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A Promise of Redemption – Ruth 3

December 20, 2022 /

Sermon Video

Overview of Ruth

Previous chapters:

Ruth 1 – Turning to God in Your Pain

Ruth 2 – God’s Care in Your Despair

Ruth has gleaned in Boaz’s field during the two months of the harvest (2:23). Now the harvest is drawing to a close and we wonder what will happen next. During her time in the field, Ruth met Boaz, a worthy man, a redeemer that has provided for her and protected her during this time. But this is not a lasting solution.

Sermon Text: Ruth 3

There are three Scenes in chapter three:

  1. Ruth and Naomi at home in the afternoon (1-5)
  2. Ruth and Boaz at the threshing floor (6-15)
  3. Ruth and Naomi at home at dawn (16-18)

In the first scene we see that Naomi longs for Ruth to have rest (3:1; 1:9). That’s something we can all identify with. We all long for true rest.

We all long for true rest (1-5)

In vv. 2-5, Naomi comes up with a daring plan for Ruth. She essentially tells Ruth to go to the threshing floor and propose to Boaz. Naomi knows that Boaz is a relative (v. 2, cf. 2:1, 20).

Naomi knows that Boaz is spending the night at the threshing floor. The threshing floor was an open-air setting where grain was loosened from the straw (usually by cattle treading on it). Then the grain was “winnowed” (tossed up with winnowing forks so the wind would blow away the straw and chaff, leaving the grain). The men would remain at the threshing floor to celebrate the harvest and protect their grain.

Naomi instructs to Ruth to wash and anoint herself. This is possibly indicative that her time of mourning for her husband had come to an end (cf. 2 Sam 12:20 – David and Bathsheba’s child).

If so, this is a good reminder for us. There comes a time when we must all move on. I’m not saying that all widows have to remarry, but we as Christians should not be defined by our pain or prisoners to our pasts.

Paul says it this way: “Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead” (Phil 3:13).

Naomi tells Ruth to lie down at his feet and he will tell you what to do (v. 4). Ruth is a woman of faith. She replies, “All that you say I will do” (v. 5). Ruth is trusting in God’s covenant care through His laws. She is trusting that Naomi wants the best for her. She is trusting that Boaz is indeed a worthy man.

Before going further, it’s worth asking – is this good counsel that Naomi gives?

In the Bible, there are things that are prescriptive and things that are descriptive. Something that is descriptive is simply described by the biblical author. For example, when Judas betrays Jesus for silver. Prescriptive writing happens when biblical authors are telling us what to do. For example, Paul’s letters are written to give instructions to his original audience (and to us).

Ruth 3 is not prescriptive. It’s descriptive. The purpose of Ruth 3 is not to teach young women about dating. It’s to tell us about Naomi’s care for Ruth and Ruth’s great faith. The Bible does not commend young women to follow Ruth’s example unless:

  • They were to go back in time and become ancient Israelites.
  • They are destitute.
  • They have a destitute mother-in-law.
  • They live in a society where a relative of their mother-in-law might be a kinsman redeemer.

Instead, young women should learn about purity and wisdom from other Scriptures and older women (Titus 2:3-5).

In verses 1-5, we see that we all long for true rest. In verses 6-15, we find that we must seek rest in a redeemer.

We must seek rest in a Redeemer (6-15)

Ruth follows Naomi’s instructions and lays down at Boaz’s feet (vv. 6-7). The text says in v. 7 that “[Boaz’s] heart was merry.” This phrase covers a spectrum of meanings from drunkenness to a cheerful exuberance. From what we know about Boaz’s character, he likely is relaxed, cheerful, and tired after a day of hard work, a good meal, and a drink or two. He goes to the “end of the heap of grain” to lie down.

Think about what Ruth is doing. This is a very risky move to go to a harvest threshing floor full of relaxed and off-duty men. She is putting herself in a vulnerable position, potentially in harm’s way. This is what faith does. When we exercise true faith, we are to abandon all other securities and entrust ourselves to our redeemer. During the days of the judges, most men would have taken advantage of Ruth. But Ruth trusts Boaz’s character. Just as Ruth trusts Boaz, we should trust in Jesus, even more so during difficult times.

At midnight, Boaz was startled and he discovers that a woman is lying at his feet (v. 8). Naturally, he asks, “Who are you?” Ruth says, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer” (v. 9). Remember Boaz’s words to Ruth in 2:12 (read).

Ruth 2:12

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!”

In v. 9, Ruth asks Boaz to redeem her. Ruth is proposing to Boaz. She’s asking him to marry her by appealing to his duty as a kinsman redeemer. Ruth is asking Boaz to redeem her along with Elimelech’s land. She is appealing to the laws of land redemption (found in Lev 25:25-28) and levirate marriage (found in Deut 25:5-10, cf. Gen 38).

Lev 25:25

“If your brother becomes poor and sells part of his property, then his nearest redeemer shall come and redeem what his brother has sold.

Deut 25:5-10

5 “If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead man shall not be married outside the family to a stranger. Her husband’s brother shall go in to her and take her as his wife and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her. 6 And the first son whom she bears shall succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel. 7 And if the man does not wish to take his brother’s wife, then his brother’s wife shall go up to the gate to the elders and say, ‘My husband’s brother refuses to perpetuate his brother’s name in Israel; he will not perform the duty of a husband’s brother to me.’ 8 Then the elders of his city shall call him and speak to him, and if he persists, saying, ‘I do not wish to take her,’ 9 then his brother’s wife shall go up to him in the presence of the elders and pull his sandal off his foot and spit in his face. And she shall answer and say, ‘So shall it be done to the man who does not build up his brother’s house.’ 10 And the name of his house shall be called in Israel, ‘The house of him who had his sandal pulled off.’

So you see, being a kinsman-redeemer was costly. To redeem Ruth, Boaz would be assuming the significant cost of caring for the widow (and Naomi in this case), helping to raise her child, and then giving the deceased relative’s property to the child.[1]Dean Ulrich, From Famine to Fullness: The Gospel According to Ruth, 98.

Boaz is surprised at Ruth’s request (v. 10). When Boaz says that Ruth’s last display of kindness was greater than the first (Ruth’s willingness to cling to Naomi and to care for her), he was making reference to levirate marriage.

Ruth is showing astonishing covenant kindness to Naomi by being willing to raise up an heir for Elimelech. Essentially, Ruth is willing to be a surrogate mother for Naomi. The line of Elimelech would have ended, but Ruth is willing to birth a son that will continue the family line. Boaz is surprised at Ruth’s request for marriage, assuming she would have preferred a younger man – “you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich” (v. 10).

Boaz tells Ruth that he will redeem her – “Do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman” (v. 11). The phrase “worthy woman” is the same Hebrew used in Proverbs 31:10.

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.

In v. 12, the plot thickens. Boaz tells Ruth, “There is a redeemer nearer than I.” LIke any good story, there has to be a certain amount of tension. This reminds me of a movie when two characters obviously love and care for each other. The other characters in the movie know it. The audience knows it. And yet, there is a problem. In this case Boaz is not the nearest of kin.

Boaz tells Ruth to rest until the morning and promises her, “As the Lord lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until he morning” (v. 13). Can you imagine the relief that Ruth felt in that moment. She was able to lie down. She was able to find rest in her redeemer.

Did you know you can find that same rest? Your heavenly Father cares for you and knows what you need before you ask it (Luke 12:22-34). He is willing to receive your anxious prayers (Phil 4:6-7). You have a redeemer in Jesus Christ who died for your sins. If we are truly in Christ, nothing can separate us from his love (Rom 8:31-39)!

Boaz could have taken advantage of the situation and married Ruth before informing the other kinsman. Nothing forced him to delay the wedding or divulge the information to the other man.

Boaz displays exemplary integrity. He is a model of purity. He was a man with a merry heart and was visited in the dark by a freshly washed and scented woman. And yet, both restrain themselves. They are truly both of noble character. We see three principles for marriage here.

In marriage, covenant commitment precedes consummation. Second, a good name and a good legacy is more important than a good time. Third, God thinks in terms of generations (see Ruth 4:18-22). The takeaway is this: if you want a godly heritage, then your present decisions matter.

If you want a godly heritage, then your present decisions matter.

Boaz gives Ruth a sign of his promise (vv. 14-15). Boaz tells Ruth to stay with him until morning because it would have been dangerous for her to be out alone at night. Boaz tells the other workers to not mention that a woman came to the threshing floor. Boaz protects Ruth’s reputation as well as his own. Boaz does not want anyone getting the idea that he has been with a prostitute. It was normal practice for prostitutes go out to men in the threshing floors and offer their services (Hos 9:1).

Boaz sends Ruth a gift of barley to Naomi as a sign of his promise to redeem Ruth and to care for them both (a dowry in a sense).

We all long for true rest. We must seek rest in a redeemer. Finally, we should trust our redeemer for our future.

