Podcasts about Rahab

Martin heroically steps in when Jase's plan to fulfill Miss Kay's urgent request suddenly falls apart. Jase turns a chaotic weekend of surprise houseguests, strange boyfriends, and overflowing trash into a bigger conversation about what genuine faith looks like in everyday life. The guys compare Abraham and Rahab, showing how two deeply flawed people can act with courage because they trust God.  In this episode: James 2-3; Joshua 2; Genesis 12-22; Matthew 1; Romans 9; 1 Corinthians 1; Hebrews 11; Hebrews 13:12-16 “Unashamed” Episode 1382 is sponsored by: https://smartcredit.com/unashamed — Get a 7-day trial for just $1, see how many points you can add to your credit score! https://cozyearth.com/unashamed — Get up to 20% off when you use our link and code UNASHAMED! http://unashamedforhillsdale.com/ — Sign up now for free, and join the Unashamed hosts every Friday for Unashamed Academy Powered by Hillsdale College Listen to Not Yet Now with Zach Dasher on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or anywhere you get podcasts. Check out At Home with Phil Robertson, nearly 800 episodes of Phil's unfiltered wisdom, humor, and biblical truth, available for free for the first time! Get it on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and anywhere you listen to podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/at-home-with-phil-robertson/id1835224621 Chapters 00:00 Jase's Bachelor Diet of Frog Legs & Donuts 03:37 Young Houseguests Leave a Big Mess 09:19 Miss Kay's Request Finally Gets Fulfilled 13:55 Zach's Gate Becomes a Lesson about Freedom 17:13 Garbage Exposes a Cultural Breakdown 21:10 Rahab & Faith That Takes Action 26:16 Rahab Risks Everything for the One True God 33:50 The Scarlet Cord Points Ahead to Jesus 37:05 Abraham & Rahab Had a Lot in Common 42:31 Faith Is Proven by What Comes Next 46:18 Giving Your Life Starts with Acts of Service 50:28 Legalism Misses the Entire Point of the Gospel — Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jase, Al, and Zach confront the fear-driven control that keeps parents hovering long after their children need room to grow. Jase recounts the radical prayer he prayed when his own kids rebelled and explains why parents must ultimately trust God with the people they love most. The guys connect Abraham's obedience, living faith, and the hope of resurrection to the difficult work of letting go without giving up. They also challenge Christians to move beyond merely believing in God and begin living as though they truly believe him. In this episode: Genesis 1:28; Genesis 2:15; Genesis 3:15; Genesis 9:1; Genesis 11:4; Genesis 12:1–3; Genesis 26:4; Matthew 1:1–16; Luke 20:27–38; John 12:23–32; James 2:14–26 “Unashamed” Episode 1380 is sponsored by: https://myphdweightloss.com — Find out how Al lost 80+ pounds. Visit the website or call 864-644-1900 and mention "Al Robertson" to get 2 weeks free in the program! https://chministries.org/unashamed — Get a better solution at half the cost of traditional healthcare! http://unashamedforhillsdale.com/ — Sign up now for free, and join the Unashamed hosts every Friday for Unashamed Academy Powered by Hillsdale College Listen to Not Yet Now with Zach Dasher on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or anywhere you get podcasts. Check out At Home with Phil Robertson, nearly 800 episodes of Phil's unfiltered wisdom, humor, and biblical truth, available for free for the first time! Get it on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and anywhere you listen to podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/at-home-with-phil-robertson/id1835224621 Chapters 00:00 Faith Without Action Is Dead 04:18 Why Abraham Was Called God's Friend 08:28 Bruising the Heel & Crushing the Head 13:42 Humanity's Original God-Given Purpose 16:49 Rahab's Surprising Place in Jesus' Family Line 21:58 Faith Means Believing God, Not Just Believing in God 26:16 Jase's Hardest Prayer for His Children 32:35 The Single Seed That Produced Eternal Life 38:42 Death Is Not a Problem for God 44:45 Authentic Faith Requires Bold Action 49:18 Baptism as an Abraham & Isaac Moment — Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stoney Bowles | 7 19 2026

Joshua 2:1-24 [1] Now Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men from Acacia Grove to spy secretly, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” So they went, and came to the house of a harlot named Rahab, and lodged there. [2] And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, “Behold, men have come here tonight from the children of Israel to search out the country.” [3] So the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the country.” [4] Then the woman took the two men and hid them. So she said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. [5] And it happened as the gate was being shut, when it was dark, that the men went out. Where the men went I do not know; pursue them quickly, for you may overtake them.” [6] (But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order on the roof.) [7] Then the men pursued them by the road to the Jordan, to the fords. And as soon as those who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate. [8] Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, [9] and said to the men: “I know that the LORD has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. [10] For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. [11] And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. [12] Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the LORD, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father’s house, and give me a true token, [13] and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.” [14] So the men answered her, “Our lives for yours, if none of you tell this business of ours. And it shall be, when the LORD has given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you.” [15] Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall; she dwelt on the wall. [16] And she said to them, “Get to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you. Hide there three days, until the pursuers have returned. Afterward you may go your way.” [17] So the men said to her: “We will be blameless of this oath of yours which you have made us swear, [18] unless, when we come into the land, you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you bring your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household to your own home. [19] So it shall be that whoever goes outside the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we will be guiltless. And whoever is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him. [20] And if you tell this business of ours, then we will be free from your oath which you made us swear.” [21] Then she said, “According to your words, so be it.” And she sent them away, and they departed. And she bound the scarlet cord in the window. [22] They departed and went to the mountain, and stayed there three days until the pursuers returned. The pursuers sought them all along the way, but did not find them. [23] So the two men returned, descended from the mountain, and crossed over; and they came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all that had befallen them. [24] And they said to Joshua, “Truly the LORD has delivered all the land into our hands, for indeed all the inhabitants of the country are fainthearted because of us.”

Preacher: Kate Andison Preaching Passage: Joshua 2:1-16, 22 Sermon Series: Heroes of Faith

KIC Lubowa | Jericho & Rahab Monica Karungi

Tesiah “Tess” Frame is a Latter-day Saint digital content creator, author, and podcaster based in Southern California. Focusing on motherhood, practical scripture study, and active discipleship, she aims to bring optimism, authenticity, and joy to the online conversation surrounding Latter-day Saint women. Alongside Becky Squire, she co-hosts the Certain Women Podcast, a Come, Follow Me scripture study program specifically geared toward women, and is the co-owner of the children’s faith brand Happy Sacrament. Outside of her media work, Tessis a mother of three boys and a resilient survivor of a highly traumatic medical crisis during late pregnancy, during which she was placed in a temporary medical coma to safely deliver her youngest son. Utilizing her platforms and personal experiences, she actively encourages Church members to lean into personal initiative, love the gospel, and fearlessly minister on a local scale. Links TesiahFrame.com Certain Women Podcast @certainwomenpodcast HappySacrament.com Instagram @tesiahframe Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community Highlights Tess Frame talks about the female experience in the Church and the proactive role of covenant discipleship. The conversation centers on navigating local leadership dynamics, finding purpose outside of official callings, and historical and scriptural frameworks for the Relief Society. 00:04:08 – Tess Frame’s Journey and Unique Birth Experience 00:07:00 – Finding Purpose and Taking Initiative in the Church 00:10:01 – The Libertarian Approach to Church Programs 00:12:34 – Women's Experience in Church Leadership 00:14:18 – Advice for Relief Society Leaders 00:16:33 – Empowering Women Beyond Official Roles 00:17:30 – Lessons from Women in the Scriptures 00:19:07 – Studying Women in the Scriptures 00:25:25 – Continuity Among Women in the Scriptures 00:27:56 – The Role of Women in the Relief Society 00:30:01 – Navigating Social Media as a Woman 00:35:46 – Understanding the Addictive Nature of Social Media 00:39:42 – The Historical Context of the Relief Society 00:44:29 – The Essential Role of Women in God's Kingdom Key Insights Proactive Discipleship: Members should not wait for system-wide institutional changes or official permissions to address local ward needs; recognizing a need is often a spiritual prompting to act. Avoiding Local Hierarchies: Over-regulation by local leadership can accidentally create organizational barriers that prevent auxiliary leaders from fully acting within their stewardships. The Spirit of Relief Society: The true, foundational purpose of the Relief Society is providing local, practical relief and ministering rather than just organizing social activities. Scriptural Continuity: Studying scriptural women—such as Ruth, Rahab, Sarah, and Hannah—reveals flawed but profoundly faithful individuals whose inter-generational commitments parallel modern sisterhood. Mindful Social Media Use: Platforms use algorithms designed to trigger primitive emotional responses like anger and comparison; creators and consumers must intentionally cultivate self-awareness to remain peacemakers online. Supporting Male Experiences: Ward groups must also remain attentive to the emotional, mental health, and connection needs of men, as structural shifts and heavy callings can leave them feeling disconnected. Leadership Applications Encourage Autonomous Ministering: Bishops can empower Relief Society presidencies by explicitly clarifying which matters require priesthood approval and which allow them to act independently to provide immediate community relief. Foster Local Adjustments: Ward leaders can prioritize home-centered gatherings or small-group rotations to break down ward cliques without requiring formal budgets or institutional approval. The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.

The devotional centers on the faith of Rahab, a woman of questionable reputation in Jericho, who is spared during the city's destruction because she believed the reports of God's power, heard through traveling traders, and acted on that faith by protecting the Israelite spies. Her story illustrates that faith is not merely intellectual assent but a lived commitment that risks everything, and it underscores God's sovereign grace that extends even to the marginalized. The preacher emphasizes that faith is nurtured through hearing God's Word—historically through human messengers, now through the written Scripture—and calls believers to trust God's promises despite doubt and cultural resistance. Drawing from the father's plea, 'Lord, I believe, but help my unbelief,' the message challenges listeners to acknowledge their spiritual struggles while persisting in faith, recognizing that God honors even imperfect belief when it leads to action. Ultimately, the sermon affirms that God's deliverance is available to all who trust in His Word, regardless of past or present circumstances.

