(Audio and Text Available)
Title: 5 Pledges
Intro:
At first glance, this passage seems nice. Boaz seems to be a very generous man, willing to help Ruth out…but when we look deeper, there is so much more to be unearthed about God the Father, Jesus the son, Boaz the Redeemer.
I did something a little different with this sermon, in fact, I don’t think I’ve ever written a sermon with this feature built in.
(First Slide)
How many of you have ever had this happen: On a long drive on the highway, you have to use the bathroom, and you are approaching about 2 miles from a rest area and a sign says, “Next rest area 38 miles” and you say, “Ok, I can make it, I won’t get off here, I’ll go to the next one 15 miles down the road.”
(Second Slide)
And then, 36 miles down the road, “Rest area closed, next rest area 69 miles.”
Well, I’ve built a new rest area in this sermon.
- “Do not glean in another field, nor go from here”
Boaz: I will make sure your are provided for, there is no need to look elsewhere.
I am enough for you. I am sufficient.
Scripture:
Paul in 2 Cor. 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Leviticus 19:4 Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves any gods of cast metal: I am the LORD your God.
POINT:
Ruth needed no other (or additional) redeemer but Boaz. We need no other (or additional) Redeemer but Christ.
How have some churches lost this truth?
2. “But stay close to my young women…”
Boaz: There are others like you that I care for, I will treat you as one of them. In my eyes, you are no different. Your background, your race, what got you here, none of that matters, what matters is you are one of my daughters now.
Scripture:
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name…
Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
POINT:
Just as Boaz had the power (and the means) to make sure that Ruth’s future would not be defined by her past, So Jesus has the power (and the means) to make sure our future is not defined by our past. We are no longer a prisoner to what we were.
In what ways do we still live like prisoners to our past?
In what ways do churches still treat others like they are prisoners of their pasts?
3. “Let your eyes be on the field that they reap, and go after them”
Boaz: Follow their lead. They know me and have depended me, and trust me, just as I am instructing you to do.
Scripture:
Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (The power of example)
Philippians 3:17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.
POINT:
Boaz did not leave Ruth with only instruction, but also examples to follow. We are given the fellowship of other believers (The Church) so that the mature can set an example for the newly redeemed.
How can we ensure that the more established believers are good examples to the younger believers?
(Break until next week?)
4. “Have I not commanded the young men not to touch you?”
Boaz: You are under my protection. My men will not harm you, in fact they will protect you. You have nothing to fear from my household.
Scripture:
John 14:27 “Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.”
Deut. 31:6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
POINT:
Boaz did not invite Ruth into a situation where she would be under constant threat from the master’s servants. For us, the Church ought NOT to be a place where new believers fear or feel threatened by established believers.
In what ways do we fail in this regard?
5. “And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels from what the young men have drawn.”
Boaz: It’s okay to take a break. And when you do, go where my servants go, drink liberally and have your fill. They will do the heavy lifting, all you need to do is rest.
Scripture:
Psalm 34:10 The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Mark 6:32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.
POINT:
Within Boaz’s house, there was both a recognition of the importance of rest, and the resources to provide that rest. It ought to be the same in our Christian homes, and in the Church.
In what ways to we fail to rest at home?
In what ways do we fail to rest at church?