{"id":1161,"date":"2024-07-30T21:34:54","date_gmt":"2024-07-30T21:34:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/?page_id=1161"},"modified":"2025-12-16T17:08:17","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T17:08:17","slug":"the-reward-of-faith","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/the-reward-of-faith\/","title":{"rendered":"THE REWARD OF FAITH"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hebrews 11:30-31<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good morning! How\u2019s everyone doing today? Well, it\u2019s great to see you all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have your Bible, would you turn with me to the New<\/strong> Testament<\/strong> book of Hebrews<\/strong>. We\u2019ll be looking again at what God has to say to us about FAITH<\/strong> through two great stories found in Hebrews chapter 11<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first verse has to do with an ancient battle<\/strong> that took place between God\u2019s people and an occupying force in the ancient city of Jericho<\/strong>. The second has to do with a woman<\/strong> whom God used to save His people and assist them in possessing the promised land. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, we\u2019re in Hebrews chapter 11 \u2014 and we\u2019ll be looking at verses 30-31. Now, you can think of these verses as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FAITH FROM THE FRONT-LINES!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These verses show us what faith looks like on the front-lines of life. Here the writer tells us:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

30 <\/em><\/strong>By faith <\/em>the walls of Jericho fell<\/em>, \u2014 (after the army had marched around them for seven days).<\/em> (Joshua 6) 31 <\/em><\/strong>By faith <\/em>the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient<\/em>. <\/em>(Joshua 2)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HEBREWS 11:30-31 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Hebrews 11<\/strong>, God tells us a lot about faith. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Within the context of these two stories, God teaches us that He both receives<\/strong> and<\/strong> rewards<\/strong> anyone<\/strong> who puts their trust in Him, regardless of their past behavior or even their present situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me say that again before we get too deep into this message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God teaches us that He both receives<\/strong> and<\/strong> rewards<\/strong> anyone<\/strong> who puts their trust in Him, regardless of their past behavior or even their present situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

_______________<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, throughout Hebrews 11 <\/strong>we\u2019ve been moving (in a narrative form), from Egypt<\/strong> to the promised<\/strong> land<\/strong>. But today\u2019s an important day in this story \u2014 because, today, the people of God arrive and take possession!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you remember, when the Hebrew people<\/strong> finally reached the Promised Land <\/strong>after wandering in the desert for 40 years, Moses died<\/strong>. God allowed him to see the land that had been promised but he was not able to enter that land because of an incident where Moses<\/strong> took credit for something God had done\u2026lashed out in anger. And so, that left the nation under the leadership of a very capable man named Joshua<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joshua<\/strong> was also a good leader. He<\/strong> organized the people to conquer the land God<\/strong> had promised. And He<\/strong> had faith and trusted in God\u2019s<\/strong> promises!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since this was a major undertaking, the Lord <\/strong>reminded Joshua<\/strong> that it would ultimately be GOD<\/strong>, who would fight for them. The Hebrew people<\/strong> wouldn\u2019t have to win their battles on their strength alone, but in His<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that\u2019s the way it always is for us too \u2014 when we trust in Him, God<\/strong> gives us the victories in our lives! That\u2019s why we must live by faith. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even so, there are always challenges and obstacles that show up when we choose to walk by faith \u2014 and that\u2019s what we\u2019re going to talk about this morning!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

__________<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, I know we just read these two verses \u2014 but I want us to work our way through them from the bottom up. I want to consider them in reverse order from how they are in Hebrews 11 because they\u2019ll make a little more sense for us in this study today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, with that \u2014 look again at verse 31<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. NOTICE THAT RAHAB WAS REALLY AN Unlikely Choice!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, Hebrews 11:31<\/strong> says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

31 <\/em><\/strong>By faith <\/em>the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient<\/em>. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

