1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:07,060 You’re listening to a sermon from Pastor Collin Smith of Open the Bible. 2 00:00:07,060 –> 00:00:15,060 To contact us call us at 1-877-OPEN-365 or visit our website openthebible.org. 3 00:00:15,060 –> 00:00:19,940 Let’s get to the message, here is Pastor Collin. 4 00:00:19,940 –> 00:00:24,200 Please have your Bible open at this beautiful passage of scripture that has just been read 5 00:00:24,200 –> 00:00:26,780 to us from Ruth in Chapter 1. 6 00:00:26,780 –> 00:00:31,540 We are following the story of ordinary people. 7 00:00:31,540 –> 00:00:38,360 We saw last time a man by the name of Elimelech moved his family from Bethlehem to Moab during 8 00:00:38,360 –> 00:00:41,080 a time of famine. 9 00:00:41,080 –> 00:00:47,520 And while they were there Elimelech died and his wife Naomi was left with her two sons 10 00:00:47,520 –> 00:00:50,380 Malan and Chelian. 11 00:00:50,380 –> 00:00:54,700 And the women they married were Orpah and Ruth. 12 00:00:54,779 –> 00:01:01,680 So now after the grief and great loss of her husband, Naomi had the joy of welcoming two 13 00:01:01,680 –> 00:01:05,519 daughters-in law into the family. 14 00:01:05,519 –> 00:01:09,080 But her joy was soon turned to sorrow again. 15 00:01:09,080 –> 00:01:18,900 Malan and Chelian died early in life, leaving Orpah and Ruth as widows and Naomi grieving 16 00:01:18,940 –> 00:01:26,800 a triple loss of her husband and then of her two sons. 17 00:01:26,800 –> 00:01:32,180 Now here is a story, then, to which every one of us can relate. 18 00:01:32,180 –> 00:01:40,620 It is a story of the lives and the loves and the losses of ordinary people. 19 00:01:40,620 –> 00:01:47,860 And we saw last time that it is also a story about our extra ordinary god. 20 00:01:47,860 –> 00:01:53,500 We saw that the lives and the loves and the losses of these ordinary people are woven 21 00:01:53,500 –> 00:01:58,500 into God’s hidden plan to bring blessing to the world. 22 00:01:58,500 –> 00:02:03,239 That’s the main theme of the story of the book of Ruth. 23 00:02:03,239 –> 00:02:05,940 And this is how it speaks to us today. 24 00:02:05,940 –> 00:02:16,860 God will weave our lives and our loves and our losses into his hidden plan to bring blessing 25 00:02:17,380 –> 00:02:18,119 to other people. 26 00:02:18,119 –> 00:02:23,100 When we take up the story today then at verse 6 when we read that, 27 00:02:23,100 –> 00:02:25,880 When she, that is Naomi, arose, then 28 00:02:25,880 –> 00:02:32,300 she arose with her daughter-in-law to return to the country of Moab, For she had heard 29 00:02:32,300 –> 00:02:39,940 in the fields of Moab that the Lord had visited his people and given them food. 30 00:02:39,940 –> 00:02:44,839 So Naomi had moved with her husband Elimelech, from Bethlehem to Moab 31 00:02:45,320 –> 00:02:50,759 She had done this because there was a famine in Bethlehem. 32 00:02:50,759 –> 00:02:54,220 But while she had moved to Moab it had never really been her home. 33 00:02:54,220 –> 00:02:56,199 She did not belong there. 34 00:02:56,199 –> 00:02:59,800 And so when she heard that the famine in Bethlehem was over 35 00:02:59,800 –> 00:03:03,320 She immediately wanted to go back home. 36 00:03:03,320 –> 00:03:07,539 And we’re told in verse 7, that Ruth and Orpah decided to go with her. 37 00:03:07,539 –> 00:03:12,240 So they started out, the three women on this journey, together. 38 00:03:12,240 –> 00:03:14,279 But at some point they stopped. 39 00:03:14,600 –> 00:03:17,199 They came to a crossroads. 40 00:03:17,199 –> 00:03:21,639 Perhaps it was when they reached the border of Moab, 41 00:03:21,639 –> 00:03:25,080 the home country of Orpah and of Ruth. 42 00:03:25,080 –> 00:03:27,919 Perhaps it was when they came to cross the river Jordan 43 00:03:27,919 –> 00:03:31,779 As they would have had to do on the journey back to Bethlehem. 44 00:03:31,779 –> 00:03:33,759 But at some point, 45 00:03:33,759 –> 00:03:35,259 they stopped. 46 00:03:35,259 –> 00:03:39,000 And today we come to this very moving scene 47 00:03:39,000 –> 00:03:41,860 That the Bible records for us. 48 00:03:42,039 –> 00:03:45,720 Naomi tells her daughters-in-law that they should go back 49 00:03:45,720 –> 00:03:48,440 And Ruth and Orpah make different decisions. 50 00:03:48,440 –> 00:03:52,399 Orpah kisses Naomi and returns home. 51 00:03:52,399 –> 00:03:58,779 Ruth clings to Naomi and continues with her in the journey. 52 00:03:59,860 –> 00:04:04,339 This beautiful book of Ruth is a wonderful love story. 53 00:04:04,339 –> 00:04:08,440 It really is a story of love. 54 00:04:08,520 –> 00:04:12,479 Today I want to draw from this part of the story 55 00:04:12,479 –> 00:04:17,799 Three distinguishing marks of genuine love. 56 00:04:17,799 –> 00:04:20,559 I want us to see that love considers 57 00:04:20,559 –> 00:04:22,559 That love chooses 58 00:04:22,559 –> 00:04:25,040 And that love commits. 59 00:04:28,559 –> 00:04:30,820 But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law 60 00:04:30,820 –> 00:04:34,079 Go return each of you to her mother’s house 61 00:04:34,079 –> 00:04:35,859 May the Lord deal kindly with you 62 00:04:35,859 –> 00:04:37,519 As you have dealt with the dead 63 00:04:37,519 –> 00:04:40,839 And with me the Lord grant that you may find rest 64 00:04:40,839 –> 00:04:46,720 Each of you in the house of her husband. 65 00:04:46,720 –> 00:04:53,320 Now, Naomi is often criticised for what she says here. 66 00:04:53,320 –> 00:04:56,519 She says Go back. 67 00:04:56,519 –> 00:04:59,119 And there are many writers 68 00:04:59,119 –> 00:05:01,299 Who really go to town on saying 69 00:05:01,299 –> 00:05:04,700 That doesn’t sound like the wise and faithful words 70 00:05:04,700 –> 00:05:06,820 Of a godly woman. 