Where There Are No Oxen A. Three thousand years ago, Solomon wrote: Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.(Prov 14:4) B. Keeping and caring for an animal as big as an ox undoubtedly has its rough, unpleasant moments. C. But, an ox’s incredible strength is useful when it comes to plowing, turning a mill, or pulling a load. D. Wisdom’s simple point: 1. Never acquire an ox and you’ll never have to ___________ up after it! 2. Never acquire an ox and you’ll never be able to enjoy its potential______________. E. Consider some similar applications of the same wise principle. Where there are no ______________, the __________________is quiet, but a heritage of___________ is developed through the efforts of godly ____________. Where there are no___________ in Christ, less gentle_________ is required, but God is glorified as futile minds are_____________and lives are________________. Where there are no ________ members of the church, not as much____________ is necessary,but the entire _______ is strengthened when the weaker are treated as _______________. Where there are no _________ people, there are fewer ____________ on our time and resources, but pure and undefiled ________ involves compassionate care for the________ among us. Where there are no _______ people, the time for_______________ efforts is over, but precious_________are persuaded by those who know the_________of the Lord.

2 Samuel 6:1-11 (ESV) 1 David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. 2 And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale-judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the LORD of hosts who sits enthroned on the cherubim. 3 And they carried the ark of God on a new cart and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. And Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart, 4 with the ark of God, and Ahio went before the ark. 5 And David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. 6 And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. 7 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God. 8 And David was angry because the LORD had broken out against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzzah to this day. 9 And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and he said, “How can the ark of the LORD come to me?” 10 So David was not willing to take the ark of the LORD into the city of David. But David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. 11 And the ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months, and the LORD blessed Obed-edom and all his household.

GOD-SHAPED in 2014 * What Does It Mean to be Faith-Fueled? * A. Fuel (verb): to provide nourishment, food, or energy source; supply, sustain, encourage, stimulate. B. We've seen the vital importance of being Father-defined (Eph 1:3-4), Christ-centered (2 Cor 5:14-15), Spirit-led (Gal 5:25), and gospel-empowered (Rom 1:16-17). C. These elements are the basis of the call for Christians in 1Corinthians 15:58. D. What do we need to answer that call? What will sustain us in fulfilling that call? Faith is the fuel. I. "_________ " • the Link Between the Revelation of God's Will and the Fuel of Our Faith. A. Romans 6:8-13 - "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body ..." B. Romans 12:1-2 - "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God ... " C. 1 Corinthians 10:6-13 - "Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall." D. 1 Corinthians 15:56-58 - 'Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable ... " E. 2 Corinthians 5: 10-11 - "Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. " F. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 - "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses ... " G. Galatians 5:1- "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore ... " H. Ephesians 4:1 - "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy ... " I. Ephesians 5:6-17 - 'Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." J. Ephesians 6: 10-13 - 'Therefore take up the whole armor of God ... " K. Philippians 2:9-13 - 'Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now ... " L. Philippians 3:20-4:1 - "Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for ... " M. Colossians 3:3-6- "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you ... " N. 1 Thessalonians 4: 15-18 - "Therefore encourage one another with these words." II. If Faith is Our Fuel...? A. How do we get it? 1. _________ the words of God (Rom 10:14-17; James 1:19-21) 2. ________ the words of God fast in an honest and good heart (Luke 8:8,15). B. How do we maintain it? 1. Draw _____ from the words of God (Matt 4:4; CoI2:19). 2. Make every effort to _______ your faith (2 Pet 1:5-11). C. What do we do with it? 1. _______ up one another to love and good works (Heb 10:24-25). 2. ________ the will of God and _______ his work (John 4:34; 1 Cor 15:58).

