Sermon: "Rahab's Gift", Joshua 2:1-16 (December 15, 2024)

This time of year, we tend to put a lot of emphasis on faithfulness – with good reason. The story of Christmas would not exist as we know it without many people’s willingness to do as God asks: Mary and her willingness to bear the son of God, Joseph and his willingness to raise a son that isn’t his, the shepherds and magi and their willingness to worship an infant from a poor family – all these figures are considered righteous specifically because of their faithfulness. We wouldn’t have Jesus without it. But for all the emphasis that we place on faithfulness as a path to righteousness, it’s far from the ONLY one. In fact, since God is the one to determine what IS righteous, God can assign that designation however God sees fit – even to someone who’s decidedly UNfaithful. Rahab is the perfect example of this.

Liturgy: Advent II, Joshua 2:1-16 (December 8, 2024)

 This liturgy is based on our Advent Theme this year, "The Gifts of Women", based on the women in Matthew's account of Jesus' genealogy.

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Hymns

Hymn GTG #82, “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” 

Hymn GTG #324, “For All the Faithful Women" [v. 1 + New Verse:]

For Rahab’s keen perception, we give you thanks, O Lord;

She sensed your righteous purpose, the plans you had in store.

In rescuing the soldiers who came to her for aid,

Lord Jesus Christ was born from this debt that was repaid.

Hymn GTG #86, “The People Who Walked in Darkness”