Restless, Yet...

Introduction:

· A Christmas Story: Ralphie’s quest...

LET’S LOOK AT THAT SEARCH FOR REST, THE SEARCH FOR LOVE, AND THE SERACH FOR IDENTITY.

I) In Search of Rest (vv. 1-5)

A. The Need Behind The Need:

i. Not just a husband, but “rest” (vs. 1)

1. From “living with her MIL” to “finding a home”: Matchmaker for Ruth:

2. But notice: Not just a “husband” but finding rest (vs. 1; see 1:9)

ii. Rest: The need behind the Need

1. Death? Heaven? Enemies? Rest from worries and concerns, settling down

2. EXAMPLE: Waking up at night, your mind races: You need rest!

3. Would a husband free Ruth from cares, worries, and concerns?

B. Our Deeper Quest for True Rest

i. We Seek Rest:

1. EXAMPLE: Survey: 500K salaryàhappy à REST!

2. OR: Relationship? Family? Experiences? Gender? We seek REST!

ii. Yet our pursuit of “rest” leaves us exhausted

1. We are over a trillion dollars in CC debt, and it’s still not enough

2. We alter biology, gender, thinking it will free us – but it never does

3. Busyness has become a status symbol à Exhaustion!

WE PURSUE REST FOR OUR HEARTS AND SOULS, YET SO MANY NEVER FIND IT. BUT THERE’S MORE.

II) In Search of Love (vv. 6-14)

A. A Match Made In Heaven?

i. Is this a quest for love? (vv. 2, 11)

1. Boaz was a relative known for kindness; Ruth, a Proverbs 31 woman

2. So, Naomi may have found the ideal couple

ii. The Plan: (vv. 3-4, 7-9)

1. Naomi’s (ambiguous) suggestion: perhaps sexual overture,

2. Ruths’ actions seek a marriage proposal (See Eze. 16:8)

Ezekiel 16:8 ESV

“When I passed by you again and saw you, behold, you were at the age for love, and I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness; I made my vow to you and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Lord God, and you became mine.

B. God’s Love Shown Through Boaz’ Love

i. God provides abundance (vv. 14-17)

1. One question in this story: How will God care for “empty” Naomi?

2. Naomi who had left empty, now receives a fullness from Boaz

ii. God’s Love for His people

1. EXAMPLE: Does God still love me when I’m alone? Season of grief/Loss? Financial trouble?

2. ADVENT: God didn’t hold back Jesus; he won’t hold anything less.

WE LONG TO KNOW THAT WE ARE LOVED – AND ADVENT ASSURES US THAT GOD LOVES US EVEN WHEN IT MAY NOT BE CLEAR TO US. THERE’S ONE FINAL QUESTION.

III) In Search of Identity (vv. 15-18)

A. A Returning Question: “Who Are You?”

i. A Nagging Question: Who is Ruth (vv. 16, 9)

1. Naomi’s question isn’t translated literally because it’s so out of place

2. From “Moabite-Foreigner” to “Daughter: Ruth has found an identity

ii. A rephrased Question: Do you find your rest in your identity?

1. So many of us build our identity on the things in which we seek our rest

2. EXAMPLE: We want to get married in a culture that elevates marriage; We fight for social issues, and find our identity with our tribe; etc.

B. Receiving A Gift: An Identity That Will Give Us True Rest

i. A redeemer closer than I: (vs. 12)

1. The identity we try to create or that we strive for leaves us restless

2. Boaz’s response: A redeemer closer than I is more true than he knows

3. Jesus loses heaven’s, enters a restless world àfor our rest (Mt. 11:28)

Matthew 11:28 ESV

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

ii. A God who spreads His Wings Over Us

1. This child spreads his nail-pierced hands, in a wedding embrace

2. So, “Who are you?

Transition:

Conclusion

· Ralphie shoots his eye out…and gospel-centered hope