Sunday Sermon
sunday morning service 23rd August 2009
Ruth 3 and 4:
Last time we looked at Ruth we saw how things were beginning to take a turn for the better.
Ruth had found protection and work under the care of Boaz and Naomi was beginning to praise God again.
We noted the change in Naomi as seen at the end to chapter 1 then at the end of chapter 2.
The final two chapter can be taken together because there is no break in the story.
Chapter three tells us that Ruth is starting to play the matchmaker: sets up Ruth with Boaz.
Then chapter 4 tells us how Boaz progressed the Match and finally the story comes full circle with the birth of a son!
The question is what is the point of all this?
The answer is that God is Praised!
1) Honouring God in personal practice:
the praise of a Righteous Man: Boaz Praises God 3v10.
We have already seen the character of Boaz. He was a righteous man.
He showed his righteousness in the way he treated Ruth, doing more than the letter of the law, but actually entering into the spirit of it.
Now this night time approach of Ruth leads him to further praise of God.
We know his heart is full of praise because he is seeking to bless Ruth in Yahweh’s name!
He takes no credit to himself, thinking that he has earned the hand of Ruth because of all his kindness.
He then moves to assure Ruth not to be afraid of him v11
Then he notes that everything must be done above board v12
Then he gives further provision to Ruth v15, and this before knowing the final outcome.
App: Learning from Boaz
a. his first thought was to praise God. (see also 2v4)
He must then have been always living under the reality of God.
b. transformation of the heart is what we are aiming for!
Further it is what God is aiming for. The person you become is all important!
At the end of the day it is your life, who you are, that you offer up to God.
2) God honouring business practice:
the Praise of the Wise: The men at the gate seek to praise God 4v11-12
We know little about the business of those days apart from what we are told in the text.
We don’t need to know.
Basically the court gathered to make a ruling about a property issue!
Now we know that there is nothing more liable to start a fight of small or large scale than land issues! But not here all works out well.
App
In those days there was no separation between business and faith.
The whole of life was the life of faith.
One way that we are enabled to keep focused on God is to seek his praise in all things.
To open meetings in prayer and to close in prayer would be a strange idea in most of our boardrooms!
But if God is real, if we are seeking to follow, then it is most strange not to turn to him in all our ways, financial or otherwise!
3) God honouring celebration:
The Praise of the Women 4v14-15
Finally the story concludes with the great celebration over the new born child.
God has not left Naomi forsaken, without heritage, ashamed, alone!
She has a grandson to carry on the family line, the family name in Israel.
And the women get right to the heart of the matter.
In verse 13 we are told of the hand of God at work, He enable the conception!
This is the work of God. And it is the woman who recognise it.
App
Taking blessing for granted is a problem.
Giving ‘mother nature’ the praise is what the world does, but we must always seek to get to the heart of the matter! Being thankful for food, clothes, family and friends as gifts from God!!
4) God honouring worship: Praise the Sovereign Wonder-Working God 4v17-22.
Finally we can take the story as a whole and note the sovereign wonder working God.
Does this story not inspire us to worship.
He take this Moabites, this foreigner, who was contacted during a time of rebellion and backsliding, brings her to conversion, then uses her to fulfil the covenant promises to Abraham, making her a direct ancestor of thee Covenant Child!
His ways are not our way! They may be unfathomable, they may seem terrifying, but they are good, always.
Worship that honours God acknowledges Him for all that!
sunday eveing 23rd Aug 2009
Col 3v18-4v1
Last time we looked at this chapter we saw Paul make some more general points about preparing for the coming of the Lord.
He tells the Colossians to remember who they are – children of God v12a.
And from that they are to get dressed, forgive and love v12-14,
Then they had to let peace... Let word.... and give thanks v15-17
· This week Paul gets far more detailed in his teaching with regard to conduct.
· Introductory comments:
a) As we come to these specific points of application we have always to remember that Paul is not laying down law.
This is not a new legalism that has to be followed in order to be saved.
The point is that because we are saved we will live in a certain way!
We do not live a certain way to win salvation, but we will live in the salvation that we have been given which will inevitably lead to a certain lifestyle.
b). Also we need to note the 3v11, we are all one in Christ Jesus, thus the specific teaching to certain types is not about our standing before Jesus.
We are all one, equal and accepted in Jesus.
Yet, we are different, we have different roles to fulfil, we are called to fulfil theses rolls as followers of Jesus. We all have life to live and life is made up for the most part, in the practical details of living with one another – in marriage, family and work!
