WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.799 you this morning to bring God's Word. As many of you have probably figured out at this point, I am 00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:11.880 not Joel Smith, and we are not going to be in the Gospel of Mark. So we are going to be back in 00:00:11.880 --> 00:00:19.879 in the book of Ruth. We're starting back in Ruth, Ruth chapter 1, verse 6. And as we come to this 00:00:19.879 --> 00:00:26.260 passage and I think of the circumstances of this week, I'm reminded of something that can happen 00:00:26.260 --> 00:00:31.440 sometimes when someone is getting ordained. As many of you know, I recently went through the 00:00:31.440 --> 00:00:36.460 trials of ordination, and part of that involves going forward in front of all the pastors in, 00:00:36.859 --> 00:00:41.740 for me, Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming, and allowing them to ask whatever questions they want. 00:00:42.859 --> 00:00:46.799 And I knew going in, and thankfully this didn't happen, but that someone might try to ask me a 00:00:46.799 --> 00:00:51.900 question to trip me up. And one of the most famous ones is this. When you get to the church history 00:00:51.899 --> 00:00:56.359 section, you'll have an older pastor get up, and he'll raise his hand, and he'll say, 00:00:57.359 --> 00:01:00.979 who was the head of the church in the fifth century? 00:01:03.439 --> 00:01:08.099 And the hope is that the candidate does not begin ringing through his brain to try to remember who 00:01:08.099 --> 00:01:14.400 exactly was in charge in the first century. Because the answer in the fifth century is the same as the 00:01:14.400 --> 00:01:22.500 21st. The head of the church is the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And so he is our shepherd, 00:01:23.180 --> 00:01:30.020 whether we have a senior pastor candidate or not. He's always leading and providing and guiding for 00:01:30.020 --> 00:01:39.200 his church. Last week we looked at Ruth chapter one, and we asked a big question. Is God still the king 00:01:39.200 --> 00:01:45.280 when tragedy strikes? We could ask the question ourselves of this week, is God still the king 00:01:45.280 --> 00:01:53.579 when we thought that there wasn't mold in our church? But there was. And is God still the king 00:01:53.579 --> 00:02:01.820 when we thought that we had a new senior pastor and we don't? And the answer this week is the same as 00:02:01.819 --> 00:02:12.180 last week. Yes. God is still the king. He's still leading and guiding and providing for his people. 00:02:13.699 --> 00:02:18.780 And so we're right back in Ruth chapter one. Remember that Ruth is a book about suffering. 00:02:19.780 --> 00:02:29.159 That God, as a wise and loving father, wants to tell us what it's like. He wants to prepare us for real 00:02:29.159 --> 00:02:35.340 life in this world. And so he does that both for those who are suffering and those who are not. 00:02:36.240 --> 00:02:42.259 For those who are suffering, this book is a book, remember, about widows, which is many of us. 00:02:43.079 --> 00:02:49.919 And it's a book about those who live in a country where they weren't born, which is also many of us. 00:02:51.000 --> 00:02:57.180 And it's also a book for people who live in a world that is broken and bleeding from sin. 00:02:57.180 --> 00:03:05.620 And so that's all of us here this morning. Remember that I reminded us that if we're not suffering, 00:03:06.400 --> 00:03:12.379 this book is a reminder for us that we will one day if we live long enough in this world. 00:03:13.860 --> 00:03:19.000 And if we're not suffering, it's also a reminder for us that there are many around us right now. 00:03:19.000 --> 00:03:22.120 We just have to look around the room who are. 00:03:23.979 --> 00:03:29.740 And so God has given us his word to provide for us because he hasn't left us alone. 00:03:30.819 --> 00:03:35.580 Like a good father, he's coming to speak to us in words that we can understand. 00:03:36.259 --> 00:03:39.740 We're going to be in Ruth chapter one, looking at verses six through 18. 00:03:39.740 --> 00:03:42.379 Remember that this is God's word. 00:03:43.980 --> 00:03:49.580 And God tells us that his word is more precious than gold, even the finest gold. 00:03:50.840 --> 00:03:56.360 And it is sweeter than honey, even honey that comes straight from the honeycomb. 00:03:57.379 --> 00:03:58.620 And so we're going to turn to it now. 00:03:58.700 --> 00:04:01.860 We're in Ruth chapter one, starting in verse six through verse 18. 00:04:01.860 --> 00:04:08.740 Then she arose, that's Naomi, with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab. 00:04:09.440 --> 00:04:14.760 For she had heard in the fields of Moab that the Lord had visited his people and given them food. 00:04:15.620 --> 00:04:19.100 So she set out from the place where she was with her two daughters-in-law, 00:04:19.220 --> 00:04:21.980 and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. 00:04:23.240 --> 00:04:25.740 But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, 00:04:26.460 --> 00:04:29.660 Go, return each of you to her mother's house. 00:04:29.660 --> 00:04:36.180 May the Lord deal kindly with you as you have dealt with the dead and with me. 00:04:37.500 --> 00:04:38.140 Verse nine. 00:04:38.880 --> 00:04:42.800 The Lord grant that you may find rest, each of you, in the house of her husband. 00:04:43.680 --> 00:04:46.480 Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept. 00:04:47.420 --> 00:04:48.320 And they said to her, 00:04:48.960 --> 00:04:52.379 No, we will return with you to your people. 00:04:53.280 --> 00:04:54.420 But Naomi said, 00:04:55.040 --> 00:04:56.100 Turn back, my daughters. 00:04:56.780 --> 00:04:58.340 Why will you go with me? 00:04:58.339 --> 00:05:02.339 Have I yet sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? 00:05:03.339 --> 00:05:04.759 Turn back, my daughters. 00:05:05.659 --> 00:05:09.299 Go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. 00:05:10.099 --> 00:05:15.899 If I should say I have hope, even if I should have a husband this night and should bear sons, 00:05:16.779 --> 00:05:18.659 would you therefore wait till they were grown? 00:05:18.660 --> 00:05:22.500 Would you therefore refrain from marrying? 00:05:22.500 --> 00:05:31.380 No, my daughters, for it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me. 00:05:32.260 --> 00:05:34.879 Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. 00:05:36.280 --> 00:05:40.940 And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. 00:05:40.939 --> 00:05:42.920 Verse 15. 00:05:42.939 --> 00:05:44.719 And she said, 00:05:44.720 --> 00:05:49.540 See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. 00:05:50.340 --> 00:05:52.040 Return after your sister-in-law. 00:05:53.140 --> 00:05:54.060 But Ruth said, 00:05:54.720 --> 00:05:58.740 Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. 00:05:59.280 --> 00:06:01.460 For where you go, I will go. 00:06:02.360 --> 00:06:04.880 And where you lodge, I will lodge. 00:06:04.879 --> 00:06:10.680 Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. 00:06:12.060 --> 00:06:16.719 Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. 00:06:17.620 --> 00:06:24.159 May the Lord do so to me and more also, if anything but death parts me from you. 00:06:25.319 --> 00:06:29.779 And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more. 00:06:31.120 --> 00:06:34.379 Please pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:06:34.879 --> 00:06:37.980 Dear Father in heaven, 00:06:39.180 --> 00:06:44.819 we thank you that you have a word that brings dead things to life. 00:06:46.759 --> 00:06:49.439 And so we ask that you would do that this morning. 00:06:49.659 --> 00:06:53.500 That you would use your word to bring us to life. 00:06:55.120 --> 00:06:56.860 That you'd show us yourself. 00:06:57.519 --> 00:07:00.980 And that you would cast a spotlight on Jesus Christ. 