Podcasts about Rahab

Brody explores Jesus' genealogy in Matthew 1 and connects it with Isaiah 9, seeing how God keeps His promises through broken and unexpected people. From Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth to Mary, We see how Jesus' family line tells a story of grace, mercy, and faithfulness in the middle of human failure. Brody also looks at the titles given to Jesus in Isaiah, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, and what they reveal about the kind of King He is. This Advent series from Red Oak offers hope for anyone who wonders if their past disqualifies them and points us toward the coming kingdom marked by peace, justice, and righteousness.Red Oak ChurchJesus and His Crazy Grandmas | RahabJesus and His Crazy Grandmas | TamarJesus and His Crazy Grandmas | RuthSend us a textPlease leave a review on Apple or Spotify to help improve No Sanity Required and help others grow in their faith. Click here to get our Colossians Bible study.

See Advent in a whole new way! In this episode, Brody and JB unpack the previous episode's sermon, exploring why Jesus' genealogy matters and how Advent reveals unexpected depth. Brody traces Jesus' baptism, genealogy, and wilderness temptation, showing a Savior who stands with sinners and confronts evil head-on, all pointing back to the promise in Isaiah 9.We see how grace is woven through Jesus' lineage in the stories of Rahab, Tamar, and Ruth. For anyone carrying wounds, facing injustice, or longing for hope, Advent shows a God who enters our story, bears our burdens, and promises a kingdom of lasting peace.Red Oak ChurchJesus and His Crazy Grandmas | RahabJesus and His Crazy Grandmas | TamarJesus and His Crazy Grandmas | RuthGod of Ruth, God of NowSend us a textPlease leave a review on Apple or Spotify to help improve No Sanity Required and help others grow in their faith. Click here to get our Colossians Bible study.

The genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1 reveals God's incredible plan to use imperfect people for His perfect purposes. Five women are mentioned in Christ's lineage, each with a shocking story: Tamar the deceiver, Rahab the prostitute, Ruth the foreigner, Bathsheba the victim, and Mary the humble servant. Their inclusion demonstrates that God justifies sinners, welcomes outsiders, and redeems broken stories. Jesus came from a dysfunctional family tree filled with prostitutes, murderers, and victims of abuse, yet His legacy changed the world. Your family background doesn't define your future—God can use your story for His glory.

In this powerful podcast episode, we dive deep into the reliability of the Gospels and the significance of Jesus' genealogy as presented by Matthew. Join us as we explore the concept of the "criterion of embarrassment" and how it highlights the authenticity of the Gospel accounts. We discuss the fascinating stories of scandalous figures like Rahab and Tamar, who are included in Jesus' lineage, and what this reveals about God's grace and mercy. The episode emphasizes that Jesus does not shy away from dysfunction; instead, He embraces it, showing that everyone, regardless of their past, is a candidate for His love and redemption. As we reflect on our own labels and the burdens we carry, we encourage listeners to consider what labels they have accepted and how they can begin to surrender them to experience the freedom that comes from a relationship with Jesus. Key Topics: -The reliability of the Gospels -The criterion of embarrassment -The significance of Jesus' genealogy -Embracing dysfunction and grace -Surrendering labels and finding freedom ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We are an alternative to church as usual. Our Sunday worship service is approximately a 75-minute experience designed to introduce people to the message of Jesus and equip believers to live their lives in response to the Gospel while their kids enjoy one of our safe children's environments. Centerpoint is designed to meet you wherever you are on the journey whether you are just checking out the "church thing" or you are a committed Christ follower. Centerpoint is a casual environment that combines today's music with creative media and relevant teaching. We hope you will visit us at Centerpoint Church regardless of what your past church experience has looked like.

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, I want to turn our attention to his lineage. Matthew lists generation upon generation that Jesus descended from in his first chapter. Among all the fathers and sons, for family lines followed the men, we find five women mentioned. Each of their stories is unique and each played a role in bringing the events of this holiday to pass. Join me as we learn about Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary. In these women's stories we see hints of the redemption that was and still is to come. Merry Christmas! Episode recommendations: Elizabeth's Testimony Mary's Magnificat Scripture Referenced: Genesis 3:14-15 Matthew 1 Genesis 38 Joshua 2 and 6 The Book of Ruth 2 Samuel 11-12 Luke 1-2   I am a Connected Families certified parent coach offering small groups for moms, individual parent coaching, and workshops. To learn more, head to https://www.lyssastoyko.com/ Help other mamas find encouragement through Moms Take Ten by rating and reviewing this show. That would be a blessing to both them and me. Thank you for your time! Want to say hello? Follow me on Facebook and Insta @lyssastoyko Email me at momstaketen@gmail.com Image from John Heseltine / Pam Masco / FreeBibleimages.org.

Grace in the Genealogy of Jesus (Matthew Chapter 1) - Sunday, 14th December 2025.1 Tamar. Matthew 1:3 - And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;2. Rahab the Harlot. Matthew 1:5 - And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;3. Ruth the Moabitess. Matthew 1:5 - And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;4. Bathsheba the adulteress. Matthew 1:6 - And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;

Send us a textIn this episode, we continue our discussion about faith and works that James relates to us in Chapter 2. In verse 16 James tells us that the demons believe and tremble. We talk about why this is important for us to know and how that relates to faith and works. James then tells us what makes faith dead. He tells us this important fact a number of times in chapter 2. We note the example he uses of Abraham and what he did in offering his son as a sacrifice that James uses to illustrate faith and works. James also uses Rahab's hiding of the spies and why this is also important for us to know about her faith. We note the conclusion that James draws in verse 24. We close out this study of faith and works by noting the problem that most denominations have with this issue. We move on to talk about whether a Christian can fall away or be lost. Is it true that once an individual is saved, becomes a Christian, he is always saved and cannot be lost? We note that this is a false doctrine that comes from the theology of John Calvin. We look at what sin is and how that relates to being lost. Then, we look at the Bible passages that show that a child of God can indeed live in sin and be lost. We spend some time with what we know as the Beatitudes of Jesus and how important they are to us. We close out this episode by reading 2 Peter 1:2-11 and run out of time to discuss it. We will begin our next episode with a discussion of those passages. Take about 30-minutes to listen in on what we have to say. Have your Bible handy so you can verify what we are saying. There is a transcript of this Buzzsprout episode provided for your convenience.

