Evans - Ruth

Opening Remarks About Ruth

The Remarkable Reputations of The Book of Ruth Series

Sermon #1

Here before us we have a classic love story that foreshadows the redemptive power of the Lord Jesus Christ. In this book of Ruth, we see the providential guiding of God leading Elimelech into Moab during a famine. This is where Ruth was living and she became Mahlon’s wife. Elimelech and his two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, die in the land of Moab, leaving Naomi (Elimelech’s wife), Orpah (Chilion’s wife), and a Moabitess woman named Ruth (Mahlon’s wife) widowed and without any sons.

Later in the second chapter, Naomi and Ruth go back to Bethlehem Judah and live there. This is where she then meets Boaz and the rest is history. Chapter 3-4 she is redeemed by her kinsman redeemer and bought with a price. This is a type of Jesus Christ redeeming lost mankind and gaining to Himself a Bride.

Here is an outline covering the chapters of the Book of Ruth.

Chapter 1- Her History

A woman of Moab who married one of Naomi’s sons. She would later come back with Naomi back to Bethlehem Judah after the deaths of their husbands.

A). She was Living In A Foreign Homeland v1-4

B). She Lost Her First Husband v5

C). She Longed For Faith And Hope v16-22

Chapter 2- Her Help

A). Notice The Grace For Ruth v1-18

B). Notice The Graciousness Of Ruth v11-12

Chapter 3 - Her Humbleness

A). Ruth Was Honest v9

B). Ruth Was Honorable v1-18

Chapter 4 - Her Heritage

A). Ruth Had A Familiar Family v18-22

B). Ruth Had A Famous Family v14

Ruth - From Lost to Located

Chapter 1

The Remarkable Reputations of The Book of Ruth Series

Sermon #2

I). Her Husband’s Fatality v1-5

1 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. 2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. 3 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.
5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.

In his excellent little book When Loved Ones Are Taken in Death, Lehman Strauss made some interesting comments about the Greek word translated “departure.” He wrote, “It is used metaphorically in a nautical way as when a vessel pulls up anchor to loose from its moorings and set sail, or in a military way as when an army breaks encampment to move on. In the ancient Greek world this term was used also for freeing someone from chains and for the severing of a piece of goods from the loom. This is what death is as described in the Bible. Here, we are anchored to the hardships and heartaches of this life. In death, the gangway is raised, the anchor is weighed, and we set sail for the golden shore. In death, we break camp here to start for heaven.”

Lehman Strauss, When Loved Ones Are Taken in Death.

“We do not defy the reality of death. But, forever in Jesus Christ, we deny the finality of death.” --E. Stanley Jones

A). There She Was Widowed v5

“And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.”

With the death of a loved one, there is the feeling of…

1). Depression

2). Desertion

B). There She Wept For Her Family v9

“The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.”
Undoubtedly Ruth loved her family thus bringing forth the wailing and weeping.

II). Her Hopeful Family v6-10

“Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread. 7 Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah. 8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. 9 The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept. 10 And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.”

A man approached a little league baseball game one afternoon. He asked a boy in the dugout what the score was. The boy responded, “Eighteen to nothing—we’re behind.” “Boy,” said the spectator, “I’ll bet you’re discouraged.” “Why should I be discouraged?” replied the little boy. “We haven’t even gotten up to bat yet!”

A). The Receiving of good news v6

Naomi heard that the Lord had given bread back home. This was good news from a far country (Proverbs 25:25 “As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.”) This got Naomi’s spirit stirred and was ready to leave the country she was in and head back home. This is sort of like the prodigal son of Luke 15. In similar ways Naomi was like the prodigal, she was in a far country, there was no food, and she lost almost everything.

B). The Response to the good news v7

They were on there way back to the land where Naomi was from. This typifies us as Christians, in that, while we are on this earth we have a tendency to wonder away from God when tough times come. But as soon as we hear of the returning of the blessing and favour of God in our area, we turn to Him.

C). The Reaction to the good news v10-15

Naomi’s two daughter-in-laws wanted to go back with her to Judah. But Naomi wanted them to stay there in Moab. This reminds us that we as Christians need to take with us as many souls that we can when we go to the Lord. Don’t leave the lost behind to their gods. Bring them to the Saviour.

III). Her Humble Following v15-18

“And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. 16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. 18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.”

