When Choosing to Serve Pays Off

It is without question that every person needs a redeemer. Only in Christ do we find a willing Redeemer. We each stand in the personal needs of redemption. Loyalty to others undergirds on own sure of security.

RUTH 3:1-18 (NASB)

Boaz Will Redeem Ruth

3 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you? 2 Now is not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maids you were? Behold, he winnows barley at the threshing floor tonight. 3 Wash yourself therefore, and anoint yourself and put on your bestclothes, and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 It shall be when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies, and you shall go and uncover his feet and lie down; then he will tell you what you shall do.” 5 She said to her, “All that you say I will do.”

6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law had commanded her. 7 When Boaz had eaten and drunk and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came secretly, and uncovered his feet and lay down. 8 It happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet. 9 He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth your maid. So spread your covering over your maid, for you are a close relative.” 10 Then he said, “May you be blessed of the Lord, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich. 11 Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence. 12 Now it is true I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. 13 Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the Lord lives. Lie down until morning.”

14 So she lay at his feet until morning and rose before one could recognize another; and he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 Again he said, “Give me the cloak that is on you and hold it.” So she held it, and he measured six measures of barley and laid it on her. Then she went into the city. 16 When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did it go, my daughter?” And she told her all that the man had done for her. 17 She said, “These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said, ‘Do not go to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’” 18 Then she said, “Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today.”

2 SAMUEL 12:20 (NASB)

20 So David arose from the ground, washed, anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he came into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he came to his own house, and when he requested, they set food before him and he ate.

MATTHEW 20:26-28 (NASB)

26 It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

DISCUSSION

Last week, Pastor Jeff taught that we should not judge others or ourselves by the season we are currently in. God created seasons for a reason. The folks from the northeast understand what winter really is: the bitter cold, grey days that seems to be endless and the damp wind, icy road conditions and all that goes with it.

Winter is a quiet time of hibernation to prepare the ground for the new birth of springtime. Whatever season you may be in spiritually, let God have His perfect way, and treasure the lessons of that season before you enter the next. The maturity and new growth you will experience can never compare to the temporary season, as this, too, will pass. 

Be encouraged, it’s not over, the best is yet to come.

What season do you find yourself in at the current moment? And what lessons do you feel that you are growing from?

A new season has no room for the old stuff, aka, baggage. What habits from the old season have you discovered that would be better left behind? 

Pastor Bobby reminds us that faith in God doesn’t always mean that He will change your season, sometimes the season changes us. Discuss how you have experienced this very thing in your own life.  

In Ruth 3:3-7, Naomi is telling Ruth to “wash, put on perfumed oil and wear your best clothes. Go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let the man (Boaz) know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, notice the place where he is lying and go in and uncover his feet, and lie down and he will explain to you what you should do.” So Ruth said to her, “I will do everything you say.”

Discuss how this imagery is put to real life in everyday living?

Are we willing to do everything to surrender to Jesus, to serve Jesus?

We must turn our knowledge of God into an intimate relationship with Him, and we can only do that by spending time with Him.

Servanthood starts with surrender, requires sacrifice and demands intimacy. When we bow at the feet of Jesus, our worship becomes sweet perfume of a sacrificed life. 

PRAYER

Lord, regardless of what goes on in my life, I believe you have the best plan for my life. Help me to stay focused on your truth, and not the reality that may surround me in this world. Help me to better understand the difference between reality and truth, that TRUTH may be my guide.

Then LISTEN for HIS response!

GIVING

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