When God Gets In Your Shoes
Ruth Series (7 of 7)
(Inspired by Perry Stone’s, Lay It On Me)
8/24/14 Chester’s FBC Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker
Introduction:
A In the ANE, if a husband died and there were no men in the family to inherit his land, the widow was to marry the brother of her husband to carry on the family name.
1 If there were no brothers, then a next of kin could marry the widow and redeem the family inheritance.
a Boaz was near kinsman, had the right to redeem the land that belonged to Elimelech & Naomi.
b Boaz called a meeting at the city gate and told the folks that if no one else was going to redeem the property of Elimelech, he would.
aa Sure enough, there is a another guy who is closer in relation to Elimelech than Boaz was and he wanted the land.
bb Ruth 4:3-6 (NASB) 3 Then he said to the closest relative, "Naomi, who has come back from the land of Moab, has to sell the piece of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech. 4 "So I thought to inform you, saying, 'Buy it before those who are sitting here, and before the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if not, tell me that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am after you.'" And he said, "I will redeem it." 5 Then Boaz said, "On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of the deceased, in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance." 6 The closest relative said, "I cannot redeem it for myself, because I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Redeem it for yourself; you may have my right of redemption, for I cannot redeem it."
cc He wasn’t willing to marry Ruth . . . instead, “Go ahead, Boaz, you can have her.” (v.6).
c There are many believers who want the blessing, favor, greater anointing, 60-fold/100-fold blessing but their not willing to do what it takes to move up into greater blessing and move in into greater favor.
2 Ruth 4.7 we find an ancient custom that was the equivalent of the exchange of ownership, granting of privilege, gave access to a place that had previously been inaccessible.
Ruth 4:7 (NASB) 7 Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning the redemption and the exchange of land to confirm any matter: a man removed his sandal and gave it to another; and this was the manner of attestation in Israel.
a When the man & Boaz exchanged shoes it meant, “Now I have a right to walk where I’ve never walked before . . . have legal authority to step into territory that I’ve couldn’t before!
b Exodus 3:5 (NASB) 5 Then He said, "Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."
aa The ground was holy, and out of respect, Moses removed his shoes . . . but what if there was another reason?
bb Moses was about to move into his destiny/prophetic purpose by going to confront the most powerful king on the planet.
cc The job God had for Moses was too big for one man.
c Maybe God was saying, “Ol’Moe, get your shoes off and let Me get in them! Let me walk in your shoes down to Egypt!
aa Over 40-years later, God would tell Moses successor Joshua to remove the “shoe” from off his foot right before they surrounded the ancient fortified city of Canaan. (Walls thick enough for two chariots to drive on top of)
bb Joshua 5:15 (KJV) 15 And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.
d If we understand the law of exchanging a shoe, God was saying:
Joshua, I’m about to give you this land.
I’m redeeming back this land for My people.
Give me your shoe and I will give the authority to walk through the land to claim it for your people.
B We need God to get in our shoes!
1 There are times when we try to do things that are bigger than we are.
a Bigger than our ability, bigger than our budget, bigger than our faith.
b When we let God take over the situation, and we declare, “The walls are bigger than I am than I am able to scale, and the enemy is stronger than I am” . . . But I’ve given my shoes God!!!
aa He goes with us and defeats the enemy!
bb We need God to get in our shoes!
2 This morning I will wrap up the Ruth series with this message, “When God Gets in your Shoes.”
a I hope you’ll understand what it means for you to let God walk in your shoes.
aa The doors it opens, privilege it brings, access it grants, the blessing that comes.
bb The increase, favor that comes when you give God your shoes!
b Pray
I When God gets in your shoes you experience breakthrough.
A Naomi & Ruth had been through hell (lost husbands, identity, property/land) but they are about to have the biggest breakthrough they’ve had in about 10 years!
