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The Gospels in Harmony Sermon #9-121016

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Matthew 3:1-2 #31025

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The Gospels in Harmony Sermon #8-12416

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The Gospels in Harmony Sermon #7-12216

The Gospels in Harmony Sermon #9-121016

Matthew 1:6

The Gospels in Harmony Sermon #9-121016

Matthew 1:6
And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;

We will continue our sermon series with the second half of verse 6.
6------ and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;
Matthew emphasizes the position of David as king by repeating it.
Jesse begat David the king and David the king begat Solomon.
Solomon was also a king, but Matthew does not mention that. Why?
Perhaps we should consider how each became king.
David was a man after Gods' own heart. He was faithful and faithfully obedient even to the point of offering his life for God to work in and through him.
Solomon inherited the position of king from his father, David.
David became royalty through faith, Solomon became royalty because of David's faith.
Once again we see the promises of God coming to fruition and then being passed on to and through the faithful and obedient children.
Oh, but did I say sinless? No!
Sin is in the flesh of all men and will always be present in the flesh of all men.
It is obedience in faith that keeps sin at bay.
This is why I always preach; faith and obedience cannot be separated.
Faith in God brings the desire to obey His Word. Obedience to His Word increases your faith. Increased faith brings more and greater works in obedience, which brings even greater faith and so on.
Obedience to the Word of God is what keeps you from going back to taste the forbidden fruit!
Would you rather be fed the goodness and fatness of the Lord or gorge yourself with the bad apples of the world!
Have you ever pictured in your mind the scene of Satan tempting Eve in the Garden of Eden?
Looking so sure of himself, speaking so convincingly and all but feeding the forbidden fruit to Eve with his own hands. Why it's only fruit and surely it can't be that bad?
Well it's only a little lie? It's only a little this or that, surely it can't be that bad.
It's only a little compromise in obedience that led to the entrance of all sin and death in men and women!
Think about that. Everything else Adam and Eve did and were doing was pleasing to God. But Satan convinced them to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil which God had forbidden them to eat of. Adam and Eve believed the lie and not the Word of God and fell from grace immediately. When their obedient faith in God as Lord and Master failed, they soon followed in action to disobey and what was once given to man to live forever in the peace and blessing of God and all His creation was immediately gone!
We must understand there are consequences to sin. All sin, great or small; once or often, past or present unless we humble ourselves before God and confess and repent, believing life is in faith and obedience to the Word of God.
"Oh but Pastor Freede, I thought we were learning about the genealogy of Jesus?"
Yes, we are. Don't forget Adam and Eve are in the line of Jesus also!
If we turn to Luke 3:23-38 we will read the genealogy of Jesus in reverse all the way to Adam and God.
So why am I bringing this into the mix now?
Well we are about to study verse 6----her that had been the wife of Urias;
Isn't it interesting that Matthew did not name her as he did Tamar, Rahab and Ruth.
Bathsheba was the wife of Urias or Uriah.
But why did Matthew not name her but made mention that she was another mans' wife before David and her begat Solomon.
Well perhaps if we look at the first three women and how they came to be placed in the line of Christ Jesus. Tamar was unjustly treated and had to fool her father-in-law to have sons by rights of the law.
Judah proclaimed she was more just than himself.
Rahab and Ruth both made their statement and confession of faith in God and acted upon that faith.
Both were taken in as though they had never been anything but from the line of Abraham.
But Bathsheba is a different story.
Most often we read of David's sin against God by taking another man’s wife and then arranging for that man to be killed in battle, that he may legally take his widow to be his wife.
However, what was Bathsheba's part in all of this.
If we read the story of David's sin with her, remember it was WITH her!
Bathsheba was the wife of Uriah the Hittite. A pagan by birth but by name a Jewish proselyte.
Uriah means "the Lord is my light."
His family history is not given other than being born from one of the pagan cities Israel was to overthrow in the promised land. Nun the less we can place Uriah in the position of not only being a believer in God but a Loyal servant to king David.
2 Samuel 11:2-5
2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
3 And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.
5 And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.

Bathsheba on the other hand appears to have questionable motives.
Have you ever wondered why she was bathing in plain view of the king’s house?
Now stop and think. just how far away do you think this activity was taking place?
How far can the average person see, with clarity, the beauty of a person bathing?
Furthermore, verse 4 says he --took her; and she came in unto him,
Oh well excuse me but that sounds like a very willing participant!
Am I pointing fingers at who is to blame?
No!
But I am explaining one was just as guilty of adultery as the other.
However, it was David who continued in sin to cover up his actions that no one would know or suspect any wrong doing on both of their parts. Had nothing happened between them, David would have even ignored the gossip. But because they had sinned together, he was trying to cover for Bathsheba and himself. First by immediately calling Uriah in from battle so he would lay with his wife, and no one would be wiser. But when Uriah proved to be a loyal and trustworthy servant to David by not taking pleasure with his wife but sleeping on the steps of David's house; David had to come up with drastic measures.
What do you think would have happened if David would have confessed his sin to Uriah and to God at this point? Oh there's not much point in thinking about that, because king David was far too filled with the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life to even consider confessing.
It doesn't matter how high God lifts you on this earth, the sin that entered man will be with you until you shed this earthly body.
1 John 2:16
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
It is so easy to take our eyes off Jesus and turn them to the wayside where all the temporary pleasures of this world abound.
David the king was no different than any child of God.
Oh, maybe he exhibited his faith in greater ways and more often than 99.9% of Christians today, but the truth is he was just as capable of falling away from the grace of God as any other Christian.
Notice I did not say he lost his salvation. Being out of the grace of God is where most Christians are.
The difference between David and most Christians today is, He actually lived the power of God through faith in his life. Very few Christians today have ever experienced that power. Why?
Because, they refuse to close their eyes to the world, turn from fleshly desires and cast off their pride for humility and obedient service to God.
God’s grace is His unmerited favor towards us. We do not deserve or earn anything from Him, but through faith and obedience God pours His grace out for us to walk and work and serve in.
Get a handle on this folks. When you step out in faith to be obedient, God is there to give you everything you need to become obedient in a way that is greater than you could have ever imagined.
When you take your eyes off of Jesus and turn to the world in any way, God's grace is no longer available for you to live in.
God does not pour his grace out on the flesh to be used for the flesh!
God is Spirit and it is your spirit that receives God's grace. Your flesh is to come into submission to that spirit. God's and yours combined!
This is where most Christians walk in the weakness of false teaching today. You must be strong spiritually in relationship with the Word of God, Jesus Christ, in order to be walking and working in faith with power. When your actions become the outward truth of the Word than you are living in the grace of God. When you weigh everything against the Word and choose the Word as your guide in every situation and every conversation you will soon discover the power of God through His Holy Spirit in you.
When you choose to take your mind off Jesus to put it on the world, in anyway, you are walking and working alone. Even the blessings through God's grace, that you have previously received will soon wither away. If you can actually remain in a compromising state of religious activity and worldly activity, without a sense of guilt, then you never really were ever saved by God's grace through a truthful confession of faith and repentance of sin.
Do all men sin? Yes!
Do all Christians sin? Yes!
But the difference is a Christian is saved by grace through faith and lives by the Spirit of God.
Even when we sin, we are guided back and shown the truth that we may confess and repent and return to the full standing of walking and working in and for the glory of God.
The unsaved live by the spirit of this world. They are the people who demand to be known as good people or even Christians, but prove by their actions and words there is no God in them.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
God commands we do the same thing He does to people who choose to live in this manner.
He does not ask us to act any different than He does in any way!
God turns away from the ungodly. Even when they are His children. But it is by His grace we are called back to Him and restored to good standing with Him. We may not receive all the blessings that were once in store for us, but rest assured those blessings will come to your children of faith and obedience.

