This week we continue in our series discovering what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Matthew 4:19 teaches us that being a disciple has 3 primary components: follow, change, on mission. So far we’ve looked at what following and being changed by Jesus means. This week, we’ll begin looking at the last component: living on mission with Jesus. In Luke 5, Jesus turns a miracle into a parable for what “fishing for men” (another term for living on mission) means. From this parable we see that we are to cast the net of the gospel deep and wide. Jesus promises that there’s a quite a catch out there to be had if we’ll be faithful to share the best story in the world with the people in our lives!

This week we continue in our series discovering what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Matthew 4:19 teaches us that being a disciple has 3 primary components: follow, change, on mission. Last week we looked at what it means to follow Jesus, so this week we’ll look at what it means to be changed by Him. This process of change is called sanctification. It’s a life-long process in which we learn to count ourselves dead to sin and live in our new identity in Christ. While salvation is work entirely of God given freely to us, the process of sanctification is combined grace driven effort on our part and the power of the Holy Spirit within us empowering life transformation. Christian, sin doesn’t own you anymore. Jesus has set you free!

As we saw last week in Matthew 4:19, a disciple of Jesus is someone who follows Him, is being changed by Him and lives on mission with Him. This week, we’re going to take a deeper look at the first component of being a disciple: follow. Many of us have grown up in a church culture where we were told (by well intentioned people) that becoming a Christian was nothing more than praying a prayer. But is that really what Jesus had in mind when He called His disciples? What if following Jesus isn’t about being religious at all? What if it’s not even about being a “good person” or praying the right prayer? Jesus viewed the act of following Him as more of an invitation to reorient your entire life around Him. As plugging into a relationship with Him as the power source for the abundant life. Following Jesus isn’t a call to pray a prayer or to adhere to a set of rules. While other religions offer paths to enlightenment, Jesus says “I am the path. I am life. Follow Me.”

Most Christians would agree that our primary purpose on this planet is to be disciples that make disciples. And yet, there seems to be great confusion about what a disciple of Jesus actually is. Is it someone who goes to church every week, never cusses, and reads their Bible for 30 minutes a day? Is it someone who shares their faith relentlessly with everyone they meet? Is it something that’s very private and only between that person and God? The truth of the matter is that Jesus gives us a really simple definition of what it means to be His disciples in Matthew chapter 4. We call it the disciple triangle at New Life. In essence, being a disciple means we: 1. Follow Jesus. 2. We are Changed by Him. 3. We begin to Live On Mission with Jesus. If we don’t know what we’re shooting at, we’re never going to hit it! Unfortunately, our modern church culture has created many Jesus fans, but relatively few disciples of Jesus. We want to be a community of disciples who make disciples, and we all have a part to play in God’s global plan of redemption!

Chapter 4 is the last act in one of the most incredible love stories ever told. Boaz finally marries Ruth, and spectacularly redeems both her and Naomi from a life of hopelessness and poverty. After their wedding, they conceive a son named Obed, who against all odds, ends up in the line of king David and eventually Jesus Christ himself. In the end, Ruth is a story of redemption through a baby born in Bethlehem named Obed, which points us to a greater story of redemption through another baby born in Bethlehem named Jesus, who came so that all might have hope, life & redemption now and forever. Our ultimate redeemer has come and he has paid the price to redeem you and send you on his mission of redemption & reconciliation in your neighborhood, city and to the ends of the earth for His glory and your good!

Last week we saw what amounted to the 1st date between Ruth and Boaz--a romantic meal over roasted grain! The chapter closed with a season of waiting, with the audience wondering what was going to happen between Ruth & Boaz. In chapter 3, things heat up as we watch Ruth make a bold & daring move. Even in a scene that contains what some might call sensual overtones, we see the character & integrity of both Boaz and Ruth on full display. And although, we must wait until chapter 4 for the climax of the story--we get some incredible truths in chapter 3 about what God-pleasing faith looks like when the rubber meets the road. We learn that this type of faith takes big risks, is vulnerable, intimate, waits patiently and that it actually works in a big way in God’s Kingdom!

In the first part of chapter 2, we saw a new character named Boaz, burst onto the scene of our narrative. Through Boaz, we got a glimpse of the provision and protection that we ultimately see fulfilled in Jesus. We learned that Boaz is intended to point us to Christ, as our great shelter through the famines of this life. This week, we see Ruth and Boaz experience what amounts to their first date. We see an almost comical amount of grace showered on Ruth as Boaz lavishes blessing upon blessing on his future bride. This chapter ends with Boaz, Ruth and the audience waiting to see what will happen next. We are reminded that God’s blessings are found in His presence, that our satisfaction is found at the table of our Redeemer and that in our waiting--God’s timing is always perfect. Our God is a God of astounding grace!

The 1st chapter of Ruth painted a pretty dark picture of chaos, famine and death. In chapter 2, a new character emerges that changes the entire trajectory of the story. Boaz is a man of strength, character and means. As Ruth--a new follower of God--displays her faith and trust in God--she’s introduced to Boaz and hope begins to shine through the dark backdrop of her story. In this chapter, we see rich truths that are just as applicable to our lives today as they were in Ruth’s day. We learn that even when God is silent, He is not absent. We learn not to lose faith in the famines of life. We cling to His promise of provision and rescue in His timing. Ultimately, we begin to see that in Boaz, God is pointing us to an even greater redeemer and refuge. Through Boaz and Ruth, would come King David and eventually Jesus. This little love story points us to the big love story of God and His people. God is our great refuge who has provided us the ultimate Redeemer in Jesus!

What if God is more interested in the formation of his son, Christ, in your life, than he is in you getting what you want? Thank you to Joe Dillon for this wonderful message!

Everyone loves a good love story! Ruth is a happy little book filled with captivating artistry that runs deep with theological roots. Chapter 1 starts by painting a dark picture of hopeless desperation that has struck an ancient family. Ruth 1 teaches us that while the path away from God’s presence promises us life, it actually delivers us death and disappointment. Ruth, a young woman from Moab, teaches us that turning back to God is the gateway to life and abundance. Ultimately, hope is found in the presence of God, and with the people of God. The chapter that begins with shattered dreams ends with a glimpse of hope in Bethlehem. The same Bethlehem that would 1,200 years later provide the true source of eternal hope and life!