WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.800 Let's pray. 00:00:02.560 --> 00:00:05.320 Loving Heavenly Father, we thank you that you speak to us in your word. 00:00:06.459 --> 00:00:09.160 And we ask, Father, that you would open our hearts and minds 00:00:09.160 --> 00:00:11.560 and hear what you have to say. 00:00:12.720 --> 00:00:14.839 Lord, we ask, as James encourages us, Lord, 00:00:14.900 --> 00:00:17.719 that we would not only be hearers of your word, but doers of the same. 00:00:18.240 --> 00:00:20.580 In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 00:00:22.760 --> 00:00:27.500 I remember a little Australian boy some 30-something years ago 00:00:27.500 --> 00:00:29.780 who was diagnosed with an allergy to chocolate. 00:00:31.000 --> 00:00:32.280 Right before Easter. 00:00:33.020 --> 00:00:36.200 Now, I'm sure for any 37-year-old or maybe 47-year-old adult, 00:00:36.880 --> 00:00:39.299 self-denial of chocolate is a serious thing. 00:00:39.560 --> 00:00:45.259 But for a 7-year-old before Easter, this was a serious moment of abstinence. 00:00:46.399 --> 00:00:49.900 Now, I'm honestly not sure whether the provision of a carob Easter egg 00:00:49.900 --> 00:00:51.140 made it harder or easier. 00:00:52.120 --> 00:00:55.659 But in any case, life presents us with these occasions 00:00:55.659 --> 00:00:59.900 when what is best for you actually requires you to say no. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:01.520 To yourself. 00:01:03.359 --> 00:01:05.780 But there's a good deal of illogic here, isn't there? 00:01:06.859 --> 00:01:09.739 I mean, it doesn't feel like you're acting in your best interests 00:01:09.739 --> 00:01:11.379 when you're saying no to yourself. 00:01:11.780 --> 00:01:13.799 And we're actually pretty good at thinking of arguments 00:01:13.799 --> 00:01:19.019 to somehow convince ourselves that that's actually not what's going on. 00:01:19.019 --> 00:01:20.519 But it doesn't change the situation. 00:01:21.920 --> 00:01:26.739 Life does present us with situations where what is our best requires us to say no. 00:01:27.699 --> 00:01:29.239 And life under God is no different. 00:01:30.500 --> 00:01:35.699 Saying yes to God regularly involves us saying no to ourselves. 00:01:35.700 --> 00:01:42.480 But it can be hard to keep trusting that what God wants is in fact actually best. 00:01:43.659 --> 00:01:49.799 And this is the truth that this episode of Ruth is there in the Bible 00:01:49.799 --> 00:01:53.300 to engrave that on our hearts and minds. 00:01:53.420 --> 00:01:54.020 This truth. 00:01:54.019 --> 00:01:56.700 Now it's not easy. 00:01:57.759 --> 00:02:01.939 But truly, when we say yes to God and no to ourselves, 00:02:02.019 --> 00:02:03.739 we are serving our best interests. 00:02:04.780 --> 00:02:07.619 And that's actually what makes the question that Naomi poses 00:02:07.619 --> 00:02:10.419 at the beginning of this episode so ironic. 00:02:11.240 --> 00:02:14.740 The story resumes in chapter 3 with Naomi saying to Ruth, 00:02:14.740 --> 00:02:25.760 Now, taken by itself, the question is actually not so ironic. 00:02:26.800 --> 00:02:27.420 Yes, of course. 00:02:28.300 --> 00:02:30.340 Naomi should seek Ruth's best interest. 00:02:31.080 --> 00:02:32.100 That would be a good thing to do. 00:02:32.560 --> 00:02:37.260 It would be a kindness in return for everything that Ruth has been doing for Naomi. 00:02:38.020 --> 00:02:39.719 Naomi should indeed find a home for Ruth. 00:02:40.939 --> 00:02:44.320 But Naomi is about to hatch a plan that looks a lot like the plan 00:02:44.319 --> 00:02:48.299 her husband Elimelech came up with when he made that fateful decision 00:02:48.299 --> 00:02:49.699 to return to Moab. 00:02:50.639 --> 00:02:54.259 If you remember back several weeks ago when we began our sermon series 00:02:54.259 --> 00:03:00.419 in the book of Ruth, you'll remember that it turned out very badly 00:03:00.419 --> 00:03:06.599 for Elimelech and his family when Elimelech had decided to go to Moab. 00:03:07.159 --> 00:03:11.139 He was effectively turning his back on God and his promises, 00:03:11.139 --> 00:03:15.879 even though he thought that he was indeed securing his best interests. 00:03:17.079 --> 00:03:20.659 And this is actually what makes Naomi's question so very ironic. 00:03:21.399 --> 00:03:25.879 Yes, Naomi should seek the best interests for Ruth. 00:03:28.119 --> 00:03:32.279 But not by making the same mistake her husband Elimelech had made 00:03:32.279 --> 00:03:34.839 that brought her family into such a disaster. 00:03:34.840 --> 00:03:40.640 And even more than that, this plan that Naomi's hatching sounds an awful lot like 00:03:40.640 --> 00:03:42.939 one of the most sordid moments of the Old Testament. 00:03:43.759 --> 00:03:47.900 Naomi's plan looks a lot like the plan that Tamar hatches in Genesis chapter 38 00:03:47.900 --> 00:03:51.980 to secure an heir from Judah. 00:03:53.219 --> 00:03:55.980 Now, if you're not up in your Old Testament stories, that's okay. 00:03:56.199 --> 00:03:59.099 This one's tucked away in the back corner of Genesis. 00:03:59.099 --> 00:04:06.259 But the basic plot of that story is that one of Judah's wicked sons is struck dead by God. 00:04:06.379 --> 00:04:13.859 And Onan, his brother, is obligated to provide an heir for his young widow, Tamar. 00:04:14.819 --> 00:04:19.579 Now, Onan doesn't want to do this because providing an heir for his dead brother 00:04:19.579 --> 00:04:21.100 is actually not in his best interest. 00:04:21.279 --> 00:04:23.439 And God strikes him dead as well. 00:04:23.439 --> 00:04:29.480 So we're left in the situation where Judah doesn't want to actually do this either 00:04:29.480 --> 00:04:34.279 because he's scared that he might get struck dead and it leaves Tamar with only one option. 00:04:35.000 --> 00:04:41.779 So Tamar disguises herself as a prostitute in order to get Judah to get her pregnant. 00:04:42.779 --> 00:04:44.939 And the plan looks like clockwork. 00:04:46.959 --> 00:04:52.019 Poor Tamar realizes the only way to get an heir from Judah is to dress up like a prostitute. 