A church realized the importance of humility, so it formed a committee to find the most humble person in the church. Many names were submitted and numerous candidates evaluated. Finally, the committee came to a unanimous decision. They selected a quiet little man who always lived in the background and had never taken credit for anything he had done. They awarded him the "Most Humble" button for his faithful service. However, the next day they had to take it away from him because he pinned it on. (Kent Crockett, Making Today Count for Eternity, Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, 2001, p. 122)

In much the same way, Ruth was humble in character when it came to her mother-in-law. Ruth wanted the same

A). Departure v16 for whither thou goest, I will go

B). Dwelling v16 and where thou lodgest, I will lodge:

C). Descendants v16 thy people shall be my people,

D). Deity v16 thy God my God

E). Death v17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried

IV). Her Holy Faith v16-17

And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: 17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

Faith is the ability to look past adverse circumstances and see God’s hand at work.

(Kent Crockett, I Once Was Blind But Now I Squint, Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2004, 148)

The African impala can jump to a height of over 10 feet and cover a distance of greater than 30 feet. Yet these magnificent creatures can be kept in an enclosure in any zoo with a 3-foot wall. The animals will not jump if they cannot see where their feet will fall.

Faith is the ability to trust what we cannot see, and with faith we are freed from the flimsy enclosures of life that only fear allows to entrap us. - John Emmons

Each Moment by Faith

From glory descending,
Completely depending,
You trusted Your Father
And lived to obey.
In speaking and doing,
His pleasure pursuing,
You joyfully listened
And followed by faith.
Through weakness came power,
A strength every hour.
Though empty, You gave with
A heart unafraid,
Secure in the knowing
And full in the flowing
Of God in His fullness
Each moment by faith.

Lord Jesus, You lead us
To faith that can free us,
So trusting and humble,
We bow and obey.
In speaking and doing,
Your pleasure pursuing,
We joyfully listen
And follow by faith.
Through weakness comes power,
A strength every hour.
Though empty, we give with
A heart unafraid,
Secure in the knowing
And full in the flowing
Of Your mighty Spirit
Each moment by faith.

Ruth does something that is a picture of New Testament salvation:

A). She leaves the false gods

Orpah, her sister-in-law, leaves Ruth and Naomi to return to her idols and false gods. The world is in idolatry as of this hour and need to be lead to the Saviour.

B). She’s led to the Father God

Ruth leaves her idols and followings the true God. The testimony of Naomi may have been the example that she followed to get to that point.

It is important as Christians to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord. We do not know who is watching us all around us, but for sure we are being watch by the lost and the Lord. Live today, and lead tomorrow.

Naomi, Orpah, and Ruth - Drifting Damsels Of Disaster

Ruth 1:6-18

The Remarkable Reputations of The Book of Ruth Series

Sermon #3

Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.
7 Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.
8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.
9 The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.
10 And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.
11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;
13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.
14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.
16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.”

After losing her husband Elimelech, Naomi hears of the supply of bread back home. Christians do not need to get of the blessings of God. Psalm 44:1 states “We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.” Even though we are saved, it is possible for us to stray from the Lord. Like the prodigal son, we come back to ourselves and return to the Lord and His blessings. Let us see what the three widows of Ruth chapter 1 do and see their character.

I). Naomi - A DISTURBED WIDOW THINKING

A). The Individuals She Crippled verse 7

“Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.”

When we sin, we not only hurt ourselves, but others as well. Misery loves company. When we fall, we bring others with us.

B). The Iniquity She Covered verse 11

“And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?”
Her sons married Moabitess women. That was not to be for Jewish men. The shame that she would have from her own people for that sinful act by her sons would not be without remark from her own countrymen. That is one of the reasons why Naomi wanted Orpah and Ruth to stay behind.

C). The Information She Considered verse 6-7

“As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.” Proverbs 25:25

II). Orpah - A DESOLATE WIDOW TURNING BACK

A). The Evaluation Of Success verses 8, 9

“And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.
9 The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.”

Naomi told her to go back to her people and go to her home. They may not have had a house to live in back in Judah since Naomi left there. Orpah had nothing but her own people in Moab.

B). The Evaluation Of Situation verse 12

“Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;”

Deuteronomy 25 teaches us that if a woman’s husband die, then it was the responsibility of the younger brother to raise up children in his stead. The problem was that both brothers died. Naomi states that she was much to old to have more children for both Orpah and Ruth. That is another reason why she sent her back to her people.

C). The Evaluation Of Stardom verse 15

“And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.”