71 00:05:07,220 –> 00:05:13,500 Was Naomi thereby abandoning her daughter’s in law to idols? 72 00:05:13,500 –> 00:05:15,480 Should she not rather have gone the other way 73 00:05:15,480 –> 00:05:17,519 And used all the influence that she had 74 00:05:17,519 –> 00:05:20,459 To try and persuade them to continue on the journey 75 00:05:20,459 –> 00:05:23,119 Into the promised land? 76 00:05:23,119 –> 00:05:27,660 Well, I don’t think that we need to defend 77 00:05:27,660 –> 00:05:30,760 Everything that Naomi ever said or did. 78 00:05:30,760 –> 00:05:34,320 This is a narrative of scripture. 79 00:05:34,320 –> 00:05:36,459 But I do think that there are good reasons 80 00:05:36,480 –> 00:05:39,260 To believe that Naomi’s words here 81 00:05:39,260 –> 00:05:44,420 Are a genuine expression of love. 82 00:05:44,420 –> 00:05:48,160 The kind of love that considers others. 83 00:05:48,160 –> 00:05:50,179 And I want to give you four reasons 84 00:05:50,179 –> 00:05:53,799 Why I’ve come to that conclusion. 85 00:05:53,799 –> 00:05:57,160 The first is that love seeks the blessing 86 00:05:57,160 –> 00:06:00,100 Of God on others. 87 00:06:00,100 –> 00:06:02,799 Did you notice in these verses that we’ve read 88 00:06:02,899 –> 00:06:07,640 That Naomi refers to the Lord not once, 89 00:06:07,640 –> 00:06:08,859 But twice here 90 00:06:08,859 –> 00:06:12,720 May the Lord deal kindly with you 91 00:06:12,720 –> 00:06:17,640 The Lord grant that you may find rest. 92 00:06:17,899 –> 00:06:24,000 So these words here are really a prayer of blessing. 93 00:06:24,000 –> 00:06:28,859 Naomi’s not abandoning her daughters-in-law to idols. 94 00:06:28,859 –> 00:06:30,640 She wants them clearly here 95 00:06:30,660 –> 00:06:33,160 To live under the blessing of God 96 00:06:33,160 –> 00:06:35,160 To know His kindness 97 00:06:35,160 –> 00:06:38,239 And to find rest in His peace. 98 00:06:39,500 –> 00:06:44,600 A loving heart always seeks the blessing of God on others. 99 00:06:44,600 –> 00:06:47,739 And this is a great prayer that we can use 100 00:06:47,739 –> 00:06:50,260 In regards to people that we love 101 00:06:50,260 –> 00:06:53,779 And a prayer that we can pray even in regards to those who oppose us. 102 00:06:53,779 –> 00:06:57,820 May the Lord deal kindly with you 103 00:06:57,940 –> 00:07:02,399 May the Lord grant that you will find rest 104 00:07:04,160 –> 00:07:09,700 Love considers others by seeking God’s blessing on them. 105 00:07:09,700 –> 00:07:17,440 Second, love considers by putting the interests of others above its own. 106 00:07:17,440 –> 00:07:24,279 Now notice where Naomi’s attention is focused in these words that she speaks. 107 00:07:24,279 –> 00:07:29,059 She’s not thinking about herself, she’s thinking about her two daughters-in-law. 108 00:07:29,059 –> 00:07:37,839 May the Lord deal kindly with you as you have dealt with the dead and with me. 109 00:07:37,839 –> 00:07:47,260 The Lord grant that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. 110 00:07:47,260 –> 00:07:52,140 Now if Naomi had been thinking about her own interests, it’s pretty obvious that she 111 00:07:52,220 –> 00:07:56,420 would not have done all in her power to keep Ruth and Orpah with her. 112 00:07:56,420 –> 00:07:58,660 I mean, after all she’s an older woman. 113 00:07:58,660 –> 00:08:02,440 Who’s going to look after her in her old age? 114 00:08:02,440 –> 00:08:08,119 But it’s very clear here that Naomi is not thinking about herself. 115 00:08:08,119 –> 00:08:14,660 She is looking out for the interests of Ruth and of Orpah. 116 00:08:14,660 –> 00:08:19,279 And so she commends them for dealing kindly with the dead and with me. 117 00:08:19,279 –> 00:08:25,200 These women were good wives to their husbands while they lived, and since their husbands 118 00:08:25,200 –> 00:08:31,079 died they have been wonderfully loyal, both to their deceased husbands and also to Naomi 119 00:08:31,079 –> 00:08:32,820 herself. 120 00:08:32,820 –> 00:08:35,659 But here’s the question. 121 00:08:35,659 –> 00:08:40,479 Are there limits to this loyalty? 122 00:08:40,479 –> 00:08:44,659 And Naomi is convinced that there are. 123 00:08:44,659 –> 00:08:49,099 You have dealt kindly with the dead and with me. 124 00:08:49,119 –> 00:08:50,380 You see what she’s saying? 125 00:08:50,380 –> 00:08:56,320 You have already done more than enough. 126 00:08:56,320 –> 00:08:59,940 You don’t owe me a thing. 127 00:08:59,940 –> 00:09:04,119 I don’t want you giving up your lives to look after me. 128 00:09:04,119 –> 00:09:09,140 Most of my years are behind me, but most of your years are ahead of you. 129 00:09:09,140 –> 00:09:15,179 The time has come, my daughters-in-law, for you now to think about yourselves. 130 00:09:15,179 –> 00:09:17,119 Live your lives. 131 00:09:17,119 –> 00:09:18,719 Go back to your families. 132 00:09:18,739 –> 00:09:25,700 Find husbands from among your own people and live under the blessing of the Lord. 133 00:09:25,700 –> 00:09:33,520 You see these women have been wonderfully kind to Naomi and now Naomi is showing the 134 00:09:33,520 –> 00:09:37,500 same kindness to them, in return. 135 00:09:37,500 –> 00:09:44,520 And as I read these words, I’m convinced that she models here, what we read about in 136 00:09:44,520 –> 00:09:50,280 the New Testament, the love that is not self-seeking. 137 00:09:50,280 –> 00:09:57,840 Remember how the apostle says, do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility 138 00:09:57,840 –> 00:10:06,559 count others more significant than yourselves, let each of you not only look to his own interest, 139 00:10:06,559 –> 00:10:10,159 but also to the interest of others. 140 00:10:10,159 –> 00:10:11,719 Why? 141 00:10:11,760 –> 00:10:12,780 Why? 142 00:10:12,780 –> 00:10:18,039 Well, because that was the way of the Lord Jesus Christ. 