We should trust our redeemer for our future (16-18)

Back at the house, Naomi asks Ruth, “How did you fare my daughter?” (v. 16). Ruth tells Naomi about all that Boaz had done (vv. 16-17). Naomi tells Ruth to wait, for the matter will be settled today. Naomi knows that Boaz is a man of his word (v. 18).

Last week’s big idea was this – In your despair, trust God’s providence.
This week’s big idea is this – In your despair, find rest in your Redeemer.

In your despair, find rest in your Redeemer.

At the beginning of the book, Naomi and Ruth found themselves in a hopeless situation.

As they turned to God in their pain, God cared for them in their despair, and now we see that they have a promise of redemption.

Ruth first encountered Boaz in his field as an empty-handed poor Moabite woman. Now she has left him at the threshing floor with a promise of redemption.

What a picture of the gospel! We are all hopeless – all sinners who deserve God’s wrath in hell. As we turn to God in our desperation, we find the truth of the gospel – that we have a perfect redeemer who has come and lived and died in our place for our sins.

We must come empty-handed, confessing that we bring nothing except the sin that made Jesus’ death necessary. We turn from our sin and trust in Christ alone for salvation.

Just as Ruth trusted in God’s promises and redemption through Boaz, let’s hold fast to the promises of God we have in the redemption of Jesus.

Boaz sent Ruth and Naomi a gift of barley as a sign of his promise to redeem Ruth and to care for them both. In the same way, Jesus has given us the gift of his Holy Spirit as a sign of his redemption of us.

Eph 1:13-14

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

When we come to Christ, God gives us his Spirit as the down payment – the guarantee of our inheritance. That’s the glory of the gospel. We come empty-handed. We throw ourselves at the feet of our Redeemer. He redeems us and gives us his Spirit to guide us the rest of our days until we go to live with God forever and find our true rest.

References

References
↑1 Dean Ulrich, From Famine to Fullness: The Gospel According to Ruth, 98.

God’s Care in Your Despair – Ruth 2

December 14, 2022 /

Sermon Video

Overview of Ruth

Before getting into today’s text, I want to quickly want to summarize Ruth 1. Ruth took place in the days of the judges. The period of the judges, which was a time of spiritual turmoil, lasted about 325 years. During this time, there was no king in Israel – everyone did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25).

The opening chapter of Ruth tells us there was a famine in Bethlehem. A man named Elimelech took his wife Naomi and their two sons to Moab. Moab was not a place that any Israelite should be. Elimelech had led his family to forsake God’s presence and God’s people in Bethlehem to seek provision in Moab. While in Moab, Elimelech died. After marrying Moabite women, Naomi’s two sons also died.

After 10 years in Moab, Naomi, the wife of Elimelech, heard that the Lord had provided food in Bethlehem. She decided to make the 50-70 mile journey back to Bethlehem. She encouraged her daughters-in-law to go back to Moab so that they would be provided for. Orpah turned back, but Ruth decided to go with Naomi to Bethlehem and embrace Yahweh as her God.

When Naomi and Ruth returned to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred. Naomi asked the women to call her Mara (which means bitter). At this point in the story, Naomi is a bitter woman. Because there is no man in her life, she and Ruth have little in the way of provision.

Naomi and Ruth’s return to Bethlehem signaled that they were returning to God and his people. If you have sojourned into sin and neglected God and his people, what kind of reception should you expect to find? We get a glimpse of the character of God this morning as he cares for these women.

For a fuller summary of chapter one, click here.

Sermon text: Ruth 2

There are really three scenes in Ruth 2.

First, the narrator sets up the Ruth’s meeting with Boaz (1-7). Second, we read about Boaz and Ruth’s meeting (vv. 8-16). During this meeting, Boaz shows great generosity to Ruth. Third, Ruth returns home and visits with Naomi about her blessed day at Boaz’s field (vv. 17-23).

Setting up the Meeting with Boaz (1-7)

In v. 1, the narrator introduces Boaz to the story. He knows something that Ruth doesn’t. After grieving her husband’s death (1:9,14), Ruth trusts God (1:16) and gets to work (2:2-3,7).

In ancient Israel, God’s law provided for the poorest of the poor to eke out a meager existence by gleaning in the grain fields. Gleaning was hard work with little reward, and harvesters didn’t always take kindly to gleaners, but it was a way to stay alive.

Lev 19:9-10

“When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. 10 And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.

Deut 24:19-22

19 “When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. 20 When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over them again. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. 21 When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not strip it afterward. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. 22 You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this.

Gleaning involved gathering left-over grain after the harvest. Harvesters would cut the stalks of grain with one hand and catch it with the other. The grain that fell to the ground was left to the poor. Perhaps a modern-day equivalent would be rummaging through a dumpster to find food (though I would much prefer the Israelite alternative).

Ruth was not looking for a handout, but instead is willing to work hard. We know that ultimately God is our provider, but that does not excuse us from working hard (Prov 10:4).

Ruth trusts that God will help her find favor with a man (v. 2). She trusts that her work ethic will give her favor with a man who owns a field. In God’s providence, v. 3 says, “she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz.”

When times get tough, remember these truths:

  • Life is hard (John 16:33).
  • God is good (Ps 34:8).
  • He will never leave me nor forsake me (Heb 13:5).
  • I will trust in Him (Prov 3:5-6).

In your despair, trust God for provision (1-3).

In vv. 4-7, Boaz arrives at the field. He comes to the field from Bethlehem and blesses the reapers in his field – “The Lord be with you.” (v. 4). In this verse, we see that Boaz is a man that loves God. I can’t help but think of Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:13-16 where Jesus calls us to be salt and light. In a time when everyone did what was right in their own eyes, Boaz is a blessing to his workers. He is not a man that is full of himself. Even though he is the owner of the field, he cares for his workers. In addition, Boaz even notices Ruth, who is a gleaner, the lowest of the low.

In verse 5, Boaz asks, “Whose young woman is this?” Boaz wants to know whose family Ruth belongs to. Boaz’s field manager tells him who Ruth is – the Moabite woman that returned to town with Naomi (vv. 6-7).

The meeting of Boaz and Ruth (8-16)

Finally, Boaz and Ruth speak. The first thing that Boaz does is promise Ruth protection (vv. 8-9). When Boaz calls Ruth “my daughter” this indicates an age difference between Boaz and Ruth.

Boaz notices Ruth, a young, vulnerable woman with no protector. Rather than take advantage of her, Boaz chooses to protect her. What an example to us as men. Men of God, we, like Boaz, have been called to protect women (vv. 8-9, 22).

Boaz goes even further by giving Ruth permission to drink from water that his men have drawn. In this culture, typically foreigners drew the water for Israelites and women would draw water for men. So when Boaz gives Ruth (a foreigner) permission to drink from water drawn by his (Israelite) men, this is indeed extraordinary.

How does Ruth respond? With great humility. Look at v. 10 – “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?”

Even after her hard work, she knows that she doesn’t deserve Boaz’s generosity. It’s so easy for us to think, “Of course God will notice me. I’m working hard for him. I deserve His favor.” When we do have that attitude, we lose sight of God’s kindness to us. Everything we have is a gift from God (Jam 1:17; 1 Cor 4:7).

Boaz has heard of Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi (v. 11). In v. 12, Boaz prays for Ruth. He prays for the Lord to repay Ruth for her kindness to Naomi. As we will see, Boaz doesn’t just pray to this end. He himself blesses Ruth in extraordinary ways.

In v. 13, Ruth again expresses humility and thanks to Boaz. At this point, I want to speak to any young women reading this post. Ladies, our culture says that marriage is outdated. Perhaps your family is encouraging you to go to college and work the rest of your life. But remember, marriage is God’s idea. There is great blessing in being married to a man that will lay down his life in service to Christ and his family (Eph 5:25-33). Ladies, let godly men care for you and receive God’s blessings with humilty.

At mealtime (vv. 14-16), Boaz shows even more generosity to Ruth. The fact that Boaz ate with his harvesters says something about the man, but his actions at this meal must have caught everyone by surprise. He invites Ruth to his table. Remember, she is a single woman and he is a man. She is poor and he is rich. She is a Moabite woman and he is an Israelite man. But notice that she ate until she was satisfied and she had some left over (v. 14).

Boaz is tough and tender. He is in charge of his fields. His workers respect his authority and listen to him. But he is also tender. He treats his workers well. He protects the young women that work for him. Men, let us be tough. Let us be men of conviction and courage. But let us also be tender towards our wives and daughters.

Boaz was not concerned with the opinions of others. He didn’t care that Ruth was a Moabite woman. He was not too proud to associate with her. When you love God, you love people and you don’t care what other people think (1 John 4:19).

As Christians, we should reflect the character of Boaz. Boaz was generous. He shared with those in need and extended compassion to the poor. Our culture says that there are two kinds of people – poor and rich. The Bible, however, describes four kinds of people: rich and generous, rich and selfish, poor and generous, and poor and selfish. I’ve heard it said that you will either love money and use people or you will use money to love people. Boaz used his money to love people and so should we.