Orpah was concerned about her own people and friends. “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.” Proverbs 29:25. “And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16:15

III). Ruth - A DAMAGED WIDOW TAKING A STAND

A). Her Departure verse 16

^“And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:”
Ruth was willing to leave her family and heritage behind to follow after Naomi and the Lord. This pictures salvation. There must be a willingness to leave all behind and follow after the Lord.

B). Her Determination verse 16

1). Ways Of The Moabites

2). Worship Of The Moabites

Being saved is much more than seeking the Lord, it requires that we submit ourselves to the leadership of the Holy Ghost.

C). Her Death verse 17

“Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.”

Ruth states that nothing shall separate her from Naomi but death. The good thing is that even in death, we cannot be separated from the love of Christ.

Romans 8:37-39 states, “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

In conclusion to this sermon, may I ask one question, which of these three widows would you follow in your life, Naomi, Orpah, or Ruth? Each one of these three women handled their situations differently.

Elimelech - A Record of Ruin

The Remarkable Reputations of The Book of Ruth Series

Sermon #4

“Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. 2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. 3 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.
5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.”
ELIMELECH - e-lim'-e-lek ('elimelekh, "my God is king"; Abeimelech, Alimelek): Elimelech was a member of the tribe of Judah, a native of Bethlehem Judah, a man of wealth and probably head of a family or clan (Ruth 1:2,3; 2:1,3). He lived during the period of the Judges, had a hereditary possession near Bethlehem, and is chiefly known as the husband of Naomi, the mother-in-law of Ruth and ancestress of David the king. Because of a severe famine in Judea, he emigrated to the land of Moab with his wife and his sons, Mahlon and Chilion. Not long afterward he died, and his two sons married Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. Ten years in all were spent in Moab, when the two sons died, and the three widows were left. Soon afterward Naomi decided to return to Judah, and the sequel is told in the Book of Ruth. --- J.J. Reeves

Though Elimelech’s name means “my God is king” he leaves the place of blessing to a place of breakdown and a place of Chemosh worship. Bethlehem was in a famine and that drove Elimelech to the land of Moab. Now I know that if he does not go into Moab, he would have never have had a wife for his son Mahlon (Ruth). But for a Christian practical application, we should never leave the place of God’s blessing.

Let us see the decline of Elimelech…

I. Elimelech Reasoned with Moab. Verse 1
“Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.”

Reason is defined as “A declaration made to explain or justify action, decision, or conviction.”

One of the worst things that God fearing man can do is reason with the world. Before us is Elimelech. He leaves Bethlehem Judah where there is famine and heads for a land where the grass is greener, so to speak.

Elimelech

A). Evades The Trial

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” 1 Peter 1:7

Trials are put in our way to

1). Test us

2). Train us

Elimelech should have

B). Experienced The Trial

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

Experience is not what happens to you, it is what you do with what happens to you. - Aldous Huxley

Two pals are sitting in a pub watching the eleven-o’clock news. A report comes on about a man threatening to jump from the 20th floor of a downtown building. One friend turns to the other and says, “I’ll bet you ten bucks the guy doesn’t jump.”

“It’s a bet,” agrees his buddy.

A few minutes later, the man on the ledge jumps, so the loser hands his pal a $10 bill. “I can’t take your money,” his friend admits. “I saw him jump earlier on the six-o’clock news.”

“Me, too,” say the other buddy. “But I didn’t think he’d do it again!”

Ohio Motorist, Reader’s Digest, June, 1994, p. 72

II. Elimelech Remained in Moab verse 2

^“And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.”
Notice the last two words “…continued there.”

Elimelech brought his whole family out of place of God’s blessing and into the place of godlessness. He could have gone into other places around Israel but instead he went to Moab. The region around him was at war and the place where there was not much activity was the land of Moab. Moab was an ancient nation located in the uplands E of the Dead Sea, now part of Jordan. The area is unprotected from the east, hence its history is a chain of raids by the Bedouin. The Moabites were close kin to the Hebrews, and the language of the Moabite stone is practically the same as biblical Hebrew. The relations of Moab with Judah and Israel are continually mentioned in the Bible. As a political entity, Moab came to an end after the invasion (c.733 B.C.) of Tiglath-pileser III. Its people were later absorbed by the Nabataeans. The Moabite religion was much like that of Canaan. Archaeological exploration in Moab has shown that settlements first occurred in the 13th cent. B.C. - source Columbia Encyclopedia

Ephratah (also rendered as Ephrath) was the more ancient name of Bethlehem, or the area around Bethlehem that Bethlehem itself was also known as e.g. "do thou worthily in Ephratah and be famous in Bethlehem" (Ruth 4:11). In Hebrew, Bethlehem ) means house of bread while Ephratah / Ephrath means fruitful. (Wayne Blank).

