WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.339 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.339 --> 00:00:10.519 ! Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:12.640 --> 00:00:21.760 ! Let's pray together. Our help, our God, we come to you. 00:00:21.760 --> 00:00:28.560 We ask for your help because it's who you are. Help us to trust you. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:39.359 Even now, Father, meet us in your word as you're speaking to us. Help us to hear. 00:00:40.560 --> 00:00:48.519 Restore our relationship. Restore the joy of our salvation, of knowing you, 00:00:49.960 --> 00:00:56.780 of seeing Jesus and knowing the Father. Restore the love of Jesus in our hearts. 00:00:56.780 --> 00:01:01.660 We ask in His name. Amen. 00:01:05.099 --> 00:01:10.019 As we have been studying these great Old Testament stories over the last few weeks, 00:01:10.140 --> 00:01:17.740 getting to know more about the God who rescues and restores us to relationship with Himself. 00:01:17.739 --> 00:01:24.899 Often, Yahweh has worked miraculously, right? 00:01:25.539 --> 00:01:34.099 Speaking directly to His people, sending dreams to them, parting the Red Sea, right? 00:01:34.159 --> 00:01:35.539 Incredible miracles. 00:01:35.540 --> 00:01:45.520 But most of the time, God is at work in the mundane as much as He is in the miraculous. 00:01:46.740 --> 00:01:51.420 Through ordinary people as much as extraordinary events. 00:01:51.420 --> 00:02:01.340 And in the book of Ruth, there are a lot of very normal people going through normal, even difficult lives. 00:02:01.740 --> 00:02:04.299 And God is going to show up right there. 00:02:04.519 --> 00:02:10.039 He's going to work in very normal ways to bring beautiful restoration. 00:02:10.979 --> 00:02:16.219 I want you to notice that as we get started because that is true not only of much of the Bible, 00:02:16.219 --> 00:02:22.520 that there's not an explicit miracle on every page, right? 00:02:22.639 --> 00:02:27.340 But it's also true of most of our lives, isn't it? 00:02:27.840 --> 00:02:31.120 Most of us are living in the mundane. 00:02:32.240 --> 00:02:35.319 And we need God's restoration, don't we? 00:02:35.419 --> 00:02:41.819 We need God to show up in our lives too and work and bring us back to Himself. 00:02:41.819 --> 00:02:45.859 So open your Bibles this morning to Ruth. 00:02:47.299 --> 00:02:49.579 We're going to walk through the whole story today. 00:02:49.739 --> 00:02:51.280 It's not that long of a book. 00:02:52.239 --> 00:02:54.519 It's one of my favorite Bible stories. 00:02:54.639 --> 00:03:00.939 A glorious picture of our faithful God who loves to restore us to relationship with Himself. 00:03:02.699 --> 00:03:09.459 One of the helpful ways to track with this story is through the names of the people in the story. 00:03:09.460 --> 00:03:13.460 Kids, you should have gotten something on the way in. 00:03:13.540 --> 00:03:17.200 If you didn't and your parents are okay, you can go back there and get one now. 00:03:17.260 --> 00:03:21.120 But you should have gotten a sheet with several names on it, okay? 00:03:21.500 --> 00:03:24.540 They may be unfamiliar names. 00:03:25.520 --> 00:03:29.060 But I want you to listen this morning to what the names mean. 00:03:29.120 --> 00:03:33.040 I'm going to tell you what all seven of them mean, just not all at the beginning, okay? 00:03:33.039 --> 00:03:38.259 And they're going to help tell the story of Ruth. 00:03:40.379 --> 00:03:46.699 One of the great restoration projects in modern history culminated last week 00:03:46.699 --> 00:03:58.879 when the historic towers of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris opened again to the public for the first time since the fire in 2019. 00:03:58.879 --> 00:04:06.819 At many times over the past six years, though, if you had looked inside, 00:04:07.199 --> 00:04:13.500 you might have thought what was going on was a demolition rather than a restoration. 00:04:14.019 --> 00:04:21.759 Excavators clearing rubble, damaged arches being torn down all over the place. 00:04:21.759 --> 00:04:25.920 It seemed that things inside the cathedral were just getting worse. 00:04:27.779 --> 00:04:34.579 All in an effort to have the beauty of this building restored. 00:04:36.680 --> 00:04:41.180 And that may be where you feel like you are with God. 00:04:41.839 --> 00:04:47.819 If you feel like your life is falling apart more than it is fixing up. 00:04:47.819 --> 00:04:57.139 If it feels like a demolition rather than a restoration, then you're going to relate to this family. 00:04:58.939 --> 00:05:01.120 Ruth chapter 1. 00:05:02.420 --> 00:05:06.199 In the days when the judges ruled. 00:05:06.839 --> 00:05:11.539 Now just remember where we are in the story that last week we were with the judges and Gideon. 00:05:11.779 --> 00:05:13.860 We're now in the promised land. 00:05:13.980 --> 00:05:15.240 God's people are there. 00:05:15.240 --> 00:05:18.759 But the judges ruled and they were not only in the land. 00:05:18.860 --> 00:05:21.480 There was a lot of idolatry going on. 00:05:21.500 --> 00:05:23.340 They were turning from God. 00:05:23.439 --> 00:05:27.040 That's why he had to send judges to bring them back. 00:05:27.740 --> 00:05:30.879 People were doing what was right in their own eyes. 00:05:31.019 --> 00:05:34.280 There was no king to keep them on track. 00:05:35.540 --> 00:05:40.060 In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. 00:05:40.720 --> 00:05:41.840 Another problem. 00:05:42.100 --> 00:05:44.340 Famine is a covenant curse. 00:05:44.339 --> 00:05:54.079 And a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab. 00:05:54.719 --> 00:05:59.759 Never a good sign to leave God's land and God's people, right? 00:06:00.500 --> 00:06:02.299 This is the context of this story. 