00:07:00.980 --> 00:07:06.360 So that we could see him as more beautiful and more glorious than anything else. 00:07:07.780 --> 00:07:09.740 We ask all these things in his name. 00:07:10.920 --> 00:07:11.220 Amen. 00:07:11.220 --> 00:07:20.220 If you were following the commentators and the pundits a couple years ago, 00:07:20.320 --> 00:07:22.500 I think it was somewhere in 2016, 00:07:23.000 --> 00:07:27.820 there was a columnist who had what she believed was a brilliant idea. 00:07:28.820 --> 00:07:33.520 And many others picked up on this idea and started commenting it on themselves, 00:07:33.520 --> 00:07:37.260 wondering if it would be a great solution to a problem. 00:07:37.259 --> 00:07:40.459 And her suggestion was this. 00:07:41.680 --> 00:07:46.539 Why don't we treat our marriages more like car leases? 00:07:46.719 --> 00:07:48.860 Why don't we have term marriages? 00:07:50.560 --> 00:07:52.699 Why don't we have a 10-year marriage? 00:07:53.339 --> 00:07:54.699 And then after the 10 years, 00:07:54.779 --> 00:07:59.420 a couple can reconsider whether they want to stay married. 00:07:59.420 --> 00:08:02.300 In the minds of this columnist, 00:08:02.360 --> 00:08:06.640 this was going to solve many of the problems that people face today. 00:08:08.240 --> 00:08:10.980 Because they could decide after 10 years 00:08:10.980 --> 00:08:14.420 whether they were still fulfilled. 00:08:16.480 --> 00:08:18.780 Whether they were still getting what they want 00:08:18.780 --> 00:08:20.920 out of the commitments they made. 00:08:23.500 --> 00:08:25.780 And it highlights something that all of us know, 00:08:26.240 --> 00:08:27.800 which is that commitment is hard. 00:08:27.800 --> 00:08:30.400 And it involves suffering. 00:08:32.220 --> 00:08:35.379 And it highlights a temptation that each of us face as well. 00:08:36.720 --> 00:08:38.320 That when the going gets hard, 00:08:39.159 --> 00:08:42.180 it's easier to go than to stay. 00:08:44.200 --> 00:08:45.560 When the going gets hard, 00:08:45.680 --> 00:08:48.200 it's easier to go than to stay. 00:08:50.120 --> 00:08:50.879 And so, 00:08:51.120 --> 00:08:53.000 what is a commitment worth 00:08:53.000 --> 00:08:55.740 if it's only for the good times? 00:08:57.799 --> 00:08:59.699 What is a commitment worth 00:08:59.699 --> 00:09:04.019 if it's only for when you're fulfilled 00:09:04.019 --> 00:09:07.299 and not for when you have to sacrifice? 00:09:09.159 --> 00:09:12.679 That's a question we're going to see in this passage before us. 00:09:13.519 --> 00:09:15.799 Remember that we'd seen last week 00:09:15.799 --> 00:09:18.779 that Ruth and Naomi had faced tremendous, tremendous suffering. 00:09:18.779 --> 00:09:21.759 What was for Ruth, 00:09:22.600 --> 00:09:22.939 excuse me, 00:09:23.000 --> 00:09:23.480 for Naomi, 00:09:23.600 --> 00:09:24.360 a foreign country. 00:09:25.899 --> 00:09:27.459 And so they had heard in verse 6 00:09:27.459 --> 00:09:29.559 that the Lord had visited his people 00:09:29.559 --> 00:09:31.539 back in their homeland of Israel. 00:09:32.620 --> 00:09:35.259 And so they were on their way back, 00:09:35.399 --> 00:09:36.459 on the journey back. 00:09:37.319 --> 00:09:38.299 And for whatever reason, 00:09:38.419 --> 00:09:41.860 Naomi and her two daughter-in-laws 00:09:41.860 --> 00:09:42.480 accompany her. 00:09:42.559 --> 00:09:42.779 Remember, 00:09:42.899 --> 00:09:45.679 she has both Ruth and Orpah. 00:09:45.679 --> 00:09:45.799 Judah, 00:09:46.239 --> 00:09:47.359 and they're going back with her. 00:09:47.519 --> 00:09:49.120 And we see this in verse 7. 00:09:49.219 --> 00:09:50.339 So they set out from the place 00:09:50.339 --> 00:09:50.939 where she was 00:09:50.939 --> 00:09:52.239 with her two daughters-in-law, 00:09:52.339 --> 00:09:53.219 and they went on the way 00:09:53.219 --> 00:09:55.159 to return to the land of Judah. 00:09:56.419 --> 00:09:59.239 And then Naomi reveals something to us 00:09:59.239 --> 00:10:00.679 that we hadn't known about her character. 00:10:01.859 --> 00:10:03.279 And that is that she would have made 00:10:03.279 --> 00:10:04.659 an excellent lawyer. 00:10:06.479 --> 00:10:07.879 Because Naomi decides 00:10:07.879 --> 00:10:09.379 she is going to present 00:10:09.379 --> 00:10:11.120 an irrefutable, 00:10:12.019 --> 00:10:13.219 an inescapable, 00:10:13.220 --> 00:10:15.220 watertight case 00:10:15.220 --> 00:10:16.740 for why Orpah 00:10:16.740 --> 00:10:17.660 and Ruth 00:10:17.660 --> 00:10:18.620 should go back. 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:20.820 Did you notice 00:10:20.820 --> 00:10:22.340 what the most repeated words 00:10:22.340 --> 00:10:23.440 were here in this passage? 00:10:25.800 --> 00:10:26.920 It's go, 00:10:27.620 --> 00:10:28.379 go back, 00:10:29.019 --> 00:10:29.460 return. 00:10:31.300 --> 00:10:32.420 And it's Naomi 00:10:32.420 --> 00:10:33.160 over and over 00:10:33.160 --> 00:10:34.740 telling her daughter-in-laws 00:10:34.740 --> 00:10:36.360 why they should not 00:10:36.360 --> 00:10:36.980 stay with her. 00:10:38.100 --> 00:10:39.100 And the argument 00:10:39.100 --> 00:10:40.060 actually makes sense. 00:10:40.059 --> 00:10:42.219 because there's nothing 00:10:42.219 --> 00:10:43.219 they have to gain 00:10:43.219 --> 00:10:45.459 by sticking with Naomi. 00:10:47.659 --> 00:10:49.299 She blesses them in verse 8. 00:10:49.599 --> 00:10:51.539 May the Lord deal kindly with you 00:10:51.539 --> 00:10:52.479 as you have dealt with me 00:10:52.479 --> 00:10:53.019 in the dead. 00:10:53.819 --> 00:10:54.619 And she acknowledges 00:10:54.619 --> 00:10:55.479 in verse 9 00:10:55.479 --> 00:10:56.579 that just like her, 00:10:56.739 --> 00:10:58.439 they are widows as well. 00:10:59.899 --> 00:11:01.179 And so their best chance 00:11:01.179 --> 00:11:01.839 of remarriage 00:11:01.839 --> 00:11:02.779 is going to be 00:11:02.779 --> 00:11:04.339 going back to their home country. 00:11:07.679 --> 00:11:08.939 That's going to be the place 00:11:08.940 --> 00:11:09.680 where they're going to find 00:11:09.680 --> 00:11:11.040 what she calls in verse 9, 00:11:11.180 --> 00:11:11.520 rest. 00:11:12.240 --> 00:11:13.080 And of course they protest 00:11:13.080 --> 00:11:13.700 in verse 10, 00:11:13.780 --> 00:11:15.000 no, we're going to stay with you. 00:11:15.060 --> 00:11:15.760 Maybe some of this 00:11:15.760 --> 00:11:17.920 is their emotion still 00:11:17.920 --> 00:11:18.720 from the suffering 00:11:18.720 --> 00:11:19.820 that they've gone through together. 00:11:20.380 --> 00:11:21.100 Maybe some of it's 00:11:21.100 --> 00:11:21.760 out of politeness, 00:11:21.760 --> 00:11:22.480 but they're not willing 00:11:22.480 --> 00:11:23.400 to give up too easily. 00:11:23.500 --> 00:11:25.620 And so she just keeps arguing. 00:11:26.360 --> 00:11:27.340 She says in verse 11, 00:11:27.340 --> 00:11:30.139 I can't give you any sons. 00:11:31.480 --> 00:11:32.740 And even if I were 00:11:32.740 --> 00:11:33.960 to have a son now, 00:11:34.540 --> 00:11:36.320 would you wait all the way 00:11:36.320 --> 00:11:37.120 until they grew up? 00:11:37.820 --> 00:11:39.160 Would you wait that long 00:11:39.160 --> 00:11:40.080 to be fulfilled? 00:11:41.920 --> 00:11:42.700 Would you wait that long 00:11:42.700 --> 00:11:43.480 to get what you need? 00:11:44.620 --> 00:11:45.000 No. 00:11:47.399 --> 00:11:48.480 And then in 13, 00:11:48.600 --> 00:11:49.480 she lays down the hammer. 00:11:50.300 --> 00:11:51.580 For it is exceedingly bitter 00:11:51.580 --> 00:11:53.200 to me for your sake 00:11:53.200 --> 00:11:54.280 that the hand of the Lord 00:11:54.280 --> 00:11:55.240 has gone out against me. 00:11:55.240 --> 00:11:57.240 In other words, 00:11:57.299 --> 00:11:58.500 if you stay with me, 00:11:59.500 --> 00:12:00.440 the Lord's curse 00:12:00.440 --> 00:12:01.720 that has fallen on me 00:12:01.720 --> 00:12:04.180 is going to fall on you as well. 00:12:06.759 --> 00:12:08.240 We'll talk more about Naomi 00:12:08.899 --> 00:12:09.700 and her interpretation 00:12:09.700 --> 00:12:10.980 of events next week. 00:12:12.039 --> 00:12:12.600 But here, 00:12:12.940 --> 00:12:14.019 in terms of the daughters-in-law, 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:15.340 we can see that she has delivered 00:12:15.340 --> 00:12:16.860 an excellent case. 00:12:18.220 --> 00:12:19.639 There is nothing wrong 00:12:19.639 --> 00:12:20.659 with Naomi's argument. 