This sermon was preached by Steve Hartland from Trinity Church (http://www.trinitymd.org) on Colossians 1.

Jesus was becoming well known in the region. The demons knew him and those who needed healing knew him. As Christians, we are attached to the most famous person who ever lived, who was also God incarnate. We should make much about him.

The calling of a Christian is one of invitation, not force. Jesus calls us to follow him toward work here on earth and eternal life to come. But He doesn't leave us to our own devices. He is the source of our strength and the perfect model for a life of holiness.

The kingdom of God is a kingdom of repentance from our sins towards an allegiance with the King. Jesus inaugurated it and it continues to advance this very day. The church is an agent in this kingdom, and we are charged with bringing forth the Gospel to all people.

Our God is not detached from the pain and struggles of the world. In being fully man, he endured real trials and temptation. He is also a warrior-king who fought for his people, continues to intercede for them, and will one day return to finally put away all of His foes.

Jesus was the promised remedy for the curse laid on mankind from Genesis 3. After generations upon generations, Mark announces that the Messiah has come. The "good news" is here, dwelling among us.

The main character in the book of Ruth is God. This story is included in the canon to show us how theline of David would be preserved and ultimately lead to the birth of Jesus. The mundane details are never mundane in the life of a believer. Ruth was simply looking to make a living for herself and Naomi when she met Boaz. They would be the great grandparents of the greatest king to rule over Israel. The lives of believers are never mundane. Our story is part of God's greater redemptive story. We all have a part.

Naomi sees what is going on. She sees that there is an opportunity for Ruth's situation and her own situation to change. She also sees the budding romance between Boaz and Ruth. In essence, she instructs Ruth to go for it and offer herself to Boaz. She wants Ruth to make a move. Ruth risks her relationship with Boaz and sneaks in to his room while he is sleeping. She lays out her intentions for marriage in a daring move. Boaz could have taken advantage of Ruth but instead answers her graciously and lovingly. He reflects the character of God as his broken people come to him for a relationship. Jesus calls the weary and broken and sinful to himself. He offers to carry the burden and to be the remedy. Jesus asks us to risk everything and trust him. He asks us to take a gamble.

As the story moves along we see the generosity of Boaz. He has great compassion on Ruth and Naomi. He is a godly man who reflects the character of God in his life and mission. Because God has been generous to Boaz, Boaz is generous to Ruth and Naomi. God uses his people to meet the needs of his people. Worshippers of a generous God will be generous to others. God has been generous to us in giving us his only son Jesus to cover over a multitude of sin.

When all seems lost along comes Boaz. Boaz is the perfect man for Ruth and yet somehow, in her suffering, Naomi had not realized there was still hope in Bethlehem. In this sermon we will meet Boaz and begin to see the love story unfold. God is sovereign over the details of our lives. Naomi and Ruth have resigned themselves to live out their lives in hopelessness when along comes Boaz. Our lives were hopeless until along came Jesus our Redeemer. Each of the details of our lives brought us to realize our need for a Savior and that Jesus is our only Redeemer.