HEBREWS 11:31 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s really quite remarkable that God<\/strong> chose to use Rahab<\/strong>. Because she really didn\u2019t have much going for her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She<\/strong> wasn\u2019t even a Hebrew<\/strong> \u2014 she was a gentile! And as for her profession; she was prostitute! Furthermore, Rahab<\/strong> was also a resident of this ungodly city of Jericho<\/strong>. So, her credentials for being used by God were pretty slack\u2026yet, God choose to use here anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God receives anyone who puts their faith in Him \u2014 regardless of their past! If you\u2019ll trust in God, He promises not to hold yesterday against you!  In spite of her reputation,<\/strong> and her lack of pedigree, Rahab<\/strong> had a godly heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We find her story in Joshua chapter 2<\/strong>. (You may want to turn their.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What we know of her story is that the Hebrew people<\/strong> sent a couple of spies into the city of Jericho<\/strong>. And when they arrived, they went to her home to find a room to rent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem was that the people of Jericho<\/strong> were on high-alert\u2026and were very fearful of the Israelite army <\/strong>Everyone had been instructed to report any suspicious activity. And so the whole city was watching for anything out of the ordinary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, someone noticed the spies coming into the city and likely followed them to Rahab\u2019s home<\/strong>. And so they reported this to the authorities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And this is where Rahab<\/strong> really starts to demonstrate her FAITH in God. While she could have easily saved herself (and been seen as hero by her people), she chose instead to hide the men and protect them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me read her story to you from Joshua 2<\/strong>. In verse 4<\/strong> it says \u2014 that when the authorities came to her home,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRahab had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, \u201cYes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. <\/em>5 <\/em><\/strong>At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they left. I don\u2019t know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them.\u201d <\/em>6 <\/em><\/strong>(But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.) <\/em>7 <\/em><\/strong>So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, in verse 8 <\/strong>is where her FAITH<\/strong> is stated. Listen to what transpires:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8 <\/em><\/strong>Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof <\/em>9 <\/em><\/strong>and said to them, <\/em>\u201cI know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you.<\/em>10 <\/em><\/strong>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 Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. <\/em>11 <\/em><\/strong>When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone\u2019s courage failed because of you, <\/em>for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joshua 2:4-11<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After saving them from the hands of the soldiers, Rahab<\/strong> asked the men if they would return the favor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rahab<\/strong> believed in the God of Israel<\/strong>. She trembled before Him. She had saved their lives and she hoped they would be willing to save hers. And they agreed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rahab<\/strong> chose to trust in God and His people \u2014 and she did what was right\u2026not what was easy! She stood with God \u2014 placing her faith in Him. And in the end, God not only received her \u2014 He also rewarded her!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God protected her life, and gave her a new family. In fact, God\u2019s people became her people!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that\u2019s the very same thing that happens in each of our lives when we chose to abandon the world and follow Christ!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is not a better decision to be made! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the reward we receive is the same as she received (a new family).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But this wasn\u2019t the end of Rahab\u2019s<\/strong> story. After she joined the Israelite community. She eventually found a husband among them \u2014 a man by the name of Salmon<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The gospel of Matthew <\/strong>tells us that Rahab went on to become the great-great-grandmother <\/strong>to King David<\/strong>! And eventually would even be an ancestor to Jesus himself! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

LISTEN: <\/strong>When you put your FAITH in God (regardless of your past failures and mistakes), He will not reject you! He will love you and care for you \u2014 and meet the deepest needs of your life!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that\u2019s good news for us all\u2026but there\u2019s even more that God wants to do in you and me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that\u2019s where the other story speaks up. In the second story, I want you to\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. NOTICE HOW THE PEOPLE WERE REWARDED FOR THEIR FAITH!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This story also takes place in Jericho<\/strong>\u2026but it alludes to some major obstacles the people overcome with God\u2019s help. And in doing so, they were rewarded for their FAITH!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen again to what Hebrews 11:30<\/strong> tells us. It says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

30 <\/em><\/strong>By faith <\/em>the walls of Jericho fell<\/em>, after the army had marched around them for seven days.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

HEBREWS 11:30 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By faith, the walls came down! Their reward was the obvious provision and protection of God\u2019s presence. He was with them, and He was keeping His Word \u2014 and would make them victors!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But their FAITH<\/strong> wasn\u2019t without challenges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first obstacle to be overcome was the town of Jericho itself<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jericho<\/strong> was a heavily fortified city with thick walls and a skilled fighters. The city had its own water source so they were self-sufficient. There was no way to put a siege on the city and eventually force them to come out. It seemed impregnable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was an important battle for the Israelites<\/strong>. It was the first battle in this, their Promised Land<\/strong>. This battle would set the tone for all the battles to come. A defeat here might plunge them back into despair and mutiny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because the Israelites numbered close to a million people, there was no way they were going to just sneak up on anyone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Joshua 6 <\/strong>we are told the gates of Jericho<\/strong> were securely locked. But God<\/strong> had a plan!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen to the plan that God<\/strong> gives to Joshua<\/strong> \u2014 but I\u2019ll warn you, it was pretty strange! Joshua 6:2<\/strong> says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 <\/em><\/strong>Then the Lord said to Joshua, \u201cSee,<\/em> I have delivered <\/em>Jericho<\/em><\/strong> into your hands<\/em>, along with its king and its fighting men. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And here\u2019s God\u2019s plan \u2014 He says, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 <\/em><\/strong>March around the city <\/em>once<\/em><\/strong> with all the armed men. <\/em>Do this for six days<\/em>. <\/em>4 <\/em><\/strong>Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams\u2019 horns in front of the ark. <\/em>On the seventh day,<\/em> march around the city <\/em>seven<\/em><\/strong>times<\/em><\/strong>, with the priests blowing the trumpets. <\/em>5 <\/em><\/strong>When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joshua 6:2-5 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is where we see the faith of the Israelites<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

God\u2019s plan was simple: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For six days in a row<\/strong> there were to march one-time around the city walls, while blowing their horns and then go back to camp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the seventh day,<\/strong> they were to march around the city walls seven times, then blow the trumpet one long blast and shout. THEN<\/strong>, the Lord promised that the walls would fall down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, let\u2019s be honest, how would you respond<\/strong> if that was the military strategy your General brought to you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

REMEMBER:<\/strong> FAITH IS ALWAYS A CHOICE!<\/strong>It\u2019s  a decision. And it\u2019s not always easy. (But like we said last week \u2014 our decisions either move us towards or away from God\u2026each and every day).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are always challenges (that have to be overcome) to living a life of faith. We overcome these challenges by choosing to obey God’s direction and follow Him where ever He leads. Just think about the challenges that Joshua<\/strong> and his people had to overcome:<\/p>\n\n\n\n