00:12:22.360 --> 00:12:24.600 And then Orpah realizes that. 00:12:25.240 --> 00:12:26.500 In some ways, 00:12:26.580 --> 00:12:28.019 Orpah's the sensible character here. 00:12:28.960 --> 00:12:29.799 She makes a decision 00:12:29.799 --> 00:12:30.960 that she can defend, 00:12:31.399 --> 00:12:32.620 that Naomi can defend, 00:12:33.159 --> 00:12:35.720 that makes sense for her 00:12:35.720 --> 00:12:37.460 to return back to her own country 00:12:37.460 --> 00:12:38.720 and her own people. 00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:40.779 But it says in verse 14 00:12:40.779 --> 00:12:42.139 that Ruth does something 00:12:42.139 --> 00:12:42.899 very different. 00:12:43.159 --> 00:12:44.399 Did you catch the word 00:12:44.399 --> 00:12:44.940 that's used? 00:12:47.080 --> 00:12:47.899 It says, 00:12:48.100 --> 00:12:49.419 she clung to her. 00:12:49.419 --> 00:12:52.740 The word clung here 00:12:52.740 --> 00:12:53.479 is the same word 00:12:53.479 --> 00:12:54.360 that shows up 00:12:54.360 --> 00:12:55.819 in Genesis chapter 2 00:12:55.819 --> 00:12:57.519 when the author of Genesis 00:12:57.519 --> 00:12:58.299 is telling us 00:12:58.299 --> 00:12:59.079 what should happen 00:12:59.079 --> 00:13:00.519 between a husband and a wife 00:13:00.519 --> 00:13:02.699 if they cling to each other. 00:13:04.199 --> 00:13:06.240 And so it's not just telling us 00:13:06.240 --> 00:13:07.639 that Ruth 00:13:07.639 --> 00:13:09.500 is giving Naomi a hug. 00:13:09.500 --> 00:13:12.419 but it's telling us 00:13:12.419 --> 00:13:13.460 that no matter what, 00:13:14.259 --> 00:13:15.259 in spite of 00:13:15.259 --> 00:13:16.620 all the arguments, 00:13:17.080 --> 00:13:18.299 she is going 00:13:18.299 --> 00:13:19.480 to stick with her. 00:13:20.759 --> 00:13:21.620 She is going 00:13:21.620 --> 00:13:22.279 to stay 00:13:22.279 --> 00:13:23.279 with her mother-in-law 00:13:23.279 --> 00:13:24.399 no matter what. 00:13:25.059 --> 00:13:25.840 And she's going 00:13:25.840 --> 00:13:26.779 to stay with her 00:13:26.779 --> 00:13:29.600 not because of anything 00:13:29.600 --> 00:13:30.659 she, it seems, 00:13:30.720 --> 00:13:31.320 has to gain. 00:13:33.460 --> 00:13:33.980 It says, 00:13:34.139 --> 00:13:34.940 for where you will go, 00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:35.360 I will go, 00:13:35.399 --> 00:13:36.000 and where you lodge, 00:13:36.059 --> 00:13:36.620 I will lodge. 00:13:37.560 --> 00:13:38.399 Your people shall be 00:13:38.399 --> 00:13:38.879 my people 00:13:38.879 --> 00:13:39.500 and your God 00:13:39.500 --> 00:13:40.039 my God. 00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:41.840 Where you die, 00:13:41.940 --> 00:13:42.580 I will die 00:13:42.580 --> 00:13:43.980 and there will I be buried. 00:13:45.500 --> 00:13:46.279 May the Lord 00:13:46.279 --> 00:13:47.299 do so to me 00:13:47.299 --> 00:13:47.980 and more also 00:13:47.980 --> 00:13:48.820 if anything else 00:13:48.820 --> 00:13:49.379 but death 00:13:49.379 --> 00:13:50.240 parts me 00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:51.000 from you. 00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:53.220 Now, 00:13:53.340 --> 00:13:54.340 in the ancient Near East 00:13:54.340 --> 00:13:55.139 when you took an oath, 00:13:55.220 --> 00:13:55.840 you took an oath 00:13:55.840 --> 00:13:56.360 in the name 00:13:56.360 --> 00:13:57.679 not of someone else's God 00:13:57.679 --> 00:13:59.100 but of your God. 00:14:01.220 --> 00:14:02.240 And so here, 00:14:02.659 --> 00:14:03.620 Ruth is saying, 00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:05.060 I am embracing 00:14:05.060 --> 00:14:05.960 not just you 00:14:05.960 --> 00:14:07.620 but I am embracing 00:14:07.620 --> 00:14:08.400 the true God. 00:14:09.660 --> 00:14:10.580 Orpah can go back 00:14:10.580 --> 00:14:11.580 to the Baals 00:14:11.580 --> 00:14:12.540 and Chemosh, 00:14:12.600 --> 00:14:13.440 the false gods 00:14:13.440 --> 00:14:15.360 that were found 00:14:15.360 --> 00:14:17.120 in Moab 00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:18.759 but I'm going to be 00:14:18.759 --> 00:14:19.259 with you 00:14:19.259 --> 00:14:21.440 and I'm going to 00:14:21.440 --> 00:14:22.820 accept your God. 00:14:26.080 --> 00:14:27.240 Why does she do it? 00:14:30.860 --> 00:14:32.360 What does she know 00:14:32.360 --> 00:14:33.840 about the Lord? 00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:38.680 It's hidden a little bit 00:14:38.680 --> 00:14:39.620 but it's all the way back 00:14:39.620 --> 00:14:41.180 in verse 8. 00:14:45.320 --> 00:14:46.280 Naomi said to her 00:14:46.280 --> 00:14:47.139 two daughters-in-law, 00:14:47.379 --> 00:14:48.519 Go return each of you 00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:49.440 to her mother's house. 00:14:49.980 --> 00:14:50.940 May the Lord deal 00:14:50.940 --> 00:14:52.540 kindly 00:14:52.540 --> 00:14:54.100 with you 00:14:54.100 --> 00:14:55.480 as you have dealt 00:14:55.480 --> 00:14:56.040 with the dead 00:14:56.040 --> 00:14:56.940 and with me. 00:14:58.820 --> 00:14:59.960 And we skip over it 00:14:59.960 --> 00:15:00.920 in our English translations 00:15:00.920 --> 00:15:01.740 because the word 00:15:01.740 --> 00:15:02.720 kindly here 00:15:02.720 --> 00:15:04.340 only begins 00:15:04.340 --> 00:15:05.080 to express 00:15:05.080 --> 00:15:06.039 what's going on here. 00:15:07.480 --> 00:15:08.460 This is the word 00:15:08.460 --> 00:15:08.899 in Hebrew 00:15:08.899 --> 00:15:09.860 that's called 00:15:09.860 --> 00:15:10.360 hesed. 00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:11.779 It's a description 00:15:11.779 --> 00:15:13.000 of the type of love 00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:13.940 that God has. 00:15:16.919 --> 00:15:17.860 And it's such 00:15:17.860 --> 00:15:18.519 an overwhelming 00:15:18.519 --> 00:15:19.399 kind of love 00:15:19.399 --> 00:15:20.700 that it's hard 00:15:20.700 --> 00:15:21.580 even to begin 00:15:21.580 --> 00:15:22.779 to give a definition 00:15:22.779 --> 00:15:23.299 of it. 00:15:25.060 --> 00:15:26.019 I read recently 00:15:26.019 --> 00:15:26.680 someone trying 00:15:26.680 --> 00:15:27.159 to define 00:15:27.159 --> 00:15:27.899 this hesed love 00:15:27.899 --> 00:15:28.519 and they gave 00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:29.680 ten bullet points 00:15:29.680 --> 00:15:30.620 with multiple sentences 00:15:30.620 --> 00:15:31.539 to try to explain 00:15:31.539 --> 00:15:32.539 what type of love 00:15:32.539 --> 00:15:33.379 this is. 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:35.960 And so what do you do 00:15:35.960 --> 00:15:36.820 when you come 00:15:36.820 --> 00:15:37.879 against an overwhelming 00:15:37.879 --> 00:15:38.440 definition? 00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:41.980 Well, if you're a teacher, 00:15:42.120 --> 00:15:42.360 you know. 00:15:42.440 --> 00:15:43.039 You find something 00:15:43.039 --> 00:15:43.720 written for children. 00:15:45.200 --> 00:15:45.899 And so the best 00:15:45.899 --> 00:15:46.960 definition I can give you 00:15:46.960 --> 00:15:47.840 of hesed love 00:15:47.840 --> 00:15:48.659 comes from 00:15:48.659 --> 00:15:50.659 the academic volume 00:15:50.659 --> 00:15:51.240 known as 00:15:51.240 --> 00:15:52.460 the Jesus Storybook Bible. 