WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.879 Okay, Ruth. 00:00:04.080 --> 00:00:07.580 The book of Ruth is just after the time of Judges. 00:00:07.780 --> 00:00:11.540 Like I said last week, it's an everyday story of country folk. 00:00:12.660 --> 00:00:19.219 It describes for us what life was like for just an ordinary family in the days of Judges, 00:00:19.219 --> 00:00:21.179 in the days of Gideon's Israel. 00:00:21.300 --> 00:00:22.900 And so that's where we are this morning. 00:00:23.740 --> 00:00:25.039 And we're looking at the turning point. 00:00:25.039 --> 00:00:32.019 It's quite early on in the story, but we're in the crossroads in the book of Ruth. 00:00:33.439 --> 00:00:35.560 London is a city, isn't it, full of immigrants. 00:00:37.119 --> 00:00:40.640 And many people have come to this city in search of a better life. 00:00:41.780 --> 00:00:45.079 It's often why people leave one culture and they go to another. 00:00:46.759 --> 00:00:52.120 To go to one where they speak another language and they settle down permanently there, 00:00:52.739 --> 00:00:54.320 people are in search of a better life. 00:00:55.039 --> 00:00:59.179 There's tens of thousands of people like that, aren't there, in London today. 00:01:00.820 --> 00:01:03.039 There are tens of hundreds of women, 00:01:04.420 --> 00:01:07.359 and like these women we're going to be looking at this morning. 00:01:08.539 --> 00:01:11.359 Naomi and Orpah and Ruth. 00:01:13.039 --> 00:01:18.439 Tens of hundreds of widows in our city today who've suffered unbearable loss. 00:01:18.439 --> 00:01:26.319 If we had to make a movie of the book of Ruth, we'd probably call it three funerals and a wedding. 00:01:27.780 --> 00:01:32.299 You don't get to the wedding until the end of chapter four, but there are three funerals. 00:01:34.299 --> 00:01:36.060 Naomi's husband Elimelech has died. 00:01:36.060 --> 00:01:41.340 Elimelech and Naomi, they'd left the land of promise. 00:01:42.340 --> 00:01:45.060 The promised land in search of a better life, of a fresh start. 00:01:46.060 --> 00:01:48.879 Times were tough during the days of the judges. 00:01:49.040 --> 00:01:54.740 There was a famine in the land, we're told, and they left instead of staying put where God had promised to bless them. 00:01:54.739 --> 00:02:01.339 Instead of sitting on the premises and standing on the promises, they upped and they left. 00:02:01.439 --> 00:02:02.919 They walked away from God's land. 00:02:04.079 --> 00:02:05.919 They were looking for a better standard of living. 00:02:07.459 --> 00:02:09.319 They were probably pretty well off. 00:02:09.439 --> 00:02:10.460 They were Ephrathites. 00:02:10.620 --> 00:02:13.759 They were a wealthy family in Israel. 00:02:14.620 --> 00:02:16.240 They were from one of the leading clans. 00:02:16.379 --> 00:02:19.219 They were descendants of Caleb, one of the great heroes of Israel. 00:02:19.979 --> 00:02:20.859 But times were tough. 00:02:22.379 --> 00:02:24.300 And so off they go in search of a better life. 00:02:24.340 --> 00:02:25.919 And it all goes pear-shaped for them. 00:02:27.240 --> 00:02:28.860 But now God is dealing with them. 00:02:28.900 --> 00:02:32.000 And God is bringing them back. 00:02:32.919 --> 00:02:34.560 And Naomi is turning around. 00:02:35.639 --> 00:02:37.199 And she's coming back to where she belongs. 00:02:37.199 --> 00:02:39.860 She's only been 40 or 50 miles down the road. 00:02:40.000 --> 00:02:43.199 But spiritually, she's been a long way off. 00:02:45.079 --> 00:02:46.800 She's been in the far country. 00:02:46.800 --> 00:02:49.660 The apostle Paul says, 00:02:49.900 --> 00:02:52.960 Anywhere outside of the people of Israel. 00:02:54.980 --> 00:02:56.820 Anyone outside of Israel. 00:02:57.160 --> 00:02:57.840 That's us. 00:02:57.960 --> 00:02:59.080 We are Gentiles. 00:02:59.700 --> 00:03:00.560 Most of us here. 00:03:01.640 --> 00:03:02.040 Paul says, 00:03:02.140 --> 00:03:05.420 We are foreigners to God's promises and covenants. 00:03:07.240 --> 00:03:09.860 And so Naomi and Elimelech, 00:03:09.939 --> 00:03:13.660 they chose to go out of Israel to walk away from God's promises. 00:03:13.659 --> 00:03:15.780 To go to the Gentile countries. 00:03:16.099 --> 00:03:17.319 And not any old country. 00:03:17.419 --> 00:03:18.039 To Moab. 00:03:19.439 --> 00:03:21.280 Of all the places to go. 00:03:21.639 --> 00:03:22.819 There are Gentile places. 00:03:23.060 --> 00:03:24.519 And then there are Gentile places. 00:03:25.800 --> 00:03:28.500 And Moab was particularly singled out in the book of Deuteronomy. 00:03:29.699 --> 00:03:32.259 It was a bad place for God's people to be. 00:03:32.359 --> 00:03:33.719 They were God's enemies. 00:03:33.719 --> 00:03:40.759 It isn't just like us deciding that there's somewhere else you'd rather live. 00:03:42.939 --> 00:03:43.919 It's not like thinking, 00:03:44.060 --> 00:03:45.939 Well, I'd like to move to Vancouver Island. 00:03:46.079 --> 00:03:47.460 Or I'd like to go to New York. 00:03:52.939 --> 00:03:55.840 No, it's like somebody from Ukraine going to live in Russia. 00:03:55.840 --> 00:03:59.979 It's like going to Syria. 00:04:00.979 --> 00:04:02.340 And living under ISIS. 00:04:03.759 --> 00:04:06.539 The Midianites were dreadful people. 00:04:08.319 --> 00:04:10.159 They worshipped Chemosh. 00:04:10.680 --> 00:04:11.879 Required human sacrifice. 00:04:13.500 --> 00:04:15.620 And so this lady, Naomi, 00:04:15.819 --> 00:04:18.220 she is the prodigal daughter of the Old Testament. 00:04:19.300 --> 00:04:20.879 She's gone into the far country. 00:04:21.199 --> 00:04:22.399 Far, far away. 00:04:22.399 --> 00:04:26.239 And God's hand had been upon her. 00:04:26.539 --> 00:04:27.419 And she confesses. 00:04:27.479 --> 00:04:28.179 Do you remember last week? 00:04:29.099 --> 00:04:30.759 We saw God is turning her around. 00:04:31.959 --> 00:04:33.259 He's dealing with her. 00:04:36.859 --> 00:04:37.919 He's cutting her. 00:04:39.179 --> 00:04:40.719 And it's a bitter experience. 00:04:41.579 --> 00:04:42.759 That she's passing through. 00:04:42.919 --> 00:04:44.000 And he turns her around. 00:04:44.060 --> 00:04:45.159 And now she's going back. 00:04:45.399 --> 00:04:47.139 And she brings with her, 00:04:47.560 --> 00:04:48.620 her two daughters-in-law. 00:04:49.179 --> 00:04:50.079 Oprah and Ruth. 00:04:50.079 --> 00:04:52.339 Oprah and Ruth, 00:04:52.439 --> 00:04:53.479 they'd never been to Israel. 00:04:54.719 --> 00:04:56.099 But the author tells us now 00:04:56.099 --> 00:04:57.699 they are returning to Israel. 00:04:59.159 --> 00:05:00.479 And in fact, that's the big emphasis. 00:05:00.599 --> 00:05:01.979 You can't see it so clearly in the English. 00:05:02.399 --> 00:05:03.339 But 12 times, 00:05:03.439 --> 00:05:04.180 the word turn, 00:05:04.560 --> 00:05:04.899 turn, 00:05:05.319 --> 00:05:05.579 turn, 00:05:05.680 --> 00:05:06.360 keeps coming up. 00:05:07.979 --> 00:05:09.120 And so what we're going to look at this morning, 00:05:09.219 --> 00:05:10.459 Jonathan Edwards would have called 00:05:10.459 --> 00:05:12.459 the narrative of a surprising conversion. 00:05:13.959 --> 00:05:15.180 Because that's what you've got here. 00:05:15.219 --> 00:05:17.060 You've got the conversion of an outsider. 00:05:17.060 --> 00:05:20.379 You've got the conversion of a Moabitess. 00:05:21.180 --> 00:05:22.339 The conversion of Ruth. 00:05:23.459 --> 00:05:25.300 And so I want to talk about Ruth's faith. 00:05:26.639 --> 00:05:28.019 And Orpah's failure. 00:05:29.160 --> 00:05:32.040 And then I want to talk first of all about the Naomi factor. 00:05:33.040 --> 00:05:33.939 The Naomi factor. 00:05:35.340 --> 00:05:36.660 Because it's obvious, isn't it, 00:05:36.660 --> 00:05:38.180 that this lady, Naomi, 00:05:38.379 --> 00:05:41.079 has had a huge influence on those two girls. 00:05:41.079 --> 00:05:43.899 So there are, aren't there, 00:05:44.019 --> 00:05:45.399 awful mother-in-law jokes. 00:05:46.419 --> 00:05:47.759 And mother-in-law stories. 00:05:48.979 --> 00:05:50.219 And some people would do anything 00:05:50.219 --> 00:05:51.579 to get away from their mother-in-law. 00:05:52.719 --> 00:05:54.620 And the bond between a mother-in-law 00:05:54.620 --> 00:05:56.060 and a daughter-in-law 00:05:56.060 --> 00:05:57.339 isn't always the strongest. 00:05:59.099 --> 00:06:01.879 But here there is a strong bond of affection, 00:06:02.039 --> 00:06:02.519 isn't there, 00:06:03.099 --> 00:06:06.000 between Naomi and her two Moabitess daughters-in-law, 00:06:06.639 --> 00:06:07.240 Oprah and Ruth. 00:06:08.599 --> 00:06:09.899 In one sense, that's totally understandable. 00:06:09.899 --> 00:06:11.000 They've been through a lot together. 00:06:13.459 --> 00:06:16.259 They've suffered terrible bereavement together and loss. 00:06:17.399 --> 00:06:19.239 And that's obviously drawn them together. 00:06:19.399 --> 00:06:21.239 There's obviously a great deal of affection 00:06:21.239 --> 00:06:23.000 between Naomi and her daughters-in-law. 00:06:23.959 --> 00:06:25.479 But it goes deeper than that, I think. 00:06:25.879 --> 00:06:27.439 Because these girls are not only 00:06:27.439 --> 00:06:29.079 attached to Naomi, 00:06:29.199 --> 00:06:29.879 but it seems to me, 00:06:29.939 --> 00:06:31.219 as you look at these verses, 00:06:31.339 --> 00:06:34.000 they are attracted to Naomi's God. 00:06:36.179 --> 00:06:37.039 And I think that's something 00:06:37.039 --> 00:06:38.099 that comes out really strongly. 00:06:38.859 --> 00:06:39.859 It's surprising, that. 00:06:39.899 --> 00:06:42.039 Because when people go through bitter experiences, 00:06:42.500 --> 00:06:44.239 when they go through tough times, 00:06:44.459 --> 00:06:46.139 very often it puts them off. 00:06:47.839 --> 00:06:49.179 Sometimes it is then, 00:06:49.339 --> 00:06:50.179 and from then, 00:06:50.279 --> 00:06:51.739 that people walk away from God. 00:06:53.039 --> 00:06:55.519 Why is he allowed this to happen to me? 00:06:57.060 --> 00:06:58.060 But it seems here 00:06:58.060 --> 00:06:59.319 that there's something that's happening 00:06:59.319 --> 00:07:00.739 which is actually drawing 00:07:00.739 --> 00:07:02.060 these two girls, 00:07:02.339 --> 00:07:03.560 these two Moabitesses. 