00:06:02.679 --> 00:06:03.199 He left. 00:06:03.279 --> 00:06:05.419 He and his wife and his two sons. 00:06:06.819 --> 00:06:08.719 The name of the man was Elimelech. 00:06:08.720 --> 00:06:10.340 The name of the man was Elimelech. 00:06:10.340 --> 00:06:11.920 The name of his wife, Naomi. 00:06:12.340 --> 00:06:16.580 But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died. 00:06:18.300 --> 00:06:21.260 And she was left with her two sons. 00:06:22.560 --> 00:06:23.540 Elimelech. 00:06:24.100 --> 00:06:26.340 It's the first name in this story. 00:06:26.460 --> 00:06:31.680 Elimelech, kids, means God is my king. 00:06:31.680 --> 00:06:36.639 Except he's not living like that. 00:06:37.100 --> 00:06:40.100 Elimelech is taking control of his own life. 00:06:40.400 --> 00:06:45.019 Deciding he's going to go fix things for himself and his family. 00:06:45.340 --> 00:06:46.579 And then he dies. 00:06:46.780 --> 00:06:53.259 Not long thereafter, both of his boys marry Moabite women in this land he's taken them to. 00:06:53.259 --> 00:06:57.139 But then both of the boys die. 00:06:58.959 --> 00:07:06.180 As you might imagine, there is a lot of weeping in the first chapter of this book. 00:07:07.199 --> 00:07:11.459 Naomi is faced with terrible suffering. 00:07:12.620 --> 00:07:14.560 Deep grief. 00:07:15.500 --> 00:07:15.980 Widowed. 00:07:17.699 --> 00:07:19.539 Now childless. 00:07:19.540 --> 00:07:23.379 In a foreign land, isolated. 00:07:25.780 --> 00:07:28.700 Many of us know those feelings, don't we? 00:07:30.900 --> 00:07:38.000 When we were in seminary, Christy and I were so excited to find out we were expecting our first child. 00:07:39.220 --> 00:07:46.500 And we were equally devastated a few weeks later when we found out that we had suffered a miscarriage. 00:07:46.500 --> 00:07:56.660 The loss of a child and the joy and the hope that children promise is so painful, isn't it? 00:07:57.240 --> 00:08:02.319 Others of you share that particular grief with us, with Naomi. 00:08:02.319 --> 00:08:02.379 Naomi. 00:08:03.779 --> 00:08:13.959 But whatever grief or loss you carry, it is really easy to look around you and conclude what Naomi concluded 00:08:13.959 --> 00:08:18.139 and how she explained it to her friends at the end of chapter 1. 00:08:19.480 --> 00:08:20.719 She said to them, 00:08:20.720 --> 00:08:35.300 Why call me Naomi? 00:08:35.460 --> 00:08:43.740 When the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me. 00:08:43.960 --> 00:08:46.120 God is against me. 00:08:46.120 --> 00:08:52.519 The tragedy and suffering in Naomi's life has led her to that conclusion, hasn't it? 00:08:53.240 --> 00:08:57.580 It feels that God is demolishing rather than restoring. 00:08:58.139 --> 00:09:00.679 His presence seems distant. 00:09:01.139 --> 00:09:03.500 His promises seem false. 00:09:03.700 --> 00:09:06.340 His character seems undesirable. 00:09:08.399 --> 00:09:09.940 Can you blame her? 00:09:09.940 --> 00:09:15.280 Have you felt this way too? 00:09:16.040 --> 00:09:18.760 God, I've trusted you. 00:09:19.160 --> 00:09:21.280 I've tried to follow you. 00:09:21.560 --> 00:09:25.040 I've wanted to hold on to hope. 00:09:27.040 --> 00:09:30.800 But look what's happened. 00:09:30.799 --> 00:09:42.579 In the rest of Naomi's story, God demonstrates that despite this very understandable feeling 00:09:42.579 --> 00:09:47.879 of God being against her and demolishing her, quite the opposite is true. 00:09:48.219 --> 00:09:52.379 God is actually full of faithful love for Naomi. 00:09:52.620 --> 00:09:55.620 He's actually restoring her to himself. 00:09:56.000 --> 00:09:57.240 He's still with Naomi. 00:09:57.240 --> 00:10:03.539 His character is trustworthy and his promises are greater than she could imagine. 00:10:05.399 --> 00:10:08.560 But right now, she's bitter. 00:10:09.200 --> 00:10:13.720 She says, don't even call me Naomi, pleasant. 00:10:15.039 --> 00:10:16.159 That's a good name. 00:10:17.399 --> 00:10:21.279 Call me Mara, bitter. 00:10:24.200 --> 00:10:25.200 She's bitter. 00:10:25.200 --> 00:10:33.580 Even in the midst of her bitterness, there's another name through which God is giving a 00:10:33.580 --> 00:10:36.640 glimpse of his faithful love to Naomi. 00:10:36.960 --> 00:10:41.560 It's through Ruth, which means friend. 00:10:42.840 --> 00:10:45.480 Someone to comfort Naomi. 00:10:46.900 --> 00:10:52.840 I mean, by all accounts, at this point in the story, Naomi should have come home completely 00:10:52.840 --> 00:10:54.640 alone, right? 00:10:55.200 --> 00:11:01.780 Instead, something amazing has happened in the heart of this Gentile woman. 00:11:02.200 --> 00:11:10.920 It's not merely that she deeply loves her mother-in-law, which many cite as the one great miracle 00:11:10.920 --> 00:11:12.580 in the book of Ruth. 00:11:13.580 --> 00:11:16.180 I didn't say I felt that way. 00:11:16.220 --> 00:11:18.680 I just said that's what the commentators said. 00:11:18.679 --> 00:11:23.719 It's not just her deep love for Naomi. 00:11:24.179 --> 00:11:28.059 It's that she deeply loves Yahweh. 00:11:29.000 --> 00:11:35.399 That she's willing to follow him into a seemingly hopeless future heading back to Bethlehem. 00:11:35.639 --> 00:11:37.459 Why would Ruth do that? 00:11:38.099 --> 00:11:42.459 Naomi tells her the only reasonable decision for Ruth is to remain in Moab. 00:11:42.460 --> 00:11:43.860 That's where she's got family. 00:11:43.980 --> 00:11:45.080 She's got people. 00:11:45.220 --> 00:11:46.740 She's got history there. 00:11:47.160 --> 00:11:48.860 And the other daughter-in-law gets it. 00:11:49.040 --> 00:11:50.259 She goes back. 00:11:50.759 --> 00:11:52.139 She stays in Moab. 00:11:52.580 --> 00:11:56.259 But Ruth clung to her. 00:11:57.460 --> 00:11:59.560 Verse 14, covenant language. 00:12:00.680 --> 00:12:03.120 And she says, verse 16, 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:06.679 Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. 