00:15:54.399 --> 00:15:55.399 And it describes 00:15:55.399 --> 00:15:56.060 hesed love 00:15:56.060 --> 00:15:56.680 in this way. 00:15:56.679 --> 00:15:59.199 It is God's 00:15:59.199 --> 00:16:00.439 never stopping, 00:16:01.819 --> 00:16:03.679 never giving up, 00:16:05.559 --> 00:16:06.199 unbreaking, 00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:09.219 always and forever 00:16:09.219 --> 00:16:10.000 love. 00:16:11.659 --> 00:16:12.599 It is God's 00:16:12.599 --> 00:16:13.319 never stopping, 00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:15.059 never giving up, 00:16:15.579 --> 00:16:16.079 unbreaking, 00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:17.719 always and forever 00:16:17.719 --> 00:16:18.459 love. 00:16:19.559 --> 00:16:20.419 So let's read 00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:21.120 verse 8 again. 00:16:22.059 --> 00:16:23.059 But Naomi said 00:16:23.059 --> 00:16:24.079 to her two daughters-in-law, 00:16:24.219 --> 00:16:25.319 Go, return each of you 00:16:25.320 --> 00:16:26.240 to her mother's house. 00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:27.440 May the Lord 00:16:27.440 --> 00:16:28.680 show you 00:16:28.680 --> 00:16:30.660 his never stopping, 00:16:31.260 --> 00:16:32.320 never giving up, 00:16:32.920 --> 00:16:33.400 unbreaking, 00:16:33.800 --> 00:16:34.840 always and forever 00:16:34.840 --> 00:16:35.260 love, 00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:36.879 as you have shown 00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:37.680 to the dead 00:16:37.680 --> 00:16:38.460 and to me. 00:16:42.060 --> 00:16:43.020 So why 00:16:43.020 --> 00:16:43.960 does Ruth 00:16:43.960 --> 00:16:44.780 here 00:16:44.780 --> 00:16:45.460 convert? 00:16:46.460 --> 00:16:47.020 Why does she 00:16:47.020 --> 00:16:48.200 claim this Lord 00:16:48.200 --> 00:16:49.140 as her Lord? 00:16:51.100 --> 00:16:52.300 Because she knows 00:16:52.300 --> 00:16:54.380 the kind of Lord 00:16:54.380 --> 00:16:55.040 he is. 00:16:55.320 --> 00:16:57.600 And she knows 00:16:57.600 --> 00:16:58.420 the kind of love 00:16:58.420 --> 00:16:59.200 that he has 00:16:59.200 --> 00:17:00.240 for his people. 00:17:01.680 --> 00:17:02.420 She knows 00:17:02.420 --> 00:17:03.060 that he has 00:17:03.060 --> 00:17:03.760 a never stopping, 00:17:04.120 --> 00:17:04.840 never giving up, 00:17:05.100 --> 00:17:05.519 unbreaking, 00:17:05.940 --> 00:17:07.000 always and forever 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:07.680 love. 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:12.140 But she doesn't 00:17:12.140 --> 00:17:12.759 just know that 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:13.519 for herself. 00:17:16.140 --> 00:17:16.920 It's because 00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:17.480 of that 00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:19.420 that she shows 00:17:19.420 --> 00:17:20.559 the exact 00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:21.340 same love, 00:17:22.420 --> 00:17:23.340 the very 00:17:23.339 --> 00:17:24.159 same love 00:17:24.159 --> 00:17:26.059 to Naomi. 00:17:28.259 --> 00:17:29.059 It's because 00:17:29.059 --> 00:17:29.959 for whatever reason, 00:17:30.079 --> 00:17:30.899 living with this 00:17:30.899 --> 00:17:32.559 Israelite family, 00:17:32.679 --> 00:17:33.439 married to an 00:17:33.439 --> 00:17:34.240 Israelite husband, 00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:35.699 somehow, 00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:36.839 in some way, 00:17:37.359 --> 00:17:38.339 Ruth has learned 00:17:38.339 --> 00:17:39.139 about the ways 00:17:39.139 --> 00:17:39.959 of the Lord. 00:17:41.959 --> 00:17:43.059 And so she 00:17:43.059 --> 00:17:43.919 is not willing 00:17:43.919 --> 00:17:44.899 to give up 00:17:44.899 --> 00:17:46.319 even against 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:46.879 the best 00:17:46.879 --> 00:17:47.679 arguments. 00:17:47.680 --> 00:17:47.840 arguments. 00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:49.740 She's not 00:17:49.740 --> 00:17:50.299 willing to 00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:50.740 give up 00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:51.900 even against 00:17:51.900 --> 00:17:52.460 the best 00:17:52.460 --> 00:17:53.380 arguments. 00:17:55.680 --> 00:17:56.420 But she 00:17:56.420 --> 00:17:57.000 doesn't just 00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:57.900 commit to 00:17:57.900 --> 00:17:59.500 Naomi. 00:18:00.120 --> 00:18:00.700 Excuse me, 00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:01.299 she doesn't just 00:18:01.299 --> 00:18:01.980 commit to 00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:02.720 the Lord. 00:18:03.220 --> 00:18:03.960 She commits 00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:04.580 to Naomi 00:18:04.580 --> 00:18:05.580 as well. 00:18:06.620 --> 00:18:07.279 Because she 00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:08.080 understands that 00:18:08.080 --> 00:18:08.620 a commitment 00:18:08.620 --> 00:18:09.420 to follow 00:18:09.420 --> 00:18:10.240 this Lord, 00:18:10.560 --> 00:18:11.440 this Lord of 00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:12.019 never stopping, 00:18:12.180 --> 00:18:12.880 never giving up, 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:13.400 unbreaking, 00:18:13.560 --> 00:18:14.220 always and forever 00:18:14.220 --> 00:18:14.580 love, 00:18:14.680 --> 00:18:15.460 means that as 00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:16.299 she receives 00:18:16.299 --> 00:18:16.900 that love, 00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:19.140 she shows 00:18:19.140 --> 00:18:19.740 the same 00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:20.579 love to 00:18:20.579 --> 00:18:20.980 others. 00:18:22.559 --> 00:18:22.980 And so the 00:18:22.980 --> 00:18:23.420 love that she 00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:24.400 understands comes 00:18:24.400 --> 00:18:25.019 from the Lord, 00:18:25.180 --> 00:18:26.140 she is now 00:18:26.140 --> 00:18:27.559 showing to 00:18:27.559 --> 00:18:27.920 Naomi. 00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:29.600 She's committing. 00:18:33.400 --> 00:18:34.380 I began by 00:18:34.380 --> 00:18:34.960 asking about 00:18:34.960 --> 00:18:36.160 highlighting the 00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:37.120 difference between 00:18:37.120 --> 00:18:38.900 love that is 00:18:38.900 --> 00:18:39.480 focused on 00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:40.279 self-fulfillment, 00:18:41.100 --> 00:18:41.819 love that leaves 00:18:41.819 --> 00:18:42.220 when the going 00:18:42.220 --> 00:18:42.799 gets hard, 00:18:42.920 --> 00:18:43.920 and love that 00:18:43.920 --> 00:18:44.380 is on 00:18:44.380 --> 00:18:45.440 self-sacrifice. 00:18:45.460 --> 00:18:47.720 And it would 00:18:47.720 --> 00:18:48.460 be hard to 00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:50.620 find a 00:18:50.620 --> 00:18:51.340 better example 00:18:51.340 --> 00:18:51.880 in the Bible 00:18:51.880 --> 00:18:52.500 than this, 00:18:53.019 --> 00:18:54.039 of love that 00:18:54.039 --> 00:18:55.420 is self-sacrificing 00:18:55.420 --> 00:18:56.620 rather than 00:18:56.620 --> 00:18:56.940 seeking 00:18:56.940 --> 00:18:58.140 self-fulfillment. 00:19:00.360 --> 00:19:01.140 And so as 00:19:01.140 --> 00:19:01.680 we're talking 00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:02.420 about suffering 00:19:02.420 --> 00:19:02.980 together, 00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:04.460 as we're trying 00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:05.220 to say something 00:19:05.220 --> 00:19:05.940 about suffering, 00:19:06.059 --> 00:19:06.620 knowing that we 00:19:06.620 --> 00:19:07.319 cannot say 00:19:07.319 --> 00:19:07.840 everything, 00:19:09.799 --> 00:19:10.600 Ruth shows 00:19:10.600 --> 00:19:12.420 us that 00:19:12.420 --> 00:19:14.940 faith means 00:19:14.940 --> 00:19:15.940 commit to 00:19:15.940 --> 00:19:16.519 those who 00:19:16.519 --> 00:19:16.900 suffer, 00:19:17.200 --> 00:19:18.820 even when 00:19:18.820 --> 00:19:19.120 we have 00:19:19.120 --> 00:19:19.620 nothing to 00:19:19.620 --> 00:19:19.880 gain. 00:19:21.620 --> 00:19:22.580 Faith means 00:19:22.580 --> 00:19:22.840 that we 00:19:22.840 --> 00:19:23.640 commit to 00:19:23.640 --> 00:19:24.360 those who 00:19:24.360 --> 00:19:24.759 suffer, 00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:26.039 even when 00:19:26.039 --> 00:19:26.360 we have 00:19:26.360 --> 00:19:27.420 nothing to 00:19:27.420 --> 00:19:27.740 gain. 00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:29.660 Now, 00:19:29.700 --> 00:19:30.200 walking with 00:19:30.200 --> 00:19:30.600 those who 00:19:30.600 --> 00:19:31.880 suffer involves 00:19:31.880 --> 00:19:32.940 sacrifice. 