A child of God cannot walk in the power of God and walk in sin at the same time.
A child of God will not be blessed by God for living in sin without even an attempt to recognize and remove that sin from their life. Removing sin is not trying to cover it up. That's like sweeping dirt under the rug. Guess what folks, the dirt is still in your house and sooner or later it's going to come back out.
Now let's go back to David and Bathsheba.
David was a man after God's own heart. He was the most faithful and obedient son of Abraham. He was given the position of king over God's people because he was already royalty in spirit.
But David was still a man. Still embodied in the sinful, dying flesh of all sons of Adam.
Pride and lust in both David and Bathsheba led to more than sinful thoughts.
James 1:12-15
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Oh, how true!
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

They both turned away from the grace of God by turning toward each other and giving in to sinful behavior. Once they had acted upon their lust then pride took over and attempted to sweep their sinful behavior under the rug so no one would suspect.
Well, you cannot hide from God. Adam and Eve tried that, and it didn't work for them either!
Death is sure to follow in the path of a sinner!
The death of the innocent as well as the guilty.
When you sit down to read the story of David, Bathsheba and Uriah in 2 Samuel 11 Take the time to notice that other servants were killed along side of Uriah in a place of battle they should have never been. David's order killed more than Uriah and all because he allowed his flesh to rule his spirit.
I believe we will stop at that most important point.
Most assuredly we will continue in our next sermon with the necessity of confession and repentance and the blessing of returning to the grace of God.
Let's Pray,
Our most gracious heavenly Father, We thank you Lord for this time we have to unveil the truth behind these names that you have chosen to have listed for our edification. How often we pass over these names with little more than a glance and a vague remembrance of who they were. How powerful the truth is that revolves around and in and through each one that was recorded for us. How awesome it is that we can come to know them as men just like us and servants that we can strive to follow in faith and obedience. Their sins are the sins of all men but their faith and obedience as they walked and worked in the power of your Spirit of Grace is far greater than what we see today. Fill us with the desire to work in faith with power for Your glory.
In the name of Jesus we pray! AMEN!

Pastor Steven Freede
Down Home Preaching Ministry

Original Sermon Delivered
12/10/16

Matthew 3:1-2

Matthew 3:1-2
1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

John the Baptist was the greatest evangelist that ever lived. Oh, there have been many to come after who have poured themselves out to the world, but John was the first. It would do well for all good pastors, preachers, ministers and evangelists to study his timeless words and fashion their ministries after his boldness and assurance of everything around him. His knowledge of who he represented in word and deed never faltered. Fear never persuaded him to speak a kinder gentler message to all who came near enough to hear.

Many of the Puritans from centuries ago stood behind their sacred desks and bellowed out the Gospel with the same fortitude and insight. They preached from their hearts because that is where the Holy Spirit abounds in the child and true servant of God.

As I have done so many times before, I find myself drawn to certain passages. Sometimes it may be only one verse. Sometimes several and sometimes it seems there are complete chapters that need to be examined for our greater good.

Reading through the Book of Matthew brought me to chapter 3 verses 1-2 where I just could not go on without rereading it several times. As I did God began to open these verses up to me so I must in all honesty preach through these verses in faith God will use this sermon to reach those in need of what is to be written.

Gods’ will is His gracious disposition toward us. It is His Holy Spirit given to us, at the moment of Salvation, that works in us to desire the truth, understand the truth and speak the truth for the good of others. And so, by the unction of the Holy Spirit in me I will draw to the surface the deeper truths in these verses.

Let’s begin,

1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

In those days—Oh and how are those days any different than now!

My dear brethren, all days are the same. The sun rises, the sun sets. People do the same things in general though modern technology has made many changes in how and when and what people do, but nothing has really changed. People are still people. All born in sin, all begin as a baby and live until they pass. Saved or unsaved, their bodies cease to exist, and their souls fly away to heaven or fall into the pit of hell fire and damnation.

Those days --were filled with work and worry, love and laughter, friends and foes, sickness and health, wealth and poverty, marriage and divorce, children, parents, grandparents etc, etc.

Yes in those days people were just people just like today.

In those days--there was much religion. Once again, I must announce there is no difference in our days. There are great organizations with set standards and rules of acceptance and broad interpretations and false interpretations of the Word of God. There are leaders of many religions and denominations who attempt to impress and impose themselves on the world around them. They claim to be Gods chosen servants while the have their minds, their hearts and their hands reaching for their own glory and prosperity. Yes, these days have not changed from the days of John the Baptist.

In those days—God chose to call and lift and guide and send those who were His elect. He empowered them to serve as His teachers and preachers and evangelists. They were all blessed to know the presence of God in the flesh as well as in spirit.

Oh, do you think anything has changed in this very day?

I can assure you there are servants of God in this day who are just as called, lifted, guided and sent. They are every bit as empowered to serve as teachers and preachers and evangelists because they too know the presence of God by His Spirit.