00:07:03.560 --> 00:07:06.120 These two Gentiles, 00:07:06.300 --> 00:07:07.280 girls, 00:07:07.339 --> 00:07:08.280 were being drawn 00:07:08.280 --> 00:07:09.519 to the God of Israel. 00:07:11.120 --> 00:07:11.740 What is it? 00:07:11.780 --> 00:07:13.500 Well, I want to argue with you, 00:07:13.839 --> 00:07:15.519 and it's almost counterintuitive. 00:07:16.459 --> 00:07:17.319 I want to suggest to you 00:07:17.319 --> 00:07:18.660 that what's so attractive 00:07:18.660 --> 00:07:20.959 to these Moabitess girls 00:07:20.959 --> 00:07:24.519 is not so much Naomi's togetherness, 00:07:25.299 --> 00:07:27.019 but Naomi's brokenness. 00:07:28.319 --> 00:07:29.759 Look what she says to them 00:07:29.759 --> 00:07:30.879 in verse 13. 00:07:31.239 --> 00:07:31.579 She says, 00:07:31.839 --> 00:07:33.180 this is more bitter for me 00:07:33.180 --> 00:07:34.099 than for you, 00:07:35.099 --> 00:07:36.799 because the Lord's hand 00:07:36.799 --> 00:07:37.839 was against me. 00:07:39.439 --> 00:07:39.919 Naomi's saying, 00:07:40.019 --> 00:07:41.599 this is a tough time for me. 00:07:41.740 --> 00:07:43.339 I've not got it all together. 00:07:43.339 --> 00:07:46.379 It's not good for you 00:07:46.379 --> 00:07:47.419 to be with me. 00:07:47.519 --> 00:07:48.699 Go back to your own family. 00:07:49.039 --> 00:07:50.060 Go back to your own friends, 00:07:50.159 --> 00:07:50.879 to your own home. 00:07:51.899 --> 00:07:52.939 It's not a good time 00:07:52.939 --> 00:07:53.699 to be with me. 00:07:56.159 --> 00:07:57.219 God is dealing with me, 00:07:57.259 --> 00:07:57.859 and it's tough. 00:07:59.919 --> 00:08:01.120 I came out full, 00:08:01.239 --> 00:08:02.319 but now I'm going back 00:08:02.319 --> 00:08:03.419 very much empty. 00:08:03.919 --> 00:08:05.139 There's not much of a future 00:08:05.139 --> 00:08:06.379 for you girls with me. 00:08:08.779 --> 00:08:10.039 And there's a sense, isn't it, 00:08:10.059 --> 00:08:10.639 where you would think, 00:08:10.699 --> 00:08:11.759 well, that would put them off. 00:08:13.339 --> 00:08:16.659 But they want to go with her. 00:08:16.719 --> 00:08:17.519 They are compelled 00:08:17.519 --> 00:08:18.579 by her honesty 00:08:18.579 --> 00:08:20.539 and her openness. 00:08:23.519 --> 00:08:24.379 And so if I can apply it to you, 00:08:24.419 --> 00:08:25.539 sometimes in our foolishness, 00:08:25.679 --> 00:08:27.459 we imagine that as Christians, 00:08:27.699 --> 00:08:29.099 we have to keep up appearances. 00:08:31.439 --> 00:08:34.519 That we have to keep up a good show, 00:08:34.519 --> 00:08:35.959 not to let the side down. 00:08:38.279 --> 00:08:38.939 And so often, 00:08:39.399 --> 00:08:41.439 we pretend that we are not 00:08:41.439 --> 00:08:42.159 what we are not. 00:08:43.340 --> 00:08:44.980 I was speaking with somebody 00:08:44.980 --> 00:08:46.660 who their dad is 00:08:46.660 --> 00:08:48.259 towards the end of his life, 00:08:48.399 --> 00:08:49.480 and he's been very, 00:08:49.639 --> 00:08:50.899 very difficult to live with 00:08:50.899 --> 00:08:52.540 for his wife, 00:08:52.580 --> 00:08:53.360 for my friend's mother. 00:08:54.420 --> 00:08:55.120 And she says, 00:08:55.180 --> 00:08:55.720 it's been a really, 00:08:55.920 --> 00:08:56.600 really hard time 00:08:56.600 --> 00:08:57.320 for the family. 00:08:58.720 --> 00:08:59.320 She says, 00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:00.700 apart from when his brother, 00:09:00.800 --> 00:09:01.660 who is not a Christian, 00:09:01.860 --> 00:09:02.259 calls, 00:09:03.100 --> 00:09:03.960 and at that point, 00:09:04.019 --> 00:09:04.940 he pretends to be 00:09:04.940 --> 00:09:05.759 the most gentle, 00:09:05.980 --> 00:09:06.700 most accepting, 00:09:07.060 --> 00:09:08.320 kindest man of all. 00:09:08.320 --> 00:09:10.860 And we think, 00:09:10.920 --> 00:09:10.960 well, 00:09:10.960 --> 00:09:11.480 that's ridiculous, 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:11.900 don't we? 00:09:11.980 --> 00:09:13.940 But I see that in my own life too. 00:09:15.720 --> 00:09:16.600 That we can pretend 00:09:16.600 --> 00:09:17.560 to be what we're not. 00:09:18.680 --> 00:09:18.980 Of course, 00:09:19.040 --> 00:09:19.840 God sees through that, 00:09:19.879 --> 00:09:20.160 isn't it? 00:09:21.560 --> 00:09:22.200 He is the one 00:09:22.200 --> 00:09:23.480 from whom no secrets are hid, 00:09:23.760 --> 00:09:25.420 all hearts open before him. 00:09:25.820 --> 00:09:27.200 We can't fool him, 00:09:27.420 --> 00:09:28.640 but we can fool other people. 00:09:28.639 --> 00:09:34.539 To a certain degree, 00:09:34.699 --> 00:09:35.620 but people see through it, 00:09:35.639 --> 00:09:35.980 don't they? 00:09:38.220 --> 00:09:39.939 That's why often people say to me, 00:09:40.159 --> 00:09:40.899 the problem is with churches, 00:09:41.039 --> 00:09:42.220 it's just a bunch of hypocrites. 00:09:43.899 --> 00:09:45.319 Because they see hypocrisy. 00:09:46.120 --> 00:09:47.199 And not only one of the reasons 00:09:47.199 --> 00:09:47.960 why it doesn't work, 00:09:48.519 --> 00:09:49.620 it's because it's phony. 00:09:50.159 --> 00:09:51.019 There's a lot of phoniness 00:09:51.019 --> 00:09:51.799 around in churches. 00:09:52.319 --> 00:09:53.559 But there's something worse 00:09:53.559 --> 00:09:54.200 than phoniness. 00:09:55.480 --> 00:09:56.519 It's actually kind of 00:09:56.519 --> 00:09:57.480 counterproductive. 00:09:59.379 --> 00:10:00.039 In a sense, 00:10:00.120 --> 00:10:01.120 if you are trying to pretend, 00:10:01.279 --> 00:10:02.340 if you are trying to act, 00:10:02.840 --> 00:10:04.519 you are misrepresenting 00:10:04.519 --> 00:10:05.360 the God of the Bible. 00:10:06.819 --> 00:10:07.860 You are basically 00:10:07.860 --> 00:10:09.539 misleading people 00:10:09.539 --> 00:10:11.259 into thinking that 00:10:11.259 --> 00:10:12.259 the God of the Bible, 00:10:12.379 --> 00:10:13.580 well, he is the good people's God 00:10:13.580 --> 00:10:14.919 and he is the together people's God. 00:10:17.419 --> 00:10:18.439 So people say that to me, 00:10:18.480 --> 00:10:19.100 like they say to you, 00:10:19.159 --> 00:10:20.100 I'm not good enough. 00:10:21.360 --> 00:10:22.319 You don't know me, 00:10:22.419 --> 00:10:23.500 I'm not that sort of person. 00:10:23.500 --> 00:10:25.200 I could never come to church. 00:10:26.980 --> 00:10:28.279 And people get that impression 00:10:28.279 --> 00:10:28.839 from us, 00:10:28.899 --> 00:10:29.240 don't they? 00:10:29.319 --> 00:10:30.519 Because we're so high and mighty, 00:10:30.639 --> 00:10:31.439 they couldn't possibly 00:10:31.439 --> 00:10:32.279 come among us. 00:10:33.299 --> 00:10:33.959 Because our God 00:10:33.959 --> 00:10:35.059 is the good people's God. 00:10:35.159 --> 00:10:35.620 But he isn't, 00:10:35.679 --> 00:10:35.919 is he? 00:10:38.720 --> 00:10:39.459 He is the God 00:10:39.459 --> 00:10:40.120 who is gracious 00:10:40.120 --> 00:10:41.019 and forgiving 00:10:41.019 --> 00:10:42.240 and full of mercy 00:10:42.240 --> 00:10:44.000 and full of forgiveness 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:44.720 and kindness. 00:10:44.839 --> 00:10:45.659 He's the God of sinners. 00:10:47.600 --> 00:10:49.360 And he dwells 00:10:49.360 --> 00:10:50.519 with the contrite 00:10:50.519 --> 00:10:51.519 and with the brokenhearted. 00:10:51.519 --> 00:10:54.840 You see, 00:10:54.919 --> 00:10:55.419 what was it 00:10:55.419 --> 00:10:56.139 that brought 00:10:56.139 --> 00:10:57.519 Orpah and Ruth 00:10:57.519 --> 00:10:58.399 back to Israel? 00:10:58.759 --> 00:11:00.079 It is what they saw 00:11:00.079 --> 00:11:00.639 in Naomi. 00:11:02.179 --> 00:11:03.500 And what they saw 00:11:03.500 --> 00:11:04.039 in Naomi 00:11:04.039 --> 00:11:05.240 was her brokenness, 00:11:05.299 --> 00:11:06.340 not her togetherness. 00:11:09.460 --> 00:11:10.659 And so if my people, 00:11:10.799 --> 00:11:11.220 God says, 00:11:11.259 --> 00:11:12.620 who are called by my name, 00:11:12.779 --> 00:11:13.799 humble themselves 00:11:13.799 --> 00:11:15.220 and pray 00:11:15.220 --> 00:11:16.819 and seek my face 00:11:16.819 --> 00:11:17.659 and turn from 00:11:17.659 --> 00:11:18.559 their wicked ways, 00:11:18.559 --> 00:11:21.279 then I will turn from heaven 00:11:21.279 --> 00:11:23.079 and forgive them 00:11:23.079 --> 00:11:23.899 and heal their land. 00:11:27.839 --> 00:11:28.559 And so what will God 00:11:28.559 --> 00:11:29.599 use to reach Ealing? 00:11:29.799 --> 00:11:30.599 What will God use 00:11:30.599 --> 00:11:31.500 to reach London? 00:11:33.279 --> 00:11:34.619 Not a proud, 00:11:35.139 --> 00:11:35.739 strutting, 00:11:36.559 --> 00:11:37.559 triumphless church. 00:11:38.599 --> 00:11:39.939 But a broken church. 00:11:41.819 --> 00:11:43.319 Not a bunch of Pharisees 00:11:43.319 --> 00:11:44.099 who are trying to occupy 00:11:44.099 --> 00:11:45.159 the high moral ground 00:11:45.159 --> 00:11:46.299 and looking down their nose 00:11:46.299 --> 00:11:47.139 on everyone else 00:11:47.139 --> 00:11:48.319 as if we were special. 00:11:48.879 --> 00:11:49.679 We're just sinners, 00:11:49.799 --> 00:11:50.039 aren't we, 00:11:50.039 --> 00:11:50.679 who've been forgiven 00:11:50.679 --> 00:11:51.519 for goodness sake. 00:11:53.519 --> 00:11:54.500 There's no difference 00:11:54.500 --> 00:11:56.639 between the people in here 00:11:56.639 --> 00:11:57.500 and the people out there 00:11:57.500 --> 00:11:58.399 other than we've found 00:11:58.399 --> 00:11:58.959 a saviour. 00:12:03.799 --> 00:12:04.919 A saviour who's full 00:12:04.919 --> 00:12:05.559 of compassion 00:12:05.559 --> 00:12:06.339 and kindness, 00:12:06.539 --> 00:12:07.399 who shed his blood 00:12:07.399 --> 00:12:08.179 to rescue us. 00:12:08.339 --> 00:12:08.879 And that is what 00:12:08.879 --> 00:12:09.539 God will use. 00:12:12.459 --> 00:12:13.039 And so as a church, 00:12:13.119 --> 00:12:14.019 we don't need 00:12:14.019 --> 00:12:15.000 better PR 00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:16.059 to make ourselves 00:12:16.059 --> 00:12:16.979 look good 00:12:16.979 --> 00:12:18.479 to a watching world. 