143 00:10:18,039 –> 00:10:23,760 He put our interests above his own. 144 00:10:23,760 –> 00:10:30,320 Where would we be today if the son of God had looked down from heaven before the incarnation, 145 00:10:30,320 –> 00:10:36,219 looked at what would be involved in becoming a man and saying, now what would be the easiest 146 00:10:36,219 –> 00:10:38,880 thing for me? 147 00:10:38,880 –> 00:10:42,119 Well, if he had looked out only for his own interests, obviously, he would never have 148 00:10:42,119 –> 00:10:45,059 come into the world, would he? 149 00:10:45,059 –> 00:10:48,820 And certainly, he would never have gone to the cross. 150 00:10:48,820 –> 00:10:54,880 And therefore, we would all live and then die in our sins. 151 00:10:54,880 –> 00:10:58,880 But Jesus did not look out to his own interests. 152 00:10:58,880 –> 00:11:03,840 What he looked to was the interests of others, that he was in the form of God. 153 00:11:03,840 –> 00:11:08,419 The apostle goes on to say, he did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped. 154 00:11:08,500 –> 00:11:13,219 He didn’t hold on to what was his by right. 155 00:11:13,239 –> 00:11:15,619 But he emptied himself. 156 00:11:15,619 –> 00:11:18,260 And he took the form of a servant. 157 00:11:18,260 –> 00:11:22,679 And he was born in the likeness of men. 158 00:11:22,679 –> 00:11:31,260 Now, I think we’re seeing, in Naomi’s words, a marvelous example of true love that 159 00:11:31,260 –> 00:11:39,599 seeks the blessing of God on others and puts the interests of others before our own. 160 00:11:39,599 –> 00:11:45,159 And then there’s a third thing here that I think is significant, and it is that true 161 00:11:45,159 –> 00:11:51,619 love never forces its will on another person. 162 00:11:51,619 –> 00:11:57,460 True love never forces its will on another person. 163 00:11:58,320 –> 00:12:04,380 Now let me just say, at this point, that there are of course times when wise parents will 164 00:12:04,380 –> 00:12:08,960 impose their will on younger children. 165 00:12:08,960 –> 00:12:15,760 But here we’re talking about mature relationships between adults, 166 00:12:15,760 –> 00:12:22,700 and I want you to think about the position that Naomi was in. 167 00:12:22,700 –> 00:12:27,359 All of the power was with her. 168 00:12:27,599 –> 00:12:35,140 She was the matriarch of the family, and she could have imposed her will 169 00:12:35,140 –> 00:12:39,799 on these younger women if she wanted to. 170 00:12:39,799 –> 00:12:44,020 But Naomi here resists the temptation to impose her will 171 00:12:44,020 –> 00:12:45,979 on Ruth and on Orpa. 172 00:12:45,979 –> 00:12:49,659 She wants them to make their own decision, and so what does she do? 173 00:12:49,659 –> 00:12:55,599 She sets them free from any sense of obligation. 174 00:12:56,039 –> 00:13:01,380 I want you to listen to this wise comment from Ludwig Lavater, 175 00:13:01,380 –> 00:13:06,479 the kindly Reformer who I quoted and referred to last time. 176 00:13:06,479 –> 00:13:08,919 He says this, and I quote, 177 00:13:08,919 –> 00:13:14,940 they do wrong who try to push others 178 00:13:14,940 –> 00:13:21,739 into the Christian religion by human devices or empty promises. 179 00:13:21,780 –> 00:13:26,840 He says it’s a wrong thing to try and push someone 180 00:13:26,840 –> 00:13:29,440 into a decision that you want them to make. 181 00:13:29,440 –> 00:13:33,299 That’s what he’s saying, and here he gives his reason. 182 00:13:33,299 –> 00:13:34,419 I quote again, 183 00:13:34,419 –> 00:13:38,400 for if afterward they come to know 184 00:13:38,400 –> 00:13:42,719 that matters are different than they heard, 185 00:13:42,719 –> 00:13:46,700 many of them persecute the true religion 186 00:13:46,700 –> 00:13:48,400 with deadly hatred. 187 00:13:49,520 –> 00:13:50,859 Now he’s absolutely right. 188 00:13:52,099 –> 00:13:54,859 If you pressure someone into a decision, 189 00:13:54,859 –> 00:13:56,059 you know what happens, 190 00:13:56,059 –> 00:14:00,320 you are more than likely in time to create a reaction. 191 00:14:01,739 –> 00:14:03,840 And if you know someone, think about this, 192 00:14:03,840 –> 00:14:07,000 if you know someone who once professed faith 193 00:14:07,000 –> 00:14:08,460 in the Lord Jesus Christ 194 00:14:08,460 –> 00:14:11,000 and then turned away with great aggression, 195 00:14:12,440 –> 00:14:14,619 it may very well be worth exploring 196 00:14:14,640 –> 00:14:16,880 as to whether there was coercion 197 00:14:18,380 –> 00:14:23,380 in the earlier stages of their coming to faith. 198 00:14:24,679 –> 00:14:25,820 Now let me be clear. 199 00:14:26,700 –> 00:14:28,500 I am not for one moment suggesting 200 00:14:28,500 –> 00:14:30,059 that if a person abandons the faith, 201 00:14:30,059 –> 00:14:32,179 that means there was coercion in the past. 202 00:14:32,179 –> 00:14:34,140 I mean, Orpah turned back 203 00:14:34,140 –> 00:14:35,979 and she was given the same freedom 204 00:14:35,979 –> 00:14:38,380 and shown exactly the same kindness as Ruth was. 205 00:14:38,380 –> 00:14:41,440 She simply used her freedom to make a different decision. 206 00:14:41,440 –> 00:14:42,619 That happens. 207 00:14:43,520 –> 00:14:45,640 But there is something important here 208 00:14:45,640 –> 00:14:48,159 for us to learn at this point in the story. 209 00:14:49,479 –> 00:14:52,039 There will be decisions in life 210 00:14:52,039 –> 00:14:54,679 that you want other people to make. 211 00:14:56,440 –> 00:14:58,960 There will be initiatives 212 00:14:58,960 –> 00:15:01,400 that you want other people to pursue. 213 00:15:01,400 –> 00:15:03,460 Why doesn’t he get on with this? 214 00:15:04,799 –> 00:15:06,640 There will be commitments in life 215 00:15:06,640 –> 00:15:09,539 that you want other people to settle. 