Boaz was welcoming. We are to help those who may be outsiders to feel at home in our church and family. Boaz was in a sense evangelistic. We should share the gospel with those like Ruth who are written off by society.

May we be people that are generous, welcoming, and evangelistic. If we will be this kind of person, we’ll change the world. Finally, in vv. 15-16, Boaz instructs his men to let Ruth get as much food as she wants and to not rebuke her.

Processing the Meeting of Boaz and Ruth (17-23)

Gleaners usually took home just enough to live on. Paid harvesters might be given a liter or so of grain for their work, which was enough to support a family. Ruth took home an ephah (v. 17), which is between 30-50 pounds of grain. This would’ve fed her and Naomi for around two months.

In vv. 18-19, Naomi wants to know how the day went. Naomi sees the enormous amount of food that Ruth has brought back, which not only included the 30-50 pounds of grain but also the leftovers from lunch. She wonders, who was the man who took notice of you? Ruth then names Boaz.

Naomi is elated! She says that Boaz has shown kindness to Ruth and Naomi and her dead husband. Remember from verse 1 that Boaz is a relative of Elimelech. Naomi informs Ruth that Boaz is a redeemer! We’ll talk more about this next week, but a kinsman-redeemer was a family member that was to care for the family of the dead.

In vv. 21-23 Ruth tells Naomi about Boaz’s promise of protection and Naomi tells Ruth to stay in Boaz’s field, because she could be assaulted if she gleans in another man’s field. Ruth gleaned in Boaz’s field throughout the harvest season, which would have lasted about two months.

Naomi and Ruth came back to Bethlehem empty. When Ruth left for the morning, she was empty. Ruth came to Boaz’s table empty and went away full. Ruth came to Boaz’s field empty and went away full.

Here’s the main takeaway from Ruth 2 – in your despair, trust God’s providence.

In your despair, trust God’s providence.

God’s fingerprints are everywhere in the story:

Ruth “happens” to end up in Boaz’s field (v. 3). Boaz notices her (vv. 3-6). Boaz extends generosity (vv. 14-20). Boaz offers protection (vv. 8-13, 21-23). Boaz is a kinsman redeemer (vv. 1, 20). Boaz was a “worthy man” (v. 1) that had the total package–integrity, valor, moral character, and wealth.

Conclusion

When you step out in faith instead of throwing a pity party, God will provide. While we don’t always understand God’s ways, we can trust He is working for our good.

In what ways can you see God’s hand at work in your life?

Ruth left for the day empty and she came back full. Ruth came to Bethlehem as a foreigner and a widow. As she trusted in God’s providence, he gives her provision and protection through the generosity of Boaz.

Boaz points to Jesus while Ruth points to the church and God’s people.

You and I are like Ruth:

  • She came from Moab – we come from a spiritually sick family (Rom 3:23).
  • She came empty handed – we come empty handed. We have no righteousness to offer to God (Rom 3:10-11).
  • All that we have is what we have gleaned from God’s field of goodness and grace (Jam 1:17). As the great hymn How Great Thou Art says, “All thy needs thy hand had provideth.”

Boaz points us to Jesus:

  • Boaz came to his field – Jesus comes to earth (John 1:14).
  • Boaz pronounced a blessing over his people – Jesus came to save his people (Matt 1:21).
  • Boaz approached those who were not his people and spoke love and grace to her. Jesus came to teach us about the Father (Heb 1:3).
  • Boaz blessed Ruth with his generosity. Jesus blesses us by generously dying for our sins in our place (2 Cor 5:21).

The whole story of the Bible is that Jesus is a glorious Boaz and we are needy Moabites like Ruth.

The whole story of the Bible is that Jesus is a glorious Boaz and we are needy Moabites like Ruth.

If you are not a Christian, you are separated from God and you are without hope. The Bible says that God’s wrath remains on you (John 3:36).

In our story, Ruth threw herself at the feet of Boaz, thankful for his generosity. If are not a Christian, you need to throw yourself to the feet of Jesus and trust in his finished work on the cross. If you turn from your sin and trust in Christ, you will be brought near by his blood.

Ruth and Naomi came to Bethlehem in ruin, and now they are rejoicing because of the Lord’s kindness.

In your despair, look to God for provision and protection as you trust in His providence.

Turning to God in Your Pain – Ruth 1

December 6, 2022 /

Sermon Video

Overview of Ruth

It’s quite likely if you’ve lived long enough that you have felt so overwhelmed by the circumstances in your life that you have no idea what to do next.

How have those hard times affected the way you think about God? During those hard times, maybe you:

  • Blamed God
  • Ignored God
  • Questioned God
  • Prayed to God
  • Decided God doesn’t help

How we respond to hard times reveals something about our worship. Have we really been serving our good circumstances, or have we been serving our loving, sovereign, faithful, unchanging Lord?

Today’s post begins a new series in the book of Ruth. Ruth is one of two OT books named after a woman and the only book named after a non-Israelite. Ruth is a story of God’s grace and providence in the midst of difficult circumstances.

This book shows that even when God appears to be absent that He is still present with his people. At first glance, the book appears to be a simple love story between two people, but it is actually a happier ever after story with eternal consequences for you and me.

Before continuing, I would encourage you to read Ruth 1.

Seeking life and hope apart from God always leads to ruin (1:1-5)

“in the days when the judges ruled” (1)

The book of Ruth takes place during the time of the judges. Judges 2 provides a summary of what life was like during the time of the judges, which spanned about 325 years.

After Joshua died, Judges 2:10 says, “And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.”

Judges 2:11-19

  • Israel sins against the Lord and serve other gods (2:11-13)
  • God judges Israel and gives them over to other nations (2:14-15)
  • The people of Israel would be in distress (2:15) and cry out to God
  • God would raise up judges to save Israel (2:16-18)
  • After the judge died the cycle would repeat itself. This was the state of affairs in the promised land for over 300 years.

In Joshua, Israel was in possession of the land because of God’s favor.

In Judges, Israel was continually oppressed by the people of the land due to their sin.

Judges 21:25

“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

The overall picture of the time of the judges was grim, but there were faithful individuals, as we will see.

“there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.” (1)

A man led his family to sojourn in the country of Moab because of a famine in Judah. He didn’t plan for them to be there long. This man is seeking to provide for his family. This seems like a noble thing to do until you learn more about Moab.

Moab was not a place where God’s people should be.

The Moabites were related to the Israelites as they were descendants of Abraham’s nephew Lot. They were considered unclean. Their family line had begun with Lot having an incestuous relationship with his two daughters (Gen 19:30-38).

The Moabites were the people that hired Balaam to curse Israel (Num 22-24). In Num 25 the Moabite women seduced Israelite men and lured them into idolatrous worship.

The Moabites oppressed Israel during the judges for 18 years (Judges 3:12-30).

The main Moabite god was Chemosh. In 2 King 3:27, when a battle with Israel wasn’t going so well for the Moabites, the Moabite king had his oldest son and heir sacrificed to Chemosh in hopes of changing the outcome (also see Num 21:29).

This family did not go to a land where the people of Israel were blessed; they went to a land where the people of Israel were cursed. Moab was a place where if you told a blasphemous joke about the God of Israel, people would probably laugh. Elimelech and his family had left God’s covenant people and were now outsiders among the Moabites.

So let’s set the scene:

The story begins with a flight away from the land of covenant promise, away from Bethlehem (which means the house of bread).

In Deuteronomy 28, while in the land of Moab, God laid out the promises for obedience and the curses for disobedience. The famine in the land was due to the sin of the people of Israel. But rather than repenting, as was prescribed in Deut 30:2-3, the man, whose name is Elimelech, was seeking to take the provision God promises apart from the repentance God requires.

There are many today who want God’s blessing who do not walk in obedience to His commands. They want eternal salvation, material prosperity, and good health, but they don’t want to submit to the lordship of Christ.

When we turn our back on God and sojourn into sin, we never intend to do it for long. It is only going to be for a little while for a little sin. But it rarely works out that way.

When we turn our back on God and sojourn into sin, we never intend to do it for long. It is only going to be for a little while for a little sin. But it rarely works out that way.

Sometimes when life gets hard we want to go live in Moab instead of repenting of sin, trusting in God, and remaining with God’s people during the hard times of life.

We are meant to live in God’s presence and with God’s people.

Elimelech was the man of the house and the leader of his family and he led them away from God’s presence and away from God’s people and into ruin.

vv. 2-5 – The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband.

We’re told that Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died (v. 3). If that wasn’t bad enough, her sons married Moabite women (4). Marriage with other nations was forbidden because of the pull to worship false gods (Deut 7:3). Moabites were deemed especially troublesome because of their treatment of Israel in Numbers 22-25 (Deut 23:3-6). It gets even worse. In verse five, both of Naomi’s sons die.

Elimelech’s decision to move his family to Moab proved to be a decision that led to death rather than life.

Men, when you lead your family away from God’s presence and God’s people, you are leading your family to ruin.

Men, when you lead your family away from God’s presence and God’s people, you are leading your family to ruin.

