BREAKING THROUGH THE LINE OF MEDIOCRITY
Reading: Ruth 1:1-18
The invisible dividing line between mediocrity and excellent life is evident in many people today. Everywhere, you can find people who after several trials and failures resolve to accept the status quo and believe the voice of lies that they just can’t do it anymore.
Everywhere, I can see people who are quitters!
1. He might be a former Christians who quit on his faith and later became drunkard, alcoholic, drug addict, robber and miserable
2. She might be a former obedient daughter who quit on her righteous stand and later became pregnant but unmarried, problematic and suicidal
3. He might be a former student who quit his studies and later became a married man with 5 children, unemployed and slave of debts
4. He might be a former honest employee who quit on his integrity and later end up in prison due to dishonesty
5. He might be a former minister of the Gospel who quits and later became the slaves of every sin that he formerly condemned.
6. He might be a former faithful husband or she might be a former faithful wife who after several temptations quit and become additional to the ever growing numbers of broken marriages and broken lives.
I don’t know what kind of situation that you are involved with today. But whatever it is, I have good news for you! There is still hope for you my friend! And you might be a minute away from the answer to your giant problems!
The word of God has a message of hope for you and there is nothing is impossible with God. If you want to break through across the line of mediocrity! If you want to experience the freedom from the slavery of sinful life! Then this message is for you!
Tell to your neighbor beside you, THIS MESSAGE IS FOR YOU!
In our Text today, Ruth, a Moabite girl, who had been converted to Israelite belief is facing the moment of decision in her life. Will she cross the line of Mediocrity to pursue her new found faith in God or come along with the wave of the sinful world by going back to her old life?
The chronological order on the scenes of her life:
1. A famine in Israel caused the family of Naomi to migrate to Moab, where Ruth is living
2. Ruth was married to one of Naomi’s son and was converted to Jewish faith
3. She learned the new found faith, study God’s word and was converted by heart through the daily testimony of her mother in law, Naomi
4. But after few years, a great tragedy came; her father in law, her husband and brother in law died. Naomi, her mother in law decided to go back to Israel.
5. Naomi urged her two daughters in law to go back to their own family and to their former god because of the uncertainty of their future in Israel.
Rth 1:11 But Naomi replied, "Why should you go on with me? Can I still give birth to other sons who could grow up to be your husbands?
Rth 1:12 No, my daughters, return to your parents’ homes, for I am too old to marry again. And even if it were possible, and I were to get married tonight and bear sons, then what?
Rth 1:13 Would you wait for them to grow up and refuse to marry someone else? No, of course not, my daughters! Things are far more bitter for me than for you, because the LORD himself has caused me to suffer."
Ruth is now facing the crucial moment of her life. Her sister in law, Orpah had already gave up and returned to her family and her god in Moab. The temptation and pressure to give up became heavier this time.
Rth 1:14 And again they wept together, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye. But Ruth insisted on staying with Naomi.
Rth 1:15 "See," Naomi said to her, "your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. You should do the same."
Orpah was a picture of a quitter. Orpah love her mother in law, however, she doesn’t love her enough to go with her. Like Ruth, Orpah became a believer of God in the house of her mother in law; however, the fact that she choose to go back again to Moab is an indication of her backsliding life. For surely, she cannot stand alone on her new found faith in the midst of idolatrous people of Moab.
On the other hand, Ruth decided to break through across the line of mediocrity. She knows that she might be still weak on her faith and therefore need spiritual guidance by her mother in law. And since her faith in God becomes her priority, she is determined to keep it and do all possible means to protect it.
Rth 1:16 But Ruth replied, "Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. I will go wherever you go and live wherever you live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.
Rth 1:17 I will die where you die and will be buried there. May the LORD punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!"
Ruth was a Moabite girl. Moabites are gentile or pagan people who worship idols and considered sinners by the Jewish people.
But what made Ruth so special in God’s sight that He makes sure that one of the Old Testament books of the Bible bears her name?. Ruth is one among the only two women whose name was used as title of Biblical books and the only Gentile who enjoy this kind heavenly honor. The other one is Esther and she is an Israelite.
First and foremost, Ruth finds the right connection by sticking to her godly mother in law, Naomi
I. RIGHT CONNECTION
Get connected with people who are connected to God
But Ruth replied, "Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back”
What is right connection?
It is the line that connect you to the right channel especially to God and his people.
Why was Ruth stick to Naomi, her mother in law? Her husband, the person that connected them legally has already been dead and Ruth is now free to choose her own way. However, Ruth was able to know the God of Israel through the living testimony of Naomi and this new found relationship with the true God created a strong bonding on their relationship not only as mother in law but they become member of one family - the family of God.
People who find the wrong connections:
1. Lot, on the later part of his life finds the wrong connection in Sodom and ruined his family
2. Samson finds the wrong wife and wake up on the hands of the enemy
The bible gives a stern warning:
1Co 15:33 Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."
People who find the right connections:
1. Ruth finds the right connection with Naomi and became the grand mother of the Messiah
2. Lot on the earlier part of his life finds the right connection with Abraham and became wealthy man
3. The harlot, Rahab finds the right connection with the 2 Spy from Israel and save his life including her family
4. The Egyptian ruler finds the right connection with Joseph and the Lord blessed his household
5. Elisha finds the right connection with Elijah and received the double portion of anointing from God
6. Timothy finds the right connection with Paul and became a faithful pastor
Supposed they did not find the right connection, the end of their stories might be different. How about you?
