Kinsman Redeemer

Intro

What is our worth?

Would you consider that your worth is in finances? Time? What others think of you?

Need: We place OUR value on these things only to be let down by them when they fail us. Our response is to think we aren’t worth it.

Resolution: Our value isn’t in those things. It’s in who God says we are. He determines our worth.

Main Idea: We have redemption in Christ

Recap Ruth. Naomi was married to Elimelech. Two sons. Married. All men died. Ruth, a Moabitess, vowed to stay with Naomi. Poor and no source of income. Ruth gleaning and Boaz met her. Naomi pointed out he was a close relative. Ruth met Boaz on the threshing floor and asked him to be the redeemer. Boaz said there was another one.

Ruth 4:1-22

Truth #1: Redemption comes at a cost (1-10)

Exp. Redemption was built into the Levitical system. Levirate Marriage. Husband dies, closes relative would purchase the land and marry the widow. The man who marries the widow continues the line of the deceased. The man loses his line. That’s what is at stake here. Verses 1-4. Boaz focuses on land. Verses 5-6. He’s all in until he has to give up his name. The redeemer here isn’t even named. Ironic that he was concerned for his name. Being a redeemer is costly. In front of elders at the gate so everyone would know.

Ill. Like me going to the corner where the hardware store is a announcing that I was buying a car. Not only am I buying a car, but I’m giving up my house in order to buy it. Invite everyone to hear me so they all knew this process was going down. Hold me accountable.

Exp. Verses 7-10. Boaz takes it on for himself. Gives up his inheritance to continue Elimelech. The townspeople respond well. Verses 11-12.

Christ - Themes that point to Christ

Dead live on through the living. We are brought to life in Jesus. We were dead, but through him we were made alive.

Outsiders brought into the family of God. The townspeople blessed Ruth as Rachel and Leah. Mothers of Israel. She is now in Israel. We were blessed in Christ and brought into God’s family.

App. Redemption is costly. It cost Boaz, and it cost Jesus. In receiving Christ, we are also obligated to give up. We don’t live in a culture where it’s easy to say no. What are you willing to give up for Christ?

Comfort. Things are comfortable and I don’t want things to change.

Finances. Saying no could cost you financially. Is that worth what you lose?

Reputation. Does your name mean more than Christ’s?

Truth #2: Redemption trusts God’s plans (11-22)

Exp. God had a plan this whole time. Verse 13. Last place we see Ruth. She was brought into the family. Married Boaz. Had a son. Continued the line. Displayed remarkable faithfulness. Naomi’s story changed. Verse 14. God did not leave her without a redeemer. The names of her husband and two sons were redeemed through the provision of God. God had a plan, and we can’t overstate this. There is a great designer who has a plan and brings redemption to his creation.

Ill. Tapestries in Biltmore house. Beautiful ornate tapestries. If you turned them around, it would look like a jumbled mess. Wouldn’t make sense. Like reading the Old Testament. Flip it over and it reveals this beautiful design. Seeing the whole picture

Arg. We get a glimpse of the entire picture in the following verses. Verse 17-22. Two things of note: Boaz’s father is Salmon, which means his mother is Rahab. Her story is in the book of Joshua. How an outsider was brought in because of her faith. Then we have David. In the tapestry, we just bridged the gap from Joshua to David. This family line is the most important family line: the kingly line of David.

Christ - God is weaving this tapestry that is completed in Jesus Christ! His plan for redemption was not in a close relative, but one who we were far from because of our sin. Through his blood, we were redeemed back to the father.

Ephesians 1:7-10, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”

God’s plan was mysterious for a time, but then he revealed it in Christ. Imagine going through life disconnected from the grand plan that God has. You may feel that way.

App. How do we trust in his plan?

Resolve your heart. I will trust when I don’t feel like it.

Resolve your mind. I will trust when I don’t understand.

Resolve your actions. I will move and not stand still.

Conclusion

Your value is not in your time or money. It’s in God’s love for you. It’s who he made you to be. He purchased you with his price: the blood of his son.