00:12:18.559 --> 00:12:22.419 There's a great competition 00:12:22.419 --> 00:12:23.199 amongst ministers 00:12:23.199 --> 00:12:24.099 about who's got 00:12:24.099 --> 00:12:25.319 the best church website. 00:12:26.379 --> 00:12:27.939 And so if you go on 00:12:27.939 --> 00:12:28.559 to various churches, 00:12:28.639 --> 00:12:29.459 it's like a kind of 00:12:29.459 --> 00:12:30.599 arms race 00:12:30.599 --> 00:12:31.679 amongst church websites, 00:12:31.799 --> 00:12:32.139 isn't it? 00:12:32.699 --> 00:12:33.299 People are arguing 00:12:33.299 --> 00:12:33.819 with their deacons, 00:12:33.879 --> 00:12:34.500 can I have more money 00:12:34.500 --> 00:12:35.059 for the website? 00:12:36.679 --> 00:12:38.459 And you look at the photos 00:12:38.459 --> 00:12:39.139 on the website. 00:12:39.139 --> 00:12:43.220 Does that result 00:12:43.220 --> 00:12:44.639 in really reaching people? 00:12:46.399 --> 00:12:47.120 Our website's very good, 00:12:47.199 --> 00:12:47.519 by the way. 00:12:47.620 --> 00:12:48.159 Joanna, thank you. 00:12:52.580 --> 00:12:53.460 And loads of churches 00:12:53.460 --> 00:12:54.279 are at it, aren't they? 00:12:56.240 --> 00:12:57.460 But we need to come 00:12:57.460 --> 00:12:59.199 in brokenness 00:12:59.199 --> 00:13:00.240 before a holy God 00:13:00.240 --> 00:13:02.080 and confess 00:13:02.080 --> 00:13:02.620 our sin 00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:03.139 and our guilt 00:13:03.139 --> 00:13:06.200 so that something 00:13:06.200 --> 00:13:07.320 of his kindness 00:13:07.320 --> 00:13:08.680 that we experience 00:13:08.680 --> 00:13:10.960 might be seen 00:13:10.960 --> 00:13:11.600 to others. 00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:12.560 And that's so attractive. 00:13:16.320 --> 00:13:17.180 So why then, 00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:18.000 if that is the case, 00:13:18.100 --> 00:13:18.840 why does Naomi, 00:13:19.139 --> 00:13:20.159 if you look in verse 8, 00:13:20.259 --> 00:13:20.919 why does she try 00:13:20.919 --> 00:13:21.460 to persuade 00:13:21.460 --> 00:13:22.600 her daughters-in-law 00:13:22.600 --> 00:13:23.560 to go back 00:13:23.560 --> 00:13:24.240 to their pagan gods? 00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:25.220 Those pagan gods. 00:13:27.200 --> 00:13:28.060 That's what it sounds like, 00:13:28.080 --> 00:13:28.240 isn't it? 00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:28.659 She's obviously 00:13:28.659 --> 00:13:29.680 very concerned for them. 00:13:29.740 --> 00:13:30.320 She prays for them, 00:13:30.379 --> 00:13:30.600 in fact. 00:13:31.100 --> 00:13:31.600 Verse 8, 00:13:31.680 --> 00:13:32.460 she prays, 00:13:33.080 --> 00:13:34.299 May the Lord, 00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:37.299 may the Lord 00:13:37.299 --> 00:13:38.419 deal kindly 00:13:38.419 --> 00:13:39.180 with you 00:13:39.180 --> 00:13:42.419 as you have dealt 00:13:42.419 --> 00:13:43.399 kindly 00:13:43.399 --> 00:13:44.360 with the dead 00:13:44.360 --> 00:13:44.960 and with me. 00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:48.720 She's concerned for them. 00:13:48.759 --> 00:13:49.320 She's concerned 00:13:49.320 --> 00:13:50.060 for them spiritually. 00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:52.680 The word kindness 00:13:52.680 --> 00:13:53.680 is the key there. 00:13:53.679 --> 00:13:55.239 It's the key word 00:13:55.239 --> 00:13:56.019 in the book of Ruth. 00:13:57.139 --> 00:13:57.959 It's the word chesed, 00:13:58.219 --> 00:13:59.699 which means covenant love 00:13:59.699 --> 00:14:01.500 or steadfast love. 00:14:03.519 --> 00:14:04.319 It's the word 00:14:04.319 --> 00:14:05.339 for God's kindness 00:14:05.339 --> 00:14:05.859 to his people, 00:14:05.959 --> 00:14:06.559 God's kindness 00:14:06.559 --> 00:14:07.299 to sinners. 00:14:07.639 --> 00:14:08.339 It's the word 00:14:08.339 --> 00:14:09.599 that is ultimately 00:14:09.599 --> 00:14:11.059 fulfilled in Jesus. 00:14:12.699 --> 00:14:14.079 So in the start 00:14:14.079 --> 00:14:14.719 of John's Gospel, 00:14:14.839 --> 00:14:15.839 we're told that the word, 00:14:15.919 --> 00:14:16.599 that is the Lord Jesus, 00:14:16.739 --> 00:14:17.979 he was made flesh 00:14:17.979 --> 00:14:19.319 and he dwelt amongst us 00:14:19.319 --> 00:14:21.099 and he was full of grace 00:14:21.099 --> 00:14:22.179 and truth. 00:14:22.179 --> 00:14:23.839 They're synonymous words. 00:14:26.059 --> 00:14:27.500 Grace and truth, 00:14:27.599 --> 00:14:28.359 it's not like he had 00:14:28.359 --> 00:14:29.059 grace in him 00:14:29.059 --> 00:14:30.199 and he had truth in him 00:14:30.199 --> 00:14:32.000 and we must be sure 00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:33.120 that we've got that balance 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:34.059 of grace and truth. 00:14:34.179 --> 00:14:35.139 It's not that at all. 00:14:36.019 --> 00:14:36.459 Grace and truth 00:14:36.459 --> 00:14:37.319 are the same thing. 00:14:38.399 --> 00:14:39.000 They describe 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:40.379 what this word means, 00:14:40.479 --> 00:14:40.919 chesed, 00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:42.059 covenant love. 00:14:42.219 --> 00:14:43.419 God is faithful 00:14:43.419 --> 00:14:44.159 to his covenant. 00:14:45.439 --> 00:14:46.079 God will keep 00:14:46.079 --> 00:14:46.559 his word 00:14:46.559 --> 00:14:47.120 to his people 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:47.599 even though 00:14:47.599 --> 00:14:48.500 it will cost him 00:14:48.500 --> 00:14:49.000 dearly. 00:14:49.279 --> 00:14:49.919 It will cost him 00:14:49.919 --> 00:14:50.759 his own dear son. 00:14:52.339 --> 00:14:53.039 And that is the word 00:14:53.039 --> 00:14:54.759 that's issued here. 00:14:55.799 --> 00:14:56.740 It's used here. 00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:58.719 That is the attitude 00:14:58.719 --> 00:14:59.360 of heart 00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:00.360 that Naomi has 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:01.599 towards her daughters-in-law. 00:15:01.799 --> 00:15:02.519 That's why she's 00:15:02.519 --> 00:15:03.179 urging them 00:15:03.179 --> 00:15:04.120 to go back to Moab 00:15:04.120 --> 00:15:04.860 of all places. 00:15:08.419 --> 00:15:08.959 Well, I think 00:15:08.959 --> 00:15:09.459 the only way 00:15:09.459 --> 00:15:10.159 I can understand it 00:15:10.159 --> 00:15:12.899 is that she's wanting 00:15:12.899 --> 00:15:13.980 them to count the cost. 00:15:13.980 --> 00:15:17.539 they're not going 00:15:17.539 --> 00:15:18.159 to take no 00:15:18.159 --> 00:15:18.659 for an answer. 00:15:18.779 --> 00:15:19.440 They are determined 00:15:19.440 --> 00:15:20.460 to follow her back 00:15:20.460 --> 00:15:21.399 into the land of Israel. 00:15:22.800 --> 00:15:24.220 But it's not a good time 00:15:24.220 --> 00:15:24.639 in Israel. 00:15:24.759 --> 00:15:25.180 It's the time 00:15:25.180 --> 00:15:25.720 of the judges. 00:15:27.379 --> 00:15:27.940 And so she's 00:15:27.940 --> 00:15:29.000 basically saying 00:15:29.000 --> 00:15:29.580 to them 00:15:29.580 --> 00:15:30.220 what you often 00:15:30.220 --> 00:15:31.399 find in the Gospels. 00:15:33.700 --> 00:15:34.460 Do you remember 00:15:34.460 --> 00:15:34.860 there was 00:15:34.860 --> 00:15:35.879 this yuppie guy? 00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:36.840 He was a really 00:15:36.840 --> 00:15:38.879 young guy. 00:15:39.019 --> 00:15:39.659 He was rich. 00:15:39.720 --> 00:15:40.240 He was good looking. 00:15:40.320 --> 00:15:40.840 He had everything. 00:15:40.960 --> 00:15:41.680 He had all the money. 00:15:41.820 --> 00:15:42.580 Everybody knew 00:15:42.580 --> 00:15:43.360 who he was. 00:15:43.360 --> 00:15:44.159 He was a pillar 00:15:44.159 --> 00:15:44.840 of society. 00:15:45.220 --> 00:15:46.060 He had all the perks 00:15:46.060 --> 00:15:47.379 of being upwardly mobile 00:15:47.379 --> 00:15:48.220 in society. 00:15:48.700 --> 00:15:49.759 And he comes to Jesus 00:15:49.759 --> 00:15:50.820 and he says to Jesus, 00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:51.500 good master, 00:15:51.700 --> 00:15:52.480 what must I do 00:15:52.480 --> 00:15:53.539 to inherit eternal life? 00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:56.120 And he brings his CV 00:15:56.120 --> 00:15:56.940 along with him 00:15:56.940 --> 00:15:57.759 and he says, 00:15:57.860 --> 00:15:58.379 I've done this 00:15:58.379 --> 00:15:59.240 and I've done that. 00:15:59.480 --> 00:16:00.440 Ever since I was a kid 00:16:00.440 --> 00:16:01.159 I've kept the law. 00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:02.399 And Jesus says to him, 00:16:03.240 --> 00:16:04.139 go and sell what you have 00:16:04.139 --> 00:16:04.879 and give it to the poor. 00:16:07.159 --> 00:16:07.720 And because the man 00:16:07.720 --> 00:16:08.320 was very rich, 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:10.060 he turns around 00:16:10.060 --> 00:16:10.860 and he goes back 00:16:10.860 --> 00:16:11.279 to Moab. 00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:14.100 The gospel says 00:16:14.100 --> 00:16:17.139 he went away sad. 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:20.560 Not because he was wealthy. 00:16:22.019 --> 00:16:23.240 Not because he had riches. 00:16:25.300 --> 00:16:27.019 But because those riches 00:16:27.019 --> 00:16:27.680 had him. 00:16:29.019 --> 00:16:30.240 He was an idolatry. 00:16:30.320 --> 00:16:30.899 He was a worshipper 00:16:30.899 --> 00:16:31.480 of other gods. 00:16:31.560 --> 00:16:32.659 He was worshipping his wealth 00:16:32.659 --> 00:16:33.220 and his status. 00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:34.139 And Jesus says, 00:16:34.279 --> 00:16:35.259 if you're really serious 00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:35.600 about this, 00:16:35.840 --> 00:16:36.639 if you really want 00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:37.379 to come after me, 00:16:37.560 --> 00:16:38.440 if you really want 00:16:38.440 --> 00:16:39.139 to follow me, 00:16:39.360 --> 00:16:40.220 then deal with that issue. 