Sermon Tone Analysis

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Christmas trees and nativity after church

*CHURCH UPDATES: Digital and paper connect Card

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.

SVCC 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, and we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit.

Prayer for...

INTRODUCTION:

Review:

WHY?…

TODAY: God allows us to make OUR own CHOICES

next in series: Our God Cares and Our God Redeems

Opening Scripture:

Overview/Context of Ruth 1:

MOAB - It would be humiliating and dangerous to move there, but Elimelech probably felt like it was the only way to feed his family due to the famine in BETHLEHEM (Ruth 1:1-2).

After her husband and sons die leaving her no grandchildren, Naomi the matriarch has lost hope and thus is often seen as the female Job.

Naomi says that “the hand of the Lord has gone out against me.”

(Ruth 1:4-5, 11-13)

Naomi and Ruth are mourning but handle it differently.

Naomi talks quite a bit about God in expressing her wishes for her daughters-in-law and her understanding of what has happened to her, but she does not talk to God about it.

(Ruth 1:13, 20-21)

Ruth who is not Jewish declares the God of Naomi shall be her God (Ruth 1:16).

Four Choices of Ruth 1:

1.

The choice to leave

They make the choice to go from Bethlehem, which is about 5 miles south of Jerusalem, to another country.

Was the choice to leave a result of Israel’s sin or was leaving a demonstration of their lack of faith in God...

Ruth occurs during the time period of the Judges which suggests that it was in fact Israel disobeying God that caused the famine…this doesn’t make their choice to leave necessarily wrong or right…what we do know is the blessing of the choice to leave Moab and return to Bethlehem!

2. The choice to separate

Not only did they leave the promised land but they had their sons marry women who did not serve Yahweh (cf.

Ruth 1:15).

The two young widows have the choice to return to their families:

We do not know if Orpah made the wrong choice but what we do know is the blessing of Ruth’s choice to separate to the God of Israel!

3. The choice to be bitter

bitterness is defined as angry, hurt, or resentful because of one's bad experiences or a sense of unjust treatment.

Naomi appears bitter over her loss and advance age, “blaming“ God who was often seen as behind such calamity…thus his hand being against her.

Another familiar time that God stretched out his hand to act:

The Jordan river that was crossed in Naomi’s initial trip to Moab would be crossed on the return to Bethlehem.

The Jordan according to Joshua 3 was where God did a miracle in bringing Israel to the promised land, this miracle was also known as God stretching out his hand.

Although Naomi felt hopeless and appears bitter Ruth demonstrates a different attitude…we don’t know from the story that Naomi is wrong but we do know the blessing of Ruth’s choice and Naomi’s choice to return!

4. The Choice to be committed

Ruth demonstrates great commitment to Naomi.

Again, we know the blessing of Ruth’s choices!

Conclusion/Reflection:

There are choices that we may wrestle with but the best choice is to always Go after God and His ways.

Sometimes the choice we have before us is not good or bad, thus, in those instances we have to TRUST that God by His providence is working out all things for the good of those who love Him.

REFLECT:

What choice do you need to consider that is between going after God and His ways or not?

What choice do you need to make that you need to trust that God is working for your good?