Strong Women of the Bible Week 2 – Rahab

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Title of the Series

Strong Women of the Bible

Title of the message this Morning

Week 2 – Rahab

Big Idea:

No past is too broken and no label is too permanent for the redeeming power of God.

Rahab’s faith demonstrates that when we recognize who God truly is and act on that belief, He not only rescues us but rewrites our identity and places us into His greater story.

What begins as a story of survival becomes a legacy of salvation.

Prayer:

“God, thank You that our past does not define us, but Your grace does.

Give us the faith to trust who You are and the courage to step into the new story You are writing.”

Key Verse:

Joshua 2:11 — “The LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.”

Main Scripture: Joshua 2:8–14

Introduction

Last week, we started this series, Strong Women of the Bible, by looking at Deborah— a woman of clarity, courage, and conviction.

She listened to God when others weren’t…

she stepped up when others hesitated…

and we saw how God brought victory through her obedience.

It was a powerful reminder that God uses people who are willing to step into the moment.

But today, we’re going to look at strength from a completely different angle.

Because if Deborah’s story makes you think, “I want to be that kind of leader…”

Rahab’s story meets you in a different place.

It speaks to the part of you that wonders: “Could God really use someone like me?”

Because Rahab doesn’t start from a place of influence.

She doesn’t have a spiritual reputation.

She’s not known for her leadership.

In fact, when we meet her in Joshua chapter 2, where she’s living in Jericho… and she’s identified by a label that would have defined her in the eyes of everyone around her.

And yet— this is the woman God chooses to use…

This is the woman included in the genealogy of Christ.

Not after she cleans up her life.

Not after she proves herself.

Right in the middle of her reality.

And what we’re going to see today is this:

God is not limited by your past.

He is not constrained by labels.

And He is not waiting for you to become perfect before He begins to work in your life.

When Rahab recognizes who God truly is— and places her faith in Him— everything changes.

Her story shifts from survival… to redemption… to becoming part of the story of God.

And if you’ve ever felt disqualified… if you’ve ever believed the lie that your past has already written your future…

Rahab’s story is for you.

Main Teaching

Remember, to really understand these stories we need to go back to the Word, back to where the characters were introduced.

Joshua chapter 2 drops us right into that moment, where two Israelite spies enter Jericho and find themselves at Rahab’s house.

And what unfolds in that conversation reveals something unexpected—not just about Rahab’s situation, but about her faith.

Point 1: Faith Begins with Recognizing Who God Truly Is

When we first meet Rahab in Joshua 2, everything about her life would suggest she’s far from God:

She’s a Canaanite.

She lives in Jericho—a city opposed to God’s people.

And Joshua 2:1 identifies her with a label that defined her reputation.

By every external measure, she is an outsider, and yet—something has already been happening beneath the surface.

Because when Rahab speaks in Joshua 2:9–11, she says this: “I know that the Lord has given you this land… We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea… and what you did to Sihon and Og…

When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear… for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.”

Don’t miss it.. She says, “I know…”

Not “I’ve heard about your God.” Not “I’m curious about your God.”

“I know.”

Rahab had heard the stories—just like everyone else in Jericho. They had all heard about the Red Sea (Exodus 14).

They had all heard about the victories God had given Israel (Numbers 21).

But the difference is this:

Everyone else heard and became afraid. Rahab heard—and believed.

Fear drove others to resistance.

Faith moved Rahab toward surrender.

Hebrews 11:31 says, “By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.”

And James 2:25 adds,“Was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies…?”

Scripture doesn’t ignore her past— but it also doesn’t let her past define her.

Instead, it highlights her faith.

And here’s where this lands for us:

Faith doesn’t begin when your life looks cleaned up.

Faith begins when you see God for who He truly is.

Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”

Rahab heard… and instead of dismissing it, instead of hardening her heart like everyone else—she believed it.

And that belief changed everything.

Because, as you and I know, the moment you recognize who God truly is— not just in theory, but in truth— you can’t stay the same.