As the LORD Lives, I Will Redeem You Ruth 3 A. The story of Ruth began with providence of God that seemed very bitter (1:20). B. In Ruth 2, the favor of God was breaking through bright enough for even Naomi to see. 1. Boaz is a God-respecting man in his business and personal relationships (2:4, 11-12a). 2. Ruth is a God-dependent woman finding refuge beneath the wings of God (2:12b). 3. Naomi is growing to once again be a God-exalting woman who recognizes the blessings of God. I. Naomi's Strategic ____ (Ruth 3:1-5) A. People who feel like victims rarely make plans. As long as Naomi was blinded by hopelessness and bitterness, as long as she would only say, "the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me," she conceived no strategy for the future. 1. Naomi's aim is clear: win a husband and secure future for Ruth, and preserve the family line. 2. Everyone, including Ruth, must respond by thinking, "And where do you think that will lead?" B. It's clear what Naomi is trying to engineer, it's not clear why she would go about it like this. II. Ruth's Strategic _____ (Ruth 3:6-9) A. "I am Ruth, your servant" (3:9). 1. "Spread your wings over your servant" -- a literal translation that connects with Ruth 2:12.2. "For you are a redeemer" -- "the one who can redeem our inheritance (Lev 25:23-25) and our family name (Deut 25:5-6) from being lost. I want you to fill that role; I want to be your wife. "B. A middle-aged man is interested in a young widow whom he discreetly and graciously shows kindness. The young widow gradually reads between the lines and finally risks an interpretation by coming in the middle of the night to take refuge under his wing as a redeemer. III. Boaz's Strategic _____ (Ruth 3:10·18) A. Why was Boaz "a worthy man" (2:1)? 1. He was a man of physical _____ 2. He was a man of patient _______ B. "If he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the LORD lives, / will redeem you." Vital concluding takeaways: • There are ______ of deep, selfless, righteous love-better models than politicians and celebrities . • God expects us to ______ learn how to our own bodies in holiness and honor (1 Thes 4:3-8). • Forgiveness and cleansing are available in the of Ruth and Boaz (1 Cor 6:9-11).

(GOD-SHAPED in 2014What Does It Mean to be Gospel-Empowered?) A. Empowered: to be given ability or opportunity; to be entrusted, equipped, enabled, or strengthened. B. We're often encouraged to feel "empowered" when it comes to our rights, physical fitness, past, etc. C. The Father-defined, Christ-centered, and Spirit-led are empowered in ways that truly matter most. I. The _____ : From Self-Centeredness and Shame to Self-Sacrifice and Boldness A. In Mark 9:30-37, we find the apostles arguing amongst themselves as to who was the greatest. B. In Mark 13:9-13, Jesus warns his apostles of very difficult challenges in the years to come. C. In Mark 14:22-31, Jesus warns the same men about difficult circumstances in the hours to come. 1. And just as Jesus had foretold, '1hey all left him and ________"(Mark 14:50). 2. Despite his emphatic assurances, Peter swore, "I do ____ not this man" (Mark 14:66-72). D. In Mark 16, on a first day of the week, the bedrock of the gospel began to be proclaimed. 1. In 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus) reminds Christians of the gospel. 2. In 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, he summarizes the appeal of the gospel. 3. In Romans 1:15-17, he describes why he is eager to preach the gospel even in Rome. E. The gospel moved these men from self-centeredness and shame to self-sacrifice and boldness! 1. The example of Peter (Acts 2:36; 3:14-15; 4:12-13; 1 Pet 3:13-15). 2. The example of Paul (Acts 8:1; 9:1-2; 1 Cor 15:8-9; 1 Tim 1:12-17; Acts 28:30-31) F. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 encapsulates the impact of the gospel on the lives of the apostles. 1. Suffering at the hands of men, but ______ in God. 2. In the midst of much conflict with men, but declaring the _____ of God. 3. Shamefully treated by men, but ____ by God. 4. Surrounded by the errors and impurities of men, but entrusted with good _____ from God. 5. Once self-centered and full of shame, now ready to share the gospel and ______. II. "What You Have Heard From Me...Entrust to Faithful Men Who Will Be Able to Teach Others" A. A God-shaped chain (2 Tim 2:1-2) that has extended for centuries. 1. Boldness and confident access through faith in Christ Jesus our Lord (Eph 3:1-12). 2. The Lord's word sounding forth and faith in God that is going everywhere (1 Thes 1:2-10). B. "Let your light _______ before others ... " (Matt 5:14-16).

