[0:00] Praise God, for he is good. Praise God, for he is good.
[1:00] Praise God, for he is good.
[1:30] Praise God, for he is good. Praise God, for he is good. Praise God, for he is good.
[1:42] Praise God, for he is good. Praise God, for he is good.
[1:54] Praise God, for he is good. Praise God, for he is good. Praise God, for he is good.
[2:08] Praise God, for he is good. Praise God, for he is good. Praise God, for he is good.
[2:20] Praise God, for he is good. Praise God, for he is good. Praise God, for he is good.
[2:38] Let us bow in prayer. Let us bow in prayer. Lord, what we sang there tells us that we ought to praise God, for he is good. Lord, for he is good.
[2:50] And help us, Lord, so to do. We pray that the language of praise might be on our lips. And not simply on our lips, but that it might come from our heart. For you, Lord, are worthy of all honour and praise and glory.
[3:06] Because there is no God like unto you. That's what the word of God tells us. That there is no God but the living and true God. And we pray that as we come before you tonight, that we might seek to worship you.
[3:19] To lift up our hearts before you. To give you the praise and the honour that is due to your name. And we give thanks, Lord, that it is something that we can do. And we are told in your word that whoso offereth praise glorifyeth me.
[3:33] And so we pray, Lord, that we may indeed be people of praise. And that we may be seeking to give you praise and honour at all times. Lord, our God, we give thanks that you are the God who leads your people through this world.
[3:50] And although they stray and are restless and they go from place to place, you have a purpose and you have a plan and you have a destination in view.
[4:02] And so we pray that day by day we might walk by faith. Help us not to look too far ahead. Because when we do that, sometimes we will bring ourselves into all kinds of problems and troubles.
[4:16] Help us to walk by faith, which means step by step with you. Help us every day to keep our eyes focused upon you. Indeed, we are told in the word to run the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, who is the author and the finisher of our faith.
[4:35] And so we pray that we might have that single-eyed view of you as we seek to run for you in this world. Lord our God, we pray that as we come to your word, we've already sung it and we'll continue to sing it.
[4:50] And as we come to read it, we pray that you will speak to us through it. We pray that we will not simply be looking at a book, but it is a special book.
[5:02] It is your book. It is the book that you have given to us. A book that shows us so much about yourself that we could never work out, were it not for the fact that you revealed it to us.
[5:13] And a book that shows to ourselves so much about ourselves. And help us, Lord, to be much in your word. That it is not something that we just pick up now and again.
[5:26] But it might be the daily diet of our lives. For we are not just body and mind. We are also soul. And so we pray that we may seek to have our souls nourished and fed and strengthened.
[5:40] And we ask, Lord, that you will bless each and every one of us here tonight. Lord, you know our needs. You know who we are, what we are. And so as we come with all a variety of situations of life, often with its complexities and difficulties, often with its trials and temptations, we ask, O Lord, that you will help us.
[6:04] Sometimes we feel that we are not making any progress in life. And other times we feel that life is going reasonably well. But whatever our situation, help us always to have our eyes fixed upon you.
[6:19] And we pray for any tonight who might be burdened and cast down. And those who might be struggling in life. And that we will hear these beautiful invitation, these words of invitation that you have given.
[6:32] Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. O Lord, our God, we give thanks for our Saviour, and for his willingness to bear our burdens, and to take our issues and our problems upon himself.
[6:49] And we pray for the faith that we'll be ready to cast our burden upon the Lord. And as your word says, cast your burden upon the Lord, and he will sustain you. And so we pray that we might indeed be given the grace so to do.
[7:04] Because so often we might try and give you our worries and problems, but then we're all too ready to take them straight back. And so we pray for that faith that will let go.
[7:17] And that will indeed put our whole trust in you. We pray to bless those, Lord, who are feeling the trials of life are sometimes too much.
[7:29] Lord, grant deliverance. We pray, Lord, for those who are burdened in their heart and sad. We ask, Lord, that you will lighten up their life, and bring light into their experience.
[7:44] We pray for those who have experienced loss. We ask that you will draw close in those times when grief seems to overwhelm. We pray for those who are going through very difficult times.
[7:59] We know, Lord, we're facing times where there is pressure, financial pressure, where there are new pressures being placed upon us.
[8:10] We ask, Lord, that you will help us and that you will do us good. We pray for those in authority over us. We ask, Lord, that you will bless all our rulers and those who are given that great responsibility.
[8:24] Your word tells us that we are to pray for kings and those in authority over us, so that we might ultimately live peaceable and godly lives.
