Cornerstone Community Church

Ruth 3:18

Without commitment you cannot have depth in anything, especially the things of God.

Both Ruth and Boaz are committed to doing whatever it takes to fulfill their obligations before God and to one another.

We should be committed to fulfill our obligations toward God and toward each other in the spirit of humility, self-discipline and integrity.

Ruth 2:19-23

Boaz stands as a type of Jesus in that he, like Jesus recognized his responsibility to act on behalf of a relative who was in trouble, danger, and in need.

Jesus Christ is the redeemer of humanity and of all creations.

As Christ’s ministers of reconciliation to the world, we serve Him in accomplishing His redemptive role to a world that is in trouble, in danger, and in need.

Ruth 2:10-18

When God shows us favor, we should:

Be GratefulBe HumbleBe DiligentBe Generous

Ruth 2:1-9

A good name is better than gold. The believer who has integrity will find favor both with God and with people.

In our text we are introduced to Boaz, a man of reputation among his peers, as well as his servants. He is a man of integrity.

He desires the best for his friendsHe is diligent in his businessHe is kind to strangersHe is honorableHe loves what is goodHe respects integrity in others

Ruth is also an honorable woman.

She works hard.She does not feel entitled to what does not belong to her.As much as possible, she is self-sufficient.

Believers should practice being people of integrity. To say what we mean. To be faithful to our commitmentsTo recognize and reward the integrity of others as often as we can.

May we be as whole-hearted in our daily lives as these two excellent examples!

Ruth 1:19-22

Naomi means pleasant. And there was a time when her demeanor aligned with her name. It is plausible that her life had not been easy since the birth of her sons. Yet joy and contentment marked her walk despite her hardships.

Naomi allowed herself to become bitter. She chose to embrace sadness, regret, and fierce rage because of her losses.

Naomi did not know how to maintain her joy or her sense of well-being in the face of her disappointments. She thought she had no choice but to be sad.

But even sorrow is a choice. The disciplined believer can learn to manage her sorrow so that bitterness never settles into her spirit.

This is one of the benefits of suffering. By suffering God teaches us how to choose and secure joy and contentment even when life gets hard.

Choose to be pleasant.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Filling in for Pastor Calvin, our fellow brother and elder Steve challenges us with God’s purpose and intent of marriage.

Ruth 1:14-18

Though the situation seems dim, Ruth will not be dissuaded.

She is dismissed by her mother-in-law, but Ruth will not turn back.

Ruth has chosen her course, and she is all in!

All in with Naomi. All in with God. All in with whatever may befall them.

This is not ordinary commitment. It is God-fueled, unrelenting faith. The more the world seems to be against her, the more she presses in to God.

This is the kind of faith that endures until the very end. The kind of faith we need today.

Ruth 1:6-13

When life gets hard and life seems to make no sense, it is easy for us to interpret our situation as judgment from God.

In our text, Naomi is struggling to make good choices from a guilty conscience. She has decided she is guilty and deserving of punishment. She believes that God has turned against her.

Believers, God is never against you. Though He may chastise you, His anger is but for a moment, and always for your good. Sometimes He may cause hurt, but God never causes harm.

Guilt does not come from God. Guilt comes from self. It is self-punishment that bears no godly fruit. The only relief for guilt is more self-inflicted pain. Guilt causes harm to the self.

Conviction comes from God. Conviction exposes your sin to you and pricks the heart. If you are humble and open to Holy Spirit correction, conviction will bear spiritual fruit, healing your wounded heart, and reconciling you to God. The only relief for conviction is repentance.

If you know that you are not walking according to God’s will, repent. But if you feel guilty, but there is no evidence of sin in your life, ignore it. Never choose to be guilty within. Never seek retribution against your own self.

Every day brings new choices. Every choice reflects your hopes or fears.

It is within human agency to make decisions great and small. But the providence of God always determines the outcomes.

As we explore the Book of Ruth, we will consider the choices of the main characters, to examine their choices and glean lessons from their lives.

The story of Ruth is a true account, inspired by the Holy Spirit to be an inspiration to the first hearers, as well as an example for us as to how we can make God-honoring choices that best reflect our faith in God.

John 16:16-22

Week 3 of our Advent series