Loved this message on Honour spoken by Paul Benger on Sunday morning as part of our Mark's Gospel series.
Mark 6:1-6
1 Jesus left there and went to his home town, accompanied by his disciples.
2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. Where did this man get these things? they asked. What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles!
3 Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us? And they took offence at him.
4 Jesus said to them, Only in his home town, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honour.
5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 And he was amazed at their lack of faith.
There are times when God anticipates things Jesus did not anticipate unbelief in this story Shock God with faith and not unbelief.
Never underestimate the power of being taught by God - It lifts us from mediocrity.
Honour...bring honour back to the forefront Honour is a positive a good thing It builds up.
To value something (honour)
Dishonour is to treat something as common, mediocre
In our story they went from “wow” to scoffing.
God has no ordinary children...we are children of God!
Dishonour makes us call everything common place...and things happen that shouldn't happen.
Honour causes everything to elevate not deteriorate.
Kids will excel when we honour them
In church people over achieve when we honour them
Malachi 1:6 (+ the Message) God anticipates honour and respect.
A son honours his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honour due to me? If I am a master, where is the respect due to me? says the LORD Almighty. It is you, O priests, who show contempt for my name. But you ask, 'How have we shown contempt for your name?' You place defiled food on my altar. But you ask, 'How have we defiled you?' By saying that the LORD's table is contemptible. When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you? says the LORD Almighty.
(The Message)
Isn't it true that a son honours his father and a worker his master? So if I'm your Father, where's the honour? If I'm your Master, where's the respect?" God-of-the-Angel-Armies is calling you on the carpet: "You priests despise me!
"You say, 'Not so! How do we despise you?' "By your shoddy, sloppy, defiling worship. "You ask, 'What do you mean, "defiling"? What's defiling about it?'
7-8"When you say, 'The altar of God is not important anymore; worship of God is no longer a priority,' that's defiling. And when you offer worthless animals for sacrifices in worship, animals that you're trying to get rid of—blind and sick and crippled animals—isn't that defiling? Try a trick like that with your banker or your senator—how far do you think it will get you?" God-of-the-Angel-Armies asks you.
Giving God the very best!
Dishonour is a downward spiral.
God is to be praised, to be applauded.
Honour is the opposite of the spirit of the age. We live in a world of put-down.
God wants to shock us into a culture of honour.
It’s a kingdom culture.
Everything is always better with honour.
Friendship is always better with honour.
Church is always better with honour.
Let's bring honour back.
Honour chooses to notice the right things.
Dishonour highlights the negative.
Honour notices! We don't let things pass us by.
What have we become so familiar with that we miss it?
We need to become more aware.
We need to give more compliments.
It's a kingdom language...not a foreign language.
When we give honour out…Honour comes back to us.
We reap what we sow.
We don't have to agree with everything or everybody to give honour.
No compliments is always a downward spiral.
We want to be in a place where there is lots of applause and honouring of people.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Mark's Gospel 7
Loved this morning's message in church. More from Mark's gospel by Paul Benger.
Mark 5
Covers a day in the life of Jesus
What a start to his day...he casts out 2000 demons out of a single man!
The woman with the issue of blood presses through the crowd and touches the hem of his garment. Who touched me?
Your faith has made you whole.
You can still have a moment when Jesus Christ makes you whole. He heals Jairus' daughter! What an incredible day!
The Kingdom Comes
The way that God would have it...that's the rule of his Kingdom, the way God would have it.
Mark 5:1-20
This man didn't just go and tell his family but he went and told the decapolis (10 cities)
Jesus discerns recognises spiritual activity, he recognises evil spirits in this man.
John 10:10
There is a very real enemy. Comes to steal kill and destroy.
Jesus wants to take us down a road of abundant life.
The kingdom of God coming, his rule and reign coming into our lives. Can he do that? Will we allow him?
Jesus wants to put us in our right minds to change our thinking. To think right about him about others...about me!
What is the Kingdom thing to do? Romans 12 - be renewed
Some of us think so small about our own lives. But we will make a difference. World changers!
I'm more in my right today than I've ever been! (Romans 12:2)
He doesn't want us to remain naked.
He wants to clothe us with his character!
Wear Christ today and tomorrow. Wear God clothes!
God help each one of us....sinners saved by grace.
He puts him in his right mind
He clothes him
He gives him purpose
Go home and tell your family...but he didn't just go there he went to the whole region, he became the first evangelist in the NT!
Mark 5
Covers a day in the life of Jesus
What a start to his day...he casts out 2000 demons out of a single man!
The woman with the issue of blood presses through the crowd and touches the hem of his garment. Who touched me?
Your faith has made you whole.
You can still have a moment when Jesus Christ makes you whole. He heals Jairus' daughter! What an incredible day!
The Kingdom Comes
The way that God would have it...that's the rule of his Kingdom, the way God would have it.
