Redemption Truths

Text: Ruth 4:1-10

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (08/30/98)

Introduction:   

Overview of Book

Review of Chapters One & Two

1). Ruth In Moab

2). Ruth in Boaz’s field (Her hap) vs.3

APPLICATION: Sovereignty of God in finding a Life’s Partner

Today’s Text reveals a romance which is a picture of Christ and the Church.

Ephesians 5:25-30 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

28  So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

29  For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

30  For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

31  For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

32  This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

So we find three great truths pertaining to the redemption in the concluding portion of Ruth.

I. Approaching The Redeemer Ch.3

Here we see the free will of man exercised.  In chapter two we saw God’s grace already extended.

There is both free will and enslaved will of man.

Romans 10: 13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

John 3:14 (SERPENT IN THE WILDERNESS)

Cf. Numbers 21:7-9

Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

I Kings 18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

God is approachable for believers.

I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

A. Matchmaker Naomi vs. 1-4

Naomi pictures a Soul-winner.

II Corinthians 5:18-20 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

20  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

B. Obedient Ruth vs. 5

Romans 16: 26  But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

Faith & Obedience go hand-in-hand in Scripture.

In fact, the Bible recognizes no faith that does not result in obedience, and recognizes no obedience that does not spring from faith!

James 2:17-18 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.

ILLUS: The only way I can measure a child’s faith is by their obedience (GIVE EXAMPLE)

C. The Threshingfloor vs. 6-18

1. Nothing impure or unwholesome about these events.

2. Explain the threshingfloor in it’s cultural context

*(From Mgee)

3. The threshingfloor is the place of decision, the place of calling upon God.

Romans 10:13

II Cor. 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

II. Negotiations Of Redemption  Ch.4:1-10

A. The Other Kinsman vs. 1-6

1. He is confronted by Boaz

Not mentioned by name

2. Boaz has employed a careful strategy

3. “I cannot redeem it!”

For what Reasons?

a. Already Married

b. Not willing to marry outside Jewish race.

c. His Inheritance would be in Elimelech’s name.

4. This other kinsman as a picture of the Law.

READ  Galatians 2:16-21

Galatians 3:21-26 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

22  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

23  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

24  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

25  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

26  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

B. Loosing The Shoe vs. 7-8

Look up & READ Deuteronomy 25:5-10

1. Explanation of the shoe-loosing

2. Shame and reproach are in the law

There is no shame or reproach in Christ!

The law has had it’s shoe removed.  It Cannot save!!!

The Gospel has shoes.

Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

III. Fruitfulness In Redemption        Ch. 4:11-22

Redeemed From……..Redeemed to………..

Redeemed for a purpose!!!

A. Blessings of the People vs. 11-12

Encouragement of the church.

Hebrews 10:22-25 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

23  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

24  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

B. Lineage of David vs.13-22

Important place for all in God’s economy!!!!

C. God’s Plan for our lives.

We are saved to serve!!!

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Conclusion:     Review Redemption Truths!!!

ILLUS: