THE UNLIKELY MOTHER
Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25
Fordtown Baptist Church
Kingsport, Tennessee
May 8, 2005
Mother’s Day
READ SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25 KJV
PRAYER
INTRODUCTION
A.) This is the day that we honor our mothers. Actually, God has commanded each of us in His Word to honor our fathers and our mothers, constantly and continually, not just on special occasions (i.e. birthdays, anniversaries, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day), not just while they’re alive (we are to honor their memory after they have passed away), and not just if they happen to be good fathers and good mothers (see Exodus 20:12).
B.) God tells us to honor our parents (love, respect, obey, and care for them) regardless of how they were or how they treated us, regardless of if they were good to us or bad to us, regardless of if they were faithful Christians or unbelieving non-Christians, regardless of if they accepted us or rejected us, and regardless of if they loved us or were mean to us.
C.) WHY IS THAT? Do you realize that our relationship with our parents often mirrors and influences our relationship with God? If we’re not willing to love, respect, obey, and care for our earthly parents, then chances are we won’t be willing to love, respect, obey, and care about the one, true living God who created us, loves us, and who wants to have a personal relationship with us.
D.) This commandment to honor our parents is the first commandment that carries with it a promise. If we are faithful to love, respect, obey, and care for our parents, God promises that our days on earth will be long, enjoyable, and blessed (see Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:2; Ephesians 6:2).
E.) But today we focus specifically on our mothers. The late author and columnist Erma Bombeck wrote a tribute to her mother that I think is appropriate for today. READ ERMA BOMBECK’S TRIBUTE TO HER MOM (Source: Robert J. Morgan, Nelson’s Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations, & Quotes (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2000), p. 583-584).
F.) I read that by the time a child reaches 18 years old, a mother has had to handle some 18,000 extra hours of child-generated work. Amazing, isn’t it?
G.) A middle school science teacher gave a lecture to a class on the characteristics of magnets. The next day the teacher gave the students a quiz. The first question was this: “My name begins with the letter ‘M,’ has six letters, and I pick up things. What am I?” Half the kids in the class answered, “Mother.”
H.) A father and his son were talking about how important and influential mothers are. During their conversation the father said, “If daddy ain’t happy, who cares? But if mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!” (Source: Brian Bill, “A Mother’s Love,” SermonCentral.com, May 6, 2005). THAT WAS TRUE IN MY HOUSE AND PROBABLY IN YOURS AS WELL.
I.) What comes to mind when we think of what it means to be a mother, someone who is nice, loving, caring, compassionate, encouraging, and affirming?
J.) Most of us may think of our own mothers, or maybe we think of a television mom like Harriet Nelson or June Cleaver or Marion Cunningham or Claire Huxtable. The British Broadcasting Company’s Parenting magazine asked its readers what mother they would be most like to be.
K.) The number one pick was Marge Simpson, the mother on the TV cartoon show, “The Simpsons” (Source: Newsweek, May 10, 2004). That’s perhaps not our idea of the ideal mother.
L.) The Bible tells us about a woman who, from our perspective, was unfit, unprepared, and ill-equipped to be a mother, much less a good one. Her name was Rahab, and she was a prostitute.
M.) RAHAB WAS AN UNLIKELY MOTHER. And yet, despite her immoral lifestyle and sinful past, God radically changed Rahab and used her in a profound and powerful way, just as God can radically change each of us and use each of us for His honor and His glory.
I.) RAHAB’S CONFRONTATION WITH GOD
A.) We meet Rahab in Joshua 2 when the Israelite leader Joshua sent two men to Jericho to spy out the city the Israelites were preparing to invade as part of their conquest of the Promised Land.
B.) The Bible tells us the spies came to the house of Rahab, a prostitute who lived in Jericho, and they stayed in her house (see Joshua 2:1). Note: It was not an accident or an afterthought that the spies sought refuge in a house of ill repute.
C.) After all, it seemed like a prostitute’s house was the perfect place to hide if one didn’t want to be recognized or have their identity revealed. IT WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT THAT ISRAELITE SPIES CAME TO RAHAB’S HOUSE, IT WAS A DIVINE APPOINTMENT.
D.) God led the two spies to Rahab’s house for a reason and a purpose. God had a plan for Rahab’s life, JUST AS GOD ALSO HAS A PLAN FOR EACH OF OUR LIVES.
E.) These two Israelite spies represented the one, true living God, and their presence forced Rahab to confront God, maybe for the first time in her life.
F.) FOLKS, IT’S NOT AN ACCIDENT THAT WE’RE HERE THIS MORNING. WE HAVE A DIVINE APPOINTMENT THIS MORNING WITH GOD. RAHAB’S CONFRONTATION WITH GOD CAUSED HER TO MAKE CHOICES ABOUT GOD AND ABOUT HER LIFE.