00:16:40.220 --> 00:16:42.700 Go and sell what you have 00:16:42.700 --> 00:16:43.399 and give it to the poor. 00:16:44.920 --> 00:16:45.860 If you want to gain 00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:46.360 your life, 00:16:46.440 --> 00:16:47.100 Jesus says, 00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:48.980 you've got to lose your life. 00:16:49.040 --> 00:16:49.379 Do you understand 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:49.820 that principle? 00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:52.060 That's what repentance 00:16:52.060 --> 00:16:52.560 is all about. 00:16:52.639 --> 00:16:53.759 If you want life 00:16:53.759 --> 00:16:54.560 from Jesus, 00:16:54.940 --> 00:16:55.899 you've got to give 00:16:55.899 --> 00:16:56.700 your life away 00:16:56.700 --> 00:16:57.700 in order to get it back. 00:16:59.800 --> 00:17:00.840 It's what Peter said 00:17:00.840 --> 00:17:01.879 to the lame man 00:17:01.879 --> 00:17:02.840 at the gate 00:17:02.840 --> 00:17:03.460 of the temple. 00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:05.079 He says, 00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:06.200 silver and gold 00:17:06.200 --> 00:17:07.039 have I none. 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:09.319 I can't give you that 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:10.420 if that's what you're here for. 00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:11.700 But what I have, 00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:12.619 I give you 00:17:12.619 --> 00:17:14.159 in the name of Jesus Christ. 00:17:14.299 --> 00:17:14.960 Get up and walk. 00:17:18.220 --> 00:17:18.480 You see, 00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:18.960 I've got to tell you 00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:19.259 this morning, 00:17:19.339 --> 00:17:20.079 there's a great cost 00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:21.019 to becoming a Christian. 00:17:23.119 --> 00:17:23.819 I don't think we 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:24.720 emphasize that, 00:17:24.779 --> 00:17:25.819 particularly in my preaching enough. 00:17:27.779 --> 00:17:28.599 There's a cost 00:17:28.599 --> 00:17:29.659 to following Jesus 00:17:29.659 --> 00:17:30.960 and Naomi is 00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:32.960 wanting her daughters-in-law 00:17:32.960 --> 00:17:34.319 to count the cost. 00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:36.500 And she rubs 00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:37.599 their noses in it. 00:17:37.700 --> 00:17:39.000 She is 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:40.619 very almost cruel 00:17:40.619 --> 00:17:41.579 to be kind to them. 00:17:42.599 --> 00:17:43.559 Look at verse 11. 00:17:44.079 --> 00:17:44.799 Why would you 00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:45.359 come with me? 00:17:45.879 --> 00:17:46.179 She says, 00:17:46.419 --> 00:17:47.039 am I going to have 00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:47.980 any more sons 00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:48.899 to become your husbands? 00:17:49.319 --> 00:17:49.960 It's the only hope 00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:50.500 in that culture 00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:51.099 at that time. 00:17:51.419 --> 00:17:52.139 The only hope 00:17:52.139 --> 00:17:52.720 of survival. 00:17:54.179 --> 00:17:54.639 These girls 00:17:54.639 --> 00:17:55.619 had to find a husband 00:17:55.619 --> 00:17:56.559 to get married. 00:17:56.720 --> 00:17:57.579 It's very politically 00:17:57.579 --> 00:17:58.179 incorrect 00:17:58.179 --> 00:17:59.480 from our perspective. 00:18:00.339 --> 00:18:01.159 But in that culture 00:18:01.159 --> 00:18:02.059 at that time, 00:18:02.139 --> 00:18:03.039 that was the reality. 00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:05.439 That the only hope 00:18:05.439 --> 00:18:05.980 of survival 00:18:05.980 --> 00:18:07.039 was to raise sons 00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:07.799 to get married. 00:18:08.179 --> 00:18:08.740 And she says, 00:18:08.819 --> 00:18:09.559 there's no hope 00:18:09.559 --> 00:18:10.379 of that happening now. 00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:12.980 If you follow 00:18:12.980 --> 00:18:14.000 me to Israel, 00:18:14.220 --> 00:18:15.139 who is going to marry 00:18:15.139 --> 00:18:16.039 a Moabitess 00:18:16.039 --> 00:18:17.960 in Israel? 00:18:18.799 --> 00:18:20.000 You think America's 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:20.480 got problems 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:21.500 with racial tensions. 00:18:21.779 --> 00:18:22.679 It's got nothing 00:18:22.679 --> 00:18:23.779 compared to what 00:18:23.779 --> 00:18:24.279 it's going to be like 00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:25.279 for you girls in Israel. 00:18:27.139 --> 00:18:28.379 If you follow me there, 00:18:28.439 --> 00:18:29.379 a Moabitess, 00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:32.000 she drives it home 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:32.220 to them. 00:18:32.279 --> 00:18:33.379 It's almost comical. 00:18:33.380 --> 00:18:33.940 She says, 00:18:34.020 --> 00:18:34.100 look, 00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:35.240 even if I get back 00:18:35.240 --> 00:18:35.700 there, 00:18:36.020 --> 00:18:37.180 and I've got twin boys, 00:18:37.760 --> 00:18:38.660 and you're going 00:18:38.660 --> 00:18:39.420 to wait around 00:18:39.420 --> 00:18:40.240 for them to grow up 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:40.820 so that you can 00:18:40.820 --> 00:18:41.420 marry them, 00:18:42.400 --> 00:18:43.480 is that really 00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:43.960 going to happen? 00:18:46.580 --> 00:18:47.220 I'm past 00:18:47.220 --> 00:18:48.060 childbearing age. 00:18:49.380 --> 00:18:50.080 And by the time 00:18:50.080 --> 00:18:51.340 I grow up, 00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:52.140 by the time 00:18:52.140 --> 00:18:52.800 those kids grow up, 00:18:52.840 --> 00:18:53.440 you'll be past 00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:54.240 childbearing age. 00:18:56.380 --> 00:18:57.240 So it's a touch 00:18:57.240 --> 00:18:57.820 of reality. 00:18:58.140 --> 00:18:58.420 Do you see 00:18:58.420 --> 00:18:58.920 what she's doing? 00:18:59.040 --> 00:19:00.680 It sounds cruel, 00:19:00.680 --> 00:19:02.700 but these 00:19:02.700 --> 00:19:03.860 are harsh times, 00:19:03.860 --> 00:19:04.860 and she's being 00:19:04.860 --> 00:19:05.700 cruel in order 00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:06.200 to be kind 00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:06.519 to them. 00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:08.900 And we need 00:19:08.900 --> 00:19:09.259 to realize 00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:09.600 that we need 00:19:09.600 --> 00:19:10.360 to count the cost. 00:19:12.200 --> 00:19:12.799 And here are 00:19:12.799 --> 00:19:13.460 these two girls, 00:19:13.539 --> 00:19:14.700 and maybe you 00:19:14.700 --> 00:19:15.400 in this congregation 00:19:15.400 --> 00:19:16.120 this morning, 00:19:16.320 --> 00:19:16.940 you're at the 00:19:16.940 --> 00:19:17.620 crossroads, 00:19:18.140 --> 00:19:21.200 and you're wondering, 00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:22.360 am I really 00:19:22.360 --> 00:19:22.880 going to follow 00:19:22.880 --> 00:19:23.880 the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:19:23.880 --> 00:19:25.640 or will I 00:19:25.640 --> 00:19:26.280 follow what I 00:19:26.280 --> 00:19:27.020 want and my 00:19:27.020 --> 00:19:27.700 own dreams? 00:19:27.920 --> 00:19:28.220 And you've 00:19:28.220 --> 00:19:28.560 got to make 00:19:28.560 --> 00:19:29.040 the decision. 00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:30.880 Are you going 00:19:30.880 --> 00:19:31.400 to go back 00:19:31.400 --> 00:19:32.000 to Moab 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:32.580 and go back 00:19:32.580 --> 00:19:33.100 to where life 00:19:33.100 --> 00:19:33.840 is just a little 00:19:33.840 --> 00:19:34.460 bit easier, 00:19:34.800 --> 00:19:35.520 where you can 00:19:35.520 --> 00:19:36.060 pursue what 00:19:36.060 --> 00:19:36.640 you want? 00:19:38.600 --> 00:19:39.200 Or are you 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:39.820 going to abandon 00:19:39.820 --> 00:19:40.400 all that 00:19:40.400 --> 00:19:42.900 to follow Jesus 00:19:42.900 --> 00:19:45.400 and abandon 00:19:45.400 --> 00:19:46.080 all your own 00:19:46.080 --> 00:19:46.740 plans for the 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:47.460 future and take 00:19:47.460 --> 00:19:48.140 control of your 00:19:48.140 --> 00:19:48.460 life? 00:19:49.380 --> 00:19:50.280 Let him take 00:19:50.280 --> 00:19:50.780 control of your 00:19:50.780 --> 00:19:51.060 life. 00:19:52.400 --> 00:19:52.840 And that's the 00:19:52.840 --> 00:19:53.420 decision that these 00:19:53.420 --> 00:19:54.039 girls faced, 00:19:54.200 --> 00:19:54.500 the turning 00:19:54.500 --> 00:19:54.680 point, 00:19:54.759 --> 00:19:55.320 the crossroads. 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:57.259 So what 00:19:57.259 --> 00:19:57.700 happens? 00:19:59.860 --> 00:20:00.519 Well, we know 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:00.820 what happens. 00:20:01.259 --> 00:20:01.740 Orpah goes 00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:02.120 back. 00:20:03.840 --> 00:20:04.180 Orpah's 00:20:04.180 --> 00:20:04.519 failure. 00:20:06.600 --> 00:20:06.800 You know, 00:20:06.880 --> 00:20:07.240 Oprah, 00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:08.740 Oprah was 00:20:08.740 --> 00:20:09.600 meant to be 00:20:09.600 --> 00:20:10.380 called Orpah, 00:20:11.120 --> 00:20:11.500 but the 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:12.140 registrar 00:20:12.140 --> 00:20:12.640 spelt it 00:20:12.640 --> 00:20:12.920 wrong. 