Turning the Blind Eye
Boaz is fired up to resolve the tension of Ruth's situation. He goes to the one man that can help her. However, this no-name, self-absorbed man turns the blind eye to Ruth's distress. Boaz however is quick to help. What legacy are we leaving with our choices?
Content
7/21/2013
Turning the Blind Eye
Ruth 4:1-8
1. Invite People to Make it Right
(v1-4)
Be part of a short-term missions trip without leaving home! We’re looking for enthusiastic people to worship and serve at our church plant in Northern Lehigh.
We Need: Choose Your Own Adventure!
Prayer Warriors Children’s Workers Musicians Tech Operators Friendly, Get-to-Know-You Types who like talking with new people
3 months 6 months 9 months 1 year
2. The Hard Part of Making It Right
(v5-6)
talk to Pastor Aaron or Pastor Tim to join the team!
July 7 14 21 3. Our Legacy is Based on Our Life Choices
(v7-8)
Jesus the Messiah Redemption Planned - Pastor Aaron Turning the Blind Eye Quick to Resolve
Isaiah 53, John 6 Ruth 3 Ruth 4:1-8 Ruth 4:9-13
28 Aug 4
The Joy of Helping
Ruth 4:13-22
Pastor Aaron and Karen Smith 39 Madison Lane Whitehall, PA 18052 pastor cell 610-984-4142 karen cell 610-984-3417 [email protected] facebook.com/PastorAaronD.Smith
Pastor Tim and Rachel Schmoyer 1292 Forest Road Whitehall, PA 18052 pastor cell 610-739-8008 rachel cell 484-557-8898 [email protected] facebook.com/timothyschmoyer
Turning the Blind Eye
Ruth 4:1-8
1.
Invite People to Make it Right
(v1-4)
Sit down here … sit down now … lets work this out here and now The time to resolve things is now In some things, get the elders together to witness it (v2) Boaz is the kind of man who gets stuff down and makes stuff right 3:18 Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today Jesus is our prime example of resolving tensions of others – Galatians 4:3-7 Ways we need to invite people to make it right: Make it right with God: 2 Cor 5:20 “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” Make it right with other Christians: Matt 5:23-24 “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.” Make it right with your spouse: 1 Peter 3:7 “You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.” Keep it right: 1 Peter 3:8-9 “To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.”
2.
The Hard Part of Making It Right
(v5-6)
Now there is something you should know… The law of Moses makes widows safe through “the code of the kinsman” Deut 25:5-10 So in Ruth’s story: The land belongs to Elimelech, the dead husband of Naomi The relative hopes to get the land for his own family If there is no family of Elimelech to provide for, the land becomes his Because Ruth and Naomi live, the relative is now obligated: To take Ruth into his home and feed her To provide Ruth with offspring that will grow to take care of her To raise and nurture the offspring The offspring takes the family tree of the dead husband, not him The land eventually goes to the offspring and his descendants You’re doing your dead relative a solid… a huge and costly favor God asks us to do hard things. This kinsman code is not in affect for us. Definitely it is hard to live for the Lord. “Broad is the path that leads to destruction. Narrow is the path that leads to life and it is few that find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14) “Evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of” (2 Tim 3:13-14). “We live by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7)
3.
Our Legacy is Based on Our Life Choices
(v7-8)
This no-name relative is a no-name! He lived a self-absorbed existence. He would not step out to care for his relative. Conversely, Boaz is quick to resolve the exposure of his relative’s wife More on Boaz next week. This no-name says v7b-8 “I wont do my responsibility” “I want the land, I don’t want the hassle” I want to receive but I won’t give Think of our Lord who taught us “It is better to give than to receive!”
For now, what I DON’T WANT for you is to lead a no-name life and leave a no-name legacy. I want you to see needs and meet them. I want you to see tension and solve it. In the community, there are many needs. What do you see? How can you solve it? In the church, who is Ruth, who is exposed? Cover them! Reach them! LOVE!
Turning the Blind Eye
Ruth 4:1-8
1. Invite People to Make it Right
(v1-4)
Be part of a short-term missions trip without leaving home! We’re looking for enthusiastic people to worship and serve at our church plant in Northern Lehigh.
We Need: Choose Your Own Adventure!
Prayer Warriors Children’s Workers Musicians Tech Operators Friendly, Get-to-Know-You Types who like talking with new people
3 months 6 months 9 months 1 year
2. The Hard Part of Making It Right
(v5-6)
talk to Pastor Aaron or Pastor Tim to join the team!
July 7 14 21 3. Our Legacy is Based on Our Life Choices
(v7-8)
Jesus the Messiah Redemption Planned - Pastor Aaron Turning the Blind Eye Quick to Resolve
Isaiah 53, John 6 Ruth 3 Ruth 4:1-8 Ruth 4:9-13
28 Aug 4
The Joy of Helping
Ruth 4:13-22
Pastor Aaron and Karen Smith 39 Madison Lane Whitehall, PA 18052 pastor cell 610-984-4142 karen cell 610-984-3417 [email protected] facebook.com/PastorAaronD.Smith
Pastor Tim and Rachel Schmoyer 1292 Forest Road Whitehall, PA 18052 pastor cell 610-739-8008 rachel cell 484-557-8898 [email protected] facebook.com/timothyschmoyer
Turning the Blind Eye
Ruth 4:1-8
1.
Invite People to Make it Right
(v1-4)
Sit down here … sit down now … lets work this out here and now The time to resolve things is now In some things, get the elders together to witness it (v2) Boaz is the kind of man who gets stuff down and makes stuff right 3:18 Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today Jesus is our prime example of resolving tensions of others – Galatians 4:3-7 Ways we need to invite people to make it right: Make it right with God: 2 Cor 5:20 “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” Make it right with other Christians: Matt 5:23-24 “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.” Make it right with your spouse: 1 Peter 3:7 “You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.” Keep it right: 1 Peter 3:8-9 “To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.”
2.
The Hard Part of Making It Right
(v5-6)
Now there is something you should know… The law of Moses makes widows safe through “the code of the kinsman” Deut 25:5-10 So in Ruth’s story: The land belongs to Elimelech, the dead husband of Naomi The relative hopes to get the land for his own family If there is no family of Elimelech to provide for, the land becomes his Because Ruth and Naomi live, the relative is now obligated: To take Ruth into his home and feed her To provide Ruth with offspring that will grow to take care of her To raise and nurture the offspring The offspring takes the family tree of the dead husband, not him The land eventually goes to the offspring and his descendants You’re doing your dead relative a solid… a huge and costly favor God asks us to do hard things. This kinsman code is not in affect for us. Definitely it is hard to live for the Lord. “Broad is the path that leads to destruction. Narrow is the path that leads to life and it is few that find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14) “Evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of” (2 Tim 3:13-14). “We live by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7)
3.
Our Legacy is Based on Our Life Choices
(v7-8)
This no-name relative is a no-name! He lived a self-absorbed existence. He would not step out to care for his relative. Conversely, Boaz is quick to resolve the exposure of his relative’s wife More on Boaz next week. This no-name says v7b-8 “I wont do my responsibility” “I want the land, I don’t want the hassle” I want to receive but I won’t give Think of our Lord who taught us “It is better to give than to receive!”
For now, what I DON’T WANT for you is to lead a no-name life and leave a no-name legacy. I want you to see needs and meet them. I want you to see tension and solve it. In the community, there are many needs. What do you see? How can you solve it? In the church, who is Ruth, who is exposed? Cover them! Reach them! LOVE!
