Finding Hope and Grace in Relationships: Lessons from Ruth
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the complexities of dating, marriage, and relationships in our modern culture through the lens of the Book of Ruth. We began by acknowledging the challenges that committed followers of Jesus face in finding and nurturing relationships that honor God. The cultural landscape has shifted significantly, with declining marriage rates and changing attitudes towards relationships. Despite these challenges, the desire for meaningful, God-honoring relationships remains strong.
We delved into the story of Ruth, a Moabite woman who, despite her complicated past, chose to follow the God of Israel. Her journey from Moab to Bethlehem symbolizes a turning point, a new chapter filled with hope and divine providence. Ruth's loyalty, hard work, and moral integrity caught the attention of Boaz, a man of standing and character. Boaz's actions towards Ruth—honoring, protecting, providing for, and praying for her—serve as a model for godly relationships.
The sermon emphasized that if we want different results in our relationships, we must take a different approach, one that aligns with God's principles. We were reminded that God works through natural circumstances to bring about His supernatural plans, often in ways that seem coincidental but are divinely orchestrated. This providential power of God is evident in Ruth's story and serves as a reminder that God is always at work, even in the mundane aspects of our lives.
We concluded with a call to turn away from our "Moab"—our past sins and failures—and turn towards the blessings of "Bethlehem," where God's grace and providence await. This turning point is not just about relationships but about every area of our lives where we need God's intervention and new beginnings.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Providential Power: The story of Ruth highlights God's providential power, where He uses natural circumstances to fulfill His supernatural plans. Even when we don't see miraculous signs, God is at work behind the scenes, orchestrating events for our good and His glory. This reminds us to trust in God's timing and His ability to turn our situations around. [34:01]
2. Qualities of a Godly Partner: Boaz's qualities—honoring, protecting, providing for, and praying for Ruth—serve as a model for what to look for in a godly partner. These attributes are not just old-fashioned but are essential for a relationship that honors God and provides mutual support and growth. [44:47]
3. Turning Away from the Past: Ruth's decision to leave Moab and follow the God of Israel symbolizes the need to turn away from our past sins and failures. Our past does not define us; God's grace and plans for our future do. This turning point is crucial for experiencing God's blessings and new beginnings. [41:24]
4. Faithfulness and Hard Work: Ruth's faithfulness to God, loyalty to her family, and hard work set her apart. These qualities are essential for anyone seeking to honor God in their relationships and life. They demonstrate that our actions and character matter to God and can lead to His blessings. [42:29]
5. God Hears Our Prayers: Naomi's prayer for Ruth to find kindness and a husband was answered through Boaz. This serves as a powerful reminder that God hears our prayers and cares about our desires. Praying for our future and the future of our loved ones is a wise and impactful practice. [36:10]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[21:36] - The Complexity of Modern Relationships
[25:07] - Introduction to the Book of Ruth
[28:12] - Turning the Page: From Moab to Bethlehem
[29:23] - Boaz: A Man of Standing
[32:40] - God's Providential Power
[37:17] - Boaz's Leadership and Faith
[41:24] - Ruth's Qualities: Faithfulness and Hard Work
[44:47] - Boaz's Qualities: Honor, Protection, Provision, Prayer
[47:17] - Summary and Call to Action
[51:06] - Turning Away from Moab
[55:04] - Invitation to New Life in Christ
[56:02] - Celebration and Closing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Ruth 2:1-12
- Romans 8:28
#### Observation Questions
1. What significant decision did Ruth make that marked a turning point in her life? ([27:30])
2. How did Boaz demonstrate his character and integrity when he first interacted with Ruth? ([44:03])
3. What are the four qualities of Boaz that were highlighted in the sermon? ([44:47])
4. How does the sermon describe God's providential power in Ruth's story? ([34:01])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Ruth's decision to leave Moab and follow the God of Israel symbolize in the context of our own lives? ([27:30])
2. How can Boaz's qualities of honoring, protecting, providing for, and praying for Ruth serve as a model for modern relationships? ([44:47])
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God works through natural circumstances to fulfill His supernatural plans? ([34:01])
4. How does the story of Ruth and Boaz challenge the modern cultural views on dating and marriage? ([23:48])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt stuck in a "chapter one" of your life. How did you or how can you turn the page to a new chapter with God's help? ([28:12])
2. Boaz demonstrated qualities of a godly partner. Which of these qualities do you find most challenging to embody or seek in a partner, and why? ([44:47])
3. Ruth's faithfulness and hard work set her apart. How can you demonstrate these qualities in your current relationships or daily life? ([42:29])
4. The sermon emphasized turning away from past sins and failures. What steps can you take this week to leave behind a "Moab" in your life and move towards God's blessings? ([27:30])
5. How can you be more aware of God's providential power in your everyday life, especially in situations that seem mundane or coincidental? ([34:01])
6. Naomi's prayer for Ruth was answered through Boaz. What specific prayers can you start or continue for your future or the future of your loved ones? ([36:10])
7. The sermon highlighted the importance of trusting in God's timing. Is there a situation in your life where you need to trust God's timing more? How can you practice this trust daily? ([34:01])
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in God's Providential Power
God's providential power is evident in the story of Ruth, where He uses natural circumstances to fulfill His supernatural plans. Ruth, a Moabite woman, chose to follow the God of Israel, leaving behind her past and embracing a new life in Bethlehem. Her journey symbolizes hope and divine providence, as God orchestrated events to bring her and Boaz together. This reminds us that even when we don't see miraculous signs, God is at work behind the scenes, orchestrating events for our good and His glory. Trusting in God's timing and His ability to turn our situations around is crucial for experiencing His blessings.