00:12:06.980 --> 00:12:08.659 For where you go, I will go. 00:12:09.200 --> 00:12:11.019 Where you lodge, I will lodge. 00:12:11.259 --> 00:12:13.379 Your people shall be my people. 00:12:13.580 --> 00:12:15.539 And your God, my God. 00:12:15.759 --> 00:12:17.500 Where you die, I will die. 00:12:17.639 --> 00:12:19.480 And there will I be buried. 00:12:20.360 --> 00:12:22.940 Now that's a strong commitment. 00:12:24.220 --> 00:12:28.960 Her words indicate this profound faith in Israel's God. 00:12:28.960 --> 00:12:33.259 Her actions demonstrate a profound covenant commitment. 00:12:34.160 --> 00:12:41.200 It's like the God who clings to, who sticks with his people no matter what. 00:12:41.519 --> 00:12:44.800 Ruth will not let go of Naomi. 00:12:46.340 --> 00:12:48.139 She's whispering to her. 00:12:48.440 --> 00:12:49.379 Naomi's bitter, right? 00:12:49.940 --> 00:12:56.160 But Ruth is whispering by her actions what the Bible story teaches us about God, doesn't it? 00:12:56.159 --> 00:13:00.860 I love the way British preacher Charles Spurgeon famously said this. 00:13:02.179 --> 00:13:04.579 God is too good to be unkind. 00:13:05.699 --> 00:13:08.860 And he is too wise to be mistaken. 00:13:09.899 --> 00:13:15.019 And when we cannot trace his hand, we must trust his heart. 00:13:15.279 --> 00:13:18.639 When we can't see what he's doing in our lives, 00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:22.259 we trust what he's like all the time. 00:13:22.259 --> 00:13:26.319 Naomi couldn't possibly see what God is doing. 00:13:27.460 --> 00:13:34.039 But her friend, a comforter, is returning with her to the promised land, 00:13:34.159 --> 00:13:35.860 to the God of the promise. 00:13:36.220 --> 00:13:37.819 Can she trust his heart? 00:13:38.319 --> 00:13:39.960 His faithful love? 00:13:40.259 --> 00:13:43.240 Is this actually just a demolition? 00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:47.639 Or is there hope for restoration? 00:13:47.639 --> 00:13:52.720 Well, you know that there's hope. 00:13:53.699 --> 00:13:59.840 Notice as they return to the promised land that God typically does his restoration work 00:13:59.840 --> 00:14:01.480 in covenant community. 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:07.799 As we walk through this beautiful blessing of restoration for Ruth and Naomi, 00:14:07.980 --> 00:14:09.819 notice how it happens. 00:14:09.980 --> 00:14:10.860 Chapter 2. 00:14:10.860 --> 00:14:14.240 Now Naomi had a relative of her husband's, 00:14:14.419 --> 00:14:18.180 a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech whose name was Boaz. 00:14:19.080 --> 00:14:21.300 They like highlighting names here in the book of Ruth. 00:14:21.720 --> 00:14:22.940 That's why we're going to do that some. 00:14:23.580 --> 00:14:25.680 Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, 00:14:26.139 --> 00:14:28.759 Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain 00:14:28.759 --> 00:14:31.560 after him in whose sight I shall find favor. 00:14:31.940 --> 00:14:33.700 And she said to her, Go, my daughter. 00:14:33.700 --> 00:14:38.740 So Ruth set out and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers 00:14:38.740 --> 00:14:42.960 and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz. 00:14:44.140 --> 00:14:45.379 That's irony, by the way. 00:14:45.420 --> 00:14:50.100 She just so happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz 00:14:50.100 --> 00:14:52.660 who was of the clan of Elimelech. 00:14:53.340 --> 00:14:57.920 Now, it's not going to make a lot of sense if you don't understand what gleaning is. 00:14:57.920 --> 00:15:01.640 It's important to understand gleaning in ancient Israel. 00:15:01.639 --> 00:15:07.159 God establishes this practice in his law that he gives to his people 00:15:07.159 --> 00:15:12.039 in order to provide for the widow, the poor, and the foreigner. 00:15:12.519 --> 00:15:17.639 When you harvest your fields, what you're supposed to do is leave bits around the edges 00:15:17.639 --> 00:15:21.659 for those people to glean, to gather for themselves. 00:15:22.279 --> 00:15:26.360 See, God's loving law in his promised land is designed 00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:31.480 to provide for the material needs of those on the margins of society. 00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:35.360 Like Ruth and Naomi. 00:15:37.039 --> 00:15:41.460 And Boaz means strength. 00:15:42.559 --> 00:15:44.199 Means strength. 00:15:45.480 --> 00:15:49.100 He well represents the heart of his God. 00:15:50.100 --> 00:15:54.960 Boaz doesn't just meet the minimum requirements to get by on the law, does he? 00:15:55.680 --> 00:16:00.060 He actually, he goes to meet Ruth personally. 00:16:00.420 --> 00:16:03.960 He speaks to the men working in the field to provide her protection. 00:16:04.100 --> 00:16:06.860 He even sees to it that she gets more than the usual. 00:16:07.920 --> 00:16:10.560 Listen to what Boaz tells Ruth. 00:16:10.559 --> 00:16:16.539 All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me. 00:16:16.759 --> 00:16:22.819 How you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. 00:16:23.779 --> 00:16:26.679 The Lord repay you for what you have done. 00:16:26.959 --> 00:16:34.639 A full reward be given you by Yahweh, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge. 00:16:34.639 --> 00:16:38.639 Boaz says, I've seen you demonstrate faithful love like Yahweh's. 00:16:39.580 --> 00:16:40.779 Ruth, I've seen it in you. 00:16:41.100 --> 00:16:43.299 Let me show it to you as well. 00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:47.199 I want you to know what it's like under his wings. 