00:04:53.439 --> 00:04:56.600 This is effectively the plan that Naomi is hatching for Ruth. 00:04:58.360 --> 00:05:01.579 In verses 2 to 4, Naomi tells Ruth to conceal her identity 00:05:01.579 --> 00:05:05.620 and sneak down to the threshing floor when the festivities have died down 00:05:05.620 --> 00:05:08.139 and see if she can seduce Boaz. 00:05:09.300 --> 00:05:13.959 Now, some of the cultural distance between us in Edinburgh 2017 00:05:13.959 --> 00:05:16.459 and the ancient world of the Old Testament 00:05:16.459 --> 00:05:19.339 can actually conceal some of the basic contours of this plan. 00:05:19.339 --> 00:05:23.419 But the biggest giveaway is the fact that Naomi is telling Ruth 00:05:23.419 --> 00:05:25.259 to uncover Boaz's feet. 00:05:26.299 --> 00:05:29.179 Now, feet is a euphemism for genitalia in the Old Testament. 00:05:29.579 --> 00:05:33.819 But even if you miss this, Naomi is telling this young woman 00:05:33.819 --> 00:05:37.719 to uncover a man's legs in the dead of night 00:05:37.719 --> 00:05:41.620 after he's been consuming significant quantities of alcohol 00:05:41.620 --> 00:05:44.939 and to nestle up next to him on the threshing floor. 00:05:44.939 --> 00:05:48.839 Now, if you hear in the previous sermons in Ruth, 00:05:48.920 --> 00:05:50.459 you'll remember that we've even been reminded 00:05:50.459 --> 00:05:53.899 there's a very real risk of rape for young women in the harvest season. 00:05:54.920 --> 00:05:58.259 And that it's a good thing that Ruth is actually being protected from that danger. 00:05:58.319 --> 00:06:01.000 But here we have this scenario 00:06:01.000 --> 00:06:05.220 which sounds a very strong echo from the story of Tamar and Judah. 00:06:05.819 --> 00:06:07.159 And this is Naomi's plan. 00:06:09.120 --> 00:06:12.800 Naomi is also after an heir in place of her dead sons. 00:06:12.800 --> 00:06:15.079 She's sending Ruth in to Boaz 00:06:15.079 --> 00:06:18.120 with a slightly milder version of Tamar's plan 00:06:18.120 --> 00:06:19.639 to secure the same. 00:06:21.520 --> 00:06:22.420 My daughter, 00:06:23.360 --> 00:06:25.620 should I not try to find a home for you 00:06:25.620 --> 00:06:27.199 where you will be well provided for? 00:06:29.840 --> 00:06:32.000 Yes, you should, Naomi. 00:06:32.660 --> 00:06:35.160 But this is certainly not the way to go about it. 00:06:37.379 --> 00:06:39.319 What's happening here is that Naomi is showing 00:06:39.319 --> 00:06:41.399 that she has no idea what it looks like 00:06:41.399 --> 00:06:43.420 to seek the best interests of Ruth. 00:06:44.339 --> 00:06:46.319 She is just as lacking in wisdom 00:06:46.319 --> 00:06:49.139 as her dead husband, the Limelech, 00:06:49.860 --> 00:06:51.560 when he decided to head for Moab. 00:06:53.819 --> 00:06:55.560 But in stark contrast to Naomi, 00:06:56.000 --> 00:06:56.759 in this chapter, 00:06:56.920 --> 00:06:59.079 Ruth and Boaz show us exactly 00:06:59.079 --> 00:07:00.339 what it looks like 00:07:00.339 --> 00:07:02.319 to seek our own well-being. 00:07:03.060 --> 00:07:05.120 And this is at the very heart of the story. 00:07:05.120 --> 00:07:08.879 Ruth and Boaz put faithfulness to God 00:07:08.879 --> 00:07:11.040 ahead of their own interests. 00:07:12.040 --> 00:07:13.220 They obey God 00:07:13.220 --> 00:07:15.319 even when it comes at some personal cost 00:07:15.319 --> 00:07:16.220 to themselves. 00:07:17.379 --> 00:07:18.720 Now let's look a little more closely 00:07:18.720 --> 00:07:20.040 at exactly what Boaz does. 00:07:21.459 --> 00:07:23.399 We see that Ruth defers to Naomi 00:07:23.399 --> 00:07:24.800 and she goes along with her plan. 00:07:24.980 --> 00:07:26.160 So she covers herself up. 00:07:26.600 --> 00:07:28.100 She goes down to the threshing floor 00:07:28.100 --> 00:07:29.019 and in the dead of night 00:07:29.019 --> 00:07:30.600 she lies down next to Boaz 00:07:30.600 --> 00:07:31.920 and uncovers him. 00:07:33.399 --> 00:07:34.319 What's kind of interesting 00:07:34.319 --> 00:07:35.800 is how half-hearted Ruth is 00:07:35.800 --> 00:07:36.439 in all of this. 00:07:36.540 --> 00:07:38.099 She just lies next to Boaz. 00:07:38.839 --> 00:07:39.500 That's all. 00:07:39.659 --> 00:07:40.579 And the irony increases 00:07:40.579 --> 00:07:42.540 when we hear that lying there, 00:07:42.620 --> 00:07:44.439 the uncovered Boaz gets cold. 00:07:45.599 --> 00:07:46.860 And he wakes up 00:07:46.860 --> 00:07:48.500 and he literally bumps into Ruth. 00:07:49.719 --> 00:07:50.480 Who are you? 00:07:51.579 --> 00:07:52.719 I'm your servant, Ruth. 00:07:53.480 --> 00:07:55.219 Spread the corner of your garment over me 00:07:55.219 --> 00:07:57.100 since you are a kinsman redeemer. 00:08:00.399 --> 00:08:01.800 Well, what is Boaz going to do? 00:08:01.800 --> 00:08:05.340 He's being solicited by this beautiful young woman 00:08:05.340 --> 00:08:07.439 but Boaz puts faithfulness to God 00:08:07.439 --> 00:08:09.259 ahead of his own interests. 00:08:10.259 --> 00:08:11.780 Ruth is offering herself to him 00:08:11.780 --> 00:08:13.240 but he knows he cannot succumb. 00:08:14.080 --> 00:08:15.480 He knows there is a kinsman 00:08:15.480 --> 00:08:17.460 nearer to Naomi than he. 00:08:18.780 --> 00:08:20.519 And unlike his great-grandson, 00:08:21.460 --> 00:08:23.300 Boaz will not sin against his brother. 00:08:23.300 --> 00:08:27.520 King David would take another man's wife 00:08:27.520 --> 00:08:28.600 for himself 00:08:28.600 --> 00:08:30.480 but Boaz refuses 00:08:30.480 --> 00:08:32.139 to take a woman 00:08:32.139 --> 00:08:33.500 who belongs to another man. 00:08:35.379 --> 00:08:36.779 Boaz doesn't take Ruth 00:08:36.779 --> 00:08:38.360 under his blanket like she asks. 00:08:38.500 --> 00:08:39.580 Instead, he tells Ruth 00:08:39.580 --> 00:08:40.680 to sleep at his feet 00:08:40.680 --> 00:08:41.560 until daybreak. 00:08:42.299 --> 00:08:43.779 He passes up what could be his 00:08:43.779 --> 00:08:44.580 and he puts God 00:08:44.580 --> 00:08:45.639 ahead of his own desires. 00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:47.620 Boaz says yes to God 00:08:47.620 --> 00:08:48.480 and no to himself. 00:08:48.480 --> 00:08:51.860 But let's take a little look at Ruth. 00:08:52.860 --> 00:08:54.480 It's even more under the spotlight 00:08:54.480 --> 00:08:55.860 than it is with Boaz. 00:08:55.960 --> 00:08:56.879 Yet again we see Ruth 00:08:56.879 --> 00:08:58.279 put faithfulness to God 00:08:58.279 --> 00:09:00.620 ahead of her own interests. 