On this episode, Paul White talks about Rahab. Accompanying scripture: Matthew 1:4-5. 

Rahab's place in Jesus' genealogy shows that God values faith over a person's past, demonstrating that His grace can transform any life. Her story teaches that faith begins by hearing God's Word, believes God is greater than present circumstances, and is proven through obedient action. Ultimately, Rahab's single step of faith changed not only her future but also placed her in the lineage of Jesus, revealing how God uses ordinary acts of trust to accomplish His extraordinary purposes.

The Bible tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God and so, in this message, we have the opportunity to examine another life in ourAbundant Lives series. So far we have looked at a king, a judge, two skilled workers, a widow, a prophetess, a tribal leader, a government official, a citizen of Sodom, and more. In Joshua 2, we meet a prostitute, Rahab, who turns out to be one of the Bible's foremost examples of what it means to have faith. Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on July 12, 2026

The book of Jonah ends with one of history's greatest comebacks — an entire city repenting and God relenting. But what happened next? In this week's message from THE VOICE, our series through the Minor Prophets, we open Nahum: the Bible's sequel to Jonah, written a century later to the very same city. Discover why mercy and judgment are complementary rather than contradictory, why faith can never be inherited, and why this hard-edged prophecy contains one of the most comforting promises in Scripture: "The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him" (Nahum 1:7).Show NotesThe Bible's "sequel": how Nahum continues the story of Jonah, 100 years laterThe Bible as a book of comebacks — Moses, Rahab, Peter, PaulThree truths about God from Nahum 1:2–3: He cares for His people, He judges what opposes Him, and He is slow to angerNineveh at the height of its power — and the prophecy no one believedHistory's confirmation: the flood, the fire, and a city lost until the 1840sWhy God judged Nineveh: violence, idolatry, and arroganceTwo lessons for today: sin will be dealt with, and God's mercy must be embraced by each generationThe hope inside a hard book: God as refuge (Nahum 1:7)Scriptures referenced: Nahum 1:2–3; 1:7; 1:8; 1:15; 2:2; 3:1–10; Jonah 3:1–10Next StepsTake a personal step of faith — if you've been living on borrowed or inherited faith, make it your own this weekRequest prayer — our team would love to pray with youPlan a visit or take your next step through baptism or a groupConnect with Grand Point Church:Website: https://www.grandpoint.church Instagram: @grandpointchurch Facebook: /grandpointchurch YouTube: Grand Point ChurchConnect with us at www.grandpoint.church/nextstepsWatch online on YouTubeFollow us on Facebook and InstagramSign up for our free weekly newsletter

The Bible tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God and so, in this message, we have the opportunity to examine another life in ourAbundant Lives series. So far we have looked at a king, a judge, two skilled workers, a widow, a prophetess, a tribal leader, a government official, a citizen of Sodom, and more. In Joshua 2, we meet a prostitute, Rahab, who turns out to be one of the Bible's foremost examples of what it means to have faith. Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on July 12, 2026

Rahab's story is proof that God can transform any past into a powerful testimony. In Joshua 2, discover how God works before we arrive, how His grace creates a new legacy, and why genuine faith always leads to action. This message will encourage you to trust God's redemption and boldly live out your faith.

We delve into the story of Jericho, focusing on Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute who displayed extraordinary faith in Yahweh. Rahab hid two Israelite spies, risking her life to ensure their safety. Her actions were driven by her belief in the power of Yahweh, having heard of His mighty acts, including the parting of the Red Sea. We explore Joshua's unconventional battle instructions from God, which led to the miraculous fall of Jericho's walls. Despite the severe judgment on Jericho, God's mercy was shown to Rahab and her family due to her faith and actions.Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @realbiblebriefX: @biblebriefFacebook: @realbiblebriefEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.orgWant to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out our partner Biblingo (and use our link/code for a discount!): https://biblin...

What if faith was never meant to be a private belief you keep separate from the rest of your life?In week 5 of James: Faith At Work, we sit with one of the more difficult and controversial passages in the New Testament: James 2:14-26. James asks, to paraphrase, "What good is a claim of faith while ignoring a brother or sister in need?" He presses against a faith that separates us from our neighbors, from ourselves, and from God--faith that merely confesses the truth, all while leaving daily life untouched.This teaching reflects on James' warning about dead faith, his examples of Abraham and Rahab, and the deeper beauty underneath the warning: living faith is not performance. It is not self-justification. It is the whole person moving toward Christ. Faith is brought to fullness as the implanted word works through us in love, mercy, provision, and ordinary obedience.Questions for Reflection:What areas of my life have I separated from my faith?How is my faith at work in my daily life and community?What would tomorrow look like if I responded to faith at work within me?Scripture References: James 2:14-26, James 1:18, James 1:21, James 1:27, Matthew 25:34-40, John 13:35, Genesis 15:6, Genesis 22, Romans 3:28, Deuteronomy 6:4, Philippians 2:12-13, Psalm 107:1-9Voices/Quotes: Douglas J. Moo, The Letter of James; Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy; Eugene Peterson, The Message and A Long Obedience in the Same Direction; Martin Luther; The BibleProject; Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary RadicalsSermon Notes & Liturgy | James: Faith at Work---Tired of consumer Christianity? So are we.Come rest in Jesus. Sundays at 10:10AM642 Brookhurst Dr, Dallas, TX 75218.Christ City Church is a faith family following Jesus together in east Dallas.Learn more at www.christcity.lifeFollow us on...IG: @christcitylifeX: @christcitylifeTH: @christcitylifeFB: christcitychurchdallasYT: @christcitylife

Featuring: Judah Thomas, David LaManna, Lenny Salgado, Johnny V., Ben Cossette, Mike McHugh, and James Gowell.Edited by: Tim NicholsonIn this episode of Thriving in the Word, we continue The Hall of Faith series and land on one of the most unlikely heroes in all of Scripture — a woman the world had already written off, living in a city God was about to bring down.We open in Hebrews 11:31, where Judah reads the actual text — just one verse. But behind that one verse is a story that rewrites everything you think you know about who God uses and why.James opens things up by painting a scene. Think Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds — that opening farmhouse interrogation. Hans Landa, the Jew Hunter, sitting across from a terrified man who knows exactly what's hidden beneath his floor. The pressure is unbearable. The fear is suffocating. And the man folds.Rahab didn't.Soldiers showed up at her door. The king's men. The most powerful city in the region behind them, and two foreign spies hiding on her roof. She had every reason to hand them over, every incentive to protect herself — and she looked the authorities dead in the eye and lied through her teeth for the God she was just beginning to believe in.That's not recklessness. That's raw, unpolished, courageous faith.We dig into Jericho — one of the most fortified cities in the ancient world, surrounded by a wall so massive that homes were literally built into it. Rahab's house was in that wall. Possibly an inn. A woman on the margins, living on the edge of everything, in more ways than one. And yet God sent His spies directly to her door. That wasn't coincidence. That was a divine appointment.From there, we explore one of the most staggering threads in all of Scripture — Rahab's place in the lineage of Jesus. A Gentile. A former prostitute. Listed by name in Matthew 1, honored in Hebrews 11, and woven into the bloodline of the Messiah. We talk through several angles on what that means, why it matters, and what it says about a God who doesn't just tolerate the imperfect — He chooses them.This episode asks the hard questions: What walls are you afraid of? What would it cost you to protect what God has placed in your hands? And are you willing to let your past be the very thing God uses to build something eternal?Topics include: Hall of Faith, Hebrews 11:31, Rahab, Joshua 2, faith under pressure, Jericho, walls of Jericho, Rahab and the spies, divine appointment, God uses the imperfect, Rahab in the lineage of Jesus, Matthew 1, genealogy of Jesus, Gentiles in the Bible, faith and fear, courage in Scripture, hiding the spies, women of faith in the Bible, scarlet cord, redemption, imperfect people God used, Inglourious Basterds, Hall of Faith series, Thriving in the Word, Thrive Church, Christian podcast, Bible teaching, Bible study on Rahab, Old Testament faith, faith in action, what is faith, spiritual formation, faith-based living, New Testament connections to the Old Testament.More Info: https://www.thrive.church Give: https://www.thrive.church/give/ Need prayer? prayer@thrive.churchThis is a presentation of Thrive.Church. © All Rights Reserved.

