A bad girl with a new dream

Trapped and Building the Wrong Future, Pt. 4 (A Bad Girl with a New Dream)

Big Question: Can a bad person have a future? Big Point: You should dream of a better future even when you are trapped in a moral place that is hard to explain.

Rahab the harlot had a dream that seemed unreachable. Her profession and moral condition

defined her one way but her dreams saw her future another way. Don't let your present condition define your future. Side Question: What was Rahab's real story behind the story?

When you deal with people, do you know the story behind the person?

I. A Bad Girl With a New Dream

Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, 9 and said to the men: “I know that the Lord has

given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. 10 For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 11 And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. 12 Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the Lord, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father’s house, and give me a true token, 13 and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.”

II. A Bad Girl With Clear Convictions

She knew something (v9)

She heard something (v10)

She felt something in her heart and melted (v11)

She believed something new about God (He was the one true God, v11)

She begged for something (a chance to start again, v12)

She focused on something specific (just her father, mother, brothers and sisters)

She worked for something that she valued (the protection of her family)

III. Five Things That Impress Me About This Bad Girl

She was thinking beyond her current life issues (Have you thought beyond this season?)

She was planning and waiting for an opportunity (Do you have a plan?)

She was informed about current events (Do you know enough for God to save you?)

She acted quickly when given the chance to change (Do you take too long?)

She made a new name for herself. (What is your reputation?)

Note: Three Times In the New Testament Her Reputation Stands Out • She was mentioned in the lineage of Jesus (cp. ) • She was mentioned among the great men of faith ()

• She was mentioned by James as an example of faith and action ()

1. • Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon, v5 Salmon

begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the King."

2. (English Standard Version) • By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had

given a friendly welcome to the spies.

3. • And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received

the messengers and sent them out by another way?

Closing

IV. Four Lessons I Learn From This Bad Girl

Looks can be deceiving: I cannot always look at a person and tell what they are dreaming?

God can send some surprising helpers: The spies and Rahab were a surprising team

Some things take time to come together: How long did this woman wait for her new life?

Sometimes victory can be painful: Imagine what it would be like to leave? ()

Next Time:

Building a Future Without All the Facts (Victorious But Blind)

• Big Point: You must avoid being happy and "victoriously blind" (). In chapter 6, Joshua felt victorious as he conquered Jericho but found out in chapter 7 he was victorious but blind. Sometimes our blind spots (the people who fight with us, serve us, work for us and pray with us) can hurt us in ways we can't see.