03 Seeking God When Bitter

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.”

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NEW ANNOUNCEMENT: ____

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Prayer for...

Sermon

THE TENSION

Disappointment with God is one of the quietest struggles in the church.

We don’t always walk away loudly. Sometimes we just grow quiet. Guarded. Numb. Cynical.

We still show up. But something in us has redefined/renamed God (i.e. Keeps name but redefine His Character based on our pain).

call me Mara...dealt very bitterly with me. (Ruth 1:20)

The tension: What do you do when you believe God could have stopped it… and didn’t?

Can you still seek God when you feel wounded by Him?

MY STORY

There was a moment where I realized I wasn’t angry at circumstances — Leadership training event for students that was cancelled - I was disappointed in God. And that’s harder to admit.”

TRANSITION: Naomi doesn’t hide her theology. She speaks her pain out loud.

THE SCRIPTURE

Context:

Naomi returns to Bethlehem empty. She believes God has afflicted her.

Ruth stands beside her, an unnoticed gift.

Chapter 3 shows Naomi initiating a plan toward redemption.

Characters:

Naomi — Bitter, grieving, honest.

Ruth — Faithful and hopeful.

Boaz — Willing redeemer.

Key Texts:

(Naomi’s bitterness) Ruth 1:20–21 “20 She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?””

(Naomi begins to act again) Ruth 3:1–5 “1 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you? 2 Is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women you were? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. 3 Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor, but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.” 5 And she replied, “All that you say I will do.””

Context from IVPBBC: There are occasions in the Old Testament where the term “feet” is used euphemistically for the sexual organs…The text of Ruth does not suggest a blatant sexual act but is provocative in its ambiguity.

Context - Deuteronomy 25:5–6 “5 “If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead man shall not be married outside the family to a stranger. Her husband’s brother shall go in to her and take her as his wife and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her. 6 And the first son whom she bears shall succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel.”

(Restoration in her arms) Ruth 4:14–17 “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 (3)

1. God is not fragile in the face of our honesty

Naomi blames Him. And yet — He keeps working.

He does not withdraw because she misunderstands Him.

God’s faithfulness is not dependent on your emotional clarity.

He is steady even when we are not.

2. Pain can distort perspective

Naomi says: Ruth 1:21 “21 I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty…

But she is not empty.

Ruth is standing beside her.

Bitterness narrows vision.

We often interpret partial information as final verdict.

3. Naomi’s bitterness does not disqualify her from redemption

Lie: “Because I feel bitter, God is finished with me.”

Lie: “If I were spiritually mature, I wouldn’t feel this way.”

God writes restoration into Naomi’s story anyway.

IDENTITY SHIFT

God is Patient with wounded people.

God is Present in grief.

God is Working beyond perception.

God is A redeemer who restores legacy.

God is not just powerful, He is persistent.

We are Not abandoned.

We are Not disqualified from being His people

We are Not defined by our lowest season.

We are people whose story is still being written.

Even when we rename ourselves, God has not renamed us. (C.f. Identity issues)

4 Ways to PRACTICE OBEDIENCE This Week

1. Name It/Feeling Honestly

Stop pretending.

Pray the real prayer.

God can handle the raw version.

2. Don’t Isolate

Naomi had Ruth.

Bitterness grows in isolation.

Healing often grows in community.

3. Take One Obedient Step

Naomi moves from lament (chapter 1) to strategy (chapter 3).

She starts participating again.

You don’t have to feel hopeful to act faithful.

4. Look for Hidden Provision

Who is your “Ruth” right now? What small grace are you overlooking?

Gratitude reopens vision.

TRANSITION:

At the beginning: Naomi says, “Call me Bitter.”

At the end: The women say, “Blessed be the Lord.” And a child is placed in her arms.

The one who thought she came back empty becomes grandmother to a king.

Your bitterness may describe this chapter — but it does not define your destiny.

The Redeemer is still working.

COMMUNION:

The redemption paid for at the Cross of Jesus is still available today!

The bread - God entered our famine

The cup - The Redeemer paid our debt

And just like Naomi’s restoration became part of God’s plan to bless the world so does yours

Redemption is never just personal. It is missional!

Worship Thru Music

Commissioning:

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

As you depart…Take one step toward discipling someone.