00:16:48.899 --> 00:16:58.700 God is showing through Boaz, through Ruth to Naomi that she's empty in order that he may fill her. 00:16:59.059 --> 00:17:01.620 That's the kind of faithful love he has. 00:17:01.620 --> 00:17:06.259 We dare not minimize her emptiness and pain. 00:17:06.640 --> 00:17:13.039 But we dare not overlook God's provision as he faithfully demonstrates his loving care for her. 00:17:13.119 --> 00:17:14.180 Naomi doesn't miss it. 00:17:14.259 --> 00:17:15.500 She's starting to see. 00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:16.900 Verse 20. 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:27.140 May he be blessed by the Lord whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead. 00:17:27.140 --> 00:17:32.840 His faithful love has not left her empty or alone. 00:17:33.920 --> 00:17:45.420 See, it is God's love in God's land, now that they're back, through God's law, that gleaning provision, right? 00:17:45.420 --> 00:17:58.700 Lived out by God's people, first Ruth, now Boaz, later the women of the community, that is restoring Naomi in relationship with God, isn't it? 00:17:58.880 --> 00:17:59.660 Don't miss that. 00:18:00.620 --> 00:18:03.900 The message of the book of Ruth to its first audience. 00:18:04.140 --> 00:18:04.720 Think about this. 00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:12.579 If you're one of God's people in exile, perhaps, or maybe in the land, but in rebellion, chasing after idols. 00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:15.799 What would the message have been to you when you read this book? 00:18:15.980 --> 00:18:18.559 It would have been turn back to God. 00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:20.740 Come back to his law. 00:18:21.039 --> 00:18:22.960 Come back to his people. 00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:23.220 Come back to his people. 00:18:24.500 --> 00:18:27.039 That's what we need to hear, isn't it? 00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:29.440 When we feel far from God. 00:18:31.579 --> 00:18:37.279 Sometimes we wonder why we feel so distant from God. 00:18:38.500 --> 00:18:42.960 When we spend very little time in his word. 00:18:43.920 --> 00:18:48.100 When we rarely attend the gathered worship of his people. 00:18:48.099 --> 00:18:56.119 When we rarely slow our busy lives down to live in true relationship with people in his family. 00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:02.899 Maybe it shouldn't be a surprise that God feels distant. 00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:09.059 Before you protest, I'm not suggesting that this is simple or automatic. 00:19:09.339 --> 00:19:11.740 Like, just go to church and you'll always feel good. 00:19:12.299 --> 00:19:13.039 No, no. 00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:18.759 Remember, Naomi's last experience with God's people was marked by what? 00:19:19.579 --> 00:19:22.200 Idolatry and famine. 00:19:23.240 --> 00:19:30.819 Ten years later, I bet you she worried if she went back to Bethlehem as a widow with no land. 00:19:30.940 --> 00:19:33.299 Whether she would be provided for at all. 00:19:34.879 --> 00:19:39.599 Some of you have had such experiences with God's church. 00:19:39.599 --> 00:19:44.799 Where you did not experience his gracious heart. 00:19:45.359 --> 00:19:46.980 His full welcome. 00:19:47.119 --> 00:19:48.959 His generous provision. 00:19:50.699 --> 00:19:52.099 I'm sorry. 00:19:53.619 --> 00:19:58.000 We can be so self-focused sometimes. 00:19:59.000 --> 00:20:00.379 It's not okay. 00:20:00.380 --> 00:20:14.360 But, this is among God's people where God most often, most regularly sets up his restoration projects. 00:20:14.580 --> 00:20:16.900 Where we can most regularly meet him. 00:20:17.000 --> 00:20:18.420 It is in his word. 00:20:18.700 --> 00:20:22.480 Slowing down to listen to him and to talk with him. 00:20:22.920 --> 00:20:24.500 It's with his people. 00:20:25.080 --> 00:20:30.060 Having others to point you to his faithfulness when you can't see it. 00:20:30.059 --> 00:20:35.339 Like the women in chapter 4, we're going to read as they encourage Naomi to see God's provision. 00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:38.159 To praise him for it when it's not there for her. 00:20:40.359 --> 00:20:42.919 If you feel distant from God. 00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:45.599 You came here this morning. 00:20:45.679 --> 00:20:47.299 Maybe that's part of why you came. 00:20:47.740 --> 00:20:49.240 God just seems so far away. 00:20:49.359 --> 00:20:51.159 Maybe I'll go to church. 00:20:52.819 --> 00:20:54.940 Keep opening his word. 00:20:54.940 --> 00:20:59.059 Keep sharing life with God's people. 00:20:59.420 --> 00:21:01.160 Here or elsewhere. 00:21:01.820 --> 00:21:03.799 Lean into your grace group. 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:06.720 Like really, not just show up some. 00:21:07.779 --> 00:21:12.740 Keep sitting with us at this table where God sits with us. 00:21:12.880 --> 00:21:14.360 Where he feeds us. 00:21:14.620 --> 00:21:17.620 See, that's the way that he has designed to work. 00:21:17.619 --> 00:21:23.619 Because he is so committed to restoring us to relationship with himself. 00:21:24.099 --> 00:21:29.199 That he so wants you to know the blessing of his gracious provision. 00:21:29.859 --> 00:21:30.439 That he did what? 00:21:30.579 --> 00:21:32.339 He set up his church. 00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:34.539 So you wouldn't be alone. 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:36.839 So you wouldn't think he'd forgotten you. 00:21:37.359 --> 00:21:40.759 So you'd have reminders of his faithful love all the time. 00:21:40.799 --> 00:21:42.339 Do you see his kindness in that? 00:21:42.339 --> 00:21:45.379 Trust his heart. 00:21:46.599 --> 00:21:48.659 Even when you can't trace his hand. 00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:54.459 Now if you are already in the covenant community. 