This week we crack open the Epistle of James — a letter that may claim to come from none other than James the brother of Jesus — and wade into one of Christianity's oldest arguments: faith versus works. Does James contradict Paul on how a person is saved, and is that why Martin Luther dismissed the whole book as an "epistle of straw"? Then we go monster hunting for Leviathan, Rahab, and Behemoth, the primordial chaos beasts lurking in Job, the Psalms, and Isaiah — and find out that yes, there are dragons in the Bible, and they're far older than the Bible itself. Get your "Tribe of Dan" merch at our new online store: https://data-over-dogma-shop.fourthwall.com Shop from our classic collection before the old store closes: https://datadoverdogma.printful.me Support Data Over Dogma and get every episode early and ad-free, plus exclusive bonus content — become a patron:https://www.patreon.com/DataOverDogma Watch every episode on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@dataoverdogma Follow us: Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/dataoverdogmapod TikTok — https://www.tiktok.com/@data.over.dogma.pod Threads — https://www.threads.com/@dataoverdogmapod X — https://x.com/data_over_dogma Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod Get Dan McClellan's New York Times bestselling book, The Bible Says So:https://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/bible-says-so-9781250347466/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Judges 21:25 NKJV Ruth 1:1-4 CSB Ruth 1:8-10 NLTGod's Kingdom doesn't allow for divided allegiance. It's not "this and that"; it's "this or that."Ruth replied, “Don't ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more. Ruth 1:16-18 NLTGod's greatest blessings begin with the courageous decision to follow Him, no matter the cost or outcome. - (Josh)So Naomi returned from Moab, accompanied by her daughter-in-law Ruth, the young Moabite woman. They arrived in Bethlehem in late spring, at the beginning of the barley harvest. Ruth 1:21 NLTSo Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech. Ruth 2:3 NLTBoaz went over and said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Stay right here with us when you gather grain; don't go to any other fields. Stay right behind the young women working in my field. See which part of the field they are harvesting, and then follow them. I have warned the young men not to treat you roughly. And when you are thirsty, help yourself to the water they have drawn from the well.” Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.”“Yes, I know,” Boaz replied. “But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. May the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.” Ruth 2:8-12 NLTAt mealtime Boaz called to her, “Come over here, and help yourself to some food. You can dip your bread in the sour wine.” So she sat with his harvesters, and Boaz gave her some roasted grain to eat. She ate all she wanted and still had some left over. When Ruth went back to work again, Boaz ordered his young men, “Let her gather grain right among the sheaves without stopping her. And pull out some heads of barley from the bundles and drop them on purpose for her. Let her pick them up, and don't give her a hard time!” Ruth 2:14-16 NLTSpiritual poverty always finds miraculous provision when it meets the matchless love of Jesus, our Redeemer!So Ruth worked alongside the women in Boaz's fields and gathered grain with them until the end of the barley harvest. Then she continued working with them through the wheat harvest in early summer. And all the while she lived with her mother-in-law. Ruth 2:21-23 NLTThen Ruth came quietly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. Around midnight Boaz suddenly woke up and turned over. He was surprised to find a woman lying at his feet! “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer.” “The LORD bless you, my daughter!” Boaz exclaimed. “You are showing even more family loyalty now than you did before, for you have not gone after a younger man, whether rich or poor. Now don't worry about a thing, my daughter. I will do what is necessary, for everyone in town knows you are a virtuous woman. Ruth 3:8-12 NLTEvery act of trust and surrender opens a door to deeper places of beauty in relationship with Jesus. Now in those days it was the custom in Israel for anyone transferring a right of purchase to remove his sandal and hand it to the other party. This publicly validated the transaction. So the other family redeemer drew off his sandal as he said to Boaz, “You buy the land.” Then Boaz said to the elders and to the crowd standing around, “You are witnesses that today I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion, and Mahlon. And with the land I have acquired Ruth, the Moabite widow of Mahlon, to be my wife. Ruth 4:7-10 NLTSalmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of King David. Matthew 1:5-6 NLT-------------------------------------------------Download the 828 Church app!To view our latest e-newsletter, the Midweek Momentum, and subscribe to our weekly updates, go here! https://linktr.ee/828church

An exposition of Joshua 2 tracing the conversion of Rahab, a Canaanite harlot whose faith in the God of Israel set her apart from the condemned city of Jericho. The sermon examines the sovereign grace of God in bringing a most unlikely recipient to saving faith, the nature of that faith as evidenced by her confession and her actions, and the scarlet cord as a token of covenant protection. Main points: - the character of Rahab and the sovereign grace that reached her - the content and confession of Rahab's faith in the LORD - the scarlet cord as a sign of preservation and its redemptive-historical significance Scripture references: - Joshua 2:1-24 - Matthew 1:5 - Hebrews 11:31 - James 2:25 Free Grace Baptist Church — https://www.freegrace.ca Full transcript & sermon notes: https://sermons.freegrace.ca/sermons/sermon-joshua-2-the-conversion-of-rahab-the-harlot-4 Description generated by Tyrannus.ai: https://www.tyrannus.ai

In part 1 of our Risk series, we unpack how Rahab’s story shows that because she protected God’s people, trusted His promise, and acted in faith, God saved her and made her part of His greater plan. A scarlet cord tied in a window three thousand years ago still answers a question a lot of people carry quietly today: can anything in my past actually be redeemed, or am I just stuck… Source

This session will touch on the battle of Jericho, but we want the main focus to be on Rahab. Rahab helped the Israelites who came to spy in Jericho. She told the men that all the people knew what God had already done and were afraid. She asked to be spared. The men told her what to do and Rahab obeyed, trusting God and the men that they would do what they said. This session will help kids understand that many people in the world do not respect God, His authority, or His Word. But those who do respect and follow God show that by the way they live.

James 1: 1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. 2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. 9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: 10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.Song: Free to Worship the Lord!Psalms 89:7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. 8 O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee? 9 Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them. 10 Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm.  (Rahab, here refers to "the boaster" or Egypt, not the woman Rahab.)

James 2:24-25

Here's part six of a fictional story I wrote called The Two Doors and the Merciful Judge. It's an allegory that serves as a companion to Kinda Judgy: Finding Mercy for Myself and Others in Six Stories of the Bible—my new book releasing with Moody Publishers!! (Order your copy here.)Through the imaginative setting of the Grand Courtroom of the World, revisit the same six Bible stories featured in the book—Noah, Rahab, Jonah, the sinful woman, the blind man, and the criminal on the cross—and encounter the same unchanging Judge of All. My hope is that this allegory will help you see more clearly—and love more deeply—the Judge who holds the Final Gavel.Order Kinda JudgyReplay the Girls' Night Celebration!How Judgy Are You? (Take the Quiz)Watch the series on YoutubeMore from the Judgy Series on Live Like It's True.  Order Kinda JudgyTake the Kinda Judgy QuizLearn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

We all long for peace. The ancient people of God longed for it, too—looking forward to the day when God Himself would establish true and lasting peace. In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef reflects on Psalm 87 and its vision of people from every nation coming together in God's holy city. The psalmist looked ahead to a day when believers from every corner of the globe would be united in love for God and one another. That holy city is founded on the Rock of Ages, the Lord Jesus Christ. Any ministry, church, home, or life not built on Him will eventually crumble, because every foundation apart from Christ is sinking sand. Dr. Youssef points to Revelation's breathtaking picture of a great multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language standing before the throne and before the Lamb. Our God is not a local or tribal deity—He is the God of the universe. He loves all people everywhere, equally, and His saving purpose extends to the ends of the earth. When we focus only on our little world and our little problems, we miss the joy of participating in God's global purpose. This devotional will lift your eyes to the mission revealed even before Christ's birth: that people everywhere would come to know God intimately through His Son, Jesus Christ. Prayer: Father, help me to remember that You are a global God and that You care about everyone, everywhere. Thank You for the promise of peace with You and all people in Your holy city to come. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. “I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me—Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush—and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion'” (Psalm 87:4). Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon series Identifying with the Psalmist: LISTEN NOW The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

Discover how Rahab's extraordinary faith transformed her story from one of brokenness to one of redemption and purpose. This message unpacks how faith believes before it sees, acts with obedience, and reminds us that no past is beyond God's power to redeem.

Teaching by Josh ClarkWeek 3: The Ban and the Blessing (Ch 6-8)1. Divine JudgmentRhetoric of Herem (“the ban” / “total destruction”)HyperboleDeut 7:1-4 Merisms- a rhetorical and literary device in which the whole is represented through contrasting and opposite parts. Josh 6:21God is just and has every right to execute judgment on sinExodus 34:5-6The most quoted OT text within the OTHighlights God's Justice and His Mercy2. Jericho (Ch 6)V. 16-25  V. 16 They are to shout because God had given them the cityThere must be a complete trust in God for the Israelites to have victory. V. 18-19 Keep these verses in mind as we go into chapter 7V. 22 & 25 Rahab is referred to as the prostitute to show how unsuitable her deliverance may seem. 3. Achan (Ch 7)V. 2 - 9V. 1  Just as soon as they make it into the promised land they sin. V. 5 “And the hearts of the people melted and became as water.”The Israelites are responding the way the Canaanites have (Josh 2:9, 11; 5:1). V. 6-9 Joshua intercedes for the peopleJoshua does not know that there is sin in the campV. 9 Joshua appeals to God's name and reputationV. 10-26V. 11 “Israel has sinned”One man's sin affects the entire nation. Achan's sin leads to the death of 36 men (7:5) and his entire family (7:24)V. 12 “I will be with you no more” Israel is devoted to destructionV. 21 “Saw”, “Beautiful” (good), “coveted” (desired), “took” Gen 3:6Just as Achan's treasure is in the ground, so Achan goes into the ground. Being an Israelite alone does not preserve you from herem. V. 24 Valley of Achor (Valley of Trouble) Isaiah 65:10; Hosea 2:14 4. Ai (Ch 8:1-29)V. 1-2 V. 1 “Do not fear and do not be dismayed” - “be strong and courageous” of chapter 1V. 2 “Only its spoil and its livestock you shall take as plunder for yourselves.”(Compare Josh 6:18-19)“Lay an ambush against the city, behind it.”God is the one who is commanding the Israelites. V. 3-29V. 3-13 Joshua prepares for the ambushV. 14-17 The armies of Bethel and Ai respondV. 18 God Commands Joshua to stretch out his javelinV. 19-27 The Ai-Bethel army is defeatedV. 28-29 The memorial of AiAi burned; The king of Ai is hung on a tree (Deut 21:22-23)A heap of stones piled over his body (compare Josh 4:1-10,19-2; 7:24-26)5. Covenant Renewal (Ch 8:30-35)V. 30-35V. 30-31 “just as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the people of Israel, as it is written in the Book of the Law of Moses”Deut 27-28Gerizim = blessing; Ebal = curse Curses shall be read by the Levites and all the people say “Amen”6. Christ ConnectionLife is found within the boundaries of God's Word. Israel and Rahab experience blessing through obedienceJericho, Achan, and Ai experience judgment because they reject God's WordJesus came as the perfectly obedient Son who remained faithful where Adam, Israel, Achan, and we have failedThe King of Ai was hung on a tree as a sign of God's curse (Josh. 8:29; Deut. 21:22–23); Jesus, though innocent, was hung on a tree and became a curse for us, redeeming us from the curse we deserved (Gal. 3:13)In Christ, the place of judgment becomes a place of mercy, and those who deserve the curse receive the blessing of lifehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssP-wQv2v5g&feature=youtu.behttps://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/god-guilty-genocide/