We can associate Elimelech to modern Christians in a way. We are like Elimelech in different ways. When tough times come, we run from them when our faith is weak. We are to

A). Stand In The Day Of Calamity Pursuing

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13

Easier said than done, but we need to stand up and face our trials instead of running from them.

B). Separate From The Dangers Of Christless People

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” II Corinthians 6:14-18

God does not want us to be like the world. The church house is supposed to be the place where worship and praise are given to the Lord. It is a place where the world can be put out of minds and focus on the Lord. The problem is that when we enter into the church to escape the world and find refuge in the Lord, we find that the world has crept into our churches. We find the church in the world and the world in the church. “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord…”

Let’s just face it, the lost people of this world do not want Christ and they sure don’t want Christians. But it is our job to go and win the lost for Jesus Christ.

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30

III. Elimelech Ruined in Moab. Verses 3-5
“And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.
5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.”

"The only thing that will ultimately keep a person from falling into sin is his love for God." --R. T. Kendall
A quote that my pastor, Brother Calvin Hensley, states occasionally, “This Book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this Book.” How true!!! Reading the Bible and Rightly applying the Bible to our lives will keep us from Ruin.

Remaining in Moab was very costly for Elimelech.

It cost him

A). His Family v 5

“And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.”

“The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.” Numbers 14:18

What we as parents can and will effect the future of our children. That is why it is so important to live right and do right by the Lord. Elimelech lost is two sons. This was probably a direct result of them marrying interracially with the Moabites.

B). His Fruitfulness v 21

“I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?”

Naomi states that she came into the land of Moab with plenty and left barren. This is a reference to her losing her sons and may indicate that she went back to Judah with nothing but Ruth. No money, no holdings, no nothing but a Moabitess named Ruth.

C). His Future v 3
“And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.”

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Sin will cost you and I our lives if we give in to it.

“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:14-15

“Sin is not hurtful because it is forbidden, but it is forbidden because it is hurtful” Benjamin Franklin

Jesus - The Satisfier of My Soul

Chapter 2:14, 18

The Remarkable Reputations of The Book of Ruth Series

Sermon #5

14 “And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left. 18 And she took it up, and went into the city: and her mother in law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed.”

Suffice means (as defined by Webster’s 1828 Dictionary) To satisfy; to content; to be equal to the wants or demands of.

Boaz (a type of Jesus Christ) shows kindness to Ruth (a Gentile, who typifies the Body of Christ) at mealtime. Notice that Ruth was sufficed with what she was given. The kindness and supply that Boaz showed to Ruth is what the Lord Jesus Christ does for us. He gives us what is needed and much more. He alone can satisfy our longing souls.

I was in cell block #3 of the Montgomery County Jail on December 22, 1998 when a Baptist preacher came in and discussed the book of Hebrews (of all books) with another inmate when I heard that Jesus Christ was the Saviour of all mankind and that His sacrifice was better than any sacrifice given in the Old Testament and that He could forgive anyone and save anyone who came to Him by faith. So I pulled the preacher off to the side and asked him the same question the Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas, “what must I do to be saved?” That night I trusted the finished work of Calvary and the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ to cleanse my soul of my filthy sins and asked Jesus Christ to save my soul. I have not regretted that day since and praise God that He saved my soul that day and sealed me by the Holy Ghost!!!

Here is what The Lord Jesus Christ satisfied with me

The Lord Jesus Christ satisfied…

I). My Head

Before I was saved…

A). My Thoughts Were On My Selfishness

B). My Thoughts Were On My Sinfulness

Now that I am saved..

C). My Thoughts Are On My Saviour

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2
The Lord Jesus Christ is the love of my life. He is the one to whom I need to be thinking about. I need to think about…

1). His Coming

“For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” II Timothy 4:7-8

I love His appearing and I am ready to go to be with the Lord. “…Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

2). His Calling

In the first part of 1999, God started working on me about the call to preach. Being a new born babe in Christ, I struggled at the call and kept asking the preachers that came in the prison house for services if they would pray for me about the call to preach. In the mean time, the Lord was persistent about the call showing me sermons in the Bible and drawing my attention to preachers like Elijah, Isaiah, and of course of the Lord Himself (my favorite). It wasn’t until I heard the Lord speak to me through His word out of Romans 10:14 and again out of Isaiah 58:1. I knew then I was called to preach. God allowed me to preach 7 times in prison before my release. Within 23 months I was licensed and ordained as the Assistant pastor of the Bible Study Chapel here in Indianapolis, IN. God has bore me fruit in the 10 years of preaching with souls won to Him and hundreds of Christians edified. (Over 676 sermons preached)

3). His Commissioning

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:19,20

II). My Heart

“At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” John 14:20-21

A). I Was Headed To Hell When I Died Because Of Sin

B). I Will Head To Heaven When I Die Because Of Salvation

III). My Hope

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:3-4

“That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:7

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:13-14

Like the Philippian jailer I came to the Lord. You can do the same. What must I do to be saved?

