July 16th – July 22nd, 2023
Sermon Summary
Boaz did this act of redemption for Ruth and Naomi, which paved the way for Israel and all mankind. We who were once deemed to be Gentiles and outcasts, aliens to the Commonwealth of Israel, have also been redeemed by the real Kinsman-Redeemer who was willing and able to pay the price with his blood. Therefore, we can trust his Word and be confident in his redemption.
Verse of the Week
Ruth 4: 9 – 10
9 Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and to Mahlon. 10 Also Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Mahlon, I have bought to be my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his native place. You are witnesses this day.”
Going Deeper
Review Ruth 4: 1 – 12
1) Boaz’s actions at the gate were in obedience to the Levirate law, which was well-known and practiced at that time. Using scriptural references explain your understanding of this law and the responsibility of the kinsman-redeemer.
2) When Boaz concludes his negotiation to become Ruth’s kinsman redeemer, the city elders and the other onlookers collectively bless the couple (vs. 11-12). What is the significance of including Leah and Rachel in the blessing (Refer to Genesis 29:31-35; and Genesis 30:22-24)?
3) Genesis 38:6-10 details Tamar’s story and highlights Onan, a kinsman-redeemer. Compare Onan’s response to his duties to Boaz.
3b) What can Onan and Boaz’s actions teach us about obedience to God’s call on our life?
4) In Ruth and Boaz’s story we see foreshadowed our redemption by God through the work of Jesus. In what specific ways is Boaz a type of Jesus and how does the way he dealt with Ruth, model God’s love and commitment towards us.
5) Boaz referred to Ruth as “Ruth the Moabite”; the witnesses wished that Boaz’s house would be like that of Perez. However, Perez’s birth resulted from an adulterous and incestuous relationship, yet he was named in King David’s and King Jesus’s lineage.
a) With reference to scripture identify at least one other unlikely person who appears in this lineage.
b) How does this impact your understanding of your place and value in redemption?
c) Share your redemption story
Assess Your Life
1) How confident are you in your redemption in Christ?”
a) I am not at all confident in my redemption.
b) Sometimes I feel uncertain that I am redeemed, especially when I know that I am falling short of God’s requirements.
c) I am becoming more confident about my redemption as I understand better that it is based on Christ’s sacrifice on my behalf and not my own works.
d) My confidence in my status as a redeemed person is soaring as I am growing in my relationship with Christ and in my understanding of His word.
e) I am fully confident that I am redeemed, having been bought with the price of Christ’s death.
Application
1) N1. List three changes that you can make to build your faith and confidence in God’s work of redemption in your life?
a)
b)
c)
2 Of the list above, which one(s) will you be intentional about working on this week?
I will ask
Sermon Main Points
Today’s sermon goes beyond the redemption of Ruth and Naomi and points us to the real kinsman-redeemer, who fulfilled all of the elements for redemption and bought us with a price. Therefore, we can:
I) Trust the word of our redeemer.
II) Be Confident in our Redemption.
Sermon Reflection
In redemption, there are three elements. (1) The redeemer must be a blood relative. (2) The redeemer must be able to redeem, and (3) the redeemer must be willing to redeem. In Jesus we experience the three elements of redemption. We have been bought with a price and as such we can trust the word of our redeemer and be confident in our redemption.
Christian doctrine holds that humans, through birth, inherit a tainted nature predisposed to sinful conduct and need regeneration. Our redeemer is Jesus Christ himself, who came to redeem us from the hand of the enemy —Derek A. Ward
5 Day Study Plan
Use the Inductive Bible Study method to study these scriptures this week and remember to share with someone else.
Follow these steps
1. Observe the text.
(What do you see in the text? Look for answers to questions like: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?)
2. Interpret the text.
(What did God and the human author of the text want the original people reading this text to understand/do? Why?)
3. Apply the text.
(How do I need to change in my thinking, my affections, my attitudes, and/or my actions?)
Day 1 - Phil 2: 6-8
Day 2 - Gal 3:13-14
Day 3 - Titus 2:11-14
Day 4 - Ephesians 1:7
Day 5 - Ephesians 2:1-3
For best results, this content should be read and prepared privately and then discussed in your small group or with family / friends. We were not created to do life alone - get connected with a small group and grow together.
Harvest Bible Chapel Barbados - 2023