[8:35] And we ask, Lord, that you will grant us a grace so to do. And so we pray for those in authority. We remember the royal family at this time. We pray, Lord, that you will bless the preparations that are being made for the funeral tomorrow of our late queen, and pray that everything will be decently and in order and protection will be given.
[9:00] Because we know at times like this there are those who are out to cause as much mayhem and destruction as possible. That is the agenda that they have in life. And so we pray for protection.
[9:12] Lord our God, we pray for our new king. We ask that you will indeed bless him from on high. We ask, Lord, that you will turn his mind heavenward and that you will give him to look to you.
[9:25] We pray for all who are in authority. We, irrespective of political parties or political allegiances, our duty is to pray for all who are in authority.
[9:37] And so we do. And ask, Lord, that you will grant them divine wisdom so that they will look to yourself and acknowledge you. We're told in your word to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not to our own understanding.
[9:51] In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths. And how wonderful it would be if that's how our nation was led. Lord, we pray that you will watch over your persecuted people throughout this world.
[10:07] We know there are many people who suffer for their faith. We pray, Lord, that maybe there are some people in their homes and their homes are a difficult place. Because they love the Lord Jesus.
[10:19] Maybe the workplace is difficult because they love the Lord Jesus. Maybe school is difficult because they love the Lord. The community is difficult because they love the Lord. And so we pray that you will watch over them and that you will grant them your grace and your strength and your, that you will be a present help to them.
[10:38] Lord our God, we ask that you will be with all our emergency services, those who face danger so often. We ask that you will be with all of them.
[10:50] And we pray, Lord, that you will bless this world that we are part of. And we pray that they will bring an end to that war over in Ukraine. And there's been so much bloodshed and carnage.
[11:04] We pray that it might seem impossible, but that peace might be restored. And that the brokenness of so many lives and the hurt and the anger that will be in so many hearts.
[11:17] Lord, that healing might come in. And we pray for all the troubled areas of this world. If only we were able to look in and to see all the heartache and all the brokenness and all the anguish and all the sorrow.
[11:30] What a cry must be going up to heaven. And we ask, Lord, that you will be with the downtrodden. This world is so full of injustice. There is so much corruption.
[11:41] There is so much that is not right. And we know that you are a God who has said so much in your word against the injustice of rulers.
[11:52] The injustice in nations. Oh Lord, we pray for deliverance to those who are downtrodden in life. Watch over us then, we pray, and grant us your grace.
[12:03] Pray for any in here tonight who still don't know your Saviour. We ask that you will even tonight draw close to them so that they will hear your voice and that their souls will live.
[12:15] Cleanse us, we pray, from our every sin. We confess our sin, oh Lord, every day, every night. We are so often found doing the things that we don't want to do.
[12:28] And our thoughts are so often corrupt. But we give thanks that there is forgiveness with you. There is plenteous redemption. Forgive us our sin, and we pray in Jesus' name.
[12:39] Amen. I'm going to sing again from Psalm 25. Psalm 25, the first version. Psalm 25, from verse 4.
[12:55] Psalm 26, the first verse 4. Psalm 26, the first verse 5. Psalm 26, the first verse 6. For thou art God that dost to me salvation send.
[13:09] Die upon thee all the day, expecting to attend. Thy tender mercies, Lord, I pray thee to remember. And lovingkindnesses, for they have been of old forever.
[13:21] My sins and faults of youth do thou, O Lord, forget. After thy mercy, think on me, for thy goodness great. God good and upright is, the way healed sinners show.
[13:35] The meek in judgment he will guide and make his path to know. The whole paths of the Lord are truth and mercy sure. To those that do his covenant keep and testimonies pure.
[13:50] Psalm 25, 4-10, show me thy ways, O Lord. Lord, O Lord, thy path so teach of me.
[14:11] I'm here, O Lord, thy way in thee. In thy truth, let him my teacher be.
[14:25] For thou art God that dost to me salvation send.
[14:40] I'm here on the Download, позвол campus jaSquise be. Heal done, do forgive the Lord, Jesus, Lord. As thy promise, I worship you for sent.
[14:52] God help andilest. Gunwoodslope since speech is yon玉,厲害 to screw over the Lord, and amen. Because this means he will mentally, To see the Lord of mine, God help me and go see on your involtrl unos.
[15:09] And love you, my dear, Jesus, for it have me all for forever.
[15:23] My saints and folks of you do the whole world again.
[15:39] After thy mercy, sing on me, and for thy goodness great.
[15:55] God, who done, how I did, thy grace is eternal.
