Kissers & Cleavers Series

Unlocking Your Life’s Destiny Series

Seven Sermons from the Book of Ruth Kissers and Cleavers

(Inspired from Perry Stone’s Book, Lay It On Me)

July 13, 2014 Chester FBC, Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker

Introduction:

Two Weeks ago we began the series “Discovering Your Life’s Destiny.”

1 This is a series in the OT book of Ruth.

a Review of story.

b We learned...

aa Don’t blame God for everything that goes wrong in your life.

bb We must leave our past failures, mistakes, (Moab) behind if we want to reach our destiny.

2 This morning we’re going to learn what it takes to move from Moab to Bethlehem.

a We’ll get closer to our destiny with this message.

b Pray.

I Kissers & Cleavers.

Ruth 1:14 (NASB) 14 And they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.

A Notice the different actions of the sisters to Naomi: Orpah kissed & Ruth clung.

1 There is a big difference to the sisters reaction.

a Ruth 1:15 (NASB) 15 Then she said, "Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her gods; return after your sister-in-law."

aa Maybe she’ll think of me occasionally, laugh from time to time when she remembers the good times we had as a family.

bb Ruth 1:10 (NASB) 10 And they said to her, "No, but we will surely return with you to your people."

Orpah said she’d go to Bethlehem, but apparently her words were empty, without weight.

b Ruth 1:16 (NASB) 16 But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.

Ruth clung to Naomi like white on rice.

aa No matter where you go... I’ll follow you.

bb Her words were true, full of sincere determination.

2 I’m sure both girls loved Naomi. (family, shared laughter & life together, heart break, loss)

a Orpah would continue to love Naomi... but from a distance: Ruth however was all in.

b Orpah was a woman of great words, Ruth was a woman of great works.

B I believer there are basically two groups of people: kissers & cleavers. (Daters & Romancers)

1 Some will serve with you, tell you how much they appreciate your ministry, follow you... but they do so from a distance.

a Others will cleave onto you because they have a burden for the work, ministry, kingdom.

aa Serve under the authority of the Pastor & spiritual leaders God has placed over them.

bb Roll up their sleeves, get in the trenches, take bullets, exchange fire, have your back, because of their love for God.

2 Daters (men) often go on dates, I’ll pick you up around 5 or 6, so they can get a little kiss from a woman, maybe hold hands & share some popcorn.

a Dating, in the context I’m using the term, is an act of the flesh.

b Romancers take the lady out to a nice resturant, buy her flowers, open doors, hold her hand, drive five hours to spend 45 minutes in their presence.

aa Not to steal a kiss, or hold their hand. (Flesh)

bb Romance is a thing of the heart.

3 At church, I believe there are people who “date” God & there are people who are “romancing” God.

a Daters show up on their own convience to let the Lord know they made their appearance in His house.

aa They blow kisses to the Lord for an hour or so to let Him know, “I do love you... I may not be back for a few weeks - you may not see me again for awhile... but hey, I’ll be thinking of you often.”

bb Next time I need a “blessing call,” you’re the first one I’ll call.

cc If your into God for what you can get out of Him you’re just dating Him.

b When you’re romancing the “lover of your soul” you’re into God because you love to feel His presence.

aa When your with Him there is an intimate song pouring from your Spirit in praise to Him.

bb You run to your room & open His love letter & read & re-read them.

cc A song comes on the radio that reminds you of Him & praise is birthed in your heart.

dd If He never gave me another blessing, I still just want to feel His presence. (Take everything else, but don’t take His presence!)

C (IL) Faithful. IL from Wednesday night.

a When Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye, she kissed her destiny goodbye too.

b When Ruth clung to Naomi’s side, she said,