00:09:01.879 --> 00:09:02.779 If you have been here 00:09:02.779 --> 00:09:05.120 for the previous sermons in Ruth, 00:09:05.480 --> 00:09:06.120 you'll remember. 00:09:06.700 --> 00:09:07.860 We've seen this before. 00:09:08.060 --> 00:09:08.920 There's a pattern of behavior 00:09:08.920 --> 00:09:09.600 going on here. 00:09:09.940 --> 00:09:11.180 At the very beginning of the story, 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:13.379 she declares to her mother-in-law, 00:09:13.920 --> 00:09:14.300 Naomi, 00:09:14.940 --> 00:09:16.680 your God will be my God. 00:09:16.679 --> 00:09:19.479 And she leaves all that she has 00:09:19.479 --> 00:09:20.859 and returns with Naomi 00:09:20.859 --> 00:09:22.079 to Israel. 00:09:23.739 --> 00:09:25.559 Boaz actually draws attention 00:09:25.559 --> 00:09:28.419 to this next time 00:09:28.419 --> 00:09:29.159 that we see Ruth 00:09:29.159 --> 00:09:30.579 putting faithfulness to God 00:09:30.579 --> 00:09:32.620 ahead of her own interests. 00:09:33.179 --> 00:09:34.039 In verse 10, 00:09:34.719 --> 00:09:35.239 he says, 00:09:35.379 --> 00:09:36.799 The Lord bless you, my daughter. 00:09:37.019 --> 00:09:38.959 This kindness is greater than that 00:09:38.959 --> 00:09:39.859 which you showed earlier. 00:09:40.299 --> 00:09:42.139 You have not run after younger men, 00:09:43.059 --> 00:09:44.439 whether rich or poor. 00:09:44.440 --> 00:09:48.040 Once she's in Israel, 00:09:48.240 --> 00:09:49.120 Ruth doesn't seek out 00:09:49.120 --> 00:09:49.820 a young bachelor. 00:09:50.660 --> 00:09:51.020 Instead, 00:09:51.220 --> 00:09:52.180 she's willing to marry 00:09:52.180 --> 00:09:53.380 a kinsman of Naomi 00:09:53.380 --> 00:09:55.460 so that she can give 00:09:55.460 --> 00:09:56.820 Elimelech an heir. 00:09:58.360 --> 00:09:59.620 But Ruth's faithfulness 00:09:59.620 --> 00:10:00.540 doesn't stop there. 00:10:01.260 --> 00:10:02.240 A third time, 00:10:02.380 --> 00:10:03.120 we see her say 00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:04.240 yes to God 00:10:04.240 --> 00:10:05.140 and no to herself. 00:10:06.660 --> 00:10:08.040 Ruth actually listens 00:10:08.040 --> 00:10:09.260 to Boaz 00:10:09.260 --> 00:10:11.260 and accepts what he says. 00:10:11.259 --> 00:10:13.299 She embraces the possibility 00:10:13.299 --> 00:10:14.059 of being married 00:10:14.059 --> 00:10:14.860 off to some other 00:10:14.860 --> 00:10:17.159 unknown kinsman redeemer. 00:10:18.120 --> 00:10:18.980 Who knows what this guy 00:10:18.980 --> 00:10:19.600 might be like? 00:10:20.659 --> 00:10:21.659 Boaz is old, 00:10:21.759 --> 00:10:22.799 but at least he's rich. 00:10:24.259 --> 00:10:25.360 Faithfulness to God 00:10:25.360 --> 00:10:27.100 now means turning her back 00:10:27.100 --> 00:10:27.960 on what would have been 00:10:27.960 --> 00:10:29.580 a very materially 00:10:29.580 --> 00:10:30.659 comfortable life 00:10:30.659 --> 00:10:31.299 with Boaz. 00:10:32.539 --> 00:10:33.700 Ruth could very easily 00:10:33.700 --> 00:10:34.360 have continued 00:10:34.360 --> 00:10:35.600 with Naomi's plan 00:10:35.600 --> 00:10:36.879 and seduced Boaz, 00:10:36.939 --> 00:10:37.500 but she doesn't. 00:10:37.500 --> 00:10:39.399 In fact, 00:10:39.679 --> 00:10:40.580 it probably would have 00:10:40.580 --> 00:10:41.320 been more tempting 00:10:41.320 --> 00:10:42.259 to actually go along 00:10:42.259 --> 00:10:43.519 with Naomi's plan now, 00:10:44.360 --> 00:10:45.059 but yet again, 00:10:45.480 --> 00:10:46.600 she chooses faithfulness 00:10:46.600 --> 00:10:47.019 to God. 00:10:47.899 --> 00:10:48.879 There's a nearer 00:10:48.879 --> 00:10:49.740 kinsman redeemer 00:10:49.740 --> 00:10:51.539 and she should marry him. 00:10:52.039 --> 00:10:52.620 Once again, 00:10:52.720 --> 00:10:53.679 she says yes to God 00:10:53.679 --> 00:10:54.539 and she sleeps 00:10:54.539 --> 00:10:55.879 at Boaz's feet. 00:10:58.539 --> 00:10:59.779 In contrast to Naomi, 00:11:00.000 --> 00:11:01.139 Ruth and Boaz 00:11:01.139 --> 00:11:02.179 show us exactly 00:11:02.179 --> 00:11:03.000 what it looks like 00:11:03.000 --> 00:11:04.500 to seek our well-being. 00:11:05.299 --> 00:11:07.120 They say yes to God, 00:11:07.500 --> 00:11:08.940 even when it comes 00:11:08.940 --> 00:11:10.460 at some personal cost. 00:11:10.580 --> 00:11:11.700 They put faithfulness 00:11:11.700 --> 00:11:12.559 to God above their 00:11:12.559 --> 00:11:13.460 own immediate interest. 00:11:13.559 --> 00:11:14.039 But why? 00:11:16.080 --> 00:11:17.000 They do this 00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:17.960 because ultimately 00:11:17.960 --> 00:11:19.600 they know that we are 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:20.279 never saying no 00:11:20.279 --> 00:11:20.919 to ourselves 00:11:20.919 --> 00:11:23.000 when we say yes to God. 00:11:23.860 --> 00:11:24.759 Saying yes to God, 00:11:24.840 --> 00:11:25.440 even when it comes 00:11:25.440 --> 00:11:25.919 at a price, 00:11:25.980 --> 00:11:26.700 is always 00:11:26.700 --> 00:11:28.940 in our very best interest. 00:11:29.820 --> 00:11:30.419 This is something 00:11:30.419 --> 00:11:31.659 that Jesus was eager 00:11:31.659 --> 00:11:33.039 for us to learn too. 00:11:34.100 --> 00:11:35.179 In Luke 9, 00:11:35.340 --> 00:11:36.659 verse 23 and 24, 00:11:36.659 --> 00:11:38.360 Jesus says, 00:11:38.600 --> 00:11:39.199 if anyone would 00:11:39.199 --> 00:11:39.879 come after me, 00:11:39.959 --> 00:11:42.579 he must deny himself 00:11:42.579 --> 00:11:46.039 and take up his cross 00:11:46.039 --> 00:11:47.079 daily and follow me. 00:11:47.299 --> 00:11:47.939 For whoever wants 00:11:47.939 --> 00:11:48.959 to save his life 00:11:48.959 --> 00:11:50.500 will lose it. 00:11:51.000 --> 00:11:52.000 But whoever loses 00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:52.939 his life for me 00:11:52.939 --> 00:11:54.559 will save it. 00:11:57.159 --> 00:11:58.500 Jesus is saying here, 00:11:59.159 --> 00:12:00.139 if anyone would say 00:12:00.139 --> 00:12:00.899 yes to God, 00:12:01.500 --> 00:12:02.839 they will be regularly 00:12:02.839 --> 00:12:04.159 required to say 00:12:04.159 --> 00:12:04.839 no to themselves. 