[16:09] Thy grace is eternal, and thy grace is eternal.
[16:24] The poor paths of the Lord are true and mercy true.
[16:39] To the Lord are pure and man keep, and testimonies pure.
[16:54] Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Let's turn now to read God's word, and it's in the Old Testament, and in the book of Joshua. Amen.
[17:05] The Old Testament, the book of Joshua, and the second chapter. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.
[17:16] Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.
[17:28] Amen. Amen.
[17:49] Amen. hither tonight of the children of Israel to search out the country. 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 are come to search out all the country. And the woman took the two men and hid them, and said, Thus there came men unto me, but I was not whence they were. And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out. Whether they went, I don't know. Pursue after them quickly, for you shall overtake them. 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. And the men pursued after them all the way to Jordan and to the fords. And as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate.
[18:55] And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof, and 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. For we 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 that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon, and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 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. Now therefore I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have showed you kindness, that you will also show kindness unto my Father's house, and give me a true token.
[20:02] And that you will save alive my Father and my Mother, and my brethren and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death. And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if you utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the Lord hath given us a land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you. Then she let them down by a cord through the window, for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall. 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 you may go your way. And the men said unto her, we will be blameless of this thine oath, which thou hast made us swear. Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread, or a scarlet rope, 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. 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. And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath, which thou hast made us swear. And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed.
[21:57] And she bound the scarlet line in the window. And they went and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days, until the pursuers were returned. And the pursuers sought them throughout all the way, but found them not. So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua, the son of Nun, and told him all things that befell them. And they said unto Joshua, truly, the Lord has delivered into our hands all the land, for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us. Amen. And may God bless to us this reading of his own holy word.
[22:42] We're going to sing again this time in Psalm 26, the 26th Psalm. And we sing from verse 7, Psalm 26 from verse 7.
[22:54] That I with voice of thanksgiving may publish and declare, and tell of all thy mighty works that great and wondrous are. The habitation of thy house, Lord, I have loved well. Yea, in that place I do delight where doth thine honour dwell. With sinners gather not my soul, and such as blood would spill, whose hands mischievous plot, right hand corrupting bribes to fill. But as for me, I will walk on in my integrity. Do thou redeem me, and O Lord, be merciful to me. My foot upon an even place doth stand with steadfastness. Within the congregations, the eternal I will bless. These verses, Psalm 26 from verse 7 to the begin, that I with voice of thanksgiving.
[23:55] Psalm 26 from verse 7 to the beginning, that I with voice of thanksgiving may come rich and dear and tell of all thy mighty works that may not wonder find. The habitation of thy God's dark and the light of life. The habitation of thy God's dark and the light of life. The habitation of thy God's dark and the light of life. The goodness of thy God's dark and the light of life. The habitation of thy heart. The habitation of all thy heart. The bell to the hill of thy God's dark and the hent eventually, as in that light of everything, O Lord, the with sin yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
[25:45] In my new energy to love me.
[25:57] In my new heart, O Lord, in merciful to me.
[26:07] My food, my love, and I hear in place, thou shalt with tempestness.
[26:25] Within the holy of Israel shall be turned, and I will bless.
[26:46] Let's turn for a little again back to the chapter we read in Joshua chapter 2. I want us to think about this chapter, but maybe if we could focus more from verse 9.
[27:00] We find there that this woman Rahab, verse 9, she said unto the men, I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that your terror has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.
[27:17] 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 that were on the other side of Jordan, Zion and Og, whom you utterly destroyed.
[27:32] 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 on earth beneath, and so on.
[27:49] Now the book of Joshua is one of the most thrilling books in the Bible. And it's a book that encourages us to see that by faith anything is possible.
[28:02] The book of Joshua is very much a book of faith, where we see Joshua and the people of God going step by step, day by day, obeying the Lord.
[28:16] There were moments that they didn't, like for instance at Ai, and then they had to deal with what had happened there. But by and large, it's a book that's really encouraging for us.
[28:28] It's quite an inspirational book. And there's no doubt that this man, Joshua, was one of the great men of God. One of the great men in the Bible. But Joshua had a really difficult task because he had to take over from Moses.
[28:43] Moses, who was termed the man of God. Moses, who was probably the greatest prophet. He was a person who has been revered down throughout the generations.
[28:57] And yet, great and all though Moses was, his time in this world came. And he had to leave this world, as we all do. And Joshua was appointed his successor.
[29:08] And I believe that the reason why, if we read Joshua chapter 1, that we find that the Lord is over and over again, he's encouraging Joshua.