Start with honesty: none of us has a spotless record, and pretending we do only delays the obedience God asks of us today. We dig into the parable of the two sons to show why repentance is measured by action, not memory, and we highlight Rahab's story as a powerful reminder that God writes redemption into the lives of imperfect people who choose faithfulness now.From there, we turn to Titus 2 and get practical about the virtues that steady a home and strengthen a community. Temperance, dignity, sensible speech, and the work of teaching what is good give our faith credibility. Revelation 19 then lifts our eyes, reminding us that the wedding feast of the Lamb and the triumph of the Rider called Faithful and True are not abstract theology but the anchor for perseverance and hope when the world feels hostile and disordered.We round out the conversation with Psalm 147's comfort for the brokenhearted, Proverbs 31's sober counsel to leaders, and a Medal of Honor spotlight on Sylvester Bonnafon Jr. History speaks, too: we read FDR's Pearl Harbor address and Harry Truman's 1949 Christmas message, drawing lessons about courage, clarity, peace, and service. Through Scripture and history, we argue for a life that names evil, loves neighbors, and trusts God for victory. If this resonates, share it with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe so you won't miss what's next. Your reflections help shape future episodes—what truth do you need courage to act on today?Support the showThe American Soul Podcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1791934/subscribe

Join us as we gather live for our Sunday Service. Today we hear from our guest, Sister Judith, continue the series "Mother's of Jesus". She speaks on the story of Rahab and how her faith in what God spoke to her lead her and her family to peace and security. We look forward to gathering with you virtually and hearing your thoughts and prayers during our live chat. We believe in Loving Jesus, Loving People, and seeing Jesus transform lives. For more information on our church, click on the following links: Website: junctioncovenant.com/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/junctioncov...

This powerful exploration of Joshua chapter 2 takes us beyond the familiar story of Jericho's walls to uncover what it truly means to live with conquering faith. We discover that God hasn't just called us to be intimate worshipers—though that's beautiful and essential—but also to be invincible warriors who push back the gates of hell. The narrative of the two spies finding Rahab becomes a prophetic picture of how God sends us out to be fruitful and multiply His kingdom. What's remarkable is that these spies found the one person in all of Jericho who believed in God, and she happened to be a prostitute whose very name means 'wide and spacious'—a stunning reminder that what we see as impossible, God sees as an opportunity to blow things wide open. We learn four essential pillars of conquering faith: trusting God's process even when it doesn't make sense, trusting His possibilities when circumstances seem hopeless, trusting His providence to provide exactly what we need, and trusting His preparation that goes before us into our future. The message challenges us to stop wandering in our own wilderness of doubt and step into the promised land of victory that God has already secured for us. Every promise we're meant to capture comes with a problem to be conquered, but God has already prepared the solution before we even arrive at the challenge.

What if the most honest voices for Advent are also the most uncomfortable? We sit down with Pastor Jeff Samelson and Professor Emeritus Mark Braun to unpack what prophets actually did, why their words weren't power plays or vague predictions, and how their message threads from Assyrian threats to a manger in Bethlehem. This is a journey through Isaiah, Micah, Jeremiah, and Hosea that reveals not trivia, but a pattern: short-term hardship, long-term joy, and a Messiah who stands at the center.We start by redefining prophecy as God's message delivered into real crises, not fortune telling. From Jeremiah's lament to Elijah's courage, the true prophet confronts kings rather than curries favor. Then we trace how messianic expectation formed over time—why many clung to visions of glory while tripping over a suffering servant—and how the New Testament guides our reading. Matthew names fulfillments overtly; Luke lets you see them unfold. Genealogies, far from filler, connect promises to a person and spotlight unlikely names like Tamar, Rahab, and “the wife of Uriah,” underlining grace at the root of Jesus' story.Along the way, we explore layered fulfillment: Bethlehem foretold amid looming invasion, “out of Egypt I called my son” filled full in Christ, and the way Jesus “relives” Israel's journey to succeed where Israel failed. We also make room for the everyday reader. You can savor the beauty without mastering every context, and you can go deeper when ready. Above all, we keep returning to Micah's gift: he will be their peace. Not the right program, not the perfect leader—Jesus himself. That promise meets divorce papers, hospital rooms, and quiet dread with something sturdier than sentiment: a Savior who came, who comes to us now, and who will come again.If this conversation steadies your Advent, share it with someone who needs hope. Subscribe, leave a review to help others find the show, and tell us: which Old Testament promise gives you courage today?Support the showThe ministry of Christian Life Resources promotes the sanctity of life and reaches hearts with the Gospel. We invite you to learn more about the work we're doing: https://christianliferesources.com/

The Epistle of James is particularly remembered for its message about faith.  Faith is a vital factor in our salvation, but the genuineness of our faith is shown in what it causes us to do. James writes, “If you really fulfil the royal law according to scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself,' you are doing well.” [2 v.8]  It surprises some to realize that this “royal law” is not one of the ten commandments, yet when Jesus was asked by a lawyer, “Teacher which is the great commandment in the Law? … he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.  And the second is like it:  You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the prophets.” [Matt. 22 v.36-40] Do you realize when Moses wrote this commandment? Jesus was quoting from Leviticus 19 v.18; it was one they only applied when it suited them!  Recall the parable of the Good Samaritan that he told to answer the question, “Who is my neighbour?' So James presses home the point, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”[v.14-17]In verse 12 James told his readers to “act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty” – what did he mean?  He had already made the point in Ch.1 v.25 that “the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing”   The point is, they have been liberated, given freedom, from keeping the letter of the Mosaic Law – they now had to keep “the perfect law” that Jesus had spelt out in answering the lawyer. The chapter concludes with examples from the lives of Abraham and Rahab who showed their faith by what they did.   The last verse makes the point, “For as the body apart from the spirit (breath) is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”

God often uses the people one would least expect, and that was certainly the case for Rahab. Despite being a non-Jewish woman of a scandalous profession, Rahab is known as a woman of great faith in Scripture. Explore her story in the book of Joshua as we continue taking a look at some of the women in the genealogy of Jesus.

