WEBVTT

00:00:00.220 --> 00:00:08.720
 One of the most famous and often quoted sayings of Jesus is found in Matthew chapter 11.

00:00:08.900 --> 00:00:09.740
 Anyone know what it says?

00:00:11.220 --> 00:00:17.780
 Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

00:00:18.300 --> 00:00:27.679
 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle, humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

00:00:28.620 --> 00:00:32.799
 As Hong Kongers, we are not very good at resting, right?

00:00:33.439 --> 00:00:35.320
 We all work long hours.

00:00:36.039 --> 00:00:41.240
 We live in a busy city, and rest is not something that we often prioritize.

00:00:42.200 --> 00:00:44.820
 And yet rest is essential for our welfare.

00:00:45.439 --> 00:00:47.519
 We are not creatures of infinite capacity.

00:00:48.320 --> 00:00:54.260
 We can't just keep on going, even though some of the younger folk amongst us might think you are immortal.

00:00:54.259 --> 00:00:59.739
 The truth is that one day you will realize you are not, and you can't keep on going forever and ever.

00:01:00.339 --> 00:01:02.960
 Every one of us needs to find rest.

00:01:03.679 --> 00:01:07.000
 And the Bible actually has a lot to say about rest.

00:01:07.459 --> 00:01:15.219
 In fact, if you think about it, the Bible starts off in a garden with great rest, and it ends off in a city full of rest.

00:01:15.219 --> 00:01:20.620
 The people of God are at great peace and great rest because they are dwelling with God.

00:01:20.739 --> 00:01:26.060
 The Bible starts off and ends in a state of restfulness for God's people.

00:01:27.039 --> 00:01:32.859
 But the rest that the Bible speaks about and God calls us to is a unique kind of rest.

00:01:33.000 --> 00:01:42.039
 It's a far richer and deeper rest than just taking a vacation or having a good night's sleep or not having a demanding job.

00:01:42.040 --> 00:01:46.080
 In the gospel, God calls us to a kind of soul rest.

00:01:46.719 --> 00:01:52.080
 A rest where we are in a heart of hearts, despite the circumstances and the situations around us,

00:01:52.480 --> 00:01:55.480
 our hearts can be at rest and our hearts can be at peace.

00:01:55.740 --> 00:01:58.040
 A rest from the worries that weigh us down.

00:01:58.540 --> 00:02:01.240
 A rest from tearing the world on our shoulders.

00:02:01.840 --> 00:02:05.340
 A rest from the fears that debilitate us.

00:02:05.340 --> 00:02:12.980
 Now, you would know if you've been coming to this church that we are in this Old Testament book of the book of Ruth, right?

00:02:13.060 --> 00:02:15.680
 And this morning we find ourselves in chapter 3.

00:02:16.280 --> 00:02:24.680
 And the book of Ruth is this amazing love story between this foreigner Ruth and this almost flawless man Boaz, right?

00:02:24.740 --> 00:02:31.860
 As Oscar reminded us last week, if you are a father of a daughter, you wish your daughter will marry someone like Boaz, right?

00:02:31.860 --> 00:02:35.200
 Just this amazing man that has got everything going for him.

00:02:35.640 --> 00:02:38.860
 It's this incredible love story between Ruth and Boaz.

00:02:39.340 --> 00:02:48.840
 But the story of Ruth actually paints for us a picture of the redeeming love of Christ, a love that gives us true rest.

00:02:48.840 --> 00:02:54.420
 And so my hope for us this morning is as we dive into Ruth chapter 3, which is quite an interesting chapter,

00:02:55.120 --> 00:03:03.199
 that we as a people, as individuals and as a church, will come to find a deep soul rest in the redeeming love of Christ our King.

00:03:03.460 --> 00:03:03.699
 Okay?

00:03:03.800 --> 00:03:05.640
 So that's where we're going this morning.

00:03:06.319 --> 00:03:12.319
 Now, today's passage, Ruth chapter 3, if you manage to follow, gets a little bit sketchy.

00:03:12.640 --> 00:03:12.840
 Okay?

00:03:13.000 --> 00:03:16.759
 Things get a little bit interesting, to say the least.

00:03:16.759 --> 00:03:22.500
 Now, before we dive in there, let's just recap the story, find out where we're going, and then we're going to dive into chapter 3.

00:03:23.299 --> 00:03:24.179
 So Ruth chapter 1.

00:03:24.719 --> 00:03:25.819
 This sounds very loud.

00:03:25.859 --> 00:03:26.639
 Is it loud for you?

00:03:28.079 --> 00:03:28.359
 No?

00:03:28.539 --> 00:03:29.139
 Okay, great.

00:03:30.060 --> 00:03:32.799
 In Ruth chapter 1, we meet this family of four.

00:03:33.319 --> 00:03:36.739
 There's Naomi and Elimelech, and their two sons.

00:03:37.239 --> 00:03:39.919
 They're in Bethlehem, Judah, famine strikes.

00:03:40.439 --> 00:03:42.419
 They don't know what to do, so they leave Bethlehem.

00:03:42.419 --> 00:03:50.359
 They go up north to a country called Moab, and there they farm, and they eat food, and they live happily ever after.

00:03:50.619 --> 00:03:53.060
 Except, things don't go so well for them.

00:03:53.579 --> 00:04:00.099
 Their two boys marry, marry a local Moabite woman, and soon tragedy strikes.

00:04:00.919 --> 00:04:06.339
 Now, remember, in Moab, the people of Moab don't serve Yahweh, the living God, the one true God.

00:04:06.340 --> 00:04:11.159
 They serve a God called Shemosh, and Shemosh was the God of child sacrifices.

00:04:11.360 --> 00:04:15.699
 The priests would bring their children and burn their children as sacrifices to their God.

00:04:16.259 --> 00:04:18.519
 And so the Moabites worshiped this God, Shemosh.

00:04:19.220 --> 00:04:25.360
 Now, in Moab, tragedy strikes for this family, because first Elimelech dies, and then their two sons die.

00:04:25.959 --> 00:04:31.860
 And so Naomi, this mom, is left in a foreign land with foreign gods, away from her people.

00:04:32.100 --> 00:04:33.860
 They don't have any land of their own.

00:04:33.860 --> 00:04:36.520
 She doesn't have a husband, and she doesn't have children.

00:04:36.819 --> 00:04:39.100
 She's left with her two daughters-in-law.

00:04:39.759 --> 00:04:41.900
 Now, remember, in those days, you don't have pension funds.

00:04:42.020 --> 00:04:42.960
 You don't have RAs.

00:04:43.080 --> 00:04:44.379
 You don't have investment houses.

00:04:44.560 --> 00:04:48.540
 And so your children and your land really are your security in your old age.

00:04:49.840 --> 00:04:54.400
 Naomi then, one day working the fields, hears that the famine in Israel has stopped.

00:04:54.560 --> 00:04:58.540
 And she says to her daughters, listen, I'm going back to Israel.

00:04:58.939 --> 00:05:01.600
 And she says to them, I think you should stay here in Moab.

00:05:01.920 --> 00:05:03.060
 Let's just call it quits.

00:05:03.060 --> 00:05:04.420
 You remain with your people.

00:05:04.519 --> 00:05:09.500
 And she actually says to him, why don't you find rest here in the nation of Moab?

00:05:09.939 --> 00:05:13.780
 The one daughter, Orpah, says, that sounds like a good idea, and stays behind.

00:05:14.199 --> 00:05:17.519
 The other daughter, Ruth, says, forget it.

00:05:17.699 --> 00:05:19.300
 I'm going wherever you go.

00:05:19.680 --> 00:05:21.100
 Your people be my people.

00:05:21.220 --> 00:05:23.379
 I'm sticking with you through thick and thin.

00:05:23.379 --> 00:05:29.879
 And so the end of chapter one, Naomi and Ruth return to Israel, come destitute.

00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:30.699
 They've got nothing.

00:05:31.439 --> 00:05:35.800
 Then in chapter two, we found out last week that they've got nothing.

00:05:35.939 --> 00:05:39.159
 And so Ruth, this young lady, decides, we've got to get some food.

00:05:39.300 --> 00:05:40.240
 I'm going to go work.

00:05:40.659 --> 00:05:42.659
 And so she goes to work in the fields.

00:05:42.759 --> 00:05:45.219
 But she doesn't work as an ordinary laborer.

00:05:45.220 --> 00:05:50.460
 She works, she follows the laborers, picking up the food that they leave behind, the food

00:05:50.460 --> 00:05:51.180
 that they've missed.

00:05:51.260 --> 00:05:55.860
 She kind of picks up the scraps so that she can take some food back home to her mom.

00:05:56.360 --> 00:06:00.580
 But she happens to work in the field of a man called Boaz, who, unbeknownst to her at

00:06:00.580 --> 00:06:02.420
 the time, is a very godly man.

00:06:02.700 --> 00:06:03.580
 He's a God-fearing man.

00:06:03.960 --> 00:06:05.720
 But he's also a relative of hers.

00:06:05.720 --> 00:06:08.200
 So she doesn't realize that at the time.

00:06:08.340 --> 00:06:10.660
 But Boaz shows her incredible kindness.

00:06:11.160 --> 00:06:12.980
 He says, hey, don't just follow my men.

00:06:13.100 --> 00:06:15.000
 You go and work in the middle of the field.

00:06:15.280 --> 00:06:17.260
 You get to take whatever you want.

00:06:17.600 --> 00:06:21.000
 And whatever you want, don't bring it to the kind of company where we sell it.

00:06:21.080 --> 00:06:22.900
 You just take it home to your mother-in-law.

00:06:23.320 --> 00:06:28.020
 So Boaz shows her this incredible, unbelievable kindness to her.

00:06:28.520 --> 00:06:34.140
 And at the end of chapter one, Naomi came back to Bethlehem saying, God has been harsh

00:06:34.140 --> 00:06:34.560
 with me.

00:06:34.560 --> 00:06:35.680
 Where is God?

00:06:36.120 --> 00:06:38.740
 I left Israel full and I've come back empty.

00:06:39.020 --> 00:06:41.340
 Don't call me Naomi, which means pleasant.

00:06:41.520 --> 00:06:43.240
 Call me Mara, which means bitter.

00:06:43.820 --> 00:06:47.160
 And then at the end of chapter two, everything is turned around.

00:06:47.320 --> 00:06:52.820
 And Naomi suddenly is saying, praise God for his goodness and his faithfulness to us, right?

00:06:53.920 --> 00:06:58.620
 Now, in chapter three, things get a little interesting, okay?

00:06:59.020 --> 00:07:00.520
 So let's see what happens.

00:07:00.760 --> 00:07:02.420
 Now, there's four parts to chapter three.

00:07:02.420 --> 00:07:05.400
 And we're going to just work through it in the four kind of parts.

00:07:05.399 --> 00:07:08.279
 And hopefully we can learn some stuff from it.

00:07:08.279 --> 00:07:14.560
 So part one, Naomi and Ruth recognize that Ruth needs to find rest.

00:07:14.560 --> 00:07:18.420
 So if you've got your bulletin, your Bible, look at verse one with me.

00:07:18.579 --> 00:07:19.660
 Chapter three, verse one.

00:07:20.339 --> 00:07:26.639
 Naomi says this, Ruth, should I not seek rest for you that it may be well with you?

00:07:26.639 --> 00:07:32.639
 And right at the end, at the end, last verse of chapter three, it talks about rest once again.

00:07:33.159 --> 00:07:37.659
 This idea of finding deep soul rest is a major theme in chapter three.

00:07:37.660 --> 00:07:42.960
 Now, remember, Ruth has been working in Boaz's field all summer long.

00:07:43.360 --> 00:07:43.939
 She's worked.

00:07:44.100 --> 00:07:45.840
 Boaz has been very kind to her.

00:07:46.360 --> 00:07:48.040
 He's been very gracious to them.

00:07:48.580 --> 00:07:53.220
 Over and above what she gathered herself, he has provided for them.

00:07:53.879 --> 00:07:59.240
 And so Ruth comes home back to Naomi pretty full of blessing.

00:07:59.480 --> 00:08:01.260
 She's got a lot of material blessing.

00:08:02.039 --> 00:08:07.560
 But Naomi recognizes at the end of the summer, even though their barns are full, their storehouses are full,

00:08:07.699 --> 00:08:13.839
 the grocery cabinet is full, and they're not in any lack, Naomi recognizes that that is not enough.

00:08:14.839 --> 00:08:19.719
 She's come to the place where they've got every material blessing that they could want, in a sense,

00:08:20.339 --> 00:08:21.500
 and yet that's not enough.

00:08:21.500 --> 00:08:25.740
 And so she says, Ruth, should I not find rest for you?

