And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; **for thou art a near kinsman.** (Ruth 3:9) *Lord's Day afternoon Service at Milward house Pilgrim home* *(See pdf hymn sheet)* **Sermon summary:** The sermon centers on the biblical narrative of Ruth and Boaz, illustrating the redemptive relationship between a near kinsman and a widow, symbolizing Christ's redemptive work for humanity. Through the story, the preacher highlights how Ruth, a foreigner and widow, finds hope and restoration not through her own merit but through the grace of Boaz, who, as a kinsman, has the legal right and moral obligation to redeem her. This relationship is presented as a profound type of the Gospel: just as Boaz, though not the closest relative, steps forward to redeem Ruth, so Christ, the true Kinsman-Redeemer, takes on human flesh, fulfils the Law, and pays the price for sin through His death and resurrection. The sermon emphasizes that, like Ruth, believers—once spiritually destitute and under the condemnation of the Law—find new life and belonging in Christ, becoming part of His eternal family and lineage. The narrative also underscores the inclusion of Gentiles in God's redemptive plan, as seen in Ruth and Rahab's place in Christ's genealogy, affirming the unity of Jew and Gentile in the Church. Ultimately, the message calls the listener to approach Christ in faith, trusting in His redeeming grace and embracing His promise to cover and claim His people as His own.