[29:20] And he says, for instance, in verse 5, this is what God says to Joshua. There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life.
[29:32] As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not fail you, nor forsake you. Be strong and of a good courage. Verse 7, only be strong and very courageous.
[29:44] Verse 9, have not I commanded you? Be strong and of a good courage. Why do you think the Lord is keeping saying to Joshua, be strong and of a good courage? I believe it is because Joshua felt utterly overwhelmed with what was in front of him.
[30:03] And I'm sure you and I would feel the very same if we were to take the place to take over from a passion of Moses' standing. And we'd think, oh, I'm not up to this.
[30:14] But it was God who had called him into that work. And I think what we're saying there about Joshua is true for any person who is involved in any form of work for God.
[30:27] In fact, the moment you become a Christian, you feel that you're not equipped for it. There's a funny thing when you become a Christian. On the one hand, you feel that you are ready to do many things for God.
[30:43] And you believe that one day you'll be a great Christian. And you know, which is a good thing. But along the way we discover that we're not nearly so good as we thought.
[30:56] And that we're not achieving anything like we thought we would. And whatever we do for the Lord, there is always a difficulty with it. Because we often wonder why is it such.
[31:11] But we've got to remember that there are oppositions, there are enemies at work against us. And it's not an easy thing to fly the Lord's flag, as it were, in this world.
[31:23] It's not an easy thing to serve the Lord. And we need not just human courage and a strong mind. But we need what is above all is God's help and strength and grace.
[31:37] It doesn't matter what we do in life. We need that. And can I say to everybody here tonight, that's one thing we need as we go on in life. Is God's help and strength and grace.
[31:48] Every day. Otherwise, life is going to be a struggle. And every day we should say to the Lord, Lord, today I need your help. I need your strength.
[31:59] I need your grace. And if we truly seek that, the Lord will give us that. And I'm sure, like myself, that there are days you look back and you think, days maybe you've struggled and you thought, you know, I didn't start right.
[32:12] Didn't start with the Lord in the way that I should. So it's very important to begin the day right and to ask the Lord to help you every day as you go along.
[32:24] And I believe that that's what Joshua was like. Because Joshua, it would appear, was constantly speaking to the Lord. Asking the Lord what to do. Asking the Lord for strength and for grace and for help and such like.
[32:37] So when you read Joshua chapter 1, so we say it's an inspirational chapter. And it speaks to us about this great soldier, this great man of God, Joshua.
[32:50] And it's quite an inspiring chapter. If you want to find an inspiring chapter in the Bible, go to Joshua chapter 1. And there's these words where God is encouraging, encouraging, encouraging.
[33:03] And you know, we need encouragement. And could I say that? Please try and encourage one another in life. It's very important. Because there's so much in life to knock us down.
[33:13] In fact, any time I do a wedding, I always say to people, to a couple, encourage one another. Whatever else you do or don't do, encourage one another. Because there's so much in life to knock us down.
[33:25] Well, the great thing is, God is a great encourager. And that's what we find in Joshua chapter 1. So when we come to Joshua chapter 2, it's a bit of a surprise.
[33:38] Because it changes completely. The focus has gone from this great man of God, this great leader, this great man who's going to lead Israel.
[33:49] And the focus goes to this woman who lives in Jericho, who is a harlot, a prostitute. And we find that that's one of the things the Bible is really full of surprises.
[34:03] Because it moves so quickly. And so there's this whole change of focus takes place here. And we find this woman, Rahab, who has become, without a doubt, a believer in the most unlikely place.
[34:19] Because this city, Jericho, is ripe for God's judgment. Just like Sodom and Gomorrah was. It was a city that had given itself over completely to sin and to idolatry.
[34:34] And was just a byword for everything that was wrong. And God's judgment was about to fall upon it. So you weren't expecting to find this kind of lady here.
[34:47] This woman, Rahab. And yet we find, this is what God does. That God's grace appears everywhere. And God plucks so many people, as it were, like we're told, a brand from the burning.
[35:02] And so here's this woman, Rahab, who has made, who makes her livelihood, by and large, by selling her body. And she's termed Rahab the harlot or Rahab the prostitute.
[35:15] And she was never allowed to forget that. Because when the Bible speaks about her, it, as you'll find elsewhere, when it speaks of Rahab, it doesn't just say Rahab. It continues to remind us of what she was, Rahab the harlot or Rahab the prostitute.
[35:32] And it's the same with the Apostle Paul. That great man, the Apostle Paul, who did so many things for God. There was a day he wasn't a great man of God. He was really against the Lord Jesus Christ.