00:08:25.740 --> 00:08:31.639
 Naomi recognizes that the rest, the security, and the peace, and the safety that Ruth needs

00:08:31.639 --> 00:08:36.759
 is not found in provision or material blessing or the kindness of anyone.

00:08:37.240 --> 00:08:38.500
 It's found in relationship.

00:08:39.279 --> 00:08:42.879
 And specifically, it's found in the relationship with the Redeemer.

00:08:43.820 --> 00:08:47.659
 Now, you may or may not know, but the biblical idea of a Redeemer,

00:08:47.840 --> 00:08:50.060
 Oscar explained it to us a little bit last week.

00:08:50.059 --> 00:08:56.419
 In the Bible, God, in the Old Testament, God set up this incredible system for the people of Israel.

00:08:56.819 --> 00:08:58.039
 And the system went like this.

00:08:58.119 --> 00:09:05.839
 If an Israelite fell into hard times, the closest male relative, it is his job or his responsibility

00:09:05.839 --> 00:09:11.679
 to act on behalf of that family and to rescue them out of hardship.

00:09:12.159 --> 00:09:15.059
 So, for instance, you fall into debt.

00:09:15.059 --> 00:09:18.659
 You borrow some money to plant some crops or something.

00:09:19.059 --> 00:09:20.919
 A fire comes and burns down your house.

00:09:20.979 --> 00:09:22.859
 You don't have house insurance in those days.

00:09:23.319 --> 00:09:24.199
 You're in trouble.

00:09:24.819 --> 00:09:31.279
 The closest male relative, your Redeemer, at great cost to himself, will redeem you out of debt,

00:09:31.500 --> 00:09:33.279
 buy you out of debt, and set you free.

00:09:34.079 --> 00:09:35.399
 Or maybe another situation.

00:09:36.299 --> 00:09:38.459
 The family, the man dies.

00:09:38.719 --> 00:09:39.959
 The widow is left alone.

00:09:40.619 --> 00:09:43.000
 She's maybe too old to go work in the fields.

00:09:43.419 --> 00:09:44.500
 She's got some land.

00:09:45.059 --> 00:09:48.799
 And pretty soon, the only way to provide for herself is to sell the land.

00:09:49.279 --> 00:09:52.919
 But the problem is you don't want to sell the land to another tribe or to another family

00:09:52.919 --> 00:09:55.179
 because then it will be lost forever to your children.

00:09:55.299 --> 00:09:57.120
 Your children will never own the land.

00:09:57.779 --> 00:10:04.399
 So rather than the land being sold to another family or tribe or to foreigners or another nation,

00:10:04.919 --> 00:10:09.840
 the closest male relative would buy the land, redeem the land so that it stays within the family names,

00:10:09.840 --> 00:10:12.159
 so that your children still have a heritage going forward.

00:10:12.159 --> 00:10:21.620
 And so this male relative would buy you out of difficulty or out of trouble at great cost to himself to deliver your freedom.

00:10:21.740 --> 00:10:24.039
 And this relative was called a Redeemer.

00:10:24.039 --> 00:10:32.179
 Redemption or redeeming is deliverance or freedom from some evil or some tragic situation at the cost of a great price.

00:10:32.959 --> 00:10:37.240
 And so here is Naomi, and she recognizes that they've been very blessed.

00:10:37.240 --> 00:10:40.060
 Boaz has been exceedingly kind to them.

00:10:40.220 --> 00:10:45.419
 And yet Naomi has the insight to recognize that the rest that Ruth really needs,

00:10:45.720 --> 00:10:48.539
 the safety and the security that she's going to ultimately need,

00:10:48.840 --> 00:10:51.340
 is not found in the things that Boaz gives them,

00:10:51.879 --> 00:10:55.560
 but in the relationship that Ruth will find in a Redeemer.

00:10:55.559 --> 00:11:00.539
 What Ruth needs more than anything else is not just kindness, not just a lucky break,

00:11:00.659 --> 00:11:02.619
 not just someone to give her material blessing.

00:11:03.279 --> 00:11:04.219
 She needs a Redeemer.

00:11:06.439 --> 00:11:10.459
 Friends, do you and I recognize just how much we need a Redeemer?

00:11:11.919 --> 00:11:16.299
 You know, the Bible says that we'll never know God, and we'll never know God deeply.

00:11:16.299 --> 00:11:22.639
 We'll never know God properly until we recognize just how tragic our situation is without Him.

00:11:22.639 --> 00:11:26.720
 Many people come to God for the blessings that He gives them, right?

00:11:26.779 --> 00:11:28.460
 They come because God is powerful.

00:11:28.639 --> 00:11:30.639
 He can give us material blessings.

00:11:30.879 --> 00:11:32.500
 He can pour out His grace on us.

00:11:33.039 --> 00:11:36.679
 God has the ability to make our lives comfortable and convenient if He wants.

00:11:37.220 --> 00:11:41.439
 And so many people come to God because, like Boaz, He is exceedingly kind.

00:11:42.120 --> 00:11:45.220
 He has the ability to make our lives happy and comfortable and convenient.

00:11:45.580 --> 00:11:49.419
 And it's so easy to come to God for the things that He can give us,

00:11:49.539 --> 00:11:52.259
 rather than coming to God for God Himself.

00:11:53.639 --> 00:11:58.039
 John Piper wrote a book a few years ago, and in it he asks this question.

00:11:58.779 --> 00:11:59.120
 He says,

00:11:59.279 --> 00:12:02.059
 The critical question for every generation is this.

00:12:02.799 --> 00:12:04.419
 I want us to listen to this.

00:12:04.439 --> 00:12:05.559
 This is a profound thought.

00:12:05.639 --> 00:12:06.480
 Listen to this thought.

00:12:07.039 --> 00:12:09.899
 If you and I could have heaven with no sickness,

00:12:10.559 --> 00:12:12.379
 all the friends you ever wanted,

00:12:12.860 --> 00:12:14.679
 all the food you ever liked,

00:12:15.220 --> 00:12:17.899
 all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed,

00:12:17.899 --> 00:12:22.799
 if you could have heaven with the most beautiful natural surroundings you've ever seen,

00:12:23.039 --> 00:12:25.939
 all the physical pleasures that you ever tasted,

00:12:26.279 --> 00:12:27.899
 and no human conflict,

00:12:28.139 --> 00:12:29.620
 no natural disasters,

00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:33.639
 would you be satisfied if Christ was not there?

00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:39.639
 It's so easy to come to God for the blessings that He gives us,

00:12:40.100 --> 00:12:41.559
 and the kindness of God,

00:12:41.559 --> 00:12:44.019
 rather than coming to God for God Himself.

00:12:45.139 --> 00:12:47.599
 And this is the problem with the prosperity gospel,

00:12:48.399 --> 00:12:49.779
 either in its extreme forms,

00:12:49.839 --> 00:12:51.039
 but even in its subtle form,

00:12:51.119 --> 00:12:54.299
 where it's taught that God exists to make you and I happy.

00:12:54.559 --> 00:12:57.479
 God exists to make us prosperous and comfortable and happy.

00:12:57.959 --> 00:13:01.719
 Where it's taught that the Bible is a book to teach us how to get along in life,

00:13:01.759 --> 00:13:03.519
 and how to make our lives work.

00:13:03.519 --> 00:13:07.340
 But friends, actually, the story of the Bible is that our condition,

00:13:07.600 --> 00:13:08.199
 you and I,

00:13:08.500 --> 00:13:11.000
 is far worse than Ruth's condition ever was.

00:13:11.379 --> 00:13:14.100
 We weren't just lost in a foreign land called Moab,

00:13:14.279 --> 00:13:15.220
 without some money,

00:13:15.480 --> 00:13:16.879
 we were lost in our sin.

00:13:17.379 --> 00:13:20.100
 We didn't just have a husband that died in us,

00:13:20.139 --> 00:13:22.100
 and now we're struggling to make ends meet.

00:13:22.299 --> 00:13:24.120
 Because of our sin and our rebellion,

00:13:24.319 --> 00:13:25.679
 we were dead to God.

00:13:26.159 --> 00:13:28.699
 We were without God and without hope in the world.

00:13:28.899 --> 00:13:29.819
 Utterly lost,

00:13:30.079 --> 00:13:30.899
 utterly hopeless.

00:13:30.899 --> 00:13:31.100
 Utterly lost,

00:13:31.340 --> 00:13:34.220
 until our great Redeemer came.

00:13:34.759 --> 00:13:37.120
 And He came to rescue us at great cost to Himself.

00:13:37.459 --> 00:13:41.600
 He died on the cross to bring us back to a relationship with Himself.

00:13:42.279 --> 00:13:46.579
 And the problem the Bible tells us is that we look for rest in all sorts of wrong places.

00:13:47.100 --> 00:13:49.819
 We look for it in relationships with people around us.

00:13:50.059 --> 00:13:51.620
 We look for it in a job opportunity.

00:13:52.340 --> 00:13:56.240
 We think that financial blessing will give us the rest that we want.

00:13:56.819 --> 00:13:58.259
 We look for it in pleasure.

00:13:58.259 --> 00:14:03.080
 And I think that's why so many people and men addicted to pornography,

00:14:03.299 --> 00:14:07.139
 we think we can get this pleasure without the cost of investing in the relationship.

00:14:07.860 --> 00:14:10.460
 These quick rests that the world promises us,

00:14:10.500 --> 00:14:13.139
 and the Bible says those things will never give us rest.

00:14:14.059 --> 00:14:18.379
 The only place to find our rest is not in the blessings or the things that God gives us.

00:14:18.439 --> 00:14:19.840
 It's in coming to our Redeemer.

00:14:20.600 --> 00:14:22.080
 So Augustine said it like this.

00:14:22.080 --> 00:14:22.620
 He said,

00:14:22.740 --> 00:14:33.000
 Friends, I want to ask us this morning,

00:14:33.100 --> 00:14:34.020
 what are we hoping in?

00:14:34.700 --> 00:14:35.840
 What are we trusting in?

00:14:36.520 --> 00:14:39.860
 What are we putting our confidence that we're going to find our rest in?

00:14:39.960 --> 00:14:42.860
 Friends, it's not in the sovereign God who guides all things.

00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:44.580
 It's bound to let us down.

00:14:45.300 --> 00:14:46.360
 And we might be saying,

00:14:46.440 --> 00:14:47.660
 No, no, God, I'll come to you.

00:14:48.060 --> 00:14:48.920
 I'll come to you.

00:14:49.660 --> 00:14:52.600
 And if we come to God for just what He can give us,

00:14:52.600 --> 00:14:53.800
 rather than God Himself,

00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:55.639
 we'll be disappointed.

00:14:56.520 --> 00:14:58.320
 We may come to God and play religion.

00:14:58.500 --> 00:15:00.700
 We may do the church things and do the church programs.

00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:03.520
 Friends, do we realize how much we need a Redeemer?

00:15:04.340 --> 00:15:09.220
 Do we recognize that our rest is found in the Redeemer, Christ our King, this morning?

00:15:09.840 --> 00:15:11.199
 And Naomi recognizes this.

00:15:11.259 --> 00:15:12.039
 She says to Ruth,

00:15:12.100 --> 00:15:12.360
 She says,

00:15:12.439 --> 00:15:14.659
 You don't just need the blessings that Boaz can give you.

00:15:14.740 --> 00:15:16.199
 You need the Redeemer Himself.

00:15:16.799 --> 00:15:18.799
 Should I not find a Redeemer for you?

00:15:19.199 --> 00:15:19.860
 Part one.

00:15:20.419 --> 00:15:21.059
 Part two,

00:15:21.980 --> 00:15:24.480
 Naomi seeks rest in the sovereign God.

00:15:25.539 --> 00:15:28.259
 So Naomi says to her daughter-in-law, Ruth,

00:15:28.819 --> 00:15:31.059
 Listen, this has worked out pretty well,

00:15:31.179 --> 00:15:33.059
 but actually you're not going to find the rest you need.

00:15:33.059 --> 00:15:35.479
 And so Naomi comes up with a plan.

00:15:36.319 --> 00:15:37.859
 And she says,

00:15:37.919 --> 00:15:39.179
 This is what I want you to do.

00:15:39.819 --> 00:15:41.739
 We know that Boaz is our relative.

00:15:42.099 --> 00:15:42.899
 He's a Redeemer.

00:15:43.319 --> 00:15:46.559
 And tonight he's with his men down at the threshing floor,

00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:49.000
 celebrating the end of the barley harvest.

00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:50.719
 They've just finished harvesting their crops.

00:15:50.839 --> 00:15:51.859
 They're at the threshing floor.

00:15:52.239 --> 00:15:55.399
 And the men have finished kind of gathering stuff and threshing,

00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:57.439
 and they're now celebrating the end of the harvest.

