02 God Accepts Gentiles

Opening Song

“We gather to be formed in God’s presence so we can be sent into our community”

DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Our church family is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit, and we are missionaries.

After greeting prayer: “Lord, open our eyes this week to those who are curious about faith.”

Announcements:

We’re not spectators here, we’re participants. Giving and filling out a Connect Card are practical ways to let us know you’re with us on mission.

You can complete a Connect Card at sangamonvalley.net/ConnectCard or by using a green outlined paper Connect Card today.

Giving: You can give in the box, online, through the app, or by mail.

Elizabeth Rappleyea’s wedding shower, hosted by Lexi Ziegler, is coming up next week. Ladies, Join in to celebrate and support her in this new season — details and RSVP are available on Realm.

This is not an event to attend — it is an environment to build relationships - and be generous.

Prayer...

Sermon

THE TENSION

We love grace in theory.

But in practice, we draw lines.

Who belongs.

Who fits.

Who is “one of us.”

Who has the right background.

Who deserves redemption.

Israel had categories. Moabites were outsiders.

And if we’re honest, so do we.

The struggle: We say God is for everyone… but we subconsciously decide who qualifies.

And sometimes the deepest tension isn’t whether others belong…

It’s whether we belong.

MY STORY

There was a season where I realized I was in a different place and people did not speak my language…Midwestern (Accent, Acreage, 57 South) vs. CA (Lot Size, “The” 57) — spiritually and culturally. And I had to ask myself: Do I love the lost… or do I just love the familiar?”

TRANSITION:

Ruth was not familiar. She was Moabite.

And yet God writes her into HIS story.

THE SCRIPTURE

Context:

Ruth is a Moabite widow.

Deuteronomy 23:3 says Moabites were restricted from assembly.

RUTH is: Female, Foreign, Poor, Vulnerable, From a historically hostile nation

Characters:

Ruth – The outsider seeking refuge.

Boaz – The wealthy kinsman-redeemer.

Naomi – The grieving insider.

The Bethlehem Community – Watching this unfold.

Scripture

(Boaz welcomes her) Ruth 2:10–12 “10 Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” 11 But Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. 12 The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!””

(Request for redemption ON THE THRESHING FLOOR) Ruth 3:9 “9 He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.””

(Restoration + lineage) Ruth 4:13–17 “13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. 14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! 15 He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. 17 And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.”

THE DISCOVERY

*What This Reveals About God*

God’s heart has always been bigger than national borders.

Boaz says: “May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” (2:12)

God is not reluctantly including Ruth. He is actively sheltering her.

And ultimately: Ruth becomes part of David’s lineage. And part of Jesus’ genealogy (Matthew 1).

God is not tribal. He is redemptive.

*What This Reveals About Us*

We often build barriers where God builds bridges.

We tend to: Guard privilege, Protect comfort, Categorize worth

Israel had law and Ruth had need,

But God honors faith over ethnicity. Faith over pedigree. Faith over your background.

*The Lie Being Confronted*

God wove Ruth into His covenant story

Lie: “You have to earn belonging.”

Or: Lie: “Some people are too far outside to be brought in.”

Ruth didn’t qualify by law, She qualified by faith.

And God wove her into the covenant story.

The cross does the same for us.

IDENTITY SHIFT

A God of refuge.

A God of inclusion.

A God who redeems outsiders.

A God who makes foreigners into royalty.

He is not merely the God of Israel, He is the Redeemer of nations

We were Ruth.

We were outsiders.

We were far off.

Ephesians 2:19 “19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,”

We are not gatekeepers, We are recipients of mercy.

And now, we are ambassadors of that mercy.

THE PRACTICE

1. Who do you instinctively place outside?

Socially?

Politically?

Culturally?

Spiritually?

2. Practice Boaz Hospitality

Notice the vulnerable.

Speak value.

Extend protection.

Offer tangible kindness.

Mission begins with welcome.

Ask the Spirit to reveal subtle bias.

TRANSITION:

Ruth thought she was gleaning grain.

God was grafting her into redemption.

And the same God who welcomed her, welcomes you, and sends you to welcome others.

Worship Thru Music

Commissioning:

This week, build one relationship. Pray for one person far from God.

You’re no longer dismissed…you’re sent…Take one step toward discipling someone.