Sermons on Ruth 1:1-4:16:

Ordinary People Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 3, 2021

Everybody in this book is ordinary. Obed, the baby who gives the book a happy ending, does not grow up to do anything of significance that we know of. There are no great battles, no miracles, and no profound theological statements in this book. Not one person in this book was above ordinary.

What woman do you know who has had a thousand men propose to her from fisherman to millionaires; from the penniless on the bowry to the prince of a royal European family? And who was still getting regular proposals after she was 70 years old? There was such a woman, and her name was Evangeline ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-18

The Impact Of Influence Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 3, 2021

We are all making history, and influencing eternity, whether we want to or not. The purpose of the Biblical record is that we might see how people of the past have influenced history, and imitate their virtues, and avoid their mistakes

When Cecil B. DeMille was a nine year old boy, and old preacher came to Echo Lake, New Jersey to conduct a series of meetings. Young DeMille attended every morning, but one cold rainy morning he was the only one who showed up. He wondered if that man would preach to one small boy. DeMille ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:14-22

Desirable Determination Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 4, 2021

The old saying that where there is a will there is a way is confirmed over and over again. People with a spirit of determination are doing the improbable all the time, and by the grace and providence of God, sometimes even the impossible.

Alexander Solzhenitsyn is one of the great modern examples of the power of determination. He served time in the Siberian waste land for making a disparaging remark about Stalin in a letter. He endured six years of imprisonment, when he suddenly discovered the joy of writing. He was suffering for ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:14-22

Ruth The Risk Taker Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 4, 2021

Ruth and Naomi aided each other in being responsible for love. They took the risks necessary to see each other have fulfilled lives. The story has a happy ending because they took this responsibility of risks on themselves. In every story with a happy ending somebody has to take risks.

Fort Lee, which is now Charleston, West Virginia was under attack in 1791. Colonel George Clendenin assembled his men to ask for a volunteer to ride to Lewisberg over 100 miles away to get powder. They were almost out, and their survival depended upon a renewed supply. No one volunteered, for it ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 3:1-13

The Clever Couple Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 4, 2021

Cleverness is the ability to skillfully work your way through complex circumstances to a goal that is your aim to reach. Godly cleverness is aiming for a goal that is pleasing to God. Boaz was blessed with godly cleverness. This is a virtue that has changed the entire world in which we live.

A young couple who had just gotten married, and who had received many valuable wedding gifts, established their home in the suburb. One morning they received in the mail two tickets for a popular show in the city. A note said, "Guess who?" The couple were amused as they tried to find ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 4:1-10

The Complexities Of Life Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 4, 2021

The happy ending of the story of Ruth, and the happy ending for millions of stories, are due to the reality of the complexity of life.

Not far from the scene where Ruth proposed to Boaz in the middle of the night, Musa Alami made a proposal of his own. This Arab boy was educated at Cambridge, and he went back to Palestine where he became very successful. But political turmoil came and he lost everything. He went out into the ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 4:1-6

Godly Grandparents Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 4, 2021

Godly grandparents have such a powerful impact on the lives of grandchildren that one is not far from the mark to say that the church and the Sunday School, and all other arms of the kingdom of God are supplements to the influence of grandparents.

Among the many things that makes man unique in creation is the presence of, and the influence of, grandparents. F. W. Boreham many years ago pointed out that in the vegetable world, "The bursting buds of spring push off the last lingering leaves of the previous season, and thus decline to ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 4:13-17

Strength In Relationships

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Mar 4, 2021

How does the Bible illustrate how there is strength in relationships? We can turn to the book of Ruth for the answer.

STRENGTH IN RELATIONSHIPS Text: Ruth 1:1 – 18 “The Promise Keepers note the following in their Point-Man training: 10 percent of all people will change when they hear the truth, 10 percent will never change, and 80 percent will only change in the context of a relationship. (Raymond ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-18

Denomination: United Methodist

I Can’t Go Back

Contributed by Dr. Jwt Spies on Dec 3, 2021

Don't return to the way things used to be, but move forward in the Lord.

