Text: Ruth 1 and 4 Teacher: Pastor Will Date: 3-28-2021

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Gideon review from last Sunday (March 21, 2021) — God tests our faith for at least two reasons:

1. To show us whether our faith is real or counterfeit (Judges 6)
2. To strengthen our faith for the tasks He’s set before us. (Judges 7)

Gideon’ strengths and weaknesses

Key lesson: God sees who we are becoming, not just who we are right now.

1 Corinthians 1:26 – 29 (NLT) 26Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. 27Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

Last Sunday’s MMM: “Faith in God allows us to see the invisible, choose the imperishable, and do the impossible.” Matthew

19:26 26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

This week (March 28, 2021):

Be a Berean “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” Acts 17:11

3 amazing things about Ruth

No. 1: Faithful (Loyal)

Ruth 1:16 – 18 (NLT) 16But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. 17Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” 18When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more.

Ruth’s statement in Ruth 1:16-17 is one of the most magnificent confessions found anywhere in Scripture.

• Ruth confessed her love for Naomi and her desire to stay with her mother-in-law even unto death.
• Ruth confessed her faith in the true and living God and her decision to worship Him alone.
• Ruth was willing to forsake father and mother in order to cleave to Naomi and the God of her people.
• Ruth was totally committed to accompany Naomi and live in Bethlehem with God’s covenant people.

No. 2: Obedient (Teachable)

5“I will do everything you say,” Ruth replied.

Ruth 3:1 – 11 (NLT)

1One day Naomi said to Ruth, “My daughter, it’s time that I found a permanent home for you, so that you will be provided for.

2Boaz is a close relative of ours, and he’s been very kind by letting you gather grain with his young women. Tonight he will be winnowing barley at the threshing floor.

3Now do as I tell you—take a bath and put on perfume and dress in your nicest clothes. Then go to the threshing floor, but don’t let Boaz see you until he has finished eating and drinking.

4Be sure to notice where he lies down; then go and uncover his feet and lie down there. He will tell you what to do.” No. 3: Redeemed (servant)

Ruth 3:9-11 “I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer.”

10“The LORD bless you, my daughter!” Boaz exclaimed. “You are showing even more family loyalty now than you did before, for you have not gone after a younger man, whether rich or poor.

11Now don’t worry about a thing, my daughter. I will do what is necessary, for everyone in town knows you are a virtuous woman.

God can use anyone……regardless of background

When you read the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matthew 4, you find the names of five women, four of whom have very questionable credentials:

• Tamar committed incest with her father-in-law (Gen. 38:3);
• Rahab was a Gentile harlot (Josh. 2:5);
• Ruth was an outcast Gentile Moabitess (Ruth 1:5);
• “the wife of Uriah” was an adulteress (2 Sam. 11:6).

God is “long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). (Mary is the fifth woman in the genealogy, and she was included because of God’s grace and her faith. Luke 1:26-56.)

1. “before we present ourselves to Him, we must learn to prepare ourselves for Him”

Ecc. 9:8 (KJV) let your garments always be white, and let your head lack no oil.