On Sunday, we stepped into Matthew's genealogy, the part of the Christmas story most of us are tempted to skip. It is a window into the heart of God. Before Jesus ever preached a sermon or performed a miracle, His family line was already preaching the gospel. Matthew shows us that Jesus came through real people with real stories, and He came for real people with real needs. Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are not polished heroes. They are strugglers, outsiders, sinners, the wounded, and the forgotten.This week, I invite you to continue reflecting on how Jesus enters human history not through a perfect lineage but through a redeemed one. Included below are two tools to help you carry Sunday's message into your week: the Sermon Notes for revisiting the truths we explored together and the Sunday to Monday Guide to help you pray, reflect, and discuss God's word in community.As we reflect on His genealogy, may we see our own story with renewed clarity, remembering that the parts we tend to hide or minimize are not barriers to His love but places where His grace loves to do its best work. I pray this season of Advent gives us confidence that Jesus meets us not in an ideal version of our life but in the real one we are living right now.

Description:The greatest miracles often begin in the quiet corners of ordinary lives.In this special Christmas episode of Her God Story, Jodie Chiricosta invites listeners into the remarkable stories of four women—Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary—whose journeys echo some of our most familiar human struggles: feeling unworthy, starting over in sorrow, carrying the weight of regret, or stepping into a calling that feels overwhelming. Though their circumstances span centuries, their experiences mirror our own. Through rich storytelling and biblical insight, this episode reveals the God who met each woman in her need—saving, redeeming, restoring, and fulfilling His word in ways more beautiful than they could have imagined. Listeners will discover:✨ The redeeming power of faith—even when your past feels disqualifying ✨ The hope that rises from loyalty, surrender, and courageous obedience ✨ The mercy that meets us in shame, grief, or regret ✨ The assurance that God keeps His promises—and draws near to fulfill themRahab's bold belief, Ruth's faithful devotion, Bathsheba's restored dignity, and Mary's surrendered trust all point to one truth: Emmanuel has come. God is with us—in our fears, our longings, our losses, and our deepest hopes.Whether you're seeking encouragement, navigating a difficult season, or longing for a fresh reminder of God's nearness this Christmas, this episode offers a heartfelt invitation to remember that He is still writing your story—with tenderness, redemption, and purpose.

The Humble Servants of God Part 1: Mary, Mother of Jesus Luke 1:26-38 Perhaps you've heard the saying God's ways are not our ways? It is in fact true. God's will and His ways are often a mystery to us but He is always working things out for our good and for His glory. And in the Holy Bible, throughout history, the Lord has used humble people to accomplish great and mighty things. There is a saying worthy of full acceptance. God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called.  God only needs people that by faith will say yes Lord, here I am use me. There are so many examples of this in Scripture: Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers, being wrongly accused of sexual assault and jailed in Egypt; he had every reason to give up but Joseph by faith, remembered God's promise to him in a dream and God's word never fails. Rahab, a prostitute in Jericho, helped the Israelite spies and by faith, believed their promises that God would save her and her family. The Lord did indeed save her and her household, but God didn't stop there, Rahab would become part of the family tree and the genealogy of Jesus Christ, for God's word never fails.  But there is perhaps no greater example of God using the humble to accomplish mighty things than the life of Mary. She was a simple girl from the poor town of Nazareth. The most unlikely of choices to carry the Son of God, the Light of the world. But God chooses the weak and humble things of the world to shame those things which are strong. Mary, by faith,  believed the angel Gabriel's words and the Lord blessed her mightily, allowing her to give birth to our Savior and Messiah, Jesus…  This Sunday we'll take a close look at the life of Mary, Mother of Jesus. God kept His promises to her because His word never fails, it never has and it never will. To our great God be great glory!I love y'allPastor doug

2 Corintios 12:9En este mensaje exploramos cómo Dios se glorifica en medio de nuestras debilidades. A través de historias bíblicas como Rahab, Abraham y Abimelec, descubrimos que no es nuestra fuerza lo que nos sostiene, sino la gracia de Dios obrando en nuestras piezas rotas. Cuando dejamos de depender de nosotros mismos y descansamos en Él, Dios convierte la debilidad en propósito y el fracaso en un mosaico para Su gloria.¡Bienvenido/a al canal de Vástago! "Nos apasiona compartir el amor de Dios y su Palabra con el mundo.¡Suscríbete y únete a nuestra familia virtual para crecer juntos en la fe y marcar la diferencia en nuestro entorno!".Te invitamos a seguirnos en nuestras redes sociales:Vástago Church:- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vastagochurch/- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vastagochurchprPastor Josue Quezada:- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josuequezadaa/- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/josuequezadaa------------Para dar una aportacion generosa o algún donativo puede hacerlo travez:- Ath Movil Business: [Iglesiavastago]- Pay Pal: [Vastagochurch]------------Te invitamos a conectar con la vida de nuestra iglesia y descubrir todo lo que tenemos para ofrecerte. No olvides acceder al enlace y descargar nuestra aplicación para tener acceso completo a todas nuestras funciones y servicios - https://vastagochurch.churchcenter.com/pages/homeEn nuestra aplicación, encontrarás: - Calendario: https://vastagochurch.churchcenter.com/calendar?view=month- Ofrenda y Diezma: https://vastagochurch.churchcenter.com/giving- Grupos pequeños: https://vastagochurch.churchcenter.com/groups- ¡Y mucho mas!

sermon series: Advent: Mothers of the Messiah sermon date: December 7, 2025

This passage explains James' teaching that genuine faith is always accompanied by action, not as a means of earning salvation but as evidence of a transformed heart. While Paul addresses legalism by emphasizing salvation through faith alone, James confronts empty belief that produces no fruit. Using examples such as helping the needy, Abraham offering Isaac, and Rahab protecting the spies, the message shows that true faith naturally expresses itself through obedience and love. Ultimately, the point is that faith alone saves, but saving faith is never alone—it is proven by deeds.The Gathering Church is located in Midland, Texas.You can watch our live worship experience online at mygathering.liveVisit our website at https://www.mygathering.churchConnect with us on Social Mediahttps://facebook.com/mgatheringhttps://Instagram.com/mygatheringhttps://Twitter.com/mygatheringGOD | COMMUNITY | PURPOSE

This passage explains James' teaching that genuine faith is always accompanied by action, not as a means of earning salvation but as evidence of a transformed heart. While Paul addresses legalism by emphasizing salvation through faith alone, James confronts empty belief that produces no fruit. Using examples such as helping the needy, Abraham offering Isaac, and Rahab protecting the spies, the message shows that true faith naturally expresses itself through obedience and love. Ultimately, the point is that faith alone saves, but saving faith is never alone—it is proven by deeds.The Gathering Church is located in Midland, Texas.You can watch our live worship experience online at mygathering.liveVisit our website at https://www.mygathering.churchConnect with us on Social Mediahttps://facebook.com/mgatheringhttps://Instagram.com/mygatheringhttps://Twitter.com/mygatheringGOD | COMMUNITY | PURPOSE

