Title: The secret to Ruth's greatness
Introduction
•By New Testament times, the book of Ruth was included on a scroll with four other books that were read publicly at the feasts of Israel.
•The book of Ruth was read at the Feast of Harvest (Pentecost) because much of the story is set in the harvest fields.
•The Book of Ruth is an inspiring love story which demonstrates God’s providential care.
I want to give you today 4 words that I believe summarizes the book of Ruth. I want to give you 1 word for each of the 4 chapters. I believe these 4 words - contain the secret to Ruth’s greatness. I also believe these 4 words are the secret to greatness in the Christian faith.
The first word- the word that I believe best summarizes Ruth chapter 1 and also the first word that describes every great Christian is the word - Resolve
In Ruth chapter 1 we see throughout the chapter the resolve of Ruth
In chapter 1 Ruth resolved to go back to Bethlehem with Naomi her mother-in-law
Resolve means “To determine to do something.”
Some might say that’s the same definition of -stubbornness
What’s the difference between resolve and stubbornness?
If you are determined to keep doing the right thing you have resolve
If you are determined to keep doing the wrong thing you have stubbornness
Application: You can’t go far with God without resolve!
You never really know how much resolve a person has… until…
someone tries to talk them out of whatever it is that they resolved to do.
Ruth had lots and lots of resolve
In Ruth chapter 1 Naomi tries to talk Ruth out of going back to Bethlehem with her
Application: Plenty of People will try and talk you and me out of moving forward with God
When that time comes and it will- we need plenty of what Ruth had: Resolve!
In Ruth chapter 1
Naomi tried to talk Ruth and her other daughter in law out of going back to Bethlehem with her - 3 times.
But all 3 times Ruth still resolved to go forward
After the second time her sister-in-law lost her resolve and went back home
It’s worth looking at what Naomi said to try and break the resolve of Ruth
Here is why
Because it’s the same story the enemy uses to try to break our resolve to move on with God.
First of all
Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law , “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the Lord show kindness to you, as you have shown to your dead and to me. May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.” (v10)
Interpretation: God will only bless you - if you return back home
If that was true then –
there really is no point in resolving to go forward is there?
But that’s how the enemy tries to break our resolve-
By telling us the blessings of God are for those who go back –not forward
Every time the children of Israel hit an obstacle in the desert-
Lets go back to Egypt!
It works!
Orpah went back but Ruth resolved to go forward
Application: The blessings of God are for those who move forward
Hymn
Though none go with me still I will follow…
Why was Naomi so much against Ruth moving forward?
Why did she try 3 times to break Ruth’s resolve?
The answer – Her bitterness against God
“I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty….The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.” (v21)
Bitterness is one of the greatest enemies of our Resolve
Bitterness will stop a person moving forward with God every time
Bitterness with use us to stop another person moving forward with God.
Bitterness tells us that God can’t be trusted
If you are not resolved to move forward check your heart for bitterness!
Maybe you feel God has let you down. Maybe you feel God’s people has let you down
Don’t let bitterness stop you moving forward with God.
But I feel God disappointed me. I feel God let me down
Spurgeon: When I cannot trace God’s hand I can always trust God’s heart.
Be a Ruth! She knew tragedy yet she still resolved to move forward with God.
Conclusion: Word #1 is Resolve
Like Ruth - Resolve to move forward with God!
Beware of the traps of betterment and bitterness
The second word is a word I believe summarizes Ruth Chapter 2
In the NiV study bible the chapter heading for Ruth chapter 2 is Ruth meets Boaz
Word #2 is Unite
In Ruth chapter 2 Ruth unites for the first time with Boaz
First she resolves to move forward with God in chapter 1
Then she unites with Boaz in chapter 2
Every Great Christian (No exceptions)
Resolves and…
Unites
If you have resolved to move forward with God you have to then unite with the right person.
If you are married- you and your spouse need to be united on moving forward with God
It’s a terrible marriage when only one spouse is resolved to move forward with God
Men we need to unite with our wife in resolving to move forward with God
But there is a far bigger message here in chapter 2
If we have resolved to move forward with God we have to unite with Christ
Many scholars believe that Boaz is a type of Christ!
Boaz is from Bethlehem. Jesus is from Bethlehem
Boaz is a kinsman redeemer – Jesus is our kinsman redeemer
Boaz approaches Ruth first – Jesus approaches us first
Boaz showers kindness on Ruth – Jesus showers kindness on us
Boaz insists Ruth not go somewhere else for what she needs - Jesus insists we don’t go- somewhere else for what we need
Boaz is the best thing that could happen to Ruth – Jesus is the best thing that could happen to us.
God providentially brought Ruth to the fields of Boaz-
The Holy Spirit providentially brings us to the feet of Jesus
Ruth meets Boaz – You and I meet Jesus
Word #1 is Resolve – Ruth resolves to go to Bethlehem – we resolve to move on with God
Word #2 is Unite – Ruth meets Boaz – We meet Jesus
Every great Christian Resolves
Every Great Christian Unites
Ruth Chapter 3 contains our third word. It’s the word Trust
Every Great Christian Resolves
Every Great Christian Unites
Every Great Christian Trusts
In Ruth chapter 3 we see Ruth putting her total trust in Boaz in order that he might give her a better life.
Ruth demonstrates her total trust in Boaz by coming up to him and lying down at his feet
“Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down.” (v7)
“In the middle of the night something startled the man and he turned and discovered a woman lying at his feet.
Who are you? He asked.
I am your servant Ruth, “She said. Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer.”
The Lord bless you, my daughter” He replied. This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier.”
You showed me resolve
You showed me unite
But this kindness is greater…
You now show me trust. You trust me completely!
We show Jesus resolve
We show Jesus unite
But do we show Jesus our trust?
Do we really lay everything at His feet?
I’m scared to trust Jesus
I’m not ready yet to trust Jesus
I don’t know how to trust Jesus.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Finally we have Ruth chapter 4
Here we have Our last word.
To add to Resolve
Unite
Trust
Our last word is Honor
In chapter 4 Boaz honored Ruth’s resolve; He honored her unite and he honored her trust.
He honors Ruth by marrying her
By marrying her He gives her a new home
He gives her a new name
He gives her a new future
He gives her a place in the genealogy of Jesus
God wants to honor our resolve
God wants to honor our unite
God wants to honor our trust
He wants to honor us with a better future
I believe God is speaking to people here today.
He wants us to make a decision to go on with him
To resolve
To unite
To trust
Closing:
Pray for married couples
Both of you will resolve
Both of you will unite
Both of you will trust
See what God can do!