00:15:58.179 --> 00:15:58.739
 And so she says,

00:15:58.799 --> 00:16:00.279
 This is what I want you to do.

00:16:00.619 --> 00:16:01.979
 I want you to go down there.

00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:02.960
 Before you do that,

00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:03.800
 I want you to wash,

00:16:04.080 --> 00:16:05.139
 get a new cloak on,

00:16:05.340 --> 00:16:06.180
 perfume yourself,

00:16:06.539 --> 00:16:09.279
 and then I want you to go down to the threshing floor.

00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:10.399
 Watch,

00:16:10.700 --> 00:16:11.820
 and just watch at a distance.

00:16:12.019 --> 00:16:13.200
 Don't make yourself known.

00:16:13.840 --> 00:16:14.820
 See where the men are.

00:16:15.220 --> 00:16:16.539
 And when they're finished,

00:16:17.080 --> 00:16:19.060
 watch where Boaz goes to sleep.

00:16:19.059 --> 00:16:21.219
 And then when he's fast asleep,

00:16:21.339 --> 00:16:22.219
 the lights are out.

00:16:22.659 --> 00:16:24.939
 I want you to quietly walk up to him,

00:16:25.619 --> 00:16:27.819
 remove the blankets off of his feet,

00:16:28.199 --> 00:16:29.979
 and lie down at his feet.

00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:31.099
 Okay?

00:16:31.779 --> 00:16:32.899
 Sounds crazy, right?

00:16:35.479 --> 00:16:35.959
 Now,

00:16:36.599 --> 00:16:39.579
 I want us just to think about how risky this move is.

00:16:39.979 --> 00:16:42.759
 This is an extremely risky thing that Naomi,

00:16:43.159 --> 00:16:44.939
 plan that Naomi is concocting, right?

00:16:45.420 --> 00:16:45.820
 Firstly,

00:16:46.220 --> 00:16:47.140
 think about this.

00:16:47.460 --> 00:16:49.280
 We know that the time of Ruth,

00:16:49.400 --> 00:16:51.060
 it's not a very good time in Israel.

00:16:51.520 --> 00:16:52.600
 There are no kings in place.

00:16:52.920 --> 00:16:54.240
 Everybody's doing whatever they want.

00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:54.940
 And in fact,

00:16:55.040 --> 00:16:55.680
 chapter two,

00:16:55.880 --> 00:16:56.360
 twice,

00:16:56.700 --> 00:16:57.600
 Ruth was warned,

00:16:57.980 --> 00:16:58.060
 hey,

00:16:58.120 --> 00:16:59.880
 be careful of the men in this town.

00:17:00.100 --> 00:17:01.800
 They don't look after the woman very well.

00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:03.540
 And so Naomi is saying,

00:17:03.540 --> 00:17:06.080
 I want you to go down to another part of town

00:17:06.080 --> 00:17:07.360
 in the middle of night,

00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:08.559
 on your own,

00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:11.720
 and go lie down at this man's feet, right?

00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:14.039
 Not a very good bit of advice.

00:17:14.940 --> 00:17:15.319
 Secondly,

00:17:15.460 --> 00:17:16.299
 think about this risk.

00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:18.539
 Think of the risk to Ruth and Boaz,

00:17:18.539 --> 00:17:19.700
 Boaz,

00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:21.039
 is reputation.

00:17:22.099 --> 00:17:23.879
 It was known at that time of Israel

00:17:23.879 --> 00:17:27.519
 that sex workers would go to the threshing floor

00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:31.059
 and make themselves available to the men there

00:17:31.059 --> 00:17:33.339
 at night when they finished their work.

00:17:33.339 --> 00:17:34.599
 This was known in Israel.

00:17:35.180 --> 00:17:37.359
 And so if Ruth is caught down at the threshing floor

00:17:37.359 --> 00:17:37.960
 at night,

00:17:38.099 --> 00:17:39.019
 hiding in the shadows,

00:17:39.159 --> 00:17:40.599
 what do you think people are going to think of her?

00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:42.440
 Third thing is this.

00:17:42.440 --> 00:17:44.200
 Imagine she goes there

00:17:44.200 --> 00:17:47.640
 and she stays away from the men.

00:17:47.940 --> 00:17:48.880
 She isn't caught.

00:17:49.279 --> 00:17:51.120
 She does exactly what Naomi says.

00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:52.799
 Boaz wakes up.

00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:54.840
 One of two things could happen.

00:17:55.360 --> 00:17:56.440
 Either Boaz thinks,

00:17:56.640 --> 00:17:58.200
 this is my lucky night,

00:17:58.420 --> 00:17:58.740
 right?

00:17:58.840 --> 00:18:00.640
 And he tries to make some move on her.

00:18:01.840 --> 00:18:02.600
 Or Boaz,

00:18:02.680 --> 00:18:03.640
 as a godly man,

00:18:03.740 --> 00:18:04.019
 says,

00:18:04.180 --> 00:18:05.279
 what are you trying to do?

00:18:05.559 --> 00:18:06.779
 And he exposes her

00:18:06.779 --> 00:18:07.680
 to the public

00:18:07.680 --> 00:18:08.559
 and he shames her.

00:18:08.860 --> 00:18:09.059
 He says,

00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:09.339
 listen,

00:18:09.500 --> 00:18:10.679
 Ruth came down to my bed

00:18:10.679 --> 00:18:11.519
 in the middle of the night

00:18:11.519 --> 00:18:12.779
 and tried to make moves on me.

00:18:13.299 --> 00:18:14.539
 Whatever way you look at it,

00:18:14.599 --> 00:18:17.119
 this is an extremely risky move.

00:18:17.919 --> 00:18:19.899
 What on earth is Naomi trying to do here?

00:18:20.460 --> 00:18:21.879
 Is she trying to get Ruth a husband

00:18:21.879 --> 00:18:23.720
 by seducing Boaz at night?

00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:26.440
 What could Naomi possibly be thinking

00:18:26.440 --> 00:18:27.899
 with this risky plan?

00:18:28.599 --> 00:18:28.839
 Now,

00:18:28.919 --> 00:18:30.980
 the author doesn't give us the answer just yet.

00:18:31.700 --> 00:18:32.079
 So,

00:18:32.159 --> 00:18:33.240
 we don't know right now,

00:18:33.319 --> 00:18:33.480
 okay?

00:18:33.539 --> 00:18:34.700
 Maybe in a few minutes time,

00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:35.480
 we'll find out.

00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:37.140
 But I want us to think about

00:18:37.140 --> 00:18:38.059
 one or two things.

00:18:38.420 --> 00:18:39.860
 What causes Naomi

00:18:39.860 --> 00:18:42.880
 to make this very risky move?

00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:44.700
 I want us to consider,

00:18:44.920 --> 00:18:45.200
 firstly,

00:18:45.299 --> 00:18:46.299
 the change we've seen

00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:47.799
 taking place in Naomi's heart.

00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:48.720
 Remember,

00:18:49.059 --> 00:18:50.299
 at the end of chapter one,

00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:52.279
 Naomi is full of bitterness and sorrow.

00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:54.460
 Remember how she even changes her name

00:18:54.460 --> 00:18:55.160
 from Naomi,

00:18:55.319 --> 00:18:56.480
 meaning the pleasant one,

00:18:57.099 --> 00:18:57.960
 to Mara,

00:18:58.200 --> 00:18:59.079
 someone who's bitter.

00:18:59.620 --> 00:19:00.360
 And she says this,

00:19:00.460 --> 00:19:01.440
 don't call me Naomi.

00:19:01.579 --> 00:19:03.160
 Don't call me God's pleasant one.

00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:04.180
 Call me Mara,

00:19:04.180 --> 00:19:06.279
 for God has dealt bitterly with me.

00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:08.120
 She's bitter and she's angry.

00:19:08.320 --> 00:19:08.560
 God,

00:19:08.640 --> 00:19:09.259
 where were you?

00:19:09.620 --> 00:19:11.039
 You've abandoned my family.

00:19:11.480 --> 00:19:12.779
 How can I trust you?

00:19:13.900 --> 00:19:14.279
 And then,

00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:15.539
 throughout chapter two,

00:19:16.039 --> 00:19:17.779
 Naomi starts to see something

00:19:17.779 --> 00:19:19.519
 of the sovereignty of God.

00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:21.340
 She starts to see that,

00:19:21.779 --> 00:19:22.960
 though she can't understand

00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:24.120
 how it's all working out,

00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:27.200
 God's hand has not abandoned them completely.

00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:29.500
 And God is working something,

00:19:29.660 --> 00:19:31.279
 even in the midst of great tragedy.

00:19:32.100 --> 00:19:32.320
 And so,

00:19:32.380 --> 00:19:33.400
 in the end of chapter two,

00:19:33.400 --> 00:19:34.700
 she says this,

00:19:34.860 --> 00:19:37.019
 may Boaz be blessed by the Lord,

00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:37.800
 by Yahweh,

00:19:38.320 --> 00:19:39.220
 whose kindness

00:19:39.220 --> 00:19:40.960
 has not forsaken

00:19:40.960 --> 00:19:42.000
 the living and the dead.

00:19:42.580 --> 00:19:43.620
 She recognizes that

00:19:43.620 --> 00:19:44.640
 even though her husband

00:19:44.640 --> 00:19:45.600
 and her sons have died,

00:19:45.800 --> 00:19:47.060
 God has not abandoned her.

00:19:47.600 --> 00:19:47.860
 And so,

00:19:47.920 --> 00:19:48.800
 Naomi has seen that

00:19:48.800 --> 00:19:50.000
 though things haven't turned out

00:19:50.000 --> 00:19:51.160
 the way she would have expected,

00:19:51.460 --> 00:19:52.940
 God has not forsaken her family.

00:19:53.480 --> 00:19:54.360
 She's seen something

00:19:54.360 --> 00:19:56.120
 of God's sovereign hand

00:19:56.120 --> 00:19:57.420
 over the affairs

00:19:57.420 --> 00:19:58.240
 of these things.

00:19:58.660 --> 00:19:59.980
 She's seen that it was God

00:19:59.980 --> 00:20:00.780
 who brought Ruth

00:20:00.780 --> 00:20:02.340
 to work in Boaz's field.

00:20:02.339 --> 00:20:03.679
 She's seen how it's God

00:20:03.679 --> 00:20:04.959
 who stirred Boaz's heart

00:20:04.959 --> 00:20:05.819
 towards kindness

00:20:05.819 --> 00:20:07.199
 towards Ruth

00:20:07.199 --> 00:20:08.099
 and Naomi.

00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:10.139
 And Oscar said it last week

00:20:10.139 --> 00:20:11.359
 that though God

00:20:11.359 --> 00:20:11.980
 in many ways

00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:12.899
 is not explicit

00:20:12.899 --> 00:20:13.740
 in the story,

00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:14.959
 there's no like water

00:20:14.959 --> 00:20:16.599
 turning into wine episodes

00:20:16.599 --> 00:20:17.099
 or, you know,

00:20:17.139 --> 00:20:18.339
 the Red Sea parting

00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:19.659
 or manna falling

00:20:19.659 --> 00:20:20.339
 from heaven,

00:20:20.879 --> 00:20:22.899
 and yet God's sovereign hand

00:20:22.899 --> 00:20:24.279
 is all over the story.

00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:25.619
 In every detail,

00:20:25.740 --> 00:20:26.339
 you see the majesty

00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:28.039
 and the sovereignty

00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:28.919
 of God.

00:20:28.920 --> 00:20:28.960
 God.

00:20:29.620 --> 00:20:30.500
 And Naomi is starting

00:20:30.500 --> 00:20:31.300
 to see this.

00:20:31.580 --> 00:20:32.360
 She's starting to see

00:20:32.360 --> 00:20:33.960
 that God has not abandoned them.

00:20:36.060 --> 00:20:36.580
 Friends,

00:20:37.340 --> 00:20:38.420
 the Bible's teaching

00:20:38.420 --> 00:20:39.980
 that God is graciously

00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:41.480
 and majestically

00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:43.320
 and sovereignly

00:20:43.320 --> 00:20:44.720
 over all things,

00:20:44.880 --> 00:20:45.560
 over the affairs

00:20:45.560 --> 00:20:46.640
 of all of life,

00:20:47.060 --> 00:20:47.900
 is beautiful

00:20:47.900 --> 00:20:49.120
 and it's reassuring,

00:20:49.580 --> 00:20:51.700
 but it should never lead us

00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:53.660
 to becoming disengaged

00:20:54.660 --> 00:20:55.920
 or fatalistic.