00:19:34.820 --> 00:19:35.880 And walking 00:19:35.880 --> 00:19:36.740 with those who 00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:37.360 suffer means 00:19:37.360 --> 00:19:38.420 that we will 00:19:38.420 --> 00:19:39.620 suffer as well. 00:19:41.620 --> 00:19:42.340 Walking with 00:19:42.340 --> 00:19:42.680 those who 00:19:42.680 --> 00:19:43.320 suffer involves 00:19:43.319 --> 00:19:44.039 sacrifice and 00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:44.500 it means that 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:45.299 we will 00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:46.179 suffer as 00:19:46.179 --> 00:19:46.500 well. 00:19:47.159 --> 00:19:47.599 And yet we 00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:48.019 do it. 00:19:49.099 --> 00:19:50.159 We're able and 00:19:50.159 --> 00:19:50.779 willing to show 00:19:50.779 --> 00:19:51.579 never stopping, 00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:52.619 never giving up, 00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:53.179 unbreaking, 00:19:53.359 --> 00:19:54.079 always and forever 00:19:54.079 --> 00:19:54.559 love, 00:19:54.779 --> 00:19:55.759 because we 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:56.759 serve a God 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:58.399 who has done 00:19:58.399 --> 00:19:59.939 that for us. 00:20:03.059 --> 00:20:04.019 That's what Ruth 00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:05.480 is doing here 00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:06.399 for Naomi. 00:20:06.400 --> 00:20:06.500 me. 00:20:08.080 --> 00:20:08.540 And so a 00:20:08.540 --> 00:20:09.160 commitment to 00:20:09.160 --> 00:20:09.620 the Lord 00:20:09.620 --> 00:20:12.500 is a 00:20:12.500 --> 00:20:12.900 commitment, 00:20:13.540 --> 00:20:14.040 first of all, 00:20:14.120 --> 00:20:15.120 to a Savior 00:20:15.120 --> 00:20:15.480 who has 00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:15.780 suffered, 00:20:16.780 --> 00:20:17.780 but it's also 00:20:17.780 --> 00:20:18.259 a commitment 00:20:18.259 --> 00:20:18.960 to people 00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:19.660 who suffer. 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:22.560 Remember I 00:20:22.560 --> 00:20:23.000 said that you're 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:23.900 surrounded by 00:20:23.900 --> 00:20:24.940 people in this 00:20:24.940 --> 00:20:25.300 room who are 00:20:25.300 --> 00:20:25.620 suffering, 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:26.160 even if you're 00:20:26.160 --> 00:20:26.400 not. 00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:27.420 And so all 00:20:27.420 --> 00:20:27.800 you have to 00:20:27.800 --> 00:20:28.320 do is look 00:20:28.320 --> 00:20:29.960 around and 00:20:29.960 --> 00:20:30.860 see people who 00:20:30.860 --> 00:20:31.480 need your 00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:32.420 commitment and 00:20:32.420 --> 00:20:33.540 your love and 00:20:33.540 --> 00:20:33.980 your care. 00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:37.420 remember that 00:20:37.420 --> 00:20:37.819 this is a 00:20:37.819 --> 00:20:38.839 book about 00:20:38.839 --> 00:20:39.860 widows. 00:20:41.200 --> 00:20:41.839 And part of 00:20:41.839 --> 00:20:42.400 God's chesed 00:20:42.400 --> 00:20:42.960 love throughout 00:20:42.960 --> 00:20:43.319 the Old 00:20:43.319 --> 00:20:43.880 Testament is 00:20:43.880 --> 00:20:44.500 his commitment 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:44.860 to the 00:20:44.860 --> 00:20:45.079 widow, 00:20:45.819 --> 00:20:46.759 because they 00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:47.140 are the 00:20:47.140 --> 00:20:48.500 most vulnerable. 00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:50.980 And so 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:51.319 there's many 00:20:51.319 --> 00:20:52.059 applications that 00:20:52.059 --> 00:20:52.579 we could draw 00:20:52.579 --> 00:20:53.500 from this 00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:54.000 passage. 00:20:54.579 --> 00:20:55.000 We could draw 00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:55.420 those that are 00:20:55.420 --> 00:20:55.980 general and 00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:56.380 those that are 00:20:56.380 --> 00:20:56.579 broad. 00:20:56.680 --> 00:20:56.940 The most 00:20:56.940 --> 00:20:57.519 specific would 00:20:57.519 --> 00:20:58.019 be, though, 00:20:58.120 --> 00:20:59.160 this very 00:20:59.160 --> 00:21:00.000 thing, the 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:00.620 care for the 00:21:00.620 --> 00:21:01.019 widow that 00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:01.920 God cares so 00:21:01.920 --> 00:21:02.940 much about. 00:21:03.980 --> 00:21:05.579 the care for 00:21:05.579 --> 00:21:06.140 the widow that 00:21:06.140 --> 00:21:06.920 God cares so 00:21:06.920 --> 00:21:07.819 much about. 00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:09.440 We could 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:10.279 extend it to 00:21:10.279 --> 00:21:11.440 anyone who is 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:11.980 experiencing 00:21:11.980 --> 00:21:13.019 tremendous loss 00:21:13.019 --> 00:21:14.900 and those who 00:21:14.900 --> 00:21:15.380 have suffered, 00:21:15.900 --> 00:21:17.400 that God's 00:21:17.400 --> 00:21:18.480 family is for 00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:19.880 them not just 00:21:19.880 --> 00:21:20.920 a pie-in-the-sky 00:21:20.920 --> 00:21:22.740 hope, but it's 00:21:22.740 --> 00:21:23.400 the kind of hope 00:21:23.400 --> 00:21:25.180 that has flesh 00:21:25.180 --> 00:21:25.860 and blood. 00:21:28.900 --> 00:21:29.740 I've been so 00:21:29.740 --> 00:21:30.500 encouraged by 00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:31.440 all of you. 00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:33.140 it's not a 00:21:33.140 --> 00:21:33.920 coincidence that 00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:34.700 this past week 00:21:34.700 --> 00:21:35.200 as I was 00:21:35.200 --> 00:21:36.059 preparing to 00:21:36.059 --> 00:21:37.480 teach and try 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:38.000 to understand 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:38.600 this passage 00:21:38.600 --> 00:21:39.320 that not once 00:21:39.320 --> 00:21:39.980 but twice, 00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:41.160 without even 00:21:41.160 --> 00:21:41.880 trying to, 00:21:42.600 --> 00:21:43.180 accidentally, 00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:45.000 I found out 00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:45.759 about several 00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:47.460 of you who 00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:47.980 week in, 00:21:48.100 --> 00:21:48.620 week out, 00:21:49.900 --> 00:21:50.680 day in, 00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:51.039 day out, 00:21:51.100 --> 00:21:51.700 have committed 00:21:51.700 --> 00:21:53.880 to caring for 00:21:53.880 --> 00:21:54.480 those in our 00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:54.940 church who are 00:21:54.940 --> 00:21:55.320 suffering, 00:21:56.200 --> 00:21:57.240 those in our 00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:58.120 church who are 00:21:58.120 --> 00:21:59.140 experiencing loss. 00:21:59.140 --> 00:22:00.880 and I found 00:22:00.880 --> 00:22:01.460 this out not 00:22:01.460 --> 00:22:02.480 necessarily because 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:03.820 those who 00:22:03.820 --> 00:22:04.660 suffer told me, 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.340 excuse me, 00:22:05.380 --> 00:22:05.960 not because those 00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:06.420 who are caring 00:22:06.420 --> 00:22:06.740 told me, 00:22:06.780 --> 00:22:07.100 but because I 00:22:07.100 --> 00:22:07.540 heard about it 00:22:07.540 --> 00:22:07.940 from those who 00:22:07.940 --> 00:22:08.360 are suffering. 