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Every one of us is a sinner. Every one of us have come short of God's glory.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Because of our sin, we deserve death, eternal punishment, the wrath of God. But God, because He loves us, has provided a means to have eternal life with Him. That means is the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

You must receive him. Nobody is born into salvation. Nobody deserves it.

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

You must call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, believeing on him, in his sacrifice for YOUR sins.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

1 Tim 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Jesus Christ was God Himself. He was God, the Son. The Word. He came and died for your sins.

Ephesians 2:8 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.

There is nothing you can do to earn salvation. You must be saved by the grace of God, in receiving him (the Lord).

1 John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Once you receive the Lord, believe on him, that he was sacrificed for your sins, and rose again never to die, you KNOW you are saved.

No prayer saves you. Your BELIEF is what counts. You may pray to God now, but your prayer is simply an affirmation of your belief. Prayer is an important part of your Christian life, but it has nothing to do with salvation. If you are trusting in a prayer or other "act" then you are not trusting in Christ.

"What must I do to be saved?" Simply believing in the Lord's completed work; relying completely on him for your salvation. (http://av1611.com/kjbp/salvation.html)

Ruth, the Round up Reaper

Ruth 2:14-18

The Remarkable Reputations of The Book of Ruth Series

Sermon #6

And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left. 15 And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: 16 And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.
17 So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley. 18 And she took it up, and went into the city: and her mother in law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed.

Here we see the goodness and provision of Boaz for Ruth. He allows her to glean of the sheaves and set out more for as well. This shows us the love and provision of Almighty God for us, the Bride of Jesus Christ. This also us what we need to do as soul winners today. I know that the Lord is the one who saves them but God does allow us to be the instrument or vessel as to lead the lost soul to the Saviour.

Let us see what Ruth does with this gleaning (harvest or soul winning).

First of all, notice…

I). She harvests her allowance piece by piece v15

“And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not:”

“In the midst of a generation screaming for answers, Christians are stuttering.”

Howard Hendricks.

I remember hearing of a man at sea who was very sea-sick. If there is a time when a man feels that he cannot do any work for the Lord it is then -- in my opinion. While this man was sick he heard that a man had fallen overboard. He was wondering if he could do anything to help to save him. He laid hold of a light, and held it up on the port-hole.

The drowning man was saved. When this man got over his attack of sickness he was up on deck one day, and was talking to the man who was rescued. The saved man gave this testimony. He said he had gone down the second time, and was just going down again for the last time, when he put out his hand. Just then, he said, some one held a light at the port-hole, and the light fell on his hand. A man caught him by the hand and pulled him into the lifeboat.

It seemed a small thing to do to hold up the light; yet it saved the man's life. If you cannot do some great thing you can hold the light for some poor, perishing drunkard, who may be won to Christ and delivered from destruction. Let us take the torch of salvation and go into these dark homes, and hold up Christ to the people as the Savior of the world.

Moody's Anecdotes, Page 44.

A). We are to be winning souls day by day Acts 2:47, 5:42

The Christian life is a daily walk with the Lord and so is witnessing for the Lord.

Our lives should reflect that we are saved, but we too need to tell the lost about the Saviour. This is done daily. Be a witness for Jesus.

A true heart of compassion will let those on the way to destruction know they can escape, but the only escape is through Jesus Christ. We need to tell people they're in trouble with God and that God alone has provided a way to escape. But How? Do we all have to share the same way? No, the unbelieving world is made up of a variety of people: young, old, rich, poor, educated, uneducated, urban, rural, with different race, personalities, values, politics, and religious backgrounds. It's going to take more than one style of evangelism to reach such a diverse population!

So what is your style?

Confrontational? (Acts 2) Repent and be baptized, save yourselves from this corrupt generation.

Intellectual? (Acts 17) Paul debated with the philosophers on Mars Hill to convince them.

Testimonial? (John 9) One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!

Relational? (Mark 5) Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you.