Welcome! We Are Glad You Are Here!Today we are in Hebrews 11:31By Faith - RahabFollow along in the following verses in order of presentationHebrews 11:31; Joshua 2; Joshua 13:12; Deuteronomy 3:11; Numbers 21; Romans 10:12–13; Romans 6:17–18; Romans 3:23; Titus 3:3–5; Isaiah 64:6; 1 Corinthians 1:26–29; 2 Chronicles 16:9; 1 Chronicles 4; Ruth 4:21–22; Matthew 1:5–6,16; James 2:25; Joshua 6:22; Matthew 9:10–13; Matthew 21:31–32; Philippians 1:6; 2 Peter 3:9; John 3:16–17.  

We're so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --Every abominable thing that the Lord hates they have done for their gods, for they even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods. Deuteronomy 12:31 ESVJoshua son of Nun secretly sent out two men as spies: "Go. Look over the land. Check out Jericho." They left and arrived at the house of a harlot named Rahab and stayed there. Joshua 2:1 MSGDivine Providence1) God is relentless in His effort to rescue, redeem, and restore. For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9 NKJVGod is faithful to find those who's hearts are sincerely searching for Him.Before the men fell asleep, she went up on the roof and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this land and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and everyone who lives in the land is panicking because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings you completely destroyed across the Jordan. When we heard this, we lost heart, and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on earth below. Joshua 2:8-11 CSB2) Recognizing God as God is the first step on the pathway to salvation and restoration.3) Honest pursuit of God and His will is powerful for you and all those near to you. Now please swear to me by the LORD that you will also show kindness to my father's family, because I showed kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father, mother, brothers, sisters, and all who belong to them, and save us from death. The men answered her, “We will give our lives for yours. If you don't report our mission, we will show kindness and faithfulness to you when the LORD gives us the land.”Joshua 2:12-14 CSB4) Surviving becomes thriving when we align ourselves with God, His wisdom and direction. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after being marched around by the Israelites for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute welcomed the spies in peace and didn't perish with those who disobeyed. Hebrews 11:30-31 CSB You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? James 2:24-25 NIV5) Redemption is a story written in red that testifies to the sovereign work of our loving Savior King! When we enter the land, you tie this scarlet cord to the window through which you let us down. Bring your father, mother, brothers, and all your father's family into your house. Joshua 2:18 CSB Shout!, God has given you the city! The city and everything in it is under a holy curse and offered up to God. Except for Rahab the harlot she is to live, she and everyone in her house with her, because she hid the agents we sent. Joshua 6:16-17 MSGThe men who had been spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father, mother, brothers, and all the other relatives who were with her. They moved her whole family to a safe place near the camp of Israel. Joshua 6:23 NLTNahshon had Salmon, Salmon had Boaz, his mother was Rahab, Boaz had Obed, Ruth was his mother, Obed had Jesse, Jesse had David, and David became king. Matthew 1:4-6 MSG-------------------------------------------------Download the 828 Church app!To view our latest e-newsletter, the Midweek Momentum, and subscribe to our weekly updates, go here! https://linktr.ee/828church

In this sermon from James 2:14-26, James reminds us that genuine faith is more than words, knowledge, or a profession of belief—it is a living faith that produces action. While salvation comes by grace through faith alone, true saving faith never remains alone; it reveals itself through obedience, compassion, and good works. Abraham demonstrated his faith through obedience to God, and Rahab demonstrated her faith through courageous compassion toward God's people. Their actions did not earn their salvation but proved the reality of their trust in God. In the same way, our faith should be visible in how we love, serve, and care for others. As James concludes, "faith apart from works is dead." A living faith trusts God, obeys His Word, and bears fruit that reflects a transformed life in Christ.

Here's part five of a fictional story I wrote called The Two Doors and the Merciful Judge. It's an allegory that serves as a companion to Kinda Judgy: Finding Mercy for Myself and Others in Six Stories of the Bible—my new book releasing with Moody Publishers!! (Order your copy here.)Through the imaginative setting of the Grand Courtroom of the World, revisit the same six Bible stories featured in the book—Noah, Rahab, Jonah, the sinful woman, the blind man, and the criminal on the cross—and encounter the same unchanging Judge of All. My hope is that this allegory will help you see more clearly—and love more deeply—the Judge who holds the Final Gavel.Order Kinda JudgyReplay the Girls' Night Celebration!How Judgy Are You? (Take the Quiz)Watch the series on YoutubeMore from the Judgy Series on Live Like It's True.  Order Kinda JudgyTake the Kinda Judgy QuizLearn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

Here's part four of a fictional story I wrote called The Two Doors and the Merciful Judge. It's an allegory that serves as a companion to Kinda Judgy: Finding Mercy for Myself and Others in Six Stories of the Bible—my new book releasing with Moody Publishers!! (Order your copy here.)Through the imaginative setting of the Grand Courtroom of the World, revisit the same six Bible stories featured in the book—Noah, Rahab, Jonah, the sinful woman, the blind man, and the criminal on the cross—and encounter the same unchanging Judge of All. My hope is that this allegory will help you see more clearly—and love more deeply—the Judge who holds the Final Gavel.Order Kinda JudgyReplay the Girls' Night Celebration!How Judgy Are You? (Take the Quiz)Watch the series on YoutubeMore from the Judgy Series on Live Like It's True.  Order Kinda JudgyTake the Kinda Judgy QuizLearn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

In this message, Pastor Tony examines James 2:14-26 and the often-debated relationship between faith and works. Looking at the examples of Abraham and Rahab, he explains that good works do not earn salvation but reveal the reality of genuine faith. Noel contrasts a faith that is only claimed with a faith that produces visible change, obedience, and compassion. He challenges listeners to see good works not as a way to gain God's acceptance, but as the natural result of a life transformed by grace.Subscribe to AfterWords on  Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Visit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: podcast@rivchurch.com—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com

In this message, Pastor Hezekiah explores James 2:14-26 and the relationship between faith and works, addressing a passage that is often misunderstood. He explains that James is not teaching that people earn salvation through good works, but that genuine faith naturally produces a transformed life. Using the examples of Abraham and Rahab, Hezekiah shows how faith is revealed through action and obedience. He challenges listeners to stop striving to prove themselves and instead remain rooted in Jesus, the source of both faith and lasting change.Subscribe to AfterWords on  Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Visit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: podcast@rivchurch.com—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com

Faith vs works — it's one of the most debated questions in Christianity. Paul says we're saved by faith alone. James says show me your faith without any evidence and he'll wait. In this bonus episode Jeff Brodie and Sydney Jackson unpack James chapter 2 and work through the tension: it's not faith plus works, and it's not works instead of faith. It's a faith that works — one that shows up in your life in ways others can actually see. Using Abraham, Rahab, and even demons to make his point, James asks the hardest question of all: if nobody around you would be surprised to find out you're a follower of Jesus, what does that say about your faith?  