1 The land that had belonged in Naomi’s family was about to restored, redeemed, bought back with the exchange of a shoe and a wedding.
a Once God gets in your shoes, your circumstances will change.
b Once Boaz married Ruth, the lady who had been working in the corners of the field was exalted to a position of prominence.
aa The entire city knew who Ruth was the moment she married him.
bb Almost instantly the men/women of Bethlehem began to pronounce prophetic blessing on her life.
cc Ruth 4:11-12 (NASB) 11 All the people who were in the court, and the elders, said, "We are witnesses. May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, both of whom built the house of Israel; and may you achieve wealth in Ephrathah and become famous in Bethlehem. 12 "Moreover, may your house be like the house of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah, through the offspring which the LORD will give you by this young woman."
c “. . . be famous in Bethlehem.”
aa The folks knew this marriage wasn’t a normal relationship (I need a woman . . . I need a man).
bb Ruth didn’t chase Boaz across the barely field, flirt with him, romance him . . . she just worked in the harvest.
cc She kept her focus and God brought her a man.
2 This wedding was a big deal, but Ruth NEVER forgot Naomi.
a It was Naomi that put her in the position to meet Boaz, gave her instruction, council . . . Ruth & Naomi were connected.
b When Ruth & Boaz had a son, Obed, and Ruth didn’t forget her mother-in-law (4.14-16).
Ruth 4:14-16 (NASB) 14 Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed is the LORD who has not left you without a redeemer today, and may his name become famous in Israel. 15 "May he also be to you a restorer of life and a sustainer of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him." 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her lap, and became his nurse.
c I can imagine as Obed grew he’d set on Ms. Naomi’s lap and she’d tell him of the famine, Moab, Paw Paw died/uncles, coming back to Bethlehem, and how his mama met his daddy.
B You must never forget the people who brought you to your position of success in your field.
1 Maybe it was your mom/dad/grandparent/wife/husband who helped you become the person you are today.
a Did a pastor/youth pastor/deacon/some other saint that poured into you . . . took you to the next level, encouraged you when others said you’d never make it?
b He puts the right people in your path at the right time & don’t you forget them!
aa It’s a God connection.
bb Never forget from where He brought you.
2 You don’t have to dwell on the past but always appreciate those who pulled you out of Moab (the past) and brought you into the place of blessing.
II When God gets in our shoes He will lead us into our destiny.
A The opening verse of Ruth are filled with manic depression & death, but it ends in victory, success, & life.
1 The people of Bethlehem put prophetic blessing on Boaz/Ruth to “be famous in Bethlehem.”
a Ruth has a son named Obed, who has a son named Jesse, who has a son named David.
aa Ruth is the great, great grandmother of David that many years later would be king over all Israel,
bb the same David to whom the promise of the Messiah was given.
b David, like Ruth, were not the obvious picks for God to raise up.
aa David was a shepherd whom his not even his daddy put a lot of stock in.
bb When Samuel comes to anoint the next king of Israel, which he knows will come from Jesse’s house, the father forgets about lil’David out in the field.
c Our God will take shepherds and makes them kings; broken people to make others whole.
2 David comes out of the field with his staff in his hand, sling shot on his hip, smelling like a cow pasture, grass stains on his back and fingernails.
a Samuel says, “That’s him!!!”
aa Even those his family had a past with roots rich in sorrow/pain, great grandmother was a Moabite . . . God chose him to be the King of Israel.
bb David’s path wasn’t only tainted with sorrow . . . it was also marked with divine appointment.
b When Ruth came to Bethlehem, God had more than just getting some land redeemed for Naomi . . . He had a little boy named David in mind that would build a kingdom!
aa When trouble comes your way in Moab, and God moves you across the Jordan, remember that He seldom has just you in mind.
bb We may never understand in this life why trouble/tragedy come to good people . . . but if we can hold on/out long enough, we will discover that God has a plan the extends beyond our limited vision.
cc God’s blessing for/to you can continue for many generations.
III Seven Principles that apply when we move into blessing/favor of God.
A
1 You must enter little doors before you can enter large ones.
a God doesn’t raise champions from champions, but from among the sheep (Moses, David, etc.,)
b Will you only do ministry that gets you noticed or are you willing to do things that nobody sees?
aa Clean up after service, bathrooms, wait tables, do dishes, take out trash, pick up parking lot, clean a diaper?
bb God always waits to see what we do with the small door before He opens a larger one.
2 God uses People to give into your bosom.
a Luke 6:38 (NASB) 38 "Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return."
b People can help open doors for you.