G.) GOD BROUGHT US TO THIS PLACE ON THIS DAY TO CONFRONT GOD AND TO CAUSE US TO MAKE CHOICES ABOUT GOD AND ABOUT OUR LIVES AS WELL.
II.) RAHAB’S CHOICE ABOUT GOD
A.) The king of Jericho learned of Israel’s impending attack and knew that spies had come from Israel to scout the land. The Bible says the king specifically sent word to Rahab, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land” (Joshua 2:3 NASB).
B.) Apparently the word was out in Jericho, the Israelite spies were at Rahab’s house. It seems like either the spies weren’t very good spies or someone had snitched on Rahab.
C.) Rahab had to make a choice. It was an important choice. It turned out to be the most important choice in Rahab’s life. Her choice would make the difference between life and death; between her own life and death, as well as the welfare and safety of her family and the citizens of Jericho.
D.) Rahab could have protected God’s representatives, the Israelite spies, or she could have gained favor with the king of Jericho and her own people by turning in the spies.
E.) When confronted, Rahab said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. When it was time to shut the gate at dark, the men went out; I don’t know where the men went. If you go after them quickly, you will capture them” (see Joshua 2:4-5).
F.) So the men of Jericho took off in hot pursuit of the spies. At great personal risk, the Bible says Rahab hid the spies within the roof of her house (see Joshua 2:6). WHY WOULD RAHAB DO SUCH A THING?
G.) Maybe she was miserable in her life. Who could blame her? After all, she was a prostitute. Perhaps she was tired of being used and abused by men. Maybe she was sick of being viewed as nothing more than a sex object to satisfy men’s desires.
H.) It’s quite likely she was looked down upon, made fun of, and ridiculed because of her immoral lifestyle. Maybe she wanted things to be different in her life. It occurs to me that there are many folks today who are in the same situation as Rahab, maybe even some of you here this morning.
I.) We often can’t control the situations and circumstances that come into our lives, BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR RESPONSE TO THEM. WE CAN CONTROL THE CHOICES WE MAKE.
J.) WE CAN BE NEW AND DIFFERENT PEOPLE, BUT IT BEGINS WITH A CHOICE. AND THAT CHOICE HAS TO DO WITH GOD.
K.) THE MOST IMPORTANT CHOICE EACH OF US MAKES IN THIS LIFE IS OUR CHOICE ABOUT GOD. IT DETERMINES NOT ONLY HOW WE LIVE IN THIS LIFE, RIGHT NOW, IN THE PRESENT. BUT IT ALSO DETERMINES WHERE WE WILL SPEND ETERNITY AFTER WE DIE.
L.) WE CAN CHOOSE TO LIVE GOD’S WAY, AND FIND THE LOVE, JOY, PEACE, BLESSING, AND PURPOSE HE WANTS FOR OUR LIVES, AS WELL AS HAVE THE PROMISE AND ASSURANCE OF ETERNAL LIFE AFTER WE DIE.
M.) OR WE CAN CHOOSE TO CONTINUE TO LIVE OUR OWN WAY, AND CONTINUE TO BE MISERABLE, DISAPPOINTED, DISCOURAGED, DEJECTED, DEFEATED, AND ULTIMATELY, DESTROY OUR LIVES, AND DOOM OUR SOULS TO ETERNITY, LOST AND SEPARATED FROM GOD.
III.) RAHAB’S CONFESSION OF GOD
A.) Rahab’s choice about God led to a confession of God. The Bible tells us why Rahab risked her life to save the Israelite spies.
B.) She told the spies, “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you.
C.) “For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed.
D.) “When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you (i.e. the people of Jericho were scared to death of the Israelites because of what Almighty God had done on their behalf); (listen to Rahab’s confession of faith in God) FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD, HE IS GOD IN HEAVEN ABOVE AND ON EARTH BENEATH” (Joshua 2:9-11 NASB).
E.) Rahab had heard about God, about what God had done for the Israelites, and how God had miraculously delivered them out of slavery in Egypt. The people of Jericho understandably were afraid of the Israelites because the Lord God Almighty was with them, and they knew there was no way they could defeat them.
F.) EACH OF US, AT SOME POINT IN OUR LIVES, WILL MAKE A CONFESSION ABOUT GOD. We have a choice. We can do it now, in this life, and enter into a personal relationship with God through faith in and commitment to Jesus Christ.
G.) Or, we can refuse to confess God now, in this life, and do so in eternity, when it will be too late to save us.
H.) Jesus said, “Everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32 NASB).
I.) NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE OUR CONFESSION TO GOD.