Invitational? (John 4) The Samaritan woman at the well begged the people of the city to come and hear Jesus for themselves.

Serving? (Acts 9) Dorcas impacted her city by doing deeds of kindness. Don't ever think you're a second class Christian because you don't proclaim Christ like Peter or Paul. Discover your own method. Then get out of your chair and use it, for the Glory of God. Live by faith, not fear!!! Source Unknown.

B). We are to be winning souls one by one John 4

Here is one of the many times the Lord dealt with an individual soul one on one. Personal work is very soul encouraging to the saint. Winning that soul for the Lord is also very rewarding.

II). She harvests with alert perception. v18

And she took it up, and went into the city: and her mother in law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed.
A 1980 Gallup poll indicated that out of all evangelical, American believers, "only two percent had introduced another person to Christ." J.K. Johnston, Why Christians Sin, Discovery House, 1992, p. 140.

A). There are people who are going to Hell Isaiah 5:14-15

“Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it. And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled:”

Luke 16:19-31 is an example of people going to hell. Someone had enough love for our souls to witness to us so we are indebted to show that some kind of love to the lost around you.

B). There are people who have no Hope Eph. 2:12

“That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:”
We need to alert this world that time is running out and that there is hope.

III). She harvests with all potential v16

“And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.”
A true heart of compassion will let those on the way to destruction know they can escape, but the only escape is through Jesus Christ. We need to tell people they're in trouble with God and that God alone has provided a way to escape. But How? Do we all have to share the same way? No, the unbelieving world is made up of a variety of people: young, old, rich, poor, educated, uneducated, urban, rural, with different race, personalities, values, politics, and religious backgrounds. It's going to take more than one style of evangelism to reach such a diverse population!

So what is your style?

Confrontational? (Acts 2) Repent and be baptized, save yourselves from this corrupt generation.

Intellectual? (Acts 17) Paul debated with the philosophers on Mars Hill to convince them.

Testimonial? (John 9) One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!

Relational? (Mark 5) Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you.

Invitational? (John 4) The Samaritan woman at the well begged the people of the city to come and hear Jesus for themselves.

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”

Proverbs 11:30

“American artist James Whistler, who was never known to be bashful about his talent, was once advised that a shipment of blank canvases he had ordered had been lost in the mail. When asked if the canvases were of any great value, Whistler remarked, “not yet, not yet.” Today in the Word, December 3, 1992

A). We are to work properly for the Lord

There is a right way to work for the Lord and a wrong way. It is our…

1). Objection (motive)

2). Subjection (obedience)

B). We are to witness profusely for the Lord

Colossians 3:23 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”

IV). What she harvests, she protects v18

“And she took it up, and went into the city: and her mother in law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed”

Psalm 126:5-6 declares “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

Notice here in this verse the bring forth and she had reserved.

In Psalm 126:5-6, notice,

A). Harvesting For The Lord Brings Crying (tears, weeping)

Witnessing with a sincere heart will cause you and I to cry for the lost and their destination of hell. Weep weary Christian for the ones without hope.

B). Harvesting For The Lord Brings Confidence (doubtless)

There is something about witnessing and leading others to the Lord Jesus Christ that builds confidence.

John McKay, of the NFL, tells a story illustrating the supreme confidence of University of Alabama football coach Bear Bryant: "We were out shooting ducks, and finally, after about three hours, here comes one lonely duck. The Bear fires. And that duck is still flying today. But Bear watched the duck flap away, looked at me and said, 'John, you are witnessing a genuine miracle. There flies a dead duck!'"

John McKay, A Coach's Story.

C). Harvesting For The Lord Brings Cheering ( rejoicing)

Luke 15:8-10 “Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”

Soul winning brings crying, confidence and cheering to the heart of the saved.

In conclusion, we need to win the lost before it is eternally too late. The Lord wants us to work hard at it and to our full potential. He is able to save and He is able to lead us to the lost. Are we willing to do this for Him?

Ruth - A Blameless Belle

The Remarkable Reputations of The Book of Ruth Series

Sermon #7

Proverbs 31:30-31 “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”

In this sermon, we shall see some values and qualities of a godly woman. These characteristics are missing from a lot of American Christian women of today. Let us see what God’s word shows about Ruth.

I). A Clean Body 3:11

“And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.”

