Pastor Matt showed us how the story of Ruth demonstrates the intersection of God's sovereignty and our responsibility – even in the small moments that end up bearing eternal significance.
MY STORY
Describe a time when you were facing a challenge, and then all the pieces fell together in such a way that there was no doubt God was orchestrating events behind the scenes.
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO HEAR?
Ruth said [to Naomi], "Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you. " And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more. (Ruth 1:16-18)
According to Pastor Matt, what dangers did Ruth expose herself to by binding herself to Naomi in this way?
Boaz answered [Ruth], "All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. 12 The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!" (Ruth 3:11-12)
How did God reward Ruth's persistence and loyalty?
How does Ruth's inclusion in the genealogy of Jesus, once again, demonstrate the scandalous grace of God?
What does God want us to hear? Based on the passages above, what are the factual "takeaways" that are meaningful to you?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO?
Pastor Matt said, To ask the question, 'What the meaning of any given event in my life?' is to ask a question of context. What is the bigger picture that my life fits into? We live most of our lives immersed in random high-zoom detail and it can be very difficult to discern the picture of what is going on in our lives. Maybe you are here today wandering where your story fits in the big picture ....
What is the "big context" that helps you to understand what's going on in your life?
What are the core values that drive most of your decisions – from the mundane to the life-changing?
What role does the Holy Spirit play in the choices you make?
What does God want us to do? Flowing out of our reading and new understanding, how is the Holy Spirit nudging us?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO?
Pastor Matt said, Ruth's inclusion in the genealogy of Jesus reminds us this Christmas that God's purpose for your life is to connect you to something far greater than ourselves. God wants us to know that when we follow him, our lives always mean more than we may think they do.
What is the greater purpose to which God is calling you?
How has God given you the desire, and equipped you, to fulfill this purpose?
Share that purpose with someone you trust, and be deliberate in noticing how it underlies the decisions you make this week. Take a solid, deliberate step toward fulfilling that purpose this week.
Extra credit: How do you know when you making decisions and taking actions that are out of alignment with the purpose God has instilled in your heart? When this happens, what can you do to get back on track?
What does God want ME to do? Based on your answers to these questions, toward what creative actions is the Holy Spirit leading you?
Message Notes
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