[35:44] There were few people in this world that hated Christ more than the Apostle Paul before he became a Christian. Saul of Tarshish. And he was a persecutor and he was a blasphemer.
[35:58] You wouldn't like to be labeled with that. But that's what Paul was termed. A persecutor of the church. He put men and women to death.
[36:10] He hounded them. He made it his business to get as many Christians as possible into prison or to die. And he was a blasphemer. He was constantly blaspheming the name of Christ.
[36:24] And you find that Paul, when he's referred to, that it's often this Paul who was previously a persecutor and a blasphemer.
[36:36] Paul was never allowed to forget what he had once been. Same with Matthew. Matthew the publican. Remember a publican wasn't what we term a publican now.
[36:47] A publican was a tax collector. And as the tax collectors back then, they were generally very corrupt. And they lined their own pockets. They always charged people more than was due.
[37:00] So they would hand over what was to the authorities. But they would pocket some themselves. So Matthew, before he became a follower of Jesus, had been a publican.
[37:15] And he's termed Matthew the publican. And you know, I believe the Bible does that for a reason. It brings before us the importance of not forgetting who we were.
[37:29] And that, I think, is a very important thing in case we get above ourselves. And begin to think too much of ourselves. Because there's nothing worse than a person who maybe has lived a life that's beyond being a colourful life.
[37:45] Has done many things. Then maybe become a Christian. And becomes very high and mighty and very judgmental of other people. Forgetting what they had once been like themselves.
[37:59] And so the Lord never wants us to forget what we've been. Yes, we've been taken from that. We've been set free. We've been delivered. And we don't set our mind upon the things that are behind.
[38:12] But we're looking forward to the things that are before. But we shouldn't forget where we've been taken from. And where we've been brought to. Because that keeps us humble. And so that's what we find here with regard to this woman.
[38:27] Where God is here demonstrating. And God is constantly doing that. Demonstrating his grace. And you know so often we find.
[38:38] Excuse me. That God saves people often. That we don't expect him to save. You know we have it in our own mind.
[38:51] That because people, certain people live in a certain way. That they deserve salvation. We sometimes think that it's on a scale of deserving.
[39:03] No, it's not. Nobody. Nobody. Nobody deserves salvation. Doesn't matter how good and how morally upright. And how perfect it may appear a person is.
[39:16] They're not deserving of salvation. Because outwardly. Doesn't matter how good a person may appear outwardly. There is none good. No, not one. You remember that man who came to Jesus.
[39:28] Running to Jesus saying. What must I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said to him. Oh, you have to keep this. And do the commands. All that. Oh, he said. I've done that since my youth.
[39:40] He was. If you looked at this young man. He was morally as upright and perfect as he could get. But he was still a sinner. And Jesus went straight to the root of his problem.
[39:50] His idol was his wealth. Was money. And he says. Oh, well that's fine. Go and sell all you have. And come follow me. And he went away. He couldn't do that. Because that was his idol.
[40:01] And he wasn't nearly as perfect as he thought he was. And none of us are. And none of us ever will be. There's only one perfect ever. And that was Jesus Christ. And so.
[40:12] We've always got to remember that. It is by grace. And by grace alone. And the problem is with some people. Particularly if there's a degree of self-righteousness. You know it's one of the hardest things to deal with.
[40:25] As long as we think. That we have a claim upon God. As long as we think. That we are all right within ourselves. That God owes us one. We're never going to come.
[40:37] Begging on our knees to be saved. It's only when we realize. That we have nothing. And that we can't do for ourselves. And that we're utterly dependent upon God's mercy.
[40:51] And his grace. But that's the best position to be in. Because that's where God. That's where we come. With an empty hand. With an empty outstretched arm.
[41:03] Saying Lord. Please have mercy. That's a cry God hears. God will never turn his ear away. From the person who comes genuinely.
[41:14] Crawling to the Lord. Saying Lord. Please have mercy upon me. Save me. The Lord will. That's a cry. That he loves to hear. Remember the publican.
[41:24] And the Pharisee. In the temple. And the Pharisee. Was telling the Lord. How good he was. And all the good things that he did. He was parading his own goodness.
[41:35] Before God. Lord I thank you. I'm not like other people. Did God hear his prayer? No. What about the publican? Lord.
[41:46] Be merciful to me a sinner. That's a prayer. The Lord hears. A small prayer. You know. Sometimes people think. That you have to have a long long prayer.
[41:58] Theologically right. And every. Every theological T. And stroked. And I dotted. No. Some of the greatest prayers ever.
