The 11th Commandment
And the Wall Fell

Sunday September 10th, 2017 - Pastor Wungreiso Valui

Hebrew 11:30-31

"By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace" (Hebrew 11:30-31).

The leaders and members of the church primarily focus on evangelism, outreach, discipleship, stewardship & church growth and neglect one of the most powerful source- "Worship."

FACING JERICHO: DARING FAITH

Worship powers evangelism, fellowship, stewardship, discipleship.

"So it was, when Joshua had spoken to the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns before the LORD advanced and blew the trumpets, and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them" (Joshua 6:8).

Seeing may lead to believing but the purest form of expression of faith is "Faith without seeing and believing."

Pastor's Note:
The great challenge in Silicon Valley is the false perception that we have to be doing to be growing. The truth is "being" will lead to "growing."

RAHAB'S DARING FAITH

RAHAB: HARLOTRY TO HISTORY

The faith of Rahab was shaped by the testimonies of God's people (.

"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. And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you" (Joshua 2:10-11).

Pastor's Note:
Rahab's faith made her a central figure in the history of our faith

RAHAB'S DARING FAITH SAVED HER AND HER FAMILY

Rahab is the first woman, a gentile who proclaimed the oracle of God on the occupation of the Promised Land

Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, 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 (Joshua 2:8-9).

Rahab is an example of God's redeeming grace.

Joshua had said to the two men who had spied out the country, "Go into the harlot's house, and from there bring out the woman and all that she has, as you swore to her. And the young men who had been spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father, her mother, her brothers, and all that she had. So they brought out all her relatives and left them outside the camp of Israel... And Joshua spared Rahab the harlot, her father's household, and all that she had (Joshua 6:22-25).

Pastor's Note:
God can redeem and save anyone who believes in Him.

SAMARITAN WOMAN: IMMORALITY TO IMMORTALITY

In the New Testament an immoral Samaritan woman was the first to confess Jesus was the messiah.

The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 "Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship. 23 "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." 29 "Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" (John 4:19ff)

The Samaritan woman was the first to preach the gospel

Pastor's Note
In the story of Rahab and Samaritan Woman the source of their faith and actions was getting worship right.

The answer of evangelism lies in the decision to worship.
The answer of evangelism lies in the heart of worship
The conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman reveals the connection between worship and evangelism- Wungreiso

Pastor's Note:
Evangelism is not about winning an argument and proving my faith is right but to make God and His story come alive in a person.

In the heart of Evangelism is the heart of God

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:3-4).