In his 6th chapter the prophet Micah, speaking on the LORD's behalf, condemns the nation. God asks, is there a reason My people have turned from Me. What have I done to cause this. The reality was the very reverse. He had so often pardoned them though they spurned Him in response. Think how great was His love and forgiveness why they grievously transgressed at Baal Peor in Numbers 24-25. God's righteousness is inextricably associated with His mercy, grace and forgiveness. From verses 6-8 is the crux of what God asks of us in response to His pardon. The Law of Moses similarly summarised what God requires from His people in Deuteronomy 10verses12-13. It is not the sacrifice of offering that establishes a relationship with our Maker, but rather a humble recognition of what He has done for us. A humbling of ourselves to walk with the One whose condescension to be our God is beyond our capacity to comprehend (Isaiah 57verses15). Read verse 8 aloud - pause and ponder. Verses 9-16 tell of God's determination to destroy the wicked. This is the character and ways of our God (see Exodus 34verses5-7; and Romans 11verses22-23).James 2 was a hotly debated chapter at the time of the Reformation. Martin Luther totally misunderstood the message of James 2 and declared the letter of James to be, "A straw letter". The atonement is not based on faith alone; but upon a faith that actively works, being energised by love to purify our hearts (Galatians 5verses1-6). Paul and James do not present conflicting arguments, but they are in fact complementary - John Thomas, a Christadelphian writer wrote in 'Elpis Israel' (published in 1850), "Abraham the sinner was justified by faith, but Abraham the saint was justified by his works".Ephesians 2verses4-10 express the truth that works are the response in gratitude to God's grace of His children. Verses 1-13 of James 2 deal with the sin of partiality. This is a sin to which we are all prone. We are all equal in God's eyes. James says the prominent, the posers, the powerful are shown preference. How evil is this. The Bible stresses the need to look after the poor and the vulnerable. Chapter 1 ended on this note. How magnificent and majestic are the words of verse 5 - read slowly, pause and ponder. We must modify our attitudes and behaviours to be the children of our Father. James declared that the very ones to whom you are partial are your persecutors and oppressors. God's royal law is the law of Love. It is Royal as it reigns supreme above all other laws. It cannot be measured, nor legislated. And yet it will be the basis of our being judged by our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming - compare Romans 13verses8-10. Mercy is received when mercy is the basis of our dealings with others. From verses 14-26 the writer establishes from the Scripture the uselessness of a faith without works. He gave the example of sensitivity to spiritual needs, yet totally insensitivity to life's essentials - how incongruous, and yet this often happens. Faith cannot be demonstrated in a vacuum. Even demented people can show a fearful, but pointless faith (belief). The evidence of faith is seen in action (the writer to the Hebrews showed this in the 11th chapter). Abraham and Rahab are the evidence of James' argument. Faith without works is as useful as a corpse without breath.

Matthew 1:1-5a, Joshua 2Bulletin PDFWatch Online

Pastor Troy highlights how Matthew begins Jesus' story with a genealogy to show that Christ enters real human history with purpose and promise. He notes that the presence of four unexpected women — Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba — reveals God's gracious heart to welcome the broken, the outsider, and the undeserving into His redemptive plan. Pastor Troy reminds us that Jesus stands at the very center of history and arrives as the ultimate source of rest, forgiveness, and freedom. This Christmas, we are invited to bring our imperfect stories to Him and find the grace and restoration only the Son can provide.

Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute from Jericho, appears in Jesus' genealogy as a powerful example of God's grace reaching unexpected people. When Israelite spies came to scout the promised land, she chose to hide them despite the risk to her life, demonstrating remarkable faith in the God of Israel. Her story challenges us to reconsider how we judge others and shows that no one is beyond God's transforming grace. Rahab's inclusion in Christ's family tree proves that God can use anyone for His purposes, regardless of their past or current circumstances.Like, comment, & subscribe to stay updated with the latest content! CONNECT WITH US:► Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gccws_gram► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gccws ► Website: http://www.gccws.netOUR RESOURCES:►Recharge Devotional: http://www.gccws.net/recharge ►Online Church: http://live.gccws.net ►Online Bulletin: http://www.gccws.net/bulletin ►Discipleship Classes: http://www.gccws.net/adults ►Events Coming Up: http://www.gccws.net/events #gccanywhere #gracecommunitychurchofwillowstreet #YouTube #ChurchMinistry #LancasterCounty

Rahab, the harlot of Jericho, is perhaps the most scandalous name in the genealogy of Jesus. In this sermon, we explore Joshua 2 and 6 to understand the nature of her justifying faith. Pastor Mark shows how Rahab's faith—born from hearing the reports of God's redemptive works—was immediately active and led her to salvation. Learn why the simple, visible scarlet thread in her window is a powerful foreshadowing of the blood of Christ and the inclusive, sovereign grace of God that defines the Christmas message.