00:12:04.840 --> 00:12:07.560 In fact, 00:12:07.620 --> 00:12:08.280 Jesus is saying 00:12:08.280 --> 00:12:09.060 that if we are 00:12:09.060 --> 00:12:09.879 unwilling to say 00:12:09.879 --> 00:12:10.580 no to ourselves, 00:12:10.759 --> 00:12:11.780 we cannot say 00:12:11.780 --> 00:12:12.399 yes to him. 00:12:14.040 --> 00:12:15.040 Saying yes to Jesus 00:12:15.040 --> 00:12:16.160 means saying no 00:12:16.160 --> 00:12:16.680 to yourself 00:12:16.680 --> 00:12:17.800 at regular intervals 00:12:17.800 --> 00:12:18.660 along that path 00:12:18.660 --> 00:12:19.360 behind him. 00:12:19.800 --> 00:12:20.480 But crucially, 00:12:20.620 --> 00:12:21.300 saying yes to him 00:12:21.300 --> 00:12:22.100 and no to ourselves 00:12:22.100 --> 00:12:24.259 is ultimately 00:12:24.259 --> 00:12:25.300 in our best interest. 00:12:26.680 --> 00:12:27.080 And that's what 00:12:27.080 --> 00:12:27.860 Jesus means 00:12:27.860 --> 00:12:28.540 when he says, 00:12:29.139 --> 00:12:29.759 whoever loses 00:12:29.759 --> 00:12:30.420 his life 00:12:30.420 --> 00:12:31.360 will save it. 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:33.139 not only 00:12:33.139 --> 00:12:33.639 do we receive 00:12:33.639 --> 00:12:34.700 forgiveness of sins, 00:12:35.879 --> 00:12:36.980 resurrection from the dead, 00:12:37.860 --> 00:12:38.759 and eternal life, 00:12:39.200 --> 00:12:40.259 but as we say no 00:12:40.259 --> 00:12:40.700 to ourselves 00:12:40.700 --> 00:12:41.919 at these regular intervals 00:12:41.919 --> 00:12:42.740 down the path 00:12:42.740 --> 00:12:43.700 behind the Lord Jesus, 00:12:44.180 --> 00:12:45.139 our lives gradually 00:12:45.139 --> 00:12:46.300 come to look more 00:12:46.300 --> 00:12:47.279 and more 00:12:47.279 --> 00:12:48.320 like his. 00:12:49.139 --> 00:12:49.659 Is there anything 00:12:49.659 --> 00:12:50.000 that could be 00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:50.759 more precious 00:12:50.759 --> 00:12:51.860 than having our sins 00:12:51.860 --> 00:12:52.659 and guilt stripped 00:12:52.659 --> 00:12:53.379 off our backs 00:12:53.379 --> 00:12:54.899 and being clothed 00:12:54.899 --> 00:12:55.519 with the beauty 00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:56.120 of Christ 00:12:56.120 --> 00:12:58.480 now and forevermore? 00:12:58.480 --> 00:13:00.860 Following Jesus 00:13:00.860 --> 00:13:01.519 will mean 00:13:01.519 --> 00:13:02.560 saying no 00:13:02.560 --> 00:13:03.159 to yourself 00:13:03.159 --> 00:13:04.580 at regular intervals 00:13:04.580 --> 00:13:05.560 behind the path 00:13:05.560 --> 00:13:06.440 of Jesus. 00:13:06.920 --> 00:13:07.860 It will present you 00:13:07.860 --> 00:13:08.840 numerous occasions 00:13:08.840 --> 00:13:10.100 when you're presented 00:13:10.100 --> 00:13:10.740 with the choice 00:13:10.740 --> 00:13:11.920 of saying yes to him 00:13:11.920 --> 00:13:13.740 and no to yourself. 00:13:13.879 --> 00:13:14.560 But whatever this 00:13:14.560 --> 00:13:15.159 might cost, 00:13:15.220 --> 00:13:16.039 it is ultimately 00:13:16.039 --> 00:13:18.139 a very small price 00:13:18.139 --> 00:13:19.620 for what he holds 00:13:19.620 --> 00:13:20.220 out to us. 00:13:21.860 --> 00:13:22.680 Is that something 00:13:22.680 --> 00:13:23.360 you need to learn 00:13:23.360 --> 00:13:24.940 afresh tonight? 00:13:25.800 --> 00:13:27.039 Or perhaps take to heart 00:13:27.039 --> 00:13:28.180 for the very first time 00:13:28.179 --> 00:13:31.039 if you're following 00:13:31.039 --> 00:13:32.199 Jesus without a cross 00:13:32.199 --> 00:13:32.739 on your back, 00:13:33.579 --> 00:13:34.939 take Ruth's words 00:13:34.939 --> 00:13:35.659 onto your lips. 00:13:36.199 --> 00:13:37.219 Say to Jesus tonight, 00:13:37.659 --> 00:13:38.539 your God shall be 00:13:38.539 --> 00:13:39.120 my God. 00:13:40.819 --> 00:13:41.899 Jesus has overcome 00:13:41.899 --> 00:13:42.379 the grave. 00:13:43.059 --> 00:13:43.759 He's taken away 00:13:43.759 --> 00:13:44.679 the power and penalty 00:13:44.679 --> 00:13:45.139 of sin. 00:13:45.639 --> 00:13:46.539 He holds the keys 00:13:46.539 --> 00:13:47.620 to life in his hands. 00:13:49.079 --> 00:13:50.359 In our time of prayer, 00:13:50.479 --> 00:13:51.259 speak to Jesus 00:13:51.259 --> 00:13:53.379 from your heart. 00:13:55.000 --> 00:13:55.740 Do that too 00:13:55.740 --> 00:13:56.559 if you are following 00:13:56.559 --> 00:13:57.500 Jesus with a cross 00:13:57.500 --> 00:13:58.039 on your back. 00:13:58.179 --> 00:13:59.000 Learn afresh 00:13:59.000 --> 00:14:00.219 what that means 00:14:00.219 --> 00:14:00.599 tonight. 00:14:00.739 --> 00:14:01.479 Pause to consider 00:14:01.479 --> 00:14:02.019 what does that 00:14:02.019 --> 00:14:02.699 look like 00:14:02.699 --> 00:14:04.219 in my life? 00:14:05.299 --> 00:14:05.859 Or perhaps better 00:14:05.859 --> 00:14:06.079 said, 00:14:06.159 --> 00:14:07.339 what does that 00:14:07.339 --> 00:14:07.979 not look like 00:14:07.979 --> 00:14:09.339 in my life? 00:14:11.019 --> 00:14:11.459 Now, 00:14:11.599 --> 00:14:12.319 in certain ways, 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:13.699 it actually does 00:14:13.699 --> 00:14:14.839 look exactly the same 00:14:14.839 --> 00:14:16.120 as it did 00:14:16.120 --> 00:14:16.979 for Ruth and Boaz. 00:14:17.239 --> 00:14:17.959 This is something 00:14:17.959 --> 00:14:18.799 we shouldn't overlook. 00:14:19.279 --> 00:14:19.479 Now, 00:14:19.500 --> 00:14:20.039 the situation 00:14:20.039 --> 00:14:20.399 they're in 00:14:20.399 --> 00:14:21.699 is extremely contrived, 00:14:22.099 --> 00:14:23.199 but God still 00:14:23.199 --> 00:14:24.299 makes some claims 00:14:24.299 --> 00:14:24.919 on our lives 00:14:24.919 --> 00:14:25.379 in the area 00:14:25.379 --> 00:14:25.939 of marriage. 00:14:27.259 --> 00:14:27.879 For Ruth, 00:14:28.059 --> 00:14:28.840 saying yes to God 00:14:28.840 --> 00:14:30.379 meant making God's 00:14:30.379 --> 00:14:31.700 choice of a spouse 00:14:31.700 --> 00:14:32.960 her choice, 00:14:33.059 --> 00:14:34.000 even if there came 00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:34.860 some conflict 00:14:34.860 --> 00:14:36.080 in between these two 00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:36.519 things. 00:14:37.340 --> 00:14:38.299 Saying yes to God 00:14:38.299 --> 00:14:38.779 for Ruth 00:14:38.779 --> 00:14:39.419 meant marrying 00:14:39.419 --> 00:14:40.679 the nearest eligible 00:14:40.679 --> 00:14:42.320 kinsman redeemer. 