[42:08] In the Bible. Are just a few words long. Remember me. When thou comest into the kingdom. Lord. Be merciful. To me a sinner.
[42:19] That's. That's it. And so. We find here that. Here's this woman. Rahab. Who's a believer. So. We come back to the narrative.
[42:30] And we find here that. Joshua. Joshua. Has sent. Two spies. Into Jericho. To. To spy out the land. Because at this point. Joshua has no idea.
[42:42] What's going to happen. He knows that they have to cross the Jordan. They know that here's the land. That they have to take. And the first place they have to take. Is Jericho. As to.
[42:52] What's to happen. At this point. He doesn't know. But we've got to remember. Joshua is a military man. And as a military man. He does what a military man would do. He gets to.
[43:03] Trustworthy spies. And he says. Right. Your mission. Go into Jericho. Find out what it's like. Find out. What obviously. What a military man would do. Where's the weak points in the city.
[43:13] What are the people like. It's very interesting. That Joshua himself. Forty years earlier. He had been a spy. Or thirty nine years earlier. When Moses sent out.
[43:24] Remember the twelve spies. Into the land. And only two of the twelve. Came back with a good report. That was Joshua and Caleb. The others had said. We haven't a chance.
[43:35] That's why I remember. What had happened. And they ended up wandering. In the wilderness for years. Because of the rebellion. So Joshua sends out. These two spies. And as we know.
[43:48] That this book of Joshua. Is remarkable. Because as we see. It's step by step. Of faith. Now. We. As we say.
[43:58] Joshua. Had. Sent out. These two spies. To go and spy out. The city. And what it was like. And they come into. The city. Into Jericho. And no doubt.
[44:09] They were trying to be. As discreet as possible. But of course. Word would have gone. Right away. Oh. Two. Two men have come into the city. And we find. That they go to.
[44:19] Rahab's house. Now it's very interesting. That the word. That is translated. Harlot. In Hebrew. Could also mean. One who keeps an inn.
[44:31] And it's quite possible. That Rahab was both. That she had an actual inn. That she. That she kept. An inn. But was also. A harlot.
[44:42] As well. And it's. It's. There's no doubt. Whatever. That it wasn't simply. As an innkeeper. She was. Because the Bible. Makes it very clear. That it's Rahab. The harlot. And you know.
[44:52] It's quite wonderful. When you go to. Hebrews chapter 11. And it gives us. This wonderful list. Of the great men. And women of faith. People who did. Great things for God.
[45:05] You have the. The great people. Like Abraham. And Isaac. And Jacob. Great people. Like David. Amongst them all. Is Rahab. This great.
[45:15] This woman. Of great faith. Faith. And so. Here she is. But. Probably. The reason. That they went there. Was because.
[45:25] It would. Raise. Less suspicion. By going. To somebody. Who kept an inn. She had the dual. Role in life. But she also. Kept an inn. So they would go there.
[45:37] And think. Well. This won't raise. So much suspicion. But. There she was. And God. There's no doubt. Whatever. That God led. The spies.
[45:47] To this house. And as we see. Jericho. Was on high alert. And the word. Went to the king. Very quickly. Two guys have come in. And they're at Rahab's house.
[45:58] And so the king's men. Come to Rahab's door. And they say. Right. Come on. Bring out the men who came. And Rahab. Concocted a story. She told them.
[46:09] Oh. They were here. Right enough. But they're gone. And they've gone away. And so on. Now. Of course. She lied. And we could go into all the morality of that. But. This is what she did.
[46:22] And. We've got to remember that. What she did ultimately. In hiding the spies. Was an act of faith. She actually hid the spies. By faith.
[46:33] We'll see that in a minute. And. Why did she do that? Because. Rahab had come to this place. And to this point. Where she wanted to side.
[46:45] With the people of God. And you know. That comes. There's a deciding point. In people's lives. When you become a Christian. You know. There might be a while. And there's some Christians.
[46:55] That are like this. When they. When they come to faith. It might be very gradual. And they might be quite uncertain. Just where they are. And they've got one foot. In the world. And they've got one foot.
[47:06] Kind of a wee bit. With God's people. And they're towing and froing. And they're. They're not just too sure. Just where they are. But there comes a place. There comes a point. Where. You have to nail your colors.
[47:17] To the mast. Whose. Whose people. Who are you going to be with. Who are your people. And that's. The test. That came into Rahab's life. She had to make a decision.
[47:28] There and then. Whose people. Are my people. Now obviously. From a. Human point of view. The people. Or Jericho. Were her people. That's who she was. From Jericho.