(Taking Refuge Under the Wings of God - Ruth 2) A. Ruth 1 ended with Naomi full of sorrow (1:13,20-21) ... 1. Embittered eyes can easily become blind. 2. God has not promised that believers are immune to affliction... 3. People with Micah 6:8-type-hearts can be used by God in profound and beautiful ways. B.... but with unseen hope on the horizon (1:22). I. A "worthy man" whose name was Boaz. A. "Worlhy man" (2:1) is translated in a variety of ways throughout the Old Testament: 1. "Man of valor" (1 Sam 16:18) 2. "Mighty man" (1 Chron 28:1; Prov 16:32) 3. "Man of wealth" (1 Sam 9:1; 1 Tim 6:18) 4. "Very able" (1 Kings 11:28) B. More important than his reputation, Boaz is a man of God (2:4). II. The determination and strength of Ruth to fulfill her promises A. Ruth takes the ______ to care for her mother-in-law (2:2). B. Ruth shows ______, taking initiative without being presumptuous or pushy (2:7a). C. Ruth demonstrates ___________ as a remarkable worker (2:7b, 17, 23). III. The LORD, "whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead" A. Ruth " _________ to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz" (2:3-7). 1. Boaz shows her great kindness, even though she is a foreigner. a. He provides food (2:8). b. He provides protection (2:9a, 22). C, He provides for her thirst (2:9b). 2. Ruth responds with humble astonishment (2:10). B. Boaz's __________ that the LORD would repay and reward (2:11-13). C. Boaz's __________ active as a servant of the LORD (2:14-23). Vital concluding takeaways: • There is _____ beneath the wings of God (2:12; Psa 57:1; Psa 147:10-11). • Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is ___________ (2:12,14; James 2:14-18; Gal 5:6; 1 Cor 15:10). • We must fight for _________ that are susceptible to kindness and grace (2:10; Luke 13:34-35; 2:20).

GOD-SHAPED in 2014 What Does It Mean to be Spirit-Led? A. Have you realized how dangerous and self-defeating it is to direct your own steps (Jer 10:23)? B. On my own, I have wandered far from God into the slavery of sin and the fear of judgment. C. But in Christ Jesus, victory can be found. Growth can be experienced. A vibrant, purposeful, joy-filledwalk with God can be reality ... if we "set our minds" in the right direction. I. What Does It Mean to be Spirit-Led? A. To be led is to be shown the way; to be influenced or guided in direction, action, or thinking. B. If I am Spirit-led: • I am a ________ of God (Rom 8:14) • I am ______ from the law of sin and death (Rom 8:1-4a) • I must walk _____ to the Spirit (Rom 8:4b) • I must set my ______ on the things of the Spirit (Rom 8:5) • I will be led in _____ of life and peace (Rom 8:6-8) • These pathways will lead me ______ from gratifying the desires of the flesh (Gal 5:16-1 T) • I will recognize the authority of _____ (Ga/5:18; 3:10-14,19-29; Rom 7:4; James 2:12) • It is no longer I who _____ , but Christ who lives in me (Gal 2:20; 5:19-21,24) • I will bear the _____ of the Spirit (John 15:5; Ga/5:22-23) • I must resolve to keep in ______ with the Spirit (Gal 5:25) • I will passionately dedicate myself to being ______ with the Spirit (Eph 5:15-21) • I will be _______ with God-shaped perspective (Eph 6:10,17) II. THE QUESTION: Whose Voice Will Hold the Most Sway in My Life? A. My ______ own ?(Jer17:9-10) B. Popular _______ ? (1 John 2:15-17) C. Another ________ being? (Matt 15:14) D. My heavenly ________ ? (Rom 8:12-17,26-27,31-39)

GOD-SHAPED in 2014 What Does It Mean to be Christ-Centered? A. Colossians 1:1-20 - Paul begins his letter to the saints at Colossae on a truly magnificent note. B. The clearest representation of what God desires to shape us into is the person of Jesus Christ. I. What Does It Mean to be Christ-Centered? A. Centered can be used in a variety of different ways: • A point or axis around which everything revolves: the sun is the center of the solar system. • The source of an influence, action, or force: the center of a problem. • To come into focus; converge; concentrate: the book centers on a particular character. B. When we realize that "of Christ" appears nearly 100 times in the New Testament of God's writtenrevelation, it's not hard to discern what (or who) is to be at the "center" of our attention. C. If am I Christ-centered: • I will draw new and identity from him (John 1:4). • I will in him (John 15:4). • I will upon him for everything (John 15:5). • I will all things through him (Rom 12:1-2). • I will trust God's providential (John 15:2). • I will bear the of his Spirit (Gal 5:22-24). • I will hunger and thirst for his and his will (Matt 5:6). • I will envelop my life with (John 15:7). • I will follow his loving and wise (John 15:10). • My heavenly Father will be (John 15:8). • My will be full (John 15:11). II. THE QUESTION: "Willi Allow Every Aspect of My Life to be Shaped in the Mold of Jesus?" A. My daily walk as an ___- (Matt 5-7). B. My perspective on _____(Luke 2:52).C. My approach to ___-(Eph 6:5-8). D. My _____ life (Eph 5:20-33). E. My conception of and dedication to the _____ (Co11:17-18). The ultimate aim of it all? "That in everything he might be preeminent" (CoI1:18). If you haven't been recognizing him as "preeminent," reconciliation is available (Co11:19-23; 2:8-13).

