Richvale Community Church
Sunday, September 14 2025
- Good morning,This past week, our nation was shaken by the heartbreaking news of Charlie Kirk’s assassination at an event on the Utah Valley University campus.For more than a decade, his ministry has been a faithful witness for Christ on college campuses across the country.He challenged students to wrestle with the big questions of life and society, all while boldly living out his faith.Tragically, his life was cut short. It is a deeply sad loss…our hearts go out to his family and friends.. we feel that loss..In times like this it is natural to ask Why? How could God allow these kinds of things to happen?One toughest scriptures to understand in tragedy is .is Romans 8:28Paul tells ust ..
Romans 8:28 ESV 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.How can all things work for our good in times of loss..… you see its not that all things are good…but he works them out for his good!The Word Alive New Testament Paraphrase explains this best“God uses every circumstance—even those we do not understand—for the ultimate benefit of His people.”We are in our sermon series, “Finding God in Transitions.” Today, we are looking at the God who works.We going to see that Even when life feels confusing or painful, God is working behind the scenes to accomplish His ultimate purpose for our good.The book of Joshua begins with three powerful promises from God:The Promise of Victory – God say to Joshua..“Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you.”The Promise of His Presence – “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”The Promise of an Inheritance – God gave Israel a vast territory stretching from the Euphrates to the Mediterranean.These promises are more than ancient history. God’s promises remain for us today.Hebrews 4:8–9 ESV 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God,The story of inheriting God’s promises isn’t just Israel’s story—it’s our story too.The we are promises we can hold on to in the midst of challenges.. We can have the assurance that…god is for us, and God is with us.T/s How does God work.1. God Works Behind the ScenesWhen I was in seminary, our leadership professor Rod Cooper had a way of saying things that stuck with you. Short, powerful maxims. Things like:“Worry is the waste of a good imagination.”“Assumptions are planned resentments.And his favorite? “The 11ᵗʰ commandment: thou shall not be stupid.”It’s all behind the scenes…In the book of Joshua, we see God is at work…When it came to mission and vision, there’s one maxim I’ll never forget: “Slower is faster.” The temptation is always to rush, to seize the opportunity immediately—but sometimes the wisest thing is to pause.God is preparing the way, setting the stage, and positioning His people to step into the life He has promised them…In a chapter 2 before Israel cross over the Jordan, Joshua sends two spies into CanaanAnd that’s exactly what Joshua does in Joshua chapter 2. Israel is standing on the edge of the Promised Land. They’ve waited forty years, and now it’s time to step in—but instead of immediately gathering the people and marching forward, Joshua hits the pause button. And I think for very good reasons.First: to see what’s happening in the present. Joshua sends two spies ahead to gather intelligence—to understand the situation on the ground. Forty years is a long time, and things have changed. This is a new day, with new challenges.This isn’t the first time this happened.Thirty-eight years earlier, Moses had sent twelve spies into Canaan. Only two—came back with a faithful report. Joshua was one then and Caleb …Second: to avoid repeating the same mistakes. Think back to Moses’ day. Twelve spies were sent into Canaan, and only two—Joshua and Caleb—came back with faithful, courageous reports. The other ten focused on the problems, saying, “We were like grasshoppers in our own sight.” Fear spread like wildfire through the camp. Joshua knew firsthand how devastating fear can be.Joshua didn’t want to repeat history. He does something very wise he sends 2.So, strategically, Joshua sends the spies—but he doesn’t stop there. He tells the people to get ready, to spend the next three days preparing to cross the Jordan. Preparation and patience go hand in hand.And here’s the thing: when the spies go into the land, the story doesn’t go the way you might expect. This text is full of surprises—twists in the plot, unexpected turns, and moments that challenge our assumptions.EXPECTING a good report and is intentionally minimizing fear among the people.Let’s read our text.Joshua 2:1–7 ESV 1 And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there. 2 And it was told to the king of Jericho, “Behold, men of Israel have come here tonight to search out the land.” 3 Then the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land.” 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. And she said, “True, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. 