Category Archives: Ruth

12.18.16 Ruth 4

Download Lesson: 12.18.16 Class Notes – Ruth 4

LOOK:

God sent His Son to be our “kinsman-redeemer” for all of His creation. Christ paid for our redemption. What Christ did for us is the largest transaction that has ever been made for us. And let’s be clear on how significant this is. We had a sin debt that we could not pay! The debt against us was not viewed as simply cancelled, but is fully paid. God is a holy and just God. He was not willing to “overlook” or cancel our debt and act like it never happened. Payment for our sin debt was REQUIRED. Christ’s blood or life, which he surrendered for us, is the “ransom” by which He delivered us from being slaves of sin and from its penal consequences is secured. That’s why Christ’s final words on the cross were, “It is finished.” He was saying, “The transaction is complete.”

Close with Liturgies Reminding Class of Christ’s Redemptive Act for Them:

“Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left YOU without a kinsman-redeemer.” (Ruth 4:14)

“You were bought at a great price.” (I Cor 6:20)

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us (Gal 3:13)

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” (Eph 1:7)

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Col 1:13-14)

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time.” (I Tim 1:5-6)

“He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.” (Heb 9:12)

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” (I Pet 1:18-19)

“With your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Rev 5:9b)

12.11.16 Ruth 3

Download Lesson: 12.11.16 Class Notes – Ruth 3

LOOK:

The Bible is clear that God is sovereign. He is in control. He causes all things to happen. He says ‘What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do’ (Isa. 46:11). Unlike our plans, God’s never fail. But the Bible also teaches with absolute certainty and great clarity that, in causing all things to happen, he does so in a way that upholds the ability of individuals to make willing responsible choices and actions. Exactly how God combines his control of all things and our willing responsible actions, the Bible does not explain, but it is full of examples of him doing just that. Ruth 3 provides three such examples, as Naomi, Ruth and Boaz each play their unique part at a particular point in the outworking of God’s great plan. He uses the active faith of his people.

Just as God was sovereignly working out His divine will through Ruth, He is doing the same for us. God is always doing His part. He’s introducing us to people whom He has already given us favor. He uses “Naomi” in our lives who plant new ideas that can create unsettledness that would lead to change. When Ruth was willing to risk and do what Naomi told her to do, only then would Ruth discover God’s will for her through Boaz.

Q: Where are you on this continuum? Has the Holy Spirit brought to mind new opportunities that have created an unsettledness or idea of change that you need to look at more closely? As we begin to look at 2017, let’s be committed to being open to discover God’s will for us by being willing to explore opportunities that the Lord has for us. Remember, “God knows the plans He has for us; they are plans to prosper us, not harm us, but to give us a hope and a future.” (Jer 29:11-12)