00:21:54.859 --> 00:21:56.959 Perhaps, I'm going to go to the other extreme. 00:21:57.099 --> 00:21:58.879 You're not feeling distant from God. 00:21:59.159 --> 00:22:02.319 You've been in the covenant community in church so long. 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:05.359 You can't remember what it's like to feel left out. 00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:06.799 Right? 00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:08.759 You know everybody. 00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:15.119 You don't remember feeling uncertain if anyone sees you or knows you. 00:22:15.879 --> 00:22:19.839 Afraid you'll still be hungry and distant from God in a few weeks. 00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:30.819 If that's you, friend, we must move toward those who are hurting and isolated to welcome them in. 00:22:31.000 --> 00:22:32.619 What a privilege that is, right? 00:22:32.619 --> 00:22:37.539 We actually reflect the heart of God who's meeting our needs. 00:22:37.539 --> 00:22:39.859 That's what he's made us to be. 00:22:40.339 --> 00:22:42.740 Christy and I tasted this in St. Louis. 00:22:43.480 --> 00:22:55.819 When women, sisters in our church came around her and loved her and understood her pain following the miscarriage way better than I did. 00:22:57.240 --> 00:22:59.139 We've experienced it in Scotland. 00:22:59.140 --> 00:23:04.520 When we had exactly zero friends as far as we knew in the whole country. 00:23:06.080 --> 00:23:11.220 We found out we had family in a tiny church. 00:23:13.160 --> 00:23:16.920 Most of them decades older than we were. 00:23:16.920 --> 00:23:20.960 And they helped us belong. 00:23:22.580 --> 00:23:25.200 We've repeatedly found it here with y'all. 00:23:25.800 --> 00:23:30.460 When y'all have cried with us over medical struggles. 00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:34.180 When you've prayed for us and for our kids. 00:23:34.779 --> 00:23:37.600 When you have loved and forgiven us. 00:23:37.600 --> 00:23:41.240 Even when we've hurt you and disappointed you. 00:23:41.240 --> 00:23:48.740 Did you know, Southwood family, that you are part of a family? 00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:56.819 Part of a community that God designed very intentionally to show his love. 00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:58.420 To put it on a billboard. 00:23:58.700 --> 00:24:00.319 To help people have a taste. 00:24:00.660 --> 00:24:01.880 Especially the widow. 00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:03.140 And the orphan. 00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:04.440 And the hungry. 00:24:04.700 --> 00:24:05.579 And the needy. 00:24:05.579 --> 00:24:06.620 And the foreigner. 00:24:06.619 --> 00:24:08.559 And those with no place to live. 00:24:08.879 --> 00:24:09.899 And those convinced. 00:24:10.399 --> 00:24:11.899 God is against me. 00:24:13.979 --> 00:24:20.939 To give them a taste of how wanted they are at the family dinner table. 00:24:21.439 --> 00:24:25.559 Did you know you were a part of a community that God called together? 00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:29.339 And built together to do that very thing. 00:24:29.779 --> 00:24:31.839 So that people would actually know him. 00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:34.879 And the reality of his love in a new way. 00:24:34.880 --> 00:24:39.920 That's the story of God's covenant people. 00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:43.800 And as the story goes. 00:24:44.580 --> 00:24:48.740 We're often pretty bad at representing his heart. 00:24:49.500 --> 00:24:50.320 So give up. 00:24:51.020 --> 00:24:51.320 No. 00:24:51.960 --> 00:24:52.280 No, no. 00:24:52.420 --> 00:24:54.140 He's so good. 00:24:54.360 --> 00:24:57.120 That he keeps restoring us. 00:24:57.600 --> 00:24:59.840 To that relationship with him. 00:24:59.940 --> 00:25:00.940 And that role of then. 00:25:01.120 --> 00:25:04.080 Us having the privilege of restoring others. 00:25:04.079 --> 00:25:04.899 To him. 00:25:05.099 --> 00:25:05.759 That's how good. 00:25:05.819 --> 00:25:07.519 Even if you think you're the worst. 00:25:08.039 --> 00:25:10.319 Even if you're at the worst church ever. 00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:12.379 At showing God's love. 00:25:13.059 --> 00:25:14.299 There's all the hope in the world. 00:25:14.419 --> 00:25:15.460 That's what he's like. 00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:17.339 There's actually more along these lines. 00:25:17.460 --> 00:25:19.679 Back to the story of Ruth and Naomi. 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:21.379 Will they just survive? 00:25:21.599 --> 00:25:24.439 Eking by on gleaning for the rest of their lives. 00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:25.199 Is that what happens? 00:25:25.699 --> 00:25:25.879 No. 00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:28.359 God has even greater provision for them. 00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:31.000 It's relational on top of material. 00:25:31.439 --> 00:25:32.599 Again, it's through Boaz. 00:25:32.599 --> 00:25:37.079 Again, it's through the loving nature of God's law that Boaz embraces. 00:25:38.039 --> 00:25:38.980 Ruth chapter 3. 00:25:39.439 --> 00:25:40.639 And a brief disclaimer. 00:25:41.879 --> 00:25:44.759 Ruth chapter 3 is not dating advice. 00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:54.220 I would never encourage any of my three daughters to find a husband this way. 00:25:54.619 --> 00:25:56.000 That's not the point. 00:25:56.000 --> 00:26:08.519 But much of what develops here instead is connected to a part of God's law that provides for what is called a kinsman redeemer. 