Maybe for you it’s not a lack of food. Maybe you are leading your family to find fulfillment in the American Dream, materialism, or earthly success when you should be leading them to find their joy and hope in Jesus.

Once again, seeking life and hope apart from God always leads to ruin. Don’t miss the irony: Naomi went away during a famine with a full family and now she is in a land with food and is empty.

Now, Naomi is a woman devoid of the protection and provision of a man and was in deep distress.

Have you ever felt empty inside and completely vulnerable before God and others?

Naomi faced the most extreme and desperate circumstances possible for a woman in ancient Israel:

  • Marriage was the only source of stability and security for a woman in the ancient Near East.
  • Widows were to be provided for by their sons.
  • Now she is far from home, without a husband and children and past her childbearing age (1:11).

The situation seems hopeless. What will Naomi do?

Turning to God is costly but necessary (1:6-18)

6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the LORD had visited his people and given them food.7 So she set out from the place where she was with her two daughters-in-law, and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.

Naomi begins to face reality. She realizes that the decision to move to Moab has literally killed her family. That’s what sin does. It takes you farther than you want to go and keeps you longer than you want to stay.

Sin takes you farther than you want to go and keeps you longer than you want to stay.

Naomi hears that the LORD has provided for his people and decides to return home (6-7). She begins to make the 50-70 mile journey from Moab to Judah. This would take about a week, depending on where Naomi was settled in Moab.

Naomi’s Journey (from the ESV Study Bible)

8 But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. May the LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. 9 The LORD grant that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband!” Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept.

Naomi thanked Orpah and Ruth for their kindness and implores them to return to their families where they will be taken care of (8-9).

In some sense, Naomi is being kind and sensible. Naomi is telling Orpah and Ruth that nothing is guaranteed. If the women go with her, there will be no promise of financial security or prosperity. There will be no husband. No provision. No hope from a worldly perspective.

Naomi lays out the alternatives. The ladies can worship the one true God and have nothing in Bethlehem or have provision and protection in a worldly sense but not have the one true God in Moab.

There will be times in your life when you feel that you have nothing but God. Is He enough for you?

10 And they said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.”

They tell her they want to be with her and her people (v. 10).

11 But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? 12 Turn back, my daughters; go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, even if I should have a husband this night and should bear sons, 13 would you therefore wait till they were grown? Would you therefore refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, for it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of the LORD has gone out against me.”

Naomi explains the situation even more clearly (11-13). You can tell that she cares for these women. While the narrator calls them her daughters-in-law, Naomi calls them her daughters (“My daughters”). These ladies have a close relationship. They had spent hours mourning the loss of their husbands.

You can tell that Naomi wants these women to know that there is no hope of her bearing any more sons that could be their husbands.

Interestingly, Naomi speaks of God’s sovereignty (v. 13). She Naomi knows that whatever happens next whether good or bad—like everything that has come before, must pass through the sovereign control of the one true God.

14 Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.

Orpah leaves, but Ruth clings to Naomi (14). The word “clung” is the same word used in Genesis 2:24 – that man leaves his father and mother and clings (hold fast) to his wife.

Bitter experiences provoke many different feelings about God. The right response is to cling to him, knowing that he also clings to us. (Jared Wilson)

15 And she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” 16 But Ruth said, “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. 17 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.” 18 And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more.

For the fourth time, Naomi urges Ruth to return to Moab (v. 15).

Christopher Ash: “Moab is not just a place, a society, an ethnicity, and a culture; it is a religion. To return to Moab is to go back to worshipping Moab’s gods. This decision has eternal significance. Naomi’s urging of Ruth to return is kind and sensible; but it is not the urging of faith.”

16-17

In verses 16-17, we see the turning point of the story. This is where the story starts to change. We see here Ruth’s profession of faith. This is what repentance looks like. You go from facing sin and having your back toward God to turning your back on sin and turning towards God.

Who or what do you need to walk away from? What sin in your life needs to end so that you can know God for the first time or have the joy of your salvation restored?

In God’s providence, He uses Naomi’s suffering to bring Ruth to himself!

Ruth is committing to Naomi’s faith and to her people, regardless of what it means for her—so much so that when Naomi dies, Ruth isn’t bailing. She isn’t ever going back to Moab.

Ruth’s commitment to Naomi is like Jesus’ commitment to us. However, while Ruth is an imperfect sinner and prone to wander, the sinless Christ has made his vow to us no matter what.

Jesus, like Ruth, makes his commitment to the ones He loves for better or worse. But unlike Ruth, he knows just how bad the worse is going to be and still he stays.

When you leave Moab, it can be costly. When Ruth trusted God, it meant leaving everything she had ever known–her family, friends, way of life, gods.

When we follow Jesus, it means that we love him supremely. We love him more than our families and friends (Matt 10:34-39). We leave our old way of life and our idol worship behind and we follow Him unto death.

“Faith means giving up everything for Jesus because of his unwavering faithfulness to us.”

Jared Wilson

Seeking life and hope apart from God always leads to ruin. Turning to God is costly but necessary. And finally, returning to God may hurt, but He is our only hope.

Returning to God may hurt, but He is our only hope (1:19-22)

19 So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. And when they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them.

Naomi is without child and Ruth is without husband. Together, they face the realities of poverty. Ruth returns with Naomi to start a new life. The whole town (of 200-300 people) was abuzz about the return of Naomi and a Moabite woman that has converted to the God of Israel.

And the women said, “Is this Naomi?” 20 She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went away full, and the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the LORD has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?” 22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabite her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.

In v. 20, Naomi asks to not be called Naomi (which means pleasant). After 10 years and a dead family, her name doesn’t fit anymore. Instead, she wants to be called Mara because she is a bitter woman. It’s like she went to the Bethlehem DMV to get here driver’s license renewed and she said my name is not Naomi – it’s Bitter Old Woman. Naomi is weary and in need of rest (v. 9).

In v. 21, Naomi says that she went away full but the Lord brought her back empty. She goes on to say that the Almighty brought calamity upon her.

Maybe she forgot, but she and her husband chose to leave God and His people but she is bitter against God. Oftentimes we make bad decisions and sin against God but then also blame God. Instead, we should own our sin, repent of it, and thank God for his grace!

The good news is that God can use sadness and emptiness to bring you to him (Ruth) or back to him (Naomi). God is always working everything for good for those who love him. God doesn’t waste our suffering and neither should we!

Naomi is beginning to move from brokenness to healing. She is a broken woman who is a widow and has lost her two sons. She doesn’t have any grandchildren. I want my church to be a place where broken people can be honest so that they can be healed. The church needs to be  place that receive people like Naomi and help them to heal.

Naomi complains in v. 21, but there is hope in v. 22 (the harvest).

Today, like Naomi, you can move toward life with God and his people instead or you can hide away in our own self-pity and bitterness. If you choose to move toward life with God, in time there will be a harvest of growth in dependence on him and contentment in Christ.

Conclusion

Naomi and Ruth are suffering because of the sins of others. Jesus, the King of Kings, who was eventually descended from Ruth and was born in Bethlehem grows up and suffers for the sins of others.

Just as Ruth gave up all she had known to enter the land of the foreigner to bless Naomi, Jesus Christ gave up all he had known to take on human flesh and live with people like us. But Jesus didn’t just live among us, he died for our sins in our place. Jesus didn’t just rescue us from Moab. He rescues us from hell. Through faith in Christ, we can have eternal life.

Considering what we have read in Ruth today[1]Mark Dever, The Message of the Old Testament, 230.:

  • Whatever trials you are presently facing, do you really think God has no plans or purposes for you?
  • Do you really think he has completed everything he means to do in your life?
  • Be encouraged. He’s not finished yet, and the harvest may be about to begin.

When everything falls apart, where will you turn? Friends, return to Christ and trust his promises.

References

References
↑1 Mark Dever, The Message of the Old Testament, 230.

An Overview of Ruth

December 6, 2022 /

Historical Background / Setting

The events in the book of Ruth took place during the time of the Judges (Ruth 1:1). The book of Judges took place after the conquests recorded in Joshua and before the establishment of the monarchy in 1 Samuel. Judges 2 provides a picture of what life was like during the time of the judges, which spanned about 325 years.

After Joshua died, Judges 2:10 says, “And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.”

Judges 2:11-19

  • Israel sins against the Lord and serve other gods (2:11-13).
  • God judges Israel and gives them over to other nations (2:14-15).
  • The people of Israel would be in distress (2:15) and cry out to God.
  • God would raise up judges to save Israel (2:16-18).
  • After the judge died this cycle would repeat itself (2:19).

This was the state of affairs in the promised land for over 300 years.

In Joshua, Israel was in possession of the land because of God’s favor.

In Judges, Israel was continually oppressed by the people of the land due to their sin.

The last verse in Judges is a summary of this period:

“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25).

The events of Ruth cover about eleven to twelve years, ten of which are in Moab (Ruth 1:4).

