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Light Of His Word The Sermons of Pastor Mike Walls Freedom Baptist Church Used By Permission Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. |
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Light Of His Word The Sermons of Pastor Mike Walls Freedom Baptist Church Used By Permission Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. |
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IN THE FIELD OF GRACE
Ruth 2:4-17
Introduction: We saw last time some truths in regards to Boaz. He was present in his field. He did not leave the care of his field to another. As a pastor, I feel obligated to see every part of the ministry of the church. Even if the church would grow in a big way, I still need to be able to know what is going on in each department.
As I spend time last time talking about laziness and it was not part of Boaz’s or Ruth’s makeup. Laziness is sinful and condemned much in the Word of God. Paul hit this subject in several of epistles. He especially hit with the Thessalonians church.
“And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you”
“For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.”
We saw the pleasant greeting between Boaz and his men. I still think that the work place would be more pleasant with this type of greeting.
Boaz had an eye for detail. He did not miss this stranger working in his field. What brought his attention to her is a mystery but he noticed her. His foreman was complimentary of her work ethic. He made reference that she did not take lots of breaks. When you are the breadwinner of the home, you have to work hard to provide for your family. Naomi and her life depended upon her working.
This
brings us up to date with the next section of scripture.
II. HIS COMMANDING WORK Vs. 8-9
“Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.”
Boaz has a few words of counsel for Ruth. These commands are designed to encourage her in her work of gleaning. They also speak to us today as well.
A. Words Concerning Ruth's Steadfastness
She is commanded to glean in his fields only. Ruth doesn't know it, but Boaz has plans to take care of her. If she will abide in his field, she will enjoy the best he has to offer.
The same is true for the child of God. If we will abide faithful in His field, He can bless us beyond our wildest dreams. The reason so many miss out on the Lord's best for their lives is that they glean hear and there and never settle down and make the Lord's will their number one priority. We cannot glean here and there and expect God to bless us. God is looking for faithful stewards.
1st Corinthians 4:2
“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”
Faithfulness is what we see in the Lord and we can have in our lives. I want to give a few thoughts in regards to the faithfulness of the Lord and then show you how God blesses faithfulness in our lives. The faithfulness of God to the believer is expressed in many ways in the Bible.
1st John 1:9
“If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
2nd Timothy 2:13
"If we believe not, yet He abides faithful; He cannot deny Himself."
2nd Thessalonians 3:3
"But the Lord is faithful who shall establish you and keep you from evil."
1st Corinthians 10:13
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
1st Corinthians 1:9
“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Hebrews 10:23
“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised”
1st Peter 4:19
“Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”
1st Thessalonians 5:24
“Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”
Isn’t that wonderful when you see God’s faithfulness to us. So how does God bless faithfulness on our part?
1. He gives blessings are upon the faithful.
Proverbs 28:20
"A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent."
2. The Lord blesses the faithful by rewarding them.
Matthew 5:21
"His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."
In the parable of the talents, we find that the Lord is greatly pleased with His servant's faithfulness and rewards him accordingly. One of the rewards of being faithful is added responsibility. For some people, having new responsibilities added to them would not be much of a reward. But those people don't have to worry; they are not likely to receive any! To the faithful, new responsibilities are a great joy and blessing, not a burden. Faithful service brings the reward of great joy! "...enter thou into the joy of thy lord." It was his lord's joy he entered into, not his own!
3. The Lord blesses the faithful by preserving them.
Psalm 31:23
"O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer."
To "preserve" means "to keep in a safe and secure place." Even though no one is exempt from tragedy, that the Lord provides a special protection to those who remain faithful. It was this protection that got David and others through many battles. It will do the same for you!
4. The Lord will use the faithful.
1st Timothy 1:12
"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry"
Have you ever wondered just why the Lord used some of the most unlikely people in the work of the Lord? Have you ever wondered why the Lord does not use some others who you think ought to be used? Paul said it was because the Lord thought he was a faithful servant, and this is the reason that God put him into the ministry.
B. Words Concerning Ruth's Safety
Boaz has commanded the men to leave her alone. Boaz is making sure that no one takes unfair advantage of Ruth. He is telling her not to worry, he has taken care of the details for her. She can trust him to look after her.
This is a lesson for the church. We can trust our Lord to take care of us. He is more concerned over our welfare than we are.
Romans 8:28
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
2nd Corinthians 4:17
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”
C. Words Concerning Ruth's Supply
Boaz makes sure she knows that he has everything she needs to be satisfied. She didn't even have to work to get any of it.
Remember that I said that Boaz is a type or picture of our Lord Jesus. So it is with the children of the Lord. Jesus has all we need to be satisfied as we walk through this world. If only we would learn to appropriate that which Jesus has already provided. Jesus has and is all we need. Jesus is rest for the weary.
Matthe
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Psalm 23:2-3
“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
Jesus is refreshment for the thirsty.
John 7:37
“In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.”
Psalm 23:2
“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.”
Jesus is food for the hungry.
John 6:35
“And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”
Psalm 23:5
“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”
Jesus is healing to the injured.
Psalm 23:5
“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”
Jesus is the only hope for the discouraged
Psalm 23:5-6
“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
Jesus is shelter for the frightened.
Psalm 23:4
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
Prover
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”
Jesus
is all you and I need. Have you discovered that truth yet? It is summed
up in Psalm 23:1 - "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."
A little girl was learning the 23rd Psalm and she started
quoting the Psalm this way- “The Lord is my shepherd, what more should
I want.” She had the secret to it.
Conclusion: Next time we will look at the comforting work of Boaz. Let me sum this section will these thoughts. It was the leading of the Lord that brought her to Boaz’s field. It was the Lord that caused him to notice her. But once he noticed her, her path was now path. Remember Boaz’s words to her in verse eight? “Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens.” All fear that she may have had was dispelled by the assurance of his grace. Truth searchers in the field of His word will find grace upon grace and that will calm the most troubled heart.
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