00:20:14.300 --> 00:20:15.380 So Oprah 00:20:15.380 --> 00:20:16.440 Winfrey was 00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:17.240 meant to be 00:20:17.240 --> 00:20:18.420 called Orpah 00:20:18.420 --> 00:20:18.900 Winfrey. 00:20:20.420 --> 00:20:20.860 Because of 00:20:20.860 --> 00:20:21.240 that spelling 00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:21.620 mistake, 00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:22.580 she's become 00:20:22.580 --> 00:20:23.019 known as 00:20:23.019 --> 00:20:23.400 Oprah. 00:20:23.420 --> 00:20:24.560 Why would 00:20:24.560 --> 00:20:26.100 any mother 00:20:26.100 --> 00:20:27.480 want to 00:20:27.480 --> 00:20:27.840 call her 00:20:27.840 --> 00:20:28.400 Orpah? 00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:31.560 Because Orpah 00:20:31.560 --> 00:20:32.160 went back. 00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:32.860 It's a tragedy. 00:20:36.180 --> 00:20:37.000 Orpah was 00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:37.800 the almost 00:20:37.800 --> 00:20:38.360 Christian 00:20:38.360 --> 00:20:40.080 of the Old 00:20:40.080 --> 00:20:40.320 Testament. 00:20:42.080 --> 00:20:42.259 Do you 00:20:42.259 --> 00:20:42.460 remember, 00:20:42.820 --> 00:20:43.180 in the New 00:20:43.180 --> 00:20:43.380 Testament, 00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:43.960 Paul is on 00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:44.480 trial for his 00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:44.720 life. 00:20:44.820 --> 00:20:45.240 He's in front 00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:45.560 of King 00:20:45.560 --> 00:20:45.960 Agrippa. 00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:48.440 And King 00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:48.740 Agrippa 00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:49.400 listens to him 00:20:49.400 --> 00:20:50.140 and King 00:20:50.140 --> 00:20:50.440 Agrippa 00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:50.740 says, 00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:52.060 you almost 00:20:52.060 --> 00:20:53.040 persuade me 00:20:53.040 --> 00:20:54.840 to be a 00:20:54.840 --> 00:20:55.120 Christian. 00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:57.480 You're trying 00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:58.340 to persuade me 00:20:58.340 --> 00:20:58.820 to become a 00:20:58.820 --> 00:20:59.300 Christian and 00:20:59.300 --> 00:20:59.880 you're almost 00:20:59.880 --> 00:21:00.300 there, 00:21:00.460 --> 00:21:00.720 Paul. 00:21:03.300 --> 00:21:03.960 That's what 00:21:03.960 --> 00:21:04.820 Orpah was. 00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:06.940 King 00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:07.519 Agrippa says 00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:07.740 to Paul, 00:21:07.980 --> 00:21:08.360 do you think 00:21:08.360 --> 00:21:08.880 that in such a 00:21:08.880 --> 00:21:09.460 short time you 00:21:09.460 --> 00:21:10.300 can persuade me 00:21:10.300 --> 00:21:10.960 to become a 00:21:10.960 --> 00:21:11.220 Christian? 00:21:12.920 --> 00:21:13.420 That's what 00:21:13.420 --> 00:21:13.880 Agrippa said 00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:14.200 to Paul. 00:21:15.060 --> 00:21:15.600 Do you think 00:21:15.600 --> 00:21:16.140 that in such a 00:21:16.140 --> 00:21:16.800 short time you 00:21:16.800 --> 00:21:17.720 can persuade me 00:21:17.720 --> 00:21:18.039 to be a 00:21:18.039 --> 00:21:18.200 Christian? 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:18.779 Paul's answer 00:21:18.779 --> 00:21:19.400 is magnificent. 00:21:20.440 --> 00:21:20.779 Paul says, 00:21:20.860 --> 00:21:21.579 I don't care 00:21:21.579 --> 00:21:21.920 if it's a 00:21:21.920 --> 00:21:22.519 short time 00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:23.100 or a 00:21:23.100 --> 00:21:23.519 long time, 00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:24.319 I want you 00:21:24.319 --> 00:21:25.860 and everyone 00:21:25.860 --> 00:21:26.400 else to be 00:21:26.400 --> 00:21:26.980 exactly like 00:21:26.980 --> 00:21:27.400 me except 00:21:27.400 --> 00:21:27.720 for these 00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:28.059 chains. 00:21:30.079 --> 00:21:30.559 Paul says, 00:21:30.640 --> 00:21:31.059 of course I'm 00:21:31.059 --> 00:21:31.420 trying to make 00:21:31.420 --> 00:21:31.620 you a 00:21:31.620 --> 00:21:31.860 Christian. 00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:32.559 Of course I 00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:32.860 want you to 00:21:32.860 --> 00:21:33.299 come with me. 00:21:33.579 --> 00:21:34.059 Of course I 00:21:34.059 --> 00:21:34.420 want you to 00:21:34.420 --> 00:21:34.779 come under 00:21:34.779 --> 00:21:35.299 the shelter 00:21:35.299 --> 00:21:35.600 of the 00:21:35.600 --> 00:21:36.019 wings of 00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:36.299 the God 00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:36.740 of Israel. 00:21:38.120 --> 00:21:38.680 I want you 00:21:38.680 --> 00:21:39.220 to experience 00:21:39.220 --> 00:21:39.779 his covenant 00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:40.480 love and 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:41.019 his kindness. 00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:41.559 I want you 00:21:41.559 --> 00:21:41.920 to have a 00:21:41.920 --> 00:21:42.779 future amongst 00:21:42.779 --> 00:21:43.819 his people. 00:21:44.140 --> 00:21:44.640 Of course I 00:21:44.640 --> 00:21:44.839 want to 00:21:44.839 --> 00:21:45.380 persuade you. 00:21:46.860 --> 00:21:47.400 I don't want 00:21:47.400 --> 00:21:47.700 to pull the 00:21:47.700 --> 00:21:47.980 wool over 00:21:47.980 --> 00:21:48.440 your eyes. 00:21:51.200 --> 00:21:51.640 So it's 00:21:51.640 --> 00:21:51.880 not going to 00:21:51.880 --> 00:21:52.220 be easy, 00:21:52.320 --> 00:21:52.440 is it, 00:21:52.460 --> 00:21:52.740 to be a 00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:53.100 Christian in 00:21:53.100 --> 00:21:53.500 the coming 00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:53.900 years. 00:21:57.420 --> 00:21:57.880 But of 00:21:57.880 --> 00:21:58.080 course, 00:21:58.140 --> 00:21:58.660 of course I 00:21:58.660 --> 00:21:59.380 want you to 00:21:59.380 --> 00:22:00.100 be persuaded 00:22:00.100 --> 00:22:00.660 to come to 00:22:00.660 --> 00:22:00.960 Jesus. 00:22:01.140 --> 00:22:01.560 The Christian 00:22:01.560 --> 00:22:02.160 faith is a 00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:02.900 public faith. 00:22:03.900 --> 00:22:04.480 We can't 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:04.820 keep it to 00:22:04.820 --> 00:22:05.340 ourselves. 00:22:06.420 --> 00:22:06.960 So whether 00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:07.300 you're in the 00:22:07.300 --> 00:22:08.080 school playground 00:22:08.080 --> 00:22:09.259 or anyone 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:09.880 else for that 00:22:09.880 --> 00:22:10.060 matter, 00:22:10.140 --> 00:22:10.480 whether you're 00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:11.140 in parliament 00:22:11.140 --> 00:22:11.800 or anyone 00:22:11.800 --> 00:22:12.060 else, 00:22:12.220 --> 00:22:12.880 you cannot 00:22:12.880 --> 00:22:13.440 keep it to 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:14.180 yourself because 00:22:14.180 --> 00:22:14.740 to do so 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.220 would be to 00:22:15.220 --> 00:22:16.220 deny you what 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:16.680 it is. 00:22:17.400 --> 00:22:20.400 And so my 00:22:20.400 --> 00:22:20.920 job is to 00:22:20.920 --> 00:22:21.800 persuade you to 00:22:21.800 --> 00:22:22.300 follow Jesus 00:22:22.300 --> 00:22:22.780 Christ, but 00:22:22.780 --> 00:22:23.259 there is a 00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:23.700 cost. 00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:26.759 And we 00:22:26.759 --> 00:22:27.240 want you to 00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:28.019 count that 00:22:28.019 --> 00:22:28.460 cost. 00:22:30.840 --> 00:22:31.259 Somebody's 00:22:31.259 --> 00:22:31.560 put it like 00:22:31.560 --> 00:22:32.280 this, the 00:22:32.280 --> 00:22:32.880 choice before 00:22:32.880 --> 00:22:33.460 Orpah was 00:22:33.460 --> 00:22:34.680 Yahweh plus 00:22:34.680 --> 00:22:37.000 nothing or 00:22:37.000 --> 00:22:38.220 everything minus 00:22:38.220 --> 00:22:38.640 Yahweh. 00:22:40.860 --> 00:22:41.540 And that's the 00:22:41.540 --> 00:22:41.880 choice that 00:22:41.880 --> 00:22:42.840 confronts every 00:22:42.840 --> 00:22:43.280 one of us. 00:22:43.279 --> 00:22:46.200 I'd rather 00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:46.559 have Jesus 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:46.879 been new. 00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:47.519 I'd rather 00:22:47.519 --> 00:22:47.920 have Jesus 00:22:47.920 --> 00:22:48.399 than silver 00:22:48.399 --> 00:22:48.879 or gold. 00:22:52.599 --> 00:22:53.200 But Orpah 00:22:53.200 --> 00:22:53.779 goes back. 00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:56.240 Orpah 00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:56.700 chooses 00:22:56.700 --> 00:22:57.240 Moab. 00:22:58.539 --> 00:22:59.220 She chooses 00:22:59.220 --> 00:22:59.759 the lifestyle 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:00.399 she's comfortable 00:23:00.399 --> 00:23:00.799 with. 00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:01.799 She chooses 00:23:01.799 --> 00:23:02.399 to stay in 00:23:02.399 --> 00:23:02.700 charge. 00:23:03.940 --> 00:23:04.480 She chooses 00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:05.440 the immediate, 00:23:05.619 --> 00:23:06.019 the temporal, 00:23:06.139 --> 00:23:06.500 the visible. 