Sermons

Summary: When you are given direction to move and follow God, are you willing to step out and trust even though you have NO IDEA where the future will lead? Said differently, are we willing to give up our preferences and wants to follow Jesus?

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“Responding means Submitting to God” – Ruth, Part 5

Ruth Sermon Series, Part 5

Ruth 3:1-9

Cookout today, ALL invited … you got to eat!!

Introduction

- So, let’s sum up the first four sermons very quickly with three ideas:

- “Sometimes when you abandon God, your life has disastrous consequences; but God is STILL faithful … even when we aren’t!”

- The focus of the book is NOT the budding relationship with Boaz and Ruth

-- Nor is it Naomi trying to find a future or a life for her and Ruth

- The focus of this series is this fact: “Even in tough times, God is STILL accomplishing His plan to take care of those He loves!”

-- I firmly believe if we keep this at the forefront, this book will click for us

- Cards on the table: Discipleship is a life-long journey

-- One of the key opportunities we have is the ability to show grace to one another

-- This book is one example of what grace can do for a life that is in chaos

- Let’s see where this story takes us today …

- Read Ruth 3:1-9 / Pray

Point 1 – Naomi begins to plan for the future

- RE: Ruth was invited by Boaz to work the entire harvest season

-- So, we find ourselves two months later when the season is about over

-- And now, Naomi has a situation developing which she knows needs action

- It is not a creepy issue, nor anything consisting of perverted intentions

-- It is simply a matter of necessity that Naomi sees for Ruth (let’s unpack …)

- In v1, we see Naomi thinking about the future

• “My daughter” – still a term of endearment and meant in love/honor

• “It’s time that I find” – “I” … again she sees herself as a caregiver

• “So that you will be provided for” – Naomi knows she won’t live forever

- In essence, “Ruth, it is time to look ahead and see how you can live.”

-- RE: Ruth has promised and committed to stay with Naomi until death

- Boaz, Naomi continues, is a kinsman of ours (able to redeem, last week) (v2)

-- AND Boaz is capable of providing a future for you to survive

- Sooooooo … Naomi encourages her to do four specific things (v3):

1) Be attractive: Take a bath, put on some perfume, and dress up

-- The time of mourning hubby is passed, and it is now time for you to have a life

-- Note: Perhaps it is b/c of this that Boaz never really pursued her

-- APP: Out of respect, maybe he knew she was in mourning, so he never engaged

-- But it is time for Ruth to present herself as one who is “on the market” again

2) Be attentive: Pay attention to where Boaz rests for the evening

-- Boaz, being the boss, would not have slept where servants did (v4)

-- When the workday is over, he will have dinner and then go to rest somewhere

-- Naomi says, pay attention to where he lays down so you can be by him

3) Be assertive: Go and uncover his feet and lie down by him

-- Naomi is asking Ruth to take a tremendous leap of faith here

-- “Go uncover this man’s feet and then wait for further instructions”

- Ruth was being told to approach him in humility, as a servant

-- Go and present yourself as a servant, humble yourself before Boaz

-- NOTE: This is not a sexual advance, but one of great humility / honor

4) Be available: Boaz will tell you what to do

-- Be ready to receive further instructions and be receptive to listen/respond

-- APP: It’s an incredible act of loyalty to pause and wait for instructions

-- In this, Ruth is to present herself as someone who available …

- TR: So, why are these four things important us to see? Because …

Point 2 – Life is a not about trusting in what you know!

- Take a look at Ruth’s response to this woman that she loves and trusts (v5)

-- Naomi, I will do whatever you say because I trust you

-- REMEMBER: Ruth 1:16-17, “But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. (don’t miss this commitment) May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!”

- IMP: This reminder is so very critical; discipleship challenge from Sermon #1

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