Sunday Service - "Boaz - Man of Influence

The gospel reaches from Shelter Church to Panama, West Africa, Jamaica, Korea, Cuba, prison ministry, New York City, Maryville, and Athens because God keeps sending His word out to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth. God uses a small body to bless missionaries, strengthen churches, and get the gospel into places that most folks may never see, but the work still belongs to Him.

Boaz stands in Ruth as a man of influence. His name means strength, and that strength does not show up as harshness or pride. Boaz shows firmness, kindness, noble character, and a steady walk before the Lord. A man of influence is not a perfect man, but a man who can look in the glass and ask whether he is the man God called him to be.

Boaz comes to the field as a man with wealth, authority, and workers under him, but kindness comes out first. He says, “May the Lord be with you,” instead of just pushing people harder. Kindness is not weakness in Boaz. Kindness is strength under the hand of God.

Boaz shows respect to Ruth even though she is a Moabite, a foreigner, and from a people that had been enemies of Israel. He calls her “my daughter,” not “you Moabite,” and he treats her with dignity before she can do anything for him. Grace shows up when somebody cannot pay it back, cannot force it, and cannot make the other person do right.

Boaz points Ruth back to the sovereignty of God. He does not make himself the center of her blessing. He tells her that the Lord, the God of Israel, is the one under whose wings she has come to seek refuge. Everything in his field is not finally his, because what he has is only by God’s grace and mercy.

Boaz protects, provides, gives, and stays honest. He does not take advantage of Ruth, and he does not cut corners when the matter of redemption comes before the elders. The kinsman redeemer stays the course, does what he says, and leaves a godly lineage that runs through Jesse and David. A man of godly character leaves influence not just in politics, business, church, or family, but in a life that points people to Jesus with truth, kindness, and care.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Kindness carries godly influence. Boaz came into his own field with authority, but his first word was blessing. Strength did not need to bark orders to prove itself. Godly influence often begins in the ordinary tone a person uses when power is in his hands. [43:07]
• 2. Respect refuses enemy labels. Boaz could have named Ruth by her foreignness, her past, or her people’s hostility toward Israel. Instead, he called her “my daughter,” giving dignity before asking anything from her. Grace often starts when a person refuses to reduce another soul to the easiest label available. [44:40]
• 3. Grace gives without repayment. Ruth could not make Boaz help her, and she had nothing equal to give back. Boaz’s care showed the shape of mercy, not transaction. Godly character becomes visible when kindness is offered to someone who has no leverage. [51:02]
• 4. Influence points back to God. Boaz did not stand over Ruth saying, “Look what I did.” He sent her eyes to the Lord, under whose wings she had come for refuge. A faithful person handles blessing rightly by refusing to become the center of it. [48:40]
• 5. Character stays the course. Boaz did not use Ruth’s vulnerability for himself, and he did not bypass the right order of redemption. His integrity held steady when delay, process, and public accountability were required. A godly man does what he says because the mirror before God matters more than convenience. [57:22]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [31:38] - Turning Back to Ruth
• [32:03] - Missionary Blessings Around the World
• [36:09] - Praying for Gospel Work
• [37:44] - Boaz, A Man of Influence
• [42:37] - Kindness in the Field
• [44:16] - Respect Toward Ruth
• [46:07] - Grace for the Foreigner
• [47:27] - Caring for the Vulnerable
• [48:40] - Pointing Ruth to God’s Sovereignty
• [51:42] - Protection and Provision
• [52:39] - A Giving Man
• [53:47] - Humility and Character
• [56:59] - Honesty in Business and Life
• [59:12] - Leaving a Godly Lineage
• [62:21] - Drawing the Circle Around Yourself

1. What specific actions did Boaz take to show kindness and respect to Ruth, even though she was a foreigner? (See Ruth 2:8-9, 14-16)
2. How did Boaz redirect Ruth’s attention to God’s sovereignty rather than his own generosity? (See Ruth 2:12) [48:40]
3. In the sermon, what examples were given of Boaz’s integrity in his business dealings and personal decisions? [57:22]

1. Why might Boaz’s choice to address his workers with a blessing (“The Lord be with you!”) instead of commands have been significant in demonstrating godly leadership?
2. How does Boaz’s treatment of Ruth challenge cultural or societal norms of his time, and what does this reveal about grace? [44:40]
3. The sermon emphasized that “kindness is strength under the hand of God.” How does Boaz’s character refute the idea that kindness equals weakness?

1. In what practical ways can you show kindness to someone who cannot repay or benefit you, as Boaz did for Ruth? [51:02]
2. Are there people in your life you’ve labeled by their past, background, or mistakes? How can you intentionally offer them dignity instead? [44:40]
3. When others recognize your generosity or leadership, how can you redirect their focus to God’s role in your blessings, as Boaz did?
4. Reflect on a recent decision where you had the power to cut corners or act dishonestly. How did you respond, and what would “staying the course” look like in that situation? [57:22]
5. What is one area of your life (family, work, community) where you can intentionally leave a “godly lineage” of influence through humility and integrity?