"I'll Take My Shoes Off For You"

20 September 2009

U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris

504th Compound’s Multi-Purpose Facility

C.O. B. Adder

Tallill, Iraq

BIG IDEA: Just like the “CLOSE RELATIVE” was willing to pass-up his rights to Ruth; many Soldiers are willing to pass-up their rights to salvation for fear of damagining their infamous reputations.

REFERENCES: James 1:22 (NIV) Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says; Quackery topic, “She’ll Take Your Shoes Off”; Numbers 27:11 (NKJV) And if his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to the relative closest to him in his family, and he shall possess it.” And it shall be to the children of Israel a statute of judgment, just as the Lord commanded Moses; 1 Corinthians 10:11 (NKJV) These things happened to them as a warning; Ruth 1:16 But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And you God, my God; Leviticus 19:9-10 (NKJV) “When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather every grape of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger: I am the Lord your God; Romans 12:1 (NKJV) I beseech ye brethrens by the mercies of God …; Genesis 22 (Abraham attempts to sacrifice Isaac); Proverbs 31:10-31 (Virtuous Woman); James 3:13-17; James 3:13-4:3,7-8a; Special Notation: Boaz had the privilege of redeeming the family estate sold by Naomi after Elimelech’s death. Their – Boaz and Ruth - son (Obed) was the grandfather of King David;

I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: Ruth 3:7-11, 4:7-8 (NKJV)

II. READ THE PERICOPE: Ruth 3:7-11, 4:7-8 (NKJV)

III. READ THE TEXT: Ruth 4:7-8 (NKJV) Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging to confirm anything one man took off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was a confirmation in Israel. Therefore, the close relative said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.” So he took off his sandal.

IV. PURPOSE: To motivate the hearers to affirm to others that although some Soldiers/Officers are willing to pass-up their right to salvation; there are some that are willing to take their shoes off for the Lord.

V. SERMONIC THEME: “I’ll Take My Shoes Off for You”

VI. INTRODUCTION:

It is indeed an honor and a privilege to witness so many of you sacrifice your day (to rejuvenate and bounce back from the toils and challenges of this past week) to worship; while others of you have come from your work area to collectively worship God.

It was James, the brother of Jesus and according to Paul (in Galatians 2:9) one of the three pillars of the church, we shouldn’t be just listeners of God’s Word; but doers also.

In fact, James says: Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Ensuring that your understanding of God’s Word and your Actions equally reflect God’s Word was important to the brother of Jesus. As Christians, we need to be aware that our faith requires us to connect God’s Word with our actions; and together our Words and Actions causes us to reflect the beauty and magnetism of God’s Word both externally and internally.

Earlier, you heard our Old Testament Reading this morning; and there aren’t many believers today that haven’t heard of the “Proverbs 31 Woman”. She is described as a Virtuous Woman. The description is still applicable today in every nation.

In fact, it has been said that the description of the “Proverbs 31 Woman” in our scripture reading today, suits and fits a timeless example of womanhood everywhere.

For this woman embodies the qualities that every Christian woman should strive for in both her personal and family life. In truth, the word “virtuous” in this passage means strength of character – morally strong.

In other words, my brothers and sisters, a Virtuous Woman is a woman that is morally strong and firm. She is humble and she knows what she believes and she holds to it regardless of her circumstances.

******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******

MOVE 1: She is willing to provide the ministry of submissiveness to her own husband; who in turn esteems her with affection.

a. her husband trust her with his life; because he is happy with her.

b. He loves the fact that she takes her duties and responsibilities serious.

c. And she enjoys caring for him. She gets up early and takes care her business.

d. While many women purchase things their household can’t afford;