Redeeming Ruth Embracing the Romance of Redemption Part 2 "The Three Amigas" Ruth 1:7-18 1. Are you one who is struggling with defeat? In Naomi we see the: * Cause of our defeat * Complete nature of our defeat * Consequences of our defeat 2. Are you one who is stepping towards a departure? Orpah's departure allowed a return to her * Relatives * Religion * Reality 3. Are you one who is serious about your devotion? Ruth's decision begs the question: * Who are you following? * What level of faith do you possess? * How firm is your devotion to Christ?
Redeeming Ruth Embracing the Romance of Redemption Part 1 "What do you want on your tombstone?" Ruth 1:1-6 Your tombstone will speak of: 1. How you live amidst dreadful circumstances. Ruth begins in a time of a * Moral famine * Material famine These famines come as a result of: * Apathy * Apostasy * Anarchy 2. The decisions you make at the crossroads of life. Elimelech: * Left a promised land * Lived and lingered in a polluted land 3. Your response to devastating calamities. What is your response to: * Disease * Death * Defeat 4. The results of your difficult choices. Our choices should involve: * Drawing near to God * Understanding what God is doing * Taking inventory of past decisions
"Deliverance from Our Shame" Part 4 John 21:1-23 1. Shame is a result of our failures. Through the life of Peter we see: * The place of failure * The pain of failure * The price of failure Our failure involves our: * Choices * Companions * Consequences 2. Shame is removed through the words of a faithful friend. Jesus: * Found him * Fed him * Freed him 3. Shame is reversed through an obedient future. This reversal involves a life of: * Service * Surrender * Selflessness
Part 3 "Deliverance from Our Second-guessing" John 20:19-31 Deliverance from second-guessing the claims of Jesus demands that we: 1. DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP WITH A DISCIPLE WHO DOUBTED. THOMAS WAS: * A FISHERMAN (John 21:1-3) * A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST (Luke 6:13-16) * FOCUSED ON FINDING ANSWERS (John 14:5) 2. DEFEND AGAINST THE RISKS SURROUNDING THE DOWNWARD OF SPIRAL DOUBT. DOUBT LEADS US DOWN THE PATH OF: * DESERTION (v.19) * DELAY (v. 24) * DENIAL (v.25a) * DEMAND (v.25b) 3. DEEPEN OUR RESOLVE TO DISARM THE DOUBTS OF LIFE. DOUBT IS DISARMED BY: * DRAWING CLOSE TO JESUS (v.26) * BELIEVING THE DEMONSTRATIONS GIVEN TO US. (v. 27) * DECLARING OUR ALLEGIANCE TO GOD. (vv. 28-29) * DEVOTING OURSELVES TO THE WORD OF GOD. (vv. 30-31)
Part 2 "Deliverance from our sin" John 20:1-18 Our deliverance from sin: 1. Requires finding success in overcoming great obstacles. The resurrection overcomes our: * Suffering * Sorrow * Shame * Sin 2. Is realized through a startling observation. Three different observations are seen: * Peter observes with curiosity * John observes carefully * Mary observes completely 3. Results in sharing with others. Our sharing should include: * The resurrection of Christ * Our spiritual reversal * Our new relationship
Part One: Deliverance from Our Suffering John 19:1-42 1. The suffering of Christ involved rebukes and condemnation. (1-17) Jesus was rebuked and condemned by: * Ruthless men (2-3) * Religious leaders (4-7,15) * Rulers (6-16) * Robbers (18) * A riotous mob (Luke 23:21-23) * Regular people 2. The suffering of Jesus resulted in a crucifixion. (18-29) The crucifixion of Jesus: * Was painful (18) * Fulfilled prophecy (24,36) * Pays the penalty for our sin 3. The suffering of Jesus involved a remarkable conquest. (30-42) This conquest of Christ: * Involved a cry (18) * Was complete (Hebrews 10:12) * Is to be continued (John 20:1)
God in 3-D Part 32 John 11 Jesus: The answer to our death Our answer to death is found in: 1. The passion of Christ This passion: * Present in our problems * Personal * Powerful 2. The plans of Christ We must remember that Christ's plans: Always demonstrates the glory of god * May involve a delay * Are used to deepen our faith * Are clearly declared 3. The power of Christ This power brings * Life * Liberty * Light This miracle is possible no matter the: * Obstacle * Odor
God in 3-D Part 30 Jesus: "The answer to man's despair" John 6:15-21 In our times of despair we must remember: 1. The providence of Christ. 2. The plans of Christ. 3. The prayer of Christ 4. The presence of Christ 5. The power of Christ 6. The purposes of Christ