When God's Providence Seems Very Bitter Ruth 1 A. In Ruth 1 we read of events that took place 3,000+ years ago during the time of the judges of Israel. 1. The time of the judges was a 400-year period (1400 BC-1000 BC) after Israel entered the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua and before there were any kings in Israel. 2. It was a dark time in Israel's history (Judg 21:25) wherein a terrible cycle was repeated again and again (Judg 2:16-20). 3. From all outward appearances, God's plan for Israel was failing. But what the book of Ruth provides is a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes work of God, even in the worst of times. B. The book revolves around three main characters: 1. - an Israelite from Bethlehem who loses her husband and two sons. 2. - a young Moabite woman who was married to one of Naomi's sons. 3. - a relative of Naomi, but also a descendant of Rahab, the converted prostitute who lived more than 300 years before when Israel first came into the Promised Land (Matt 1:5). C. Something remarkable was going on, even when times and circumstances seemed very bitter. I. Trying times in the life of Naomi (1:1-5) A. A in the land of Israel (1:1a; Lev 26:3-4; Psa 105:16-17). B. Relocation to , a pagan country with foreign gods (1:1b-2, 15; Judg 10:6; Deut 7:3-6). C. The passing of Elimelech, her (1:3). D. Her two sons Moabite women {1:4). E. The passing of Mahlon and Chilion, her two (1:5). II. Naomi's belief that "the hand of the LORD has gone out against me" (1:6-15) A. "Have f yet sons in my womb that they may become your husbands?" (1:6-11) B. Preparing us for a custom in Israel that would eventually turn everything around for Naomi. When an Israelite husband died, his brother or near relative was to marry the widow and preserve the brother's name (Oeut 25:5-10). III. The extraordinary promises of Ruth (1:16-22) A. Though she was still young (2:5; 4:12), she leaves her own family and land to stay with Naomi, in spite of an apparent future of widowhood and childlessness (1:16-18). B. The chapter ends with Naomi full of sorrow (1:19-21), but with hope on the horizon (1:22). Vital concluding takeaways: • Embittered can easily become (Gen 50:20; Ruth 1:22; 4:13-17; Matt1:1). • God has not promised that believers are immune to (Psa 34:19; Acts 14:22; 1 Pet

Four Important DecisionsINTRODUCTIONI. Life is made up of decisions!TRAININGI. The decision regarding training for life is a major decision. Schooling helps shape the mind, whichguides the way we live. (Proverbs 4:23; 1 Timothy 1:19)A. The choice of schools and instructors must be made wisely. (Matthew 12:33-37)VOCATIONI. Choosing a vocation for life is a major-decision because much of one's whole life evolvesaround a job. (Titus 3:14)A. Material gains do not necessarily measure a successful vocation. (Luke 12:15)B. We need to profess honest occupations for necessary uses. (Mark 10:23)COMPANION FOR LIFEI. Choosing a companion for life is a major decision. (Genesis 2:18; 1 Corinthians 7:1-5; Hebrews 13:4)A. Marriage is capable of producing great happiness or misery. (Proverbs 15:17)B. Happiness comes in a marriage only when the right needs are supplied by each companion.FINAL DESTINATIONI. The most important decision of all is your eternal destiny.A. God has placed before every soul life and death, the blessing and the curse, and He exhorts tochose life and blessing. (Deuteronomy 20:19; 1 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 1:21)B. God leaves it to man to freely make the choice in this life. (Romans 6:16-18, 22, 23)CONCLUSIONI. The choices of schooling, job and companion will determine much about contentment of life here aswell as our eternity.A. One can repent of wrong choices while in this life, but after death no choice can be made.(See Luke 16:23-26)8. In making these choices in life, choose wisely. {Ephesians 5:15-17)