Rahab and Genuine Faith

"By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace."

- Hebrews 11:31 

Today's Big Question: What can Rahab teach us about genuine faith?

1. Knowledge + Belief + Trust = Genuine Faith, Joshua 2:6-14

Rahab demonstrates the following elements of the faith equation.
Knowledge v. 8-10
Belief v. 11
Trust v. 6-7, 12-14

2. Faith Causes Action, Hebrews 11:24-34

You can see that those who are described in this section performed their actions by faith.

3. Faith That Does Not Produce Action is Dead Faith, James 2:14-26

If you say that you have faith, but do not have actions, James says that your faith is dead.

Application
1. Rahab was not destroyed but was spared when Jericho was attacked. This parallels the spiritual reality of being saved by faith from God’s wrath.

2. Anyone can come to have genuine faith. There are just as many harlots in Hebrews 11's "Hall of Faith" as there are kings.

3. Genuine faith leaves a lasting legacy, Matthew 1:5. Because she had genuine faith, Rahab finds herself in the family tree of Ruth, King David, and Jesus. The genuine faith that you demonstrate (through your actions) could have a ripple effect through many generations.