Who Does the Lord Know? (1) (audio) David Eells, 6/21/26 We received a question regarding Matthew 7:23 and how these people could say they know the Lord, and yet the Lord says, “I never knew you”. Also, Some people think that they are lost people, or that they were never really saved. And so I thought we could look at that today and identify who the Lord knows and those whom the Lord said He never knew. Let's look first in Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. The Bible talks about false prophets quite a bit in both the Old and New Testaments. Sometimes they don't appear to have been apostate, but in some cases, they definitely are. This is true in 2 Peter chapter 2; and the Christians he's talking about there. I believe the whole chapter really is about false prophets. 2Pe 2:15 forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the hire of wrong-doing; Of course, the only one that can forsake the right way is somebody who's been there, and obviously, they are being an apostate or fallen away in this case. For instance in 2Pe 2:20-21 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first. 21 For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered unto them. This and many other scriptures clearly refute the ”once saved always saved doctrine.  Another good example would be in Jude 11 Woe unto them! for they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in the gainsaying of Korah. 12 These are they who are hidden rocks in your love-feasts when they feast with you, shepherds that without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; This includes those who fell into the error of trying to be “a profit” instead of a prophet. But I just wanted to make that point, because some people say that all false prophets are lost people, and that's just not the case. Of course, a lot of times, when we talk about Christians, we really should identify Christians the way the Bible identifies Christians, and not the way the worldly church identifies them. The way the worldly church identifies Christians now is those who have been born in spirit. Their spirit has been born from God, and they have a new spirit. But it is more than that. that's not the way the scriptures identify as Christians. Scriptures identify Christians as those who walk and talk the way Christ walked and talked. Also, there's a big difference between somebody who's just been born in spirit and those who walk the way Christ walked, because you can have Christ's spirit and not live His life as Paul exhorted Christians in Rom 8:13 for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. That's an exhortation given to those who have the spirit of Christ because he went on to exhort that those who have the spirit of Christ should go on to receive the Spirit of God. Everyone who is born of God receives the Spirit of Christ and today, that's called a born-again Christian. As we read the text, we'll see that “Christian” is identified scripturally as something completely different. So keep that in mind that I'm talking about Christians in the way that the church uses the term, those who have been born in spirit. Back to Mat 7:16 By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; (Again, now he's not just identifying prophets. Now he's broadening the scope. And in the next few verses, he uses the word “every” several times. So he's broadening the scope to talk about everybody, not just false prophets.) 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Now, this same verse is used in Matthew 3:10, where John the Baptist is rebuking the Covenant people of God; those religious leaders who made their stand on believing that Abraham was their father. Mat 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of repentance: 9 and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 10 And even now the axe lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  I want you to notice here that He's talking about the Covenant people, thinking that because they were children of Abraham, they were entitled to God's blessings. And John told them that that's not the truth. The truth is, only bringing forth fruits worthy of repentance brings you into God's blessings. I think this is a good exhortation for Christians today, because Christians think, “Well, I'm a Christian, God's my Father so I can just go and do what I want to do now.” But this is not so. It says every tree that doesn't bring forth good fruit among us is hewn down and cast into the fire.  The scripture also says in Joh 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away:… Notice: Every branch in me… Now that can be no other than God's people, right? We're all responsible to bring forth fruit. The fruit is what identifies us as Christians, and the fruit here, as we see in the text, is the actions of your life. The fruit is love, the joy, the peace, the righteousness; all those things that Christ was and is. The actions of our life are the fruit of the inner life, that's what He's talking about; the fruit. Along the same line in several of Jesus's parables, He came looking for fruit on the fig tree. He wasn't looking for fruit on a tree that wasn't supposed to bring forth fruit. He was looking for fruit on a tree that was created to bring forth fruit. It is the fig tree that identifies God's people. Luk 13:6-9 And he spake this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit thereon, and found none. 7 And he said unto the vinedresser, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why doth it also cumber the ground? 8 And he answering saith unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9 and if it bear fruit thenceforth, well; but if not, thou shalt cut it down.  Notice: The Lord is the one who's going to cut it down. The Lord is long-suffering with us to bear fruit, but be that as it may, we've been given a certain amount of time to bear that fruit, and I think that's what He's talking about in Matthew 7, because as He goes on in Mat 7:20 Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. Now he's identifying fruit as doing the will of the Father. The fruit of the Spirit is doing the will of the Father. He goes on to say, 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? Let me make a point here. Do you suppose that it's possible that an apostate Christian could prophesy? I mean, prophesy from the Lord? We have examples in the scriptures of false prophets who prophesied in the name of the Lord. A good example is in 1 Samuel 19. This is talking about Saul after he had fallen away from the Lord; in fact, he had been rejected by the Lord. It says 1Sa 19:23 And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God came upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah. 24 And he also stripped off his clothes, and he also prophesied before Samuel, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets? Now, some people say, well, because he stripped off all his clothes, that doesn't seem like a godly thing to do, but I think what the Holy Spirit was showing to people around him was that he was walking naked before the Lord. He wasn't dressed up with Christ. He didn't have on his wedding garment, so on and so forth. He had fallen away in his works, because remember when we studied the garment, it symbolized your works, right? In Revelation 19, the righteous acts of the saints were the garment that the bride is wearing.  Now, I want you to notice this too; this same man had a demon that was sent from God to him. 1Sa 18:10 And it came to pass on the morrow, that an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as he did day by day. And Saul had his spear in his hand; 11 and Saul cast the spear; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall. And David avoided out of his presence twice. 12 And Saul was afraid of David, because Jehovah was with him, and was departed from Saul. Now this is the same Saul whom the Lord had departed from, who later prophesied in the name of the Lord, because the Spirit came upon him. Here, he prophesied in verse 10 by an evil spirit. He had obviously become a false prophet. Was it always that way? No, it wasn't always that way. He was the anointed of the Lord. But yet he became a false prophet. He became what we would know today as an apostate Christian. He was rejected in 1Sa 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim. Because thou hast rejected the word of Jehovah, he hath also rejected thee from being king. So he had been rejected by the Lord, received an evil spirit by which he prophesied, and later even prophesied in the name of the Lord when the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. Now, going back to what I consider to be probably apostate Christians in Mat 7: 22 …Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name,… And some people say, ‘Well, that wouldn't be possible if this person did not know the Lord at all to be able to prophesy by thy name.' And the point I want you to see here, too, is that it says by thy name and not in thy name; in the original, it says by thy name, meaning they could be prophesying true enough, but they weren't in the name. They weren't getting a reward because they weren't abiding in the name of the Lord. Another point, it says, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? Do you remember what Jesus said in Matthew 12, when they accused Him of casting out demons by the prince of demons, Beelzebub? Mat 12:24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This man doth not cast out demons, but by Beelzebub the prince of the demons. 25 And knowing their thoughts he said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: 26 and if Satan casteth out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand? 27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. 28 But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you. You know, I think you'll find that Satan doesn't cast out Satan; that even the most apostate Christians, because of their Covenant relationship with the Lord, still have authority to do that and can do it. I've seen people that the Lord identified to me as false prophets and actually did prophesy wrongly, and I've seen them cast out demons too. They had the Covenant relationship because of the Jews. The seven sons of Sceva were Jews. You see, the Jews were casting out demons. This wasn't new to the Jews to cast out demons. They had been doing that. And because of Covenant relationship, the Jews got healing, and they got deliverance. Even today, people, because of Covenant relationship, before being completely rejected by God, they can still cast out demons.  I know of a false prophet in particular who has identified too many people who cast out demons; in fact, he cast them out with me. Let me say this: a person who is lost, who does not know the Lord, how do they cast out demons? Those who have no Covenant relationship with the Lord; how do they cast out demons? Their father manifestly is Beelzebub, so how do they cast out demons? Well, what happened to the seven sons of Sceva when they tried to use “by Jesus whom Paul preacheth” to cast out demons in Acts 19:13 and then got whipped? They did not know the one who was creating the New Covenant. I think the point is that you have to be in some kind of a Covenant relationship in order to be casting demons out, because Satan doesn't cast out Satan.  The One who lives in you now casts out demons. 1Jn 4:4 … greater is he that's in you than he that is in the world. Who's in the world? Satan. Does Satan cast out his own kingdom? Jesus said, No, he doesn't do that. Well, here's the point. Were they casting the demons out by the Spirit of God or were they casting them out by Satan? Jesus said they couldn't cast them out by Satan. The lost people's authority is Satan. The one that lives in them is Satan. The point I'm making about these people here, these false prophets, is that many of them are apostate Christians. Remember, an apostate is one who is falling away from the truth and the grace of God. And it's somebody who is obviously saying, Lord, Lord, (so they obviously believed in their heart that Jesus was their Lord) Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy and by thy name cast out demons and by thy name do many mighty works? Notice they were not “in” thy name but God permitted this “by” thy name as a witness of Jesus. Who is it today that we know that is doing this in the name of the Lord, if it's not somebody who is abiding in His name, which is far more powerful?  I was in a situation where a preacher and his girl friend were trying to cast many demons out of a man who chased them out of the building. Previously the demon possessed man chased  the preachers deacon through a plate glass door, shattering it, and sending him to the hospital. So, they sent for me and told me their story. They watched from the doorway as I approached this man who thought to do the same to me. By the grace of God he cowered and was delivered. Many today are in “by” mode, meaning they are using the name of the Lord and not doing it in the name. I agree that some people profess the Lord and don't know the Lord or haven't been sent by Him. And all false prophets are not apostate Christians or just lost deceivers. ; not all of them. And I'm convinced that there is some chicanery going on even in Christian circles. I don't know if any of you are familiar with it, but I've been among some of them where they see a demon behind every bush. They cast demons out daily from everybody's flesh. But a lot of that's not demons, it's just run away flesh.  Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Now here's the point: is there such a thing as a Christian who's been born in spirit that God spoke to and said, “I don't know you” or “I never knew you?” Yes, we have examples of that. But first, before we get away from this, I want to read on because He says, I never knew you depart from me you that work iniquity. What is it for the Lord to know you? I want to look at that and what that means. When he says depart from me ye that work iniquity verse 24 went right on Every one therefore; (Meaning: He's talking about the same thing as just before this verse.) Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock: 25 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon the rock. 26 And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: Notice, He didn't say whether you had the spirit of Christ or not; it all has to do with obedience. The difference between a foolish man and a wise man is strictly just one word; obedience. The born again spirit filled with the Holy Spirit gives us power to obey through faith in the sacrifice of Jesus. Our text deals with the fruit, which has to do with whether you're obeying. So the main difference between the wise and the foolish is hearing the words and doing them. Notice that both men here in this text heard the words, but only one obeyed, and that was the wise man. 27 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and smote upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall thereof. And this is the test that follows. I want to make that point before we go on because I want to look at the foolish virgins briefly, because God spoke to them, and He says, I don't know you. Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were foolish, and five were wise. Again, what's the difference between the wise and the foolish? It's just one thing, being a hearer and a doer by the anointing of God. 3 For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them: 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. We know that in Pro 20:27 The spirit of man is the lamp of Jehovah, Searching all his innermost parts. The spirit of man is the lamp of the oil. And the oil being the life of God or the Holy Spirit is to be in that lamp. And there's a vessel that the wise virgins took with them that was also full of oil; that obviously the foolish did not bring. What do you think the vessel is that also has the oil? We've talked about the difference between the born again spirit and the born again soul, which is your mind, will, and emotions. This is the fruit of the Spirit being born in the soul.  The person who had just a born-again spirit, but brought forth no fruit in the soul through obedience will be rejected. They were not bearing the fruit of obedience so they could be born again in the soul. The vessel that they brought with their lamp is the vessel of their physical life because that's where you bear the fruit of the oil. That's where you bear the fruit of Christ to be seen by the world. Now, even the foolish virgins here had oil in their lamp or spirit. So you can't classify them as non-Christians? Or, what we've been calling Christians. You understand? Verse 5 Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 But at midnight there is a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. This was another question someone had a while back about a word, so I went and looked it up. It's the Greek word, kosmeo. Kosmeo is the word we get cosmetics from. And it simply means ‘to arrange or to adorn'. It's not implying that their lamps were out and they lit them, you understand? It's just talking about adorning or arranging their lamps. They chose to translate it trim in this text; I don't think that's a very good word to use. To trim is to bring the wick up so the light shines best. Continuing in Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Peradventure there will not be enough for us and you: go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went away to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast: and the door was shut. Notice that - the door was shut. That was ominous because that door being shut is mentioned in other places in the scripture, like in Luke 13:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour. He said, I know you not. Now these virgins did have oil in their lamps. So obviously what the Lord means by knowing you is more than just receiving a new spirit, a born-again spirit. There must be fruit born of that spirit life in order for the Lord to know you. And I want to look at that too. Before we go there, let's look at Luke too, because it has a very close parallel to this door being closed. Luk 13:25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, open to us; … (Obviously the same text there.) and he shall answer and say to you, I know you not whence ye are; 26 then shall ye begin to say, We did eat and drink in thy presence, and thou didst teach in our streets; 27 and he shall say, I tell you, I know not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. See, so many people are relying on their relationship with the Lord by what they know, by who they're connected with, by the fact that they're a Christian, that they've accepted Jesus as their Savior, but they're using none of the criteria of the scriptures. The only basis that God rebuked any of these people was for their disobedience. And we know that the only way we can obey is by having faith in the Lord and being filled with His Spirit. If we have faith, we'll obey. We'll overcome the sins that we struggle against because we fight the good fight of faith. It's not by works. I'm not trying to magnify our works; I'm trying to magnify the Lord's works through us. The criteria by which the Lord is going to judge any of us is going to be works. And he says to them, because of their evil works, not because they weren't Christians, because it's obvious to me from Matthew 25, and what we just read here, that He's talking to His children. But He says, I know not whence ye are… What causes the Lord to know us? First of all, many people are going to be found in this situation. In Matthew 25, there were 10 virgins. It was talking about the time of the coming of the Lord, how that five were ready, and five were not. That's only half of the people mentioned; half were not ready to meet the Lord, and half were. The very next parable is the parable of the talents, and again, there's no paragraph indentation, so He just goes on in Mat 25:14 For it is as when a man, going into another country, (In other words, he's telling you, watch, I'm going to show you the same thing in another way.) There were three groups at that time who had each been given talents. And one-third of them were rejected because they didn't bring forth the fruit that God put in, right? Doesn't the Bible say a third of the stars of heaven will be cast down to the earth? How come it was half of the virgins and yet a third of those with the talents? Because the virgins are those who are living on the earth when the Lord returns, and these men with the talents are standing before the judgment after death, after resurrection, you see? We're talking about those who are living at the time the Lord returns in order to be caught up to be with the Lord. What about the people who die? There are obviously three groups. A third of the stars of heaven were cast to the earth in the Book of Revelation. That's a third of the people. The scriptures say that Abraham's seed are as the stars; also, Jacob. The stars are likened to God's people. In Jacob's dream of the stars, they're the children of the bride chamber; it's in many, many places. There's the star glory in 1 Corinthians 15; the star glory is a person who's manifested star glory with the Lord. And some go on to moon glory and sun glory. But a third of the stars of heaven are being cast to the earth, and it goes on in Rev 6:13 and the stars of the heaven fell unto the earth, as a fig tree casteth her unripe figs when she is shaken of a great wind. That's not talking about angels, that's talking about God's people not coming to maturity. You see, this is what's happening to a third of the stars. And yet of the people who are alive and remain, half of those people do not enter to being with the Lord. During this end time many will fall in the great falling away. They were called, twice dead and plucked up by the roots. Do you suppose that if your lamp is going out, you would be called twice dead? I do and that's what he's talking about; there's a great falling away happening right there. I think during the tribulation period, probably a third of the Christians are going to take the mark and spiritually die, and out of the ones that are left, half of them are going to be rejected. This is what I feel from these two parables. In the parable of the sower in Mat 13, three out of four did not bear fruit and were rejected. But let's look now at the Lord and how He knows us. You know that the Lord foreknew a group of people in Rom 8:29 For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren: Let's see who the Lord knew. Okay, it's really important that we know who He foreknew because He didn't foreknow every Christian. I can prove that to you Notice who he's talking about; who was foreknown. Now, that's not knowing what's going to happen before it happens. Foreknew is like Adam knew his wife. The word ‘know' implies an intimate relationship. Rom 8:29 For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren: These people whom He foreknew here is not talking about He foreknew that they would overcome. He knew this person. He knew their nature before the world was created. Watch, it says, For whom He foreknew, He foreordained. (Everybody that He foreknew, He foreordained.) Notice to be conformed to the image of his son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Notice now, there's no way out of this verse. If you start in on one end of it, you've got to come out on the other end of it. The ones He foreknew, he foreordained, (He predestined) to be conformed to the image of his son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. So, everybody that God foreknew from the foundation of the world will be conformed to the image of His Son. That doesn't mean everyone that we call ‘Christians'. So, Jesus pointed out this group; He called them 30-60 and a 100-fold fruit. Fruit of what? The fruit of Christ. The 30-60 and a 100-fold are going to be conformed to the image of Christ. These are the ones He foreknew. What is it to know God? Did God know anybody who was not in Covenant relationship? No, He didn't. I'm going to make this point at the very beginning that God only knows one family in all the earth, and that family is born again spiritual Israel. Amo 3:2 You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will visit upon you all your iniquities. Now keep that in your mind that the Lord has only known Israel from the foundation until now. Even though Israel was changed in the New Covenant, it's still Israel. He makes a point back in Rom 9:6 … For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel: In other words, ‘real Israel' is going to be picked out of the midst of mans ‘Israel'. You understand? Because remember, For many are called, but few chosen. Mat 22:14 That word chosen is eklektos, or elected. And Paul exhorts us to give diligence to make our calling and election sure. (2Pe.1:10) This group of people in Romans 8 was called and elect because in verse 33, he said who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? … So, he's specifically talking about the elect, not just the called. Now, everybody who's the elect has to be called because the word call means invited. You remember when Jesus came to the Jews, they were invited, but they all weren't elect, and the reason was that they didn't accept Jesus. So it's only Israel that He knows and specifically only those who are of faith in the Promises.  