John the Baptist was the first to preach the coming of Christ by the Spirit of God. If you simply read your Bibles it is clear he preached from God given knowledge because he had not seen nor did not know who Christ was in the flesh when he began his ministry of repentance and baptism. But he knew by faith he was preaching the truth. He was preaching confession and repentance and the commitment of discipleship through the outward public demonstration of Baptism. We as servants of God preach and teach with the same faith because we have seen and known and live in the presence of God by the Spirit of God in the living Word of God, Jesus Christ. We personally know Jesus! And it is the Spirit of God in His Word that goes out and calls to all who will hear.

Romans 10:14
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Here I must bring to light the truth about many so-called preachers today. Not long ago I wrote a Short and Pointed sermon about this very subject and my disappointment in the attitudes and lack of desire in many ministers today.

Most of what I see circles around money. Many pastors preach for a living instead of living to preach. Is this anything like John the Baptist? Was Johns attitude and desire for money? Was it for notoriety? Was it for attracting members for a religious sect?

Is that why he was called John the Baptist?

Sadly, the answer to most of these questions when set against today’s ministers is yes. Many preach for money. They either just do enough to keep the doors open and get paid for doing little of nothing just so a few locals can have a place close to go on Sunday or they advertise and compromise and aggrandize their religious organizations for the sake of membership and monetary growth. Is this what John did? No.

Oh, and let’s get something straight. John was not A Baptist. He was THE Baptist. John was a Baptizer. He was not a member of or the founder of the Baptist Organization. Never did John preach the coming of the Lord and then pass the collection plate for his maintenance or for an organization he was affiliated with. John was the most humble and aggressive preacher that ever lived. Today’s ministers should study his attitude and desire to speak the truth of the coming of Christ without compromise, without adding or subtracting to it or from it. People need to be challenged with the truth about themselves. With or without Christ Jesus, the truth about their relationships with Jesus is for them.

In those days came---This is a significant event for a life changing event that was soon to happen. The world would never be the same after the physical presence of God the Son would walk among men. God’s Word was always with men but when His Word became flesh, and the eyes and ears of men beheld Him their lives changed. They became whole and filled with compassion for the lives of others. They began to be evangelists themselves. They began spreading the Good News of the promised Messiah. They confessed their sin and repented of their unholiness and gave their lives to and for Jesus Christ.

How many decades have passed and how many more have been anointed to teach and preach the coming of the Lord Jesus. How many more have poured themselves out beseeching the poor to come and listen and believe. There is a life-changing event soon to happen and it will be the last time it will happen. In these days there are servants of God who do all they can to reach the eyes and ears of those who would be added to the Book of Life.

In these days there are also those who do not look to John the Baptist as their teacher. John did not stand inside of four walls and preach a salvation message to a few devoted pew squatters once a week for a minimal amount of time. No John the Baptist went out where his voice could be heard.

Why do so many pastors refuse or take so little interest in getting their sermons outside of the four walls they preach in? If it’s a good enough sermon to preach inside it ought to be good enough beyond that. John the Baptist didn’t have the advanced audio and visual technology we have today. He did not have the postal service or even publishing companies to go to. He only had His voice filled with the truth from God for all to hear. He made himself visible and audible and God did the rest. Why do so many preachers fail to take that last step in obedience to their calling and preach from the rooftops. Send out weekly sermons for anyone and everyone to read. With all the social media outlets we have today there really should be no one in any community without knowledge of the Word of God being preached to and for them.

In those days came---

John the Baptist came by command of God to not only preach repentance but announce the coming of the Lord.

What is the difference today? Everyone who is called to speak the truth of the Word of God is called to cry out to all who would here, “Repent of your sin for the great day of the Lord is near!”

Once again, many pastors hold this message near and dear in their sermons, but they lack the openness, the fortitude, the boldness of John to fulfill their calling. The world has convinced them they are doing enough. It is enough to stand in one spot and speak. It is the people’s responsibility to come and listen. It is their responsibility to come inside, to be in a designated Holy place to be oriented with the truth of God’s Mercy and Grace and Salvation through the Gift of His Son Jesus.

That is not what the Word of God is teaching us. Yes, the truth of Gods love for all mankind is to be tirelessly taught but not in a selfish, lazy, arrogant manor. John went out into the wilderness to preach. He didn’t start another church!

1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

The wilderness is outside the church walls! Yes, preach from within but preach for all to hear! Take off your suit and tie and roll up your sleeves because there is work to be done. Get those sermons out in the streets where they will do some good for all who would be saved. Start a website, hit the air waves. A pastors’ sermons should be put into print and handed out. John not only preached but he encouraged others to follow his teachings. They went out and came back with others who were ready to hear.

A pastor’s voice is to be heard through his listeners actions!

I’m going to say that again,

A pastor’s voice is to be heard through his listeners actions!

Do you think it all up to the pastor to do the writing, the preaching, the printing, the going, and the handing out?

A Pastor’s work is discipling disciples! He is lifting followers to serve our Lord and Savior. Paul spoke of disciples he had inspired and made it clear their work was as important as his.

1 Corinthians 3:6
6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

Do you see? The burden is for everyone who is saved. Everyone who has been openly baptized and committed their lives to Jesus Christ. Yes there are always things within the church that needs attending too but the real ministry for most church attendees is helping to get their pastors sermons out into the wilderness.

Matthew 9:37
37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

John was preaching in the wilderness because there is where religion had not taken control of the people. Or the people could come without fear of being rebuked by the religious leaders. How many people today have seen the hypocrisy in the churches and are seeking good sound Bible teaching outside. They are flocking to websites, audio books and sermons, group studies, etc, for the truth without anything attached. The wilderness is all around us but preachers need to stop trying to invite it in. They need to go out and be the voice of the Lord calling in the darkness for the lost to come home. That home is not a specific location of some religious organization with stagnant practices and redundant procedures.

Home is in the arms of our Lord and Savior through confession, repentance and commitment.

John was out in the wilderness where there were people who wanted to believe in holiness and righteousness but would not bow to the mondain hypocrisy of the religious leaders.

In those days--- the teachers of the law of God followed strict rules and regulations for how things were to be done to please God.

Today pastors have the freedom to bring the truth of the Word to the people anywhere and anytime. Yet most refuse to do anything more than what is generally accepted as the correct time for services and the accepted procedures for running a church. It’s a job. Not a service. They claim to be ministers but have forgotten who they minister to. A minister is someone who serves the needs of others. Ministers serve for God!

2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

John was ministering to God. He was chosen by God to announce the coming of His Son. He preached repentance, but he ministered to God. Yes, John was the greatest evangelist of all time. He took the truth out to the people and in doing so God gave the increase. Not to him but to Christ through him.

