A Worthy Man

†CALL TO WORSHIP based on Malachi 1:11

Steven Hoffer, Elder

Minister: Thus says the Lord of hosts:

Congregation: For from the rising of the sun even to its setting, my name will be great among the nations.

Minister: In every place incense is going to be offered in his name, and a grain offering that is pure;

Congregation: We offer our worship, for your name will be great among the nations.

†PRAYER OF ADORATION AND INVOCATION

†OPENING HYMN OF PRAISE #379

“Come, Christians, Join to Sing”

†CONFESSION OF SIN & ASSURANCE OF PARDON

based on 1 John 1:8; Isa. 1:18

Minister: If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. Let us confess our sins to the Lord our God.

Congregation: Almighty and most merciful Father; we have strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done. There is no health in us.

Have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent, according to your promises, which were declared unto us in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O merciful Father, for his sake, that we may live a godly, righteous, and sober life; to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

Minister: Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

Congregation: Thanks be to God! Amen.

CONTINUAL READING OF SCRIPTURE 2 Timothy 4:9-22

Pastor Austin Prince

THE OFFERING OF TITHES AND OUR GIFTS

As we prepare to give our tithes and offerings, hear the word of the Lord

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV)

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYERS

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

†PSALM OF PREPARATION #119M

“O How I Love Your Holy Law”

SERMON Pastor Austin Prince // A Worthy Man // Ruth 2:1

PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION

Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy scripture to be written for our learning; grant that we may in such a way hear them, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of your holy word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our savior Jesus Christ.

TEXT RUTH 2:1

Ruth 2:1 ESV

1 Now Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.

AFTER SCRIPTURE

Turn my heart toward your statures and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; renew my life according to your word.

Intro

We know, or at least our world used to know, that there is an obvious difference between male and female. But when you ask what is the difference between masculine and feminine, you often can’t get a clear answer, either. Their defining characteristics are difficult to pin down in our culture. We hear at times of toxic masculinity or fragile masculinity, or feminism, but what is something like masculinity or femininity, anyway?

Last week we took the opportunity to reexamine the book of Ruth through the lens of the Proverbs 31 woman. Both women are given the designation of eshet chayil, or (worthy women) and live up to and embody such a high praise. And it was good to see in Ruth’s very real and often difficult life in the trenches what Proverbs 31 articulates as feminine excellence.

We noted how Ruth and the Proverbs 31 woman demonstrate this female excellence in submission, nurture, and in courage. Submission, not just to anyone, but strategically and faithfully aimed to her husband and to God. She is not a doormat to be walked over; she is a companion who is wise and gives her support and counsel but doesn not wrestle for control, either. The bride of Christ, the Church (the men included), takes on this aspectof feminine excellence as we are called to submit in all things to our Lord. Feminine doesn not mean weak; it is responsive, and it glorifies.

She, the excellent woman, is an adornment — a jewel to her husband, a thing of beauty and praise by her children or in the towns gates. She nurtures the home and the head of the home and the fruit of her home. And she is a woman who has rightly placed fear — it’s in the Lord, not in her circumstances or insecurities. She laughs at the time to come and has no need to manipulate or yank at the steering wheel of life or her husband. She trusts God and she serves her home with gladness, diligence, and strength. The tectonic plates deep under her feet are the solid sovereignty of God and she stands secure. She is strong in confidence and soft with care over those whose care is entrusted to her. She is velvet wrapped steel. These are some of the qualities of feminine excellence.

In like manner, this week we are going to take the opportunity to look back through the book of Ruth and reflect on the gibbor chayil, the worthy man, Boaz. Why does he receive that title and what demonstrates his masculine excellence?

What is it that makes a man more than male, but masculine?

We will turn our attention to three areas from the book of Ruth:

Provision

Protection / Self Control

Responsibility

Provision

“And at mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come here and eat some bread and dip your morsel in the wine.” So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed to her roasted grain. And she ate until she was satisfied, and she had some left over. When she rose to glean, Boaz instructed his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. And also pull out some from the bundles for her and leave it for her to glean, and do not rebuke her.”” (Ruth 2:14–16, ESV)

“And her mother-in-law said to her, “Where did you glean today? And where have you worked? Blessed be the man who took notice of you.” So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked and said, “The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.”” (Ruth 2:19, ESV)

“And he said, “Bring the garment you are wearing and hold it out.” So she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley and put it on her. Then she went into the city.” (Ruth 3:15, ESV)

There are several scenes through the book of Ruth where Boaz overwhelmingly provides for Ruth and Naomi. He is prepared to give and he is generous.