216 00:15:09,799 –> 00:15:13,960 And if you have influence in another person’s life, 217 00:15:13,960 –> 00:15:17,520 you will be tempted to think, 218 00:15:17,520 –> 00:15:22,239 I can get him or her to do that. 219 00:15:24,280 –> 00:15:27,080 Is anyone even going to smile in recognition 220 00:15:27,080 –> 00:15:29,719 that such a thought might at least once in life 221 00:15:29,719 –> 00:15:31,380 have crossed your mind? 222 00:15:34,640 –> 00:15:36,419 And the problem is that very likely 223 00:15:36,419 –> 00:15:38,400 you could get him or her to do that. 224 00:15:40,419 –> 00:15:41,359 That’s the problem. 225 00:15:43,760 –> 00:15:47,460 A man convinced against his will 226 00:15:48,299 –> 00:15:52,659 is of the same opinion still. 227 00:15:53,900 –> 00:15:56,700 That’s true of a woman convinced against her will as well. 228 00:15:58,059 –> 00:16:02,080 Now you see, Naomi was a very wise woman. 229 00:16:03,099 –> 00:16:07,979 She did not want her loved ones to make a life commitment 230 00:16:08,080 –> 00:16:10,659 simply in order to please her. 231 00:16:12,840 –> 00:16:14,979 Ahh, down the road that would inevitably lead 232 00:16:14,979 –> 00:16:16,140 to some reaction. 233 00:16:17,299 –> 00:16:19,979 And the beauty of this story 234 00:16:20,799 –> 00:16:24,919 is that when Ruth makes a lifelong commitment 235 00:16:24,919 –> 00:16:26,760 to the Lord and to Naomi, 236 00:16:26,760 –> 00:16:28,960 she does this freely. 237 00:16:30,960 –> 00:16:33,880 And the reason that she’s able to commit freely 238 00:16:33,880 –> 00:16:35,900 is precisely that Naomi 239 00:16:35,900 –> 00:16:40,039 has released her from any sense of obligation. 240 00:16:40,039 –> 00:16:44,080 Love never forces its will on another person. 241 00:16:44,080 –> 00:16:47,880 Love does not seek to control. 242 00:16:49,559 –> 00:16:54,460 And I think in this, Naomi gives us an example of love. 243 00:16:56,200 –> 00:16:57,719 Love considers. 244 00:16:57,719 –> 00:17:00,520 It considers because it seeks the blessing of God on others, 245 00:17:00,520 –> 00:17:02,940 it puts the interests of others before its own, 246 00:17:02,940 –> 00:17:05,599 it never forces its will on another person, 247 00:17:05,599 –> 00:17:09,400 and love considers in that it is candid 248 00:17:09,400 –> 00:17:12,739 about the cost of commitment. 249 00:17:12,739 –> 00:17:14,699 This is really important. 250 00:17:14,699 –> 00:17:16,800 Verse 11, Naomi said, 251 00:17:16,800 –> 00:17:20,239 turn back, my daughters, why will you go with me? 252 00:17:20,239 –> 00:17:22,479 Have I yet sons in my womb 253 00:17:22,479 –> 00:17:24,160 that they may become your husbands? 254 00:17:24,160 –> 00:17:26,040 Turn back, my daughters, go your way 255 00:17:26,040 –> 00:17:28,959 for I am too old to have a husband. 256 00:17:28,959 –> 00:17:30,619 If I should say I have hope, 257 00:17:30,619 –> 00:17:32,839 even if I should have a husband, 258 00:17:32,839 –> 00:17:35,859 this night, and should bear sons, 259 00:17:35,859 –> 00:17:40,520 well, would you therefore wait till they were grown? 260 00:17:40,520 –> 00:17:44,439 Would you therefore refrain from marrying? 261 00:17:44,439 –> 00:17:48,520 No my daughters, for it is exceedingly bitter for me 262 00:17:48,520 –> 00:17:51,180 for your sake that the hand of the Lord 263 00:17:51,180 –> 00:17:53,920 has gone out against me. 264 00:17:55,180 –> 00:17:56,939 Now, you see what Naomi is doing here? 265 00:17:56,939 –> 00:17:59,219 She wants to test their hearts. 266 00:17:59,219 –> 00:18:00,680 Now, here are these women, 267 00:18:00,979 –> 00:18:02,800 and they’re coming with me on this journey, 268 00:18:02,800 –> 00:18:06,099 but is this really what they want to do? 269 00:18:07,199 –> 00:18:09,880 Have they thought through what this commitment 270 00:18:09,880 –> 00:18:13,160 actually will involve? 271 00:18:13,160 –> 00:18:16,020 Life in the promised land may well be harder 272 00:18:16,020 –> 00:18:19,859 for Orpah and for Ruth than either of them thinkes. 273 00:18:21,119 –> 00:18:23,439 And I love the way that Naomi puts this, 274 00:18:23,439 –> 00:18:28,319 of course, if she had other sons who were single 275 00:18:28,319 –> 00:18:32,560 and of marrying age, then Naomi might be able 276 00:18:32,560 –> 00:18:36,420 to provide Ruth and Orpah with another husband. 277 00:18:36,420 –> 00:18:38,880 But she has no other sons. 278 00:18:40,160 –> 00:18:42,760 And you see what she’s saying, 279 00:18:42,760 –> 00:18:47,760 even if I was to marry and conceive sons, 280 00:18:48,920 –> 00:18:49,880 plural tonight, 281 00:18:49,880 –> 00:18:52,300 if I was to conceive twins tonight, 282 00:18:53,959 –> 00:18:57,719 the two of you would have to wait the best part of 20 years 283 00:18:57,719 –> 00:19:00,160 before there’d be any prospect of marrying them. 284 00:19:01,880 –> 00:19:03,459 Simply not realistic. 285 00:19:05,560 –> 00:19:09,040 And so Naomi is candid about the cost. 286 00:19:10,319 –> 00:19:11,839 If they continue in this journey, 287 00:19:11,839 –> 00:19:13,719 the chances of them finding another husband 288 00:19:13,719 –> 00:19:15,000 will be very slim. 289 00:19:16,560 –> 00:19:18,400 Naomi has some land, of course, 290 00:19:18,400 –> 00:19:19,660 but if they come back with her, 291 00:19:19,660 –> 00:19:21,400 they are going to have to work. 292 00:19:21,400 –> 00:19:26,400 Life in the promised land will not be easy. 293 00:19:29,880 –> 00:19:33,800 And you see, this is one of the problems, isn’t it, 294 00:19:33,800 –> 00:19:36,319 that if people have come to faith 295 00:19:36,319 –> 00:19:40,280 on the basis of bloated promises 296 00:19:41,439 –> 00:19:44,199 that go beyond what we are told in scripture 297 00:19:45,079 –> 00:19:46,920 and then find that they face 298 00:19:46,920 –> 00:19:48,520 some of the difficulties and trials of life 299 00:19:49,000 –> 00:19:52,959 that every Christian experiences, there’s a reaction. 