Sermon: Faith like Rahab

Sermon Date: 7/20/2025

Bible Verses:

• Joshua 2
• Joshua 6:22–25
• Matthew 1:5
• Hebrews 11:31

Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley

Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-

The Faith of Rahab – A Story of Courage, Grace, and Legacy

Introduction:

In the midst of a city destined for destruction, one woman—an outsider, a prostitute—chose to believe in the God of Israel. Rahab's story is one of radical faith, surprising grace, and eternal legacy. Her example challenges us to ask: what does real faith look like when everything is on the line?

1. Rahab’s Courageous Faith

(Joshua 2)

While the rest of Jericho panicked at the rumors of Israel’s advance, Rahab responded with stunning courage. As a woman, and a known prostitute, she would not have been considered an influential or trusted voice in her city. Yet, she chose to defy fear, risk her life, and act on what she had heard about the God of Israel.

When she hid the two Israelite spies on her rooftop and lied to the king’s men, it wasn’t just an act of cunning—it was an act of faith. She declared:

“I know that the Lord has given you the land... For the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.” (Joshua 2:9, 11)

This is the earliest recorded confession of faith by a Gentile in the Old Testament. It came not from a priest or prophet—but from a woman with a past, who believed that God's power was greater than the judgment coming on her city.

Key Point:
Faith is not merely intellectual belief—it is conviction that moves us to obedience and sacrifice. Rahab’s faith was costly. She risked her life, her reputation, and her future. She sided with God before the victory came. She believed not because she saw—but because she heard.

Application Questions:

• Are you waiting to see evidence before you trust God, or are you walking by faith based on His Word?
• Are you hiding in fear—clinging to the security of your old life—or stepping into obedience, even when it's risky?
• Do your actions reflect faith that aligns with God, even if it means standing alone?

2. Rahab’s Deliverance and Redemption

(Joshua 6:22–25)

When the walls of Jericho came crashing down, one house stood firm—the one marked by a scarlet cord hanging from a window. Rahab’s act of faith not only saved her life, but also spared her entire household. As the city was destroyed, Rahab and her family were brought out.

At first, she lived “outside the camp of Israel”—a reflection of her status as a foreigner. But Joshua 6:25 tells us:

“She has lived in Israel to this day.”

This is more than geography—it’s a picture of grace. Rahab wasn’t just rescued from destruction. She was welcomed into the people of God. In time, she would marry into the tribe of Judah and become part of the royal line that led to King David—and ultimately, Jesus Christ.

Key Point:
God’s salvation isn’t just about escaping judgment—it’s about entering into a new identity and a new future. Redemption means we are not defined by our past, but by God's grace.

Rahab went from:

• Prostitute to protector
• Outsider to insider
• Condemned to commended
• Forgotten to family
• Hidden in shame to honored in faith

Application Questions:

• Do you believe God’s grace is strong enough to rewrite your story?
• Have you embraced the full redemption of being brought into God's family—or are you still living "outside the camp"?
• Who in your life have you disqualified from grace that God may want to redeem like Rahab?

3. Rahab’s Legacy

(Matthew 1:5)

Rahab didn’t just escape destruction—she was woven into the very lineage of the Messiah. In Matthew 1:5, the genealogy of Jesus includes this powerful phrase:

“Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab…”

This is no small footnote. Genealogies in Scripture often skip over women, but Rahab is included by name. Not only was she welcomed into Israel, she married into the tribe of Judah. She became the mother of Boaz—the same Boaz who would show extraordinary kindness and redemption to Ruth. Her grandson would be Obed, great-grandson Jesse, and great-great-grandson David, Israel’s greatest king.

That means Rahab, the former prostitute of Jericho, became the great-great-grandmother of King David and a direct ancestor of Jesus Christ.

Key Point:
Faith doesn’t just transform your present—it echoes into your future. Rahab’s story shows that God can take the most broken beginnings and turn them into a legacy of holiness and purpose. Her courageous faith created a ripple effect through generations—ultimately shaping the story of salvation for the whole world.

Application Questions:

• What kind of legacy are you building through your faith right now?
• Are you allowing your past to define your identity—or trusting God to define your legacy?
• What could future generations inherit because of your obedience today?

4. Rahab’s Commendation

(Hebrews 11:31)

Centuries after her life, Rahab is still remembered—not for her sin, but for her faith. In Hebrews 11, often called the “Hall of Faith,” she stands shoulder-to-shoulder with giants like Noah, Abraham, and Moses:

“By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.” (Hebrews 11:31)

Notice what the verse emphasizes: faith. Her past is acknowledged—not to shame her, but to highlight how radical God's grace is. God commended her not because she had a spotless history, but because she trusted Him when it mattered most.

She is also mentioned in James 2:25, where her faith is validated by her works. Both her belief and her actions became part of her witness.

Key Point:
Faith is not about where you start. It’s about who you trust, and how that trust transforms your life. God didn’t just forgive Rahab—He honored her. Her name is forever recorded as a model of bold, redemptive belief.

Application Questions:

• Do you believe God wants to commend your faith—not just cleanse your past?
• Are you more concerned about your reputation—or your obedience?
• What steps of faith are you taking today that heaven will remember tomorrow?

Closing Challenge:

Rahab believed before she saw the walls fall. She acted before she had proof. That’s real faith.

• What are you waiting to see before you obey God?
• What bold steps of faith is God calling you to take today?

Will your legacy be one of fear—or of faith?