00:20:56.259 --> 00:20:57.120
 It should never lead

00:20:57.119 --> 00:20:57.919
 to passivity

00:20:57.919 --> 00:20:58.779
 as if we think,

00:20:59.259 --> 00:20:59.619
 oh well,

00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:00.619
 God's sovereign

00:21:00.619 --> 00:21:01.579
 over all things anyway,

00:21:01.679 --> 00:21:02.199
 I might as well

00:21:02.199 --> 00:21:02.979
 not even try.

00:21:03.619 --> 00:21:04.799
 Why should I even pray?

00:21:04.879 --> 00:21:05.319
 Because hey,

00:21:05.399 --> 00:21:06.099
 God's just going to

00:21:06.099 --> 00:21:06.779
 work up things

00:21:06.779 --> 00:21:08.119
 the way that He wants to anyway.

00:21:08.859 --> 00:21:09.779
 If we think like that,

00:21:09.819 --> 00:21:10.739
 then we don't understand

00:21:10.739 --> 00:21:11.539
 the Bible's teaching

00:21:11.539 --> 00:21:12.139
 of sovereignty.

00:21:12.779 --> 00:21:13.519
 God is sovereign

00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:14.399
 over all things

00:21:14.399 --> 00:21:15.459
 and that should give us

00:21:15.459 --> 00:21:16.259
 profound,

00:21:16.699 --> 00:21:17.939
 hopeful confidence

00:21:17.939 --> 00:21:19.679
 to take great risks,

00:21:20.079 --> 00:21:21.119
 to make bold decisions,

00:21:21.659 --> 00:21:22.759
 to take great steps

00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:23.239
 of faith

00:21:23.239 --> 00:21:24.079
 because we know

00:21:24.079 --> 00:21:24.759
 that our lives

00:21:24.759 --> 00:21:25.799
 are not in our hands,

00:21:25.919 --> 00:21:26.539
 but in the hands

00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:27.539
 of our sovereign God.

00:21:28.119 --> 00:21:29.740
 Remember in the book of Acts,

00:21:30.579 --> 00:21:31.379
 the apostle Paul

00:21:31.379 --> 00:21:32.339
 is in a city

00:21:32.339 --> 00:21:32.980
 called Corinth

00:21:32.980 --> 00:21:34.220
 and he's facing

00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:35.559
 great opposition there.

00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:37.259
 People are attacking him

00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:39.039
 and things are going wrong.

00:21:40.119 --> 00:21:40.740
 And you might think

00:21:40.740 --> 00:21:42.059
 Paul would think,

00:21:42.559 --> 00:21:42.960
 oh well,

00:21:43.259 --> 00:21:43.960
 God's going to save

00:21:43.960 --> 00:21:44.720
 the ones that he wants

00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:45.379
 to save anyway.

00:21:45.539 --> 00:21:46.559
 I'm going to get out of here

00:21:46.559 --> 00:21:47.619
 and go to the beach, right?

00:21:48.039 --> 00:21:48.259
 I mean,

00:21:48.279 --> 00:21:49.339
 if God's going to do it anyway,

00:21:49.420 --> 00:21:50.740
 he doesn't really need me.

00:21:51.460 --> 00:21:53.039
 But Paul doesn't allow

00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:54.299
 the sovereignty of God

00:21:54.299 --> 00:21:56.000
 to result in passivity

00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:56.960
 or fatalism,

00:21:57.180 --> 00:21:57.960
 what does he do?

00:21:58.399 --> 00:21:59.980
 He prays and God says to him,

00:22:00.039 --> 00:22:00.240
 Paul,

00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:01.319
 I've got many people

00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:02.059
 in this town

00:22:02.059 --> 00:22:02.859
 waiting for you

00:22:02.859 --> 00:22:03.460
 to reach them.

00:22:03.919 --> 00:22:05.059
 And so he knuckles down

00:22:05.059 --> 00:22:07.440
 and this hopeful confidence

00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:08.619
 gives him a boldness

00:22:08.619 --> 00:22:09.539
 and a faith

00:22:09.539 --> 00:22:10.680
 to take great risks,

00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:11.740
 to step out

00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:12.700
 even when it's costly,

00:22:12.919 --> 00:22:14.259
 and to keep on going.

00:22:15.879 --> 00:22:16.579
 And so that's why

00:22:16.579 --> 00:22:17.299
 Naomi is willing

00:22:17.299 --> 00:22:18.559
 to take such great risks.

00:22:18.680 --> 00:22:19.659
 She's seen something

00:22:19.659 --> 00:22:20.319
 of the fact that

00:22:20.319 --> 00:22:21.399
 even though she doesn't

00:22:21.400 --> 00:22:22.940
 understand how it's working out,

00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:24.600
 God has not abandoned them

00:22:24.600 --> 00:22:25.600
 and God is sovereign.

00:22:26.700 --> 00:22:28.160
 But there's a second reason.

00:22:29.259 --> 00:22:30.280
 There's a second reason.

00:22:32.060 --> 00:22:34.120
 Naomi has taken confidence

00:22:34.120 --> 00:22:35.140
 in the character

00:22:35.140 --> 00:22:36.759
 of Boaz, the Redeemer.

00:22:37.980 --> 00:22:39.280
 Right from when we first

00:22:39.280 --> 00:22:40.140
 meet Boaz

00:22:40.140 --> 00:22:41.500
 in the very first verse

00:22:41.500 --> 00:22:42.240
 of chapter 2,

00:22:42.340 --> 00:22:43.420
 we are told that Boaz

00:22:43.420 --> 00:22:45.140
 is a worthy man.

00:22:45.780 --> 00:22:46.920
 He's a noble man.

00:22:47.460 --> 00:22:48.800
 He's an honorable man.

00:22:49.559 --> 00:22:50.440
 And we see this

00:22:50.440 --> 00:22:51.619
 in the way that he treats Ruth,

00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:53.019
 right, throughout chapter 2.

00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:53.779
 2.

00:22:54.559 --> 00:22:55.680
 Throughout chapter 2,

00:22:56.220 --> 00:22:57.980
 Boaz treats Ruth

00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:59.139
 with incredible honor,

00:22:59.619 --> 00:23:00.599
 incredible gentleness.

00:23:00.879 --> 00:23:01.740
 He looks after her.

00:23:01.859 --> 00:23:02.779
 He protects her.

00:23:03.159 --> 00:23:04.159
 When he has the opportunity

00:23:04.159 --> 00:23:05.619
 to take advantage of her,

00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:07.139
 he doesn't.

00:23:07.359 --> 00:23:08.159
 Everything we know

00:23:08.159 --> 00:23:08.720
 about Boaz

00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:09.500
 is he's a man

00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.139
 who's not going to

00:23:10.139 --> 00:23:11.240
 take advantage of Ruth.

00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:12.779
 He's going to protect her.

00:23:13.339 --> 00:23:14.759
 And this bold confidence

00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:15.440
 in the nature

00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:16.200
 and the character

00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:16.980
 of the Redeemer

00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:18.680
 leads Naomi and Ruth

00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:21.060
 to move with hopeful confidence

00:23:21.060 --> 00:23:22.320
 and to make bold moves

00:23:22.320 --> 00:23:23.440
 even though it takes,

00:23:24.220 --> 00:23:24.620
 even though,

00:23:24.820 --> 00:23:26.180
 and take great risks.

00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:27.460
 And Watermark,

00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:28.240
 I want to say that

00:23:28.240 --> 00:23:29.060
 as a church,

00:23:29.200 --> 00:23:30.200
 I want to encourage us.

00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:32.240
 We have to be convinced

00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:33.840
 of the sovereignty of God

00:23:33.840 --> 00:23:35.320
 and of the goodness

00:23:35.320 --> 00:23:36.060
 of his nature

00:23:36.060 --> 00:23:36.820
 and his character.

00:23:37.880 --> 00:23:38.620
 We have to know

00:23:38.620 --> 00:23:39.420
 that God is both

00:23:39.420 --> 00:23:40.759
 sovereign over all things

00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:42.100
 and that he's good

00:23:42.100 --> 00:23:43.360
 and that we can trust him.

00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:44.460
 We have to know

00:23:44.460 --> 00:23:45.560
 that both as individuals

00:23:45.560 --> 00:23:46.580
 and as a church

00:23:46.580 --> 00:23:48.220
 because if we don't know that,

00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:49.480
 we will wallow

00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:50.240
 in self-pity

00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:51.500
 when things don't go well.

00:23:52.059 --> 00:23:52.480
 We will say,

00:23:52.579 --> 00:23:53.440
 God, where are you?

00:23:53.600 --> 00:23:54.600
 You've abandoned me.

00:23:55.200 --> 00:23:55.660
 And also,

00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:56.740
 we will be paralyzed

00:23:56.740 --> 00:23:57.720
 by indecision.

00:23:58.319 --> 00:24:00.680
 We will make domesticated

00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:01.839
 and tame decisions.

00:24:02.200 --> 00:24:02.660
 We will make

00:24:02.660 --> 00:24:04.019
 short-sighted decisions.

00:24:04.160 --> 00:24:05.120
 We will hedge our bets.

00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:06.299
 We will never make

00:24:06.299 --> 00:24:08.380
 hopeful, bold decisions

00:24:08.380 --> 00:24:09.420
 for the glory of God

00:24:09.420 --> 00:24:10.400
 and the advance of his kingdom.

00:24:10.779 --> 00:24:12.259
 And our worship of God

00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:13.420
 will become tame

00:24:13.420 --> 00:24:15.000
 and domesticated

00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:16.160
 and insipid.

00:24:16.880 --> 00:24:17.259
 But Watermark,

00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:18.680
 when we see the bigness

00:24:18.680 --> 00:24:19.579
 and the majesty

00:24:19.579 --> 00:24:20.460
 and the greatness

00:24:20.460 --> 00:24:21.180
 of our God

00:24:21.180 --> 00:24:21.759
 and when we see

00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:23.079
 the goodness of our God

00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:24.019
 and the faithfulness

00:24:24.019 --> 00:24:24.559
 of our God,

00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:26.140
 it will cause our worship

00:24:26.140 --> 00:24:27.180
 to be explosive

00:24:27.180 --> 00:24:28.220
 and expressive

00:24:28.220 --> 00:24:29.240
 and expansive

00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:30.799
 and it will cause us

00:24:30.799 --> 00:24:31.500
 to make great,

00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:32.240
 bold decisions

00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:33.099
 to trust him.

00:24:33.619 --> 00:24:34.400
 It will cause some of you

00:24:34.400 --> 00:24:35.200
 to move countries

00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:36.160
 to go plant churches

00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:37.059
 in other countries.

00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:38.279
 It will cause maybe

00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:38.879
 some of us

00:24:38.879 --> 00:24:40.079
 to start an Alpha course

00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:40.819
 in our workplace

00:24:40.819 --> 00:24:42.180
 or to invite your neighbor

00:24:42.180 --> 00:24:43.160
 around for Alpha.

00:24:43.879 --> 00:24:45.079
 It may cause some of you

00:24:45.079 --> 00:24:47.199
 to leave a high paying job

00:24:47.199 --> 00:24:48.339
 and to go into ministry

00:24:48.339 --> 00:24:49.759
 or to make some other

00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.639
 great risk,

00:24:50.779 --> 00:24:52.139
 some great sacrifice

00:24:52.139 --> 00:24:53.259
 because you know

00:24:53.259 --> 00:24:54.059
 that your God

00:24:54.059 --> 00:24:55.480
 is in control.

00:24:56.599 --> 00:24:57.039
 Watermark,

00:24:57.159 --> 00:24:58.279
 let us be a church

00:24:58.279 --> 00:24:59.879
 that understands

00:24:59.879 --> 00:25:00.599
 the greatness

00:25:00.599 --> 00:25:01.359
 and the goodness

00:25:01.359 --> 00:25:02.059
 of our God

00:25:02.059 --> 00:25:03.259
 and let us allow that

00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:04.419
 to fuel our worship

00:25:04.419 --> 00:25:06.079
 and to take bold moves

00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:06.579
 for him.

00:25:07.419 --> 00:25:08.500
 But it will only do that

00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:09.059
 if we've come

00:25:09.059 --> 00:25:10.619
 to find our rest in him.

00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:12.019
 If we've come

00:25:12.019 --> 00:25:13.000
 to find our rest

00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:14.299
 in our God.

00:25:15.240 --> 00:25:16.059
 Okay, part two.

00:25:16.819 --> 00:25:18.059
 Naomi seeks the rest

00:25:18.059 --> 00:25:19.279
 in the sovereignty of God.

00:25:19.400 --> 00:25:20.379
 Part three of the story.

00:25:22.079 --> 00:25:24.039
 Naomi's unusual way to rest.

00:25:25.079 --> 00:25:26.200
 Now, look what happens here.

00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:26.960
 This is where things

00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:28.139
 get a little risky

00:25:28.139 --> 00:25:29.779
 or frisky, right?