Let's look at Rom 11:1 I say then, Did God cast off his people? God forbid. He cast off all but the elect who are born from above for they are His people. There were some Israelites that He didn't cast off because Paul said, For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. So God didn't cast off the chosen or elect Israelites. But there were other Israelites that He did. 2 God did not cast off his people which he foreknew. Notice that. Nobody that God foreknew did He cast off. You know why? Let's read on, and we'll see why. 2 God did not cast off his people which he foreknew. Or know ye not what the scripture saith of Elijah? how he pleadeth with God against Israel: 3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, they have digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have left for myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal. 5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election (or chosen) of grace. Now the remnant is according to the election of grace. Notice that Israel did fall away, but not the elect, not the chosen, not the foreknown. Watch. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. In other words, by no more of your works, no more works of the law, are you going to be justified before God. 7 What then? That which Israel seeketh for, that he obtained not; but the election obtained it, … Notice, the elect or the chosen will obtain it. The foreknown will obtain it, and they will not be cast off. See, we're identifying something here. There were many people called out of Egypt who fell in the wilderness and did not make it to the Promised Land. The Bible says many are called, but few are chosen or ‘elect'. Who are the ones He foreknew? The many called or the few chosen? So, obviously, from this text you can see very clearly that the ones He foreknew were elect, meaning chosen, and they obtained it. Why did they obtain it? Let's see what it means to be known by God. Look at this verse very closely in Rom 11:19 Thou wilt say then, Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. 20 Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 for if God spared not the natural branches (Israel), neither will he spare thee. 22 Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God's goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they continue not in their unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.  The point I wanted to make is in verse 26 And so all Israel shall be saved. So what about all those who were cut off? They were Israel. They were called, but they were not elect. Remember what we saw back at the beginning of the chapter: those who were called and fell away in the wilderness. Those who rebelled against God, the ones whose hearts He hardened, He said, But the elect obtained it, and the rest were hardened. (Rom.11:7) Who is Israel? Who is the Israel that God foreknew? It's the elect. It is the foreknown. What about the rest of them? He didn't foreknow them. You know why? Because they didn't endure to the end in faith and obedience.  I want you to notice that everybody who was not foreknown and who was not written in the Lamb's Book of Life from the foundation of the world is going to be deceived and fall away. Everybody. We're talking about those called who fell in the wilderness. That's talking about the world, the flesh, everybody who is not foreknown is going to be deceived by the Beast.  Look at Rev 13:8 And all that dwell on the earth shall worship him, every one whose name hath not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that hath been slain. Notice, it's everyone who is not written or not foreknown. Many Christians are called, meaning invited, but will not come to prove to be the elect, or chosen. They won't obtain the promise because of unbelief and are broken off. You understand what I'm saying? Remember they do not obtain the promise because they do not endure in faith. You can't obtain the promise that way. Look at Rev 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss, and to go into perdition. And they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, they whose name hath not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast, how that he was, and is not, and shall come. So everybody whose name was not written there is going to be deceived, but everybody whose name that is written there will see through it. They are the elect; they will obtain. They are the foreknown; they will obtain. They will be the ‘Paul out of Israel', who God chose to go on and to bear fruit.  Today, we see Israel as a type of Christianity. Out of that, there are some who are going to go on and be obedient. Because obedience proves your faith. If you have no obedience, if you do not obey, if you are not a doer of the word, you have no proof for your faith. The way God is going to prove that you walk by faith is by your works. Everyone who walks by faith will overcome. If we walk by faith, we will overcome the trials in this life; the sin, the works of the devil; we will win.  There's another point I want you to see. Jesus was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, in Ephesians, where it also says God chose us; that's the word eklektos in Him, before the foundation of the world. Now, if Jesus was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, when was He manifestly slain? Not until 2,000 years ago. Now, if our names were written in the Lamb's Book of Life before the foundation of the world, when are they manifestly written in the Lamb's Book of Life? They're manifestly written in the Lamb's Book of Life when you're born again. Therefore, you were foreknown just as Christ was foreknown. You see that? It is really important that you follow this now. It's manifest when you're born into the Kingdom. In God's plan and His foreknowledge. Just like Jesus was the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world, but He wasn't killed then. When God set His plan into manifestation, Jesus was sacrificed. But it might as well have been because God calls the things to be not as though they were.  So, when you were born from above you were written in the Book of Life. I'm not talking about in God's plan that He foreknew. I'm talking about when manifestly your name was written in. Because everyone who's born of God is written in His Book. But remember, the ones that He foreknew from the beginning were those who endured to the end and came into the manifestation of Jesus. Psa 87:4 I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon as among them that know me: Behold, Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia: This one was born there. 5 Yea, of Zion it shall be said, This one and that one was born in her; And the Most High himself will establish her. 6 Jehovah will count, when he writeth up the peoples, This one was born there. Selah. The point is, when you're born into the Kingdom, that's when God writes your name. He said, Rejoice not that you have power over the demons, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. (Luk 10:20) So here's the point. Everybody that's born, including all of those that came out of Egypt, were written in that book. But some were blotted out. Who was it that was blotted out, before the full manifestation of Jesus? Remember, we're talking about those whom He foreknew before the foundation of the world who came into the image of His Son. But according to Rev 3:5, He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life,…. So you've got many names written in manifestly, and those who don't overcome are blotted out. Before what? Before the full manifestation, the ones who were foreknown. So all the Jews who came out of Egypt were written at that time. Also, every Christian who receives a new born-again spirit from God is written at that time. But only the ones who endure to bear fruit were foreknown. Therefore, of those who fall in the wilderness, He says, I know you not. I never knew you. Why? He didn't foreknow them. What was the main difference between those two groups of people, the wise and the foolish? The main difference was that they both heard the word, but only the wise became a doer of the word. In both Matthew 7 and Matthew 25, the difference between the wise and the foolish is the same. And yet, clearly, even the foolish had oil in their lamps. But their oil was going out. See, there's a great falling away coming because of tribulation, because of trials and people are going to fall away. Look at Psa 69:28 Let them be blotted out of the book of life, And not be written with the righteous. There will be those who will be written in Zion but the sinner in Zion will be destroyed out of it. Look in Isa 4:3 And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem; 4 when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof, by the spirit of justice, and by the spirit of burning. God is doing a work of purging from the church those who are walking in wickedness, those who are guilty of blood, and walking in disobedience.  This scripture is very plain about being blotted out: Psa 69:28 Let them be blotted out of the book of life, And not be written with the righteous. There's another one where Moses was interceding for the people in Exo 32:32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. 33 And Jehovah said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. So those who are written among the living, those who have manifested fruit, those who came into the image of Christ through the Word. Those who are written at the end are going to be the ones that He foreknew. They're going to be the elect, the ones that He chose. He exhorts us in 2Pe 1:10 Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never stumble: Look at 2Ti 2:19 Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his: and, Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness. See, the Lord knows them that are His and that's going to be the ones who depart from unrighteousness, so he's exhorting everybody that names the name of the Lord to depart from unrighteousness, to depart from iniquity. See, we're finding out who the Lord knows. Do you know who He knows? He knows Jesus. He knows the name, which is the nature and character of Jesus. Can you imagine God having relationship with us as Adam did with Eve? (That's what the word ‘know' means.) Imagine God having a relationship with somebody who is contrary to His nature? Do you understand that? God cannot know someone who is contrary to His nature and Word. 1 John 3:9 Whosoever is begotten of God doeth no sin, because his seed abideth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is begotten of God".   Just like He commands us Christians not to choose an unbelieving mate, right? Why did He tell us not to choose an unbelieving mate? Because we're not to know anybody with a contrary nature. What fellowship has light with darkness? So God knows and sows the Word who is Jesus. To the extent Jesus is in you, that's to the extent God knows you.  Who did Jesus say the Father would love? Every Christian? No, He didn't. Joh 14:23…If a man love me he will keep my word: and my Father will love him and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. What is the proof that you love God? Jesus said several times that the proof that you love God is that you obey his commandments. This is the one He knows. 1Co 8:3 but if any man loveth God, the same is known by him. In other words, we are proving our love for God by walking in faith and obeying His commandments. The ones that God knows or foreknew are the ones that love Him. Why? Because they not only hear the Word, they do the Word. The ones that God knows will come to know Him because of the foreknowledge part, like I said. It's in the mind of God. It's calling those things that be not as though they were. God spoke, and ever since He spoke this plan, it's been coming into existence. Don't miss it!  It was Jesus Who was foreknown to die for the world, but He wasn't manifest until Calvary. And you, who were foreknown to be in God, in Christ, before the foundation of the world, weren't manifest until you were born. Of those who are born and walk by faith and overcome and endure to the end, Jesus said, they shall be saved. Those who endure through the wilderness and enter into the Promised Land; they are the types of the elect. The very thing that causes you to go on is faith and if you don't understand that, then you can't overcome it anyway. Ever since Exodus chapter 3 the Lord revealed Himself to Moses. But you know Moses didn't know the Lord? He confessed it in Exodus chapter 33. He did not know the Lord. We are coming to know the Lord. The Lord is the nature of Jesus Christ.  And the more we come to know that nature of the real Jesus, the more we're coming to know the Lord. The one the Father knows, or even foreknew, was Jesus, because He was of like nature. God can only know that which is of like nature. Jesus said in Joh 14:9 If you have seen me you have seen the Father. He doesn't know the worldly person. He doesn't know the wicked person. He knows the righteous man that's inside of those who love Him. Exo 33:12 And Moses said unto Jehovah, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, See, the Lord had told Moses, I know thee by name. You know what the word ‘name' means? It's the same in the Hebrew as it is in the Greek. It's nature, character, and authority. The Lord told him, I know thee by name, and thou hast found favor in my sight. 13 Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found favor in thy sight, show me now thy ways, that I may know thee. The Bible talks about the Jews, how they knew the doings of the Lord, but Moses knew the ways of the Lord. There's a difference in knowing His doing and knowing His ways. If you know His ways, you can walk with Him. If you only know His doings, sometimes you're just going from judgment to judgment. …that I may know thee, to the end that I may find favor in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. 14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.  And in verse 17 And Jehovah said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken; for thou hast found favor in my sight, and I know thee by name. 18 And he said, Show me, I pray thee, thy glory. 19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and will proclaim the name of Jehovah before thee; Moses found out the name of the Lord in Exodus chapter 3. He told him the exact name. YHWH, I AM THAT I AM. So obviously, he's talking about a different name here. He's talking about the real name here.  Verse 19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and will proclaim the name (the Shem) of Jehovah before thee; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face; for man shall not see me and live. Moses represented the Law; you couldn't come into the likeness of Christ through the Law. So he didn't get to see the face of the Lord, but we have a promise in 1 Corinthians 13. Moses didn't see His face; he spoke to Him face to face, but he didn't see His face. There's a difference. We can speak to the Lord face to face, but not see Him. Now there's a difference. He spoke to God face to face, but he didn't see His face. For man shall not see me and live. In other words, as man, you can't know Him. And as man, you are not known by Him. 1Co 15:50 Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. It is your spirit man that can know Him and be known by Him. The Holy Spirit helps our infirmity that we can know Him and see Him.  But He goes on to say, 21 and Jehovah said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon the rock: (The only place you can see God is standing upon the rock, right? That's Jesus, and you have to stand upon the Word of God.) 22 and it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand until I have passed by: 23 and I will take away my hand, and thou shalt see my back; but my face shall not be seen. Now, when He revealed the name of the Lord, the Lord said He was going to proclaim His name. It wasn't YHWH because He told him that 30 chapters before. Look at Exo 34:5 And Jehovah descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of Jehovah. 6 And Jehovah passed by before him, and proclaimed, Jehovah, Jehovah, (YHWH; it's YHWH, in the original, that's what He said.) a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth; 7 keeping lovingkindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation. This is His Nature, Character, and Authority, Which is the meaning of Name. Now, He just proclaimed the name of the Lord. But what Moses didn't know, and he asked God to show him, ‘Show me thy ways, so I'll know the one who's going with us.' See, this is knowing God. Knowing this person whose name represents the I AM, that's knowing God. The opposite is also true. God knows the same nature. He knows Jesus Christ. He knows Jesus in us. And it is Christ in us by Word and Spirit that is the hope of glory. Remember in Romans 8, the ones He foreknew, and you go all the way to the end of the verse that says, He also glorified. Everyone He foreknew, He glorified. Now in 1Co.13: 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known. So knowing fully is seeing God face to face. Moses said, ‘I don't know You; reveal Yourself to me.' Therefore, he could not see Him face to face. Coming to maturity, bearing fruit, or manifesting Christ's likeness is coming to know Him face to face. It is coming to know Him fully as I was fully known. Who is going to come to know Him fully? Only those who were fully known will come to know Him fully and will see Him face to face.  Moses himself said, ‘I don't know You yet.' By the Law, you can't know God face to face. That's why Moses didn't enter into the Promised Land as a type and a shadow because the Law could not make perfect. It's also why Moses couldn't see God's face; he could only see His shadow, His back parts. Did you see that? By the Law, all they could see was shadow, so God said I'll let you see My hinder parts but He wouldn't let you see His face because by the Law you can never come to know God. It's only by His grace that you can come to know God.  Now Moses was asking for this, ‘Let me know the One Who's going to go with us.' In the New Testament, our Moses is Jesus; He did know God face to face. And we're coming to know God face to face through His grace and through His sacrifice. But the ones that are going to fully know God are the ones that were fully known by God before the foundation of the world. All the rest of them are going to fall away, just like those people in the wilderness. They were written in, but blotted out before coming to the fullness of God, which was what? The Promised Land. Did you know that, as a child, we can speak to God face to face? And God can speak to us face to face as a child of God. And the reason we can speak to God as a child is because of our Covenant relationship. But coming to know the Lord is seeing Him face to face by faith. 2Co 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. That's coming into His nature, coming into His life, coming to know Him. Moses knew the literal name, Y-H-W-H, but he didn't know the One that name just represented. Remember we build on the foundation and we need to able to stand upon the rock when the wind blows and the rain beats against that house. Look, what is the firm foundation of God that stands? It's the name of the Lord. And that everybody who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness. We can't stand on that rock in our own strength. I know I've shared this vision that my wife had years ago, how that I was standing on this rock wearing what was like metal leg braces.  The ones who are foreknown are going to stand on that rock of the Word and this shows us it won't be by their own strength, but by the strength of the Lord. So that's why it's our faith that counts. If it were by our works, it would be our strength that would cause us to stand but it's not. We can praise God for this, because it's not by our works. It's by grace, and the only way to get grace is faith in the promises. I thank God that Jesus freely gave us this salvation that we're talking about. We can accept it by faith without trying to work it up in ourselves. Everybody seems to go through that stage of trying to earn their salvation and failing miserably because it's got to be freely given by grace. It's got to be the strength that God supplies, and God supplies that strength by simply believing the word of God, not walking by sight, but believing the word of God. We believe that Jesus took away our sins. Initially we can't see that, but as we believe that He did it will happen. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. We proclaim and confess the word; that's standing upon the rock and that's the only place you can see the Lord. Right now, maybe we speak to Him more face-to-face than see Him face to face. But we're going to know fully, if we walk by faith, even as we were fully known. Can you imagine that? You're going to know God fully as you were fully known. That's a tremendous promise! I mean, we want to know God, and gradually, the more we stand upon the rock, the more we're going to see His face. It's progressive, it's not an instantaneous thing.  When Moses stood upon the rock and the Lord proclaimed the Name, He proclaimed the nature of God there. This is the way God is, and yet, we're only learning the nature of God a little by little, line upon line, here a little and there a little. We're learning His nature. A lot of people are building things upon the foundation of God that have got to be torn back down, like in 1 Corinthians chapter 3. People build on it, the wood, hay, and the stubble of their own works, own doctrines, and religious establishment. All those dead things have to be burned back down by tribulation, and then start over. We build upon the foundation, which is Christ. There's no other foundation that can be laid that will work. That's what Paul was saying. Some people are on the shifting sand, yet some who are really on the right foundation, but they're building wrong things on the right foundation, the right foundation being that Jesus took away our sins.  But again, you can make the same mistake the Pharisees made in making of no effect the Word of God by their traditions. This is what the worldly church is famous for. This is what the Jews were famous for and Jesus rebuked them several times for that. If you make of no effect the word of God by your traditions, you're not standing upon the rock, and you're not going to see His face.  We have to come to know this Lord. We have to humble ourselves to His word. People have ulterior motives for believing what they believe, which is religion's way; they have different reasons for believing what they believe and they don't like to be wrong. They want to be seen as right. They live purely for the glory of men. And so they never change their mind even when you can show them all the verses in the word. They're building other things on the foundation and those things are going to be torn down by tribulations that are coming. Hopefully, many people will repent and rebuild the right things on the right foundation and bear fruit. That's why tribulation is coming. It's coming to tear down, to shake, the things that can be shaken, shake them right down to the ground so that God can rebuild the truth. There's going to be a great outpouring of truth in the tribulation period for those who love the truth. But sadly, for those who will believe a lie, there's great deception coming. That deception is going to blot a lot of names out of the Book of Life so that those who are foreknown will be there alone. Those that are left in Zion will be holy, you understand, because the spirit of fire has cleansed it, so the way is to walk by faith, to stand upon the Word of God continuously, and not be swayed by the traditions of men, by Babylon's wood, hay and stubble. Babylon really has been around since, as people say, the Tower of Babel, but really the nature of Babylon has been around since the very beginning. Religion is supplanting God's way. The problem is, all we like sheep have gone astray, each one after his own way, and that's why we've got so many religions. But we've got God's standard to go by. God's way, and you really can't accept anything else. Religion's ideas, how to organize the church, and how to do the works of God. Religion's ideas are Babylon. God's people, historically, the Jews were taken captive by Babylon, and will later be delivered from the bondage of Babylon to build Zion, and that's really the Christian walk. Every Christian starts out taken captive to Babylon. That's the false ideas of ways God wants things done, false ideas of the nature of God, the name of God, and their false image of Jesus. Everyone needs to be delivered from all that. Their false teachings, church doctrines, traditions of men, etc., and go to Zion where the truth is. The Lord Jesus is our Zion; the true Word is our Zion. It's seeing God the way God wants to be seen; it's knowing God the way God wants to be known, and without knowing God the way God wants to be known, He doesn't know you. Do you know who God knows? It's the inner man, the seed of Christ that's on the inside of us. God knows Him.  And the point is, if we're not like those virgins taking the vessel of oil along with the lamp with the oil, then we're not bearing fruit in the area of the soul. Their lamps went out because they didn't carry the oil in the vessel. In these days, people don't think it's necessary to obey. But bearing fruit in the area of the soul comes from obedience. Peter said that, and it's something we need to see. 1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently: 23 having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which liveth and abideth. In other words, we're still being born again; we're being born again in our soul. And our souls are being purified, and we're walking in holiness. Heb 12:14 Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord: 1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is. 3 And every one that hath this hope set on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. And Jesus said in Joh 6:46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he that is from God, he hath seen the Father. Who is Christ in you. For a more complete teaching on those who are chosen and the elect, see our book Predestined Called and Elect on our Website.