[47:40] But a change. Had begun to work. In her life. And the people of God. Had become her people. And decision time. Had come. Because she had to make a decision. Who do you join?
[47:52] And she was going to join. With the people of God. Just like Ruth. Another. Woman. From a heathen land. From the land of Moab. There came a point. Where she said. Your people.
[48:04] Are my people. Your God. Is my God. And we could say. That's exactly the point. Where Rahab. Had come to as well. And so Rahab's faith.
[48:14] Was great. Because. She saw that the spies. Were God's people. And she saw that. They were worshipping. The living and true God. And this is who she loved.
[48:24] This is a God. That she. Wanted to serve. So we have to ask the question. How did. How did. How did. How did. How did. How did. Come to faith. Or how do we see. What do we see. Of Rahab's faith.
[48:35] Well we see that in these verses. In 10 and 11. Because the first thing. That we see there. About Rahab's faith. Is. Where she says. She tells of. How.
[48:46] How they had heard. The great wonders. That the Lord had done. That's what she says. She tells. And you know. That's the most important thing. About salvation. We have to hear.
[48:58] We have to hear. What God has done. Because she said. Verse 10. For we have heard. How the Lord.
[49:09] Dried up the water. And so on. We have heard. That's. Number one. With regard to salvation. How does faith come. Faith.
[49:20] Comes. By hearing. And hearing. By the word of God. So it's imperative. That people are told. About. The living. And through God. How will people believe.
[49:33] If they have not heard. That's what the question. The Bible asks. How are you going to believe. If you haven't heard. And we're thankful. That we heard.
[49:44] Because we wouldn't be here tonight. If we hadn't heard. But we've heard. And we've believed. And it's incumbent. Upon us. Once we've heard. And once we believe.
[49:54] That when the opportunity is there. That we also tell others. We don't keep it to our shelves. But we tell others. So that was the first thing. That they heard. The second thing was.
[50:06] It tells us. That she feared. That they all feared. Because. Verse 11. As soon as we heard. These things.
[50:17] Our hearts. Did melt. Neither did there remain. Any more courage. You see. There was this. The. The. The. A kind of terror.
[50:28] Took over. Now. It's very interesting. That. Yes. Rahab feared. But Rahab's the only one. Who appears to have come to faith. And you know. That's a solemn thing.
[50:39] Is that people can. Shake. And tremble. Under the preaching of God's word. Under the reading of God's word. Under the providence of God. And yet.
[50:50] The impressions. That are deep. Pass. There might be. It might be somebody. I hope not. There might be somebody here. There was a day in your life. Where.
[51:00] We almost shook. Under the thought of. The judgment of God. That day is gone. Of course. When we come to faith. There's a level.
[51:12] In which that does go. We don't have that same fear. But Rahab was the only one. Who. Of all. They all feared. But Rahab came to faith. But then the third thing is.
[51:23] She makes a wonderful confession. See what she says. In verse 11. For the Lord your God. He is a God. In heaven above. And in the earth beneath. Up until this point.
[51:35] That probably goes down. As one of the greatest confessions. In the Bible. It's amazing. Here it is. In this dark city. Ripe for judgment. This woman.
[51:46] Who is the last person. You would expect. Is making one of the greatest. Declarations of faith. That is recorded. Up to this point. And so she's saying.
[51:57] Very clearly. That. There for the Lord. Your God. He is God. In heaven above. And on earth beneath. You know. That's another point. That's needed for salvation.
[52:08] We are told that. We believe in our heart. And we confess. With our mouth. The Lord is looking for both. You know. That's one of the great things.
[52:18] About. When we come to the Lord's table. When a person. At the coming of communion time. And when we come to a. Criccession. What do we do? Well basically.
[52:29] The one thing. That you're doing. Is you're making a confession. That Jesus Christ. Is your Lord. And your Savior. And that's biblical. Because we have to.
[52:40] Believe in our heart. And confess. With our mouth. And that's exactly. What Rehob was doing. Here she is. And she's confessing. That the Lord. Is her God.
[52:51] And then the fourth. And the last thing. What we'll say here is. We see the work. The evidence of faith. The fact that she herself. Has come to faith. She wants. Not just herself.
[53:02] To be saved. But she wants. All her family. To be saved as well. And that's what she says. In verse 13. And verse 12. As well. Since I have showed. Kindness to you.
[53:12] And so on. Will you show. Kindness to my father's house. And that you'll save. All I. My father. My mother. My brothers. My sisters. And all that they have. And deliver our lives. From death.