5 And when the gate was about to be closed at dark, the men went out. I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them.” 6 But she had brought them up to the roof and hid them with the stalks of flax that she had laid in order on the roof. 7 So the men pursued after them on the way to the Jordan as far as the fords. And the gate was shut as soon as the pursuers had gone out.The first surprise: As soon as they arrive they get found out - immediately, the king’s men discover them.Even though Joshua instructed them to go into the land secretly ..These guys were anything but invisible—they were discovered right away!The second surprise comes in where the spies end up—their destinationthey are at Rahab’s house…Think about this:she’s a Canaanite, part of a people considered enemies of Israel.She’s a woman in a culture that gave her little social power,she’s a prostitute—someone most Israelites would instinctively avoid… . but here they are..The third surprise is Rahab’s response.Instead of turning the spies over to the king’s soldiers, she hides them and misdirects the guards, putting herself at great risk..What —We have an unexpected destination and an unexpected response.Life is full of the unexpected. Some things we simply don’t understand—The story of Job is a perfect example of trusting God when life doesn’t make sense. Job was a man described as blameless and upright, yet he faced unimaginable suffering—losing his children, his wealth, and his health. At first, none of it made sense to him or to those around him. And yet, in the end, Job declares:Job’s life reminds us that even when we don’t understand our circumstances, God’s ways are higher than our ways…..Job 42:2 AMP 2 I know that You can do all things, and that no thought or purpose of Yours can be restrained or thwarted.Job’s life reminds us that even when we don’t understand our circumstances, God’s ways are higher than our ways, and His purposes are always at work.In theology this is called providence—Providence says that God is actively orchestrating creation, not as a distant watchmaker who winds up the universe and walks away, but as one who preserves and guides everything toward His appointed ends.As A.W. Pink puts it:"Providence is God arranging all things for His glory and our good, even when we do not understand the reasons."When we read the story of the spies, we see God’s providence -.Here’s the remarkable thing: providence works both ways. The spies were also God’s providence for Rahab.For the Spies Rahab— was means of safety and security andFor Rahab -This encounter would become the means of salvation for her and her family, and ultimately part of God’s larger plan of redemption.James 2:24–25 ESV 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?t/s How does God work?1. God Works Behind the Scenes2. God Works in Unexpected WaysWhen spies arrive..The city of Jericho was filled with fear…Word had spread of Israel’s approach—their victories over mighty kings, the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, and their unstoppable advance toward the land.And people feared for their lives…In this time of Fear — Rahab Responds with Faith…Faith is not the absence of fear it is believing and trusting inspite of fear..Rahab had had experienced — hard times….Rahab lived on the margins of society.She was Someone the culture overlooked and disgarded— She was the least of them…She was prostitute which means she had lived life of constantly being used and abused .Her life had been hard—unimaginable struggles..But when the spies sent by Joshua came to her house, something inside her stirred.She had heard of the God of Israel, His power and faithfulness. …This brought hope not fear..She went to the roof and spoke words that were unexpected, courageous, and full of faith:Joshua 2:8–11 ESV 8 Before the men 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, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. 10 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 the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. 11 And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath.After Rahab hid the spies on her roof, she went back up and said something incredible:She makes these Declarations of Faith.. she says..“I know that the Lord has given you this land.”What make this even more remarkable is that many of Israel had not yet come to this conclusion.Rahab had seen God from a distance—she had heard of His works—and with very little information, she was able to think theologically.We all interpret the world through various filters. Our worldview is shaped by our backgrounds, experiences, and history. But to think theologically is to ask a different set of questions:What is God doing in this moment?What does God say about this issue?What does this mean for me?To think theologically is to think relationally—to consider God’s relationship to us and how we respond to who He is.In that moment, Rahab thought theologicall and of that made three confessions of faith:She Acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty and power –Admission of her people’s Failures – .Recognition of God’s rule over heaven and earth – She declared that the God of Israel was the ultimate ruler of all creation.The Bible say in 1 John 1:91 John 1:9 ESV 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.When we think about unreached people groups, many of them live in what missionaries call the 10/40 Window. This is the region of the world between 10° and 40° north latitude, stretching from North Africa across the Middle East to Asia.Did you know that two-thirds of the world’s unreached population live in this area? These are people who have little or no access to the gospel. It includes the world’s poorest countries, politically restricted nations, and areas with strong religious or cultural barriers to Christianity.The story of Rahab gives hopeEven though Rahab had little knowledge of the Law, her heart believed. Her faith wasn’t perfect—she acted cautiously, she was pragmatic—but it was real.Faith is not about perfection; it’s about trust.God honors the faith that steps forward, even in uncertainty and fear. Rahab’s confession shows us that what matters most is the heart that believes and acts on that belief“She was faithful with the truth that she had—even little truth.”James