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;
e. The virtuous Woman wisely considers what the household can afford.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 2: Her words are kind and affirming;
a. she knows and understand how to build-up her man with her words.
b. But, above all she fears the Lord in her heart. She is virtuous.
c. She is the Proverbs 31 Woman.
d. and in our Scripture this morning we find ourselves peeking at another woman who embodies the character of “Strength and Firmness” described in Proverbs 31; but this time it’s Ruth.
e. for don’t you remember, Ruth (the Moabitess)is the daughter-in-law of Naomi of Bethlehem, Judah who after having initially moved (with her husband and two sons) from Bethlehem, Judah because of a famine in the land to the country of Moab – lost her husband;
f. … and years later after her sons were married, she also lost them. Because they also died.
g. This unfortunate situation left Naomi with two foreign daughter-in-laws in a foreign country.
h. As a result, the Good Book tells us that she decided to return to her homeland while encouraging her faithful daughter-in-laws to remain in their own homeland.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 3: In fact, in Ruth 1:8 (NKJV) “Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each to her mother’s house.
a. The Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me …”
b. After much discussion and lots of persuasion on behalf of Naomi – she was ultimately able to convince one of her two daughters-in-laws to remain in Moab.
c. Because Ruth returned with her.
d. In the Book of Ruth, the Good Book describes one of the greatest love stories that have ever been written about the bond of a daughter-in-law with her mother-in-law.
e. For don’t you remember, Ruth returned to Judah with Naomi and ultimately caught the eyes of Boaz which began a love affair between the two; and the drama that led to Ruth/Naomi’s redemption.
f. In my reading I came across some literature that suggested one of Founding Fathers – Benjamin Franklin was a member of what was called an “Infidel Club”. Which was essentially a group of avid readers of literature?
g. Well apparently, Mr. Frankly had learned from previous conversations with his associates that there were various members whom collectively felt that the Bible was boring reading.
g. So, when it was his turn to read to the group – he came up with the idea to read the Book of Ruth to them. However, he ultimately decided to substitute the real names for fictitious names as to hide the identity of his source.
h. It has been said that upon his conclusion, the group of literary geniuses were all in agreement that his reading was one of the best love and romantic stories that they had ever heard.
****** TAKE 5 BEATS ******
MOVE 4: The Romantic account of Ruth and Boaz - together with the heartfelt dedication and unyielding support of a daughter-in-law toward her grieving mother-in-law - has been one of the monuments of Old Testament for thousands of years.
a. for their relationship is biblical proof that relationships with our in-laws don’t have to be horrific. For some of us – like Ruth – have been bless to have awesome relationships with in-laws!
b. The Good Book goes on to share with us that … the “Close Relative” in our Scripture reading … refused to purchase the rights to Ruth’s and Naomi’s inheritance.
c. In fact, when the “Close Relative” heard the conditions of the bargain, he refused it.
d. Likewise, many Soldiers (here at COB Adder) are also reluctant to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior;
e. they aren’t willing to make Christianity their faith;
f. They have heard other Soldiers say great things about their faith during this deployment and they have heard how I – and other chaplains – with Christ’s help have salvage and strengthen many marriages and relationship0s throughout the deployment.
g. As a result, they have nothing to say against the Christian faith;
h. … And they will even encourage their Christian soldiers to exercise their faith and go to chapel,, …
i. But they – themselves – are willing to let their opportunity to become a Christian “SLIP-AWAY,” because they refuse to be bound to a higher standard.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 5: Many Soldiers, like the Closest Relative, fear damaging their worldly reputations – or altering the perceptions – that other Soldiers may have of them.
a. Therefore they are willing to pass-up on their right to Salvation and eternal life.
b. Likewise, the Close relative, in our text (this morning) passed-up on his right and resigned his right to Boaz because he didn’t want to damage his inheritance or mar his worldly reputation.
c. So, because Boaz was willing to sacrifice and take the risk which included a Virtuous Woman and Godly Mother-in-law;
d. God did Boaz the honor of bringing him into the line of the Messiah – Jesus Christ.
e. For we only know this certain man as “the Close Relative”. We don’t even know of his name. But, Boaz name and inheritance lives on through our Savior – Jesus Christ.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
CELEBRATION:
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 damaging their infamous reputations.
As we are close in on a 12 month deployment to Iraq … don’t do what you see other Soldiers doing …
… don’t pass-up on your RIGHT TO CHRIST …
…. Taking Your Shoes Off … symbolically means that you’re willing to …
TAKE whatever risk … associated with … being a Christian ….
In the Book of Genesis – Chapter 22 – we find the story of Abraham responding to God’s demands for him to sacrifice his only son Isaac (which was a type of Christ in the Old Testament).
Abraham gestures, words, and actions … proved to God that he (Abraham) wasn’t willing to pass-up on his right to be a Child of God.
Abraham showed through his Words and Actions that he was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice if he had too.
So, the question is, are you willing to TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF FOR GOD? Are you willing to take off your sandals of “WORLDLY WAYS” for GOD?
