Faith When Eyes & Spies Think of Wavering

We culminate our sermon series this morning.

Faith that Works

Hebrews 11:29–31 ESV

29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

In Faith...

God Gives Passage

God Gives Victory

God Gives Grace

God Gives Passage

Hebrews 11:29 ESV

29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.

Three propositions happen in this text:

Israel crossed on dry land.

The Egyptians tried.

They drowned (literally “were swallowed up”)

The Israelites ran by faith and the Egyptians contrast in the presumption that they could do the same.

The believer can be imitated by the unbeliever, but the unbeliever will not enjoy the same outcome.

But we also have a picture in the Ex. 14 passage of what God was going to do with Israel and the eventual portrayal of Israel by Jesus.

Hosea 11:1 ESV

1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

Matthew 2:15 ESV

15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

He makes the path of His children straight as they rely upon him.

Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

God Gives Victory

Hebrews 11:30 ESV

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.

This story is found in Joshua 6.

6 days they walked around once and on the seventh day (seven priests with rams horns in front of the ark) they walk around seven times, then the priests blow the trumpets, the people shout, and the walls come tumbling down.

God fought their battles.

In the same way, for those who belong to God, we lean on Him for the battles of the this life.

God Gives Grace

Hebrews 11:31 ESV

31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

Let’s Look at what she said...

Joshua 2:9–11 ESV

9 and said to the men, “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. 10 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 devoted to destruction. 11 And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath.

Let’s Look at what she did.

Joshua 2:15–16 ESV

15 Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was built into the city wall, so that she lived in the wall. 16 And she said to them, “Go into the hills, or the pursuers will encounter you, and hide there three days until the pursuers have returned. Then afterward you may go your way.”

Both her words and her actions speak faith.

The outflow of her faith—life

She risked the current life for the one to come.

We see this portrayed even more so in the parable of the two sons:

Matthew 21:28–32 (ESV)

28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’

29 And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went.

30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go.

31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you.

32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

You see there is a picture here of one starting in the wrong direction and by faith changing.

Her life was a picture of her faith and she was rewarded.

Walking Away, But In...

Faith:

Sustains

Secures

Saves