3 Not all Open Doors Are From God
a God gives a person a vision, & to distract you Satan often tries to give another vision.
aa Something with two visions is di-vision.
bb If God gives you call, vision (it will always agree with His word)
b If someone gives you a personal word (prophecy) it will agree with and compliment what the Lord has already shown you.
4 A Kingdom Connection is Looking for You
a God connects people . . . Ruth/Boaz, Elijah/Elisha, Paul/Timothy . . . for a purpose. (Kingdom Connections)
b This is why you must be at the right place at the right time so God can connect you with the right people at the right season.
5 The Timing of God Reveals the Plan of God
a In some ways timing may be the greatest key to the fulfilling of God’s purpose/your destiny.
aa Often times God gives us a call/glimpse into our future and it may years in advance of the actual fulfillment.
bb We make things happen, cause things to happen that God may have promised . . . but the timing isn’t right.
b Had Ruth/Naomi went to Bethlehem when it wasn’t harvest time, they would have missed the immediate blessing and would not have fulfilled their destiny.
aa If Ruth destiny would have been interrupted, God’s plan for Israel’s future would have been interrupted too.
bb Don’t get in a hurry, wait upon the Lord.
6 Obedience Releases the Blessing.
a Numerous times in Scripture, God required ACTION before He would actually do something (healing, miracle, water from a rock, etc.,)
aa Hit the rock, build the ark, get the stones before we go to the giant, (OT); Jesus, “go show yourself to the priest,” or “rise, take up your bed and walk.”
bb When we act on what we believe, it is visible evidence that we actually do believe/faith.
b Mark 2.5, “Jesus SAW their faith”; God sees your faith when you act on His Word. (This is true in relation to giving.)
Mark 2:5 (KJV) 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
aa When the minister receives the tithes/offerings, what do you hear/what’s your reaction?
bb All he wants is money? I wish he would hurry up so we could get on with church. All preachers do is beg for money.
c The offering is your opportunity to sow your seed and reap a harvest.
aa Can you imagine a farmer looking at the cold, dark ground, saying, “All that ground wants is my seed?” Or, “I’ll just pass over this ground so I can get to my barn.” Or “All people want from farmers is food?”
bb The offering isn’t all about money, it’s all about obedience. (ALL spiritual blessings come through obedience to God.)
7 A Rhythm of Blessing Follows Favor and Obedience
a You may feel like you’ve been sowing your seed for years, giving of yourself to others . . . be patient. God sees you in the corners (small church, small ministries, small business, small checking account), but as you draw near to your Boaz (Jesus), and as you obey Him, will will send great favor & blessing into your life.
b In 2 Kings 4, there is a story of a Shunemite woman who had for years tried to have a child with her husband, no baby.
aa They made a chamber for the prophet Elijah to rest in-between revivals. . . 5 things happened to her.
*God gave her a son, *Her son died, God raised him up, * warned of the famine that was coming/prepared, *She stood before the king for plead for her land and he gave it to her, * she prospered in the face of economially troubling times.
bb Remember something, before all her blessings/favor came . . . she prepared a place for the prophet of God.
cc She sought the kingdom first, then the blessing came.
c Never criticize someone else’s breakthrough/financial blessing because you don’t know what they had to sow in order to receive those blessings.
Conclusion:
A Everybody starts at 30-fold blessing, starts in a corner.
B Let Him walk in your shoes.
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My name is Mike Fogerson, and I pastor a Southern Baptist Church in Chester, Illinois. I have been a long-time user of Sermon Central and truly appreciate its content and contributors. Some of the best sermons I’ve ever preached have been reworked material from this website. As you use the material from my sermon bank, understand that it is work that has been done from not just myself, but from hundreds of other pastors as well. If you see part of your message, or a bunch of your message with my name on it and this upsets you, please email me and I will quickly respond and cite you as the main source. My intent is not to claim someone’s work as my own. I am disclaiming up front that I use the resources from Sermon Central and appreciate the tool. I simply want all those who use my work to know that some of these messages were inspired by the Holy Spirit working through other pastors. Because I do use the messages of other pastors I waive all claims of originality or origin of creativity for the messages posted under my messages. I pray God blesses your preaching ministry for the glory of His Kingdom.
Respectfully,
Mike Fogerson
