Sermon Central
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Ruth
Contributed by Glenn Durham on Jan 11, 2011 (message contributor)
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1. Shattered Dreams
Contributed on Jan 11, 2011
God shatters dreams which leave us short of full joy even if fully satisfied.
Scripture Introduction In literature, a tragedy ends with a negative or sad outcome, a comedy with a happy one. Macbeth is a tragedy; Much Ado About Nothing, a comedy. From a literary view, Ruth is a comedy – the characters pass through difficulty (even heartbreak) to end with joy and hope. The ...read more
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2. Choosing Hope Over Happiness
Contributed on Jan 18, 2011
God offers a future and a hope to all who trust in him more than we treasure earth’s rewards.
Scripture Introduction In his old radio show, Thru the Bible, J. Vernon McGee said, “The Book of Ruth is a pearl in the swine pen of the judges.” I’m not sure I would say just that, but these people did live in the time of the judges (about 1100 B. C.), which were not the best years for Israel. ...read more
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3. The Making Of Mara (Bitterness)
Contributed on Jan 25, 2011
God’s wondrous workings may take us through a deep struggle with sovereignty.
Scripture Introduction One old commentator wrote about our text: “Names are given to men and women, not only to distinguish them from each other, but also,—1. To stir them up to verify the meanings… of their names. Wherefore let every Obadiah strive to be a “servant of God,” every Nathaniel to ...read more
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4. It Just So Happened?
Contributed on Feb 8, 2011
God provides wonderfully for those who place their hope in his unfailing love.
Scripture Introduction We meet Boaz in our study today. Do you know what kind of man Boaz was before he got married? Answer: he was Ruth-less. The book of Ruth teaches us to look for God’s blessings even in our bitterness. Naomi, just like you and me, had hopes for her life: a husband, ...read more
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5. Behold, A Woman Lay At His Feet!
Contributed on Feb 16, 2011
God works through unexpected circumstances to protect and redeem his people.
Children’s Sermon Tell about time when Helen and I were sound asleep and suddenly – plop, something jumped into the bed with us! I woke, sat up, stared blindly into the dark (of course saw nothing), and laid back down thinking I had a bad dream. When it happened the second time, I was certain ...read more
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6. Switchbacks On The Road Of Life
Contributed on Feb 22, 2011
God weaves our lives through many turns on the upward call.
Children’s Sermon Freight trains cannot climb very steep hills. In fact, 4% would be near the absolute limit of any freight train. (Show as 4 cm lift on meter ruler.) Steepest road in the United States? Canton Avenue, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with a grade of 37%, meaning that for every ...read more
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7. The Clouds You So Much Dread
Contributed on Mar 1, 2011
God works his sovereign will with never failing skill for the good of his people who trust him for his grace.
Children’s Sermon Trivial Pursuit. Lowest score ever in bowling organized league play? Mike Kappa, Racine Wisconsin: 2. Nothing wrong with playing game; but careful lest our lives be trivial. How do we know what is important? Some people think it is receiving mention in the paper. WSJ. But ...read more