00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:44.059 Now, 00:14:44.100 --> 00:14:44.500 we don't live 00:14:44.500 --> 00:14:45.240 under the old covenant 00:14:45.240 --> 00:14:45.899 like the people 00:14:45.899 --> 00:14:46.539 of Israel did, 00:14:46.600 --> 00:14:47.159 but God still 00:14:47.159 --> 00:14:47.740 makes a claim 00:14:47.740 --> 00:14:48.379 on our lives 00:14:48.379 --> 00:14:48.899 when it comes 00:14:48.899 --> 00:14:50.039 to who we marry. 00:14:50.539 --> 00:14:51.299 Paul is completely 00:14:51.299 --> 00:14:52.740 clear that if we 00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:53.480 do have a choice 00:14:53.480 --> 00:14:54.000 in the matter 00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:55.219 of whom we marry, 00:14:55.319 --> 00:14:55.799 that person 00:14:55.799 --> 00:14:56.599 must be a Christian. 00:14:57.559 --> 00:14:58.379 He addresses this 00:14:58.379 --> 00:15:00.079 as clear as day 00:15:00.079 --> 00:15:00.899 in 1 Corinthians 00:15:00.899 --> 00:15:01.579 chapter 7, 00:15:01.639 --> 00:15:02.259 verse 39. 00:15:02.679 --> 00:15:03.159 It's actually 00:15:03.159 --> 00:15:03.819 the only verse 00:15:03.819 --> 00:15:04.500 in the New Testament 00:15:04.500 --> 00:15:06.079 that relates directly 00:15:06.079 --> 00:15:06.839 to the situation 00:15:06.839 --> 00:15:08.039 where a Christian woman 00:15:08.039 --> 00:15:09.139 faces the decision 00:15:09.139 --> 00:15:09.699 of who to marry, 00:15:09.799 --> 00:15:10.699 and Paul says there 00:15:10.699 --> 00:15:12.279 he must belong 00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:12.799 to the Lord. 00:15:14.599 --> 00:15:14.860 Now, 00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:15.699 the risk of increasing 00:15:15.699 --> 00:15:16.519 the awkward factor 00:15:16.519 --> 00:15:17.000 by 100 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:18.199 and making the unmarried 00:15:18.199 --> 00:15:19.439 people in our 00:15:19.440 --> 00:15:20.280 congregation totally 00:15:20.280 --> 00:15:20.680 embarrassed. 00:15:20.860 --> 00:15:21.300 I'm going to do 00:15:21.300 --> 00:15:21.760 that anyway. 00:15:22.340 --> 00:15:23.020 I'm going to point 00:15:23.020 --> 00:15:23.840 out that the example 00:15:23.840 --> 00:15:25.880 of Ruth is an obvious 00:15:25.880 --> 00:15:26.960 application for your 00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:27.360 life. 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:28.580 Should you choose 00:15:28.580 --> 00:15:29.140 to get married, 00:15:30.100 --> 00:15:30.900 you'll find many 00:15:30.900 --> 00:15:31.940 fine people. 00:15:32.320 --> 00:15:32.700 You will meet 00:15:32.700 --> 00:15:33.680 many wealthy people, 00:15:34.280 --> 00:15:35.640 many charming people, 00:15:36.040 --> 00:15:37.040 many beautiful people, 00:15:37.540 --> 00:15:38.840 many interesting people, 00:15:39.020 --> 00:15:40.020 many honourable people, 00:15:40.420 --> 00:15:41.580 but God tells you, 00:15:42.400 --> 00:15:43.000 you must marry 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:43.740 someone with a cross 00:15:43.740 --> 00:15:44.200 on their back. 00:15:46.120 --> 00:15:46.300 Now, 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:47.060 Kate and I have been 00:15:47.060 --> 00:15:48.640 married for nearly 00:15:48.640 --> 00:15:49.380 20 years now, 00:15:49.379 --> 00:15:49.860 and that's long 00:15:49.860 --> 00:15:50.759 enough to actually 00:15:50.759 --> 00:15:51.639 be able to count 00:15:51.639 --> 00:15:52.320 on our hands, 00:15:52.539 --> 00:15:53.019 the number of 00:15:53.019 --> 00:15:54.879 people we know, 00:15:55.080 --> 00:15:56.100 our friends who 00:15:56.100 --> 00:15:56.620 didn't marry 00:15:56.620 --> 00:15:57.620 followers of Jesus, 00:15:58.100 --> 00:15:58.659 and you know what? 00:15:59.320 --> 00:16:00.080 They're not following 00:16:00.080 --> 00:16:00.919 him anymore either. 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:05.799 That choice of saying 00:16:05.799 --> 00:16:06.639 yes to God and no 00:16:06.639 --> 00:16:07.240 to themselves, 00:16:08.080 --> 00:16:09.720 that choice cost our 00:16:09.720 --> 00:16:10.539 friends their faith. 00:16:12.259 --> 00:16:13.740 So saying yes to God 00:16:13.740 --> 00:16:14.500 in this area of your 00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:16.120 life might well say, 00:16:17.039 --> 00:16:18.120 be saying no in 00:16:18.120 --> 00:16:19.139 exactly the same way 00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:19.899 that Ruth did. 00:16:21.539 --> 00:16:22.460 And we need to see 00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:24.019 that God's way is 00:16:24.019 --> 00:16:25.279 always in our best 00:16:25.279 --> 00:16:26.419 interests, even if it 00:16:26.419 --> 00:16:27.100 comes at a cost. 00:16:28.940 --> 00:16:29.779 For Boaz 2, 00:16:29.919 --> 00:16:30.840 saying yes to God 00:16:30.840 --> 00:16:32.000 meant saying no to 00:16:32.000 --> 00:16:33.200 himself in this area 00:16:33.200 --> 00:16:33.700 of marriage. 00:16:34.340 --> 00:16:35.179 Boaz knew that 00:16:35.179 --> 00:16:35.919 sleeping with Ruth 00:16:35.919 --> 00:16:36.620 would be adultery 00:16:36.620 --> 00:16:37.980 against this nearer 00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:38.759 kinsman redeemer, 00:16:39.480 --> 00:16:40.500 and adultery is always 00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:40.879 wrong. 00:16:41.600 --> 00:16:42.360 Men, if we are going 00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:43.340 to follow Boaz's 00:16:43.340 --> 00:16:45.019 example, this must be 00:16:45.019 --> 00:16:45.919 etched on our hearts 00:16:45.919 --> 00:16:46.460 and minds. 00:16:47.259 --> 00:16:48.500 And it must also be 00:16:48.500 --> 00:16:49.159 etched on our hearts 00:16:49.159 --> 00:16:50.179 and minds that yielding 00:16:50.179 --> 00:16:50.799 to this kind of 00:16:50.799 --> 00:16:53.259 temptation is never in 00:16:53.259 --> 00:16:54.159 our best interest. 00:16:54.399 --> 00:16:56.159 It can only lead to 00:16:56.159 --> 00:16:56.779 disaster. 