Christmas – they talk about baby Jesus and Mary and Joseph – but this Jesus … is He who He says He is? Can Christmas really make a difference – I mean in your life and mine?   WILL THE REAL MESSIAH PLEASE STAND UP? Well, welcome to the second message in a series that I have called, "Message in a Bottle" – in these weeks leading up to Christmas. We are going to take a look at this most amazing night – this Christmas story. You know that wonderful Christmas carol, O Holy Night, the stars, the stars are shining – the shepherds and the angels and Mary and Joseph and that baby Jesus; God in the flesh. And for me, you know, when you strip away all the noise and the rubbish and the commercialism around Christmas, it is the most wonderful celebration. But it struck me how the very beginning of the story of Christmas in the New Testament – if you have a Bible, go and grab it – we are going to Matthew, chapter 1 – it struck me how often we skim over the first dozen or so paragraphs of what God writes about Christmas. If you open up the very first page of the first Book of the New Testament – it's the Book of Matthew and it begins, of all things, with a genealogy; a boring list of names. Now I love doing things that surprise people and a few years ago I was sharing a message leading up to Christmas on this passage in the beginning of Matthew and I asked a lady, a friend of mine, Pamela, to do the Bible reading and I ask her to read through this genealogy. Now fortunately, I gave her a week's notice, because some of the names are just a little bit difficult to get the old tongue around. And when she sat down everybody gave her a standing applause for managing to make it through the genealogy. And I guess most of us haven't heard a message on this genealogy in a long, long time, if ever. I know what you are thinking – genealogy? Berni, are you going to be talking about a genealogy? But listen, listen to what the Apostle Paul writes in Second Timothy, chapter 3, verse 16. He says: Every Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness, so that – what? – so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient and equipped for every good work. In other words when I read through this genealogy, and I probably like you, skip through genealogies in the Bible, you know, I kind of don't like to read every word. But as I began to read through this particular genealogy I thought, hang on a minute, God decided to begin the New Testament with a genealogy. Why did He do that? What was going on? This Book of Matthew – "Matthew" literally means, "a gift from God" and it starts with an account of Jesus blood line; His birth line. Jesus Christ – "Jesus" means "Yahweh saves"; God saves. "Christ" means "Messiah" – so you put all that together and this book is a gift from God about God's anointed Saviour. So I'm thinking, I've actually got to get into this genealogy and say: why did God put it here? What does it mean that the Christmas story begins with a genealogy? What is God trying to say to you and me, here and now? Now it's probably not the way that you or I would start a biography of some great leader but genealogies were significant to the Jews. They were about purity of lineage – firstly remember that land was given to Israel by tribes. So your right to own land was affected by your genealogy. If you were a priest, your priestly authority came from your genealogy. And your legal standing – if you were in line for the throne, royal succession came through your genealogy. And the genealogies of people were kept on the public record. In the Sanhedrin and in the temple, you could go and verify that somebody was who they said they were. So to the Jews it wasn't just a boring list of names – it was fascinating. And have a look to see how Matthew, chapter 1 actually starts out. The first verse, "An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham" – three main characters, Abraham, David and Jesus. And Abraham and David being referred to here, point back to some promises. We are going to look at those promises today because they have everything to do with Christmas. People were expecting a Messiah – we are going to look at why a little bit later in the programme. But at this point in Israel's history in the first century, they were definitely looking for a Messiah. So God is the keeper of promises and let's just have a quick look to see what the promise is. If you want to flick back to the promise that God made to Abraham, you go to Genesis, chapter 12, verses 1 to 3. Lets have a look at that – Genesis 12:1-3 says this: The Lord said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you and I will make you a great nation and I will bless you and make your name great so that you will be a blessing." And if you flick over to Genesis, chapter 15, verse 5, it goes on to say that: God brought Abram outside in his tent and He said, "Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you can count them. And then God said to Abram, "So shall your descendants be." And he believed and the Lord reckoned this as righteousness to him. So here is a promise to Abraham; the father of the whole nation of Israel, that Abraham would have many, many children. Remember he and Sarah were very old and they couldn't have children, yet God was making a promise. So this very first verse of Matthew points back to those promises. It also points back to the promise that God made to David. Lets have a look at that – flick on a little bit to Second Samuel, chapter 7, verse 12 – this is what it says: "When your days are fulfilled," – this is a promise to David, remember; the King: When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you who shall come forth from your body and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name and I will establish his throne and his kingdom forever. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before Me, your throne shall be established forever. So here is the promise to David – that there would be a lineage that would go on forever – that the reign of the House of David would go on forever. David was the Messiah; he was the anointed King of Israel. That's the actual word that they used for the King – the 'Messiah', and the promise of God was the offspring of David – there would be royal succession that would go on forever. So you bring this two promises together and the promise of God is that there will be a King who will rule forever, who will be a blessing to all the nations. The question is what happens next? Well, just after this promise is given to David, David has a son called Solomon and Solomon is the last King of a united Israel. Israel splits in two; they begin to worship idols; God sends prophets; they reject God and ultimately, in 586/587 BC they are exiled to Babylon into slavery. The monarchy is destroyed and really, the whole thing falls apart for Israel because they rejected God. They just ran away from God; they ignored God and for four or five centuries there was no king. I mean, to us, that's like not having a democracy. And by the first century, the Emperor was Roman because they were under Roman rule. There was a governor there who was Roman; there was a false King; the Sanhedrin was corrupt. This was a messy, corrupt, religious, political environment. It was brutal – I mean the Roman oppression was brutal. And into this Matthew writes – God speaks through Matthew of the promise made to Abraham and made to David. They were expecting Messiah. The question is what sort of Messiah were they going to get?   A HEAVEN FULL OF PROMISES So Israel was expecting a Messiah, but what did he look like? Luke, chapter 3 and verse 15, we read about John the Baptist: As the people were filled with expectation and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah. Luke, chapter 3, verse 16, we see that John goes on and says: Well, you know, "I baptise you with water but someone who is much more powerful than me is coming. I'm not fit to tie up His sandals and He'll baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire." We read Matthew, chapter 16, verse 13 and: Jesus says to His disciples, "Who do the people say that I am? And they said, "Well, some say that You are John the Baptist, others say that You are Elijah, others say that You are Jeremiah or one of the prophets." See, the people expected a Messiah; they expected God to send them someone; they desired one, but they were mixed up as to what He would look like. There were lots of people called "Jesus" in those days. There were lots of people who claimed to be the Messiah – there was lots of hype. How were they going to pick the right one? And that's what this genealogy is about. Matthew's Gospel was written somewhere around sixty to seventy AD and at this point the Jews and the Christians were arguing about who Jesus was. The Jews said he's not the Messiah; the Christians said yes, He is. No, He's not, yes, He is, no, He's not! And Matthew is specifically writing to a Jewish audience here and he lists on the genealogy of Jesus, "Abraham was the father of Isaac and Isaac the father of Jacob and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar" – and