00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:17.720 It's more than this, but essentially the law is designed for someone to bring help to a relative about to lose his land. 00:26:17.960 --> 00:26:19.180 It's a huge deal. 00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:21.720 Needing an heir? 00:26:23.079 --> 00:26:26.960 Or having died and left a widow uncared for? 00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:33.120 In this case, all three apply. 00:26:33.119 --> 00:26:46.119 Naomi, knowing that this Boaz is one of those relatives who could redeem the land and them, sends Ruth back to him. 00:26:47.079 --> 00:26:48.399 It's a poignant scene. 00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:51.119 Ruth sneaks up on a sleeping Boaz. 00:26:51.119 --> 00:26:56.699 Boaz, and at midnight, he wakes up and realizes there's a woman at his feet. 00:26:57.339 --> 00:26:59.139 Verse 9, he said, who are you? 00:26:59.399 --> 00:27:00.500 Reasonable question. 00:27:02.119 --> 00:27:05.719 And she answered, I am Ruth, your servant. 00:27:06.059 --> 00:27:09.299 Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer. 00:27:10.539 --> 00:27:13.359 And he said, may you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. 00:27:13.359 --> 00:27:20.299 You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. 00:27:21.299 --> 00:27:23.240 And now, my daughter, do not fear. 00:27:23.479 --> 00:27:26.119 I will do for you all that you ask. 00:27:26.279 --> 00:27:30.779 For all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman. 00:27:31.779 --> 00:27:33.079 He reassures her. 00:27:34.719 --> 00:27:42.659 But actually, while Boaz is a redeemer, there's a closer relative who, by law, gets first right of refusal. 00:27:42.660 --> 00:27:46.160 And Boaz is going to follow God's law in this matter. 00:27:46.279 --> 00:27:48.480 He finds this closer relative. 00:27:48.680 --> 00:27:54.720 And then there's this exchange at the beginning of chapter 4 with sandals taken off and deals being struck. 00:27:54.880 --> 00:28:00.759 Listen, it serves to highlight the costliness of Boaz's redemption. 00:28:02.200 --> 00:28:03.940 The other guy is interested. 00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:08.100 I will redeem it, he says, when he hears about the land. 00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:12.040 Verse 5 of chapter 4. 00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:27.180 Boaz said, oh, by the way, the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead, in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance. 00:28:27.899 --> 00:28:35.720 Then the redeemer said, oh, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I impair my own inheritance. 00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:40.880 Take my right of redemption yourself, for I cannot redeem it. 00:28:41.259 --> 00:28:43.900 Too costly for him, right? 00:28:44.100 --> 00:28:48.620 Can't afford to take on the land and two widows. 00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:53.220 No name backs down. 00:28:55.160 --> 00:28:58.620 And Boaz's strength steps up. 00:28:59.720 --> 00:29:02.200 He'll marry this Moabite widow. 00:29:02.200 --> 00:29:06.319 He'll continue to provide for Naomi and Ruth. 00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:13.420 He'll ensure they experience Yahweh's faithful love, even though it costs him. 00:29:13.420 --> 00:29:20.340 I suspect that costly faithfulness reminds you of Ruth. 00:29:21.860 --> 00:29:33.279 Who, just a little while ago, was willing to sacrifice social standing, family prospects, and any future prosperity to show God's faithful love to Naomi. 00:29:33.279 --> 00:29:53.160 I hope that costly faithfulness reminds you of Jesus, who was willing to sacrifice the comforts of heaven, the privileges of divinity, and even his life to show God's faithful love to us. 00:29:53.160 --> 00:30:07.400 What a wonderful picture then Boaz is of our true and great kinsman redeemer, the one who became like us in order to rescue and restore us to relationship with God forever. 00:30:07.400 --> 00:30:24.019 I pray that that costly faithfulness then reminds you, inspires you in a life of sacrificial love as one of God's covenant people. 00:30:24.240 --> 00:30:25.540 I'll be honest with you. 00:30:25.640 --> 00:30:32.060 It will cost you big to show big love to people with big needs. 00:30:32.620 --> 00:30:33.940 It's what God does. 00:30:33.940 --> 00:30:41.259 So you'll find the joy in that of sharing the heart of God, the faithful love of Christ. 00:30:41.480 --> 00:30:42.620 It's your privilege. 00:30:42.840 --> 00:30:45.960 It's your responsibility as one of His. 00:30:49.299 --> 00:30:54.160 Think back to Naomi as she journeys back from Moab to Bethlehem. 00:30:57.180 --> 00:30:58.160 She's bitter. 00:30:58.160 --> 00:31:05.620 She's alone, assuming that her family line has ended completely. 00:31:06.840 --> 00:31:10.120 She's convinced that God is against her. 00:31:12.380 --> 00:31:24.580 Her most hopeful prayer, can you imagine in that low place what she could have most dreamed and prayed for was like a safe trip home and a roof over her head. 00:31:24.579 --> 00:31:26.579 That would have seemed unbelievable. 00:31:26.579 --> 00:31:29.099 Too good to be true. 00:31:30.500 --> 00:31:35.599 But God has provided beyond what she could ever imagine. 00:31:36.939 --> 00:31:40.699 Boaz and Ruth, it doesn't just give her a little bit of wheat. 00:31:42.059 --> 00:31:43.419 They get married. 00:31:44.179 --> 00:31:45.699 And soon they have a son. 00:31:46.720 --> 00:31:48.579 Naomi's family line will continue. 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:50.059 Unbelievable. 