00:23:07.980 --> 00:23:08.299 And she 00:23:08.299 --> 00:23:09.079 chooses a life 00:23:09.079 --> 00:23:09.539 in Moab. 00:23:09.619 --> 00:23:10.000 And we're told 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:10.700 in verse 14, 00:23:10.700 --> 00:23:11.220 she kisses 00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:11.880 her mother-in-law 00:23:11.880 --> 00:23:12.299 goodbye. 00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:16.039 When that 00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:16.380 rich young 00:23:16.380 --> 00:23:16.759 ruler came 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.220 to Jesus 00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:19.180 and Jesus 00:23:19.180 --> 00:23:20.019 saw him 00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:21.259 go away 00:23:21.259 --> 00:23:21.819 because he 00:23:21.819 --> 00:23:22.660 was sad, 00:23:22.819 --> 00:23:23.200 do you think 00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:24.019 Jesus cared? 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:26.480 Of course 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:26.700 he did. 00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:27.140 It tells us 00:23:27.140 --> 00:23:27.680 Jesus loved 00:23:27.680 --> 00:23:27.920 him. 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:30.799 It's a 00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:31.080 poignant 00:23:31.080 --> 00:23:31.660 moment, and 00:23:31.660 --> 00:23:32.019 here's a 00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:32.220 poignant 00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:32.799 moment. 00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:35.480 Orpah 00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:36.180 goes off 00:23:36.180 --> 00:23:36.799 into the 00:23:36.799 --> 00:23:37.160 darkness, 00:23:37.380 --> 00:23:37.600 and it 00:23:37.600 --> 00:23:37.860 breaks 00:23:37.860 --> 00:23:38.240 Naomi's 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:38.600 heart. 00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:40.220 If it 00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:40.420 wasn't 00:23:40.420 --> 00:23:40.660 broken, 00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:40.940 enough 00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:41.259 already 00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:41.680 by then. 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:43.940 And Orpah 00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:44.799 goes back, 00:23:46.620 --> 00:23:46.920 and then 00:23:46.920 --> 00:23:47.319 this is the 00:23:47.319 --> 00:23:47.840 amazing part 00:23:47.840 --> 00:23:48.019 of the 00:23:48.019 --> 00:23:48.200 story. 00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:48.559 It's so 00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:49.019 surprising, 00:23:49.140 --> 00:23:49.340 is that 00:23:49.340 --> 00:23:49.799 Ruth, 00:23:50.620 --> 00:23:51.460 she decides 00:23:51.460 --> 00:23:51.940 to follow. 00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:54.559 And it's 00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:54.980 a profession 00:23:54.980 --> 00:23:55.400 of faith. 00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:55.779 That's what 00:23:55.779 --> 00:23:56.019 it is. 00:23:56.039 --> 00:23:56.539 It's Ruth's 00:23:56.539 --> 00:23:56.880 faith. 00:23:59.880 --> 00:24:00.340 Have you 00:24:00.340 --> 00:24:00.620 heard these 00:24:00.620 --> 00:24:01.319 words before? 00:24:02.819 --> 00:24:03.259 Do these 00:24:03.259 --> 00:24:04.660 words ring 00:24:04.660 --> 00:24:05.080 a bell 00:24:05.080 --> 00:24:05.580 to you? 00:24:07.660 --> 00:24:08.340 Where Ruth 00:24:08.340 --> 00:24:09.120 says this, 00:24:09.119 --> 00:24:10.500 for where 00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:10.939 you go, 00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:11.359 I will 00:24:11.359 --> 00:24:11.779 go, and 00:24:11.779 --> 00:24:12.119 where you 00:24:12.119 --> 00:24:12.799 lodge, I 00:24:12.799 --> 00:24:13.019 will 00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:13.359 lodge. 00:24:13.439 --> 00:24:13.679 And here 00:24:13.679 --> 00:24:13.939 it is, 00:24:14.099 --> 00:24:14.819 your people 00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:15.659 shall be 00:24:15.659 --> 00:24:16.439 my people, 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:17.739 and your 00:24:17.739 --> 00:24:19.239 God, my 00:24:19.239 --> 00:24:19.599 God. 00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:22.959 The bell 00:24:22.959 --> 00:24:23.259 that should 00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:23.679 be ringing 00:24:23.679 --> 00:24:24.219 is this, 00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:25.019 I will be 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:25.779 your God, 00:24:25.859 --> 00:24:26.459 and you 00:24:26.459 --> 00:24:26.879 will be 00:24:26.879 --> 00:24:27.459 my people. 00:24:28.359 --> 00:24:28.899 God says 00:24:28.899 --> 00:24:29.359 to Abraham, 00:24:29.459 --> 00:24:29.739 it's the 00:24:29.739 --> 00:24:30.139 theme tune 00:24:30.139 --> 00:24:30.359 of the 00:24:30.359 --> 00:24:30.619 Bible. 00:24:32.359 --> 00:24:33.139 That is the 00:24:33.139 --> 00:24:33.779 heart of the 00:24:33.779 --> 00:24:34.099 Bible, the 00:24:34.099 --> 00:24:34.500 heart of the 00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:34.739 covenant. 00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:35.379 That's what 00:24:35.379 --> 00:24:36.439 Paul says in 00:24:36.439 --> 00:24:36.799 Galatians, 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:37.119 was the 00:24:37.119 --> 00:24:37.519 gospel that 00:24:37.519 --> 00:24:37.879 was preached 00:24:37.879 --> 00:24:38.399 to Abraham. 00:24:38.879 --> 00:24:39.220 And now 00:24:39.220 --> 00:24:39.720 here comes 00:24:39.720 --> 00:24:39.899 this 00:24:39.899 --> 00:24:40.619 Moabitess, 00:24:41.319 --> 00:24:43.299 this girl 00:24:43.299 --> 00:24:43.639 from the 00:24:43.639 --> 00:24:43.960 middle of 00:24:43.960 --> 00:24:44.659 nowhere, and 00:24:44.659 --> 00:24:45.119 she takes 00:24:45.119 --> 00:24:45.680 the words 00:24:45.680 --> 00:24:45.960 of the 00:24:45.960 --> 00:24:46.519 covenant on 00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:46.879 her own 00:24:46.879 --> 00:24:47.440 lips, and 00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:47.879 she says, 00:24:48.099 --> 00:24:48.899 your God 00:24:48.899 --> 00:24:49.700 will be my 00:24:49.700 --> 00:24:50.039 God. 00:24:51.659 --> 00:24:52.539 And your 00:24:52.539 --> 00:24:53.279 people will 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:54.000 be my 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:54.399 people. 00:24:54.639 --> 00:24:55.039 And she 00:24:55.039 --> 00:24:55.559 wants to 00:24:55.559 --> 00:24:55.940 come in 00:24:55.940 --> 00:24:56.500 amongst the 00:24:56.500 --> 00:24:56.700 covenant 00:24:56.700 --> 00:24:57.139 people of 00:24:57.139 --> 00:24:57.399 God. 00:24:58.680 --> 00:24:58.960 And she 00:24:58.960 --> 00:24:59.379 wants to 00:24:59.379 --> 00:24:59.759 know the 00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:00.319 kindness of 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:00.960 God, and 00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:01.319 she wants 00:25:01.319 --> 00:25:02.359 to experience 00:25:02.359 --> 00:25:03.019 the covenant 00:25:03.019 --> 00:25:03.680 of God. 00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:05.000 she wants 00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:05.600 to shelter 00:25:05.600 --> 00:25:06.279 under the 00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:06.620 Lord's 00:25:06.620 --> 00:25:07.980 wings, and 00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:08.600 she embraces 00:25:08.600 --> 00:25:09.100 the covenant. 00:25:12.080 --> 00:25:12.360 And so 00:25:12.360 --> 00:25:12.920 we're told in 00:25:12.920 --> 00:25:13.299 the next two 00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:13.740 chapters how 00:25:13.740 --> 00:25:14.320 she comes to 00:25:14.320 --> 00:25:15.019 take refuge. 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:16.940 You see, she 00:25:16.940 --> 00:25:17.400 knew what she 00:25:17.400 --> 00:25:17.680 was doing. 00:25:17.759 --> 00:25:18.080 This isn't 00:25:18.080 --> 00:25:19.019 sentimentality in 00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:19.720 Ruth 1. 00:25:20.560 --> 00:25:21.220 This isn't 00:25:21.220 --> 00:25:21.799 desperation. 00:25:22.279 --> 00:25:22.900 She's seen, 00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:23.620 hasn't she, in 00:25:23.620 --> 00:25:24.400 the flesh and 00:25:24.400 --> 00:25:25.340 blood example 00:25:25.340 --> 00:25:28.740 of Naomi. 00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:28.820 Naomi. 00:25:31.320 --> 00:25:32.400 Naomi has been 00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:33.259 an instrument in 00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:33.859 the Redeemer's 00:25:33.859 --> 00:25:34.259 hands. 00:25:36.299 --> 00:25:37.059 She's seen a 00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:37.680 flesh and 00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:38.480 blood instrument 00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:39.019 of God's 00:25:39.019 --> 00:25:39.680 kindness to 00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:40.039 others. 00:25:41.220 --> 00:25:41.779 That's what 00:25:41.779 --> 00:25:42.259 she's been to 00:25:42.259 --> 00:25:42.759 these girls. 00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:44.879 And that's 00:25:44.879 --> 00:25:45.339 what Ruth is 00:25:45.339 --> 00:25:46.140 experiencing. 