Purposes for Writing

  1. To provide a strong contrast to the covenant unfaithfulness that pervades the book of Judges.
  2. To show God’s providence in meeting the physical needs of his faithful people.
  3. To show how God works through the kindness of ordinary yet faithful people.
  4. To highlight God’s covenant faithfulness and his gift of a redeemer.
  5. To show the providential ancestry of King David.
  6. To show how God can use even the worst of situations for his glory through a redeemer.
  7. To show that God welcomes non-Israelites into the covenant. Ruth joins Tamar and Rahab in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus (Matt 1:1-17).

Structure (John MacArthur)

  1. Elimelech and Naomi’s ruin in Moab (1:1–5)
  2. Naomi and Ruth’s return to Bethlehem (1:6–22)
  3. Boaz’s reception of Ruth in his field (2:1–23)
  4. Ruth’s romance with Boaz (3:1–18)
  5. Boaz’s redemption of Ruth (4:1–12)
  6. God’s reward of Boaz and Ruth with a son (4:13–17)
  7. David’s right to the throne of Judah (4:18–22)

Map

Naomi’s Journey (from the ESV Study Bible)

You can also download this overview here.

The ESV Study Bible helped me as I prepared this overview.

Commit to the Church: Make Disciples Urgently

November 29, 2022 /
Sermon Series Graphic

I recently preached a sermon series called Commit at my church on what biblically committed church membership looks like. This post is based off of the eleventh sermon in that series.

Sermon Text: Matt 28:16-20

Today is the last sermon in our Commit sermon series and I think it’s a fitting end. I want to quickly summarize the series.

In our first sermon, I preached from Acts 2:36-47. There, we saw the pattern that we see throughout the New Testament. The gospel is preached. People are converted to Christ, baptized, and added to a local church.

Next, I preached on the importance of committing to a local church through believer’s baptism and church membership. The last seven sermons have covered what committed church membership looks like.

  • Regular attendance and involvement
  • Submitting to God’s Word
  • Fervent prayer
  • Generous giving
  • Serving faithfully
  • Biblical fellowship
  • Church discipline / rescuing those caught in sin

Our final sermon in this series is going to focus on the biblical plan for church growth. We all want our church to grow both numerically and spiritually. So, how do we do it according to God’s Word?

Some of us tend to think about church this way: We attend services when it’s convenient and we take away what helps us to feel better about ourselves and yet we have little concern for others.

But Jesus has given His church a mission in which He calls every believer to participate. This mission is found at the end of Matthew’s Gospel.

Matt 28:16-20

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The theme of evangelism and discipleship is a major theme of Jesus’ post-resurrection teaching (Matt 28:16-20; Luke 24:46-49; John 20:21-22; Acts 1:8). Since Jesus repeatedly emphasizes this, we as His disciples cannot miss this important command.

BIG IDEA: The mission of every church is to make disciples of Jesus that glorify God with their entire lives.

Context

Jesus rose from the grave probably within the past week or two before he gave the Great Commission. Both before and after his resurrection, Jesus had directed His disciples to meet him in Galilee. He had already appeared to his 11 disciples in John 20-21, where we read that He restored Peter after Peter had denied Jesus.

Verse 16 reiterates that “the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.” The text doesn’t tell us who all was present when Jesus gave the Great Commission. Obviously from v. 16 we know the eleven disciples were there, but some commentators believe that it was the group of more than 500 that Paul mentions in 1 Cor 15:6.

So, that’s the context. Jesus is with his 11 disciples and possibly more. He knows that in a few weeks he will be returning to the Father and he gives his disciples clear instructions to make more disciples.

To make disciples, we must submit to Jesus’ authority (17-18)

“When they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.” (v. 17)

Jesus’ worth is the fuel of our mission and his worship is the goal of our mission. John Piper says, “Missions exist because worship doesn’t.”

“Missions exist because worship doesn’t.”

John Piper

There are people that do not know Jesus or worship him and they are headed to hell. I read this week that over 147,000 people die every day without Christ.

“some doubted”

Perhaps some of the 11 disciples doubted their ability to carry on the mission without Jesus. If more than the 11 disciples were present, perhaps some of the other people had a hard time believing in Jesus’ resurrection.

To reassure them, Jesus comes toward them. The text says, “Jesus came and said to them” (v. 18). And look at the words that Jesus spoke: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (v. 18).

Jesus is not just Lord of the Jews. He is Lord over all nations. He is the exalted and resurrected Son of God. We often speak of Jesus being our personal Lord and Savior. We might say, “I decided to make Jesus my Lord and Savior.”

The reality is that we do not decide to make Jesus Lord. Jesus is Lord whether we choose to acknowledge that fact or not. Jesus is not just our personal Lord and Savior, but the universal Lord and Savior over all. Jesus is not just the King of the Jews, but the King of every nation.

If you read the Gospels, you will see Jesus’ authority over nature, over disease, demons, and even death (Mark 5).

Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth, and he has authority over our lives. He calls us to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Him. We are to submit to the lordship of Christ.

To make disciples, we must follow Jesus’ plan (19-20a)

Jesus spoke to the masses but spent much of his time with the 12 disciples. What is a disciple? A disciple is a learner or a follower. A disciples is someone who seeks to learn from a more experienced rabbi.

In short, a disciple of Jesus is a genuine, lifelong follower of Jesus. In the New Testament, the word disciple is used 269 times. The word Christian is used three times. The word believer is used two times. It’s clear that Jesus wants us to make disciples rather than just people who mentally assent to biblical truths.

So, what is Jesus’ plan? To make disciples. To make disciples is the imperative in these verses. There are three participles in the text that correspond to the three steps of making disciples:

  1. Go with the gospel.
  2. Baptize those who respond.
  3. Teach them to obey Jesus.

(1) First, we are to go and tell the good news of the gospel (19)

Even if we don’t serve as vocational missionaries, we are called to be missionaries in our context (Matt 4:19). We all know people that are not Christians. Disciples are to be on mission for Jesus by sharing the message of Jesus. We think of evangelism as knocking on doors but think of relationships you already have (work, neighbors, family, sports, school).

As Christians, we need to get outside of our comfort zone and go to where non-believers are and be a witness among them. Here are some practical tips for evangelism:

  • Pray for lost people you know.
  • Love them enough to get to know them.
  • Invite them into your home.
    • The more of a relationship you have with someone the more effectively you can share hard truths with them.
  • Use a tool. There are many good gospel tracts available.

The word translated “nations” is ethne, which means people groups – every tribe, nation, and tongue. Christianity isn’t just for middle class Americans in Poinsett County. It’s for every tribe, nation, and tongue.

Rev 7:9-10

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

So, we go with the gospel. Second, we baptize those who respond.

(2) “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (v. 19)

Those who respond to the gospel in repentance and faith are to be baptized. Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward transformation. When someone is baptized, he is going public with his faith. He is identifying as a Christian and proclaiming that he belongs to the triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Baptism does not save you, but it does point to the reality that your sins have been washed away because of the work of Jesus (Titus 3:4-7). Christians must be baptized in obedience to Jesus. To neglect baptism is to disobey and dishonor Jesus.

Baptism is not the finish line, but it is the starting point of new life in Christ.

Baptism is not the finish line, but it is the starting point of new life in Christ.

So, we go with the gospel. We baptize those who respond. And third, we teach new believers how to obey Jesus in all of life for the rest of life.

(3) “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (v. 20)

After someone responds to the gospel and is baptized, we are to teach that person how to follow Jesus Christ. We as disciples are supposed to show this new Christian how to read and apply God’s Word, how to pray, how to worship, how to share the gospel, how to manage their money, how to love their families, and more. When someone decides that they want to follow Christ, that is not the end—it’s the beginning!

Personally, I came to Christ at a young age (8-10) but my parents were not Christians. No one helped me grow spiritually for several years. Then, in college God used several people to help me grow in my faith.

The typical practice in many churches is that after someone walks down the aisle we say, “God bless you, good luck.” We pat ourselves on the back and say mission accomplished. Then we wonder why we don’t see them after a few months. One pastor says, “Many Christians are frustrated because they know what to do but they’ve never been taught how to do it.” I think he’s right, and I think those people will either stop going to church altogether or they will go somewhere where they will be shown how to grow.

How many of you have been shown how to read the Bible by a more mature believer? How to pray? How to share the gospel?

In Mark 3:14 Jesus calls his disciples to be with him. Jesus spent three years living with his disciples and training them and we think Sunday school is sufficient. We think of teaching with more of a western mindset. We tend to think of teaching in a classroom whereas the eastern idea of teaching implies a relationship – being with someone personally.

Again the more relationship you have the more influence and the more truth you can speak into their life.

1 Cor 11:1

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

If someone watched your life, would they learn how to be a disciple of Christ? We are called to make disciples and not just converts. Jesus did not say, “If anyone would follow me, He must pray this prayer.” He said, “If anyone would follow me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

“Maybe the reason that we are making fewer converts is because we have failed to disciple the converts we have made.” (Jared Wilson)

Once we teach a new Christian how to be a disciple, now it is their turn to replicate the process. It’s clear from this text—a disciple of Jesus makes disciples of Jesus, and a church that worships Jesus is to be a church that makes disciples of Jesus.