00:25:31.180 --> 00:25:32.559
 Ruth listens to Naomi.

00:25:32.980 --> 00:25:33.599
 She goes down

00:25:33.599 --> 00:25:34.500
 to the threshing floor

00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:36.119
 and she watches

00:25:36.119 --> 00:25:37.059
 from a distance.

00:25:37.559 --> 00:25:38.579
 She's watching Boaz

00:25:38.579 --> 00:25:40.460
 and her heart

00:25:40.460 --> 00:25:41.240
 is pounding.

00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:43.399
 After a few hours,

00:25:43.799 --> 00:25:44.740
 they turn off the lights.

00:25:45.019 --> 00:25:45.500
 Boaz says,

00:25:45.619 --> 00:25:47.000
 goodnight, guys.

00:25:47.059 --> 00:25:47.779
 I'll see you in the morning.

00:25:48.059 --> 00:25:48.859
 And he goes

00:25:48.859 --> 00:25:49.839
 to lie down

00:25:49.839 --> 00:25:51.399
 and to sleep.

00:25:52.679 --> 00:25:55.579
 And Ruth watches

00:25:55.579 --> 00:25:56.480
 and then she silently

00:25:56.480 --> 00:25:57.399
 creeps up to him.

00:25:57.659 --> 00:25:58.679
 She removes the blankets

00:25:58.679 --> 00:25:59.559
 from his feet

00:25:59.559 --> 00:26:01.460
 and she lies down

00:26:01.460 --> 00:26:02.159
 at his feet.

00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:03.899
 And around midnight,

00:26:04.079 --> 00:26:04.599
 verse eight,

00:26:04.899 --> 00:26:06.339
 Boaz is feeling cold.

00:26:06.899 --> 00:26:07.379
 That's, I think,

00:26:07.419 --> 00:26:08.319
 what the point was.

00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:10.879
 And he sits up

00:26:10.879 --> 00:26:12.059
 to adjust the blankets

00:26:12.059 --> 00:26:13.460
 and he gets the fright

00:26:13.460 --> 00:26:14.079
 of his life.

00:26:14.639 --> 00:26:15.279
 There's a woman

00:26:15.279 --> 00:26:16.500
 lying at his feet.

00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:18.279
 And so he says to her,

00:26:18.539 --> 00:26:19.299
 who are you?

00:26:19.599 --> 00:26:20.539
 What are you doing

00:26:20.539 --> 00:26:21.599
 at my feet, right?

00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:23.759
 And Ruth says this,

00:26:23.879 --> 00:26:24.639
 I am Ruth,

00:26:24.740 --> 00:26:25.480
 your servant.

00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:27.279
 Yeah,

00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:27.819
 I am Ruth,

00:26:27.859 --> 00:26:28.319
 your servant.

00:26:29.179 --> 00:26:29.460
 Now,

00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:30.059
 at this point,

00:26:30.119 --> 00:26:30.960
 she's done exactly

00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:32.019
 what her mother-in-law,

00:26:32.119 --> 00:26:32.379
 Naomi,

00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:33.299
 asked her to do.

00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:34.899
 But then she takes

00:26:34.899 --> 00:26:35.819
 it a step further.

00:26:36.119 --> 00:26:36.899
 She goes a step further.

00:26:36.980 --> 00:26:37.399
 She says,

00:26:37.400 --> 00:26:38.360
 I am Ruth,

00:26:38.400 --> 00:26:38.940
 your servant.

00:26:39.580 --> 00:26:40.740
 Spread your wings,

00:26:40.820 --> 00:26:42.380
 or the corner of your garment,

00:26:42.580 --> 00:26:43.180
 over me,

00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:45.280
 for you are my Redeemer.

00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:46.700
 You are our Redeemer.

00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:48.580
 What on earth

00:26:48.580 --> 00:26:49.460
 is Ruth saying here?

00:26:49.540 --> 00:26:50.600
 Spread the wings,

00:26:50.820 --> 00:26:52.019
 spread your wings over me.

00:26:52.680 --> 00:26:52.880
 Well,

00:26:52.920 --> 00:26:53.660
 there's two references

00:26:53.660 --> 00:26:54.080
 to this,

00:26:54.160 --> 00:26:54.820
 two other references

00:26:54.820 --> 00:26:55.400
 in the Bible.

00:26:55.540 --> 00:26:56.140
 The first one

00:26:56.140 --> 00:26:57.160
 is in Ruth chapter two.

00:26:57.700 --> 00:26:58.680
 Remember the first time

00:26:58.680 --> 00:26:59.820
 Boaz sees her?

00:27:00.300 --> 00:27:01.140
 He says to her,

00:27:01.140 --> 00:27:01.840
 Ruth,

00:27:01.920 --> 00:27:02.980
 you're an honorable woman

00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:04.600
 for you have taken refuge

00:27:04.600 --> 00:27:06.320
 under the wings of the Lord,

00:27:06.420 --> 00:27:07.540
 on the wings of Yahweh.

00:27:08.140 --> 00:27:09.140
 And what he's saying is,

00:27:09.420 --> 00:27:10.680
 though you are a Moabite,

00:27:10.800 --> 00:27:12.320
 you've come to take refuge

00:27:12.320 --> 00:27:13.960
 and safety and security

00:27:13.960 --> 00:27:15.420
 under the wings of God.

00:27:15.520 --> 00:27:17.020
 You've come to surrender

00:27:17.020 --> 00:27:18.480
 and to submit to God

00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:19.040
 and you've found

00:27:19.040 --> 00:27:20.000
 your rest in Him.

00:27:20.840 --> 00:27:22.880
 Particularly in Ezekiel chapter 16,

00:27:23.100 --> 00:27:24.759
 God says to the nation of Israel,

00:27:25.380 --> 00:27:26.460
 I saw that it was

00:27:26.460 --> 00:27:28.240
 for the time of love.

00:27:29.140 --> 00:27:29.540
 Sorry,

00:27:29.539 --> 00:27:30.379
 let me get the quote here.

00:27:30.700 --> 00:27:31.500
 I saw that you were

00:27:31.500 --> 00:27:32.539
 of the age of love

00:27:32.539 --> 00:27:34.220
 and so I spread the corner

00:27:34.220 --> 00:27:35.799
 of my garment over you

00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:37.559
 and I covered your nakedness.

00:27:37.799 --> 00:27:39.359
 I made my vow to you

00:27:39.359 --> 00:27:40.279
 and so I entered

00:27:40.279 --> 00:27:41.619
 into a covenant with you.

00:27:42.159 --> 00:27:43.559
 So God says to the nation of Israel,

00:27:43.920 --> 00:27:45.639
 I've made a covenant of love for you,

00:27:45.839 --> 00:27:46.920
 an eternal vow

00:27:46.920 --> 00:27:48.359
 that I will be your God.

00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:49.240
 I will love you

00:27:49.240 --> 00:27:50.059
 through thick and thin.

00:27:50.399 --> 00:27:51.379
 I will cover you,

00:27:51.480 --> 00:27:52.680
 I will protect you

00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:55.139
 for better or for worse.

00:27:55.680 --> 00:27:57.059
 And so Ruth comes to Boaz

00:27:57.059 --> 00:27:57.420
 and says,

00:27:57.420 --> 00:27:59.159
 spread your wings over me.

00:27:59.160 --> 00:28:00.040
 What's she saying?

00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:01.259
 She's saying,

00:28:01.340 --> 00:28:02.279
 Boaz, marry me.

00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:03.519
 She's saying,

00:28:03.600 --> 00:28:04.620
 Boaz, I want to come

00:28:04.620 --> 00:28:05.759
 and find a refuge.

00:28:05.880 --> 00:28:07.480
 I want to find my rest under you.

00:28:07.740 --> 00:28:08.540
 I want to come

00:28:08.540 --> 00:28:09.279
 and surrender

00:28:09.279 --> 00:28:10.480
 and submit to you.

00:28:10.620 --> 00:28:11.779
 I want you to be my husband.

00:28:12.440 --> 00:28:13.560
 I want you to love me.

00:28:14.120 --> 00:28:14.880
 I want you to make

00:28:14.880 --> 00:28:16.060
 a covenant of love for me,

00:28:16.140 --> 00:28:16.980
 to be there for me,

00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:17.779
 to protect me

00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:19.080
 for better or for worse,

00:28:19.340 --> 00:28:19.820
 forever.

00:28:20.640 --> 00:28:22.140
 And Ruth has known Boaz.

00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:23.160
 She's worked for him.

00:28:23.440 --> 00:28:24.480
 She's gained his favor.

00:28:24.820 --> 00:28:25.779
 She's caught his eye.

00:28:25.779 --> 00:28:27.079
 Ruth knows that

00:28:27.079 --> 00:28:28.519
 despite all this,

00:28:28.799 --> 00:28:29.740
 ultimately the way

00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:30.940
 to find rest

00:28:30.940 --> 00:28:32.500
 is not by

00:28:32.500 --> 00:28:35.700
 eliciting the favor of Boaz,

00:28:35.799 --> 00:28:37.440
 it's by surrendering

00:28:37.440 --> 00:28:38.619
 and submitting to him.

00:28:39.099 --> 00:28:40.299
 It's coming in the most

00:28:40.299 --> 00:28:42.339
 vulnerable act of surrender

00:28:42.339 --> 00:28:42.740
 and saying,

00:28:43.099 --> 00:28:43.599
 here I am.

00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:45.059
 I am yours.

00:28:45.859 --> 00:28:46.619
 Ruth could have used

00:28:46.619 --> 00:28:47.180
 her charm.

00:28:47.819 --> 00:28:48.379
 She could have used

00:28:48.379 --> 00:28:49.099
 her good looks

00:28:49.099 --> 00:28:51.200
 to elicit Boaz's favor.

00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:52.700
 She doesn't do that.

00:28:52.700 --> 00:28:53.720
 She comes and she says,

00:28:53.799 --> 00:28:54.620
 here I am.

00:28:55.160 --> 00:28:55.960
 I'm yours.

00:28:56.880 --> 00:28:58.140
 Take me as your own.

00:28:59.039 --> 00:29:00.299
 She comes empty-handed.

00:29:01.160 --> 00:29:01.340
 She says,

00:29:01.380 --> 00:29:01.640
 Boaz,

00:29:01.720 --> 00:29:04.059
 take me to be your own.

00:29:05.220 --> 00:29:06.319
 And I want us to think

00:29:06.319 --> 00:29:07.340
 about this for a second.

00:29:08.360 --> 00:29:09.620
 I don't know how many of you

00:29:09.620 --> 00:29:11.900
 have got unmarried sons.

00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:13.799
 If you've got unmarried sons,

00:29:13.980 --> 00:29:15.500
 I'm sure you're praying

00:29:15.500 --> 00:29:17.039
 for your daughters-in-law, right?

00:29:17.100 --> 00:29:18.480
 If you've got unmarried daughters,

00:29:18.600 --> 00:29:19.460
 I hope you're praying

00:29:19.460 --> 00:29:20.360
 for your son-in-laws.

00:29:20.919 --> 00:29:21.719
 I've been praying

00:29:21.719 --> 00:29:22.859
 for my sons-in-law

00:29:22.859 --> 00:29:24.219
 since before my daughters

00:29:24.219 --> 00:29:24.659
 were born.

00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:26.639
 Seriously,

00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:27.479
 when we found out

00:29:27.479 --> 00:29:28.259
 that we're having two daughters,

00:29:28.379 --> 00:29:28.959
 I started praying

00:29:28.959 --> 00:29:29.539
 for their husbands.

00:29:30.919 --> 00:29:32.079
 And I hope you pray

00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:34.159
 for your children's spouses.

00:29:35.099 --> 00:29:36.500
 And imagine you are

00:29:36.500 --> 00:29:37.939
 Boaz's parents, right?

00:29:38.740 --> 00:29:40.019
 You've been praying for Boaz.

00:29:40.099 --> 00:29:40.519
 You've been praying

00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:41.359
 for his spouse.

00:29:42.399 --> 00:29:43.839
 And one day,

00:29:44.399 --> 00:29:44.879
 you've been praying

00:29:44.879 --> 00:29:45.519
 for a long time

00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:46.659
 because Boaz is an old man.

00:29:47.259 --> 00:29:48.740
 And you've raised him

00:29:48.740 --> 00:29:49.639
 the best you can.

00:29:49.640 --> 00:29:50.320
 You're hoping

00:29:50.320 --> 00:29:51.420
 he's going to choose well.

00:29:51.980 --> 00:29:52.840
 Doesn't seem like

00:29:52.840 --> 00:29:54.100
 there's any prospects

00:29:54.100 --> 00:29:54.820
 on the horizon.