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:47.960 And she's 00:25:47.960 --> 00:25:48.400 seen the 00:25:48.400 --> 00:25:48.920 kindness of 00:25:48.920 --> 00:25:49.440 God and how 00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:49.759 it's been 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.339 played out, 00:25:50.519 --> 00:25:50.799 that it's 00:25:50.799 --> 00:25:51.559 overflowing in 00:25:51.559 --> 00:25:52.079 her life. 00:25:53.640 --> 00:25:54.279 And Ruth 00:25:54.279 --> 00:25:54.879 has seen the 00:25:54.879 --> 00:25:56.299 character of 00:25:56.299 --> 00:25:56.599 God. 00:26:01.500 --> 00:26:02.019 As you 00:26:02.019 --> 00:26:02.160 think, 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:03.119 Donald McLeod, 00:26:04.079 --> 00:26:04.720 has got a 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.220 line in one 00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:05.619 of his books 00:26:05.619 --> 00:26:05.920 where he 00:26:05.920 --> 00:26:06.319 says this, 00:26:06.420 --> 00:26:06.680 there is 00:26:06.680 --> 00:26:07.220 nothing 00:26:07.220 --> 00:26:10.839 un-Jesus-ness 00:26:10.839 --> 00:26:11.879 about God. 00:26:14.640 --> 00:26:15.140 There is 00:26:15.140 --> 00:26:18.180 nothing un-Jesus-like 00:26:18.180 --> 00:26:18.839 about God. 00:26:21.579 --> 00:26:21.759 Do you know 00:26:21.759 --> 00:26:22.079 what Jesus 00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:22.339 says? 00:26:22.400 --> 00:26:22.940 If you've 00:26:22.940 --> 00:26:23.220 seen me, 00:26:23.259 --> 00:26:23.519 you've seen 00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:23.920 the Father. 00:26:26.180 --> 00:26:26.619 Do you want 00:26:26.619 --> 00:26:26.920 to know what 00:26:26.920 --> 00:26:27.359 God is like, 00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:27.599 Ruth? 00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:29.519 He's nothing 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:30.140 like Chemosh, 00:26:30.140 --> 00:26:31.880 or any 00:26:31.880 --> 00:26:32.200 of the other 00:26:32.200 --> 00:26:32.900 pagan gods 00:26:32.900 --> 00:26:33.120 you've 00:26:33.120 --> 00:26:33.700 experienced 00:26:33.700 --> 00:26:34.420 back there 00:26:34.420 --> 00:26:34.840 in Moab. 00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:35.640 Do you want 00:26:35.640 --> 00:26:35.960 to know what 00:26:35.960 --> 00:26:36.420 God is like, 00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:36.660 Ruth? 00:26:36.880 --> 00:26:37.360 Look at 00:26:37.360 --> 00:26:37.700 Naomi. 00:26:39.460 --> 00:26:39.900 Look at 00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:40.340 her flesh 00:26:40.340 --> 00:26:40.720 and her 00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:41.720 blood example. 00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:44.180 Look at 00:26:44.180 --> 00:26:44.560 Naomi's 00:26:44.560 --> 00:26:44.900 kindness, 00:26:45.100 --> 00:26:45.500 look at her 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:46.000 faithfulness, 00:26:46.080 --> 00:26:46.380 look at her 00:26:46.380 --> 00:26:46.759 tenderness, 00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:47.720 and you get a 00:26:47.720 --> 00:26:48.420 glimpse there of 00:26:48.420 --> 00:26:48.980 what Naomi's 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:49.580 God is like. 00:26:51.840 --> 00:26:52.540 And so you want 00:26:52.540 --> 00:26:52.920 to know what 00:26:52.920 --> 00:26:53.580 God is like this 00:26:53.580 --> 00:26:53.780 morning? 00:26:53.779 --> 00:26:54.660 You look at 00:26:54.660 --> 00:26:55.039 Jesus. 00:26:57.819 --> 00:26:58.579 The word who 00:26:58.579 --> 00:26:58.920 was made 00:26:58.920 --> 00:26:59.639 flesh and 00:26:59.639 --> 00:27:00.500 dwelt amongst 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:02.220 us, and we 00:27:02.220 --> 00:27:02.960 beheld his 00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:03.720 glory, the 00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:04.819 glory of the 00:27:04.819 --> 00:27:05.519 one and only, 00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:08.579 full of grace 00:27:08.579 --> 00:27:09.220 and truth. 00:27:09.599 --> 00:27:10.139 And that Jesus 00:27:10.139 --> 00:27:11.480 said, that if I 00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:12.220 thirst, that I 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:12.799 should come to 00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:13.000 him. 00:27:15.440 --> 00:27:16.259 And that no one 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:17.059 else can satisfy, 00:27:17.180 --> 00:27:17.779 so I should come 00:27:17.779 --> 00:27:18.099 to him. 00:27:19.319 --> 00:27:19.859 And Jesus said 00:27:19.859 --> 00:27:20.379 that if I am 00:27:20.379 --> 00:27:21.000 weak, I should 00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:21.480 come to him, 00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:22.039 that no one 00:27:22.039 --> 00:27:23.399 else can be my 00:27:23.399 --> 00:27:23.759 strength, 00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:24.379 that I should 00:27:24.379 --> 00:27:25.079 come to him. 00:27:29.440 --> 00:27:29.960 There is 00:27:29.960 --> 00:27:31.139 nothing un-Jesus 00:27:31.139 --> 00:27:32.059 like about 00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:32.480 God. 00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:35.639 And you can 00:27:35.639 --> 00:27:36.539 trust yourself, 00:27:36.619 --> 00:27:37.039 can't you, to a 00:27:37.039 --> 00:27:37.500 God like that? 00:27:39.779 --> 00:27:40.420 The Jesus who 00:27:40.420 --> 00:27:41.160 said that if I 00:27:41.160 --> 00:27:42.119 fear, I should 00:27:42.119 --> 00:27:42.720 come to him. 00:27:44.059 --> 00:27:44.740 That no one 00:27:44.740 --> 00:27:45.480 else can be my 00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:46.500 shield, I should 00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:46.920 come to him. 00:27:46.940 --> 00:27:47.460 And Jesus said 00:27:47.460 --> 00:27:47.920 that if I'm 00:27:47.920 --> 00:27:50.599 lost, he will 00:27:50.599 --> 00:27:51.160 come to me. 00:27:51.160 --> 00:27:55.400 And so Ruth 00:27:55.400 --> 00:27:55.820 does that. 00:27:55.900 --> 00:27:56.620 She comes and 00:27:56.620 --> 00:27:57.220 she shelters 00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:57.759 under his 00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:58.140 wings. 00:27:59.460 --> 00:27:59.840 And she's 00:27:59.840 --> 00:28:00.279 gloriously 00:28:00.279 --> 00:28:00.700 converted. 00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:03.720 The Westminster 00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:04.560 Confession says 00:28:04.560 --> 00:28:05.440 that it is out 00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:07.320 of a sense of 00:28:07.320 --> 00:28:08.180 the mercy of 00:28:08.180 --> 00:28:08.880 God that we 00:28:08.880 --> 00:28:09.480 are brought to 00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:09.860 repentance. 00:28:11.759 --> 00:28:12.840 That is so, 00:28:13.040 --> 00:28:13.640 so helpful. 00:28:13.640 --> 00:28:16.660 Paul, so 00:28:16.660 --> 00:28:17.180 sometimes people 00:28:17.180 --> 00:28:17.740 come to me and 00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:19.580 say, actually, we 00:28:19.580 --> 00:28:20.180 need a little bit 00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:20.580 more of the 00:28:20.580 --> 00:28:21.420 holiness of God 00:28:21.420 --> 00:28:21.920 and we need a 00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:22.460 bit more of the 00:28:22.460 --> 00:28:23.600 fear of God put 00:28:23.600 --> 00:28:24.220 into us. 00:28:25.620 --> 00:28:26.280 Lay the law 00:28:26.280 --> 00:28:26.759 down a bit. 00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:29.799 If you make 00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:31.000 people feel really 00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:31.900 guilty, then 00:28:31.900 --> 00:28:32.539 they'll repent. 00:28:32.839 --> 00:28:33.500 But that isn't 00:28:33.500 --> 00:28:33.879 the way. 00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:34.500 The Westminster 00:28:34.500 --> 00:28:35.119 Divines were 00:28:35.119 --> 00:28:35.500 right. 00:28:37.119 --> 00:28:38.299 It is out of a 00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:39.079 sense of the 00:28:39.079 --> 00:28:39.920 mercy of God, 00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:40.900 not just emotion, 00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:41.960 but out of a 00:28:41.960 --> 00:28:42.480 sense of the 00:28:42.480 --> 00:28:43.400 mercy of God, 00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:43.720 then we 00:28:43.720 --> 00:28:44.039 repent. 00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:47.839 And Ruth 00:28:47.839 --> 00:28:50.980 saw in 00:28:50.980 --> 00:28:51.700 Naomi the 00:28:51.700 --> 00:28:52.480 mercy of God. 00:28:53.900 --> 00:28:54.640 She saw 00:28:54.640 --> 00:28:55.420 Naomi's heart 00:28:55.420 --> 00:28:55.960 of kindness. 00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:58.859 It's 00:28:58.859 --> 00:28:59.160 interesting, 00:28:59.259 --> 00:28:59.420 isn't it? 00:28:59.420 --> 00:28:59.779 The book is 00:28:59.779 --> 00:29:00.240 called Ruth, 00:29:00.319 --> 00:29:00.839 but the first 00:29:00.839 --> 00:29:01.339 chapter is all 00:29:01.339 --> 00:29:01.859 about Naomi. 00:29:03.640 --> 00:29:04.319 Because God 00:29:04.319 --> 00:29:05.319 used Naomi in 00:29:05.319 --> 00:29:05.700 all that she 00:29:05.700 --> 00:29:06.240 suffered to 00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:06.839 bring Ruth to 00:29:06.839 --> 00:29:07.299 himself. 