[53:24] And you know. When you become a Christian. That's right away. That's what you want. You want. Salvation. For all that you love. For all your family.
[53:34] For your friends. You don't just want it. For yourself. You want others as well. It's a natural. Progression. And that's what we see. In the life. Of. Of. Of Rahab.
[53:45] And so the spies. Make a promise. They make a covenant. As it were. There. And they say. Right. Here's the agreement. And a sign. Was going to be made. That.
[53:56] Her family. Would be saved. And. What they said was. You've all to gather. Into your house. Everybody. All that you're wanting. Saved. Into this house.
[54:07] And. And. She was to let down. The spies. She was. Remember her house. If you were. If you had been in Rahab's house. It was a house. That was built into the wall. That's how it was.
[54:17] In those days. And. It was. It was obviously. High up. And there was no. Access. Except by a rope. And so. She was going to let the spies. Down by this red rope.
[54:28] The scarlet rope. And so they said. Leave that rope. Hanging. From your window. And that. This house. Our word. Is it.
[54:38] But if you breathe. A word of what has happened. It's over. This is our covenant. You keep absolute silence. Bring everybody. That you want saved. Into this house.
[54:50] And we guarantee. Our blood. Will be upon. We get. Our life. That's what they say. It's a beautiful thing. That they actually say.
[55:01] Our life. For you. That's what it says. In verse 14. Our life. For you. We guarantee. Our life. For you. And you know.
[55:12] The bible. Is full of covenants. God made a covenant. With Noah. I made a covenant. With Abraham. But the greatest covenant. That he ever made. God the father. Was with God the son.
[55:23] The covenant of grace. And that's the basis. Of our salvation. If God had made a covenant. With you. And with me. It would be in tatters. From our point.
[55:33] Because we couldn't keep it. But because Christ. Is the basis. Because Christ. Has made the covenant. On our behalf. Between himself. And his father.
[55:44] Then it's secure. And safe. And really. Jesus is saying. To us tonight. My life. For you. And you know. When you read. About this scarlet.
[55:55] Rope. That was. Let out. And. We can't. But think of another house. Or houses. Way back. Into Exodus. Where there was also. The red.
[56:06] The scarlet. On the door. On the lintel. And the angel of death. Passed over. When I see the blood. When I see the red. The blood.
[56:17] The angel of death. Passed over. Here again. We see this red rope. Signifying. Or pointing. To the blood. The redness of it.
[56:28] And again. Here's the security. And the promise. Our life. For you. And Jesus tonight. Who is the ultimate. Covenant maker. And the ultimate.
[56:39] Covenant keeper. Is saying. My life. For you. So here's the great question. When there is such. A wonderful provision. And such.
[56:50] A wonderful offer. Are you just going to walk away. And say. It's okay. It doesn't matter. Well it matters. It really. Really matters.
[57:01] This is the most wonderful. Provision. That we have. In it. And Jesus is saying. Take me tonight. You take me. Into your life. And I guarantee you.
[57:12] I guarantee. That's what Jesus is saying. That I will keep you. Safe. And I will bring you home. Home. To be. With myself.
[57:22] There is nothing. More secure. In the whole wide world. Than the promise. That Jesus gives. Let us pray. Lord our God. We ask that you will bless us tonight.
[57:35] We give thanks for. Your provision. And for your goodness. We give thanks Lord. For this great word. And for the encouragement. That is in it. And the promises. That are there.
[57:46] And also the warnings. Help us to heed. And to hear. What you say to us. Grant us your grace. We pray. And watch over us. And take us all. To our home safely.
[57:57] And be with us. Throughout this week. Make provision. And provide. And bless. Forgive us. For every sin. We pray in Jesus name. Amen. We're going to conclude.
[58:09] Singing in Psalm 116. Psalm 116. And we sing. Verses 4 to 8. Psalm 116. Verses 4 to 8.
[58:30] Upon the name of God the Lord. Then did I call and say. Deliver thou my soul. O Lord. I do thee humbly pray. God merciful and righteous is. Yea gracious is our Lord.
[58:42] God saves the meek. I was brought low. He did me help afford. O thou my soul. Do thou return unto thy quiet rest. For largely. Lo the Lord to thee.
[58:53] His bounty hath expressed. For my distressed soul from death. Delivered was by thee. Thou didst my mourning eyes from tears. My feet from falling free.
[59:04] These verses. 116. 4 to 8. Upon the name of God the Lord. Amen. Christ. Thank you.
[59:43] Thank you.
[60:13] Thank you.