00:29:54.960 --> 00:29:55.720
 So maybe you're trying

00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:56.440
 to arrange something

00:29:56.440 --> 00:29:57.000
 in the synagogue.

00:29:57.420 --> 00:29:58.820
 That doesn't work out.

00:29:59.480 --> 00:30:00.220
 And one day,

00:30:00.340 --> 00:30:01.280
 Boaz comes to you

00:30:01.280 --> 00:30:01.820
 and he says,

00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:02.920
 Mom, Dad,

00:30:03.140 --> 00:30:04.320
 I found the one.

00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:06.000
 I know who I want to marry.

00:30:06.620 --> 00:30:06.900
 And they say,

00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:07.420
 Fantastic.

00:30:07.620 --> 00:30:09.120
 Is she from the synagogue?

00:30:09.280 --> 00:30:10.140
 Is she from our family?

00:30:10.259 --> 00:30:11.040
 Do we know her?

00:30:11.560 --> 00:30:11.860
 He says,

00:30:11.960 --> 00:30:12.580
 No, no.

00:30:12.600 --> 00:30:14.200
 She's not really an Israelite.

00:30:14.280 --> 00:30:15.500
 She's actually a Moabite.

00:30:15.580 --> 00:30:16.280
 She's a foreigner.

00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:18.080
 Oh, okay.

00:30:18.079 --> 00:30:19.079
 Well, that's not so good.

00:30:20.159 --> 00:30:21.879
 Well, is she wealthy at least?

00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:22.839
 Is her dad going to pay

00:30:22.839 --> 00:30:23.379
 for the wedding?

00:30:24.500 --> 00:30:25.240
 No, no.

00:30:25.379 --> 00:30:26.819
 She actually doesn't have parents

00:30:26.819 --> 00:30:28.000
 and she's very poor.

00:30:28.059 --> 00:30:28.939
 She doesn't have anything.

00:30:29.980 --> 00:30:31.519
 Well, where did you find her?

00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:33.919
 Well, she was working

00:30:33.919 --> 00:30:34.839
 in my fields.

00:30:35.539 --> 00:30:35.839
 In fact,

00:30:35.859 --> 00:30:37.099
 she was following my workers

00:30:37.099 --> 00:30:38.099
 because she's destitute.

00:30:38.259 --> 00:30:39.299
 She was picking up grain

00:30:39.299 --> 00:30:40.399
 on the ground, right?

00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:42.740
 Here is Ruth

00:30:42.740 --> 00:30:44.519
 who's got nothing in her hands.

00:30:45.040 --> 00:30:45.920
 She's a foreigner.

00:30:47.400 --> 00:30:48.400
 She's poor.

00:30:49.100 --> 00:30:50.140
 She's much younger.

00:30:50.920 --> 00:30:51.640
 She's a widow

00:30:51.640 --> 00:30:53.259
 that's been married before.

00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:55.960
 She comes to him empty-handed.

00:30:56.759 --> 00:30:58.080
 She comes in surrender.

00:30:58.940 --> 00:31:00.040
 She comes in submission

00:31:00.040 --> 00:31:00.780
 and she says,

00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:01.500
 Love me.

00:31:02.140 --> 00:31:03.560
 Spread your wings over me.

00:31:04.180 --> 00:31:05.420
 You are my redeemer

00:31:05.420 --> 00:31:07.380
 and in you I will find rest.

00:31:07.380 --> 00:31:09.660
 And earlier on or later,

00:31:10.120 --> 00:31:10.400
 actually,

00:31:10.600 --> 00:31:11.520
 Boaz says to her,

00:31:11.560 --> 00:31:11.740
 he says,

00:31:12.280 --> 00:31:12.900
 Ruth, you've got

00:31:12.900 --> 00:31:14.440
 a great reputation in the town.

00:31:14.620 --> 00:31:15.900
 All the townsmen know

00:31:15.900 --> 00:31:17.280
 that you're an honorable woman.

00:31:18.100 --> 00:31:18.500
 Boaz says,

00:31:18.580 --> 00:31:19.340
 You could have chosen

00:31:19.340 --> 00:31:20.440
 any other man.

00:31:20.520 --> 00:31:20.880
 In other words,

00:31:20.900 --> 00:31:22.160
 she was probably good-looking.

00:31:22.820 --> 00:31:23.540
 She had choices.

00:31:23.640 --> 00:31:24.080
 She had options.

00:31:24.140 --> 00:31:24.960
 She could have used

00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:26.060
 what she had in her hands.

00:31:26.120 --> 00:31:26.660
 She could have used

00:31:26.660 --> 00:31:27.280
 her good looks.

00:31:27.620 --> 00:31:28.260
 She could have used

00:31:28.260 --> 00:31:28.940
 her reputation

00:31:28.940 --> 00:31:30.640
 to secure a deal for herself.

00:31:30.640 --> 00:31:32.020
 Maybe somebody much younger.

00:31:32.460 --> 00:31:33.340
 Maybe somebody else

00:31:33.340 --> 00:31:34.040
 good-looking.

00:31:34.580 --> 00:31:35.320
 She could have secured

00:31:35.320 --> 00:31:35.980
 something else for her.

00:31:36.020 --> 00:31:36.740
 But she comes

00:31:36.740 --> 00:31:37.660
 empty-handed.

00:31:38.420 --> 00:31:39.599
 She comes with nothing.

00:31:40.440 --> 00:31:41.920
 She comes with vulnerability

00:31:41.920 --> 00:31:43.579
 and surrender and submission.

00:31:44.460 --> 00:31:44.859
 And she says,

00:31:44.920 --> 00:31:46.160
 Boaz, you are my redeemer.

00:31:46.819 --> 00:31:48.279
 Spread your wings over me.

00:31:48.920 --> 00:31:49.579
 Love me.

00:31:50.319 --> 00:31:51.640
 And Jesus says the same thing.

00:31:51.740 --> 00:31:52.180
 Jesus says,

00:31:52.279 --> 00:31:53.079
 If you come to him

00:31:53.079 --> 00:31:53.960
 with things in your hands,

00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:54.700
 if you come with

00:31:54.700 --> 00:31:55.579
 bargaining chips,

00:31:55.680 --> 00:31:56.799
 if you come to Jesus

00:31:56.799 --> 00:31:58.099
 with accolades

00:31:58.099 --> 00:31:59.759
 or things that you think

00:31:59.759 --> 00:32:00.660
 make you worthy

00:32:00.660 --> 00:32:01.900
 of Jesus' love,

00:32:02.299 --> 00:32:03.539
 you actually miss him completely.

00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:04.579
 Remember,

00:32:04.799 --> 00:32:06.000
 we said it so many times,

00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:07.519
 the story of the rich young ruler.

00:32:07.980 --> 00:32:08.799
 He comes to Jesus.

00:32:08.920 --> 00:32:09.019
 He says,

00:32:09.099 --> 00:32:09.880
 Jesus, I'm young.

00:32:09.940 --> 00:32:11.039
 I've got age on my side.

00:32:11.599 --> 00:32:12.480
 Jesus, I'm wealthy.

00:32:12.559 --> 00:32:13.700
 I've got money on my side.

00:32:14.119 --> 00:32:15.000
 Jesus, I'm a ruler.

00:32:15.099 --> 00:32:15.920
 I've got authority

00:32:15.920 --> 00:32:16.559
 and power

00:32:16.559 --> 00:32:17.720
 and influence on my side.

00:32:18.339 --> 00:32:19.200
 And Jesus says,

00:32:19.279 --> 00:32:20.299
 None of those things

00:32:20.299 --> 00:32:21.599
 mean anything to me.

00:32:22.339 --> 00:32:23.339
 And just before that,

00:32:23.400 --> 00:32:24.160
 Jesus welcomes

00:32:24.160 --> 00:32:24.960
 the little children

00:32:24.960 --> 00:32:26.059
 that have got nothing,

00:32:26.660 --> 00:32:27.599
 nothing in their hands.

00:32:27.680 --> 00:32:27.859
 He says,

00:32:27.920 --> 00:32:29.019
 Children, I'll take you.

00:32:29.380 --> 00:32:30.720
 But the rich young ruler,

00:32:31.400 --> 00:32:31.880
 you, I'm afraid,

00:32:31.960 --> 00:32:32.940
 goes home empty-handed.

00:32:33.759 --> 00:32:35.039
 Remember in John chapter 6,

00:32:35.700 --> 00:32:36.779
 some people come to Jesus

00:32:36.779 --> 00:32:37.120
 and they say,

00:32:37.220 --> 00:32:38.340
 Jesus, what should we do

00:32:38.340 --> 00:32:39.720
 to be doing the works of God?

00:32:40.120 --> 00:32:40.500
 Tell us,

00:32:40.720 --> 00:32:42.120
 what can we do?

00:32:42.440 --> 00:32:43.519
 Should we serve here?

00:32:43.779 --> 00:32:44.460
 Should we serve there?

00:32:44.620 --> 00:32:46.140
 What can we add to our CV

00:32:46.140 --> 00:32:46.900
 that will make us

00:32:46.900 --> 00:32:48.180
 acceptable to God?

00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:50.019
 And Jesus says,

00:32:50.160 --> 00:32:50.680
 Do this.

00:32:51.299 --> 00:32:52.600
 Simply believe

00:32:52.600 --> 00:32:53.440
 on the one

00:32:53.440 --> 00:32:54.539
 that God sent.

00:32:55.299 --> 00:32:56.160
 Come empty-handed.

00:32:57.059 --> 00:32:57.820
 Come with nothing.

00:32:58.460 --> 00:32:59.519
 Come and surrender

00:32:59.519 --> 00:33:00.860
 and submission.

00:33:00.859 --> 00:33:02.939
 Friends, the gospel tells us

00:33:02.939 --> 00:33:04.039
 that when we come,

00:33:04.919 --> 00:33:05.599
 when it comes to our

00:33:05.599 --> 00:33:06.579
 relationship with God,

00:33:07.319 --> 00:33:08.399
 the only way to find Him

00:33:08.399 --> 00:33:09.240
 is to come with nothing

00:33:09.240 --> 00:33:09.819
 in our hands.

00:33:09.979 --> 00:33:10.899
 The gospel tells us

00:33:10.899 --> 00:33:12.459
 the only way to find God

00:33:12.459 --> 00:33:13.579
 is to admit that we are

00:33:13.579 --> 00:33:14.039
 bankrupt,

00:33:14.740 --> 00:33:15.439
 to admit that we are

00:33:15.439 --> 00:33:16.259
 poor and helpless,

00:33:16.459 --> 00:33:17.240
 to admit that we have

00:33:17.240 --> 00:33:17.759
 nothing,

00:33:18.339 --> 00:33:19.559
 to admit our need for Him

00:33:19.559 --> 00:33:20.519
 and to say,

00:33:20.599 --> 00:33:21.579
 God, you are our Redeemer.

00:33:21.879 --> 00:33:22.859
 Come spread your wings

00:33:22.859 --> 00:33:23.399
 over me.

00:33:24.939 --> 00:33:26.199
 And that's what Ruth does.

00:33:26.859 --> 00:33:28.219
 She comes and she finds

00:33:28.219 --> 00:33:28.819
 her Redeemer

00:33:28.819 --> 00:33:30.119
 in her nothingness.

00:33:30.859 --> 00:33:31.919
 Part four is this.

00:33:32.599 --> 00:33:33.919
 Ruth's rest depends

00:33:33.919 --> 00:33:35.519
 on Boaz's non-rest.

00:33:35.839 --> 00:33:36.839
 Look at what happens here.

00:33:37.559 --> 00:33:38.339
 Almost done.

00:33:39.339 --> 00:33:40.279
 Boaz says to her,

00:33:40.439 --> 00:33:41.319
 I will do everything

00:33:41.319 --> 00:33:42.259
 you ask of me.

00:33:42.819 --> 00:33:43.479
 Verse 12.

00:33:44.119 --> 00:33:44.399
 He says,

00:33:44.459 --> 00:33:45.000
 Now it's true

00:33:45.000 --> 00:33:45.959
 that I am a Redeemer,

00:33:46.740 --> 00:33:48.279
 except there is somebody

00:33:48.279 --> 00:33:49.279
 that is closer

00:33:49.279 --> 00:33:50.479
 and nearer relative

00:33:50.479 --> 00:33:51.000
 than I.

00:33:51.519 --> 00:33:52.500
 So remain here

00:33:52.500 --> 00:33:53.099
 tonight,

00:33:53.199 --> 00:33:53.859
 and in the morning,

00:33:53.979 --> 00:33:55.000
 if He will redeem you,

00:33:55.099 --> 00:33:56.059
 good, let Him do it.

