10th Jan Sermon Discussion - “Only By Grace - The Scarlett Thread”

Bible Passage: Joshua 2

Looking at Joshua’s life, we think that God used him because he is a great man. But in Joshua 2, we see how God used a woman called Rahab. Rahab was a prostitute. She was unlike Joshua. However, God used her to be part of the group that brought the people into the Promised Land. On top of that, she was part of the genealogy of Jesus!! ( Matthew 1: 5 )

Isn't that amazing! Though Rahab was a sinner, God still used her. If God could use a person like her, God can definitely use you.

3 Truths about God which allow us to put our Trust in God and KNOW that He can use us:

1. God is Great

Joshua 2: 8-11
Rahab knew that God is great. She heard about the miracles that God did and understood the power of God. Because she knew this truth, she tapped into the power of God.

Activity:
Split yourself into 2 groups. Take out a piece of paper. Each group has to write down 3 stories that are found in the Bible that speaks about God’s power. The group that finishes the fastest wins the game.

Do you know how powerful our God is? He is more powerful than any superheroes you ever knew. When you are willing to be used by God, He will display His power through you.

Sometimes we doubt if God can use us and display His power through us because we are too self-conscious, focussing on ourselves. In order to be used by God, BE CONSCIOUS of the power of God and stop focusing on our inadequacy.

2. God is Gracious

Deut 9:6; Romans 5:20; Eph 2:8

The Devil is constantly trying to accuse us and make many of us think that we are not worthy to be used by Him. God is Gracious. Rahab has no right to inherit the promise of God as she is not even an Israelite. The fact is, Rahab was a prostitute which was despised by even her own community. But God was gracious to Rahab.

Activity:
Write down 3 weaknesses that you have. Do you know that God can still use you despite your sins & weaknesses?

2 Corinthians 12: 9,10 ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.’

The Devil will say to you, ‘You are not good enough, you have sinned against the Lord and the Lord will never forgive you’. He will tell you many lies that will pull you away from God. If God will never forgive you, why would He send His Son, Jesus, to die for you? Why would He bother to send His only Son just to clear our sin?

3. God is Faithful

Joshua 2:12-14; 17-19; 2 Timothy 2:13

It is not enough to know that God is Great & Gracious, we need to know that God is Faithful. Only when we know that God is faithful, then we can trust God fully! God always remembers His promises and will never forget because He is faithful. 2 Timothy 2:13 tells us, “ if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” He will be great and gracious forever because of His Word to us.

God can use you as long as you believe it because…
He is a God who is Great, a God who is Gracious and a God who is Faithful !

QUESTION:
Do you want to be a part of the Joshua generation? And believe that God can and will use you this year in the 40 days of faith? Will you choose to believe in God and not yourself?