When I read this story of Ruth, I found something interesting, something intriguing, and something stimulating. When I visit this time in scripture there is a tragedy, a disaster, a calamity, it’s a catastrophe misfortune, but on the other hand, it is an accomplishment, victories, successful story ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:14-18

Denomination: Baptist

Setting Our Priorities Straight

Contributed by Esther Collins on Jan 21, 2022

We live in times when it's a challenge to keep our priorities straight. The Bible gives us great examples of those who were able to choose right, and also enjoy the consequences of their godly choices.

Setting our Priorities Straight Take a moment to write down three things that you consider your topmost priorities in your life. Also write down the number of hours you spend on any given day on these activities that are mentioned – time spent on eating, sleeping, studying, working, with family, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:1-11, Genesis 25:27-34, Hebrews 12:16-17, 1 John 2:16, Ruth 1:13-18, Matthew 1:5-6, Luke 10:38-42, Matthew 7:22, John 12:1-8, 1 Timothy 6:6, Matthew 12:50, Luke 10:26-28, Matthew 6:33, Matthew 6:19-21, Colossians 3:22-23, Matthew 10:37, 1 John 2:17  (view more)  (view less)

The Dilemma In The Land Series

Contributed by Grant Adams on Jan 21, 2022

A famine forces Elimelech and his family to move to Moab. God turns something that was bad and turned it into good.

I. The Famine in the Land 1. A famine of food. 1 of thirteen in the bible. 2. The period of the famine. a. In the days when the judges ruled. b. Was a space of 450 years. c. 13 judges ruled in all. d. It was a very evil time. e. It was a time of moral and theological degradation. 3. The famine ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Tale Of The Unexpected Series

Contributed by Grant Adams on Jan 21, 2022

Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest. Naomi came back bitter, but Ruth turned the negative into positive with trusting in the God of Naomi.

I. The Return to Bethlehem Ruth 1:6-9 1. Naomi has had good news from back home. a. The Lord had visited His people in giving them bread. 2. Three elements are revealed in the initial moments of the return. a. Naomi tells the girls to go back to Moab and return to their Moabites families. b. The ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:6-22

Denomination: Baptist

Gleaning In The Right Field Series

Contributed by Grant Adams on Jan 21, 2022

As impoverished women in that ancient culture, Naomi and Ruth had few options for earning a living. Naomi desires for her to glean in the relative, Boaz's field.

I. The Cousin of Naomi 1. Ruth 2:1 2. Naomi has a kinsman of the family of Elimelech whose name was Boaz. 3. He was a mighty man of wealth. 4. Boaz was mighty in fortune, fame and in fight. 5. Boaz was not a weakling. II. The Consent for Gleaning 1. Ruth 2:2 2. The first change is seen in the ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Summons For The Skirt Series

Contributed by Grant Adams on Jan 21, 2022

Ruth goes to Boaz at night and proposes marriage.

I. The Submission of Ruth 1. Ruth 3:6-7 2. Ruth obeys Naomi by faith, trusting the counsel of Naomi and Boaz. a. Ruth was sincere in the promise she made to Naomi. Ruth 1:16-18 b. We need to be persons of our words. c. Sincerity in promises is integrity of character. You cannot have character ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 3:6-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Reward For Ruth Series

Contributed by Grant Adams on Jan 21, 2022

Boaz accepted the right to marry Ruth and God blessed them with a son. The women of the town named him Obed, since God had redeemed Naomi.

I. The Preparation of Boaz 1. He recognizes the priority of the kinsman. a. 4:1 b. In the fact there is a kinsman ahead of Boaz who could redeem Ruth, so Boaz goes looking for him. c. The most likely place to find Him. The city gates. 1) People would congregate, watching for those returning and ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 4:1-22

Denomination: Baptist