Rahab was still in Jericho.

Still in the same house.

Still carrying the same label.

But internally, everything had already shifted.

She believed, and that’s where every story of redemption begins.

Point 2: Faith Acts, Even When the Risk Is Real

Rahab’s confession in Joshua 2 is powerful— but her story doesn’t stop with what she believes.

It moves to what she does.

Because real, biblical faith is never just internal—it always leads to action.

James 2:17 says, “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

And Rahab shows us exactly what that looks like.

Joshua 2:4–6 tells us that when the king of Jericho sends men to capture the spies, Rahab hides them on her roof under stalks of flax.

Rahab is choosing to align herself with God’s people in the middle of a city that is actively opposed to them.

She is risking her safety, her security, and her very life for these Israelite spies.

If she’s discovered, this doesn’t end in a warning— this ends in death.

And yet—she acts anyway…

But why?

Because what she believed about God was stronger than what she feared about her circumstances.

She had come to the conclusion:

If this is who God is… then this is where I stand.

Joshua 2:12–13, she says to the spies:

“Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family… that you will save us from death.”

She’s not just hiding them— she’s entrusting herself to the mercy of God.

This is a turning point.

Rahab is no longer just acknowledging God from a distance— she is placing her future in His hands.

And here’s what you need to see:

Faith is not proven by what you say in safety.

Faith is revealed by what you do when it costs you something.

Hebrews 11:31 again says,

“By faith… Rahab… welcomed the spies.”

Her faith wasn’t theoretical.

It was demonstrated.

And this is where this gets personal for us:

There are moments in our lives where belief alone isn’t enough.

Moments where God is calling us to step out—  to trust Him,  to obey Him,  to align our lives with Him— even when it feels risky.

Even when it’s uncomfortable. Even when it doesn’t make sense to everyone around us.

For some, that step is turning away from something you’ve held onto for years. For others, it’s stepping into something God has been calling you toward. For some, it’s simply saying, “God, I’m all in,” and meaning it.

Rahab didn’t have all the details.

She didn’t have a long history of faith.

But she had enough belief to act.

And that’s what set her apart.

Because real faith doesn’t wait for certainty—

it moves forward in trust…

We walk by faith, not by sight.

Rahab believed… and then Rahab acted.

And that’s where her story begins to change.

Point 3: God Redeems and Rewrites the Story of Those Who Trust Him

By the time we get to the end of Joshua 2, a promise has been made.

The spies tell Rahab in Joshua 2:18:

“Tie this scarlet cord in the window… and bring your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house.”

This cord becomes a sign, a visible expression of her faith. And Joshua 2:21 says, “She tied the scarlet cord in the window.”

Don’t miss that detail…

Rahab responds in obedience before anything has even happened…

That’s faith.

That’s her saying, “I trust that what God has for me, what these spies have promised me, will come to pass.”

And when we move forward to Joshua 6, the walls of Jericho fall—just as God promised.

Joshua 6:25 tells us:

“But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family… because she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies.”

God keeps His word…

Rahab is rescued…

Her family is saved.

But here’s where the story gets even more powerful— because God doesn’t just rescue Rahab in Joshua 6…

God rewrites her story!

Matthew 1:5 tells us that Rahab becomes part of the lineage of Jesus:

“Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab…”

If you’ve never heard that, or seen her name in the lineage of Christ…

Let that sink in for a moment.

Rahab— a woman from Jericho… an outsider… a prostitute…is brought into the family line of Christ.

God doesn’t just spare her life— He gives her a legacy.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says,

“If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

That’s Rahab’s story.

Her past didn’t disappear—

but it no longer defined her.

Her identity was no longer based on where she had been— but on what God had done.

And that’s what God does for all of us.

He doesn’t just improve your life— He transforms it.

He doesn’t just cover your past— He redeems it.

He takes what was broken…

what was labeled…

what was defined by sin or shame…

and He writes a new story.

That’s the power of God’s grace.

And that’s the invitation in front of us today.