00:31:50.059 --> 00:31:55.179 She holds this boy in her arms and she gets to help raise him. 00:31:55.259 --> 00:31:57.299 It's clearly a gift from God. 00:31:59.460 --> 00:32:04.279 He doesn't erase the pain of the boys that Naomi lost. 00:32:05.059 --> 00:32:10.639 But he does remind her that God has not abandoned her in that pain. 00:32:10.640 --> 00:32:17.960 Listen to what good friends Naomi has who help her realize that truth about God. 00:32:18.300 --> 00:32:21.040 The women of her community say to Naomi, 00:32:21.460 --> 00:32:25.820 Blessed be the Lord who has not left you this day without a redeemer. 00:32:26.300 --> 00:32:29.860 And may his name be renowned in Israel. 00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:35.000 He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age. 00:32:35.000 --> 00:32:41.460 For your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him. 00:32:41.859 --> 00:32:47.319 In fact, these dear sisters of hers are so close to her that I don't know if this still happens, 00:32:47.440 --> 00:32:49.319 but they actually get to name her grandson. 00:32:51.480 --> 00:32:51.980 Obed. 00:32:52.559 --> 00:32:54.700 Is that what y'all name other people's grandkids? 00:32:54.940 --> 00:32:55.359 Obed? 00:32:56.339 --> 00:32:57.460 Stop doing that. 00:32:57.460 --> 00:33:02.519 But it means worshiper. 00:33:04.920 --> 00:33:09.440 Praise God, Naomi, who deserves all the worship. 00:33:09.440 --> 00:33:18.579 He is a restorer who has restored Naomi to himself, to life, to hope beyond what she could have asked or imagined. 00:33:18.900 --> 00:33:19.759 That's what he does. 00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:28.160 When forest fires roar through California's redwood forests, 00:33:28.680 --> 00:33:32.779 these massive trees have fires even up inside of them, 00:33:33.359 --> 00:33:40.759 most of us would look and assume this tree will be demolished, destroyed. 00:33:40.759 --> 00:33:46.099 The forest barren like this in just a few days. 00:33:46.099 --> 00:33:52.779 It looks from everything we can see like that's what's happening. 00:33:54.079 --> 00:34:00.599 But God has designed these amazing trees so that they not only typically survive these forests, 00:34:00.939 --> 00:34:08.119 but also are actually strengthened by these fires so that they grow and they thrive 00:34:08.119 --> 00:34:18.099 and they get stronger through the fires to become majestic forests that expand and that thrive for hundreds of years. 00:34:22.099 --> 00:34:29.440 Naomi's burning family tree becomes a glorious forest, doesn't it? 00:34:29.920 --> 00:34:33.799 Kids, you got another sheet that has a family tree picture, 00:34:33.900 --> 00:34:36.519 the picture of a tree with a bunch of names on it, okay? 00:34:36.519 --> 00:34:38.340 Look at that family tree. 00:34:39.199 --> 00:34:43.900 God's restoration work often goes beyond what we experience. 00:34:44.980 --> 00:34:48.420 This is really important as we close. 00:34:49.739 --> 00:34:57.500 Because some of you are longing for restoration that you will not get to experience in this life. 00:34:57.500 --> 00:35:06.980 Maybe you just have met Jesus or just learned what a relationship with Him is in your latter years. 00:35:09.019 --> 00:35:15.219 Maybe your family situation will still be unreconciled when you die. 00:35:18.019 --> 00:35:25.739 Maybe life's gotten so confusing and overwhelming that you can't trace God's hand anywhere in your life. 00:35:25.739 --> 00:35:30.299 But you can trust His heart. 00:35:31.119 --> 00:35:33.779 He's too good to be unkind. 00:35:33.919 --> 00:35:36.579 He's too wise to be mistaken. 00:35:37.000 --> 00:35:39.819 You're starting to see His faithful love. 00:35:40.459 --> 00:35:42.019 And I want you to have this hope. 00:35:42.979 --> 00:35:46.759 His restoration work goes beyond what we experience here. 00:35:48.099 --> 00:35:51.479 Naomi couldn't possibly see what God was up to, where He was taking her. 00:35:51.480 --> 00:35:57.599 In fact, she never knows in this life the full outworking of His gracious, glorious promises. 00:35:58.579 --> 00:36:03.199 Ruth's son, whom Naomi cares for, is Obed. 00:36:04.199 --> 00:36:08.960 He was the father of Jesse, the father of David. 00:36:10.260 --> 00:36:11.740 Yes, that David. 00:36:11.739 --> 00:36:23.219 At the time Ruth was written, the greatest Israelite you could have possibly claimed to have in your family line, the great King David. 00:36:23.879 --> 00:36:32.000 This story begins with a reference to the days of the judges when there was no king with great reason for sadness. 00:36:32.000 --> 00:36:36.940 And it ends with a king and great cause for hope. 00:36:37.619 --> 00:36:45.059 In fact, we know now that eventually in that family line, in that tree of Boaz and David, 00:36:45.059 --> 00:36:54.559 would come Jesus Himself, the King of kings, whose name means God saves. 00:36:54.559 --> 00:36:57.440 God saves. 00:36:57.659 --> 00:37:06.820 From an empty, bitter widow and her Gentile daughter-in-law who needed a Redeemer comes the great Redeemer. 00:37:07.119 --> 00:37:12.440 See, God works to meet our needs beyond what we even realize our needs are, doesn't He? 00:37:13.079 --> 00:37:20.920 Naomi, she knew she needed a kinsman Redeemer, but God used the first one, Boaz, the one she thought she needed, 00:37:20.920 --> 00:37:28.900 to bring the kinsman Redeemer, Naomi, really needed, who would pay an even costlier price to provide for her restoration to God, 00:37:29.180 --> 00:37:35.720 her forgiveness, and her eternal security that Boaz was only a momentary picture of. 00:37:36.200 --> 00:37:41.220 What a good and great God we have. 00:37:44.119 --> 00:37:46.740 He doesn't tell us why the bad things happen. 00:37:46.739 --> 00:37:51.899 Why the fires rage in our lives. 00:37:53.179 --> 00:37:56.799 Even what the new forest will exactly look like. 00:37:58.599 --> 00:38:02.359 But He wants us to know He's not against us. 00:38:03.000 --> 00:38:04.359 He loves us. 00:38:04.719 --> 00:38:06.159 We can trust Him. 00:38:06.419 --> 00:38:12.799 And He has been in the restoration business for a long time, bringing us back to Himself. 