Joshua 2 God is already there
I) Be Strong and Courageous
A) File: Joshua 2 God is already there.doc
B) Audio: God is already there
C) Series: Victory in the Promised Land
D) Preached: June 10, 2007.
II) Context:
A) Same day as chapter 1. Two issues.
B) Two spies sent in:
1) Differences: Leader’s idea. Specific objective. Reaction.
C) Rahab’s Lie. Life or death situation. Lifestyle. Gestapo. Me.
III) READ Joshua 2.
A) God is already there. Notes: Romans ch. 1-2, Ephesians 1-3.
IV) Revealing Himself
A) To both Jews and Gentiles. Not just Israel – but the whole world. Rahab will join – a pagan Gentile sinner. One family saved by faith – the ‘mystery’ discussed in Ephesians.
B) By His Word. vv9-10.
1) ‘melt away’ Why? ‘For we have heard…’
(a) Signs – revealing His nature as v11 ‘God of heaven and Earth.
2) Rom. 1:18-20
C) By His Spirit v11a
1) Ex. 23:28, Dt. 7:20, “Moreover, the Lord your God will send hornets among them, until those who are left and hide themselves from you are destroyed.”
2) Lit. ‘Hornet’, figuratively, ‘panic’, related to ‘plague, pestilence.’ This is Spiritual work: ‘Hearts melt’ will.
D) By His People
1) Moses and others followed God by faith – blood over doorposts, following, crossing Red Sea.
2) Two spies have come. Here as predicted.
3) Attributes of God’s people:
(a) Recognizable: Rahab knew them. Recognized coming.
(b) Cared-for by God. By Rahab and alternate plan.
(c) World will not be able to defeat them – try to catch them but God provides Rahab and plan to delay return 3 days.
(d) Used by God to Bind and Loose. v12 ‘swear to be by the Lord’ v14 ‘our life for yours’ v17, 20 ‘we will be guiltless’ she recognizes their authority v21 ‘according to your words, so be it.’
V) Saving the Faithful
A) Rahab is saved by faith.
1) Not by making a ‘deal’ with the spies.
2) James 2:25, “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?”
(a) v26: “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”
(b) James makes the case that true faith will result in works
3) Hebrews 11:31 “By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.”
4) She puts her life on the line before receiving any promise for her and her house – the heart of the gospel.
(a) Doomed to judgment, a sinner, responds by risking her own life – hiding the spies and lying to the king – surely punishable by death.
(i) She feared God more than man (John 12:42-43) many authorities but they loved glory from men more than glory from God. Imagine the glory Rahab would have had for turning them in!
B) God will save from any lifestyle
1) Word literally means a female innkeeper. We know prostitute from New Testament references to Rahab.
2) But only by faith. How many works to make up for running a brothel in a pagan city?
C) She even receives a sign that she will be saved – an oath from these men. v12.
1) As we receive the Holy Spirit – a guarantee, down payment.
D) God is working ahead of us to save the faithful – see also Lot!
VI) Judging the unfaithful.
A) They had every opportunity to be saved. 400 years.
B) They had the same stories Rahab had. The same ‘intelligence.’
1) The witness of His Word, His people, His great works.
2) Romans 1. Creation is enough – add to it conscience and the law written on our hearts in Ch. 2.
3) They had the same information Rahab had but look at the difference in their reaction.
C) Instead of switching sides – surrendering.
1) They try to catch the spies – go toward ford – the natural route back to the people – but this is God they’re dealing with – patient. Send the spies the other way for 3 days until the posse gives up.
2) Closing the city gates. City shut up tight for the ‘siege’ by the Israelites.
3) All this to spite what they have heard – v10 – the parting of the Red Sea (by implication the destruction of the entire Egyptian army) and the destruction of Sihon and Og.
4) Just like unbelievers, Arnold Swarzenegger, Demi Moore, they try to avoid the inevitable.
D) Today: Conscience – charity, works, do no harm, sacrifice for family. Why? Not asked – the answer is known. Running around trying to thwart the plan of God – responding to the reports in fear, chasing spies, closing gate, trying to hold onto what the Lord has already given away. So the sinner – tries to hold onto their life – which has already been judged.
1) The only option – surrender. switch sides. In faith, Rahab staked her life. Not concerned what anyone thought – family, clients, reputation. She thought long-term – not temporary kingdoms, etc. This is the real issue.
VII) Application
A) We must first m”ake sure that we are saved.
1) If ever there was a Jericho – it is here and now.