on it goes, this long genealogy. And what it is really saying is, "I know there are a lot of people out there claiming to be the Messiah; I know there are a lot of people claiming to be the one that God sent but here is the genealogy of the Man. Here as a matter of public record is His genealogy and His right to be the anointed King; the Messiah." See, genealogies, for the purposes of land and for the purposes of legal entitlement and for the purposes of royal blood line in this patriarchal society always went through the father. And what it shows here is that Jesus is in fact, a descendant of David and a descendant of Abraham and He is the rightful King. If you don't believe me, it's a matter of public record. This was written at a time when the information was still in the public record in the temple and the Sanhedrin, so people could go and check. People could verify the link of Jesus back to God's promises – back to God's vast plan – they could identify that actually He is the One. There were many prophesies about Jesus in the Old Testament – He will come from a woman's womb; He'll be born to a virgin, He'll be born in Bethlehem; murder will surround His birth; He will be given the name Emmanuel; He will be given gifts; He will be taken back to Egypt – many, many prophesies that Jesus opened up in the Old Testament. But here the New Testament comes with, right at the beginning, a legal verification of Jesus entitlement to His claim to be the Messiah. It is evidence that God keeps His promises. And when I look at Christmas through this boring genealogy – lets face it, that's the way we would look at it these days – what I read is that God keeps His promises. Jesus was born on that holy night, the stars, the stars were shining; the very same stars that were shining over Abraham those many centuries before, when God made him a promise that he would be a blessing to many nations. God is faithful – Christmas is about God's faithfulness. This genealogy speaks of God's faithfulness. See, if we just walk into Christmas saying, "I've got to buy some more presents and I've got to get some more food and I've got to do all this, Christmas ends up being meaningless. The New Testament begins with rock solid evidence of the faithfulness of God – that He has indeed fulfilled His promise to Abraham and His promise to David, to send His Son. It's a leap of faith, but it's not a blind leap of faith. The evidence is laid out – it was laid out at a time when people could either verify it or disprove it on the public record. That's why that genealogy is there. We are going look at what all that means for you and me, here and now, next.   HE'S ONE OF US Alright, so we have been looking at this beginning of the Christmas story, this genealogy; this link between the Old Testament and the New; this link that points back to the fact that the whole idea of Christmas began a long, long time before that starry, starry night in Bethlehem. And when you read through the genealogy – I'm not going to do that now – but when you read through the genealogy you find all sorts of people. There are people who were prophesied about; there were people who were totally unknown. There are sixteen names in that genealogy that are not mentioned anywhere in the Old Testament – there are Kings, there are paupers, there are Jews, there are Gentiles, there are good Kings – six of them, nineteen bad Kings. We think of King David as one of the good guys but he committed adultery; he had someone murdered. And one of the really interesting things that we are going to look at right now is that there are five women in this genealogy. Now sadly, you go back to this time, two thousand years ago, in the first century and women had no rights; they were chattels; they had no legal rights – they couldn't own land; they could inherit anything; they couldn't testify in a court of law and they were never, I say again, never listed in genealogies. But here in this genealogy we have five women. Now what's that about? In this patriarchal society that never put women in genealogies, why are they there? What is God saying to us, to you and me, here and now about Christmas by putting them there? Well, the first one is in verse 3 – a woman by the name of Tamar. Now she was a temple prostitute; she was Judah's daughter in law and she committed adultery. You can read about her in Genesis, chapter 38, verse 5. The second woman is Rahab – now remember Rahab was a prostitute in Jericho. You can read about her in Joshua, chapter 2, verses 1 to 7. The third woman is a woman called Ruth – she has her own Book in the Old Testament. Now Ruth is a Moabite – the Moabites were enemies of the Jews. This is what the Old Testament, Deuteronomy, chapter 23, verse 3, says about Moabites: An Ammonite or a Moabite shall not enter the assembly of the Lord, even to the tenth generation; none of his descendants shall enter the assembly of the Lord forever. So we've got a Moabite! Verse 6, look at this: And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah. Now is that damning or what? Remember David committed adultery with Bathsheba – she was another man's wife, his name was Uriah, and he, David, committed adultery with Bathsheba. David had Uriah murdered, their first child died, their second son was gift from God, his name was Solomon. You can read about that in Second Samuel, chapters 11 and 12. So here in Jesus' genealogy is not just a temple prostitute, not just a prostitute in Jericho, not just a Moabite who was an enemy of God but here is a woman who conceived one of Jesus ancestors in adultery. And then in verse 16, is the fifth woman – Mary – this woman who as far as the rest of society was concerned, had conceived a son out of wedlock, which brought enormous shame on her and on Joseph. And we are going to look at that next week in a message that I've called, "Jesus – the Illegitimate God". See, here are these five women – five very imperfect women – there are no paragons of virtue; there are no wonderful Israelite, Jewish women. What's God saying to us in all that? I believe He is saying, 'There is no Jew or Greek, no slave or free, no male or female, because all are one in Christ Jesus. Have you ever felt that you are just not good enough to be part of God's family? That somehow you and I fall so far short of the glory of God that we could just never fit into God's family? I believe that this genealogy is an invitation which says you don't have to be good enough. This genealogy deliberately puts those imperfect women into the list to speak to you and me. There are a whole bunch of Christians in God's Kingdom who flounder; who are blown around by this doctrine and that; who don't live in victory; who don't bear fruit; who don't impact other people's lives with the love of Christ – Christians who are hurtling head on towards Christmas just trying to buy presents and just trying to finish off their work and just trying to get all this other stuff done without a deep foundation in their hearts to know what Christmas is about. Listen: Every Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness so that everyone – everyone includes you and it includes me – everyone who belongs to God may be proficient and equipped for every good work. This genealogy is not just a boring list. This genealogy is how the Holy Spirit; God the Holy Spirit decided to begin the very first Book in the New Testament – the very first Book about the grace of Jesus Christ. He begins with a rock solid platform. The intention of God is that you and I can stand on this rock solid platform. This platform that says at a time when this genealogy could be checked against the public record, it is legally established that Jesus is the Christ. Not just one way but the way, we can know that with certainty through this genealogy. We look at this genealogy – an account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah; Son of David, Son of Abraham. And we can look at the promises God made to Abraham and David and say Matthew is pointing back to those because Jesus is the fulfilment of those promises. God keeps His promises. We can pick this Jesus – this authentic Saviour – from all the other people that say, "I've got a way, try my way, follow me". No! This Jesus is who He says He is. He is the Son of God and then through an amazing act of grace, God points out to us here in this genealogy, through listing these imperfect women; through listing people like David who committed adultery; through listing the good Kings and the bad Kings, that Jesus became one of us. If you ask people who believe in Jesus, is He more like God or is He more like you and me? You know, most of us would answer; Jesus is more like God that He is like you and me. Jesus is fully God but He's fully human too and that's what this genealogy speaks to you and me. It is time for us to have a rock solid place to stand, to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came for you and me – little old imperfect you and me. And that is why Jesus begins His story about Himself this way. It's food for the soul. Christmas is a feast!