Virtuous means this according to the Webster’s 1828 Dictionary Morally good; acting in conformity to the moral law; practicing the moral duties, and abstaining from vice; as a virtuous man. It also means chaste. Women in this country need to follow the example of Ruth. She was pure and chaste and clean. Clean is defined in the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary as In a general sense, free from extraneous matter, or whatever is injurious or offensive; hence its signification depends on the nature and qualities of the substances to which it is applied, and Free from moral impurity; innocent.

Notice this about Ruth…

A). She Was Clean In Her Character Chapters 2-3

Fame is a vapor,
Popularity an accident.
Riches take wings.
Only one thing endures,
Character.

- Horace Greely

If you were an employer trying to hire an efficient, honest, and competent employee, would you hire yourself? at your salary? If you had to live with someone just like yourself for the rest of your life, would you look forward to it as a wonderful opportunity and privilege? That my friend is why character is important. Character is not who you are when the crowds are around, but it is who you are when no one is looking.

Things that need to be sought by this generation of women…

1). Pureness

2). Holiness

3). Godliness

"Do you want to know how to become godly? Just hang around God a lot." --Peter Lord www.kentcrockett.com

B). She Was Clean In Her Conduct 3:11

A man in the Army of Alexander the Great who was also named Alexander, was accused of cowardly actions. He was brought before Alexander, who asked what his name was.

He replied softly, “Alexander.”

“I can’t hear you,” the ruler stated.

The man again said, a little louder, “Alexander.”

The process was repeated one more time, after which Alexander the Great commented, “Either change your name or change your conduct.”

Source unknown

II). A Converted Soul 1:16

“And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:”

In the verses that preceded Ruth 1:16 was Orpah returning to her gods. (v 15 to be exact). But notice that Ruth wanted her God to be the Lord God of Naomi. She was converted to the real God. Converted means, in the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary as Turned or changed from one substance or state to another; turned form one religion or sect to another; changed from a state of sin to a state of holiness; applied to a particular use; appropriated. Notice…

A). Ruth Served Before The Lying gods

What other gods could we have besides the Lord? Plenty. For Israel there were the Canaanite Baals, those jolly nature gods whose worship was a rampage of gluttony, drunkenness, and ritual prostitution. For us there are still the great gods Sex, Shekels, and Stomach (an unholy trinity constituting one god: self), and the other enslaving trio, Pleasure, Possessions, and Position, whose worship is described as “The lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16). Football, the Firm, and Family are also gods for some. Indeed the list of other gods is endless, for anything that anyone allows to run his life becomes his god and the claimants for this prerogative are legion. In the matter of life’s basic loyalty, temptation is a many-headed monster.

Your Father Loves You by James Packer, Harold Shaw Publishers, 1986, page for April 17

Chemosh was the god of the Moabites (people of Moab) where Ruth and Orpah were at when Elimelech and Naomi and company came from Judah. In 1 Kings 11:33 Chemosh is called the god of the Moabites. In II Kings 23:13 Chemosh is called the abomination of Moab. Chemosh had the appearance in statues as having a bull’s head with human arms. At one point in Israel, Chemosh was worshipped by the Israelites. Of course the Lord brought judgment on Israel for their apostasy and disobedience.

B). Ruth Saved By The Living God

"The life of Christianity consists of possessive pronouns" says Martin Luther. It is one thing to say, "Christ is a Saviour"; it is quite another thing to say, "He is my Saviour and my Lord." The devil can say the first; the true Christian alone can say the second.

Resource, July/August, 1990.

III). A Contrite Spirit 3:4-5

“And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do. And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.”

Contrite, in the Webster‘s 1828 Dictionary means -- [L., to break or bruise; to rub or wear. See Trite.] Literally, worn or bruised. Hence, broken-hearted for sin; deeply affected with grief and sorrow for having offended God; humble; penitent; as a contrite sinner.

There is a good quote from Corrie Ten Boom…“When I saw Sadhu Sundar Singh in Europe, he had completed a tour around the world. People asked him, Doesn’t it do harm, your getting so much honor?” The Sadhu’s answer was: “No. The donkey went into Jerusalem, and they put garments on the ground before him. He was not proud. He knew it was not done to honor him, but for Jesus, who was sitting on his back. When people honor me, I know it is not me, but the Lord, who does the job.” Corrie Ten Boom, Each New Day

Notice Ruth’s…

A). Humble Spirit

If there is one characteristic that God loves it is that of a humble spirit. “1 Peter 5:5 ^“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”
B). Honoring Spirit

Show me the man you honor and I will know what kind of man you are. - Thomas Carlyle It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them. - Mark Twain

Clark Clifford shares this reminiscence of his former boss, Harry S. Truman:

Every morning at 8:30 the President would have a staff meeting. One day the mail clerk brought in a lavender envelope with a regal wax seal and flowing purple ribbons. Opening it, the President found a letter from King Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia, whose salutation began, “Your Magnificence.”

