Ruth's Commitment

Introduction

Ruth is a story of Redemption

God works in the smallest of details our lives.

We live in a broken world, where GOd is redeeming it and restoring it back to its original design.

So Ruth is not a story about how you can find your Boaz, its a story of how God moves in our lives and redeems people.

If you are wondering how God works in dark times, this is the book for you.

If you want to see how people perservere through hardship, this is the book for you.

If you want see how God redeems broken people, this is the book for you.

And so today we are going to begin the journey here and see Ruth’s Commitment to another.

Body

Verses 1-5

Introduction to Naomi and her journey of becoming widowed alongside her two daughters-in-law (married to may-lon…and kill-ion.

This is a dark introduction. They have lost their husbands and they are alone. Without someone to continue the line.

Verses 6-13

Orpah leaves Naomi

Veres 15-18

Ruth commits her life to Naomi

Let’s make four observations about Ruth’s commitment to Naomi: they are Proximity, Place, People, and Purpose.

I - Proximity - Ruth wanted to be close to Naomi. Where you go, I will go. Throughout the days, months, years, all of life would be spent together. They were joined together at the hip. Despite Naomi’s destress Ruth wanted to be near to her.

Illustration: Like a new puppy following its owner. This is how the church should roll.

Application: Commit to be close together. Do all things together.

II - Place - Ruth wanted to live in the same place where Naomi lived. Where you lodge, I will lodge. She was making a radical decision not only to go where she went, but to live where she lived. It was essential that their home was in the same place.

Illustration: The Church on the Hill (explanation of university baptist church)

The Understanding of place in light of suburbs

Application: Commit to a place. God has placed you uniquely where you are, I want to encourage you to lean into that community. You are a beacon of light, a committed individual in your neighborhood.

III - People - Ruth wanted to be in the same community of people as Naomi. Your people will be my people. Life isn’t lived in a bubble (at least it should not be). It is lived with a group of people. She wanted to build community with Naomi with people who were in proximity and the same place.

Illustration: My kids recognizing and identifying with a people

Application: Commit to a people. Our people.

IV - Purpose - The most important observation. Ruth would follow YHWH. Your God will be my God. She would follow the Lord. The God of Abraham, Issac, Jacob. The God of Naomi. I want to be as bold to suggest that when someone chooses to live in proximity, in a place together, with a certain people, they are pointed to a certain purpose. A higher calling. One that points to Jesus. God moves in powerful ways when the people of God are together.

Illustration:

Application: Commit to the Lord.

These four observations are actually more relevant than you think, and I also believe they are more possible to live out than you might think. Listen folks, we live in a low committment, high demand culture. Meaning that when it comes to relationships, we generally only commit when the demand is high and we have a significant return on investment. We don’t like to commit to things when it is inconvenient, when it doesn’t benefit us, and when we get less out of the relationship.

Marriages - You can’t go into marriage things about what you will get from the other person, you go in thinking about what you can give.

Churches - How often is it that we view the church as a commodity to be used rather than a community to be served. Like the chief reason we consider churches, does it meet every need I have, every preference, have all the avaiable ministries I need, the perfect coffee, rather than going in with the mentality of how can I serve this community. Its not what you can get its what you can give.

And I want to humbly challenge you here in light of the culture we live in and the rhythms of life.

Consider whats happening here!

Naomi is sending Orpah and Ruth away. She says she has nothing left. There is no worth in following her. Orpah gives her a kiss, and leaves. But was does Ruth do? She says she is going to bury her bones with her! We struggle committing to people EVEN when the time is right, the place is right, the return on investment is right, but Ruth is going to commit to Naomi expecting nothing in return!

She is not going to follow her because she is going to gain, she is going to follow her because she cares about her.

~~~

Do you see the picture of Jesus in this? Do you see the Gospel-centered nature of this passage? Noami has nothing to give. But Ruth commits to her anyways, knowing there is nothing she can do in return. We have nothing to offer to Christ, but he pursues us anyways.

Watch this. You want to see the effects of the Gospel through the son Jesus Christ? Consider the commitment of Ruth here going backwards.

IF you follow Jesus, his Father will be your father. You follow Jesus, his place will be your place. If you follow Jesus, his people, his church, will be your people. And if you follow Jesus, not only will he be close to you, but he will be WITH YOU and IN YOU always to the end of the age.

What greater hope could we find but in the son of God, Jesus Christ? Pray to receive him today and you will experience the fullness of God as he saves you from your sins and makes you a new creation.

Church family, let’s be a committed church. Committed to proximity - to be close together. Committed to a place. To do life in an area together> Committed to a people - to build community together. Committed to a purpose - to serve the Lord our God all of our days.

Let’s pray together.

***INVITE NEW FOLKS FOR LIGHTBULBS AT THE END***

Callie, Kirby, Shannon, Ben, Ethan, Bre