None of us can do all the work of the ministry. We must train and equip others, and that starts with me as the pastor of the church (Eph 4:11-12).

To make disciples, we must depend on the presence of Christ (20b)

Lastly, some encouragement. Jesus promises to be with us. Look at the last part of verse 20—“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” This mission of making disciples is not to be done alone, but by the power of Jesus living in us through the Holy Spirit. The mission is not based on who we are or what we can do, but it is based on who Jesus is and what He is able to do in us and through us.

Near the beginning of Matthew (Matt 1:23), Jesus was called “Immanuel” which means “God with us.” As Jesus gets ready to go back to the Father, he promises that he will be with us.

All authority and heaven and on earth are his and he promises his presence until he returns.

The mission of every church is to make disciples of Jesus that glorify God with their entire lives.

The Great Commission is the defining mandate for us as individuals and as a church. We must be with Christ after the lost.

CONCLUSION

The Great Commission is not a comfortable call inviting Christians to be baptized and sit in one location, but to make disciples by going to the lost, baptizing those that respond to Christ, and teaching them to obey all that He commanded.

Are we as a church willing to follow King Jesus’ plan to build his church?

Will we commit to making disciples and not just settle for decisions?

Will we seek to help each new Christian that God sends our way grow in spiritual maturity so that he or she can help reach and disciple others?

Who is someone you can share the gospel with?

Who is someone you can personally disciple?

Personally, what will be your spiritual legacy?

Commit to the Church: Rescue Lovingly

November 22, 2022 /
Sermon Series Graphic

I recently preached a sermon series called Commit at my church on what biblically committed church membership looks like. This post is based off of the tenth sermon in that series.

Sermon Text: Matt 18:15-20

Tough love. Hard love. You probably know what I mean when I say those phrases.

  • A coach is hard on his players because he wants them to play well.
  • A teacher loves her students by holding them to high standards.
  • A military officer pushes his soldiers to the limits so that they will be ready on the day of battle.
  • A mother lovingly disciplines her children to keep them from harm.

Probably all of us have been on the receiving end of some tough love. Even though the tough love (or we might say discipline) wasn’t pleasant at the time, we can look back and see how those situations helped us grow in maturity. This is exactly what the Bible teaches in Hebrews 12.

Heb 12:11

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

While we recognize the need for discipline in academics, athletics, parenting, and on the battlefield, we often ignore the importance of discipline within the church. The Bible says, “The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives” (Heb 12:6; Pro 3:12).

Today, we continue our sermon series called Commit, which is about committed church membership. We have seen in Acts 2 that after committing to Christ, the early Christians also committed to one another. That is the pattern we see throughout the New Testament. People hear the gospel. They are converted to Christ and baptized. Upon their baptism, they join a local church and commit to the people of that congregation. That is God’s plan for every Christian.

Today, I am going to talk about something you won’t hear about in many churches. I am going to speak about the need to rescue those who are caught in sin. Maybe you have heard it called church discipline. Most pastors don’t speak about church discipline because they don’t want to offend their members and attenders. But God’s Word speaks to this issue repeatedly[1]Matt 18:15-20; 1 Cor 5; 2 Cor 2:5-11; Gal 6:1-2; Eph 5:11; 1 Thess 5:14; 2 Thess 3:6-15; 1 Tim 5:19-20, 2 Tim 3:5, Titus 3:9-11 and it is an aspect of discipleship and Christian fellowship that we cannot ignore.

My hunch is that most churches today don’t obey the Bible’s teaching on church discipline for one of three reasons:

  1. The church doesn’t know what the Bible teaches about church discipline.
  2. The church doesn’t want to be seen as judgmental.
  3. The church doesn’t understand what it means to biblically love someone.

This message builds on last’s week’s message about biblical fellowship. I said last week that we are not called to share a pew with one another but to share our lives with one another. I don’t know if you’ve figured it out by now, but people are messy. Philippians 1:6 says that God began a good work in us, and he will bring it to completion. The implication is that we haven’t arrived yet. None of us will be perfect in this life. Even though we have a new nature, we are still at war with the flesh.

If it follows that we still struggle with sin, then what happens when a believer is caught in sin? I’m not talking about every time a believer sins. We all sin every day. I’m talking about when a believer becomes hardened or desensitized to sin and then entangled in sin. What are we do to in that situation? The Bible gives us very clear instructions. If you would, turn to Matthew 18.

Literary Context

As I get started today, I want to give you a little bit of the context of our passage. Immediately preceding our passage (Matt 18:10-14), Jesus spoke of a shepherd who leaves his 99 sheep to find one that has went astray. Just after our passage (Matt 18:21-35), Jesus spoke a parable about the need for us to forgive those who have sinned against us. So, that’s the context.

We are to be a people that extend grace to those who truly repent and ask for forgiveness. We are to be forgiving people and people that rejoice when a sinner returns to the fold. But we also must challenge those who are willfully living in sin. We must challenge those who love their sin more than Christ.

With that in mind, let’s read our text together.

Matthew 18:15-20

15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

BIG IDEA: We must seek to lovingly rescue those caught in sin and be willing to discipline those who refuse to repent.

The first thing we see in this text is that sin must be confronted.

Church discipline is necessary because sin must be confronted (15-17)

We see in this text is that Jesus cares how we live. When someone decides to follow Christ, he no longer lives for himself. Rather, he is to deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Christ. Thus, when someone is living in sin, he is to be confronted.

Jesus says in v. 15, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.” Sometimes people see the phrase “against you” and claim that you can only confront someone’s sin if they sin directly against you. I think the people making this claim are making too much of this detail. Notice what Paul says in Galatians 6:1-2.

Gal 6:1-2

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Paul doesn’t say only confront those who have sinned against you. He says, “If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.” I think when most people in the church hear the word “church discipline” they think of someone watching over their back just waiting for them to mess up so they can confront them. But Paul’s language here in Galatians also helps us clarify what is meant. Paul talks about someone that is “caught” in transgression.

This seems to indicate that sin should be confronted when it is outward and serious. Sin should be confronted when it’s something that has an outward manifestation. We cannot know if someone has lust in their heart. We can know if someone is living in sexual immorality. We can see someone’s browser history. We can observe that they are living a homosexual or transgender lifestyle. We can know if someone is living in adultery. Those things are observable.

Second, sin must be serious. As a church, we are not seeking to tattle tell on every person. Rather, we are seeking to save someone from destroying their own lives, the lives of their family, and the testimony of Christ and our church.

We can call one another to repentance over smaller sins, but these outward and serious sins are the kind that may lead to someone being removed from the church.

You may be wondering, what is the point of this? Aren’t we supposed to be a church that is about grace? Of course, we are to extend grace but at the same time, when Jesus saves us, he calls us to live holy lives. Jesus saves us not just from the penalty of sin but also from the power of sin. We are to not to let sin reign in our mortal bodies (Rom 6:12). At its root, correcting sin in the church is about the holiness of God.

When someone is living in open and serious sin, Jesus calls us to lovingly correct them. That’s what we see in vv. 15-17. Notice the process.

Step 1: Go to your brother (or sister) alone and tell him his fault. If he listens and repents, then the process ends there. You have “gained your brother” (15).

Step 2: If your brother (or sister) does not listen, take one or two others with you “that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses” (16). Jesus quotes from Deuteronomy 19:15. Churches are to go to great lengths to make sure that the evidence is sure and that facts are appropriately gathered. God cares about justice, and those involved should move slowly, thoughtfully, and graciously through the process.

Step 3: If it’s clear that your brother (or sister) is guilty of open and serious sin and still refuses to repent then the matter is to be taken to the church.

Step 4: If your brother (or sister) refuses to listen to the church, then Jesus says, “Let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector” (17). In other words, we are to treat this person like an unbeliever because he or she is acting like one. Any true believer, when confronted by the truth of God’s Word will conform their lives to it.

Obedience to God’s Word distinguishes true and false believers. True believers will change their life when confronted with God’s truth. False converts will make excuses to justify their sinful behavior.

Obedience to God’s Word distinguishes true and false believers. True believers will change their life when confronted with God’s truth. False converts will make excuses to justify their sinful behavior.

I want to make a few remarks about this process. Once again, the sins that lead to removal from the church (excommunication) are open, serious, and unrepented of. Ultimately, what leads to removal from the church is that the professing Christian refuses to repent of his sin. He loves his sin more than Jesus and this is impossible for any true believer. The question we should ask is this: does the person repeatedly refuse to repent to the point that his profession of faith has become unbelievable? Here are some examples:

  • Adultery
  • Pornography
  • Homosexuality
  • Transgenderism
  • Fornication
  • Drunkenness and drug abuse
  • Theft/stealing
  • Abuse of spouse and children
  • Unbiblical divorce[2]I know there are varying positions but at the very least every Christian should be able to agree that the only cases in which divorce may be permissible are sexual unfaithfulness, abandonment, or … Continue reading
  • Members who refuse to attend church for an extended period
  • Etc.