B) We don’t know where He might be working – we must march ahead and find out. He has sent us in to find the Rahabs and the Lots. Do we understand that if we are not in the business of bringing God’s Word, we are not in the promised land.
1) Personal experience witnessing to Casey.
C) The spies return with the report – ‘Truly the Lord has given us the land – the inhabitants are freaked out!’
1) The Lord has given us the land Eph. 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
I) Notes:
A) God is already there in two senses – driving people to judgment or to salvation.
1) The people of the city heard of coming judgment and there were two basic reactions: Fight against it or ally with it.
2) Then – the ‘hornet’ do a word study – come to conclusion.
(a) Not literal but descriptive of the effect
(b) His ‘hornet’ came by “Word” of Him!
3) Now – the Holy Spirit goes ahead to convict
(a) Encouraging to know – those people
B) God’s reputation goes ahead
1) Judgment
2) Only true God of heaven and earth
C) The reputation is carried by His people.
D) Fear of God – either good or bad.
E) Details of what Rahab knew about God.
F)
II) Ideas for later sermons:
A) Not a complete conquest of the land: See Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary for Exodus Chapter 23. The Christian heart is gradually cleaned out of impurities. A sermon could teach this and the danger of it – it lead to a falling away so devastating that the Israelites were exiled out of the land – though never totally disowned.
B)
June 3, 2007: Be Strong and Courageous.
Special Music today: Narrow Path: Richard & LaDonna Hicks,
Address: 308 S. Portland St. Knox, IN 46534
Phone: (574) 772 – 2079 or (219) 204 – 2806
Email: narrowpath_ministries@yahoo.com.
Web Site: http://www.narrowpathmusicministries.com/
Be Strong and Courageous: Joshua 1:10-18.
I) God’s people must:
A) _____________________ God’s leaders. (vv16-18, Luke 9:57-62; Eph. 4:11-12.)
B) _____________________ God’s leaders. (vv17-18)[1]
II) God’s leaders must:
A) _____________________________ God. (1:8, 17)
B) Be ___________________. (1:6, 7, 9, 18; Dt. 31:1-8, 23;)
C) Be __________________________. (1:6, 7, 9, 18; Dt. 31:1-8, 23;)[2]
Warren Wiersbe, from Be Strong, “The events recorded in the Book of Joshua have to do with the life of God’s people and not their death! The Book of Joshua records battles, defeats, sins, and failures—none of which will take place in heaven. This book illustrates how believers today can say good-bye to the old life and enter into their rich inheritance in Jesus Christ. It explains how we can meet our enemies and defeat them, and how to claim for ourselves all that we have in Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:3). What Paul’s letter to the Ephesians explains doctrinally, the Book of Joshua illustrates practically. It shows us how to claim our riches in Christ.”[3]
June 3, 2007: Be Strong and Courageous.
Special Music today: Narrow Path: Richard & LaDonna Hicks,
Address: 308 S. Portland St. Knox, IN 46534
Phone: (574) 772 – 2079 or (219) 204 – 2806
Email: narrowpath_ministries@yahoo.com.
Web Site: http://www.narrowpathmusicministries.com/
Be Strong and Courageous: Joshua 1:10-18.
I) God’s people must:
A) _____________________ God’s leaders. (vv16-18, Luke 9:57-62; Eph. 4:11-12.)
B) _____________________ God’s leaders. (vv17-18)[4]
II) God’s leaders must:
A) _____________________________ God. (1:8, 17)
B) Be ___________________. (1:6, 7, 9, 18; Dt. 31:1-8, 23;)
C) Be __________________________. (1:6, 7, 9, 18; Dt. 31:1-8, 23;)[5]
Warren Wiersbe, from Be Strong, “The events recorded in the Book of Joshua have to do with the life of God’s people and not their death! The Book of Joshua records battles, defeats, sins, and failures—none of which will take place in heaven. This book illustrates how believers today can say good-bye to the old life and enter into their rich inheritance in Jesus Christ. It explains how we can meet our enemies and defeat them, and how to claim for ourselves all that we have in Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:3). What Paul’s letter to the Ephesians explains doctrinally, the Book of Joshua illustrates practically. It shows us how to claim our riches in Christ.”[6]
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[1] A) Follow; B) Encourage;
[2] A) Follow; B) Strong; C) Courageous;
[3]Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Strong (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996, c1993), Jos 1:1.
[4] A) Follow; B) Encourage;
[5] A) Follow; B) Strong; C) Courageous;
[6]Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Strong (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996, c1993), Jos 1:1.