00:22:10.640 --> 00:22:11.140 And so, 00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:11.540 brothers and 00:22:11.540 --> 00:22:11.740 sisters, 00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:12.700 I'm so encouraged 00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:13.520 by you and the 00:22:13.520 --> 00:22:14.300 ways that you 00:22:14.300 --> 00:22:14.880 are doing 00:22:14.880 --> 00:22:15.820 exactly this. 00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:18.740 And so, 00:22:18.840 --> 00:22:18.940 let's, 00:22:19.040 --> 00:22:19.840 as Paul encourages, 00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:20.580 stir that up 00:22:20.580 --> 00:22:21.180 more and more 00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:23.280 to remember, 00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:24.380 as those who 00:22:24.380 --> 00:22:25.160 have lost someone 00:22:25.160 --> 00:22:25.900 will tell us, 00:22:25.900 --> 00:22:28.220 often it feels 00:22:28.220 --> 00:22:29.060 like they're 00:22:29.060 --> 00:22:29.740 allowed one 00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:30.480 week or one 00:22:30.480 --> 00:22:31.040 month to 00:22:31.040 --> 00:22:31.380 grieve. 00:22:32.880 --> 00:22:33.660 And then, 00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:34.720 suddenly, 00:22:34.860 --> 00:22:35.259 everything's 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:35.740 supposed to be 00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:36.420 normal again. 00:22:38.320 --> 00:22:38.920 And yet, 00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:39.200 you know, 00:22:39.259 --> 00:22:39.500 if you've 00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:39.900 walked that 00:22:39.900 --> 00:22:40.259 path, 00:22:40.320 --> 00:22:40.560 that it's 00:22:40.560 --> 00:22:40.980 something that 00:22:40.980 --> 00:22:41.460 lasts for 00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:41.820 years. 00:22:43.340 --> 00:22:43.960 It's something 00:22:43.960 --> 00:22:44.540 that happens 00:22:44.540 --> 00:22:45.560 on anniversaries. 00:22:46.940 --> 00:22:47.580 Something that 00:22:47.580 --> 00:22:48.000 happens on 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:48.420 holidays. 00:22:50.140 --> 00:22:50.860 It's something 00:22:50.860 --> 00:22:51.519 that requires 00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:52.580 this kind of 00:22:52.580 --> 00:22:53.780 love for us 00:22:53.780 --> 00:22:54.420 to come alongside 00:22:54.420 --> 00:22:55.060 of each other, 00:22:55.059 --> 00:22:55.960 to show each 00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:56.779 other unbreaking, 00:22:57.139 --> 00:22:57.720 never stopping, 00:22:58.039 --> 00:22:58.720 never giving up 00:22:58.720 --> 00:22:59.440 kind of love. 00:23:00.919 --> 00:23:01.319 Now, 00:23:01.359 --> 00:23:01.700 don't hear what 00:23:01.700 --> 00:23:02.359 I'm not saying. 00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:03.319 I'm not saying 00:23:03.319 --> 00:23:03.759 we don't have 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:04.179 boundaries. 00:23:06.460 --> 00:23:07.200 Ruth committed 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:08.000 to one widow. 00:23:08.119 --> 00:23:08.599 She didn't commit 00:23:08.599 --> 00:23:09.220 to every widow. 00:23:10.859 --> 00:23:11.179 And in fact, 00:23:11.259 --> 00:23:11.960 Jesus makes the 00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:13.179 same point in Luke. 00:23:13.279 --> 00:23:13.799 He says that 00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:15.740 Elijah could have, 00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:16.399 in the Old Testament, 00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:16.740 remember, 00:23:16.859 --> 00:23:17.619 Elijah came and 00:23:17.619 --> 00:23:18.039 helped a widow. 00:23:18.119 --> 00:23:18.440 He could have 00:23:18.440 --> 00:23:19.240 gone to so many 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:19.619 widows, 00:23:19.960 --> 00:23:20.960 but he chose one. 00:23:22.659 --> 00:23:23.059 So, 00:23:23.099 --> 00:23:23.720 I'm not saying 00:23:23.720 --> 00:23:24.179 don't have 00:23:24.179 --> 00:23:24.619 boundaries. 00:23:25.059 --> 00:23:26.139 I'm not saying 00:23:26.139 --> 00:23:26.639 you're not a 00:23:26.639 --> 00:23:27.200 limited human 00:23:27.200 --> 00:23:27.639 being with 00:23:27.639 --> 00:23:28.500 limited resources, 00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:30.359 but I am 00:23:30.359 --> 00:23:30.740 saying 00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:35.319 come alongside. 00:23:36.879 --> 00:23:37.599 Come alongside 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:38.240 of each other. 00:23:38.319 --> 00:23:38.639 Let's come 00:23:38.639 --> 00:23:39.240 alongside of each 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:39.379 other, 00:23:39.440 --> 00:23:40.379 not for a week, 00:23:40.460 --> 00:23:41.220 not for a month, 00:23:42.059 --> 00:23:44.980 but the rest of 00:23:44.980 --> 00:23:45.379 the time we're 00:23:45.379 --> 00:23:45.859 here together. 00:23:47.700 --> 00:23:48.379 I'll give you 00:23:48.379 --> 00:23:49.500 a few practical 00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:50.220 suggestions that 00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:50.839 folks have shared 00:23:50.839 --> 00:23:51.460 with me about 00:23:51.460 --> 00:23:51.879 things that are 00:23:51.879 --> 00:23:52.159 helpful. 00:23:52.160 --> 00:23:52.220 people. 00:23:53.440 --> 00:23:54.220 If you know 00:23:54.220 --> 00:23:55.920 someone and 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:56.620 their spouse or 00:23:56.620 --> 00:23:57.080 someone else 00:23:57.080 --> 00:23:57.920 passes away and 00:23:57.920 --> 00:24:00.320 dies, mark that 00:24:00.320 --> 00:24:00.940 on your calendar 00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:01.500 for the next 00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:01.779 year. 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:04.120 Put a reminder 00:24:04.120 --> 00:24:04.660 on your phone 00:24:04.660 --> 00:24:05.400 for every year 00:24:05.400 --> 00:24:06.740 when that date 00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:07.340 comes around. 00:24:09.160 --> 00:24:09.840 Send them a 00:24:09.840 --> 00:24:10.140 text. 00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:13.580 Don't say, 00:24:13.700 --> 00:24:14.540 call me if you 00:24:14.540 --> 00:24:15.080 need anything. 00:24:16.320 --> 00:24:17.200 Make the call. 00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:20.440 Hey, would you 00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:20.819 like to come 00:24:20.819 --> 00:24:21.319 over and join 00:24:21.319 --> 00:24:21.779 us for dinner? 00:24:23.180 --> 00:24:23.799 Hey, I'm going 00:24:23.799 --> 00:24:24.160 shopping. 