It’s impossible to list every situation but remember that church discipline is necessary when someone is caught in sin – sin that is open (people know about it), serious, and unrepented of. This process is to be done carefully and with much prayer. Most of the time, it will take multiple months to complete. Another thing we see throughout this process is that the circle is to be kept as small as possible. First, one goes privately. Second, take one or two others. Telling the church is a final resort. The goal is not to shame the sinner but to restore him as quietly as possible. That brings us to our second point.

The goal of church discipline is to rescue sinners (15, cf. 10-14, 21-35)

The goal of church discipline is not retribution but to rescue. Church discipline is a rescue mission! In doing so, we emulate Jesus. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). Like the Chief Shepherd, we are to seek to rescue sheep that have gone astray (Matthew 18:10-14). We see in verse 15 that if a brother repents, Jesus says, “You have gained your brother.” In other words, he has been saved from the sinful path he was on.

Church discipline is a rescue mission!

We see the same thing in 1 Corinthians 5.

1 Cor 5:1-5

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.

3 For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. 4 When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

In this situation, a man was committing sexual sin with his mother or stepmother. In verse 2, Paul says this man needs to be removed from the church. But notice in verse 5 the goal: this man was to be delivered to Satan so that his spirit may be saved. This means that the Corinthians were to remove him from the church so that he will be confronted with his sin. In other words, don’t treat this man like he’s a Christian. Treat him like an unbeliever because he is living like one (1 Cor 6:9-10).

This text confronts us with the reality that it’s not loving to let someone continue in their sin. So often, we think that a person’s faith is a private matter. Someone’s marriage is a private matter. The reality is that when someone joins a church, how they live their lives is a church matter.

Consider the following situations:

John has been experiencing pain in his chest. He goes to the doctor and tells him of his symptoms. The doctor does some tests and realizes that John has severe blockage. The doctor knows that without surgery and lifestyle changes that John will die. However, the doctor doesn’t want to upset the family, so he pretends like everything is fine and gives John a good report. John dies two months later of a heart attack.

Bill has been experiencing pain in his chest. He goes to his doctor and tells him of his symptoms. Like John, Bill has severe blockage and will die if he doesn’t have surgery and change his lifestyle. Bill’s doctor immediately tells Bill the truth so that Bill can be saved. Bill has the surgery and changes his lifestyle. He lives for twenty more years.

Which doctor was more loving? It’s obvious that the second doctor was more loving. Can I tell you something? Sin has far greater consequences than heart blockage. A heart attack will send you to the grave. A life of sin will send you to hell.

A life of sin will send you to hell.

Pro 27:6

Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
Profuse [deceitful] are the kisses of an enemy.

The faithful and loving friend is someone that is willing to wound you in the short term so that you can be saved in the long term. The person that pretends everything is okay when it’s not doesn’t really love you.

Consider another verse from Proverbs.

Proverbs 13:24

Whoever spares the rod hates his son,
    but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

Do we really believe this? Do we believe what the Bible says about truth, correction, and discipline? If we do, we must lovingly confront sinners with the goals of repentance and restoration in mind.

Church discipline is necessary because sin must be confronted. The goal of church discipline is to rescue sinners. Third, church discipline is administered by the church under the authority of Christ.

Church discipline is administered by the church under the authority of Christ (17-20)

We see in verse 17 that the church has the authority to determine its membership. It’s not the elders (pastors) or the deacons that can remove someone from the church. Only the gathered church has the authority to remove members.

In verses 18-20, Jesus gives authority to the unified church to discipline a professing believer who has sinned grievously and yet refuses to repent. I want to give you some caution about vv. 19-20. To say that God will do whatever two or more believers ask is to violate the context of the passage. The context of the passage is about dismissing an unrepentant sinner or restoring a remorseful sinner back to the fold. The two or three mentioned in vv. 19-20 refers to the two or three in v. 16. Thus, in these verses, Jesus is teaching that he is present with his disciples and his church when they seek to correct and restore those caught in sin.

Conclusion

I know that church discipline is not practiced in most churches. Perhaps you’ve never seen it done in our church or any other. Maybe you’ve never heard of it before today. I encourage you to read the Scripture passages I’ve given you on the back of today’s bulletin.[3]See footnote 1. Read those verses in context and you’ll get a fuller picture of church discipline.

I want to finish today by encouraging us to think through why practicing church discipline is so important.

First, we want to honor Christ. He has commanded us to lovingly pursue sinners. We pursue the lost by preaching the gospel. We are to pursue those who are missing from our church and those who may be present but are living in unrepentant sin.

Second, we want to protect our corporate witness. We should not be a church full of hypocrites. We are not perfect, but we should be committed to following Christ by obeying what he commands. Because Baptist churches believe that true Christians cannot lose their salvation, some Christians think that Baptists are grace abusers. They think we believe that because we can’t lose our salvation that we can live any way we want. Of course, this is a lie from hell. Churches that refuse to confront sin are lying about the gospel and the world sees our hypocrisy. If the gospel is powerful enough to save us, then it is powerful enough to change us. The gospel that saves is the gospel that transforms us.

If the gospel is powerful enough to save us, then it is powerful enough to change us. The gospel that saves is the gospel that transforms us.

Third, we care about our corporate health. If your body is sick, you treat the sickness. If the body of the church is sick, we must treat it. If left unchecked, unrepentant sin will tear families and churches apart. Consider Paul’s words from 1 Corinthians 5.

1 Cor 5:6-7a

Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened.

Those words were written immediately after Paul told the Corinthian church to hand the man caught in sin over to Satan. A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

Fourth, we care about the straying sinner. We love the one caught in sin enough to tell him the truth. We would rather confront him with hard truth than let him go to hell by loving his sin. It’s not loving to let a sinner ruin his life, his family’s life, and to put stain on the reputation of Christ and the local church.

The Lord disciplines those he loves. Do we believe it?

Are we convinced that holiness is better than sinfulness?

Do we love one another enough to have hard conversations?

Do we love one another enough to practice tough love?

Will we graciously forgive and restore those who repent of their sin?

Are we willing to love with God’s love and not the world’s love?

Will we fear God rather than man?

References

References
↑1 Matt 18:15-20; 1 Cor 5; 2 Cor 2:5-11; Gal 6:1-2; Eph 5:11; 1 Thess 5:14; 2 Thess 3:6-15; 1 Tim 5:19-20, 2 Tim 3:5, Titus 3:9-11
↑2 I know there are varying positions but at the very least every Christian should be able to agree that the only cases in which divorce may be permissible are sexual unfaithfulness, abandonment, or abuse.
↑3 See footnote 1.

Commit to the Church: Fellowship Joyfully

November 15, 2022 /
Sermon Series Graphic

I recently began a new sermon series called Commit at my church on what biblically committed church membership looks like. This post is based off of the ninth sermon in that series, which was not recorded.

Every person, whether they will acknowledge it or not, longs to be a part of a community. In the town I live, we see the words “Hornet Nation” on the windows and signs of various businesses. For the most part, the people of my town rally around the school. We could say that “Hornet Nation” is a community.

We could also speak of other types of community. Farmers make up the farming community. Veterans make up the veterans’ community. Sometimes people refer to an ethnic community, such as a Hispanic community. We could speak of the academic community. There are organizations of people interested in social justice or the environment. There is the LGBT community. There are many people that rally around their favorite sports teams. I know this because I have a Facebook feed and I get tired of seeing everyone’s outbursts on Saturdays about the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Here’s the bottom line: every person wants to feel like they are a part of something bigger than themselves. From the very beginning of creation, we see that God has designed us to be social beings. We are not made be in isolation from other people.

Genesis 2:18

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

That passage is speaking of marriage, but the principle is the same. Human beings are made in God’s image (Gen 1:26-27) and we are made to be in relationship with one another. God has designed the church to be the community that every person is looking for. When we trust in Jesus, we have fellowship with God. Not only do we have fellowship with God, but when we join a church we have fellowship with one another. This is the community for which we have been designed – the community of those redeemed by Christ.

You might be thinking, why do we need a whole sermon on fellowship? I would answer by saying that most of us even in the church have an incomplete view of what fellowship is. We tend to think of fellowship as simply spending time with other Christians. We think of potlucks or ice cream socials. Certainly, fellowship can happen at those events, but Christians can spend time together and never have true biblical fellowship. I’m going to flesh this out in just a moment, but let’s first read Acts 2:41-47.

Acts 2:41-47

41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

This has kind of been our main text for this sermon series. Acts 2 is where the Christian church is born through Peter’s preaching about Jesus. Those who received his word were baptized and added to the church in Jerusalem (v. 41). Verse 42 says that these believers devoted themselves to four things: the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer.

