Sermon Notes for 5/18/2014 People of the Old Testament Series 5 (Ruth 1:15-19a, Matthew 8:18-22)
What it Means to Follow the Lord: The Case of Ruth
A. Ruth's choice (Ruth 1:15-18a)
15 "Look," said Naomi, "your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.” 16 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me." 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. 19 So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. (Ruth 1:15-19a)
B. What the Lord desires (Matthew 8:18-22)
18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 21 Another disciple said to him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 22 But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” (Matthew 8:18-22)
C. Our resolve
Summary
Ruth left her home and family, choosing to support her mother-in-law, Naomi, during her time of despair. This was Ruth's way of obeying and following the Lord. God has placed each of us in our particular life situations. What does he want us to do here? Whom should we serve? How can we please the Lord? Obeying the Lord sometimes means that we suffer with those who suffer, leaving the comfort of familiar places and relationships. If God asks us to do something, he will give us the strength to carry it through, even if we are unsure. Let's trust in the Lord and find out what it means for us to obey and follow him.
For Discussion
1) Why did Ruth choose to live with Naomi?
2) Specifically, what does it mean for you to follow and obey the Lord?
What it Means to Follow the Lord: The Case of Ruth
A. Ruth's choice (Ruth 1:15-18a)
15 "Look," said Naomi, "your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.” 16 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me." 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. 19 So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. (Ruth 1:15-19a)
B. What the Lord desires (Matthew 8:18-22)
18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 21 Another disciple said to him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 22 But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” (Matthew 8:18-22)
C. Our resolve
Summary
Ruth left her home and family, choosing to support her mother-in-law, Naomi, during her time of despair. This was Ruth's way of obeying and following the Lord. God has placed each of us in our particular life situations. What does he want us to do here? Whom should we serve? How can we please the Lord? Obeying the Lord sometimes means that we suffer with those who suffer, leaving the comfort of familiar places and relationships. If God asks us to do something, he will give us the strength to carry it through, even if we are unsure. Let's trust in the Lord and find out what it means for us to obey and follow him.
For Discussion
1) Why did Ruth choose to live with Naomi?
2) Specifically, what does it mean for you to follow and obey the Lord?