IV.) RAHAB’S COMMITMENT TO GOD
A.) BUT OUR CONFESSION OF GOD THEN SHOULD LEAD US TO MAKE A COMMITMENT TO GOD. That’s what Rahab did.
B.) Rahab believed God, and that belief led her to action. It caused her to protect the spies, God’s representatives. Now she went a step further. Rahab wanted to be a part of God’s people, the nation of Israel. She wanted her, and her family, to be saved from the destruction that was coming to Jericho.
C.) So Rahab made a commitment to the spies. She said, “Please swear to me by the Lord, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father’s household, and give me a pledge of truth, and spare my father and my mother and my brothers and my sisters, with all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death” (Joshua 2:12-13 NASB).
D.) The spies agreed that if Rahab remained silent about their mission and protected them that they would save her and her family. The spies told Rahab what she had to do when the Israelites invaded Jericho so that she and her family would be spared (see Joshua 2:14). Rahab made a way for the spies to safely escape Jericho.
E.) The Israelite spies returned to Joshua and gave a positive faithful report that the Lord had given Jericho to them. All they had to do was to go in and take it (see Joshua 2:15-24).
F.) The Bible tells us that Rahab kept her commitment to the spies and protected them. And when Israel invaded Jericho, Rahab did as the spies had instructed her, and in doing so, she saved herself and her family.
G.) In fact, Rahab and her family were the only survivors of the destruction that came upon Jericho (see Joshua 6:1-27). THEY WERE SAVED BECAUSE OF RAHAB’S FAITH AND COMMITMENT TO GOD, JUST AS WE ARE SAVED WHEN WE PLACE OUR FAITH IN AND MAKE A COMMITMENT TO GOD.
H.) The Bible says Rahab and her family joined the Israelites, became a part of their nation, through faith in God, and lived with Israel for the rest of her life (see Joshua 6:25). RAHAB ACTED ON HER FAITH, MADE A COMMITMENT, AND BECAME A FOLLOWER OF GOD.
I.) FOLKS, FAITH IS USELESS AND WORTHLESS UNLESS IT IS ACTED UPON, UNLESS IT LEADS TO A COMMITMENT TO GOD.
J.) Billy Graham once said, “Many people argue, ‘I do believe in Christ. I believe in the Church, and I believe in the Bible. Isn’t that enough?’ NO! You must RECEIVE CHRIST” (i.e. that’s a commitment).
K.) Graham continued, “I may go to the airport. I have a reservation. I have a ticket in my pocket. The plane is on the ramp. It is a big, powerful plane. I am certain that it will take me to my destination. They call the flight three times.
L.) “But I neglect to get on board. They close the door. The plane taxis down the runway and takes off. I am not on the plane. Why? I BELIEVED in the plane, but I neglected to get on board.
M.) “That’s just it! You believe in God, Christ, the Bible, and the Church—but you have neglected to actually receive Him in your heart (i.e. through a personal commitment). Your belief has been an impersonal, speculative thing, and you have not entrusted yourself to Christ (Source: Billy Graham, “All Aboard,” SermonCentral.com, April 18, 2005).
N.) Billy Graham’s comments describe a growing number of people today. Many claim to have faith, to believe in Jesus Christ, to believe the Bible, and even to attend church.
O.) BUT THAT’S AS FAR AS THEIR FAITH GOES. IT DOESN’T LEAD THEM TO MAKE ANY KIND OF COMMITMENT. Others say, “My faith is a private matter. It’s just between me and God.” PRIVATE FAITH IS A DEAD FAITH.
P.) THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A SECRET CHRISTIAN OR A SECRET FAITH. The Bible tells us if our faith is real, it will be seen in our words, actions, attitudes, and lifestyle (see James 2:17, 26).
Q.) Jesus commanded those of us who claim to be His followers, “Let your light (i.e. your faith) so shine before men that they may see your good works and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
V.) RAHAB’S CHANGED LIFE
A.) Rahab’s faith and commitment to God finally resulted in a changed life, JUST AS OUR FAITH AND COMMITMENT TO GOD WILL RESULT IN A CHANGE IN EACH OF OUR LIVES, IF THEY ARE REAL, GENUINE, AND AUTHENTIC.
B.) It has been said that a generation of Christian mothers can change the whole face of society in just one year, THROUGH THEIR FAITHFULNESS AND COMMITMENT TO GOD (Source: Lord Shaftesbury, Nelson’s Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations, & Quotes (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2000), p. 578). THAT’S PRECISELY WHAT RAHAB DID.
C.) Rahab’s faith and commitment to God not only changed her life, but it changed her family tree. THIS IS IMPORTANT, FOLKS. With her family’s future changed forever, God also used Rahab’s family to change the history of the world as well.