00:16:59.240 --> 00:17:00.199 In this area of 00:17:00.199 --> 00:17:01.019 marriage, saying no to 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:01.879 ourselves and yes to 00:17:01.879 --> 00:17:02.679 Jesus actually looks 00:17:02.679 --> 00:17:03.860 very similar to what 00:17:03.860 --> 00:17:05.079 it meant for Ruth and 00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:06.579 Boaz, even though our 00:17:06.579 --> 00:17:07.200 lives are totally 00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:08.319 different and this 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:09.160 situation is so 00:17:09.160 --> 00:17:09.680 contrived. 00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:12.039 But the really big thing 00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:12.740 here is not to say, 00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:13.740 it's not just about 00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:14.279 marriage. 00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:15.839 It's not the only area 00:17:15.839 --> 00:17:16.960 of our life where we 00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:18.660 face this choice of 00:17:18.660 --> 00:17:19.759 saying yes to Jesus 00:17:19.759 --> 00:17:21.680 and no to ourselves. 00:17:21.940 --> 00:17:22.579 There are many other 00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:24.059 instances in our days, 00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:25.680 days in, day out, 00:17:25.740 --> 00:17:26.440 where we face this 00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:27.079 same choice. 00:17:27.460 --> 00:17:28.359 The other night at the 00:17:28.359 --> 00:17:29.460 end of an irritating 00:17:29.460 --> 00:17:30.859 day, which was at the 00:17:30.859 --> 00:17:31.559 end of an irritating 00:17:31.559 --> 00:17:33.099 week, I was racing 00:17:33.099 --> 00:17:33.819 down to the chemist. 00:17:34.599 --> 00:17:35.720 Kate had rung them up 00:17:35.720 --> 00:17:36.559 and said that I was 00:17:36.559 --> 00:17:37.539 coming, that I might be 00:17:37.539 --> 00:17:38.339 there a minute or two 00:17:38.339 --> 00:17:39.559 after seven, and they 00:17:39.559 --> 00:17:40.240 said, yeah, that's 00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:40.620 fine. 00:17:40.619 --> 00:17:43.059 So I get there and 00:17:43.059 --> 00:17:43.699 they shut the door in 00:17:43.699 --> 00:17:44.139 my face. 00:17:45.139 --> 00:17:45.859 Now the irritation 00:17:45.859 --> 00:17:46.879 omit is now sort of 00:17:46.879 --> 00:17:47.839 inching into the red, 00:17:50.339 --> 00:17:51.719 which is why that I 00:17:51.719 --> 00:17:52.559 could no longer see 00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:53.779 that I was faced with 00:17:53.779 --> 00:17:54.559 exactly one of these 00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:55.179 situations. 00:17:55.539 --> 00:17:56.359 Where saying yes to 00:17:56.359 --> 00:17:57.399 Jesus means saying no 00:17:57.399 --> 00:17:57.899 to yourself. 00:17:59.379 --> 00:18:00.599 So when I get there, 00:18:01.419 --> 00:18:02.219 it's worth thinking 00:18:02.219 --> 00:18:02.979 about, what would it 00:18:02.979 --> 00:18:05.879 have taken not to tell 00:18:05.879 --> 00:18:06.739 that chemist exactly 00:18:06.739 --> 00:18:07.459 what I thought of him 00:18:07.459 --> 00:18:08.179 for shutting the door 00:18:08.179 --> 00:18:10.259 in my face, but rather 00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:10.619 it would have said, 00:18:10.920 --> 00:18:12.220 you have a good 00:18:12.220 --> 00:18:13.140 evening, you must be 00:18:13.140 --> 00:18:13.440 tired. 00:18:14.759 --> 00:18:15.519 What would it have 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:15.819 taken? 00:18:17.119 --> 00:18:18.299 What brings yourself 00:18:18.299 --> 00:18:20.119 to saying no to 00:18:20.119 --> 00:18:21.720 yourself and yes to 00:18:21.720 --> 00:18:23.259 Jesus is seeing the 00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:24.879 gain you are passing 00:18:24.879 --> 00:18:26.460 by if you do not. 00:18:27.259 --> 00:18:28.339 This opportunity to 00:18:28.339 --> 00:18:29.180 say no to yourself is 00:18:29.180 --> 00:18:30.019 an opportunity to 00:18:30.019 --> 00:18:32.039 clothe yourself in the 00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:32.879 beauty of Christ. 00:18:33.400 --> 00:18:34.539 It's an opportunity to 00:18:34.539 --> 00:18:36.940 be conformed to his 00:18:36.940 --> 00:18:37.480 likeness. 00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:39.120 when you see the 00:18:39.120 --> 00:18:40.099 immense gain that 00:18:40.099 --> 00:18:41.539 Jesus is holding out 00:18:41.539 --> 00:18:42.099 to you, you will 00:18:42.099 --> 00:18:44.079 always say yes to 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:45.000 God and no to 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:45.440 yourself. 00:18:45.839 --> 00:18:46.779 Whatever that choice 00:18:46.779 --> 00:18:47.660 might be, whether it's 00:18:47.660 --> 00:18:48.460 a choice between a 00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:49.799 harsh word or a kind 00:18:49.799 --> 00:18:50.980 word, the choice 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:52.099 between grace or 00:18:52.099 --> 00:18:53.059 bitterness, whether it's 00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:54.059 a matter of our heads, 00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:55.539 our hearts or our 00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:58.099 hands, we will always 00:18:58.099 --> 00:18:58.980 say yes to God. 00:18:58.980 --> 00:19:03.839 if we really can see 00:19:03.839 --> 00:19:04.940 that turning our backs 00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:07.460 on this chance is 00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:09.440 actually not in our 00:19:09.440 --> 00:19:10.099 best interest. 00:19:11.860 --> 00:19:12.759 If you can see 00:19:12.759 --> 00:19:13.720 yourself clothed in 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:14.579 Christ's beauty, you 00:19:14.579 --> 00:19:15.579 will want that beauty 00:19:15.579 --> 00:19:17.220 more than whatever it 00:19:17.220 --> 00:19:18.680 is that is alluring you 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:19.380 away from him. 00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:20.700 If you can see 00:19:20.700 --> 00:19:21.559 yourself reflecting 00:19:21.559 --> 00:19:22.839 Christ's glory, if you 00:19:22.839 --> 00:19:23.960 truly can see that, 00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:27.700 you really won't take 00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:28.680 up whatever shameful 00:19:28.680 --> 00:19:29.980 alternative is 00:19:29.980 --> 00:19:30.759 presenting itself, 00:19:31.140 --> 00:19:31.779 whether it's a matter 00:19:31.779 --> 00:19:33.019 of our head, our 00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:34.480 heart or our hands. 