Calvary Messages
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Entries by Web Master (51)
The Journey From Bitter to Blessed, Part 5: "There is a Redeemer"
Ruth 4:1-12
The rollercoaster of the book of Ruth is accelerating toward the exciting conclusion. Chapter four focuses in on the character of Boaz as he takes on the role of kinsman-redeemer. The story puts the focus on the idea "keep trusting." As Boaz takes action to redeem Ruth, he keeps his trust in God. He refuses sneaky, underhanded ways to ensure that he got what he wanted, i.e. Ruth's hand in marriage. He did the right thing and God rewarded him.
There are a few cultural oddities in Ruth 4. These are explained in the message and in a skit that dramatizes the action of Ruth 4:1-12.
Pastor Howell, Ruth, Ruth 4 | in Sermon The Journey From Bitter to Blessed, Part 5: Matchmaker, Matchmaker (Continued)
Ruth 3:6-16
God's sovereignty continues to be demonstrated as Ruth goes by faith to ask Boaz to redeem both her and her mother-in-law. Boaz again demonstrates that he is an honorable man. His actions on the threshing floor show that although he loves Ruth, he loves his God more and goes about redeeming Ruth in the right way.
Listen and learn as Pastor Howell leads us through the last half of Ruth 3.
Pastor Howell, Ruth, Ruth 3 | in Sermon The Journey From Bitter to Blessed, Part 4: "Matchmaker, Matchmaker"
Ruth 3:1-5
Chapter two of Ruth ended with a note of hope. After Ruth goes, by faith, to work in the field, God overwhelmingly provided for both Ruth and Naomi through the person of Boaz. The chapter closed with a note of hope in Naomi's voice as she realized what God was bringing about.
Chapter 3 begins with Naomi giving Ruth instruction on how to act in faith in light of God's Word. Listen as Pastor Howell explains the significance of living by faith and the picture of redemption.
Pastor Howell, Ruth, Ruth 3 | in Sermon The Journey from Bitter to Blessed, Part 3: "Behind the Seen"
Ruth 2
God is in control. That is undeniable as we consider together the work of God in the livee of Ruth, Boaz, and Naomi in Ruth chapter 2. Listen to the third message in the Ruth series as we learn how God is at work behind the seen.
Each character in Ruth 2 teaches us something about God's sovereignty over our lives. From Boaz we learn that God is glorified in our obedience. Boaz was a man who was faithful to God. He went above and beyond the requirements of the letter of the Law and played an important role in God's story of redemption.
Ruth teaches us that God is worthy of our trust and faithful obedience. As a foreign widow in Israel, Ruth was the lowest of the low. But she took God at His word that He would provide for her and stepped out by faith. She could not imagine the magnitude of provision that God had in store for her.
Naomi, who wanted her name changed to "Bitter", teaches us that God is graciously working even when we doubt Him. Though Naomi did not work with Ruth, God blessed her abundantly and showed her His grace through the faithfulness of Boaz and Ruth.
But the central character throughout the book is God. He is clearly seen to be in control of every situation. Through all the tragedy and chaos in Naomi's life, God was orchestrating His divine purposes far beyond Naomi's human understanding.
Pastor Schildroth, Ruth, Ruth 2 | in Sermon