Verse 42 is the first verse in our New Testament that uses the word koinonia (here translated fellowship). The word is used 19 times in the New Testament. In the ESV, it’s translated:

  • Fellowship (9x)
  • Participation (3x)
  • Share (3x)
  • Contribution (2x)
  • Part (1x)
  • Partnership (1x)

Notice right away from verse 42 that fellowship is not the same as sharing a meal. Fellowship is not the same as breaking bread (or sharing a meal together). Today, I want to help us to understand what it means to have fellowship with one another and how we can do it more effectively.

(1) The basis for biblical fellowship is our fellowship with God

1 John 1:1-3

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

In these verses, John is going to great lengths to show that Jesus was indeed God in the flesh. John has heard him, seen him, and touched him. John was an eyewitness of Jesus’ life. And what John is saying in verse 3 is that to have fellowship with him and those with him you must believe the same things about Jesus. In other words, you must first be a Christian to have true biblical fellowship with other Christians.

You must believe the gospel. You must believe that the Bible is God’s Word. To join our church, you need to believe what we believe.

You shouldn’t join a church because its members share your political party. You shouldn’t join because you share the same social status or economic status or skin color. Instead, you should join a church whose fellowship is built upon the gospel and the truth of God’s Word. If the fellowship of a church isn’t built on the right foundation, then it will not stand.

So, the basis for true fellowship between Christians is that they are in fact Christians.

(2) In biblical fellowship, there is a community relationship

We see this in Acts 2:42. These early Christians were not devoted to just social activities. Rather, they had a relationship with one another. Their fellowship with God (1 John 1:3) had brought them into this fellowship. They had been redeemed by Christ and indwelled by the Holy Spirit, they began to share their lives with one another.[1]Jerry Bridges, True Fellowship, 10-11.

That’s what true fellowship is. It is sharing a common life. Our shared salvation in Christ is an objective truth that provides the foundation for the experiential aspects of fellowship.[2]Bridges, True Fellowship, 50. One passage (in addition to Acts 2:42-47) that encapsulates the meaning of true fellowship is found in Romans 12. I’ve shared some of the verses below.

Romans 12:4-5, 9-13, 15-16a

4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another…

…9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality…

…15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another.

These verses describe what it means to experience fellowship. We are individually members of the same body. We are to love one another, to avoid evil, and hold fast to what is good. We show honor to one another. We are to zealous and to fervently serve the Lord. We are to be patient in tribulation and constant in prayer. We’re to care for the needy among us. We are to be hospitable to one another. We rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. We live in harmony with one another.

Acts 2:44 says it simply this way.

Acts 2:44

And all who believed were together and had all things in common.

That sounds like a community that I want to be a part of. I hope you do as well. Does Romans 12 describe your commitment to the church?

  • Do you have a genuine love for other members of the church? Do you know their names? Do you know their kids’ names?
  • Do you honor other members of the church by considering the good of the church above your own preferences?
  • Do you fervently serve the Lord?
  • Do you consistently pray for members of the church?
  • Do you care for the needy among in the church?
  • Do you rejoice with those who rejoice?
  • Do you weep with those who weep?
  • Are you seeking to live in harmony with others?

Does this describe your commitment to the church, or do you view the church as simply a service you attend?

Is the church a group of people you fellowship with or simply a service you attend? Are you sharing your life with others or simply sharing a pew with them?

We are not called to simply share a pew with one another. We are called to share our lives with one another! In biblical fellowship, there is a community relationship. In addition, there is a spiritual relationship.

(3) In biblical fellowship, we have a spiritual relationship

As I mentioned earlier, we are not created to be alone. Spiritual fellowship is necessary for our spiritual growth and health. I think most of us have a truncated (or incomplete) view of fellowship.

We tend to think that Christian fellowship is simply spending time with other Christians. I would push back on that and say that unbelievers socialize with one another every day. Koinonia is more than simply sharing a pew with someone. It’s more than talking over a meal.

Isn’t it true that Christians can sit and talk together for ours and speak about sports, the weather, or politics? They can spend much time together and never discuss God, the Bible, and spiritual matters. If our fellowship doesn’t have a spiritual aspect to it and doesn’t help us grow in Christ, then it’s not biblical fellowship.

If our fellowship doesn’t have a spiritual aspect to it and doesn’t help us grow in Christ, then it’s not biblical fellowship.

Here are just a couple of verses indicating that fellowship is more than Christian social activity:

Heb 10:24-25

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

1 Thess 2:8

So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

How can we foster spiritual relationships with one another?

  • We must commit to the church.
  • We must seek to encourage, admonish, and pray for one another.
  • We should be willing to watch out for one another.
  • We seek to bear one another’s burdens.
  • You should join a small group in your church.
  • You should seek out relationships with other church members where you:
    • speak of Scripture with one another.
    • are open with one another.
    • are accountable to one another.
    • pray with one another.

Here are some questions you can ask someone to go beyond the surface: [3]Donald Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines within the Church, 161.

  • What has God been doing in your life?
  • What are some spiritual challenges you’ve had recently?
  • What have you been reading in the Bible?
  • How’s your prayer life?
  • How can I pray for you?

Here’s what I’m saying. You’ll never experience true fellowship with others in the church if you only come to our Sunday morning service. You may be encouraged by the music and the sermon but you cannot have a deep level of Christian fellowship in one hour a week.

Fellowship is going to take some work. Don’t expect to become close with others just by walking through the church doors. Seek fellowship through small groups and conversations with others. If you want to have friends, you must be friendly yourself.

Biblical fellowship is built on a relationship with God through Christ. Biblical fellowship has both community relationship and spiritual relationship aspects.

(4) In biblical fellowship, we share our possessions and resources

Look again at Acts 2:44-46

44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,

In v. 46, we see that these early believers broke bread together in their homes. Again, you see them sharing their lives with one another. Also note that in v. 45 that these Christians sold their possessions and belongings in order to care for the needy among them. An important aspect of biblical community is that we share our possessions with one another.

Before you ask, I’m not a socialist. I think that our capitalistic system in America has done so much good not just for us in America but for the entire world. That is a subject we could spend many hours talking about. Socialism is an economic system where your money is taken by force and redistributed.  

When it comes to the church, we are not forced to give to others. While we are called to care for the needy among us, it should be something we desire to do because of the grace of God and the working of the Spirit (2 Cor 8-9). We care for others because we are members of one body (Rom 12:5).

Galatians 6:10

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Biblical fellowship isn’t just having coffee and doughnuts together. Sometimes, biblical fellowship is digging deep into our pocketbooks to help a brother or sister in need. We talked about giving a couple of weeks ago. What is your attitude towards giving to another church member in need? Do you love to bless others in the name of Christ?

In our Commit series, we’ve talked about giving and serving. Both giving and serving are aspects of true biblical fellowship. Verse 46 also speaks of the believers breaking bread in their homes.

When is the last time you hosted another church family in your home for a meal? Church, let’s practice fellowship by sharing our possessions and resources with one another. Let’s fellowship with one another in our homes.

Finally, the last thing about biblical fellowship I want to mention is this:

(5) In biblical fellowship there is a shared partnership

We tend to think of fellowship as within the body of Christ and that’s true. As we build up and encourage each other we are in fellowship with one another. But the word koinonia, the word translated fellowship, can also be translated partnership. Look at Philippians 1:3-5.

Philippians 1:3-5

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

The word partnership in v. 5 is koinonia, the same Greek word that is most often translated fellowship. You probably remember from our sermon series in Philippians that the Philippian church were in a partnership with Paul. They supported him through prayer and financial support as he preached the gospel. Because of this, Paul regarded the Philippians as partners with him in the gospel.

Biblical fellowship is also a shared partnership. We work together within our own church for the sake of missions and evangelism. In addition, we support gospel ministry through prayer and giving. We’ve done that most recently with the Huffines and the Mintons. We give to the ministries of the Trinity Baptist Association, the ABSC, and the SBC.

I’ll say it once more. One aspect of biblical fellowship is a shared partnership in the gospel.

Conclusion

I know I’ve said a lot this morning, but I want to sum it up in a few words. All of us desperately need biblical fellowship. We cannot simply share a pew. We must share our very lives with others. Seek to know others. Be willing to be known. Let people into your business so to speak. In doing so, you will be encouraged more than you could ever imagine. Hornet Nation is great, but belonging and committing to the body of Christ is infinitely better.

Donald Whitney writes of a pastor that went to visit a church member who had been neglecting the fellowship of the church. The pastor went into the man’s house and they both sat down by the fireplace. Without speaking, the pastor looked at the fire for several minutes. He pulled out one of the red-hot coals and set it apart from the others. Soon it lost its glow and became dark and cold. After a short time the pastor put the coal back into the fire with the others and it quickly returned to its former strength. The strength of your spiritual fire is related to the fellowship you have with the body of Christ. We need koinonia fellowship with other believers. [4]Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines within the Church, 158-59.

References

References
↑1 Jerry Bridges, True Fellowship, 10-11.
↑2 Bridges, True Fellowship, 50.
↑3 Donald Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines within the Church, 161.
↑4 Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines within the Church, 158-59.
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