00:33:56.059 --> 00:33:57.440
 But if He's not willing

00:33:57.440 --> 00:33:58.220
 to redeem you,

00:33:58.299 --> 00:33:59.379
 then as the Lord lives,

00:33:59.500 --> 00:34:00.500
 I will redeem you,

00:34:00.839 --> 00:34:01.559
 but lie here

00:34:01.559 --> 00:34:02.379
 until the morning.

00:34:03.179 --> 00:34:04.159
 So here's Ruth

00:34:04.159 --> 00:34:05.700
 taking this incredibly

00:34:05.700 --> 00:34:07.460
 risky move,

00:34:07.519 --> 00:34:07.759
 right?

00:34:08.059 --> 00:34:09.340
 Just move of risk.

00:34:10.179 --> 00:34:11.440
 In great vulnerability,

00:34:12.480 --> 00:34:14.039
 she's poured out her heart

00:34:14.039 --> 00:34:14.340
 and said,

00:34:14.400 --> 00:34:15.480
 Boaz, marry me.

00:34:16.480 --> 00:34:17.279
 And Boaz says,

00:34:17.380 --> 00:34:18.279
 I would love to,

00:34:19.279 --> 00:34:20.199
 but there's a problem,

00:34:20.420 --> 00:34:20.699
 right?

00:34:21.319 --> 00:34:22.279
 There's another man

00:34:22.279 --> 00:34:23.419
 that's a nearer relative.

00:34:23.579 --> 00:34:24.559
 He's got first rights

00:34:24.559 --> 00:34:25.960
 to redeem the land

00:34:25.960 --> 00:34:27.500
 and the family.

00:34:27.739 --> 00:34:28.980
 Let's talk to Him tomorrow.

00:34:30.239 --> 00:34:30.679
 Friends,

00:34:30.739 --> 00:34:31.539
 that's what you call,

00:34:32.179 --> 00:34:33.500
 let me just say,

00:34:33.539 --> 00:34:34.299
 a complete mess.

00:34:34.379 --> 00:34:34.799
 I was going to say

00:34:34.799 --> 00:34:35.359
 something else,

00:34:35.480 --> 00:34:36.619
 but a real mess,

00:34:36.699 --> 00:34:36.939
 right?

00:34:39.099 --> 00:34:40.019
 Kind of reminds me

00:34:40.019 --> 00:34:40.500
 of the time

00:34:40.500 --> 00:34:41.759
 I first plucked up

00:34:41.759 --> 00:34:42.259
 the courage

00:34:42.259 --> 00:34:43.480
 to tell Claire

00:34:43.480 --> 00:34:44.960
 that I quite fancied her.

00:34:46.079 --> 00:34:48.359
 And she said to me,

00:34:48.859 --> 00:34:49.179
 okay,

00:34:49.179 --> 00:34:50.839
 now I understand

00:34:50.839 --> 00:34:51.480
 why you've been acting

00:34:51.480 --> 00:34:52.219
 so strange.

00:34:53.359 --> 00:34:54.339
 And that was the end

00:34:54.339 --> 00:34:55.039
 of the conversation.

00:34:56.179 --> 00:34:57.440
 She just left me there.

00:34:58.799 --> 00:34:59.039
 It's like,

00:34:59.119 --> 00:34:59.279
 okay.

00:35:00.199 --> 00:35:00.960
 And it's the same

00:35:00.960 --> 00:35:01.539
 kind of thing.

00:35:02.059 --> 00:35:03.279
 Ruth is poured out her heart.

00:35:03.719 --> 00:35:04.599
 Here I am.

00:35:05.519 --> 00:35:06.239
 Marry me.

00:35:06.859 --> 00:35:07.759
 And Boaz says,

00:35:08.299 --> 00:35:09.139
 there's a problem.

00:35:09.419 --> 00:35:10.159
 There's someone else.

00:35:10.980 --> 00:35:11.899
 Let's go talk to Him

00:35:11.899 --> 00:35:12.379
 tomorrow.

00:35:14.039 --> 00:35:14.259
 And

00:35:14.259 --> 00:35:16.579
 can you imagine

00:35:16.579 --> 00:35:17.619
 how hard it was

00:35:17.619 --> 00:35:18.299
 for Ruth

00:35:18.299 --> 00:35:19.599
 to wait

00:35:19.599 --> 00:35:20.380
 knowing that

00:35:20.380 --> 00:35:20.900
 her fate

00:35:20.900 --> 00:35:21.679
 and her destiny

00:35:21.679 --> 00:35:22.599
 is laying in the hands

00:35:22.599 --> 00:35:23.539
 of another person?

00:35:24.099 --> 00:35:25.239
 She had no control

00:35:25.239 --> 00:35:25.719
 of it.

00:35:26.440 --> 00:35:27.739
 Then look what happens.

00:35:28.679 --> 00:35:30.559
 Ruth goes home

00:35:30.559 --> 00:35:31.039
 to Naomi.

00:35:31.859 --> 00:35:32.339
 And Naomi

00:35:32.339 --> 00:35:33.119
 has definitely

00:35:33.119 --> 00:35:34.159
 been up all night.

00:35:34.279 --> 00:35:35.000
 She hasn't slept

00:35:35.000 --> 00:35:35.539
 at all, right?

00:35:35.579 --> 00:35:36.380
 She's been wondering

00:35:36.380 --> 00:35:36.980
 what's happened

00:35:36.980 --> 00:35:37.500
 to Ruth.

00:35:38.139 --> 00:35:38.880
 And so as Ruth

00:35:38.880 --> 00:35:39.719
 walks in the door,

00:35:39.920 --> 00:35:40.880
 Naomi says to her,

00:35:41.239 --> 00:35:42.000
 how did it go,

00:35:42.099 --> 00:35:42.579
 my daughter?

00:35:43.099 --> 00:35:43.679
 Now the Hebrew

00:35:43.679 --> 00:35:44.339
 actually says,

00:35:44.420 --> 00:35:45.159
 who are you,

00:35:45.219 --> 00:35:45.679
 my daughter?

00:35:45.679 --> 00:35:46.219
 In other words,

00:35:46.279 --> 00:35:47.199
 are you an Israelite

00:35:47.199 --> 00:35:48.179
 or are you a Moabite?

00:35:48.559 --> 00:35:49.539
 Did he accept you

00:35:49.539 --> 00:35:50.539
 or did he reject you?

00:35:50.599 --> 00:35:51.239
 Who are you?

00:35:52.019 --> 00:35:53.460
 And Ruth tells her

00:35:53.460 --> 00:35:55.019
 everything that happened.

00:35:56.059 --> 00:35:57.259
 And Naomi says to her,

00:35:57.259 --> 00:35:57.960
 wait, my daughter,

00:35:58.000 --> 00:35:58.779
 until you learn

00:35:58.779 --> 00:36:00.019
 how the matter turns out.

00:36:00.659 --> 00:36:01.319
 For Boaz,

00:36:01.419 --> 00:36:01.759
 the man,

00:36:01.759 --> 00:36:02.779
 will not rest,

00:36:02.899 --> 00:36:04.019
 but he will settle

00:36:04.019 --> 00:36:05.119
 the matter today.

00:36:06.059 --> 00:36:06.639
 Now as you said,

00:36:06.719 --> 00:36:07.519
 imagine how Ruth

00:36:07.519 --> 00:36:08.019
 is feeling.

00:36:08.699 --> 00:36:09.719
 She's just been vulnerable.

00:36:09.879 --> 00:36:10.599
 She's offered herself

00:36:10.599 --> 00:36:11.179
 to Boaz.

00:36:11.179 --> 00:36:13.179
 And now her destiny,

00:36:13.359 --> 00:36:13.839
 her fate,

00:36:13.940 --> 00:36:15.319
 her rest is in the hands

00:36:15.319 --> 00:36:16.259
 of another man

00:36:16.259 --> 00:36:17.419
 and she's got no control

00:36:17.419 --> 00:36:18.000
 over it.

00:36:19.359 --> 00:36:20.460
 But Naomi comforts her

00:36:20.460 --> 00:36:20.960
 with these words.

00:36:21.039 --> 00:36:21.319
 She says,

00:36:21.399 --> 00:36:23.379
 the man will not rest

00:36:23.379 --> 00:36:24.899
 until the matter

00:36:24.899 --> 00:36:25.639
 is settled.

00:36:26.839 --> 00:36:27.159
 And friends,

00:36:27.199 --> 00:36:28.219
 I want to encourage us

00:36:28.219 --> 00:36:29.379
 that there will definitely

00:36:29.379 --> 00:36:30.639
 be times in our life

00:36:30.639 --> 00:36:31.339
 and there will definitely

00:36:31.339 --> 00:36:32.399
 be times in our walk

00:36:32.399 --> 00:36:33.079
 of faith,

00:36:33.679 --> 00:36:34.759
 there will be ups and downs.

00:36:35.559 --> 00:36:36.399
 There will be times

00:36:36.399 --> 00:36:37.659
 when there will be moments

00:36:37.659 --> 00:36:38.980
 we feel like we've risked

00:36:38.980 --> 00:36:39.639
 it all for God

00:36:39.639 --> 00:36:41.039
 and we took a great step

00:36:41.039 --> 00:36:41.900
 of faith and we'll say,

00:36:42.019 --> 00:36:42.980
 God, where are you?

00:36:43.619 --> 00:36:44.980
 And we'll feel like our future

00:36:44.980 --> 00:36:46.599
 is completely out of our hands.

00:36:47.259 --> 00:36:47.960
 There will be times

00:36:47.960 --> 00:36:48.559
 when we wonder,

00:36:48.920 --> 00:36:49.719
 God, do you know

00:36:49.719 --> 00:36:50.500
 what's going on?

00:36:51.000 --> 00:36:51.599
 There will be times

00:36:51.599 --> 00:36:52.039
 when we wonder,

00:36:52.159 --> 00:36:52.940
 God, are you hearing

00:36:52.940 --> 00:36:53.799
 my prayers at all?

00:36:54.199 --> 00:36:55.319
 I've tried to be obedient.

00:36:55.579 --> 00:36:56.219
 I've tried to do

00:36:56.219 --> 00:36:57.179
 what you asked me to

00:36:57.179 --> 00:36:58.719
 and now it's not working out.

00:36:58.819 --> 00:36:59.940
 Where are you, God?

00:37:00.859 --> 00:37:01.460
 But friends,

00:37:01.519 --> 00:37:02.539
 I want to remind us

00:37:02.539 --> 00:37:03.119
 that we can take

00:37:03.119 --> 00:37:03.960
 great confidence

00:37:03.960 --> 00:37:05.239
 in this.

00:37:05.799 --> 00:37:06.579
 That our hope

00:37:06.579 --> 00:37:07.619
 and our trust

00:37:07.619 --> 00:37:08.819
 and our rest

00:37:08.820 --> 00:37:11.440
 is in a great redeemer.

00:37:12.080 --> 00:37:12.740
 In the one who

00:37:12.740 --> 00:37:13.940
 in the greatest moment

00:37:13.940 --> 00:37:14.760
 in the trial

00:37:14.760 --> 00:37:15.760
 of his life

00:37:15.760 --> 00:37:17.400
 never backed off

00:37:17.400 --> 00:37:18.080
 one iota,

00:37:18.640 --> 00:37:19.840
 never pulled back,

00:37:20.400 --> 00:37:21.300
 never shrunk back

00:37:21.300 --> 00:37:22.559
 until on Calvary

00:37:22.559 --> 00:37:23.440
 he could say,

00:37:23.940 --> 00:37:26.000
 it is finished.

00:37:26.600 --> 00:37:26.900
 Friends,

00:37:27.059 --> 00:37:27.840
 Ruth's redeemer,

00:37:28.039 --> 00:37:28.320
 Boaz,

00:37:28.360 --> 00:37:29.480
 was a diligent man.

00:37:29.820 --> 00:37:30.680
 He promised her

00:37:30.680 --> 00:37:31.820
 that he would not rest.

00:37:31.880 --> 00:37:32.740
 He wouldn't stop

00:37:32.740 --> 00:37:33.840
 until he found her

00:37:33.840 --> 00:37:34.380
 a redeemer.

00:37:34.920 --> 00:37:35.820
 But even that

00:37:35.820 --> 00:37:36.460
 was ultimately

00:37:36.460 --> 00:37:37.680
 outside of his control.

00:37:37.679 --> 00:37:38.399
 Even that was

00:37:38.399 --> 00:37:39.299
 outside of her hands.

00:37:39.879 --> 00:37:40.279
 And friends,

00:37:40.319 --> 00:37:41.219
 it's true for us.

