Red Thread

Introduction: This morning, I am going to challenge some of you to make the most important decision you will ever make in your. In a few moments, I am going to ask you to step out from where you are and surrender control of your life to Jesus Christ.

I want you to begin thinking about this decision, because I know that there are some here this morning who have never made this commitment. First, I want to ask you a big favor: that for the next few minutes you give me your complete attention. That no one get up and leave because what you will hear in the next few minutes could effect you or someone beside of you for all of eternity.

There is not a single person in this room that can be left out of this promise. No matter what you have done in your past, you can come to Christ this very day and receive forgiveness of sins. I believe that God is speaking to some of you this morning. You need to commit your life to Christ before you leave this place today. Will you pray with me...

PRAY --- PRAY --- PRAY --- PRAY --- PRAY --- PRAY --- PRAY --- PRAY

When I read God’s word, I am amazed at the people in the scripture, who were facing God’s judgement and destruction, were saved simply by obeying God’s word.

I read about how a man named Noah was commanded by God to build giant boat -- as large as an aircraft carrier. In that boat he was told to take onboard two of every living creature -- a male and female -- along with his family because God was going to bring about a great flood to destroy everything on the earth. Noah listened to God’s word and was saved along with his family.

I read how two angels were sent to a man named Lot. Lot was living in a city so full of sin that God couldn’t even find ten righteous people living there. After much convincing, He finally obeyed the word of the Lord and fled from the coming destruction to a little town named Zoar, and was spared judgement.

I read how the Israelites were commanded by God to kill a lamb, and smear its blood on the door posts and lintel of their homes. When God sent the death angel into the Egypt to kill the firstborn, each of the homes that painted their door posts with the blood were saved because they obeyed God.

Today’s text reminds me of those stories. It helps us recall how a piece of red cord saved a prostitute and her family from judgement, and how she came to faith in the true and living God because of her obedience.

When I think about this passage, one of the things that I am most thankful to God for is the fact that he loves us in spite of the fact that we are by nature his enemies. The Bible tells us that: “...God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” And, that by calling upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we can be saved from the judgement of Hell. This young lady named Rahab is an

illustration of this truth.

I. Rahab - doomed lady living in a doomed town

1. Time had come - Israel - after wandering - Inherit land of Canaan

(1) God was going to judge the Canaanites for their wickedness

2. Joshua sent two spies - view the land - especially Jericho

3. Came to the house of Rahab the prostitute in Jericho - Bible says they lodged there

4. Word Got back to King of Jericho - Men had come to spy out the land

5. King sent Jericho police to Rahab - ordered her to turn over the spies to him

6. Rahab hid them on the roof - told the cops that they had left

7. So they left to look for the spies - when the coast was clear (Josh 2:8-13)

8. So the spies responded (v. 14) then (v. 15)

9. Before they left - special sign - scarlet cord in window (vv. 17-18)

10. Josh. 6 - Israel marched around city once a day - 6 days - 7th day - marched 7 times - final round shouted - walls fell down

(1) Where was Rahab when the walls started falling down?

(2) Rahab the prostitute was safe inside the house with her family hiding behind the scarlet thread!

II. Fine story, but what does this mean to me???

1. Rahab was by nature an enemy of God, but she found grace and was saved by putting her faith in the one true God (Josh 2:11)