That is why I continue to write. That is why my sermons go out into the wilderness. --- for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

It’s time to step out of tradition, get out of the four walls of comfort and rise from the laziness of religious practice and regularity. Be like John the Baptist and announce the coming of the Lord. Go out beyond your comfort zone and God will bring the increase. Not for you, not for your religious organization, but for His Son, Jesus Christ. Amen!

Pastor Steven Freede

Down Home Preaching Ministry

3/10/25

The Gospels in Harmony Sermon #8-12416

The Gospels in Harmony Sermon #8-12416

Matthew 1:5-6
5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Uriah;

Matthew continues in verse 5 with the son of Obed.
5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
Now it seems that Matthew skipped over a few generations to light on the most important and prominent members in the genealogy of Jesus. Between Rahab and David there was about 400 years, but it was not uncommon for writers to abbreviate family lines in order to cover a greater space of time.
Jesse was the son of Obed but remember the phrase "son of" is correct when speaking of any number of generations past or present. They simply kept direct bloodlines in short terms. Therefore, to say David was the son of Abraham or Abraham begot David by his seed, is correct terminology.
So we have the statement of direct line even if we only mention a few names. None the less we will concentrate on the names given as they were given for our remembrance.
5----and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
6 And Jesse begat David the king; -----
David the king!
How is it that all of a sudden there is royalty in the sons of Abraham!
Is it not what God promised?
Genesis 17:6
6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
God never breaks a promise, because He makes His promises on His own head. Why? Because there is nothing higher to swear upon! God's promises stand for the one given and for all generations after. They are never ending promises, and they are never ending commitments made by God to all who put their faith in Him. Remember Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness! It was through faith that God's promises were made and instituted.
By faith all grace from God is given.
I didn't say, all of God's blessings to you personally. God's Promises came to Abraham through his seed. You see God's promises are for the faithful and for their children.
I want you to get a handle on this folks! Your faith in God is a blessing toward your children!
Your faith in God, without doubt, opens the door of promises to you and your offspring.
Your faith and obedience brings God's promises to fruition with power.
2 Thessalonians 1:11
11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

God counts you worthy of His calling when you give yourself to Him and accept His precious gifts of mercy and grace, forgiveness and justification through faith in the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.
He fulfills all the good pleasures of His goodness in and through His faithful children.
God's will is His gracious disposition toward us. His desire is for us to live in all His blessing and promise through our faith and obedience to Him, through Jesus Christ. When I say that He wants us to live in all His blessing, I am referring to you personally and you in and through the lives of your offspring.
Just as God lives in and through His Son, Jesus Christ, He also lives in and through each one of us.
Now apply that to yourself and your children. What you teach and give and prepare for them is yours from God. Your Father gives you everything good through your faith and obedience to Him. Even blessings that are promised will be given to you through your children. The continued blessing of God's promises is because of the believer’s faith and obedience.
How do you insure the blessing of God for your children? By showing your faith and teaching them what your obedience has brought for you and for them.
Do your children have faith in God through you?
Do they have faith in you because they know your faith in your Father in Heaven?
Do they know your faith because of your father's faith in God?
Have they been told of all of God's blessing in your family through the generations up to them?
Even if you are the first generation to walk with and in and through the power of God's promises to His children, they should know and see.
You will see all of God's Promises fulfilled in your children and their children and their children and so on. Why? Have you not been given eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ?
Oh, my beloved brethren! Please understand, your life is eternal in Christ! You will see the promises of God fulfilled in your children of faith and obedience! You will live in and through them because of everything you have taught and shown them that is from the Word of God!
God is eternal. God's promises are eternal, because they are continuously fulfilled in and through His children. That's you and your offspring, if you and they are faithful and obedient to the Word of God.
Now, let's look at your heart condition.
Do you put your faith in Jesus Christ because you love Him for what He has done in and for you?
Or do you have a religious faith?
In other words; do you believe in Jesus Christ because you want to, or because you are supposed to?
Were you taught by your parents and their parents that you need to act a certain way and do certain things and say certain things at certain times in order to be recognized as a religious person and receive the blessings of God?
Or, were you given the truth of blessing by having a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ?
It's not a have to religion; it is a get to relationship.
Do your children know the glorious life of a Christian by first-hand knowledge through your relationship with God through Jesus? Are they passing the blessings you have received, on to their children?
If you have tasted the love of Jesus in your life, why would you not want your children to enjoy the same sweetness of His love and the fatness of His promises. I do not know a single blood bought, born again, Spirit filled, child of God who does not want the grace of God to be poured out on everyone, especially their own children. The abundance of God in a true believer is far greater than one can hold in.
It's not possible to keep Him to yourself, and the most delightful way to let God overflow from you, is toward your children.
Now someone will say, "Yah, but there's not going to be any royalty in my family unless someone marries into it!"
Well I guess we need to read the Bible a little closer!
1 Peter 2:9
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
Read that again! It says Royal Priesthood! You are not only a child of God but a priest to the King!
You are royalty in the family of God!
Why do we look at the Promises of God and not apply them as He sees and means them in and for us?
We want the world to recognize us as royalty in the flesh, but God wants the world to see our royalty in the Spirit. God wants us to walk with Him in His kingdom, above this world of dead and dying flesh. You are a child of the King and so are your children if they know Him in and through your faith and obedience to Him.