300 00:19:52,959 –> 00:19:53,800 Why? 301 00:19:53,800 –> 00:19:57,359 Because they were brought in under false pretenses. 302 00:19:59,719 –> 00:20:02,239 Those who led them to faith were not candid 303 00:20:03,280 –> 00:20:05,300 about the cost of commitment. 304 00:20:07,079 –> 00:20:08,800 But Naomi lays out the cost 305 00:20:08,800 –> 00:20:13,680 because she’s modeling love here as Jesus does 306 00:20:14,680 –> 00:20:18,140 when he lays out the cost of commitment to us. 307 00:20:19,439 –> 00:20:22,199 You remember in the Gospels, you see this so many times, 308 00:20:23,319 –> 00:20:27,400 a man comes to Jesus full of enthusiasm. 309 00:20:27,400 –> 00:20:31,339 I will follow you, he says, wherever you go. 310 00:20:31,339 –> 00:20:36,000 And Jesus’ answer to him is foxes have holes, 311 00:20:36,780 –> 00:20:39,800 birds of the air have nests, 312 00:20:39,800 –> 00:20:42,680 but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head. 313 00:20:42,680 –> 00:20:45,319 You see what he’s saying, you’d better know 314 00:20:45,319 –> 00:20:47,439 what you’re letting yourself in for. 315 00:20:48,760 –> 00:20:51,819 The rich young ruler comes to Jesus and says, 316 00:20:51,819 –> 00:20:54,520 now what must I do to inherit eternal life? 317 00:20:54,520 –> 00:20:58,739 And Jesus says to him, well go sell all that you have. 318 00:21:01,140 –> 00:21:04,400 In other words, you had better realize 319 00:21:05,640 –> 00:21:09,500 that this will cost you everything, everything. 320 00:21:11,520 –> 00:21:14,500 If anyone would come after me, 321 00:21:15,439 –> 00:21:19,439 let him deny himself and take up his cross daily 322 00:21:24,719 –> 00:21:25,900 and follow me. 323 00:21:27,540 –> 00:21:31,719 That’s the love of the Lord Jesus Christ being candid 324 00:21:34,400 –> 00:21:36,819 about the cost of commitment. 325 00:21:39,319 –> 00:21:43,500 So love considers, it seeks the blessing of God on others 326 00:21:45,020 –> 00:21:48,020 it places the interests of others above its own 327 00:21:48,020 –> 00:21:51,040 it never forces its will on another person 328 00:21:51,040 –> 00:21:54,619 it is candid, about the cost of commitment. 329 00:21:57,560 –> 00:21:59,660 Now the second thing we see in this story 330 00:21:59,660 –> 00:22:03,400 as we move the focus from Naomi to Orpah 331 00:22:03,400 –> 00:22:05,060 is that love chooses. 332 00:22:06,020 –> 00:22:10,180 Verse 14, then they lifted up their voices and wept again 333 00:22:11,099 –> 00:22:13,540 and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law 334 00:22:13,540 –> 00:22:16,680 but Ruth clung to her, and she said 335 00:22:16,680 –> 00:22:18,780 see, your sister-in-law has gone back 336 00:22:18,780 –> 00:22:21,280 to her people and to her gods. 337 00:22:23,859 –> 00:22:27,780 Orpah is a very sad example of temporary faith, 338 00:22:31,099 –> 00:22:32,439 temporary faith. 339 00:22:33,579 –> 00:22:37,500 Ruth and Orpah had both come under the influence of Naomi 340 00:22:37,500 –> 00:22:38,920 and there’s good reason to believe 341 00:22:39,099 –> 00:22:41,560 that they had both made some kind of profession 342 00:22:41,560 –> 00:22:45,020 of faith in the Lord as we saw last time. 343 00:22:45,020 –> 00:22:47,380 But the difference between them was very simply this, 344 00:22:47,380 –> 00:22:51,040 that Ruth persevered and Orpah turned back, 345 00:22:52,619 –> 00:22:53,939 temporary faith. 346 00:22:55,339 –> 00:22:56,839 And notice that Naomi says here 347 00:22:56,839 –> 00:22:59,959 see, your sister-in-law has gone back 348 00:22:59,959 –> 00:23:02,459 to her people and to her gods. 349 00:23:02,619 –> 00:23:03,619 To her gods. 350 00:23:06,000 –> 00:23:09,400 Now, notice that Naomi does not tell Orpah 351 00:23:09,400 –> 00:23:10,739 to go back to her gods. 352 00:23:10,739 –> 00:23:13,439 A godly woman could never have said such a thing. 353 00:23:13,439 –> 00:23:16,020 And Naomi certainly didn’t. 354 00:23:16,020 –> 00:23:18,859 But as Orpah kisses Naomi goodbye 355 00:23:20,560 –> 00:23:22,900 and walks into the distance, 356 00:23:24,859 –> 00:23:26,939 Naomi discerns her heart. 357 00:23:28,680 –> 00:23:31,459 She recognizes what is happening. 358 00:23:32,300 –> 00:23:36,300 Orpah is going back to what she loves the most, 359 00:23:37,839 –> 00:23:39,099 her own people, 360 00:23:40,180 –> 00:23:41,599 and her own gods. 361 00:23:43,560 –> 00:23:45,319 Now, Jesus spoke about 362 00:23:46,760 –> 00:23:50,099 what I’m describing as temporary faith 363 00:23:50,099 –> 00:23:51,800 in the parable of the Sower. 364 00:23:51,800 –> 00:23:56,140 You remember that some seed fell on shallow soil 365 00:23:56,140 –> 00:23:58,459 and it grew up and it seemed to be doing very well 366 00:23:58,459 –> 00:24:00,359 for awhile, but it didn’t have 367 00:24:00,439 –> 00:24:04,020 the depth of root, and so in the end, it withered. 368 00:24:04,020 –> 00:24:07,000 And then there was other seed that sprung up 369 00:24:07,000 –> 00:24:08,699 and again seemed to be doing very well, 370 00:24:08,699 –> 00:24:10,420 but it ended up being choked 371 00:24:10,420 –> 00:24:13,760 because it found itself among many weeds. 372 00:24:15,000 –> 00:24:19,020 And there are many examples of temporary faith 373 00:24:19,020 –> 00:24:20,260 in the Bible. 374 00:24:20,260 –> 00:24:23,099 John six is one example, the crowds 375 00:24:24,000 –> 00:24:26,000 that experienced the miracle 376 00:24:26,000 –> 00:24:28,839 in which the Lord Jesus multiplied the loaves 377 00:24:28,959 –> 00:24:31,040 and the fishes, they were so amazed 378 00:24:31,040 –> 00:24:34,739 that they followed the Lord Jesus Christ for a while. 