22-Feb-2015, Sunday, 3 PM
On Sunday, I attended the worship service at the Emmanuel Assemblies of God, Upper East Coast Road, Singapore. The service started with beautiful praise and worship led by Vivek Cherian, who had come from Kerala, specially for the meeting. The Presence of God was beautiful during worship.
After worship, Dr. K Muralidar shared the Word of God, primarily on Rehab’s faith that allowed her name in the list of faith warriors.
We see Rahab’s name mentioned in Matthew 1, in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 1:1-5 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:2 Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. 4 Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. 5 Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse
We see it again in James 2:25-26 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
What did she do to attain such a great position? She had all the negative qualifications: she was a Canaanite woman, a harlot, her house was probably on the fortress wall – outside the protection of the kingdom.
Joshua 2:10-11 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.
She had no personal interaction with God, she only heard about God. But she had faith based on what she heard.
She knew the Israelites who had God on their side, will surely win the battle. It was this revelation, that caused her to protect the spies and help the Israelites to win the battle. She chose to be on the winning team.
Dr Muralidar told the audience, if you say, you have faith, it must be tested. He encouraged the believers to be involved in God’s work. Rahab had only one opportunity in her life and she grabbed the opportunity. Wherever you go, be a witness for Jesus Christ. Be involved in God’s business, be available at all times. Do the mission work, wherever you’re. We are saved by faith but we are judged by our works.
He concluded 3 points:
- You may have so many failures in the past, but God will overlook your past if you repent and cling to God.
- If you have taken a step of faith, anticipate opposition.
- You may be in the lowest rung of the society, but if you stay faithful, God will honor you.
