Sermons on Ruth 1:20-21:

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

Ruth And Naomi Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Dec 24, 2023

Ruth became the great grandmother of King David. She was in the family genealogy of Mary and Jesus. She experienced personal redemption and was part of the greatest redemption story of all history.

You can’t make this story up. The story of Ruth is way too far-fetched to be manmade. The likely author of the book of Ruth is Samuel, who was a contemporary with Ruth as both lived in the days when judges ruled. There is just no way Samuel would come up with the idea on his own to include Ruth ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Naomi's Crisis Of Meaning Series

Contributed by John Huyser on Sep 16, 2024

Life IS more complicated than you think given all of our identities. Through Naomi's meaning crisis we explore our own identity crisis and how God drives home the solution.

INTRODUCTION: 196 Last week, our first reading of Ruth changed how we see God’s providence and activity in our lives. We don't get God's attention until His timer reaches zero. We learned that we can be hopeful because He's active in each of our lives all the time. His love for ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:15-22

Naomi The Reformer Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Feb 25, 2024

Naomi a poor widow in a foreign land, bounces back with new life through strong determination and courage. She became a wise and righteous woman.

Theme: Naomi – Reformer Text: Ruth 1:16-23   Greetings: The Lord is good and his love endures forever.   Introduction: The book of Ruth revolves around three personalities namely, Naomi, Ruth and Boaz. The aim of this book is to connect the birth messiah back to David and further back to ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:16-20

Denomination: Methodist

A Mother’s Heart Revealed Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Sep 17, 2021

Mother's Day: Sometimes we feel that mothers are perfect. This message reveals a near-perfect mother. From Naomi, we see a mother’s strength, her love for her children, and we learn some things about a mother’s personality.

As you already know, today is Mother’s Day. I would like to begin our message with a short story: A small boy invaded the lingerie section of a large department store and shyly presented his problem to a woman clerk. “I want to by a slip as a present for my mom,” he said, “but, I don’t know what ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Clinging To The Lord In Hope Series

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on May 12, 2022

Life becomes 'bitter' and we lose hope with we turn away from the Lord, but the Lord restores hope by drawing us back to Him.

CLINGING TO THE LORD IN HOPE Ruth 1:1-22 What is wrong?—Life becomes ‘bitter,’ and we lose hope when we turn away from the Lord. What is true?—The Lord restores hope by drawing us back to Him. What to do—We must cling to the Lord in hope. Why? Because… I Hope in the Lord Leads to Obedience ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Experiencing Hardship And Heartbreak Series

Contributed by David Owens on May 16, 2022

The story of Naomi and Ruth is about how, as the old hymn says, "God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform." As dark and bleak as things looked in Naomi's life, little did she know that God was at work to bring blessings, to her and through her.

A. How many of you have ever had a bad day? Certainly, all of us have had bad days. Right? 1. Let’s have a little fun by starting with some “You know you’ve having a bad day when…” sayings: a. Your horn sticks on the highway behind 32 Hell’s Angels on their motorcycles. b. Your birthday cake ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Naomi - From Calamity To Change Agent Lesson 7 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 5, 2024

Always do right, you never know when the opportunity will come to transform/change your life/destiny.

“Elimelech … his wife Naomi … sons were Mahlon and Chilian … Elimelech died … Naomi left with two sons ... took wives … Moab … Orpha … Ruth … both Mahlon and Chilian died … rose up to leave Moab” (Ruth 1:2-4). A. THE PROBLEM 1. Book is about Naomi’s challenge and achievements but named for ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:20, Ruth 4:9-10, Ruth 1:16

Denomination: Baptist

Naomi’s Journey Back To Bethlehem – Ruth, Part 2 Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Oct 17, 2022

Even in the toughest of times, God has NOT forgotten about Naomi, and, He most certainly has not forgotten about you, either! Even in our despair, God STILL provides comfort for each of us and Ruth is an incredible story about this.

“Naomi’s Journey back to Bethlehem” – Ruth, Part 2 Ruth Sermon Series, Part 2 Ruth 1:10-22 Introduction - Last week we set the foundation of Ruth around some very difficult times -- Famine causes a family to move from God’s land, disobeys God’s commands - Exposed a hard lesson – and one that ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:10-22, James 4:7, Ephesians 5:21, Romans 8:38, Galatians 2:20, Matthew 6:25-34  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Affliction Of Naomi Series

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Oct 18, 2022

The book of Ruth shows how God used three people to achieve his purpose. These three people had character and were true to God. It also tells the story of how God’s grace was given during a challenging time. We can see that Naomi used her life as a witness for God and it touch others.

In verses 1-3: The story of Ruth happens at some point during the time of the judges. These were dull days for Israel, when "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 17:6, 21:25). Regardless, during those dim and fiendish occasions, there were still some who followed ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Character Study Of Naomi Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 24, 2025

Naomi’s life journey was filled with loss, bitterness, wisdom, and restoration. Her story teaches us that God can turn our mourning into joy, and our faithfulness to Him will always be rewarded.

CHARACTER STUDY OF NAOMI – RUTH’S MOTHER-IN-LAW By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Ruth 1:8 "And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me." Supporting Texts: Ruth ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22, Ruth 2:20, Psalm 30:5, Romans 8:28, Isaiah 61:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

God Does Write Straight With Crooked Lines

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 16, 2025

We know, every one of us, how many times we have told God “Thy will be done” with our fingers crossed behind our backs. No, repentance must be our daily habit.

Friday of the Twentieth Week in course 2025 (Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary) The Book of Ruth is both unique and important for both Jews and Christians. Ruth was an outsider, a Moabite woman married to the son of the widow Naomi, a native of Bethlehem. When Naomi’s two sons ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40, Ruth 1:1-22

Denomination: Catholic

I Was Bitter, But Now I’m Better

Contributed by Dr. Jwt Spies on Sep 30, 2025

Isn’t it something that one of the most honored women in history, the mother of Jesus, the Savior, the Christ, carried a name that meant bitter?

Ruth 1:20-21 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. As I stand before you today, I want to lift up a thought that will stir your spirit: I Was Bitter but Now I’m Better. Touch your neighbor and say: “Neighbor, I’ve been through ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:20-21

Denomination: Baptist

How Did The Affliction Of Naomi Cause Ruth To Become Active?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Oct 5, 2023

The book of Ruth shows how God used three people to achieve his purpose. It also tells the story of how God’s grace was given during a challenging time.

THE AFFLICTION OF NAOMI Ruth 1:1-22, (16) The book of Ruth shows how God used three people to achieve his purpose. These three people had character and were true to God. It also tells the story of how God’s grace was given during a challenging time. We can see that Naomi used her life as a ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22, Ruth 2:1-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Lost But Not Forgotten Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Jul 13, 2025

This is the 1st Sermon from the Book of Ruth Series, "Faithfulness In A Fallen Land".

Series: Faithfulness In A Fallen Land [#1] LOST BUT NOT FORGOTTEN Ruth 1:1-22 Introduction: In a World full of trouble and uncertainty, the story of Ruth shows us how strong faith and God's care can be, even in difficult times. As we start our series on "Faithfulness In A Fallen ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22

Denomination: Baptist