379 00:24:36,260 –> 00:24:38,060 But as you read through John six, 380 00:24:38,060 –> 00:24:40,599 you’ll see that Jesus speaks to them candidly 381 00:24:40,599 –> 00:24:42,959 about the uniqueness of His claims, 382 00:24:42,959 –> 00:24:46,199 their absolute dependence upon His grace. 383 00:24:47,280 –> 00:24:49,140 And then most of them turned back. 384 00:24:50,079 –> 00:24:51,140 And at the end of the chapter, 385 00:24:51,140 –> 00:24:52,579 Jesus says to his disciples, 386 00:24:52,579 –> 00:24:53,979 are you going to go away too? 387 00:24:55,260 –> 00:24:57,579 And you remember, Peter gave that wonderful response, 388 00:24:57,579 –> 00:24:59,180 to whom would we go? 389 00:25:00,020 –> 00:25:03,619 Only you have the words of eternal life. 390 00:25:04,739 –> 00:25:07,400 Now temporary faith looks like the real thing. 391 00:25:07,400 –> 00:25:10,339 The difference is it doesn’t last. 392 00:25:10,339 –> 00:25:14,020 Orpah had a genuine love for Naomi, no doubt. 393 00:25:14,020 –> 00:25:16,680 She had set out on the journey. 394 00:25:16,680 –> 00:25:18,219 At one point then, evidently, 395 00:25:18,219 –> 00:25:20,719 she was ready to make real sacrifices 396 00:25:20,719 –> 00:25:22,300 to follow the Lord, 397 00:25:22,300 –> 00:25:24,140 but something was missing. 398 00:25:25,540 –> 00:25:27,260 And when she looked at other options, 399 00:25:27,979 –> 00:25:29,540 she found herself in two minds. 400 00:25:29,540 –> 00:25:32,339 Part of her wanted to believe and follow. 401 00:25:32,339 –> 00:25:33,160 Part of her wanted to turn back. 402 00:25:33,160 –> 00:25:34,339 She was torn. 403 00:25:36,300 –> 00:25:38,459 And then the end, she made her decision. 404 00:25:39,540 –> 00:25:43,300 She kissed Naomi, and she went back home. 405 00:25:45,060 –> 00:25:50,060 Love chooses, and we all choose what we love the most. 406 00:25:51,060 –> 00:25:56,060 Love chooses, and we all choose what we love the most. 407 00:26:01,859 –> 00:26:05,939 And what you choose, reveals what you love. 408 00:26:08,420 –> 00:26:09,760 And the problem of course, 409 00:26:09,760 –> 00:26:14,099 is that by nature we love the wrong things. 410 00:26:16,079 –> 00:26:17,900 That’s why we make the wrong choices. 411 00:26:18,520 –> 00:26:21,880 Scripture says that in the last days, 412 00:26:21,880 –> 00:26:25,839 people will be lovers of self, 413 00:26:25,839 –> 00:26:27,760 lovers of money, 414 00:26:27,760 –> 00:26:29,900 and lovers of pleasure, 415 00:26:29,900 –> 00:26:33,339 rather than lovers of God. 416 00:26:33,339 –> 00:26:35,199 But what’s most striking to me, 417 00:26:35,199 –> 00:26:36,800 about this verse, 418 00:26:36,800 –> 00:26:39,560 is what the apostle says next, 419 00:26:39,560 –> 00:26:41,880 he says lovers of pleasure, 420 00:26:41,880 –> 00:26:43,900 rather than lovers of God. 421 00:26:43,900 –> 00:26:47,880 Having the appearance of godliness. 422 00:26:48,319 –> 00:26:52,040 But denying it’s power. 423 00:26:52,040 –> 00:26:54,300 In other words, they’re possibly saying 424 00:26:54,300 –> 00:26:55,599 there will be people who 425 00:26:55,599 –> 00:26:57,680 look like Christians, 426 00:26:57,680 –> 00:27:00,760 and they talk like Christians. 427 00:27:00,760 –> 00:27:04,719 They have an appearance of godliness. 428 00:27:04,719 –> 00:27:07,579 But they have never really experienced 429 00:27:07,579 –> 00:27:10,199 the life-changing power 430 00:27:10,199 –> 00:27:13,119 of the Lord Jesus Christ. 431 00:27:13,119 –> 00:27:16,579 So while they can talk about loving God, 432 00:27:16,599 –> 00:27:19,640 what they really love the most 433 00:27:19,640 –> 00:27:22,979 is pleasure, money, 434 00:27:22,979 –> 00:27:25,619 and themselves. 435 00:27:25,619 –> 00:27:29,180 And that is why they don’t continue. 436 00:27:29,180 –> 00:27:32,180 Somewhere along the line, 437 00:27:32,180 –> 00:27:34,439 they turn away from the Lord 438 00:27:34,439 –> 00:27:37,400 to what they love the most 439 00:27:37,400 –> 00:27:39,640 and abandon the faith 440 00:27:39,640 –> 00:27:42,180 that they once professed. 441 00:27:42,180 –> 00:27:44,060 So here’s the principle. 442 00:27:44,219 –> 00:27:46,900 Love chooses. 443 00:27:46,900 –> 00:27:50,800 And we all choose what we love the most. 444 00:27:50,800 –> 00:27:55,199 What we choose reveals what we love. 445 00:27:55,199 –> 00:27:57,339 And, of course, the problem is precisely this, 446 00:27:57,339 –> 00:27:59,060 that left to ourselves, 447 00:27:59,060 –> 00:28:04,479 we would all make choices to our own destruction. 448 00:28:04,479 –> 00:28:08,000 So thank God He has said, 449 00:28:08,000 –> 00:28:11,719 I will give you a new heart. 450 00:28:11,839 –> 00:28:18,239 And I will put my Holy Spirit in you. 451 00:28:18,239 –> 00:28:21,459 And if you are wise, 452 00:28:21,459 –> 00:28:25,599 you will ask God to fulfill that promise in you. 453 00:28:25,599 –> 00:28:28,500 You will say, Lord, give me a new heart 454 00:28:28,500 –> 00:28:33,040 and sustain that new heart within me. 455 00:28:33,040 –> 00:28:40,160 Deliver me from choosing what my sinful heart would choose. 456 00:28:40,160 –> 00:28:47,979 Cleanse my heart, renew my heart by your Holy Spirit. 457 00:28:47,979 –> 00:28:52,319 Cause me to love what you love 458 00:28:52,319 –> 00:28:58,160 so that I would choose what honors you. 459 00:28:58,160 –> 00:29:01,300 Love considers. 460 00:29:01,300 –> 00:29:04,660 Love chooses. 461 00:29:04,660 –> 00:29:06,099 And then lastly, 462 00:29:06,099 –> 00:29:07,660 love commits. 463 00:29:07,660 –> 00:29:12,560 Let’s look at these beautiful words in verses 16 and 17. 