- Rahab’s son is Boaz, the kinsman redeemer in the book of Ruth.
- Now, do you think Boaz knew something about redemption with a mom like Rahab whose life had been completely changed as a result of God’s grace and her faith in what God said.
- You and I wouldn’t have the book of Ruth had Rahab not simply believed God.

Rahab perished not with them that believed not… (Hebrews 11:31)
Separated from the perishing people, but not secluded.
There is no difference between Rahab and the perishing people of Jericho. In fact, if you were to ask the general population, Rahab was lower class; but she pleased God by faith.
If you were to consider the life of Rahab before the walls came down you would say she was one of the more corrupt people of Jericho, at least one of the baser sort.
The faith that separated her from her culture also put in her in a new family. That’s fellowship like you and I enjoy.
Matthew 1:5 – out of the life of sin and into the line of Jesus Christ
Colossians 1:12-13 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Sacrificial in the sense that it is obedience regardless of the consequences (Joshua 2:1-6)
Rahab commits treason against Jericho at the risk of her own life.
She sacrificed her life to do the will of God.
The irony of sacrificial faith is it appears more dangerous going into it, but looking back on it proves that unbelief always proves more dangerous.