Many attributes contribute to this provision, but at the front would be things like strong and faithful work ethic, the ability to say no to excessive spending on the self or reckless spending, a forethought to save and to serve others, and a forsaking of laziness. It’s primarily a discipline that seeks to work for the benefit of others by equipping them with what they need to survive and to thrive.

As 1 Timothy 5:8 says,

“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8, ESV)

Of course there are times when very legitimate infirmities would keep a man from being able to provide. But this is about volitional decisions. It would be very emasculate to fail at providing for those in your care because of laziness or recklessness or selfishness.

If you are thinking about marriage but instead of saving for a ring you save up for a gaming chair. She won’t be impressed.

If you aren’t making ends meet and you are still thinking about buying a boat or a new truck.

If you are unwilling to show self-restraint for the good and benefit of others.

If those in your care have needs that you currently can’t afford, you shoulder the burden of extra work, rations, self-control, and leadership to provide.

You show the discipline of saving and the others-oriented generosity of serving.

Now, provision doesn’t mean opulence. I don’t mean that it is uniquely masculine to provide a lavish lifestyle. I mean that it is distinctly masculine to make sure that the needs of your home and those in your care are are met. You seek God’s blessing in it and you serve with strength.

Ruth and the excellent women of Proverbs were praised for the diligent work of their hands and what they were able to do with the materials that were brought to them, but those materials they worked with and that freedom to bless by them should be provided by the faithful work of a generous man.

The second trait that we can draw from Boaz’s example in the book of Ruth is protection/self-control

Protection / Self-Control

“Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them. Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn.”” (Ruth 2:8–9, ESV)

Yet again, this text describes Boaz’s provision, but it also adds his intention for Ruth’s protection. Either by planning, leveraging his resources, the covenant of marriage, or his physical strength, Boaz seeks to shelter Ruth with everything he’s got.

Masculinity leverages the strengths of being male into the protection of the vulnerable.

If toxic masculinity is a thing at all, it would be when a man leverages his strength to hurt the vulnerable or to abdicate his post of protection. This is not only in times of danger, but times where he may be tempted to be a predator and leverage his strengths to manipulate or to violate. This is non-masculine, just as it is non-feminine to be designed for nurture and care, and to be physically formed to curate life but then to willingly terminate it.

And this dynamic of protection is also highlighted in this story, but also all the lives of men, through self-control, and in particular, sexual self-control.

Sexual Protection

The night when Ruth came to the threshing floor after he had eaten and drunk and his heart was merry, Ruth presented herself to Boaz with an opportunity for marriage, but also an opportunity for sexual indulgence. In this scene she is being obedient to Naomi and she is asking for Boaz to “spread his wings over her” (to redeem her), but there is a tension in the air — what will these two do? Will they maintain their honor?

Boaz assures Ruth that he will protect her, without any prompting or prodding or tempting from her. He resists the opportunity that the seclusion and availability brought to him, and he even sought to send Ruth away before anyone could see her, protecting her reputation and dignity among others.

In masculine excellence, much protection will take place under the discipline of self-control, especially sexual self-control.

Things like lust and the use of pornography, or getting your date in the backseat of your car might seem right because you are male and your are physically drawn to them, but they are not masculine. “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” (Proverbs 25:28, ESV)

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” (James 1:27, ESV)

It is both a protection of the vulnerable and self-control.

Lastly, and perhaps most centrally defining, is responsibility

Glad assumption of sacrificial responsibility

“So when the redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself,” he drew off his sandal. Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and to Mahlon. Also Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Mahlon, I have bought to be my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his native place. You are witnesses this day.”” (Ruth 4:8–10, ESV)

Notice what Boaz is saying, “I take responsibility for Ruth, Naomi, and Elimelech’s land, and I will perpetuate the lineages of Mahlon and Chilion.” Boaz willingly took upon himself a massive load of responsibility.

I have always liked how Douglas Wilson defines masculinity and its effects:

He says, “Masculinity is the glad assumption of sacrificial responsibility.”

And he follows that up by saying that “authority flows to those who take responsibility and authority flees those why reject responsibility.”

We saw this in Ruth’s narrative with the redeemer who was the closer relative. That man saw the cost to himself and he turned away. His name in the text was merely pelō·nîʹ ʾǎl·mō·nî (Hebrew — Old so & so).