00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:24.640 Can you come 00:24:24.640 --> 00:24:25.000 with me? 00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:27.880 I bet when you 00:24:27.880 --> 00:24:28.279 showed up this 00:24:28.279 --> 00:24:28.600 morning you 00:24:28.600 --> 00:24:29.640 weren't hoping 00:24:29.640 --> 00:24:30.180 to hear about 00:24:30.180 --> 00:24:30.720 going shopping 00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:31.220 with someone. 00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:33.180 So you hear 00:24:33.180 --> 00:24:33.920 from the pulpit. 00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:34.500 That is part 00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:34.920 of the Christian 00:24:34.920 --> 00:24:35.279 life. 00:24:37.539 --> 00:24:38.140 Inviting people 00:24:38.140 --> 00:24:38.700 to go shopping 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:39.100 with you and 00:24:39.100 --> 00:24:39.580 over to your 00:24:39.580 --> 00:24:40.080 house for dinner 00:24:40.080 --> 00:24:41.940 is part of the 00:24:41.940 --> 00:24:42.519 Christian life. 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:45.759 And so as we're 00:24:45.759 --> 00:24:46.400 walking through 00:24:46.400 --> 00:24:46.920 as a congregation 00:24:46.920 --> 00:24:47.839 together talking 00:24:47.839 --> 00:24:48.599 about what it is 00:24:48.599 --> 00:24:49.559 like to suffer, 00:24:50.819 --> 00:24:51.819 we're not just 00:24:51.819 --> 00:24:52.740 speaking to those 00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:53.619 who are suffering 00:24:53.619 --> 00:24:54.420 and have suffered, 00:24:54.879 --> 00:24:56.099 but to all of us. 00:24:56.980 --> 00:24:57.799 That we would 00:24:57.799 --> 00:24:58.700 become wise. 00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:00.879 Wise not just to 00:25:00.879 --> 00:25:01.720 prepare for the 00:25:01.720 --> 00:25:02.339 suffering that we 00:25:02.339 --> 00:25:04.119 face and not just 00:25:04.119 --> 00:25:04.920 to prepare for the 00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:05.519 suffering that we 00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:07.639 will face, but to 00:25:07.639 --> 00:25:08.920 be wise to know 00:25:08.920 --> 00:25:10.139 how to care and 00:25:10.139 --> 00:25:10.819 love for each 00:25:10.819 --> 00:25:11.039 other. 00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:13.079 It was Jim 00:25:13.079 --> 00:25:14.039 Franks who said 00:25:14.039 --> 00:25:15.680 this morning that 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:16.299 the one another 00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:17.000 passages are 00:25:17.000 --> 00:25:17.920 especially important. 00:25:18.099 --> 00:25:18.579 And what he was 00:25:18.579 --> 00:25:19.240 talking about is 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:19.940 the passages where 00:25:19.940 --> 00:25:20.839 Paul says, 00:25:21.359 --> 00:25:22.259 love one another 00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:23.579 as Christ has 00:25:23.579 --> 00:25:24.480 loved you. 00:25:27.859 --> 00:25:28.940 And so we see 00:25:28.940 --> 00:25:29.579 then that there 00:25:29.579 --> 00:25:31.440 is an answer to 00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:33.700 the self-fulfillment 00:25:33.700 --> 00:25:35.019 view of 00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:35.559 relationships. 00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:37.619 There's an answer 00:25:37.619 --> 00:25:39.159 to the ten-year 00:25:39.159 --> 00:25:40.639 marriage. 00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:41.940 The ten-year 00:25:41.940 --> 00:25:42.379 commitment. 00:25:43.599 --> 00:25:44.399 And it's the 00:25:44.399 --> 00:25:45.240 self-sacrificial 00:25:45.240 --> 00:25:46.899 view of 00:25:46.899 --> 00:25:47.480 relationships. 00:25:49.399 --> 00:25:50.099 There are all 00:25:50.099 --> 00:25:51.420 sorts of examples 00:25:51.420 --> 00:25:52.119 that I could give 00:25:52.119 --> 00:25:52.319 you. 00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:53.119 The one that 00:25:53.119 --> 00:25:54.099 stands out in my 00:25:54.099 --> 00:25:54.980 mind is about a 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:56.379 man that I think 00:25:56.379 --> 00:25:57.079 many of you 00:25:57.079 --> 00:25:57.639 actually may have 00:25:57.639 --> 00:25:57.899 heard of. 00:25:57.940 --> 00:25:58.460 His name is 00:25:58.460 --> 00:25:59.299 Robertson 00:25:59.299 --> 00:25:59.740 McQuilkin. 00:26:01.180 --> 00:26:03.139 And in the 00:26:03.139 --> 00:26:04.399 late 1970s, 00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:05.639 early 1980s, 00:26:05.640 --> 00:26:07.920 he realized that 00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:09.640 his wife was not 00:26:09.640 --> 00:26:10.360 able to remember 00:26:10.360 --> 00:26:11.220 quite as much as 00:26:11.220 --> 00:26:12.080 she had been able 00:26:12.080 --> 00:26:12.540 to remember 00:26:12.540 --> 00:26:12.980 before. 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:15.300 And slowly, 00:26:15.440 --> 00:26:15.900 little by little, 00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:16.600 she wasn't able to 00:26:16.600 --> 00:26:17.680 do as much as 00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:18.300 she'd been able to 00:26:18.300 --> 00:26:19.320 do before. 00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:21.259 He was the 00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:22.080 president of a 00:26:22.080 --> 00:26:23.020 prominent and 00:26:23.020 --> 00:26:23.840 flourishing 00:26:23.840 --> 00:26:24.880 college and 00:26:24.880 --> 00:26:25.759 university. 00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:27.680 He had tremendous 00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:29.060 success before him 00:26:29.060 --> 00:26:30.380 in his past that he 00:26:30.380 --> 00:26:31.020 could point to, 00:26:31.280 --> 00:26:31.860 and tremendous 00:26:31.860 --> 00:26:33.060 success ahead of 00:26:33.060 --> 00:26:33.280 him. 00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:35.379 And he began to 00:26:35.379 --> 00:26:35.899 talk with the 00:26:35.899 --> 00:26:36.779 board of trustees 00:26:36.779 --> 00:26:37.319 about what it 00:26:37.319 --> 00:26:37.779 would look like 00:26:37.779 --> 00:26:38.539 for him to step 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:39.700 down and care 00:26:39.700 --> 00:26:40.379 for his wife. 00:26:41.899 --> 00:26:42.980 In 1990, 00:26:43.160 --> 00:26:43.960 Christianity Today 00:26:43.960 --> 00:26:44.660 ran an article 00:26:44.660 --> 00:26:45.639 about his decision 00:26:45.639 --> 00:26:46.559 that year to 00:26:46.559 --> 00:26:47.839 step down to 00:26:47.839 --> 00:26:48.720 begin becoming 00:26:48.720 --> 00:26:49.619 the full caretaker 00:26:49.619 --> 00:26:50.259 for his wife. 00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:52.240 And in 1996, 00:26:52.500 --> 00:26:52.920 they ran a 00:26:52.920 --> 00:26:53.639 follow-up article 00:26:53.639 --> 00:26:54.240 because there had 00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:54.819 been so much 00:26:54.819 --> 00:26:55.619 response to the 00:26:55.619 --> 00:26:56.940 sacrifices that he 00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:57.319 had made. 00:26:58.899 --> 00:26:59.720 He was featured 00:26:59.720 --> 00:27:00.399 on Family Life 00:27:00.399 --> 00:27:00.920 Today in a 00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:01.779 four-part series, 00:27:01.940 --> 00:27:02.460 and then after 00:27:02.460 --> 00:27:03.160 his wife passed 00:27:03.160 --> 00:27:04.320 away in 2004, 00:27:04.519 --> 00:27:05.300 Christianity Today 00:27:05.300 --> 00:27:06.560 came back and 00:27:06.560 --> 00:27:07.100 did a final 00:27:07.100 --> 00:27:07.700 interview with 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:07.920 him. 00:27:09.120 --> 00:27:09.840 Because this was 00:27:09.840 --> 00:27:10.400 a man who had 00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:11.460 friends all around 00:27:11.460 --> 00:27:12.040 him saying, 00:27:12.660 --> 00:27:13.560 you don't need 00:27:13.560 --> 00:27:14.120 to do this. 00:27:16.279 --> 00:27:16.960 She won't know 00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:17.500 the difference. 