00:29:11.160 --> 00:29:11.779 I think it's 00:29:11.779 --> 00:29:12.339 really helpful to 00:29:12.339 --> 00:29:13.259 ask yourself, 00:29:13.420 --> 00:29:14.160 how would Naomi 00:29:14.160 --> 00:29:15.160 have felt in 00:29:15.160 --> 00:29:15.539 Ruth chapter 00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:15.819 one? 00:29:18.099 --> 00:29:18.859 She must have 00:29:18.859 --> 00:29:19.420 asked herself 00:29:19.420 --> 00:29:20.220 countless times 00:29:20.220 --> 00:29:20.900 in her darkest 00:29:20.900 --> 00:29:22.000 moments, as many 00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:22.559 of you ask 00:29:22.559 --> 00:29:23.319 yourself, Lord, 00:29:23.480 --> 00:29:23.900 why? 00:29:25.440 --> 00:29:26.319 Why do I have 00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:26.759 to go through 00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:27.139 this? 00:29:27.679 --> 00:29:28.339 Why is this 00:29:28.339 --> 00:29:28.839 happening to 00:29:28.839 --> 00:29:29.159 me? 00:29:30.339 --> 00:29:30.819 And part of 00:29:30.819 --> 00:29:31.059 the answer, 00:29:31.159 --> 00:29:31.720 well never of 00:29:31.720 --> 00:29:32.359 the full answer, 00:29:32.439 --> 00:29:33.000 but part of 00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:33.439 the answer, 00:29:33.579 --> 00:29:34.139 God's great 00:29:34.139 --> 00:29:34.740 purpose in 00:29:34.740 --> 00:29:35.720 Naomi's life 00:29:35.720 --> 00:29:37.019 was not to 00:29:37.019 --> 00:29:37.579 punish her for 00:29:37.579 --> 00:29:38.000 her sin, 00:29:38.159 --> 00:29:38.919 but to reach 00:29:38.919 --> 00:29:40.700 out to bring 00:29:40.700 --> 00:29:41.119 Ruth the 00:29:41.119 --> 00:29:41.799 Moabitess into 00:29:41.799 --> 00:29:42.179 the kingdom. 00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:44.359 The Apostle 00:29:44.359 --> 00:29:44.819 Paul put it 00:29:44.819 --> 00:29:45.579 perfectly. 00:29:48.059 --> 00:29:48.500 In 2 00:29:48.500 --> 00:29:48.980 Corinthians he 00:29:48.980 --> 00:29:49.200 says, 00:29:49.519 --> 00:29:50.079 where death 00:29:50.079 --> 00:29:50.819 is at work 00:29:50.819 --> 00:29:51.220 in us, 00:29:51.419 --> 00:29:52.019 but life in 00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:52.339 you. 00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:55.400 And so we 00:29:55.400 --> 00:29:55.960 want to see 00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:56.720 our friends 00:29:56.720 --> 00:29:57.400 and our 00:29:57.400 --> 00:29:58.319 relatives come 00:29:58.319 --> 00:29:59.259 to life in 00:29:59.259 --> 00:29:59.619 Christ, 00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:00.059 don't we? 00:30:02.079 --> 00:30:02.779 We want the 00:30:02.779 --> 00:30:03.299 people whom we 00:30:03.299 --> 00:30:04.059 love and live 00:30:04.059 --> 00:30:05.639 amongst to 00:30:05.639 --> 00:30:06.200 have eternal 00:30:06.200 --> 00:30:06.799 life, which 00:30:06.799 --> 00:30:07.379 is to know 00:30:07.379 --> 00:30:08.079 God and 00:30:08.079 --> 00:30:08.720 Jesus Christ 00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:09.200 whom he has 00:30:09.200 --> 00:30:09.460 sent. 00:30:09.579 --> 00:30:09.900 Do you want 00:30:09.900 --> 00:30:10.180 that? 00:30:12.339 --> 00:30:12.680 Well you 00:30:12.680 --> 00:30:13.359 very may well 00:30:13.359 --> 00:30:13.680 have to 00:30:13.680 --> 00:30:13.920 suffer. 00:30:15.619 --> 00:30:16.119 And you 00:30:16.119 --> 00:30:16.539 may well 00:30:16.539 --> 00:30:16.960 have to die 00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:17.379 a thousand 00:30:17.379 --> 00:30:17.940 deaths for 00:30:17.940 --> 00:30:18.259 that to 00:30:18.259 --> 00:30:18.680 happen, but 00:30:18.680 --> 00:30:19.160 it's worth 00:30:19.160 --> 00:30:19.460 it, isn't 00:30:19.460 --> 00:30:19.720 it? 00:30:19.720 --> 00:30:23.519 God used 00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:24.279 Naomi's 00:30:24.279 --> 00:30:24.819 suffering to 00:30:24.819 --> 00:30:25.380 bring Ruth 00:30:25.380 --> 00:30:25.740 into the 00:30:25.740 --> 00:30:26.000 kingdom. 00:30:27.680 --> 00:30:28.279 And that 00:30:28.279 --> 00:30:28.620 is the way 00:30:28.620 --> 00:30:29.299 God's works. 00:30:31.819 --> 00:30:32.220 And so 00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:33.640 maybe this 00:30:33.640 --> 00:30:34.279 morning you 00:30:34.279 --> 00:30:35.120 are very much 00:30:35.120 --> 00:30:35.799 like Naomi 00:30:35.799 --> 00:30:36.420 and you 00:30:36.420 --> 00:30:37.140 are aware 00:30:37.140 --> 00:30:37.980 of great 00:30:37.980 --> 00:30:38.839 regrets in 00:30:38.839 --> 00:30:39.360 your life. 00:30:41.640 --> 00:30:42.299 And you 00:30:42.299 --> 00:30:42.799 are more 00:30:42.799 --> 00:30:43.400 aware this 00:30:43.400 --> 00:30:43.940 morning of 00:30:43.940 --> 00:30:44.700 your failures 00:30:44.700 --> 00:30:45.160 than your 00:30:45.160 --> 00:30:45.680 successes. 00:30:47.019 --> 00:30:47.279 And you 00:30:47.279 --> 00:30:47.720 are more 00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:48.539 conscious of 00:30:48.539 --> 00:30:49.360 your sinfulness 00:30:49.359 --> 00:30:50.139 than your 00:30:50.139 --> 00:30:50.819 giftedness. 00:30:51.959 --> 00:30:52.500 And you 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:52.919 think to 00:30:52.919 --> 00:30:53.399 yourself, 00:30:53.899 --> 00:30:54.339 God could 00:30:54.339 --> 00:30:54.879 never use 00:30:54.879 --> 00:30:55.059 me. 00:30:57.219 --> 00:30:57.500 And if 00:30:57.500 --> 00:30:58.059 you'd said 00:30:58.059 --> 00:30:58.679 to Naomi 00:30:58.679 --> 00:31:00.419 back then 00:31:00.419 --> 00:31:00.719 on the 00:31:00.719 --> 00:31:01.199 road to 00:31:01.199 --> 00:31:01.699 Moab in 00:31:01.699 --> 00:31:02.240 Bethlehem, 00:31:02.279 --> 00:31:02.519 if you 00:31:02.519 --> 00:31:02.919 told her 00:31:02.919 --> 00:31:03.299 that God 00:31:03.299 --> 00:31:03.899 would use 00:31:03.899 --> 00:31:04.199 her in 00:31:04.199 --> 00:31:04.659 a way 00:31:04.659 --> 00:31:07.039 that would 00:31:07.039 --> 00:31:07.399 have people 00:31:07.399 --> 00:31:08.099 talking about 00:31:08.099 --> 00:31:08.299 her in 00:31:08.299 --> 00:31:08.719 the UK 00:31:08.719 --> 00:31:09.719 3,000 years 00:31:09.719 --> 00:31:10.099 later, 00:31:10.439 --> 00:31:10.779 she would 00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:11.079 have thought 00:31:11.079 --> 00:31:11.339 you were 00:31:11.339 --> 00:31:11.859 stark, 00:31:11.959 --> 00:31:12.699 raving mad. 00:31:15.199 --> 00:31:15.759 And if 00:31:15.759 --> 00:31:16.179 you told 00:31:16.179 --> 00:31:16.659 her there 00:31:16.659 --> 00:31:17.279 and then 00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:17.740 that in 00:31:17.740 --> 00:31:18.379 her suffering 00:31:18.380 --> 00:31:18.840 and through 00:31:18.840 --> 00:31:19.520 her tears 00:31:19.520 --> 00:31:20.480 God was 00:31:20.480 --> 00:31:20.760 going to 00:31:20.760 --> 00:31:21.460 use her 00:31:21.460 --> 00:31:22.020 to bring 00:31:22.020 --> 00:31:22.700 the saviour 00:31:22.700 --> 00:31:22.980 of the 00:31:22.980 --> 00:31:23.440 world, 00:31:24.840 --> 00:31:25.820 she would 00:31:25.820 --> 00:31:26.160 never have 00:31:26.160 --> 00:31:26.560 believed you. 00:31:28.320 --> 00:31:29.060 But that's 00:31:29.060 --> 00:31:29.800 exactly what 00:31:29.800 --> 00:31:30.100 he did. 00:31:31.940 --> 00:31:32.540 In the 00:31:32.540 --> 00:31:32.960 worst of 00:31:32.960 --> 00:31:33.460 times when 00:31:33.460 --> 00:31:33.760 it could 00:31:33.760 --> 00:31:34.120 not have 00:31:34.120 --> 00:31:34.520 been worse 00:31:34.520 --> 00:31:35.280 morally or 00:31:35.280 --> 00:31:35.820 spiritually in 00:31:35.820 --> 00:31:36.260 the time of 00:31:36.260 --> 00:31:36.680 the judges, 00:31:36.780 --> 00:31:37.140 that is what 00:31:37.140 --> 00:31:37.600 God did. 00:31:39.080 --> 00:31:39.820 He brought 00:31:39.820 --> 00:31:40.600 a Moabitess. 00:31:42.300 --> 00:31:43.100 He brought a 00:31:43.100 --> 00:31:43.420 foreigner, 00:31:43.520 --> 00:31:43.980 the worst 00:31:43.980 --> 00:31:44.360 sort of 00:31:44.360 --> 00:31:44.680 foreigner, 00:31:44.800 --> 00:31:45.000 and he 00:31:45.000 --> 00:31:45.680 brought her 00:31:45.680 --> 00:31:46.240 into his 00:31:46.240 --> 00:31:46.539 kingdom 00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:48.340 amongst his 00:31:48.340 --> 00:31:48.980 people and 00:31:48.980 --> 00:31:49.560 he saved 00:31:49.560 --> 00:31:49.860 her and 00:31:49.860 --> 00:31:50.380 she became 00:31:50.380 --> 00:31:50.740 the great 00:31:50.740 --> 00:31:51.340 grandmother of 00:31:51.340 --> 00:31:51.620 David. 00:31:52.960 --> 00:31:53.480 That's a 00:31:53.480 --> 00:31:53.980 surprise at 00:31:53.980 --> 00:31:54.259 the end of 00:31:54.259 --> 00:31:54.500 the book, 00:31:54.560 --> 00:31:54.840 isn't it? 00:31:56.820 --> 00:31:57.539 King David 00:31:57.539 --> 00:31:57.900 was of 00:31:57.900 --> 00:31:58.820 course the 00:31:58.820 --> 00:31:59.900 ancestor of 00:31:59.900 --> 00:32:00.460 the Lord 00:32:00.460 --> 00:32:00.900 Jesus, 00:32:01.539 --> 00:32:02.160 great David's 00:32:02.160 --> 00:32:02.740 greatest son, 00:32:04.039 --> 00:32:04.640 the saviour, 00:32:04.720 --> 00:32:05.220 the redeemer. 00:32:06.900 --> 00:32:07.539 And God 00:32:07.539 --> 00:32:07.980 did that 00:32:07.980 --> 00:32:08.920 3,000 years 00:32:08.920 --> 00:32:09.500 ago in a 00:32:09.500 --> 00:32:09.860 very, 00:32:10.060 --> 00:32:10.740 very ordinary 00:32:10.740 --> 00:32:11.240 family, 00:32:12.480 --> 00:32:13.019 living in a 00:32:13.019 --> 00:32:13.600 tough and 00:32:13.600 --> 00:32:14.299 difficult place 00:32:14.299 --> 00:32:14.740 with broken 00:32:14.740 --> 00:32:15.180 hearts. 00:32:20.440 --> 00:32:21.159 But if God 00:32:21.159 --> 00:32:21.539 did that 00:32:21.539 --> 00:32:21.960 then, 00:32:23.220 --> 00:32:24.059 he's the 00:32:24.059 --> 00:32:24.619 same God, 00:32:24.680 --> 00:32:24.940 isn't he? 00:32:26.099 --> 00:32:26.700 And he can 00:32:26.700 --> 00:32:27.200 do that now. 00:32:29.059 --> 00:32:29.700 And he can 00:32:29.700 --> 00:32:29.940 do that 00:32:29.940 --> 00:32:30.440 through you, 00:32:31.879 --> 00:32:32.399 through me, 00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:34.539 and through 00:32:34.539 --> 00:32:35.059 this church, 00:32:36.799 --> 00:32:37.740 despite all 00:32:37.740 --> 00:32:38.240 our faults 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:40.180 and all our 00:32:40.180 --> 00:32:40.419 feelings. 00:32:42.539 --> 00:32:43.139 Let's pray.