00:38:12.800 --> 00:38:19.000 It's what He's doing, even if I can't explain to you how, in your life, bringing you back to Himself, 00:38:19.100 --> 00:38:23.600 because He is the faithful, loving God of your story. 00:38:25.480 --> 00:38:28.740 Kids, I hope you got at least that last name. 00:38:30.019 --> 00:38:31.580 God saves. 00:38:31.940 --> 00:38:34.440 Jesus means God saves. 00:38:34.440 --> 00:38:37.039 The angel tells Joseph, right? 00:38:37.039 --> 00:38:44.900 You will give Him the name Jesus because He will save His people from their sins. 00:38:45.559 --> 00:38:47.139 John the Baptist says, 00:38:47.480 --> 00:38:53.099 Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. 00:38:54.099 --> 00:38:56.000 Jesus Himself said, 00:38:56.000 --> 00:39:03.780 This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for many for the forgiveness of sins. 00:39:06.019 --> 00:39:09.159 That last thing He said on the night that He was betrayed, 00:39:10.300 --> 00:39:13.820 when He sat with His disciples to celebrate the Passover, 00:39:15.099 --> 00:39:20.300 and He took bread, and He broke it, and He gave it to His disciples. 00:39:20.679 --> 00:39:23.820 As I, ministering in His name, give this bread to you. 00:39:23.820 --> 00:39:25.320 He said to them, 00:39:25.480 --> 00:39:26.220 Take and eat. 00:39:26.920 --> 00:39:29.340 This is my body, given for you. 00:39:29.720 --> 00:39:31.820 Do this in remembrance of me. 00:39:32.800 --> 00:39:34.740 And then after supper, He took the cup, 00:39:34.840 --> 00:39:35.780 and He said, 00:39:35.940 --> 00:39:38.120 This cup is the new covenant in my blood. 00:39:38.539 --> 00:39:42.240 My blood is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins. 00:39:42.440 --> 00:39:44.120 Drink from it, all of you. 00:39:44.340 --> 00:39:48.100 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, 00:39:48.380 --> 00:39:51.440 you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. 00:39:51.440 --> 00:39:52.720 You say, 00:39:52.840 --> 00:39:52.720 You say, 00:39:52.840 --> 00:39:55.099 There's nothing else that can be done for my sin, 00:39:55.619 --> 00:39:58.200 except Jesus pay for it, 00:39:58.360 --> 00:39:59.380 and wash it, 00:39:59.679 --> 00:40:01.320 and forgive it forever. 00:40:02.119 --> 00:40:04.500 This is the table of the Lord. 00:40:04.639 --> 00:40:05.740 Not of Southwood, 00:40:06.159 --> 00:40:07.700 of the Presbyterian church. 00:40:07.780 --> 00:40:10.059 It is the Lord's table. 00:40:11.119 --> 00:40:14.720 He invites all who trust His death in your place, 00:40:15.059 --> 00:40:17.119 as your only hope for restoration, 00:40:17.300 --> 00:40:19.200 in your relationship with God, 00:40:19.199 --> 00:40:22.359 who are baptized members of any church 00:40:22.359 --> 00:40:24.559 that teaches that good news, 00:40:24.799 --> 00:40:26.659 to come and eat. 00:40:27.019 --> 00:40:31.299 Even if your life feels right now like a demolition, 00:40:32.099 --> 00:40:35.399 even if you're convinced that's all you can feel, 00:40:35.599 --> 00:40:37.919 is that it's not going the way it should, 00:40:38.119 --> 00:40:41.299 He invites you to come and eat with Him, 00:40:41.460 --> 00:40:43.559 and hope in His restoration. 00:40:43.879 --> 00:40:45.159 It's the only one. 00:40:45.159 --> 00:40:49.819 He's the only way that we're restored to God. 00:40:51.059 --> 00:40:53.339 If that's not your hope, 00:40:53.940 --> 00:40:55.739 we're so glad you're here this morning. 00:40:56.059 --> 00:40:57.539 We would invite you today, 00:40:57.679 --> 00:41:00.639 not to come and take bread and wine, 00:41:01.319 --> 00:41:04.399 but you're welcome to come and observe, 00:41:04.839 --> 00:41:06.519 to sit and pray. 00:41:06.519 --> 00:41:09.059 What we would love for you to do 00:41:09.059 --> 00:41:12.579 is to consider the invitation to take Jesus, 00:41:13.420 --> 00:41:16.500 to be restored to God, 00:41:17.079 --> 00:41:18.699 now and forever, 00:41:18.940 --> 00:41:21.400 by one who has come to forgive 00:41:21.400 --> 00:41:25.000 all of your sins forever. 00:41:25.759 --> 00:41:27.380 We would love to talk with you 00:41:27.380 --> 00:41:29.159 about that relationship. 00:41:30.280 --> 00:41:30.860 Let me pray, 00:41:30.960 --> 00:41:32.480 and then we'll come to the table together. 00:41:32.480 --> 00:41:32.599 Father, 00:41:33.400 --> 00:41:35.820 Jesus, 00:41:35.980 --> 00:41:37.340 thanks so much 00:41:37.340 --> 00:41:41.059 for setting the table this morning. 00:41:42.840 --> 00:41:44.320 Thank you that you've stayed 00:41:44.320 --> 00:41:47.260 by your Spirit to eat with us, 00:41:47.679 --> 00:41:50.679 not just that we would have a little bread and wine, 00:41:50.820 --> 00:41:52.900 but that through them, 00:41:52.980 --> 00:41:56.780 your Spirit would minister your very presence, 00:41:56.940 --> 00:41:58.440 the reality of who you are, 00:41:58.539 --> 00:41:59.679 to our hearts. 00:41:59.679 --> 00:42:01.759 build our faith, 00:42:02.159 --> 00:42:04.980 because most of us, God, 00:42:05.019 --> 00:42:06.159 we just can't see 00:42:06.159 --> 00:42:08.399 what you're doing in our lives. 00:42:09.859 --> 00:42:13.480 So it's hard for us to trust you many days. 00:42:14.019 --> 00:42:15.339 So strengthen our faith. 00:42:15.759 --> 00:42:16.799 Remind us you're with us. 00:42:16.940 --> 00:42:18.259 Remind us you're for us. 00:42:18.879 --> 00:42:22.500 Remind us Jesus loves us 00:42:22.500 --> 00:42:24.500 and has given himself for us. 00:42:24.599 --> 00:42:25.679 We ask in his name. 00:42:26.460 --> 00:42:26.739 Amen. 00:42:26.739 --> 00:42:28.979 For more information, 00:42:29.359 --> 00:42:31.299 visit us online at southwood.org. 00:42:31.299 --> 00:42:32.299 Thank you.