6 And Jesse begat David the king.
Jesse had eight sons, David being the youngest. David was a very strong believer in God.
So where do you think he got that from? The sheep and the goats he tended all day?
No, David learned from his father who taught and exhibited his faith. David also knew God by believing the oral and probably the written history of his ancestors. David was a man after God's own heart.
1 Samuel 13:14
14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.
What does that mean? God chose David because David sought the King in all things. David served the King in all ways and honored the King with his speech and his actions. David served the Lord God on High and God made him a king among his people. God chose David because David walked above the flesh of this world even as a youth. He walked as royalty even before he was appointed the worldly position.
The story of David and Goliath should prove that point to everyone.
1 Samuel 17:20-58
If you take the time to read these verses you will understand what I mean when I say, David walked above the flesh of this world even as a youth.
He killed a lion and a bear while guarding his father's sheep with what he carried for weapons. A rod, a staff, a slingshot and Faith in God. There was no hesitation in his actions because he trusted God was with him as he moved to do what was right. Now, he certainly knew God's hand was with him to save a lamb, so it would certainly be with him to save God's people.
Get a handle on this folks!
David didn't just wake up one morning and decide to trust in God. Jesse didn't hide his faith so his sons would have to come to know God on their own. David was not only taught but shown what faith in God is. He then made the decision to apply it to his own life and became aware of the power of God through faith. He heard it and saw it then applied it and became it.
Faith is something you must become. You must be faithful within a relationship with God!
Faith is not something you pull out and apply whenever you feel it is necessary.
Faithful---full of faith---is what you must be!
David was full of faith in God as his strength, his sword, his shield and his high ground against the enemy.
Have you ever thought of that? David walked above Goliath in the righteousness of God!
David had the high ground, the definite advantage over Goliath! David didn't look up to Goliath!
He looked down on him! Too often we get a picture in our heads of this little boy coming up against this giant of a man and think to ourselves that the odds were against David because of the size difference.
Well folks, there was a size difference that we should be seeing. Goliath was no match for the faith filled giant that came to take him out!
Don't you know David did his Daddy proud on that day!
I can hear it know! Jesse popping off "That's my boy!"
David learned from his father, who learned from his father, who learned from his father and so on.
Children don't learn by waking up one day and deciding they will believe the Word of God. They are introduced and instructed and shown and even experience what faith in God is from their parents.
Sending your child to church with the neighbor is not teaching or demonstrating the promised blessing God has for the faithfully obedient. I don't care how you want to color it or how many excuses you have, the fact is; You---as a parent, are responsible for teaching your child or children, what a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, really is! You will be held accountable!
You cannot make your children accept Jesus as their Savior but you can give them all the truth in word and example.

David grasped the truth at an early age and ran with it! He ran to take out Goliath in the power of faith in God. Once again;
2 Thessalonians 1:11
11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
What is the last part of that verse? --------and the work of faith with power:
Remember that---Work--Faith--Power!
David was already royalty in the family of God by faith and because of the tremendous exhibit of that faith, God made him to be royalty in the this world also.
Is there Royalty in your household?
Have you and are you passing it on to your children and their children?
Is God their inheritance through Jesus in you?
6 And Jesse begat David the king;
And Jesse begat David who became king---first by faith and then by obedience in faith, followed by the blessing of Gods promise to Abraham.
We will stop there for this morning but I would like everyone to take the time in earnest prayer to ask God to show you where and how you could be teaching and exhibiting your obedient faith to your children and their children. How you could be teaching them more about the grace and blessings that God has poured out on you and others through you. Teach them that love for Jesus Christ is the beginning and the never-ending truth of the power of faith. Teach them how God has moved in mighty ways in your life and others. Show them that God is with all who sanctify themselves to Him in spiritual and physical faith.
Work in Faith with Power!
Amen!

Pastor Steven Freede
Down Home Preaching Ministry

Original Sermon Preached
12/4/16

The Gospels in Harmony Sermon #7-12216

Boaz and Ruth

The Gospels in Harmony Sermon #7-12216

Matthew 1:5
And Salmon begat Boaz of Rachab; and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;

We ended our last study in Matthew with Salmon and Rachab (Rahab).
Rahab being a Canaanite who had cast off her pagan upbringing and faith to accept the one true God of Israel. Rahab confessed God with her mouth and with her actions repented of her pagan lifestyle.
In the name of Rahab we see God's sovereignty in choosing whom he wants for His purposes.
Too often we assume that royalty begets royalty.
In a way we are correct. You see royalty as the world views it is by blood line. A physical inheritance and position. But royalty in the sight of God is for all who will cast of the flesh and come to Him in Spirit.
Rahab is a beautiful example of being taken into the Royal family of God by faith and obedience. Rahab was not only washed of sin by faith but was (unbeknownst to her), blessed with being in direct line to the King.
Royalty in the family of God is for all who will come before Him in confession and repentance. We are immediately taken into a royal priesthood as faithful and obedient disciples of the Word of God, Jesus Christ Himself.
1 Peter 2:9-10
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