Matthew 1:1–17 - [1] The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. [2] Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, [3] and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, [4] and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, [5] and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, [6] and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, [7] and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph, [8] and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, [9] and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, [10] and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, [11] and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. [12] And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, [13] and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, [14] and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, [15] and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, [16] and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. [17] So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations. (ESV)   THE EVENING MINDSET IS COMING! Beginning January 1 - 2026 - A new DAILY podcast will be available to help you wind down, reset your mind on God’s truth, and prepare for a night of rest and rejuvenation. “The Daily Mindset” will launch on the podcast player of your choice on January 1, 2026. Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode: https://EveningMindset.com

En este mensaje de nuestra serie "La Navidad según Mateo", el pastor Saúl nos lleva tras los escenarios navideños a los que estamos acostumbrados y nos adentra en la compleja y desordenada genealogía de Jesús. ¿Qué tienen que ver Tamar, Rahab, Rut y "la esposa de Urías" con la Navidad? Todo. Sus historias nos recuerdan que Dios no solo obra alrededor del quebrantamiento, sino a través de él. Si Él puede entretejer el escándalo, el fracaso y a los marginados en la línea familiar de Jesús, también puede redimir tu pasado. Escucharás sobre: Por qué las fiestas suelen ser la época más solitaria del año para muchos, y cómo nosotros, la Iglesia, estamos llamados a ser el evangelio vivo para quienes están desesperados. Cómo Dios usa los tiempos de silencio no para rechazarnos, sino para profundizar nuestra fe, dependencia y propósito. La verdad de que las relaciones pueden ser las más dolorosas, pero tu relación con Dios debe ser la única innegociable. Cómo la distracción (especialmente a través de las redes sociales) puede descarrilar silenciosamente tu llamado, sin jamás "destruirte" por completo. Por qué tu pasado puede describirte, pero no tiene por qué definirte en Cristo. Ya sea que estés luchando contra el arrepentimiento, sintiéndote lejos de Dios o simplemente intentando encontrarle sentido a tu historia esta Navidad, este episodio te recordará: Dios hace pactos, cumple promesas, y aún no ha terminado contigo.

In this message from our series Christmas According to Matthew, Pastor Saul takes us behind the nativity scenes we're used to and into the messy, complicated genealogy of Jesus. What do Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and “the wife of Uriah” have to do with Christmas? Everything. Their stories remind us that God doesn't just work around brokenness—He works through it. If He can weave scandal, failure, and outsiders into the family line of Jesus, He can redeem your past too. You'll hear about: Why the holidays are often the loneliest time of year for many—and how we, the Church, are called to be the living gospel to those in despair. How God uses seasons of silence not to reject us, but to deepen our faith, dependence, and purpose. The truth that relationships may hurt you most, but your relationship with God must be the one non-negotiable. How distraction (especially through social media) can quietly derail your calling—without ever “destroying” you outright. Why your past may describe you, but it doesn't have to define you in Christ. Whether you're battling regret, feeling distant from God, or just trying to make sense of your story this Christmas, this episode will remind you: God is a covenant-maker, a promise-keeper, and He's not done with you yet.

TODAY'S TREASURETherefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; Behold, the new has come.2 Corinthians 5:17 ESVSend us a comment!Support the show

TODAY'S TREASUREFor God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.Psalm 62:1-2 ESVSend us a comment!Support the show

When governments tighten the screws, should Christian families stay and fight, or pack up and look for a freer place to live? Modern homeschoolers feeling pressure from the state aren't the first to ask these questions. But neither the Word nor history is silent on this matter. Kevin and Josh discuss the examples of Rahab, the Hebrew midwives, and the pilgrims. The common theme: faith and obedience to Christ in the face of tyrannical authorities.

TODAY'S TREASUREThe Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.Psalm 18:2 ESVSend us a comment!Support the show

Text: Matthew 1:5; Joshua 2 & 6; Hebrews 11:31; variousTheme: Strangely, as the Bible talks about Rahab, it seems to always mention she was a prostitute. It can't be because God wouldn't let her forget her past, but maybe so we'd be encouraged to forget ours. Your past does not define you!Memory Verse: Hebrews 11:31 (NIV) By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient. Message Notes: https://www.bible.com/events/49528059

Matthew 1:1-17Episode 1 - Nov. 30, 2025Jesus didn't come from a perfect family with a perfect story.He came through a broken family with a broken story for broken people like us.Christmas reminds us that God's redemption enters through the cracks.Matthew begins Jesus' story with a genealogy to show that God is patient with long, messy, complicated stories.For centuries, He wove His plan through faithful people and failures, kings and shepherds, revival and rebellion.Your story may feel too far gone or too complicated, but the genealogy whispers:God is not afraid of long, messy stories.Including four women was shocking in a patriarchal culture—Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and “Uriah's wife.”Each carried pain, shame, and loss, yet God honored them in the Messiah's line.Tamar was wronged and denied justice. Her story says: God sees and lifts the marginalized.Rahab was a prostitute from the wrong city and religion, but she believed God. Your past isn't stronger than His grace.Ruth, a Moabite outsider, was redeemed by Boaz. Outsiders become family in God's kingdom.Bathsheba, the victim of David's abuse, reminds us: God refuses to airbrush sin. He restores the broken.Together they declare: God works through what others hide.Jesus' family was complicated, painful, and beautiful—just like ours.Hebrews 2:11 says Jesus is “not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters.”You don't have to hide your story.The secrets, the shame, the outsider feelings, the addiction, the abuse—Jesus walks into all of it.He came through a broken family for broken families.Your past doesn't define your future—your Savior does.Advent is waiting: for healing, reconciliation, change, repentance, release.God is patient with long stories and present in them.If He can weave Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba into Jesus' story, He can weave you into grace.After forty-two generations, Matthew ends:“Mary was the mother of Jesus, who is called the Messiah.”The mess prepared the way for the miracle.Christmas isn't “clean up and come to Jesus.”It's “Jesus came into the mess for you.”At the cross, He took Judah's betrayal, Tamar's injustice, Rahab's past, Ruth's outsider status, David's sin, Bathsheba's wounds—and ours.He broke their power and turned shame into redemption.Christmas is costly. God entered through a broken family to build a redeemed one.You are not defined by what you've done or what's been done to you but by what Jesus has done for you.Your story isn't ruined—it's redeemed and whole.CONNECT: https://crossbridgebrickell.churchcenter.com/people/forms/87727GIVE: https://crossbridgebrickell.churchcenter.com/givingPRAYER: https://crossbridgebrickell.churchcenter.com/people/forms/87727Social Media Handle: @crossbridgebrickell