Many men lose their name and their standing by refusing to take responsibility.

How many fathers are there who sat on the couch and didn’t engage their families, or teach and instruct their children, or to love and protect their wives? How many children have walked away from the faith because their fathers never took up the task of praying with them and teaching them to love God and His word?

How many marriages are plagued by score counting and blame shifting? A man may enter into many spheres of life and business and family not share all of the blame, but he should be willing to take upon himself responsibility among those spheres nonetheless.

It is abdication of responsibility that is emasculate.

As the saying goes, “All that you need for a garden of weeds is to do nothing.”

A question that every man should be asking all the time is: “Where can I take responsibility?” Who could use some help, what am I missing?

To drill down a bit on Doug Wilson’s definition, masculinity is defined by taking responsibility gladly and sacrificially.

It’s the masculinity that is on display thorugh Christ, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross. The burdens that you carry aren’t done with complaint or a sour attitude or whining but they are done with eagerness and gratitude for the glory of God and the good of others.

Conclusion

For men, we don’t have a chapter like Proverbs 31 which outlines the qualities of masculine excellence, but we do have it perfectly embodied through the person of Christ.

He is our provider in such a way that we are to be anxious for nothing — He knows our needs and he is not asleep at the wheel.

He is our protector — the good shepherd who does not let the wolves over the gates.

And He is our Redeemer, who didn’t consider the costs of our redemption too much to pay or annoying or a burden, but gave himself up, the righteous for the unrighteous. And it is this embrace of sacrificial responsibility that lifts our hearts and draws us to his authority. In the same manner, it is that quality in you that leads others.

If we have failed in some of these areas or are failing, repent and be free. If you are failing to provide or are being lazy, God is calling you to diligence and concern for others. If you are failing to protect or have a lack of self-control, if you have looked at porn recently or have been unfaithful in thought or action toward your spouse, repent and come to the Lord. As 1 Corinthians reminds us, such were some of you, but you were washed and made clean. There needn’t be anything that keeps you from being free in the Lord today. God gladly takes on the responsibility, at much cost to himself, for your sins. Listen to His call and lay them down. And if you have failed to take responsibility, repent of the passiveness or fear that keeps your hand from the plow or the sword. Instead, pray that God would help you to gladly and sacrificially take ownership and stewardship for those around you and to grow your authority at home and in your relationships.

Colossians gives us the exhortation to act like men. We are to pay attention, the text says, because it doesn’t happen naturally. It is not merely male, but masculine. It’s what made Boaz a truly “worthy man”, and it is something to embrace.

†HYMN OF RESPONSE #416

“Your Hand, O God, Has Guided”

THE MINISTRY OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

Minister: Lift up your hearts!

Congregation: We lift them up to the Lord.

Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

Congregation: It is right for us to give thanks and praise!

THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION Mark 14:22-25

Hear Jesus’ words as he offers the supper to his disciples:

And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it.

And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

CONFESSION OF FAITH Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A’s 75, 80

Minister: Christians, what do you believe about these words?

Congregation: By these words our Lord commands all believers to eat this broken bread and to drink this cup in true faith and in the confident hope of his return in glory.

In this supper God declares to us that our sins have been completely forgiven through the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which he himself finished on the cross once for all. He also declares to us that the Holy Spirit grafts us into Christ, who with his very body is now in heaven at the right hand of the Father, where he wants us to worship him.

Minister: Let us worship him together. Be seated.

INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE

Ad hoc on — taking gladly taking sacrificial responsibility, or

The Lord has prepared this table for all who love him and trust in him alone for their salvation. It is for those who belong to Christ through repentance, faith, baptism, and abiding union with his Church.

“O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.” Let’s pray.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Minister: Lord, our God, send your Holy Spirit so that this bread and cup may be for us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. May we and all your saints be united with Christ and remain faithful in hope and love. Gather your whole church, O Lord, into the glory of your kingdom. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

DISTRIBUTION OF THE ELEMENTS [Ask elders to distribute the trays].

Does everyone have what they need?

SHARING OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

As the Lord Jesus has commanded us, take, eat and drink, remember, believe, and proclaim.

†OUR RESPONSE #572

“Gloria Patri”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end. Amen, amen.

†BENEDICTION: GOD’S BLESSING FOR HIS PEOPLE

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (5/19/24)