Sermon Central
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The Spies And The Harlot! Part 1 Of 2 Series
Contributed by Kyle Sullivan on Jun 11, 2010 (message contributor)
Summary: Time to scout the Promise Land
Question: Why did Joshua send the spies into the Land?
1. To Gather Information. Vs 1 “Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.” (NIV)
Interesting: The use of spies was not a lack of faith but rather a demonstration that true faith is active faith.
James 1:22 “But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (HCSB)
Question: Why would the spies go to a prostitute’s house?
Answer: They went there to “get lost,” and find some shelter with some degree of freedom.
Joshua 2:9 “I know that the LORD has given this land to you 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.” (NIV)
God gave them encouragement and a promise through the mouth of the enemy.
Question: What encouragement do you need right now?
2. To save one that was just like Israel. Rahab! Vs. 11b-13 “For the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and that you will save us from death.” (NIV)
Even though Rahab live a life of harlotry there is still forgiveness for sins and eternal life available in Jesus Christ!
Luke 19:10 “For the Son of man has come to seek and to save the lost.” (HCSB)
God has a great sense of humor: not only did Rahab part of the wall of Jericho not fall but she would become part of the genealogy of Jesus.
Romans 10:13 “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be save.” (HCSB)
God had been working in Rahab’s heart, leading her to a true faith; now through the spies she would be saved by God.
John 1:29 “Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (HCSB)