Guest Bio: Amy is an author, speaker, pastor, wife, and co-ringmaster to her circus of three kids. Through the many face-plants and mudslides in her life, God opened doors for her to write books and to travel and speak, inviting others to discover grace in their daily lives. She is also one of the pastors at Soma City Church in Toledo, OH. As she and her family keep walking on whatever path God has for them, her hope is to use humor and storytelling to anchor people in the truth that God is with us, for us, in us, and working through us.   Show Summary: Which women in the Bible stand out to you? Who is your favorite? Who do you most relate to? Amy Seiffert was surprised when she decided to dig into God's Word to explore the role of women in Scripture. She found fascinating examples of leadership, courage, and strength from women who are often overlooked in our Bible lessons. Join hosts Vivian Mabuni and Eryn Eddy Adkins with guest Amy Seiffert as they explore inspirational women of the Bible during this God Hears Her conversation.   Notes and Quotes:   “Research the culture and the context of what you're reading and go to Jesus and see how He's treating women.” —Amy Seiffert   “When you see the mistreatment of women—the abuse or the rape, a variety of things happening to women—this was describing what was happening. This was not God's will or His way.” —Amy Seiffert  “God is coming to bring redemption in the middle of such mess.” —Amy Seiffert  “Ten percent of the names [in the Bible] are women, so every time a woman shows up I am paying attention.” —Amy Seiffert  “Whatever you have, whatever you've gone through, you have a gift to give to the world, to the church, to your neighborhood, to your community.” —Amy Seiffert  “Go forward in confidence. You are the daughter of the Most High King.” —Amy Seiffert  Verses:  2 Kings 22 Luke 8  Luke 10:38-42 John 11 Romans 16 Hebrews 1  Related Episodes: GHH Ep 123 – Knowing Women of the Bible with Anna Haggard: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/knowing-women-of-the-bible/ GHH Ep 159 – A Deeper Look at Rahab with Shadia Hrichi: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/a-deeper-look-at-rahab/  Links:  Amy's Website: https://www.amyseiffert.com/about God Hears Her website: https://go.odb.org/ghh191  Watch this episode on the God Hears Her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GodHearsHerODBM Discovery Series booklet: https://www.odbm.org/en/discovery-series/more-than-a-mother/lessons-from-the-life-of-the-first-disciple 

TODAY'S TREASUREFor God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.Psalm 62: 1-2 ESVSend us a comment!Support the show

What do you do when God ends a business, a brand, or a season you thought would last forever?How do you know when it's time to shut something down and stop rebuilding what God has already demolished?In this powerful episode of Scriptures, Stories, & Strategies, we dive into Joshua 6:18–27 — the fall of Jericho — and what it teaches Christian entrepreneurs about business endings, divine redirection, and the danger of rebuilding something God has already declared finished.We'll explore:​why God commanded Jericho to be devoted to destruction​what the preserved family of Rahab teaches us about what to carry into the next business season​the curse over Jericho and its historical confirmation​signs that your business (or a part of it) is in its “Jericho season”​what to take with you into your next assignment — and what to leave behindIf you've been wrestling with closing a business, pivoting, rebranding, or releasing something that once worked but no longer carries God's grace… this one will set you free.Your next assignment can't begin until Jericho falls — and stays fallen.

Worship Director Justin Jackson continues our series focusing on the women found in Jesus's genealogy.Today, we step into Rahab's story… a story that's both surprising and uncomfortably honest because Rahab isn't who you'd expect to find in the family line of Jesus. Her past is messy. Her life is shaped by a broken culture. And yet, God sees her. He pursues her. He welcomes her in.And I think that's why this story hits so close to home.All of us walk in with something we wish we could rewrite: a mistake, a moment, a season. And Rahab reminds us that God isn't waiting for a cleaner version of us. He meets us right where we are and invites us into something better.So as we hear the message, hold this thought: Your past doesn't get the final say. God does.Thank you for listening to this message from Northwest Hills Community Church in Corvallis, Oregon, on November 30, 2025, at 9:30am. You can find us online at nwhills.com.Key Moments00:00 Welcome01:12 Message: Rahab's Redemption04:50 The Story of Tamar06:43 Introducing Rahab07:30 Rahab's Faith and Actions24:51 Rahab's Obedience and Salvation31:34 Conclusion and Invitation

Matthew 1:1-17 ESV The Genealogy of Jesus Christ1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, 4 and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of David the king.And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, 7 and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph, 8 and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, 9 and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, 10 and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, 11 and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.12 And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13 and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, 14 and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, 15 and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations. For more information about Redeemer Church Lubbock visit our website at redeemerlubbock.org.

Scripture: Hebrews 11:30-31Series: "Don't Shrink Back" 

Some early Christians were shrinking back from following Jesus amidst persecution. So, the author of Hebrews encouraged them to endure and remain faithful to Christ by offering a collection of Old Testament witnesses. If God did amazing things through their faith, why would we ever shrink back from our own? Focus: Faith is the victory. Speaker: Matt Thornton, Pastor Date: November 30, 2025

Unedited YouTube Livestream (10:30a Service)

TODAY'S TREASUREFor God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.Psalm 62: 1-2 ESVSend us a comment!Support the show

Born - Part 1:  Born of Abraham Matthew does not open his Gospel with action but with a carefully crafted genealogy. For his Jewish audience, this family tree is compelling evidence that Jesus was in fact the long-awaited Messiah. The list includes prominent figures like Abraham and David but it also features unlikely people like Rahab, Tamar, and Bathsheba. Each name tells a story of God’s faithfulness. Through this genealogy, Matthew demonstrates that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham and David—the one through whom all nations will be blessed and the eternal king who will reign forever.

Responding to questions from listeners once again about the story of Rahab in Joshua 2, coming back to the little rubber Jesus figures, reviewing K-Love's new movie about Mary, and reading a poem from a listener. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!