00:27:19.640 --> 00:27:20.440 And you have a 00:27:20.440 --> 00:27:21.400 successful career 00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:22.220 still ahead of you. 00:27:23.880 --> 00:27:24.600 You're still in 00:27:24.600 --> 00:27:25.200 your 50s. 00:27:26.120 --> 00:27:27.180 You still have so 00:27:27.180 --> 00:27:27.800 much to do. 00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:30.000 And yet Robertson 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:30.960 McQuilkin chose 00:27:30.960 --> 00:27:33.860 self-sacrifice 00:27:33.860 --> 00:27:35.940 over self-fulfillment. 00:27:37.100 --> 00:27:37.600 And in that, 00:27:38.460 --> 00:27:39.740 people again and 00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:40.380 again, he wrote a 00:27:40.380 --> 00:27:40.940 book actually, if 00:27:40.940 --> 00:27:41.340 you want to learn 00:27:41.340 --> 00:27:41.960 more, I wish I 00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:43.079 could tell you more 00:27:43.079 --> 00:27:43.759 and more about him 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.420 this morning if we 00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:44.799 had time. 00:27:44.860 --> 00:27:45.220 He wrote a book 00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:45.819 called A Promise 00:27:45.819 --> 00:27:48.019 Kept, if you're 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:48.559 interested and you 00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:49.220 can find all sorts 00:27:49.220 --> 00:27:49.779 of things about him 00:27:49.779 --> 00:27:50.200 on the internet. 00:27:51.100 --> 00:27:51.860 But in the final 00:27:51.860 --> 00:27:52.500 interview that 00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:53.380 Christianity Today 00:27:53.380 --> 00:27:54.019 did with him in 00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:55.120 2004, they asked 00:27:55.120 --> 00:27:55.779 him this question. 00:27:55.779 --> 00:27:58.259 What did caring 00:27:58.259 --> 00:28:00.339 for your wife teach 00:28:00.339 --> 00:28:00.859 you about the 00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:01.500 Christian life? 00:28:03.319 --> 00:28:04.279 He said this, 00:28:05.240 --> 00:28:06.000 I would love her, 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:07.700 but she could not 00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:08.379 love me back. 00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:10.379 And that is a 00:28:10.379 --> 00:28:11.059 painful thing. 00:28:12.899 --> 00:28:14.619 As I was leaning 00:28:14.619 --> 00:28:15.700 over her one day, 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:16.420 I thought, Lord, 00:28:17.099 --> 00:28:18.539 is that the way it 00:28:18.539 --> 00:28:19.559 is between you and 00:28:19.559 --> 00:28:19.779 me? 00:28:21.440 --> 00:28:22.379 You pouring out 00:28:22.379 --> 00:28:23.319 your love and care 00:28:23.319 --> 00:28:24.039 so consciously, 00:28:24.339 --> 00:28:24.960 and what do you 00:28:24.960 --> 00:28:25.400 get back? 00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:27.400 A brief salute 00:28:27.400 --> 00:28:27.960 in the morning, 00:28:28.100 --> 00:28:28.680 we connect, 00:28:29.380 --> 00:28:29.980 grumbling when I 00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:30.559 don't get what I 00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:32.059 want, when you 00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:32.640 don't do it the 00:28:32.640 --> 00:28:33.440 way I like. 00:28:34.579 --> 00:28:35.299 How sad. 00:28:37.220 --> 00:28:38.059 Sad for him. 00:28:40.680 --> 00:28:41.319 Do you hear what 00:28:41.319 --> 00:28:41.759 he said at the 00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:42.019 beginning? 00:28:43.079 --> 00:28:44.160 I would love her, 00:28:44.880 --> 00:28:45.720 but she couldn't 00:28:45.720 --> 00:28:46.740 love me back. 00:28:47.600 --> 00:28:48.840 And that is a 00:28:48.840 --> 00:28:49.920 painful thing. 00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:52.600 Brothers and 00:28:52.600 --> 00:28:54.740 sisters, it is in 00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:55.980 Romans chapter 5, 00:28:56.339 --> 00:28:58.299 verse 8, that Paul 00:28:58.299 --> 00:29:00.180 tells us that while 00:29:00.180 --> 00:29:01.339 we were still 00:29:01.339 --> 00:29:03.400 sinners, Christ 00:29:03.400 --> 00:29:04.660 died for us. 00:29:06.799 --> 00:29:07.579 When there was 00:29:07.579 --> 00:29:08.180 nothing that he 00:29:08.180 --> 00:29:10.259 could gain, when 00:29:10.259 --> 00:29:10.960 he could not be 00:29:10.960 --> 00:29:12.700 fulfilled, he 00:29:12.700 --> 00:29:14.740 chose for us an 00:29:14.740 --> 00:29:15.460 act not of 00:29:15.460 --> 00:29:16.220 self-fulfillment, 00:29:16.559 --> 00:29:17.960 but of self-sacrifice, 00:29:18.599 --> 00:29:20.160 so that he could 00:29:20.160 --> 00:29:21.700 show us never 00:29:21.700 --> 00:29:22.259 giving up, 00:29:22.880 --> 00:29:23.600 never stopping, 00:29:24.240 --> 00:29:24.700 unbreaking, 00:29:25.259 --> 00:29:26.500 always and forever 00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:27.200 love. 00:29:28.600 --> 00:29:29.600 And so, because 00:29:29.600 --> 00:29:31.319 Christ has 00:29:31.319 --> 00:29:32.640 suffered with and 00:29:32.640 --> 00:29:33.660 for us, 00:29:34.340 --> 00:29:35.440 we can join, 00:29:36.180 --> 00:29:37.160 commit to, and 00:29:37.160 --> 00:29:38.440 walk with those 00:29:38.440 --> 00:29:39.259 who have suffered. 00:29:39.259 --> 00:29:41.079 Lord, please pray 00:29:41.079 --> 00:29:41.440 with me. 00:29:44.599 --> 00:29:45.420 Dear Father in 00:29:45.420 --> 00:29:48.000 Heaven, we 00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:48.599 thank you that 00:29:48.599 --> 00:29:49.440 you are a 00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:50.119 suffering Savior, 00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:52.640 that you've 00:29:52.640 --> 00:29:53.440 suffered for us, 00:29:53.539 --> 00:29:54.160 and that you, 00:29:55.099 --> 00:29:55.819 even when we have 00:29:55.819 --> 00:29:56.500 nothing to give 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:58.180 you, even when 00:29:58.180 --> 00:29:58.759 we're dead in our 00:29:58.759 --> 00:30:00.220 sins, you come 00:30:00.220 --> 00:30:01.980 to us with 00:30:01.980 --> 00:30:02.660 never stopping, 00:30:03.160 --> 00:30:04.000 never giving up, 00:30:04.379 --> 00:30:04.799 unbreaking, 00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:05.960 always and forever 00:30:05.960 --> 00:30:06.359 love. 00:30:06.359 --> 00:30:08.259 we ask that 00:30:08.259 --> 00:30:08.879 you would remind 00:30:08.879 --> 00:30:09.879 us of that this 00:30:09.879 --> 00:30:10.959 morning, that you'd 00:30:10.959 --> 00:30:11.579 pour your spirit 00:30:11.579 --> 00:30:12.379 into our hearts to 00:30:12.379 --> 00:30:13.139 be able to do 00:30:13.139 --> 00:30:14.219 what we could not 00:30:14.219 --> 00:30:15.019 do without you, 00:30:15.599 --> 00:30:16.559 and that is to 00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:18.699 walk here, like 00:30:18.699 --> 00:30:19.759 Ruth, with Naomi, 00:30:20.179 --> 00:30:20.719 with those who 00:30:20.719 --> 00:30:22.339 suffer, that we 00:30:22.339 --> 00:30:22.959 would be able to 00:30:22.959 --> 00:30:23.939 show to others the 00:30:23.939 --> 00:30:25.299 same love that you 00:30:25.299 --> 00:30:26.019 have shown to us. 00:30:27.019 --> 00:30:27.939 We ask all these 00:30:27.939 --> 00:30:28.539 things in the name 00:30:28.539 --> 00:30:29.039 of your Son. 00:30:30.039 --> 00:30:30.279 Amen.