She Was Stedfastly Minded

“SHE WAS STEDFASTLY MINDED”

Ruth 1:1-18 W. Max Alderman

INTRODUCTION: When Elimelech left Bethlehem-Judah, he left and then lost all… How easy it is to leave God’s best for only Satan’s good. Satan does not mind giving you only the good if he can keep you from the best. Elimelech, upon going to Moab, left his inheritance and then lost his influence. He may have been like the prodigal Son in Luke 15. Only he never returned home; he sadly died in the far country.

Naomi, after burying her husband and then her two sons in the “far country” began to long for home. Ruth because “she was stedfastly minded” clave unto Naomi and returned with her to eventually marry Boaz. Ruth was to receive many benefits and blessing by being “stedfastly minded”. She also should challenge us to be like her in this way. We may also make some parallels to the way one benefits by being saved…

I. RUTH FOUND A NEW PATH FOR HER FEET. (V.16)

16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: ]

Just as Ruth found a new path for her feet, so do we who are saved find some new things:

A. Salvation Brings About A New Direction.

B. Salvation Brings About A New Delight.

C. Salvation Brings About a New Desire.

D. Salvation Brings About a New Determination.

E. Salvation Brings About a New Dwelling or Destiny.

II. RUTH FOUND A NEW PLACE FOR HER FAMILY

Just as Ruth found a new place for her family, the redeemed has a new place for the family of the redeemed, the church, while on the earth and the New Jerusalem in heaven.

A. The Church is the Place for the Redeemed upon the Earth.

B. The Heavenly City (the New Jerusalem) is the place for the Redeemed in Eternity.

III. RUTH FOUND NEW PEOPLE TO BE HER FRIENDS

Just as Ruth was to find new friends, salvation also brings a new family of friends.

A. Salvation Brings to You a New Family to Walk With.

B. Salvation Brings a New Family to Worship With.

C. Salvation Brings a New Family to Work With.

D. Salvation Brings a New Family to Witness With.

Ephesians 2:1-10

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

IV. RUTH FOUND NEW POWER FOR HER FAITH

Ruth’s faith had previously been in the gods of Moab. She now trusts in the God of Naomi and said in verse number 16, “for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:”

A. Ruth Found New Power to Help Her Live

B. Ruth Found New Power to Help Her Love

C. Ruth Found New Power to Help Her Labor

V. RUTH FOUND NEW PROSPECTS FOR HER FUTURE

In verse number 16, she says: “where thou diest, will I die”.

A. She Would Live Her Life and Die In a New Land

B. She Would Live Her Life and Die Having a New Lord

C. She Would Live Her Life and Die With a New Love

D. She Would Live Her Life and Die of a New Lineage.

(Mt. 1:5)