uses Rahab as example of someone who was Justified by her faith in action…James 2:24–25 ESV 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?James reminds us it not just faith but works.. in tandum…Here is the thing…Rahab’s faith mattered more than her past.Acting on what she knew of God’s power saved her and her family.Her story points directly to the heart of the Gospel.Origen, a second-century church father, observed:“As the first Joshua sent his spies before him and they were received into the harlot’s house, so the second Joshua sent his forerunners, whom the publicans and harlots gladly received.”Origen.Jesus welcomes sinners. He spent time with tax collectors and outcasts, earning the title friend of sinners.Rahab’s story reminds us that God works in the most unexpected ways, often using the most unlikely people to accomplish His purposes."Your past doesn’t define you—Your past does not disqualify you.Faith matters more than perfection.God can do extraordinary things when we trust Him, even in weakness.t/s How does God work?1. God Works Behind the Scenes2. God Works in Unexpected Ways3. God’s Work is Always RedemptiveNot everything in life is as it seems. Our perceptions are imperfect, which is why eyewitnesses often give different accounts of the same incident.If you were to walk into our church kitchen today, you would see a few things torn up, cabinets removed, walls exposed—a scene that might look chaotic. But it’s not chaos; it’s the middle of a remodel in progress…When Joshua sends spies to Jericho on what seemed like a simple mission—to gather information.Rahab: The Most Unlikely Candidatebut ..What begins as a military intelligence mission quickly becomes a story about God’s mercy and His plan in redemptive history—about God saving Rahab and her family.After hiding the spies, Rahab takes bold action.She approaches the king’s soldiers and pleads for mercy, not for herself alone, but for her entire household. She recognizes God’s sovereignty and trusts in His power to protect.This what she says..Joshua 2:12–14 ESV 12 Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a sure sign 13 that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” 14 And the men said to her, “Our life for yours even to death! If you do not tell this business of ours, then when the Lord gives us the land we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.”Faith in Action: The Scarlet CordRahab was the most unlikely candidate to play a role in God’s plan. She was:A Canaanite, living under God’s judgment,A prostitute, who by the moral law would have been considered an abomination.— But Rahab — prayed for Mercy and for Grace and then —let thee men out of her window..Rahab’s simple act of obedience positioned her family for life and placed her within the lineage of Christ Himself -In Math 1 we have the geology of Jesus — amazing when you go through it..Matthew 1:2–5 ESV 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, 4 and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse,vers 5 we see … that Rahab is married to a guy called Salmon — (or Salem) He is said be the founder of Bethlehem.. (House of peace) — Not only does Rahab come to faith and become part of God’s family - but she is illivated.. (Married to a man of peace)…The word peace (shalom) also mean to be reconciled…to be made righteous.. to be made whole.. to be in right standing.Not only that…Rahab would become the mother of Boaz, (kinsman Redeemer to Ruth!!) I wonder if that is why he has so much compassion - for Ruth a Moabite… Ruth like His mother Ruth was a stranger in Israel… and and who both denied the gods of their counteries and followed the Lord… remember how Roth clinged onto Naomi and said your God will be my God..and from their line would come King David, and ultimately Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.Obedience, Trust, and God’s Redemptive PlanGod’s plan was far bigger than the spies’ mission or the conquest of Jericho—it was a story of mercy, redemption, and faith in action.Rahab acted on what she knew of God’s power, trusting Him even when the full picture was unclear.Obedience, even in the small things, had far-reaching consequences..God uses to shape our faith, prepare us for what lies ahead, and sometimes prepare others for His purposes.Conclusion:God is the God who worksIn Matthew 5 we have the account of Jesus healing the lame man by the pool of Silo — He had been sitting their for 38 years and no one had carried to this pool that was said to bring healing..Jesus says to the man do you want to be healed?—the man says that when waters stirred no one could carry him… and others pushed in front of him. Jesus said to the man “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.. At that moment he was healed…later that day — Jesus is accused of working on the sabbath.. because healed this man….Jesus answered his accuses by saysJohn 5:17 ESV 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”Be encouraged: God’s plan is always redemptive. Even in loss, pain, or confusion, He is working out His purposes for His glory and our good.Challenge for the WeekTrust God and act in obedience, even when you don’t see the full picture.Just like Rahab immediately let down the scarlet cord and stepped out in faith, this week take one small step of obedience God is calling you to—trusting that He is working behind the scenes for your good and His glory. Romans 8:28AMP
Hebrews 4:8–9AMP
Joshua 2:1–7AMP
Job 42:2AMP
Joshua 2:8–11AMP
1 John 1:9AMP
James 2:24–25AMP
Joshua 2:12–14AMP
Matthew 1:2–6AMP
John 5:17AMP
Richvale Community Church
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