Conclusion

When you step back and look at Rahab’s story, the movement is undeniable.

She recognized who God truly is— not just hearing about Him, but believing in her heart that He is “God in heaven above and on the earth below.”

She acted on that faith, even when it was risky— even when it could have cost her everything.

And in response, God redeemed and rewrote her story— not just rescuing her in a moment, but giving her a place in His greater plan for generations to come.

That’s the power of faith.

Not perfect faith. Not polished faith. But real, active, trusting faith.

And here’s the truth I want some of you to hear today:

Rahab didn’t clean up her life and then come to God.

She came to God—and He changed her life.

And for some of you, that’s the step in front of you today.

You’ve believed the lie that your past disqualifies you.

That your mistakes define you.

That your story is already written.

But Rahab’s life stands as a declaration:

God is still writing stories. God is still redeeming lives. And God is not finished with you.

Because everything can change… not when you become perfect— but when you choose to believe.

And next week, we’re going to see what happens when that redeemed life is placed in a moment of purpose.

Because Rahab’s story is about being rescued and brought into God’s family…

but Esther’s story is about being positioned.

Placed in a specific place…

at a specific time…

for a specific purpose.

God doesn’t just redeem your past—

He prepares you for a future you couldn’t have imagined.

And there will come a moment—just like it did for Esther— where the question is no longer, “Can God use me?”

The question becomes: “Will I step into what God has placed me here to do?”

Let’s pray together.

Salvation:

The Word of God says in: John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Romans 10:13 NKJV

For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you’d would like to receive Jesus today, please pray this prayer with all of us:

Lord I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that He died On the cross for my sins and His resurrection from the dead gives me eternal life. I ask forgiveness of my sins, and I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Amen.

Pastor [e-mail]

Church Office: 909-922-8090

And I will send you a Bible & a Free Book on how to begin your first 21 steps with Jesus (show the book)

***Leave slide up until Pepper gets in position***

Lady Pepper Please Join Me

Pepper Praise Reports

We Prayed for Delia’s friend, 12 year old son, Michael, who was in ICU for a type of cerebral palsy that was brought on suddenly.

Delia shareed a praise report: she heard from Grandma Helga today and she wanted everyone to know that Michael is showing more progress, he felt well enough to play with his video games today

Share your Praise Reports!

Prayer Requests - (Pepper Read)

Hattie - Pray for Stage IV cancer

Maryetta - Kidney problems

Rena - There had an asthma flare up. Went to doctor and got a shot. Pray for healing.

Patty - Pray for she and her family.

Continue to pray for Nolan Wells's family. Young man who passed away in Mississippi.

Monique - Continue to pray for her son, Aydan who injured his shoulder,

Let us Pray (P/P)

Praying for the 10-40 Window

Prayer initiatives focus on breaking spiritual strongholds, bringing humanitarian relief, and supporting the persecuted church.

The Unreached:

Pray for the billions of individuals who have never heard the Gospel message, particularly among Frontier People Groups.

The Persecuted Church:

Intercede for local believers who face severe restrictions, imprisonment, or violence for their faith.

Humanitarian Crises:

Pray for relief from extreme poverty, human trafficking, and the oppression of women and children.

Laborers & Discipleship:

Pray for the protection of frontline missionaries, effective local church planting, and the translation of scriptures.

Pray for the United StatesI

Today, we focus our prayers for the nation on asking for unity to overcome the division, wisdom for the government leaders, and a nationwide spiritual revival.

National unity and healing: pray for reconciliation where division exists, asking that the nation learns to live together peacefully despite differences.

Government and local leaders: intercede for wisdom, godly counsel, and discernment for all elected officials (local and national) to make righteous decisions

Spiritual revival: pray for a national to return to godly values, with a focus on repentance and the desire to seek truth.

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Benediction

“The LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.”

Joshua 2:11

Have a Great Week! Goodbye!

This is Pastor Doc and Lady Pepper signing off until next time we meet. Blessings to you all!