Here's part three of a fictional story I wrote called The Two Doors and the Merciful Judge. It's an allegory that serves as a companion to Kinda Judgy: Finding Mercy for Myself and Others in Six Stories of the Bible—my new book releasing with Moody Publishers!! (Order your copy here.)Through the imaginative setting of the Grand Courtroom of the World, revisit the same six Bible stories featured in the book—Noah, Rahab, Jonah, the sinful woman, the blind man, and the criminal on the cross—and encounter the same unchanging Judge of All.In Part 3, titled, "The Massive Baptism and the Tipped Cake, you're entering the Grand Courtroom as a massive baptism has just taken place. Everyone is wearing black t-shirts with a "repent and believe" emblem on the back. What's interesting, though, is that the handsome pastor who comes storming in isn't pleased about this. My hope is that this allegory will help you see more clearly—and love more deeply—the Judge who holds the Final Gavel.Order Kinda JudgyReplay the Girls' Night Celebration!How Judgy Are You? (Take the Quiz)Watch the series on YoutubeMore from the Judgy Series on Live Like It's True.  Order Kinda JudgyTake the Kinda Judgy QuizLearn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

By Joe Greene - In life, there are times when our faith can be shaken. We should strive to develop the faith described in Hebrews 11. Rahab is highlighted in Hebrews 11:31 as an example of remarkable faith. Five lessons we can learn from the faith of Rahab.