Thus Paul has much to say about it.
c). However he was not the first to teach on it! This kind of relationship teaching has always been important: Aristotle and Seneca both taught is as main sections of their philosophy. And today still there is much talk about the family and society!
So what we are looking at in these verses is still very relevant and up to date.
d) Note also the general pattern of the teaching: there is command then reason given for it.
· Relationships in marriage, family and work:
The important point in all our relationships is how they reflect our ultimate relationship with God. That is what links all this together; our Ultimate Relationship.
The practical question: “how is your walk with the Lord”, can really only be assessed by asking how are we getting on with one another!
A lot of the time we judge success by the ‘results’, but our assessment of the spiritual life cannot be done that way. Rather we should ask, are we loving the Lord, are we loving one another!!! Which is much harder to deliver than mere results!
1) husbands and wives v18-19
The important issue that is at stake in married life is this: doing what is right before God.
Paul says to the Colossians you are children of God and so how you live in your marriage is of utmost importance.
We are called to be disciples of Jesus, and we need to ground that following of Him in our married life.
If following Jesus makes no difference in our close relationship then the great question is what’s the point!!
Claiming Jesus as Saviour must make a practical difference to our lifestyles.
In the Colossians situation the difference may have been far more dramatic than today, still following Jesus today means that we follow Him in every area of life, marriage especially.
Note how balanced Pauls teaching is.
The women are to submit, but that is submission to a husband who is full of Agapy love.
Christian love that seeks the best for others!
And it is all to be done in a spirit of discipleship “as is fitting in the Lord” v18.
There could be room for abuse if v18 was taken without v19, but together the whole point is that there can be no possible abuse!
The picture is of two people, as disciples together, following the Lord in a partnership.
Submission, love and in the Lord are the three key concepts. As the husbands love, the wives submit and both follow the Lord, the whole marriage works.
Note also:
The call to submit is for every Christian (eph5v21, Heb12v9 etc), as is the call to love (john 12v34), as is the call to follow Jesus!
So although these remarks are addressed to married couples they apply to all!
What is the main core of it then? Your relationship to God! That is what counts!
2) children and fathers v20-21
Next Paul moves to the area of family life.
Children are treated as children, told to obey parents. But why? Because ultimately they will please God! They are disciples whose aim is to please God and as children the way to do that is through obedience to parents.
· Note the difficulty in this:
The assumption is that the children are believers, that they care about pleasing God.
Not all children of Christians do.
But that simply serves to show that Paul is not laying down law here.
How can you force anyone to love God! How can you force children to obey!
The greater responsibility then is given to the parents who are followers.
And so Paul turns to the fathers v21.
After the word to the children the word to fathers is help your children to obedience, not by force but by encouragement!
Aim to encourage and build up, not criticise and condemn!
The word to the fathers here is put in the negative.
We are told to be careful about one thing: don’t provoke! That is criticise, embitter, ignore...
App
a. This may not have much application for most of us here as you no longer have wee children.
But there is a question of how we deal with the children round about.
In a society, a world, where children are neglected and abused, seen as a pain!
The church has a responsibility to love and encourage wherever we can.
Children are amongst those for whom God has a special care, as Gods children we are to reflect that care.
That is real theology! Knowing God and in turn reflecting His character in the world.
b. A further application is to see that the word to children is for us at various levels also.
Obedience to the authorities is one obedience that the NT constantly calls for.
c. the word to the fathers again we can apply more broadly: how we need encouragers in place of condemners!
3) slaves and masters v22-4v1
Finally Paul turns to deal with relationships in the world of work.
The slaves first:
They are commanded to obey... why? Out of reverence for God v22
Told to work hard.... why? Because working for God, he will reward, he is Master v23-24.
Further, wrongdoing will be punished (as for any who breach authority/ much is made of the Philemon case by the commentators in the salve/master discussion) v25.
Then earthly masters:
They are told to be just and honest in their dealing .... why? Because of the Master in heaven 4v1.
Obviously we live in different days!
But the reasons for the commands all still apply.
All we do should be done out of reverence for God, because he is Master!!
App
In the world of work we are called to follow Jesus.
We are called to be disciples in every walk of life.
Married life, family life, work life.
There is no exception.
Our ultimate Relationship to Jesus should effect all relationships in life.
But this brings us back full circle to where we started at the beginning of Chp3: seek above, set your mind on the above, look for Jesus!
