Believing Beyond the Walls: Rahab’s Story of Faith

Sermon 14 in Series on Hebrews 11

Alternative Titles

· Risky Faith: Rahab’s Bold Move for God St

· Against All Odds: How Rahab Chose God’s Side

· Real Loyalty: Rahab’s Unshakable Stand

· Grace for the Imperfect: Rahab’s Journey of Trust

· Fearless Faith: What Rahab Teaches Us About Loyalty

A Sermon on Hebrews 11:31

Opening Prayer

Gracious God, we gather in your presence, hearts open and spirits attentive to your word. Guide us as we unfold the lesson from Rahab’s story in Hebrews 11:31. Fill our minds with understanding and our lives with the courage to trust you as she did. May your Spirit illuminate your truth and inspire our believing loyalty. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Introduction

Hebrews chapter 11 is often called the “Hall of Faith,” chronicling men and women who lived by faith and were commended by God. Among them is Rahab, a figure whose background was far from perfect, yet whose persistent belief and decisive action set her apart. Today, we focus on Hebrews 11:31:

“By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.”

Rahab’s story is the story of believing loyalty—a commitment to God even when surrounded by opposition, uncertainty, and personal imperfection.

Below are four points from Rahab’s story, each a beacon for our own journey of faith.

Point 1: The Basis of Believing Loyalty

Rahab’s faith did not rest on vague hopes or wishful thinking, but was anchored in the objective reality of God’s deeds. She heard what God had done for Israel—how He parted the Red Sea, how He crushed Egypt’s power. She recognized that the God of Israel was unlike any other, and she deliberately chose to align herself with Him.

· Application: True faith is not blind; it is a response to the evidence of God’s power and faithfulness.

· Challenge: Ask yourself—what deeds of God have you seen in your life?

Rahab chose God over her background, over her city, and even over her own safety. The foundation of her loyalty was the reality of God’s works.

Point 2: The Demonstration of Faith in Action

Rahab’s faith was not simply internal or theoretical—it moved her to action. When the spies came, she welcomed them, hid them, and risked her life to protect them. This was more than hospitality; it was a concrete demonstration of her believing loyalty. By faith, she sided with God, distinguishing herself from those who would perish in Jericho.

· Application: Faith must be lived out. What action is God calling you to take that will demonstrate your loyalty?

· Challenge: Is your faith visible in how you live, in the choices you make?

Faith is not only what we confess, but what we do.

Point 3: Persistent Commitment Despite Flaws

Rahab’s inclusion in Hebrews 11 reminds us that faith is not reserved for the perfect. Her story is marked by moral failure, yet she never abandoned her believing loyalty. Like the other heroes of faith, she “never traded in her faith”—her commitment was tenacious and persistent.

· Application: God commends those who keep believing, even amid struggles and moral failures.

· Challenge: Are you willing to persevere in faith, even when you stumble?

God’s grace is greater than our flaws; what matters is that we remain loyal to Him.

Point 4: The Reward of Faith

Because Rahab acted by faith, she did not perish with those who were disobedient. Her loyalty secured her a place among those commended by God. Her story affirms the chapter’s central idea: believing loyalty is the means of salvation. “This is where I’m at, come what may.” God rewards those who endure and continue to believe.

· Application: The reward of faith is not just survival—it is commendation from God, a place in His family.

· Challenge: Do you trust that God will honor your faith?

Faith endures; faith is rewarded.

Conclusion

Rahab’s journey, from outsider to ancestor in the lineage of Christ, is a testament to the power of believing loyalty. She saw the evidence of God’s deeds, acted in faith, persisted despite her flaws, and was rewarded for her loyalty.

Through persecution, failure, and doubt, Hebrews 11 calls us to hold fast to this kind of faith. Let Rahab’s story inspire us to say, “This is the means of salvation, and there is no other. This is where I’m at, come what may.”

Closing Prayer

Lord God, thank you for the story of Rahab—a beacon of hope for all who struggle and strive to trust you. Help us to anchor our faith in your mighty deeds, to live out our loyalty in action, to persist even in weakness, and to trust in your reward. Strengthen us to say, “Come what may, I am Yours.” Give us courage and perseverance as we walk the path of believing loyalty. In the name of Christ, Amen.