We invite you to join Jacob and study. This time Jacob goes into deeper meaning of the Scarlet Cord, showing the typology of the future event - Rapture, pictured in the story of Rahab.You can connect with Moriel in more locations than just YouTube!Check out all our official links on the About page: https://www.youtube.com/c/MorielTVministries/about.The U.S. Copyright Office protects this video and its contents under section 107 of the Fair Use Copyright Act 1976 which can be found here: can be found here:https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#107.While we do encourage comments, all are held for review before posting. We ask that you please focus your posts on the video and it's topic. Keep it relevant to the message; and of course showering us with love is always welcome. We do appreciate you and thank you for caring enough to speak up and speak out.Please note: Posts that are longer than a short paragraph, contains hate, or disrespectful comments, or links to websites or other videos will be deleted. Comments determined to be inappropriate, obscene, disrespectful or with links to pornographic material, will get you banned.All decisions on comments are at our discretion.

Adrian Rogers reveals four things about the power of faith from the story of Rahab the prostitute in Joshua 2. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/135/29?v=20251111

Here's part two of a fictional story I wrote called The Two Doors and the Merciful Judge. It's an allegory that serves as a companion to Kinda Judgy: Finding Mercy for Myself and Others in Six Stories of the Bible—my new book releasing with Moody Publishers!! (Order your copy here.)Order Kinda JudgyWatch the Replay of our Girls' Night Celebration!The Two Doors & the Merciful Judge SeriesHow Judgy Are You? (Take the Quiz)Find the whole series here.  Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

Adrian Rogers reveals four things about the power of faith from the story of Rahab the prostitute in Joshua 2. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/135/29?v=20251111

Her reputation couldn't have been worse, but her faith placed her in Scripture's hall of fame. Dr. Tony Evans explores the lessons we can learn from imperfect people.