00:19:35.980 --> 00:19:36.960 Because isn't that the 00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:37.940 choice that you made 00:19:37.940 --> 00:19:39.380 when you first resolved 00:19:39.380 --> 00:19:40.140 to follow him? 00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:41.880 Isn't that what you 00:19:41.880 --> 00:19:42.360 could see? 00:19:44.600 --> 00:19:45.620 I was reflecting on 00:19:45.620 --> 00:19:46.340 this a little later in 00:19:46.340 --> 00:19:47.400 the week when a driver 00:19:47.400 --> 00:19:48.340 nearly opened the door 00:19:48.340 --> 00:19:49.039 in front of me when I 00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:49.640 was riding down 00:19:49.640 --> 00:19:50.420 Morningside Road, 00:19:51.819 --> 00:19:52.539 reflecting on the 00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:54.360 gain Jesus holds out 00:19:54.360 --> 00:19:55.460 to us in denying 00:19:55.460 --> 00:19:56.140 ourselves. 00:19:57.700 --> 00:19:58.740 I was a little 00:19:58.740 --> 00:19:59.480 better equipped to 00:19:59.480 --> 00:20:00.460 handle that situation. 00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:02.480 So what difference 00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:03.160 will that make to 00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:04.420 your life this week? 00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:07.220 Perhaps it's worth 00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:08.240 reflecting now on the 00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:09.120 kinds of situations 00:20:09.120 --> 00:20:09.960 that you regularly 00:20:09.960 --> 00:20:10.460 face. 00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:12.059 That where saying 00:20:12.059 --> 00:20:13.160 yes to God requires 00:20:13.160 --> 00:20:13.920 you to say no to 00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:14.400 yourself. 00:20:15.980 --> 00:20:17.200 Following Jesus does 00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:18.059 mean saying no to 00:20:18.059 --> 00:20:18.799 yourself at these 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:20.240 regular intervals on 00:20:20.240 --> 00:20:21.400 that path behind him. 00:20:21.420 --> 00:20:22.000 And the only way we 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:23.640 can say that to 00:20:23.640 --> 00:20:24.960 ourselves is by fixing 00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:26.019 our eyes on the 00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:28.160 great gain that 00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:29.200 there is in saying 00:20:29.200 --> 00:20:30.059 yes to Jesus. 00:20:30.700 --> 00:20:31.420 Not only do we 00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:32.700 receive forgiveness 00:20:32.700 --> 00:20:33.319 of sins, 00:20:34.879 --> 00:20:36.059 resurrection from 00:20:36.059 --> 00:20:36.480 the dead, 00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:38.639 and eternal life, 00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:40.420 but in denying 00:20:40.420 --> 00:20:41.759 ourselves his Holy 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:43.240 Spirit clothes us in 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:44.700 Christ's beauty and 00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:45.660 conforms us to his 00:20:45.660 --> 00:20:45.940 image. 00:20:47.160 --> 00:20:48.059 And we need to know 00:20:48.059 --> 00:20:48.900 that deep in our 00:20:48.900 --> 00:20:49.799 hearts if we are 00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:52.400 indeed to not grow 00:20:52.400 --> 00:20:53.480 weary in saying no 00:20:53.480 --> 00:20:55.099 to ourselves when we 00:20:55.099 --> 00:20:55.899 say yes to God, 00:20:56.079 --> 00:20:56.819 even if it comes at 00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:57.159 a cost. 00:20:58.419 --> 00:20:59.199 And at the end of 00:20:59.199 --> 00:20:59.839 this episode, 00:21:00.779 --> 00:21:01.299 you know what? 00:21:01.839 --> 00:21:02.579 The book of Ruth 00:21:02.579 --> 00:21:03.579 wants to remind us 00:21:03.579 --> 00:21:05.839 of this great reality. 00:21:07.119 --> 00:21:07.719 At the end of 00:21:07.719 --> 00:21:08.519 chapter 3, we just 00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:09.500 get this little hint 00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:10.299 of how the story 00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:10.740 will end. 00:21:12.699 --> 00:21:13.619 As Ruth steals 00:21:13.619 --> 00:21:14.279 away from the 00:21:14.279 --> 00:21:15.159 threshing floor just 00:21:15.159 --> 00:21:15.919 before daybreak, 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:16.679 Boaz tells her in 00:21:16.679 --> 00:21:17.319 verse 15, 00:21:17.859 --> 00:21:18.379 take off your 00:21:18.379 --> 00:21:18.699 shore. 00:21:19.339 --> 00:21:20.099 And he pours out 00:21:20.099 --> 00:21:21.699 six measures of 00:21:21.699 --> 00:21:22.599 seed for her to 00:21:22.599 --> 00:21:23.159 take home to 00:21:23.159 --> 00:21:23.480 Naomi. 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:23.539 Naomi. 00:21:23.539 --> 00:21:25.779 It's a little 00:21:25.779 --> 00:21:26.519 hint of how the 00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:27.379 story will end. 00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:27.940 We see the 00:21:27.940 --> 00:21:28.379 resurrection. 00:21:29.440 --> 00:21:30.460 We know how the 00:21:30.460 --> 00:21:31.759 story ends for us. 00:21:33.159 --> 00:21:33.639 But here we go, 00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:34.039 a little hint. 00:21:34.159 --> 00:21:34.879 Boaz is giving 00:21:34.879 --> 00:21:36.139 Naomi seed by 00:21:36.139 --> 00:21:36.440 Ruth. 00:21:37.899 --> 00:21:39.039 This is more 00:21:39.039 --> 00:21:39.839 euphemistic 00:21:39.839 --> 00:21:40.960 pictorial language. 