[34:01]
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you are struggling to see God's hand at work. How can you trust in His providential power and timing today?
Day 2: Seeking Godly Qualities in a Partner
Boaz's qualities—honoring, protecting, providing for, and praying for Ruth—serve as a model for what to look for in a godly partner. These attributes are not just old-fashioned but are essential for a relationship that honors God and provides mutual support and growth. Boaz's actions towards Ruth demonstrate the importance of character and integrity in a relationship. By seeking these qualities in a partner, we align our relationships with God's principles and create a foundation for a healthy, God-honoring union.
[44:47]
"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (Romans 12:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on the qualities you value in a partner. Are they aligned with the godly attributes exemplified by Boaz? How can you cultivate these qualities in yourself and seek them in others?
Day 3: Turning Away from the Past
Ruth's decision to leave Moab and follow the God of Israel symbolizes the need to turn away from our past sins and failures. Our past does not define us; God's grace and plans for our future do. This turning point is crucial for experiencing God's blessings and new beginnings. By letting go of our past and embracing God's grace, we open ourselves to the transformative power of His love and the new opportunities He has in store for us.
[41:24]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area of your life where you are holding onto past mistakes or failures. How can you turn away from your "Moab" and embrace the new beginnings God has for you?
Day 4: Embracing Faithfulness and Hard Work
Ruth's faithfulness to God, loyalty to her family, and hard work set her apart. These qualities are essential for anyone seeking to honor God in their relationships and life. Ruth's actions demonstrate that our character and efforts matter to God and can lead to His blessings. By embracing faithfulness and hard work, we align ourselves with God's principles and position ourselves to receive His favor and guidance.
[42:29]
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24, ESV)
Reflection: Consider your current commitments and responsibilities. How can you demonstrate faithfulness and hard work in these areas as an act of worship to God?
Day 5: Believing that God Hears Our Prayers
Naomi's prayer for Ruth to find kindness and a husband was answered through Boaz. This serves as a powerful reminder that God hears our prayers and cares about our desires. Praying for our future and the future of our loved ones is a wise and impactful practice. By bringing our requests to God, we acknowledge His sovereignty and invite His intervention in our lives.
[36:10]
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a specific prayer request you have for your future or the future of a loved one. How can you bring this request to God with faith and trust in His provision?
Quotes
### Quotes for outreach
1. "If you do what most people do, you'll get what most people get. But if you want something different, you have to take a different approach. And that's what we're gonna look at today in the book of Ruth. We're gonna look at a different approach to getting to know someone and working toward a marriage that honors God." [24:32] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When you turn away from Moab, you'll find God's blessings in Bethlehem. Today, we're in chapter two. If you're ready for chapter two, say we're ready for two. Type it in the comment section. We're ready for chapter two." [28:50] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Don't let your past talk you out of God's plan for your future. Don't let it happen. Some of you right now, well, I can never because I would ever. I had a complicated past before I was a Christian and lived in the sinful lifestyle. And oh, that disqualifies me. Actually, it might prepare me to speak to someone who's there to say if God can redeem me, He can do the same thing for you." [41:24] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We serve a God who does exceedingly and abundantly more than all you could ask, think or imagine according to his power that is at work within his people. What you want is you want someone that doesn't just meet the needs that you have but exceeds your expectations by blessing you with the blessings from God in heaven and loving you in a way that would honor God and help you feel secure in all that you do." [46:22] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "No matter what you're going through, it just so happens that you're hearing truth from God's Word today. It just so happens God may speak to you a Word that builds your faith today. Chapter one is finished. Chapter two has begun. You may be struggling in your marriage and it just so happens God may speak to your spouse today. This is the kind of wife that you can be. This is the kind of man of God that you can become." [50:36] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for members
1. "If you're a serious disciple of Jesus and you want to marry someone who is a serious disciple of Jesus, and you meet someone and you don't hear about Jesus or God or church or their faith somewhere relatively early in the conversation, chances are they are not serious about their faith. People tend to talk about first what they value most." [38:30] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "What do we see with this guy? We see very clearly he's a leader. He's kind to his people. And the first thing he's talking about is the Lord. The Lord bless you. The Lord keep you. He comes out and saying to his people. And what I love about Boaz is, notice, he's not a priest. He's not a prophet. He's not a pastor. And yet he has a ministry, right? He's working. He's working his mission field." [37:17] (95 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "What are the four qualities that stand out in Boaz? Let's look at them. Number one, he honors her. Number two, he protects her. Number three, he provides for her. And number four, he prays for her. He honors her. Ladies, sounds old-fashioned, and it is. You want someone who opens the door for you and lets you go first and takes you to a restaurant that you have to tip pays the bill." [44:47] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We see four things that he would have noticed in her. What do we see? We see first of all, she's faithful to God. The second thing we see is she's loyal to her family. The third thing we see is she's a hard worker. And finally, she honors God morally. First of all, she's faithful to God. She turned away from her people and the false God to serve the God of Israel." [42:29] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When you look at the book of Ruth, you're gonna notice that there are no supernatural miracles from God. There's no burning bush. There's no parting of the Red Sea. There's no voices from heaven. But though you don't see supernatural miracles in the book of Ruth, what you do see is the supernatural providence of God. The providential power of God all the way through the book of Ruth." [33:17] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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