Secondly, Ruth was able to break through the line of mediocrity because she finds the right direction. She wants to follow the will of God for her life and she knew that she still needs the guidance of godly spiritual leader like Naomi
II. RIGHT DIRECTION
Choose direction according to the will of God
“I will go wherever you go and live wherever you live”
Heading to the right direction is very important so we can reach our divine destiny. Ruth chooses the right direction and fulfilled the will of God for her life.
Joshua gave the same challenge to Israelite when he said:
Jos 24:15 But if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD."
The right direction doesn’t promise us a way through a beautiful garden or a bed of roses. Surely there will be difficulties along the way. But Jesus promises His abiding presence when He said:
Mat 28:20 “… obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
I suggest some simple steps so you will never be lost on your journey:
1. Use the word of God as your map and guide
2. Focus on your hope and destination and don’t be disturbed with the things of the world
3. Share the love of God to others specially the lost as you travel on your journey
4. Recharge your strength by spending daily devotion and constant communion with God always.
5. Be encouraged with the fellowship of other believers of God and find ways to serve them also.
No man is an island! We need fellowship of other believer who will ignite the fire and passion inside of us. Ruth finds the third step so she can break through the line of mediocrity. It is the fellowship or communion with other believer of God. She made the strong decision by declaring, “…your people will be my people”
III. RIGHT COMMUNION
Stick with right group of people
“Your people will be my people”
Marks of the genuine brethren:
1. They have loyalty through tough times.
2. They posses unconditional acceptance.
3. They prove their compassion by action.
4. They give words of encouragement.
5. They have concern for your physical and spiritual needs
Sticking with the right group of people will create a great impact on our character. And as a result we will be connected also to the God whom they believe. Ruth finds the fourth steps in breaking through the line of mediocrity and it is the right relationship with God.
IV. RIGHT DEVOTION
Pledge your allegiance to God
“and your God will be my God”
This is the most important decision that Ruth ever made in her whole life when she commit her life to God. This decision changed the whole course of her life and consequently changes her life’s destiny.
God doesn’t care about your past. It’s not a matter to Him if you are a Gentile or Jews, a sinner or saint, a winner or looser, a beggar or a rich man, a black or white. What is important to God is your decision to accept Him as your master and God!
God waits for your decision so He can do his part:
He can change your life!
He can erase your past!
He can restore your life!
He can rebuild your family!
He can set you free from drug addiction or any bad habits!
He can make you a better person!
He can transform you to a brand new man!
THROUGH OUR GOD:
You can have your brand new starts!
You can become what God wants you to be!
You can be a blessing to others!
You can be a valuable and important person to your community!
And it is because God is a God of mercy and grace. The Psalmist declared:
sa 113:5 Who is like the LORD our God, Who dwells on high,
Psa 113:7 He raises the poor out of the dust, And lifts the needy out of the ash heap,
Psa 113:8 That He may seat him with princes; With the princes of His people.
I challenge you to make your decision today! Will you make the God of Israel to be your God? Will you decide to commit your life to the God of Ruth? Do you want to invite and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life today?
Now, this decision is not to be taken lightly. Many people make decision but failed to make commitment. They say YES to God but don’t say NO to the sinful world and to the Devil. True commitment to Christ involves repentance and turning away from old life.
Ruth understand the meaning of true commitment when she declared that she is willing to bet her own life for this very important decision.
The fourth step to break through the line of mediocrity is right dedication.
V. RIGHT DEDICATION
Make a total commitment to God not only to live but also to die for Him
“I will die where you die and will be buried there. May the LORD punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!"
This total Dedication changes the life of Ruth Forever:
1. She went to Country of Israel and live a faithful life to God
2. She find a godly husband there, the kinsman redeemer which the type or figurative of Christ the Redeemer of the world
3. She became the grand mother of king David who is the grand father of the Messiah, Jesus Christ
4. God honor her faith and obedience to God by allowing one of the books of the Holy Scripture to bear her name. The only gentile woman to receive such divine honor.
5. She successfully breaks through the line of mediocrity and became the inspiration to many people including you and me.
REFLECTIONS:
1) Only the faith practice in daily living can produce a genuine converts
2) The love of God flowing through our lives is the most effective way of evangelism
3) The Christian example is like a magnet that attracts real friendship
4) Real friendship is a product of genuine faith
5) Genuine faith remains brighter even in the midst of worst environment as in the case of Naomi and her family.
6) Sometimes, God allowed calamity and disaster to let us scattered in foreign land and find, reach out and made impact to the life of some people like Ruth
7) When God let someone die, it is to resurrect him to someone better. Ruth’s first husband died but he was figuratively resurrected through the life of Boaz, the kinsman redeemer
8) Earth is embittered to us sometimes, that heaven may be endeared.
9) Many have a value and affection for Christ, and yet come short of salvation by him, because they cannot find in their hearts to forsake other things for him. They love him and yet leave him, because they do not love him enough, but love other things better. ( Orpah – the quiter)
CHALLENGE:
What is the invisible line of mediocrity that is holding your life today?
What keeps you from experiencing a closer relationship with your God and Savior?
Do you really want to experience the excellent kind of life that God wants you to have?
Are you willing to forsake the Moab of your old life today and face the better life in Christ for the glory of God?
Are you willing to venture your life in God, leave your sinful old life and face the challenge of being called the child of God?
Are you willing to give your life to Jesus now? Make Him the Lord, the King and Savior of your life today?
If your answer is YES, pray this prayer to God in the name of Jesus.
Father God in heaven, I decide now to give and commit my life to you. Be my Lord, God and King. I entrusted to you my life from this time on. In Jesus name Amen!
If you have been blessed, encouraged or inspired by this sermon then it’s your turn to be an encouragement too. You can do it by sending email to this contributor at spy2rb@yahoo.com or post comment on the discussion box below.
