Title: From Scarlet Thread to Scarlet Cord: The Unexpected Heroine of Faith--Sermon

 

Title: From Scarlet Thread to Scarlet Cord: The Unexpected Heroine of Faith

Introduction (5 minutes)

Attention Grabber: Have you ever felt like your past defines you? Like your mistakes hold you back from experiencing God's grace? Today, we meet a woman in the Bible who defied expectations and became a hero of faith, even though her profession was looked down upon.

Theme Introduction:  The story of Rahab, the harlot, is a powerful reminder that God's love and mercy extend far beyond our labels.

Scripture Introduction: Today, we'll explore Joshua chapter 2, where we meet Rahab and witness her act of courage and faith.

Body (20-25 minutes)

Main Point 1 (5-7 minutes):  An Unlikely Setting for Faith

    Briefly explain the context: The Israelites are on the verge of entering the Promised Land, and Jericho stands as their first obstacle. Joshua sends spies to assess the city's defenses.
    Rahab's profession: She is a harlot, a woman ostracized by society.
    Significance: This seemingly insignificant character becomes a pivotal figure in God's plan.

Main Point 2 (5-7 minutes):  Taking a Stand for Faith

    Rahab hides the spies despite the risk: She could have easily turned them in for a reward, but something shifted in her heart.
    Her confession of faith (Joshua 2:9-11): Rahab acknowledges the Israelites' God as mighty and victorious. This is a significant step considering the reputation of the Canaanite gods.
    Illustration: Use an analogy of someone taking a stand for what they believe in, despite societal pressures.

Main Point 3 (5-7 minutes):  Faith Expressed in Action (James 2:25)

    Rahab's actions demonstrate the genuineness of her faith: She doesn't just believe, she acts on her belief by protecting the spies.
    The Scarlet Cord (Joshua 2:18): This becomes a symbol of her faith and God's promise of protection.
    Connect to the audience: Ask them to consider how their faith translates into action in their daily lives.

Application (5 minutes)

    Bridge the gap: Just like Rahab, we might feel unworthy or ostracized due to our past or present circumstances.
    Practical Steps:
        Encourage them to nurture their faith through prayer and studying scripture.
        Challenge them to step outside their comfort zone and act on their faith, even if it seems small.
        Remind them that God's grace is available to everyone, regardless of their past.

Conclusion (5 minutes)

    Summarize: Rahab's story teaches us that faith can blossom in the most unexpected places.
    Memorable Statement: God sees beyond our labels and embraces those who turn to Him with genuine faith.
    Call to Action: Challenge the audience to examine their own faith and commit to living it out in their actions.

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Joshua 2:1-21 (King James Version)

1 And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.

2 And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country.

3 And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.

4 And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I knew not whence they were:

5 And it came to pass about the time of shutting the gate when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them.

6 But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.

7 And the men of Jericho pursued after them toward Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, the gate was shut.

8 And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;

9 And she said unto the men, I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.

10 For we have heard how the Lord dried up the Red sea before you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.

11 And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.

12 Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token:

13 That ye shall save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and all my father's household, and deliver our lives from death.

14 And the men answered her, Our life for your's, if ye utter not our secret: and it shall be, when the Lord hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.

15 Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was by the side of the wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.

16 And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you: and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your ways.

17 And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.

18 Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee.

19 And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him.

20 And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.

21 And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.

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 This verse (Joshua 2:

6) describes Rahab's quick thinking and resourcefulness in protecting the Israelite spies. Here's a breakdown of the action:

    "But she had brought them up to the roof of the house":  Rahab secretly took the spies to the highest point of her house, the roof. This offered a vantage point for them to hide and also made it less likely they would be seen by search parties.

    "and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof": Flax is a plant with tall, hollow stems. Here, Rahab cleverly used these dried stalks, likely spread out for drying, to camouflage the spies. By strategically placing them, she created a hiding spot that blended in with the rooftop setting.

 This verse (Joshua 2:

9) is a key moment in the story, revealing Rahab's perspective and motivations. Here's a breakdown of what she's saying:

    "I know that the Lord hath given you the land": Rahab acknowledges that the Israelite God, Yahweh, has given them control over the land of Canaan, including Jericho. This shows her awareness of the Israelites' history and their victories.

    "and that your terror is fallen upon us": This describes the fear that the Israelites have instilled in the people of Jericho. Rahab recognizes the Israelites' formidable reputation.

    "and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you": This is a metaphor. Rahab is saying that the people of Jericho are so scared of the Israelites, they feel like they are losing their courage and strength.

This verse highlights a few things:

    Rahab's Beliefs: It suggests Rahab might have some belief in the Israelite God, Yahweh.
    Power Dynamics: She acknowledges the power imbalance between the Israelites and the Canaanites.
    Motivation: Her words might be a way to gain favor with the spies, hoping for leniency.

 18) sets up a crucial part of the plan between the Israelite spies and Rahab. Here's a breakdown of what it means:

    "Behold, when we come into the land...": This refers to the future, when the Israelites conquer Jericho.

    "thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by":  This is an instruction for Rahab. The spies tell her to tie a red cord (often called a scarlet thread) in the same window they escaped from.

    "and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee": Here, the spies are giving Rahab another instruction. They tell her to gather all her family members – parents, siblings, and extended family –  and bring them inside her house.

This verse essentially creates a safety protocol. The scarlet thread in the window will be a signal to the Israelite army that this is Rahab's house, and anyone inside deserves protection. By gathering her family there, Rahab ensures their safety as well.

 19
 And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him
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This verse (Joshua 2:19) is a key part of the story between the Israelite spies and Rahab the harlot in Jericho. Here's a breakdown of the verse:

    "It shall be...": This phrase introduces a condition or a rule.

    "Whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street...": This describes someone leaving Rahab's house during the attack.

    "his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless": This means that if someone disobeys the instructions and leaves the house, they are responsible for their own death, and the Israelites won't be blamed.

    "and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him": This is a contrasting statement. It means anyone who stays inside Rahab's house will be protected by the Israelites. If someone harms them, the Israelites will be responsible for their safety.

In simpler terms, this verse is a promise between the spies and Rahab. The Israelites promise to spare anyone who stays inside the house marked with the scarlet cord, but anyone who leaves is taking a risk.