12.22.25 Sermon @ Tulip CC - Love Shown in Ruth’s Guardian Redeemer

Series Recap & Sermon Intro

The Mothers of Jesus Series

Looking at the Hope, Peace, Love, & Joy found in the lives of the women listed in Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew 1

Rahab - Hope, in spite of our past and present sins and way of life, when we place our Hope in God He will respond with mercy and grace, sparing us from His Judgement. Even when His wrath brings down the walls all around us, we will be spared by our faith and obedience to Him.

Tamar - Peace, even in the midst of our messy lives God can bring Peace. What others intended for evil, God intends for good.

Ruth - Love, through pain, loss, and hopelessness, God’s plan is full of love and redemption

Message

Where do you see yourself in these stories?

Trips to Walmart - everyone did as they saw fit…

Judges 21:25 (NIV)

25 In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.

In the everyday mundane moments of life, where it may seem God has forgotten about us, He is really working out a beautiful redemption through the expressions of His love.

Though Ruth & Naomi had lost everything, with nowhere to stay or go, with no provisions, God is working out His redemptive plans through a Guardian Redeemer named Boaz.

Naomi

Had lost all hope - Ruth 1:12

Ruth 1:12 (NIV)

12 Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons—

Was Bitter & Thought God was against her - Ruth 1:13

Ruth 1:13 (NIV)

13 would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord’s hand has turned against me!”

Felt afflicted by God, the Almighty had brought this misfortune upon her - Ruth 1:21

Ruth 1:21 (NIV)

21 I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”

Ruth

Was kind - Ruth 1:8 & Ruth 3:10

Ruth 1:8 (NIV)

8 Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me.

Ruth 3:10 (NIV)

10 “The Lord bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor.

Mourned, wept at the thought of leaving her mother-in-law - Ruth 1:9

Ruth 1:9 (NIV)

9 May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.”

Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept aloud

Was Loyal & Clung to Naomi - Ruth 1:10

Ruth 1:10 (NIV)

10 and said to her, “We will go back with you to your people.”

Ruth 1:14 (NIV)

14 At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.

Was Determined - Ruth 1:18

Ruth 1:18 (NIV)

18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.

Was Humble - Ruth 2:13

Ruth 2:13 (NIV)

13 “May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord,” she said. “You have put me at ease by speaking kindly to your servant—though I do not have the standing of one of your servants.”

Was Obedient - Ruth 3:5

Ruth 3:5 (NIV)

5 “I will do whatever you say,” Ruth answered.

Had Noble Character - Ruth 3:11

Ruth 3:11 (NIV)

11 And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character.

Boaz

Took notice of Ruth (and Naomi) - Ruth 2:5

Ruth 2:5 (NIV)

5 Boaz asked the overseer of his harvesters, “Who does that young woman belong to?”

Was Kind & Generous - Ruth 2:14-16

Ruth 2:14–16 (NIV)

14 At mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar.”

When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over. 15 As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, “Let her gather among the sheaves and don’t reprimand her. 16 Even pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don’t rebuke her.”

Was an Honorable Man - Ruth 3:12

Ruth 3:12 (NIV)

12 Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I.

Was Ruth & Naomi’s Guardian Redeemer

Closing Thoughts & Challenge

Grain during and even for a while after the harvest can sustain us…but we will become hungry again. Only by staying close to our Guardian Redeemer can we be fully cared for and nourished for eternity.

Christmas Eve Reminder - 5:30 Service, come a little early if you can, make room for guests, greet them with a smile and let them know you are glad they are here.