00:21:42.159 --> 00:21:42.899 The story will 00:21:42.899 --> 00:21:43.599 conclude with 00:21:43.599 --> 00:21:44.480 Boaz marrying 00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:44.879 Ruth. 00:21:45.720 --> 00:21:46.519 And we will see 00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:47.659 Naomi cradling 00:21:47.659 --> 00:21:48.759 Elimelech's ear. 00:21:50.019 --> 00:21:50.980 We will see 00:21:50.980 --> 00:21:51.899 Boaz giving 00:21:51.899 --> 00:21:53.220 Naomi seed by 00:21:53.220 --> 00:21:53.559 Ruth. 00:21:54.079 --> 00:21:54.819 This little hint 00:21:54.819 --> 00:21:55.200 of how the 00:21:55.200 --> 00:21:55.880 story will end 00:21:55.880 --> 00:21:56.700 reminds us that 00:21:56.700 --> 00:21:57.839 God has our 00:21:57.839 --> 00:21:59.039 well-being at the 00:21:59.039 --> 00:21:59.819 very heart of his 00:21:59.819 --> 00:22:00.860 purposes for us. 00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:01.839 Saying yes to 00:22:01.839 --> 00:22:02.640 God is never 00:22:02.640 --> 00:22:03.620 saying no to 00:22:03.620 --> 00:22:04.100 yourself. 00:22:04.980 --> 00:22:05.600 Faithfulness to 00:22:05.600 --> 00:22:07.620 God is always in 00:22:07.620 --> 00:22:08.519 our best interests. 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:10.500 And that's because 00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:11.240 God doesn't play 00:22:11.240 --> 00:22:12.440 games with his 00:22:12.440 --> 00:22:12.779 people. 00:22:13.579 --> 00:22:14.380 No eye has 00:22:14.380 --> 00:22:15.819 seen, nor ear 00:22:15.819 --> 00:22:17.240 has heard, nor 00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:18.140 mind has conceived 00:22:18.140 --> 00:22:18.759 for what God has 00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:19.500 prepared for those 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:20.039 who love him. 00:22:20.039 --> 00:22:21.779 whatever it may 00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:22.500 cost to say yes 00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:23.139 to God, it is 00:22:23.139 --> 00:22:24.720 not worth comparing 00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:26.319 with the glory that 00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:27.180 will be revealed in 00:22:27.180 --> 00:22:27.440 us. 00:22:28.399 --> 00:22:29.099 And when we stand 00:22:29.099 --> 00:22:29.599 in the resurrection 00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:30.339 and see the Lord 00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:31.579 Jesus face to face, 00:22:31.980 --> 00:22:33.099 we will not ever 00:22:33.099 --> 00:22:35.159 regret relinquishing 00:22:35.159 --> 00:22:37.559 whatever it was that 00:22:37.559 --> 00:22:38.480 it cost us to say 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:39.139 yes to Jesus. 00:22:41.220 --> 00:22:42.099 We will remember 00:22:42.099 --> 00:22:42.940 that that was a 00:22:42.940 --> 00:22:44.079 choice well made. 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:47.119 And so Naomi's 00:22:47.119 --> 00:22:48.119 question is actually 00:22:48.119 --> 00:22:48.859 a very good one. 00:22:50.179 --> 00:22:51.259 Should we not seek 00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:52.059 our own well-being? 00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:55.000 Yes, absolutely. 00:22:55.740 --> 00:22:56.799 We should seek our 00:22:56.799 --> 00:22:57.500 well-being and that 00:22:57.500 --> 00:22:58.379 of others too, but 00:22:58.379 --> 00:22:59.220 that well-being is 00:22:59.220 --> 00:22:59.960 bound up in the 00:22:59.960 --> 00:23:00.480 promise of the 00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:00.799 gospel. 00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:02.240 And receiving that 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:03.099 promise inevitably 00:23:03.099 --> 00:23:04.399 involves us saying 00:23:04.399 --> 00:23:05.079 no to ourselves. 00:23:06.579 --> 00:23:07.619 So why don't we ask 00:23:07.619 --> 00:23:08.259 our Heavenly Father 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:09.579 now that he would 00:23:09.579 --> 00:23:10.220 indeed give us the 00:23:10.220 --> 00:23:11.059 grace that we need 00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:13.159 to do to save this 00:23:13.160 --> 00:23:15.320 every day to our 00:23:15.320 --> 00:23:15.800 Lord Jesus. 00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:19.820 Loving Lord, you 00:23:19.820 --> 00:23:20.519 know our weaknesses. 00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:24.960 You were clothed 00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:26.040 in human flesh. 00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:27.140 You still are clothed 00:23:27.140 --> 00:23:27.960 in human flesh. 00:23:28.759 --> 00:23:29.680 You knew our life 00:23:29.680 --> 00:23:30.380 then and you know 00:23:30.380 --> 00:23:31.019 our lives now. 00:23:31.120 --> 00:23:31.860 We ask, Lord, for 00:23:31.860 --> 00:23:33.820 the grace to follow 00:23:33.820 --> 00:23:35.500 you down your path 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:36.500 with a cross on our 00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:36.700 back. 00:23:36.820 --> 00:23:37.640 We pray, Father, for 00:23:37.640 --> 00:23:39.360 the grace to say 00:23:39.360 --> 00:23:41.240 yes to you and no 00:23:41.240 --> 00:23:42.500 to ourselves, whatever 00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:43.060 the cost. 00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:44.300 Fix our eyes, Lord, 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:45.880 on the joy that is 00:23:45.880 --> 00:23:46.720 set before us. 00:23:48.900 --> 00:23:49.740 And give us grace, 00:23:49.860 --> 00:23:50.620 Heavenly Father, not to 00:23:50.620 --> 00:23:51.440 grow weary in doing 00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:51.700 good. 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.720 We ask this in your 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.580 Son's precious name. 00:23:54.860 --> 00:23:55.120 Amen.