You see, we are all God's creation, but without asking for forgiveness of sin and believing with all our hearts that Jesus Christ was crucified, died on a cross, took the penalty for our sin and then was raised up again because there was no sin in Him, we cannot and will not be saved. If we put our faith in Him, that He paid the penalty for our sin and turn our lives from all unholy and ungodly practices, we will be saved.
I want to stress this point.
Faith without works is dead!
Believing without changing and doing, is faith in your head, not your heart.
God does not live in the believers head, He lives in the believers heart. That is the soul of a man.
What a man believes in his heart is what a man will rise and stand for.
Rahab believed God was with Israel and that through their faith in Him they would be able to conquer anything. Rahab was right. And she still is today.
Salmon was the one who took Rahab as holy and clean because of her faith and obedience. She was accepted into the nation of Israel, but Salmon took her into the tribe of Judah believing God had cleansed her of all unholiness. Salmon was right. And it is still God who cleanses us by the blood of Christ through faith and obedience to this very day.
One might say "Well how can that be? Christ hadn't even been born yet and certainly not crucified for sin yet?"
Oh, that is true but to God who was, is and always will be, there is no time. When Christ (who is God) was crucified, He died for all sin, past, present and future. He died once and for all.
All who were, are and will be faithful and obedient to the Word of God. Jesus Christ!
You see before Christ in the Flesh, was Christ the Word. The very Word of God!
John 1:1-2
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
And all who believed and obeyed the Word of God, to them it was counted righteousness.
Do you understand, being called a Christian is nothing. It's nothing if there is no proof of salvation through works of faith and obedience!
Do you call yourself a Christian? Do you believe with all your heart that Jesus died for your sins and rose again to be our High Priest interceding for us at the right hand of God?
Do you believe that you are not only called to faith but are called to obey?
Do you just have a form of godliness or do you live and work and grow in the power of the saving grace God has poured out for you through Jesus Christ? Are you continuously being filled with the Holy Spirit to rise above this world in discipleship and service to God? Are you actively giving your life for Christ as He gave His life for yours?
Look at Rahab. Look at what she was and what she did. And then look at what she became.
Rahab believed in her heart and rose to offer her life to God through the action of protecting God's faithful servants and children. Rahab and her family were shown and given the mercy and grace of God far and beyond their expectations. They were saved from certain destruction and taken into the chosen nation of Israel. Rahab herself was given a God-fearing man from the tribe of Judah and was given the honor of bearing a son that would carry on the knowledge of righteousness through faith and obedience, forgiveness and acceptance.
Yes this is a salvation message. The whole Bible is a salvation message. We need to look for that loud and clear message in every word and example it has for us. This is why Matthew includes the names of these women with the list of fathers and sons. Matthew is preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Good news of salvation through faith in the Son of God. Matthew is testifying to the righteousness of God and Jesus by the works He has done in and through these people even before the birth of Jesus.
There is much more to study in our text so let's proceed.
5 And Salmon begat Boaz of Rachab; and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth; ------
The Old Testament book of Ruth is a beautiful record of historical facts.
Many like to think the book of Ruth is a love story. Well, when you consider all of the blessings that came upon these God-fearing people and God is Love, I suppose that is not an incorrect statement.
However, when we look into the background of Boaz and Ruth we can see it is more than a love story.
Ruth was a Moabite. A descendant of an incestuous relation between Lot and his oldest daughter.
Although the Moabites were distant relatives to the Israelites, they were Pagans by their beliefs and practices. Their Idolatrous worshipping of Chemosh and child sacrifices made them an abomination to God. Yet we see Ruth in the lineage of Jesus Christ. Why?
I would like everyone to take the time to read the Book of Ruth.
One of the first things you will notice is that she loved Naomi.
Obviously, Ruth saw in Naomi what she wanted to see in herself.
She was married to Naomi's son for ten years before he died. If he or his family had treated her poorly, she would have surely left to go back to her people when she was bid to go. Both daughters-in-law were bid to go but Ruth would not let go of what she believed to be the best and most desirable life she had ever known. Ruth had become fully indoctrinated with the commandments and statutes of God by living in this family for so long and when the decision had to be made on whether to go back to the old or remain with the new, she chose God.
You see choosing God is not just a religion. Choosing God is a way of life. Ruth cast off all her ties to her Pagan Moabite roots and took on the faith and life of an Israelite.
She had no idea how she would survive but in faith she set her face toward God and set her life toward service to God through love for her mother-in-law.
The second point we must see in Ruth 1:16-17 is her statement of faith and commitment to God and to Naomi.
16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
Devotion to doing what is right in the eyes of God, is devotion to God! It is His righteousness shining through in you!
In the land of Judah, near Bethlehem was a man of great wealth. There is more to this translation than we generally assume. A man of great wealth is a man of great valor and ability. Too often we put money as the sole definition for wealth. Boaz was a devout follower of God. He was raised in a time of God's mighty hand upon Israel as they conquered the kingdoms of the land of Canaan and as they fought to maintain it. God proved Himself in and through His people all of the life of Boaz and through his faith and obedient life he reaped the blessing of God's abundance even when there was a famine in the land.
Remember, Boaz was present in Bethlehem at the same time as Elimelech took Naomi to Moab.
Boaz remained in faith through the famine. Elimelech claimed faith but followed his stomach to lead his family into a slow and certain removal from the hand of God.
Listen folks, claiming faith in God but not living in faith is not God honoring or glorifying in any way.
You are loving God in your head but loving yourself in your heart.
Now, someone would say "well if it comes down to feeding my family and seeing that they have what they need I would have done the same. I would have moved them to where we could make a living."
Oh, will you listen to that! Will you listen to the Devil as he whispers in your ear? "You need to move. God will take care of you even if you subject your family to sin and abominable behavior just to have what you think you need! Go ahead, you don't have to renounce God, just don't live like one of His children so you can get along with the Pagans!"
Oh can't you see why Boaz prospered even during a famine and Elimelech lost everything including his life. Boaz remained in faith and obedience. Elimelech claimed faith but was obedient to his head instead of his heart.
Why was Naomi spared from death in Moab?
One can assume it was because of her obedience to her husband, her faith even though she did not agree with being where she was and the things going on around her. Her love for her family including her daughters-in-law. And her belief that God was in control of all things.
Naomi believed she was being punished for moving to Moab and would not stay because she herself desired to return to God and his people.
Why was Naomi spared? God knew her heart.
He also knew the heart of Ruth. Have you ever stopped to think if it were not for Naomi's desire to return to God in the land of Judah that it would have been very difficult for Ruth to be accepted into the nation of Israel. Do you see God's hand in all of this.
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Now Boaz became a type of Christ to these two women, being a righteous man, a very giving and forgiving man. He wasted no time in redeeming the property of his close relative including the widow of one of Elimelech's sons that there would be an inheritance and an inheritor in the future for this family.
Once again, there will be some who insist that Boaz broke the law by taking a Moabite woman as his wife. No, the facts are Elimelech's son married a pagan from Moab. Boaz married a Jewish proselyte.
The law held no bars against anyone who fears and honors God no matter where they were from or who they were born to. Faith and obedience to God and His Word brought any and all into the household of God.
And guess what folks? It still does!
Why would Boaz so readily accept this woman from Moab?
He himself made statement as to hearing about Ruth's loyalty to Naomi. He also knew she had cast off her pagan beliefs or she would not have returned with Naomi to the land of Judah.
Boaz also was the Son of a man who had taken a woman from a pagan nation.
Remember Boaz was half Canaanite by his mother Rahab. That did not lower him in the sight of anyone but actually made him an even stronger servant of God having firsthand knowledge of the total acceptance of His mother by God and his father, as well as the nation of Israel.
Boaz knew what total acceptance by God was, because of his mother. Boaz understood the sincerity of casting off a false faith and religion to completely accept the truth of God. He was raised by a mother who could testify to the error of false religion and a father who could testify to the righteousness of following God. Being a faithful child and a faithful nation to God.
Have you ever really thought about what it means to be ---One Nation Under God!
Look at the nation of Israel
God separated his people to be clean and free of all false gods and pagan religious practices. He gave them a land where they could live and prosper and grow in faith and obedience to Him.
Others could come into this nation only if they denounced their false beliefs and practices and became a faithful and obedient child of God.
God never intended Israel to become a melting pot of religions and religious practices. He did not command his people to coexist with the sin of false religion. He commanded them to rid the land of all who were not His people and then keep that land free from such ever returning. The promised land was for the tribes of Israel to keep and prosper in as one nation under God.
As soon as they allowed false religions and pagan rituals to enter and coexist, they became divided amongst themselves. they began accepting pagan practices into their lifestyles and even their religious practices. They became selfish and arrogant and fought against each other or would not fight for each other. They became each man for himself, worshipping in whatever manner and degree they saw fit.
They went from one nation under God, to individual groups with their own names and religious beliefs and practices.
You know, America was once One Nation Under God.-------- America was once a God fearing, growing and prosperous nation. But when the Church, the real Nation became divided amongst itself------well just look around.
It's not hard to see the outcome. It's not difficult to understand why God commands His people to remain united as one in faith and obedience to Him. He doesn't call us to start another church, He calls us to be one church, one body. No matter where we come from or how we were raised. We are to be the children of God. God fearing and God honoring without religious differences, practices or names.
Do you think God's Heavenly Kingdom is divided up in sections? One for the Baptists, one for the Methodists, one for the Pentecostals, etc; etc? Really?
No! God's kingdom is and always will be for them who cast off their man-made religions and man-made ritualistic practices and come to Him in faith and obedience. To Him and Him alone. Heaven is and always will be filled with Christians and only Christians. There is no other name before God or His children.

