Sherwood Community Friends Church
Ruth's Story: A Woman of Noble Character
Justice League, BC - part 3
Locations & Times
Sherwood Community Friends Church
23264 SW Main St, Sherwood, OR 97140, USA
Saturday 6:00 PM
Ruth's Super-Hero Power :: NOBLE CHARACTER!
Noble = chayil | “having, showing, or coming from personal qualities that people admire such as honesty, generosity, courage, etc.”
Chayilusually describe “men of valor” who go out to war to protect home and family.
“Ruth walked the road of loyalty and she ended up being royalty.” ~ unknown
Noble = chayil | “having, showing, or coming from personal qualities that people admire such as honesty, generosity, courage, etc.”
Chayilusually describe “men of valor” who go out to war to protect home and family.
“Ruth walked the road of loyalty and she ended up being royalty.” ~ unknown
1. Ruth’s NOBLE CHARACTER kept her steadfast through the CRISIS of famine, death, poverty, and grief (1:1-22):
How will you handle your grief?
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." (2 Cor. 1:3-4)
- God grieves (Gen. 6:6; John 11:35-38; Eph. 4:30)
- God responds to our grief (Ps. 56:8; Heb. 4:15-16; Isa. 65:19; Rev. 21:4)
- Grief measures the meaning of our attachments (John 11:36; Gen. 50:1)
- Grief potentially interrupts life’s routines (2 Sam. 12:17, 18:33)
- Grief potentially persists over an extended period of time (Gen. 50:3, 10; Num. 20:29)
- Grief is potentially expressed in a variety of ways (Matt. 26:37-38; Mark 8:31-32; Job 10:9; Isa. 38:1-22; 2 Sam. 12:16-18; Phil. 1:12, 21-24, 4:11-13)
- Grief is potentially facilitated by various expressions (2 Sam. 1:17-27; Lam. 1-5)
How will you handle your grief?
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." (2 Cor. 1:3-4)
- God grieves (Gen. 6:6; John 11:35-38; Eph. 4:30)
- God responds to our grief (Ps. 56:8; Heb. 4:15-16; Isa. 65:19; Rev. 21:4)
- Grief measures the meaning of our attachments (John 11:36; Gen. 50:1)
- Grief potentially interrupts life’s routines (2 Sam. 12:17, 18:33)
- Grief potentially persists over an extended period of time (Gen. 50:3, 10; Num. 20:29)
- Grief is potentially expressed in a variety of ways (Matt. 26:37-38; Mark 8:31-32; Job 10:9; Isa. 38:1-22; 2 Sam. 12:16-18; Phil. 1:12, 21-24, 4:11-13)
- Grief is potentially facilitated by various expressions (2 Sam. 1:17-27; Lam. 1-5)
2. Ruth’s NOBLE CHARACTER and her RESPONSE to grief, adversity, loss, and stress is noticed by her KINSMAN-REDEEMER (2:1-23):
Kinsman = obligated to “come to the help or rescue of one” but usually not enforced
Kinsman-Redeemer = the closest male blood relative
Is the KINSMAN willing to pay the price and do something radical on behalf on another and thus become REDEEMER?
Kinsman = obligated to “come to the help or rescue of one” but usually not enforced
Kinsman-Redeemer = the closest male blood relative
Is the KINSMAN willing to pay the price and do something radical on behalf on another and thus become REDEEMER?
3. Ruth’s NOBLE CHARACTER got her noticed and the HAPPY ENDING was possible because… (3:1-4:22):
- Why? Because she would not abandon her mother-in-law!
- Why? Because she would not abandon God!
- Why? Because, she was willing to serve and provide for Naomi!
- Why? Because she was willing to listen and respect Naomi!
- Why? Because she was willing to give up all for the benefit of another!
- Why? Because she would not abandon her mother-in-law!
- Why? Because she would not abandon God!
- Why? Because, she was willing to serve and provide for Naomi!
- Why? Because she was willing to listen and respect Naomi!
- Why? Because she was willing to give up all for the benefit of another!
Several take-away’s from Ruth’s story…
1. Faith in God was and is the key to overcoming crisis. In these times of trial and traumas put your faith and trust in God. Cry out to him for help and comfort. [PS. 116:1-7]
2. Hard work is a proper response for crisis.
3. Persistence is a proper response; never quit pushing forward through the pain and the famine.
4. Ruth modeled humility and she understood that their complete deliverance would come from another person… their Kinsman-Redeemer.
5. Ruth’s servant attitude caught the attention of the Kinsman-Redeemer. This type of attitude is what God rewards and blesses. Don’t forget this.
6. They did what they had to do to be delivered and they returned to the place where they knew there was hope for deliverance. They went home to Israel and in essence returned to the throne of God for help.
1. Faith in God was and is the key to overcoming crisis. In these times of trial and traumas put your faith and trust in God. Cry out to him for help and comfort. [PS. 116:1-7]
2. Hard work is a proper response for crisis.
3. Persistence is a proper response; never quit pushing forward through the pain and the famine.
4. Ruth modeled humility and she understood that their complete deliverance would come from another person… their Kinsman-Redeemer.
5. Ruth’s servant attitude caught the attention of the Kinsman-Redeemer. This type of attitude is what God rewards and blesses. Don’t forget this.
6. They did what they had to do to be delivered and they returned to the place where they knew there was hope for deliverance. They went home to Israel and in essence returned to the throne of God for help.
Are you ready to receive Jesus Christ as your Kinsman-Redeemer?
Reflection questions:
1)“What kind of reputation do you have?” | Are you loyal?
2)“Are you living a dedicated, persistent, faithful life in honor of your Kinsman-Redeemer?
NEXT WEEK (7/8/18) :: Abel’s Story:A Gift-giver to God
Reflection questions:
1)“What kind of reputation do you have?” | Are you loyal?
2)“Are you living a dedicated, persistent, faithful life in honor of your Kinsman-Redeemer?
NEXT WEEK (7/8/18) :: Abel’s Story:A Gift-giver to God