Consider a few -that's not fair- cries- equal pay for unequal work, you never threw me a party, John was fishing too, Mary is not helping, my sacrifice was just as good as his, ... Today's message laid the ground work for next week's message, which will be- -Hey- You don't want fair.-

This is a story of restoration, preservation, and intercession on many levels -lands, livelihood, lineage, and lordship-. Many times the benefactor of such deliverances are completely passive in the process.

This message just might turn your world upside down. On the surface, this sermon is about transparency- but on a deeper level, it asks about your view of religion- Do you view -religion- as a set of boundaries or as a relationship with the Almighty-

Naomi thought she came home empty, but she did not- -1- she was surrounded by friends and like believers,-2- her daughter in-law was more valuable the rubies, and-3- she had a near kinsman sympathetic to her situation.-This chapter has practical lessons of courtship and local churches, but the bottom line is that Ruth was a handful of purpose placed before Naomi.

Naomi told her neighbors, I went out full and returned empty- but standing next to her was a woman who's price was far above rubies. This is the first in a series of messages from the Book of Ruth.

John used the phrase -Little Children- nine times. Three times little children was followed with an assurance, three times with a warning, and three times with a command. Just another aspect of the paternal, maternal, mentor manner this epistle was written - a good way to wrap us this series of messages from 1st John.

Peter said some elect, born again, redeemed children of God were begotten again. How can this be- When the resurrection makes the 18 inch drop from one's head to one's heart - soul, Peter said they have been begotten again. Consider the disciples before and after Luke 24-45. The difference in their behavior was like night and day.

The Book of 1st John is full of antonyms and contrasts. I believe John denied readers a middle ground. Either one believes or not, hears or not, loves or not, fears or not, dwells in the Father or not, - Either one is a Christian or not- so, pick a path-

John wrote several things he wanted us to know. His comments addressed doubt Satan set before both the first and second Adams -doubt concerning God's precepts, God's power, God's plan, and God's provisions-.-- Excuse the message's awkwardness, as it was recorded in front of a congregation of two, complying with 'social distancing' while attempting to provide a spiritual Sunday morning meal to our congregation.

Love is a theme throughout John's writings. I have categorized John's references to love into three directions- 1- vertically down, from God to man- 2- vertically up, from man to God- and 3- horizontally, from man to man. Then asked and tried to answer the questions who, what, when, where, and why for each category.