We have just been given the examples of two women who turned their lives away from false religion and put their faith and lives in God's hands. They cast off all that was not of God and put on the life of a child of God. They had been accepted into the nation of Israel, the family and children of God through faith and obedience to God and God alone. They didn't come to Israel because they no longer liked where they lived and immediately started looking for a group of religious practitioners that fit their wants and needs.
No! They came fearing God! They came knowing the God of Israel was and is and always will be the most High God! They came knowing death and destruction lay waiting for them without faith and obedience to God. And they came to join One Nation Under God. Undivided on how to worship or when or where to worship God. They were one people. They were God's people and even them who came and worshipped without bringing their pagan practices and beliefs with them were accepted and abundantly blessed. They were justified by God and his people. Justified----Just as if they had never sinned against God and His commandments. Just as if God Himself had raised them from the dust of the earth and made them from the very beginning, just for Himself.
Do you know why? Because He did!
We are all God's creation from the beginning to the end. But we are not all God's Children. We are not one nation under God with all our religious divisions and factions and organizations and practices.
Rahab and Ruth have much to teach us and there is much to remember just by the mentioning of their names.
Are you religious? Or are you a converted pagan?
Are you a member of some religious group and organization, attempting to convince the world of your faith? Or are you a God-fearing Christian with no other names and memberships attached.
Are you a sinner saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ? The Son of God who redeemed our lives, our inheritance with and from God. You see Jesus is our Boaz, when we come to Him in total submission. When we humble ourselves at His feet and ask Him to take us in, believing He can and will.
No strings attached, just faith and obedience to His commands. We are immediately comforted with the knowledge that all is being taken care of. Be at peace and wait for God to move in your life. Just as Rahab and Ruth, you do not know the awesome things God has in store for you and yours, when you cast off all that is not of God and give your life to Him through faith in His Word, Jesus Christ!

I've gone a bit long this morning, but I pray you will all grasp the importance of the mentioning of these two women in the genealogy of Jesus, by Saint Matthew in His opening chapter. The whole Bible is the Good news of God's salvation for us, by grace through faith in His Word. Jesus Christ! AMEN!

Pastor Steven Freede
Down Home Preaching Ministry
Original Sermon Date 12/2/16

The Harmony of the Gospels Sermon #6

This popular Sermon Series was first posted in 2016 and to date contains over 350 sermons.
We will post them in order as well as posting new sermons as this series continues. Enjoy!
Original Sermon first posted 11/25/16

The Harmony of the Gospels Sermon #6-112516
Matthew 1:3-5

We come now to a few names that may have had more historical meaning other than proving the direct line from Abraham to Jesus.
3 And Judah begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;
4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;
5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; ------- And we will stop there for a bit.

Salmon had a wife named Rachab (Rahab) and she gave him a son whom they named Booz (Boaz).
Rahab? Oh yes, the same Rahab that took in the spies from Israel.
Matthew continues to break tradition by naming woman in the genealogy of Jesus but because he is free in Christ and no longer bound to tradition, he makes it clear just how important it is, these women are included in his list which he presents as proof to the mercy, grace, forgiveness and sovereignty of God!
Examining these women and their historical placement and even the roles in the movement and demonstration of the power of God, brings to light the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith.
Rahab was the first and one of the most powerful testimonies to the truth of God's Word, even toward them who were not of the tribe of Israel.
How is that you may ask?
Well, let's examine this and apply it, even to the world today.
Rahab was not only a harlot but she was from the land of Canaan. A pagan. Raised and taught to accept and embrace any and all false gods and religions, as well as religious and immoral activities of the culture of this land. There were no boundaries to religious beliefs or sinful activities in the land of Canaan.
That is why, the children of Israel were told not to marry into them. They were not to take pagan wives.
Now you say, "Oh but pastor Salmon was a son of Abraham and Rahab was a pagan.
Well, let's define something here.
What is a pagan.
Any of various religions other than Christianity or Judaism.
Any belief that accepts and embraces a Deity or Deities other than Our Lord God and Father in Heaven.
Even a religion that claims the one true God but does not adhere to his Word, statutes and commandments. Does this sound like many or even most of the religious organizations we see and know today? Compromise was not, is not, nor ever will be a part of the Christian life or religion.
Accepting or embracing any other religion or even unholy activity is not lifting the ungodly. It is leaving your holy standing with God.
Not to say God will not take you back upon your confession and repentance, but when you become engaged to and even become part of such unholy activity you are no longer a representative of the one true God. You are no longer a Christian but a servant of Satan! A Hypocrite! A believer in your mind and not your heart. Filled with faith and works that glorify you and not God.
2 Timothy 3:5
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Ok so what are we learning here.
It is what we believe or believe in that makes us what we are.
Unbelief is the same as being half hearted or compromising in the sight of God.
Unbelief is not fearing the penalty of disobedience. Unbelief is accepting unholy behavior as acceptable. Unbelief is not turning completely away from such behavior and seeking to become righteous through God.
Now let's examine the life and events of Rahab and apply these truths and then grasp the truth of the outcome.
Joshua 2:1
1 And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.
Joshua 2:4-6
4 And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were :
5 And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them.
6 But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.
Joshua 2:8-13
8 And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;
9 And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.
10 For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.
11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
12 Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token:
13 And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.
Joshua 2:15-21
15 Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall. 16 And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way.
17 And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.
18 Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee.
19 And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him.
20 And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.
21 And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.
Joshua 6:22-25
22 But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot's house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her.
23 And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel.
24 And they burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD.
25 And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.
This may seem to be a lot of scripture to study, but we will do a brief overview to gather in the truth and the value of it in the greater sense. I can assure you we will return to this text in the future for a more in depth study.
Rahab was a citizen of Jericho. The first city God had chosen to conquer through His chosen nation, in the promised land.
The first thing we see is that Rahab recognized the men of Israel as representatives of God.
The second thing we see is that she knew what would happen to them if they were found.
Rahab knew and feared the power of God and feared His representatives.
Now one might say , "well it doesn't appear that she feared the spies because she took them in her home, not as a harlot but as a friend or as people she could trust."