“Your Magnificence,” Truman repeated, laughing. “I like that. I don’t know what you guys call me when I’m not here, but it’s okay if you refer to me from now on as ‘His Magnificence.’”

Truman subsequently sent a message to the United Nations supporting the admission of 100,000 Jews into Palestine. Soon afterward he received a second letter from King Ibn Saud. This one began: “Dear Mr. President.”

IV). A Consecrated Life Chapter 4

Consecrated means (Webster’s 1828 Dictionary) To make or declare to be sacred, by certain ceremonies or rites; to appropriate to sacred uses; to set apart, dedicate, or devote, to the service and worship of God; as, to consecrate a church.

A). She Devoted To Her Family

“Families promoted each person’s happiness and welfare, invested time and energy in each other and made family their number one priority.”

Note this about the names of this family

Boaz- swiftness We need to be swift to hear (James 1:19)

Ruth- friend We need to be a friend (Proverbs 17:17)

Obed- serving We need to be a servant (Romans 12:11)

Jesse- extant We need to stick out (1 Peter 2:9)

David- loving We need to be loving (John 13:35)

B). She Devoted To Her Faith

The motto of every missionary, whether preacher, printer, or schoolmaster, ought to be “Devoted for life.” Adoniram Judson in To the Golden Shore: The Life of Adoniram Judson

The character of Ruth is a good example of how we should be as Christians serving the Lord and each other.

I conclude with this quote “If you were an employer trying to hire an efficient, honest, and competent employee, would you hire yourself? at your salary? If you had to live with someone just like yourself for the rest of your life, would you look forward to it as a wonderful opportunity and privilege?” Source unknown

Boaz - The Kinsman Redeemer of Ruth

Ruth 4

The Remarkable Reputations of The Book of Ruth Series

Sermon #8

Naomi had a piece of property that needed to be redeemed. With the price of the redemption of the property came the responsibility of marrying the Moabitess woman named Ruth. Boaz was a kinsman to Elimelech.

Here we see that Boaz was…

I). Ready To Redeem v1-3

“Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down. 2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down. 3 And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's:”

Boaz took the initiative to settle the matter. He was in the line of kinsman redeemers but could not do so until the nearer of kin gave up the rights to the kinsman redeemer. The great works for God Almighty never get accomplished until someone is ready to take the first step.

He had a…

A). Readiness v1

In the work of the Lord, it is vital that we are ready for the battle and the job that is at hand.

B). Preparedness v2-3

Someone once said “If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail.”

II). Able To Redeem v4-6

“And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it. 5 Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance. 6 And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.”
Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines Able as --- Having physical power sufficient; having competent power or strength, bodily or mental; as a man able to perform military service - a child is not able to reason on abstract subjects.

The near kinsman wanted

A). Real Estate v6

“And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.”

This man was more worried about his heritage and inheritance for his other family than receiving Ruth into the family.

Instead of

B). Relationship v5

“Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.”

A preacher friend of mine once said “Don’t value stuff, value people.” There are words of wisdom for us all.

III). Willing To Redeem v7-17

Ruth 4:7-10 “Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel. 8 Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe. 9 And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi. 10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.”

“It is almost as presumptuous to think you can do nothing as to think you can do everything.“ Phillips Brooks.

Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there. Josh Billings.

Boaz was ready, able, and willing to redeem Ruth.

Now let us turn to the Lord Jesus Christ as our Redeemer

The Lord Jesus Christ was and is

A) Ready to Redeem He was God manifest in the flesh and died for our sins and rose again the third day for us. His pure blood was shed in our place.

B). Able to Redeem He had no sin of his own (II Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”) No other man on the face of this earth was able to redeem us due to the fact that they all and we all have sins on us. Jesus Christ had none, no sin at all. That is why He could redeem us from the wage of sin.

C). Willing to Redeem The Lord Jesus Christ showed His willingness to obey His Father’s will in the Garden of Gethsemane. He showed also His willingness to redeem us by suffering all the beatings and the pain while going to the that cross on Calvary’s hill.

Are you redeemed? Are you saved today? Do you know where you are going to go when you die? Ruth knew that she was redeemed by Boaz, do you know that you can be redeemed by the Lord Jesus Christ? Are you ready, able and willing to be redeemed?