464 00:29:12,560 –> 00:29:15,359 But Ruth said, 465 00:29:15,359 –> 00:29:20,000 Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. 466 00:29:20,000 –> 00:29:22,900 For where you go, I will go. 467 00:29:22,900 –> 00:29:25,979 And where you lodge, I will lodge. 468 00:29:25,979 –> 00:29:27,699 Your people will be my people 469 00:29:27,699 –> 00:29:30,239 and your God, my God. 470 00:29:30,239 –> 00:29:32,719 Where you die, I will die. 471 00:29:32,719 –> 00:29:35,880 And there will I be buried. 472 00:29:35,959 –> 00:29:39,420 May the Lord do so to me and more also, 473 00:29:39,420 –> 00:29:44,400 if anything but death parts me from you. 474 00:29:45,839 –> 00:29:47,859 Now these words have been described 475 00:29:47,859 –> 00:29:52,339 as the most beautiful confession of love in all the world. 476 00:29:52,339 –> 00:29:55,300 And I can’t imagine what words would ever beat it. 477 00:29:55,300 –> 00:30:00,619 Ruth makes this marvelous commitment to Naomi, 478 00:30:00,619 –> 00:30:05,760 and there are three marks of loving commitment 479 00:30:05,760 –> 00:30:08,219 to see in these last moments this morning. 480 00:30:09,239 –> 00:30:12,000 The first is the very obviously love commits to God, 481 00:30:12,000 –> 00:30:15,040 your God will be my God. 482 00:30:16,239 –> 00:30:17,680 Now notice what is happening here. 483 00:30:17,680 –> 00:30:19,160 It’s very beautiful. 484 00:30:20,520 –> 00:30:25,380 Ruth is saying to Naomi now, the Lord is your God. 485 00:30:26,640 –> 00:30:28,219 And I’ve seen that in you. 486 00:30:29,560 –> 00:30:33,199 I’ve watched you as you have loved God 487 00:30:33,239 –> 00:30:36,800 and as you have served him through the sorrows 488 00:30:36,800 –> 00:30:39,079 of not one but three bereavement. 489 00:30:40,520 –> 00:30:45,520 I have felt his love in my life through you 490 00:30:48,839 –> 00:30:52,680 and I have seen what he can do for you 491 00:30:52,680 –> 00:30:56,780 and in that I have seen what he can do for me. 492 00:30:57,880 –> 00:31:02,260 What I have seen in you, Naomi, I want for myself. 493 00:31:03,280 –> 00:31:07,859 So your God has now become my God. 494 00:31:07,859 –> 00:31:11,280 I too will worship him, I too will serve him, 495 00:31:11,280 –> 00:31:16,180 I too will trust him and I too will obey him. 496 00:31:16,180 –> 00:31:17,020 It’s beautiful. 497 00:31:18,880 –> 00:31:23,560 Here’s this woman who has won her daughter in law 498 00:31:25,479 –> 00:31:27,839 to the faith that she holds dear 499 00:31:27,839 –> 00:31:30,900 by the sheer godliness of our example 500 00:31:31,760 –> 00:31:37,040 and especially in times of great sorrow. 501 00:31:37,040 –> 00:31:41,739 Never underestimate what your persevering in faith 502 00:31:41,739 –> 00:31:44,020 through the most difficult times in your life 503 00:31:44,020 –> 00:31:46,739 will bring by way of fruit 504 00:31:46,739 –> 00:31:49,719 in the lives of others who observe you. 505 00:31:51,359 –> 00:31:53,939 And then notice that love not only commits to God, 506 00:31:53,939 –> 00:31:55,459 it commits to God’s people. 507 00:31:55,459 –> 00:31:59,160 Your people, she says, will be my people 508 00:31:59,199 –> 00:32:02,520 and that would not have course been easy for Ruth. 509 00:32:02,520 –> 00:32:05,119 Naomi was going home to her own people. 510 00:32:05,119 –> 00:32:07,920 She was going to be welcomed by people who knew her 511 00:32:07,920 –> 00:32:09,640 and remembered her well, 512 00:32:09,640 –> 00:32:11,660 but Ruth was going to arrive as a foreigner 513 00:32:11,660 –> 00:32:15,239 in a strange land she had never visited before. 514 00:32:15,239 –> 00:32:18,199 Some people would no doubt welcome her with open arms, 515 00:32:18,199 –> 00:32:20,319 we’ll see that later in the story. 516 00:32:20,319 –> 00:32:21,819 Others, not so much. 517 00:32:21,819 –> 00:32:24,060 But Ruth was determined that for her part, 518 00:32:24,060 –> 00:32:26,280 she was going to do everything in her power 519 00:32:26,280 –> 00:32:29,359 to love and embrace the people of God. 520 00:32:31,199 –> 00:32:33,359 And the sure evidence of new life 521 00:32:34,420 –> 00:32:36,920 is in you love for God’s people. 522 00:32:37,800 –> 00:32:42,339 John says we know that we have passed from death to life, 523 00:32:42,339 –> 00:32:43,959 well, there’s quite a statement. 524 00:32:4,040 –> 00:32:48,880 How do you know that you have passed from death to life? 525 00:32:48,880 –> 00:32:50,719 Well, he says, look at it, 526 00:32:50,719 –> 00:32:53,000 because we love the brothers. 527 00:32:53,000 –> 00:32:56,119 Whoever does not love abides in death. 528 00:32:56,119 –> 00:32:59,579 This is how you know that the new life is actually in you, 529 00:32:59,579 –> 00:33:03,119 and new love for the people of God 530 00:33:03,119 –> 00:33:07,599 is evidence of His life being within you. 531 00:33:08,599 –> 00:33:12,439 If He’s your God and His life is within you, 532 00:33:12,439 –> 00:33:14,599 you will have a growing love for His people. 533 00:33:14,599 –> 00:33:17,599 And Ruth makes that commitment 534 00:33:17,599 –> 00:33:19,520 that whatever life in the promised land 535 00:33:19,520 –> 00:33:20,680 turns out to be like, 536 00:33:20,680 –> 00:33:22,939 she’s going to cultivate love 537 00:33:23,800 –> 00:33:25,260 for the people of God. 538 00:33:26,359 –> 00:33:27,859 And then the last thing here of course 539 00:33:27,859 –> 00:33:30,319 is that love commits forever. 540 00:33:30,319 –> 00:33:33,199 Where you die, I will die, 541 00:33:33,199 –> 00:33:35,959 and there will I be buried. 