00:37:41.879 --> 00:37:43.099
 Everything that our world

00:37:43.099 --> 00:37:44.460
 and our city promises us,

00:37:44.519 --> 00:37:45.480
 the things that the world

00:37:45.480 --> 00:37:46.039
 tells us,

00:37:46.059 --> 00:37:46.960
 we can find rest

00:37:46.960 --> 00:37:47.599
 are largely

00:37:47.599 --> 00:37:48.980
 outside of our hands.

00:37:49.719 --> 00:37:50.199
 But friends,

00:37:50.279 --> 00:37:51.379
 there is a redeemer,

00:37:51.919 --> 00:37:53.839
 the great Lord Jesus Christ,

00:37:54.059 --> 00:37:55.619
 who did not rest,

00:37:56.019 --> 00:37:56.679
 who never fatigued,

00:37:57.299 --> 00:37:58.559
 who never tapped out,

00:37:58.940 --> 00:38:00.500
 but willingly endured

00:38:00.500 --> 00:38:01.859
 the horrors of Calvary

00:38:01.859 --> 00:38:03.139
 to buy us our freedom,

00:38:03.399 --> 00:38:04.639
 even at great cost

00:38:04.639 --> 00:38:05.819
 to himself.

00:38:05.820 --> 00:38:07.800
 Remember the passage

00:38:07.800 --> 00:38:08.539
 that Justinian

00:38:08.539 --> 00:38:09.559
 read to us this morning,

00:38:09.720 --> 00:38:10.880
 Psalm 121.

00:38:11.840 --> 00:38:12.640
 Lift your eyes

00:38:12.640 --> 00:38:13.280
 to the hills

00:38:13.280 --> 00:38:14.019
 from where does

00:38:14.019 --> 00:38:15.140
 your hope come from.

00:38:15.820 --> 00:38:16.580
 Our help comes

00:38:16.580 --> 00:38:17.059
 from the Lord,

00:38:17.140 --> 00:38:18.460
 the maker of heaven and earth.

00:38:18.940 --> 00:38:19.820
 Behold the Lord,

00:38:19.860 --> 00:38:20.220
 our God,

00:38:20.300 --> 00:38:21.539
 he does not rest.

00:38:21.640 --> 00:38:22.840
 The one who made you

00:38:22.840 --> 00:38:23.800
 never sleeps,

00:38:24.360 --> 00:38:25.320
 never slumbers.

00:38:26.200 --> 00:38:26.620
 Watermark,

00:38:26.680 --> 00:38:27.100
 in our city,

00:38:27.180 --> 00:38:28.300
 there are a million things

00:38:28.300 --> 00:38:29.019
 asking us,

00:38:29.120 --> 00:38:29.740
 inviting us

00:38:29.740 --> 00:38:30.840
 to put our rest in them,

00:38:30.880 --> 00:38:31.780
 to put our hope in them,

00:38:31.840 --> 00:38:32.860
 to come to those things

00:38:32.860 --> 00:38:34.000
 to find our rest.

00:38:34.000 --> 00:38:35.920
 Friends,

00:38:35.980 --> 00:38:36.880
 there's only one redeemer

00:38:36.880 --> 00:38:38.739
 that can truly give us rest.

00:38:39.400 --> 00:38:40.460
 There's only one redeemer

00:38:40.460 --> 00:38:41.860
 that will give us rest

00:38:41.860 --> 00:38:43.340
 despite the circumstances

00:38:43.340 --> 00:38:44.179
 and the trials

00:38:44.179 --> 00:38:44.980
 and the tribulations

00:38:44.980 --> 00:38:45.800
 around us.

00:38:46.519 --> 00:38:47.179
 Jesus said,

00:38:47.340 --> 00:38:47.880
 come to me,

00:38:48.559 --> 00:38:49.599
 all you who labor

00:38:49.599 --> 00:38:51.280
 and are heavy laden,

00:38:51.679 --> 00:38:53.619
 I will give you rest.

00:38:54.119 --> 00:38:55.739
 Take my yoke upon me

00:38:55.739 --> 00:38:56.639
 and learn from me.

00:38:56.820 --> 00:38:57.539
 Submit to me

00:38:57.539 --> 00:38:58.820
 and surrender to me,

00:38:59.280 --> 00:39:00.239
 for I'm gentle

00:39:00.239 --> 00:39:01.699
 and I'm humble,

00:39:01.699 --> 00:39:03.719
 and you will find rest

00:39:03.719 --> 00:39:04.739
 for your souls.

00:39:05.539 --> 00:39:06.339
 Let's pray together.

00:39:12.159 --> 00:39:13.119
 Oh God,

00:39:13.859 --> 00:39:15.419
 Augustine was right

00:39:15.419 --> 00:39:15.919
 all those

00:39:15.919 --> 00:39:18.299
 hundreds of years ago,

00:39:18.460 --> 00:39:19.639
 thousands of years ago,

00:39:19.699 --> 00:39:20.419
 that our hearts

00:39:20.419 --> 00:39:21.439
 were made for you

00:39:21.439 --> 00:39:23.819
 and will forever be restless

00:39:23.819 --> 00:39:25.639
 until we find our rest in you.

00:39:27.139 --> 00:39:27.619
 God,

00:39:27.659 --> 00:39:29.179
 as the world has advanced

00:39:29.179 --> 00:39:30.739
 and become more technological,

00:39:32.139 --> 00:39:33.679
 as technology advances,

00:39:34.639 --> 00:39:35.399
 we are promised

00:39:35.399 --> 00:39:36.359
 that all these things

00:39:36.359 --> 00:39:37.359
 will give us rest,

00:39:37.719 --> 00:39:38.759
 greater convenience,

00:39:39.399 --> 00:39:40.279
 greater happiness,

00:39:41.059 --> 00:39:42.419
 greater access to wealth,

00:39:43.539 --> 00:39:44.239
 greater joy.

00:39:45.940 --> 00:39:46.299
 God,

00:39:46.359 --> 00:39:47.899
 the problem of mankind

00:39:47.899 --> 00:39:49.679
 is as old as the world,

00:39:50.859 --> 00:39:52.839
 that until we find our rest in you,

00:39:53.219 --> 00:39:54.559
 we will forever be restless.

00:39:54.559 --> 00:39:54.759
 Jesus.

00:39:59.820 --> 00:40:00.519
 Oh God,

00:40:00.579 --> 00:40:01.000
 I pray,

00:40:01.139 --> 00:40:01.239
 Lord,

00:40:01.299 --> 00:40:02.079
 won't you make us

00:40:02.079 --> 00:40:02.820
 as a church

00:40:02.820 --> 00:40:05.039
 those that can rest

00:40:05.039 --> 00:40:06.139
 in the great sovereignty

00:40:06.139 --> 00:40:06.920
 of our God,

00:40:07.880 --> 00:40:08.980
 those that can rest

00:40:08.980 --> 00:40:09.599
 in the goodness

00:40:09.599 --> 00:40:10.340
 of our God,

00:40:11.119 --> 00:40:12.340
 those that can take

00:40:12.340 --> 00:40:13.539
 refuge

00:40:13.539 --> 00:40:15.179
 and courage

00:40:15.179 --> 00:40:15.840
 in the nature

00:40:15.840 --> 00:40:16.639
 and the character

00:40:16.639 --> 00:40:18.860
 of our great Redeemer,

00:40:19.599 --> 00:40:20.599
 Jesus Christ.

00:40:21.019 --> 00:40:21.500
 Amen.

00:40:24.559 --> 00:40:25.159
 Father,

00:40:25.299 --> 00:40:25.699
 I pray,

00:40:25.820 --> 00:40:26.880
 won't you drive

00:40:26.880 --> 00:40:29.139
 your beauty

00:40:29.139 --> 00:40:30.579
 and your sovereignty

00:40:30.579 --> 00:40:31.719
 deep into our hearts,

00:40:31.820 --> 00:40:32.039
 God.

00:40:33.360 --> 00:40:33.619
 Lord,

00:40:33.659 --> 00:40:34.820
 I pray that as we go

00:40:34.820 --> 00:40:35.360
 into our week,

00:40:35.440 --> 00:40:36.519
 we won't play religion,

00:40:37.460 --> 00:40:38.179
 we won't take on

00:40:38.179 --> 00:40:38.719
 the worries

00:40:38.719 --> 00:40:39.619
 and the concerns

00:40:39.619 --> 00:40:40.599
 and the trials

00:40:40.599 --> 00:40:43.900
 and the challenges

00:40:43.900 --> 00:40:45.279
 on the world,

00:40:45.380 --> 00:40:46.039
 the weight of the world

00:40:46.039 --> 00:40:46.639
 on our shoulders,

00:40:46.860 --> 00:40:47.019
 God,

00:40:47.119 --> 00:40:47.500
 but we will,

00:40:47.599 --> 00:40:48.360
 even in the midst

00:40:48.360 --> 00:40:49.139
 of great challenges,

00:40:49.259 --> 00:40:50.099
 we will find our rest

00:40:50.099 --> 00:40:50.440
 in you.

00:40:52.139 --> 00:40:52.500
 God,

00:40:52.579 --> 00:40:53.320
 come and lead us,

00:40:53.420 --> 00:40:53.559
 Lord.

00:40:53.559 --> 00:40:54.179
 I want to pray,

00:40:54.279 --> 00:40:54.380
 God,

00:40:54.440 --> 00:40:55.340
 especially for those

00:40:55.340 --> 00:40:55.880
 of us today

00:40:55.880 --> 00:40:56.259
 that,

00:40:57.079 --> 00:40:57.219
 Lord,

00:40:57.279 --> 00:40:57.719
 are feeling

00:40:57.719 --> 00:40:59.320
 exceedingly burdened.

00:41:00.739 --> 00:41:01.119
 God,

00:41:01.179 --> 00:41:01.880
 won't you bring us

00:41:01.880 --> 00:41:02.380
 to you?

00:41:03.360 --> 00:41:04.099
 Won't you bring us

00:41:04.099 --> 00:41:05.059
 to your great Redeemer?

00:41:07.139 --> 00:41:08.119
 Won't you help us,

00:41:08.219 --> 00:41:08.299
 Lord,

00:41:08.360 --> 00:41:09.460
 to come empty-handed

00:41:09.460 --> 00:41:11.099
 and to submit

00:41:11.099 --> 00:41:11.960
 and to surrender

00:41:11.960 --> 00:41:13.000
 to Christ our King?

00:41:14.539 --> 00:41:14.920
 Oh,

00:41:14.980 --> 00:41:15.500
 Holy Spirit,

00:41:15.619 --> 00:41:16.500
 come and draw us

00:41:16.500 --> 00:41:16.980
 to yourself

00:41:16.980 --> 00:41:17.480
 of prayer.

00:41:20.239 --> 00:41:20.599
 God,

00:41:20.619 --> 00:41:21.139
 I want to pray

00:41:21.139 --> 00:41:21.880
 for those of us

00:41:21.880 --> 00:41:23.199
 that have never found you.

00:41:24.000 --> 00:41:25.179
 I've never surrendered

00:41:25.179 --> 00:41:25.699
 to you.

00:41:26.639 --> 00:41:27.719
 I've never found

00:41:27.719 --> 00:41:29.119
 our hearts at rest

00:41:29.119 --> 00:41:30.579
 in the arms

00:41:30.579 --> 00:41:31.420
 of the great King

00:41:31.420 --> 00:41:32.440
 and Redeemer Christ.

00:41:33.279 --> 00:41:33.679
 God,

00:41:33.719 --> 00:41:34.099
 I pray,

00:41:34.179 --> 00:41:35.119
 won't you save us?

00:41:36.219 --> 00:41:37.079
 Won't you forgive us

00:41:37.079 --> 00:41:37.779
 of our sins?

00:41:39.320 --> 00:41:39.719
 God,

00:41:39.759 --> 00:41:40.039
 I pray,

00:41:40.159 --> 00:41:41.239
 bring us to repentance.

00:41:42.699 --> 00:41:43.860
 Bring us to faith.

00:41:45.299 --> 00:41:46.079
 Help us to find

00:41:46.079 --> 00:41:46.900
 our rest in you.

00:41:46.900 --> 00:41:46.960
 Amen.

00:41:46.960 --> 00:41:47.019
 Amen.

00:41:47.019 --> 00:41:47.079
 Amen.

00:41:47.079 --> 00:41:47.519
 Amen.

00:41:47.519 --> 00:41:48.019
 Amen.

00:41:48.019 --> 00:41:48.519
 Amen.

00:41:48.519 --> 00:41:49.019
 Amen.

00:41:49.019 --> 00:41:49.079
 Amen.

00:41:49.079 --> 00:41:50.019
 Amen.

00:41:50.019 --> 00:41:50.519
 Amen.

00:41:50.519 --> 00:41:51.019
 Amen.

00:41:51.019 --> 00:41:51.079
 Amen.

00:41:51.079 --> 00:41:51.099
 Amen.