Gift of Truth
Five Gifted Women • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
AN OLDER gentleman had some health problems. He went to visit his doctor and was told to change his diet. The physician lectured the man on the importance of eating well, and gave him a long list of things to eat and not eat.
The gentleman called his sons to let them know about his declining health as he knew his son would be concerned. He explained the doctor’s prognosis and his prescription for restoring good health.
A couple of weeks later, one of the aged man’s sons called to check on him. “OK, Dad, the doctor gave you some instructions awhile back. How is the regimen going?” The old man replied, “I’ve changed doctors.”
Sometimes our response to the truth is not the best response.1002
This morning we are going to be looking at a story where 1 person out of roughly a thousand had the best response to truth
Like with the doctor if we ignore the truth and the solution we walk a path full of unnecessary problems that ultimately lead to death
Hearing the Truth
Hearing the Truth
Rahab had heard of the mighty works of God
Of the works he had done to deliver Israel
Of the works he had done to bring judgment on other wicked cities
The Canaanites were not blindsided with judgment
Rahab’s story testifies to this fact, they knew Israel was coming and by whom’s power they were coming
The truth of God had went before the Israelites, as God prepared the way
Application
Application
Application #1: Where God has called, He has prepared the way.
Going into a wicked culture can be a daunting task, this was the Israelites second go at it, first time it did not go so well
Like the Israelites though we have a responsibility to go into a wicked culture for the glory of God
Disobedience carries consequences such as wandering and missing out on your purpose
The Israelites this time would go on to be successful because they would remember that they were walking a path that had already been prepared for them
Our responsibility is obedience
The details and the giving of life is His
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Over 3,000 years ago the Israelites harvest was the land of Canaan, what harvest is the Lord calling you to today?
How do you find the answer to this?
First be in the truth
Second, ask where has God placed you?
You are not placed by accident, from where you live to where you work their is a purpose for you being there
And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,
How are you using the place you were placed with purpose?
Third, what breaks your heart?
Is their a particular issue that breaks your heart?
Is their certain people that break your heart?
After you identify these issues or people, you need to orchestrate how you are going to rearrange your life to fulfll this purpose or risk doing like the Israelites and wondering around for years without aim
Responding to the Truth
Responding to the Truth
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.
The people of Jericho heard the truth, they were gifted with truth. Which means they were gifted with time to repent
But they choose not to repent, instead they let great fear run rampant in their lives and when they see an opportunity to maybe stop the Israelites plans they do their best to
One though did repent Rahab (.1% “evangelism” success rate)
The end of verse 11 she proclaims the sovereignty of God
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
I believe Rahab was the main reason God sent the spies into Jericho
God knew their was a soul their that would make a choice that would change her eternity
Application
Application
Application #2: Most people who hear the gospel are going to reject it
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
That can be discouraging because we want to see results, and we care for the people we share with, we don’t want them to go down the path of destruction
3 Ways people are going to respond:
One: Anger Reject- people are going to respond with anger
I use to hand tracts out at Walmart a lot and I remember this one guy I tried giving one to cussed me out for trying, i tried a second time later same response. A few days later I am at a basketball game and run into the same guy and a friend is with me and this time instead of cussing me out, he goes I will take one from her.
Two: Passively reject- people are going to brush it off or go with the good ole boy philosophy
Sometimes people are not going to get angry with you but will passively try to put off the conversation
Three: Accept- They accept the Gospel and let the Spirit transform their hearts
The best response, and the response worth a celebration
Remember just because people reject does not mean give up on them
Pray and persevere continuously looking for opportunities to minister
Application #3: You are not responsible for others obedience, you are responsible for your obedience to the mission God has given you
You evangelizing is not about others, but really about you and your relationship with God
Evangelism should be an overflow of the joy in your heart
Impact of the Truth
Impact of the Truth
But Rahab the prostitute and her father’s household and all who belonged to her, Joshua saved alive. And she has lived in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.
Her life was saved and she became a part of the family of God
She was no longer identified as a citizen of the land but as a citizen of heaven
Also the holiness of her life had an impact on her family, all who dwelled in her house when judgment came were shown grace in this world
We do not know if they were spiritually saved, but they were given blessings that flowed out of Rahab’s life
Application
Application
Application #4: The Holiness of God overflows out of you, blessing the lost and saved in your life
To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
Romans–Galatians Comment
This does not mean that a Christian spouse automatically turns the rest of their family into Christians (1 Cor. 7:16). Rather, a Christian, whose body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (6:19–20), sets the entire household apart in some sense and positively influences it.
Look at those around you and ask yourself what impact are you having?
In what way is your life set a part form the nonbeliever in your life?
What regular positive influence do you have in your life?
What measures are in your life to maintain holiness?
Outroduction
Outroduction
Believer this morning I want to leave you with this challenge
You have been gifted with the truth what are you doing to carry this gift to the lost this holiday season
English Standard Version Chapter 10
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Believer you have been challenged and now go and voice the gospel beyond these doors
Unbeliever you have heard the gospel come so that your future is not
But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