542 00:33:35,959 –> 00:33:37,920 Now of course when Ruth says to Naomi, 543 00:33:37,920 –> 00:33:40,300 the older woman, when you die, 544 00:33:40,300 –> 00:33:43,280 she is acknowledging that there will come a time 545 00:33:43,280 –> 00:33:46,400 when Naomi is no longer with her. 546 00:33:46,400 –> 00:33:49,579 Ruth knows that in the natural course of events, 547 00:33:49,579 –> 00:33:53,180 Naomi’s going to die long before Ruth will. 548 00:33:54,199 –> 00:33:55,560 But you see the point here 549 00:33:56,000 –> 00:34:01,000 is that Ruth’s faith is not dependent on Naomi. 550 00:34:01,040 –> 00:34:03,760 She’s not saying, your God will be my God 551 00:34:03,760 –> 00:34:05,479 for as long as you’re alive. 552 00:34:06,560 –> 00:34:07,959 No, Ruth’s faith is her own 553 00:34:07,959 –> 00:34:12,959 and she’s saying God will be my God even when you die. 554 00:34:13,639 –> 00:34:16,719 Love commits forever. 555 00:34:16,719 –> 00:34:21,699 And true faith perseveres, it continues, 556 00:34:21,780 –> 00:34:25,739 even when those from whom we learned it are gone. 557 00:34:28,219 –> 00:34:30,620 Now, let me end with this question. 558 00:34:32,580 –> 00:34:37,580 What do you know about this kind of love in your life? 559 00:34:39,340 –> 00:34:40,179 Honestly. 560 00:34:41,699 –> 00:34:46,699 What do you know about this kind of love in your life? 561 00:34:47,100 –> 00:34:48,020 In your life, 562 00:34:49,459 –> 00:34:53,959 a love that really seeks the blessing of God on others, 563 00:34:55,219 –> 00:34:58,860 a love that puts the interests of others before your own, 564 00:35:00,139 –> 00:35:04,060 a love that never forces itself, its will on another person, 565 00:35:05,219 –> 00:35:07,179 is candid about the cost of commitment, 566 00:35:07,179 –> 00:35:09,540 a love that commits to God, 567 00:35:10,379 –> 00:35:12,719 a love that embraces God’s people, 568 00:35:14,100 –> 00:35:16,000 a love that lasts forever. 569 00:35:17,699 –> 00:35:19,719 Maybe you find yourself as I do, 570 00:35:19,719 –> 00:35:22,979 saying, I want to know more of that kind of love in my life. 571 00:35:24,580 –> 00:35:27,179 I want to love like that more. 572 00:35:28,879 –> 00:35:33,000 So let me end by reminding you where this love comes from. 573 00:35:34,419 –> 00:35:39,239 Jesus committed himself in love to God. 574 00:35:40,739 –> 00:35:43,580 His food was to do the will of the Father. 575 00:35:43,699 –> 00:35:47,219 Jesus committed himself in love to God’s people. 576 00:35:48,399 –> 00:35:52,379 He loved us and he gave himself for us. 577 00:35:53,500 –> 00:35:58,500 And Jesus has committed himself in love to us forever. 578 00:35:58,659 –> 00:36:02,699 Nothing can ever separate us from the love of God 579 00:36:02,699 –> 00:36:05,739 that is in Christ Jesus, our Lord. 580 00:36:07,179 –> 00:36:11,699 And as I’ve pondered these most beautiful words of Ruth, 581 00:36:12,080 –> 00:36:17,040 of Ruth, I’ve been moved to consider them 582 00:36:17,040 –> 00:36:20,239 on the lips of the Lord Jesus Christ himself. 583 00:36:21,399 –> 00:36:26,320 Can you picture the son of God before the incarnation 584 00:36:26,320 –> 00:36:30,020 in the glory of heaven at the right-hand side of the father 585 00:36:31,639 –> 00:36:33,959 and saying of us, 586 00:36:35,179 –> 00:36:40,179 where you lodge, I will lodge. 587 00:36:41,699 –> 00:36:46,540 I’m gonna come and live where you live. 588 00:36:48,260 –> 00:36:53,260 And where you die, I will die. 589 00:36:53,719 –> 00:36:58,479 And there on your soil, I will be buried. 590 00:37:01,659 –> 00:37:04,840 That was the loving commitment of the son of God to us. 591 00:37:05,899 –> 00:37:10,899 He came, he lived, he died 592 00:37:12,000 –> 00:37:17,000 he was buried, but thank God it doesn’t end there. 593 00:37:18,820 –> 00:37:22,800 He rose from the dead, and so uniquely, 594 00:37:22,800 –> 00:37:26,679 he is able to say to every single one of us today, 595 00:37:26,679 –> 00:37:31,000 where you go, I will go. 596 00:37:32,399 –> 00:37:34,500 And wherever now or in the future 597 00:37:34,500 –> 00:37:38,219 you live, you lodge, there I will lodge. 598 00:37:39,219 –> 00:37:41,399 I will never leave you, 599 00:37:42,500 –> 00:37:44,300 I will never forsake you, 600 00:37:45,959 –> 00:37:49,840 lo I am with you always, 601 00:37:49,840 –> 00:37:53,860 even to the end of the age. 602 00:37:55,199 –> 00:37:56,699 Let’s pray together, shall we? 603 00:37:59,159 –> 00:38:00,939 Father, I’m moved by the thought 604 00:38:00,939 –> 00:38:03,500 that no one else could speak these words 605 00:38:03,500 –> 00:38:05,620 in quite the way that the Lord Jesus Christ 606 00:38:05,620 –> 00:38:08,040 is able to say them to us. 607 00:38:09,000 –> 00:38:12,020 Lord Jesus Christ, help me. 608 00:38:14,139 –> 00:38:16,899 We bless you for the Savior that He is 609 00:38:18,820 –> 00:38:24,360 and for love that is personified in Him. 610 00:38:27,320 –> 00:38:30,040 May the love of Jesus fill me 611 00:38:31,300 –> 00:38:33,020 as the waters fill the sea, 612 00:38:34,399 –> 00:38:36,699 Him exalting, self-abasing. 613 00:38:38,860 –> 00:38:41,360 Oh, fill me with your fullness, Lord. 614 00:38:42,540 –> 00:38:44,939 And till my very heart overflow 615 00:38:46,479 –> 00:38:49,919 in kindling thought and glowing word Thy love 616 00:38:49,919 –> 00:38:53,540 to tell and Thy praise 617 00:38:54,959 –> 00:38:55,800 to show. 618 00:38:56,699 –> 00:38:58,459 Hear our prayers! 619 00:38:58,459 –> 00:39:00,800 For these things we ask with great thankfulness 620 00:39:01,739 –> 00:39:02,580 in Jesus’ name. 621 00:39:03,800 –> 00:39:04,639 Amen. 622 00:39:05,760 –> 00:39:07,000 You’ve been listening to a sermon 623 00:39:07,020 –> 00:39:09,379 with Pastor Collins Smith of Open the Bible. 624 00:39:09,379 –> 00:39:14,379 To contact us, call us at 1-877-OPEN365 625 00:39:14,659 –> 00:39:16,219 or visit our website, 626 00:39:16,219 –> 00:39:18,179 openthebible.org.