The rest of Jericho was searching for the spies from Israel to kill them. She had turned from their wicked way and sought to save them and in doing so save herself and her family from certain destruction.
All of Jericho had heard of the nation of Israel's departure from Egypt and their conquest of great kings and peoples. Rahab believed it was the God of Israel that moved in and through them and by Him they were more than conquerors. Rahab believed in God by the actions of His children. She did not need to know all the promises and blessing given to them by God. She was quite convinced by hearing of the results of their faith and obedience to their God.
Rahab laid her life on the line for God's servants. She was giving her life for theirs.
Think about what would have happened to her if she would have been caught in protecting them.
But God, knows the hearts of them who are perfect toward Him.
An agreement was made between the servants of God and Rahab for her safety and the safety of her family if she followed their instructions without deviation or compromise.
1 She was told to bind the scarlet cord that it may be seen outside of the walls of Jericho.
2 Take all of her family into the safety of her dwelling place.
3 Do not let them wander outside of that safe haven.
4 Tell no one of these promises made to you.
Joshua 2:21 And she said, According unto your words, so be it.--
Rahab became dedicated and devoted to not only believing in God but to obeying God.
And the outcome was not only her being safely extracted from Jericho before it's annihilation but her complete acceptance into the nation of Israel and the honor of being in the direct line of relation to Jesus.
Now let's apply this to what Matthew is bringing to light to his readers including us in this day and age.
Rahab was born into sin but through her uncompromising faith she became a person of action.
She became obedient to her faith against the threat of being killed by her countrymen.
She cast off fear of death for a promise of life through faith in God and was rewarded far and beyond her imagination.
She confessed with her mouth the Lord.
Joshua 2:11------- for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
She repented of her sin. In other words, she no longer lived a life that coincided with the lives of the people of Jericho. She cast off all they stood for to grasp hold of the life of the people living under the hand of the eternal God in Heaven.
Do we see what Matthew is telling us by simply mentioning Rahab's name on his list, God's mercy and grace go far beyond the nation of Israel. God's forgiveness and blessing are for all who will confess and repent of their sin and not only believe but do what is right in the eyes of the Lord.
Confession is little without the great motion of repentance that must go with it!
Confession is through the mouth from the heart but repentance is the rest of your life. It is a lifestyle.
Living in repentance is living by the Spirit of God and not by the flesh of the world.
Rahab chose to confess her belief in God and cast off the life of a pagan to join into a life of eternal promise and blessing.
You see the only similarity between being a pagan and being a child of God is what you do because of what you believe.
The differences are as far apart as light and darkness and hot and cold.
Anything in between is a mixture of both and is still unpleasing to God.
Revelation 3:15-16
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Our text reads
5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; -----
We have spent most of this sermon on the proof of God's mercy and grace as well as forgiveness and blessing to all who put and show their faith in Him, but there is someone that is often overlooked.
Salmon was a son of Abraham. He was from the tribe of Judah and as was all the men of Israel, He was not to marry out of his tribe and never out of the nation of Israel.

Now some would say that he did.
Oh, but he didn't!
You see, Rahab was taken into the nation of Israel by faith and became a member of God's children with all the rights of marriage and inheritance.
You see when you give yourself to God, he takes all of you and makes you new.
The old is dead and you become a new person. Inside and out.
You belong to God. You are one of His children.
Salmon took Rahab and did nothing wrong in doing so.
Did he marry her and then try to change her? NO!
She was a member of the house of God before he took her into his household.
This is a lesson for everyone now and until Jesus comes.
If you are a God-fearing Christian, do not marry someone who is not the same.
Remember Christianity is a lifestyle, and it cannot be mixed with a lifestyle that is not the same!
But, when someone gives their life to Christ. Confesses with their mouth, believes in their heart and repents of all unholiness they are free from sin and can marry and be blessed in marriage to any other Christian of the opposite gender.
Salmon took Rahab and begat Booz.
Salmon knew how great God was in saving this woman because of her faith and actions which proved her faith. Salmon knew he was not marrying out of His tribe of Judah. He knew Rahab was marrying into his tribe because she was now a Hebrew, child of God, like Him.

I would like all of us to take a moment to reflect on this lesson.
How do we all relate to Rahab?
We are all pagans from birth. All born into sin. Even being raised in a Christian family does not save us.
We are pagans even if we go to church and sing and do all kinds of things Christians do.
Oh yes, even the Devil believes in God!
But when we confess from our hearts and repent of all that is not of God; all that is unholy in our life, we become new. We become a child of God, with all the rights and inheritance of the family of God.
How do we who have cast off our pagan roots, to become children of God, look upon others who have done the same?
Do we still look at them through standards and divisions? Do we judge them by where they came from, their color of skin or their history?
Or do we accept them as an equal in the sight of God?
You see Salmon was as blessed by God as Rahab.
Salmon took her in, as a believer in God and became the father and teacher to a son named Booz (Boaz).

I believe we will pick up there in our next sermon.
Let's pray,
Our most gracious Heavenly Father, what an awesome God you are, to accept everyone into your family, who will confess and repent and give their life to You. You never take us part way, sometimes or a little at a time. When we give all of ourselves to You, You take all of us into You, because You have already given all of yourself for us on the cross through your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to understand that without total faith and obedience we are still like the people of Jericho. Doomed for total annihilation by our own choice of denial and refusal to repent of all unholiness. Help us to understand, even as Christians, how completely we have been accepted into your holy house. We are children of God in Spirit and in flesh. Choose a lifestyle that will continue to grow and improve forever. Choose God, choose Jesus, choose the Holy Spirit. Walk and work for His glory without shame and hindrance of this world.
Rise up in the power of the Holy Spirit and roll the stone of death from your earthly tomb.
We are alive in Christ to live for our Father in Heaven because He says so!
Praise the Lord! and all the children of God shout------AMEN!

Pastor Steven Freede

Down Home Preaching Ministry

Original Sermon Date

11/25/16

Down Home Preaching

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