D.) After placing her faith in God and making a commitment to God, Rahab went from being a prostitute, hopeless, helpless, and destined for destruction and death, to a godly woman and mother who built a heritage of faithfulness and commitment to God.
E.) The Bible tells us Rahab later had a son. His name was Boaz. Boaz married a woman named Ruth. They had a son called Obed. Obed’s son was Jesse. And Jesse had a son named David.
F.) Rahab was the great-grandmother of David, the great king of Israel (see Ruth 4:18-21). Eight of Rahab’s descendants were prophets, including Jeremiah (Source: Harper’s Bible Dictionary, Paul J. Achtemeier, gen. ed. (San Francisco: Harper Row Publishers, 1985), p. 850-851).
G.) Rahab is one of only four women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (see Matthew 1:5) (Source: Zondervan NIV Nave’s Topical Bible, John R. Kohlenberger III, gen. ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), p. 830). FROM RAHAB’S DESCENDANTS CAME THE LORD AND SAVIOR OF THE WORLD.
H.) Rahab was later commended in the Bible for her faithfulness. She is among the great examples of faith listed in Hebrews 11 (see Hebrews 11:31 and James 2:25). As one preacher said, “Rahab moved from the Wall of Shame to the Hall of Fame of Faith” (Source: Rev. Gary Gerhardt).
I.) We learn two lessons from the Rahab’s life that apply to each of us here this morning.
1.) Rahab shows us how each of us comes to God:
a.) It begins when we have a confrontation with God. God comes to us and speaks to us, through His Holy Spirit.
b.) Then we are forced to make a choice about how we’re going to respond to God, accept Him or reject Him.
c.) If we choose to follow God, that leads us to make a confession of God (of who God is, of our sins, that Jesus is the Son of God who died for our sins, and arose from the dead).
d.) A confession of God then should result in a commitment to God, through faith, trust, and obedience to God (i.e. we follow the Lord by repenting or turning away from our sins, asking Jesus to forgive our sins, come into our lives as Lord and Savior, submit and surrender control of our lives to Christ, follow the Lord in baptism, unite with a local body of believers, and serve the Lord through His church).
e.) That commitment eventually will show itself in a changed life. The Bible tells us that we’ll be new and different people because of our faith and commitment to God (see 2 Corinthians 5:17).
2.) The story of Rahab’s life is the story of change:
a.) The message of Rahab’s life is that we can be different people, cleansed, forgiven, and set free from our past sins, mistakes, and failures, healed, restored, changed, and transformed forever through faith and commitment to God.
b.) AND ULTIMATELY, FOLKS, THAT’S THE ONLY WAY ANY OF US WILL EVER CHANGE.
CONCLUSION
A.) I did something last Sunday night I had never done before. I watched the television show, Desperate Housewives. It’s one of the most popular shows on television and I thought I might find some material to use in a sermon.
B.) In the episode I watched, there was a single mother trying to raise a teenage daughter, who was being stalked by an obsessive male classmate. Another woman was jealous and afraid that her husband was going to fall for one of his ex-girlfriends who had returned to the company where he worked.
C.) Another lady (I couldn’t tell if she was married or not) was infatuated with a local pharmacist and wanted to see him, against the wishes of the other man in her life. And another young lady learned that she was pregnant.
D.) She visited her priest and WAS ANGRY AT GOD THAT SHE HAD GOTTEN PREGNANT, AS IF IT WAS GOD’S FAULT. Plus, she was further confused about who had gotten her pregnant since she was living with one man, perhaps her husband, but was having an affair with the gardener.
E.) The show is aptly named because each of the women is truly DESPERATE. But what they are desperate for is the same thing each of us is ultimately desperate for, THAT’S A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ONE, TRUE LIVINGGOD WHO CREATED US AND LOVES US THROUGH FAITH IN HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST.
F.) THEY, AND EACH OF US, ARE DESPERATE FOR CHRIST. It is impossible for women to be mothers, men to be fathers, and children to be children, apart from the love, the hope, the peace, the joy, the freedom, the purpose, the power, and the forgiveness that come only through faith in and a commitment to Jesus Christ.
G.) THAT KIND OF FAITH AND COMMITMENT CHANGED RAHAB FROM A PROSTITUTE TO A MOTHER, A MOTHER WHO CHANGED HER FAMILY, HER FAMILY’S FUTURE, AND THE WORLD, FOREVER.
H.) THAT SAME KIND OF FAITH AND COMMITMENT CAN ALSO CHANGE YOUR LIFE, YOUR FAMILY, YOUR FAMILY’S FUTURE, AND YOUR WORLD, NOW AND FOREVER.
PRAYER
HYMN OF COMMITMENT: #309—“Lord, I’m Coming Home”