Mark 5:1-20
This man didn't just go and tell his family but he went and told the decapolis (10 cities)
Jesus discerns recognises spiritual activity, he recognises evil spirits in this man.
John 10:10
There is a very real enemy. Comes to steal kill and destroy.
Jesus wants to take us down a road of abundant life.
The kingdom of God coming, his rule and reign coming into our lives. Can he do that? Will we allow him?
Jesus wants to put us in our right minds to change our thinking. To think right about him about others...about me!
What is the Kingdom thing to do? Romans 12 - be renewed
Some of us think so small about our own lives. But we will make a difference. World changers!
I'm more in my right today than I've ever been! (Romans 12:2)
He doesn't want us to remain naked.
He wants to clothe us with his character!
Wear Christ today and tomorrow. Wear God clothes!
God help each one of us....sinners saved by grace.
He puts him in his right mind
He clothes him
He gives him purpose
Go home and tell your family...but he didn't just go there he went to the whole region, he became the first evangelist in the NT!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Mark's Gospel 6
Another great message from our series on Mark's Gospel. Nathan Banger spoke about the Kingdom of God and our faith. Mark 4:30-32 "It Grows!" We can make a difference in people's lives...even if it is just one person at a time, we can make a difference! God has called us to win our world...wherever that may be. What does my contribution do to impact my world....it’s not small or insignificant. What do I have that God can use? What can I add? There is this big coastline...what can I give? Jesus wants us to understand what the Kingdom of God is all about...it's the smallest thing, and yet it will have its day! Matthew 17 - faith like a mustard seed Some of us think we should have faith like one of the great leaders of the past to get things done...but no, he uses you and I...by his grace, he looks for that small amount of faith and he gets his will done. Grace says no one is disqualified. Daniel (Ch 10)...I will start with the smallest of things and it will grow! Isaiah 2:2 - It starts with the smallest of things. Do not despise the day of small things (Zechariah) Psalm 2:8 Don't underestimate God's plan for the local church God is on the move...his Kingdom grows and no one can stop it God will do what he has said he will do. Gods plan (from the beginning of time) will come to pass! Sow your seed and it will grow....don't be afraid don't be ashamed.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Mark's Gospel 4
Great day in church yesterday. Paul Benger spoke another excellent message from our current series on Mark’s Gospel.
Mark 3:1-21
Looking at the Pharisees, the crowds, the disciples.
Jesus is still in Capernaum ministering to people right where they are. God is with us in the good times and the bad! Healing was considered work by the Pharisees. Religion always looks for accusation, what is wrong.
Relationship with Christ is looking to lift people, where grace abounds!
Jesus infuriates the Pharisees. God loves people. And that's the message of this story He wants to restore us, redeem us and save us.
Jesus and the crowd
When he leaves, there is a separation from the temple and the teachers of the law....and he goes with the crowd, they're done with the dead religion...they're not going to change their hearts. Hardened hearts. Keep your heart soft towards God and his purposes.
Crowds want Jesus...because they know he's got something they want, they need. Hungry people are present...they're there, no matter what!
The hungry and the thirsty shall be filled.
Hungry people are expectant, that Jesus might touch them. Let us be expectant, as individuals and as a church Not obsessed but expectant.
Hungry people are persistent.
Love the crowd, love people....Jesus found a way to reach them. Jesus is the same yesterday today and forever. He gave to the crowd then he gives to the crowd today.
Jesus calls the apostles
He needs people to reach people, you and I…Leaders to lead, healers to heal, preachers to preach. We're going nowhere if only one person is a leader.
Mark 3:1-21
Looking at the Pharisees, the crowds, the disciples.
Jesus is still in Capernaum ministering to people right where they are. God is with us in the good times and the bad! Healing was considered work by the Pharisees. Religion always looks for accusation, what is wrong.
Relationship with Christ is looking to lift people, where grace abounds!
Jesus infuriates the Pharisees. God loves people. And that's the message of this story He wants to restore us, redeem us and save us.
Jesus and the crowd
When he leaves, there is a separation from the temple and the teachers of the law....and he goes with the crowd, they're done with the dead religion...they're not going to change their hearts. Hardened hearts. Keep your heart soft towards God and his purposes.
Crowds want Jesus...because they know he's got something they want, they need. Hungry people are present...they're there, no matter what!
The hungry and the thirsty shall be filled.
Hungry people are expectant, that Jesus might touch them. Let us be expectant, as individuals and as a church Not obsessed but expectant.
Hungry people are persistent.
Love the crowd, love people....Jesus found a way to reach them. Jesus is the same yesterday today and forever. He gave to the crowd then he gives to the crowd today.
Jesus calls the apostles
He needs people to reach people, you and I…Leaders to lead, healers to heal, preachers to preach. We're going nowhere if only one person is a leader.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Mark's Gospel 3
Another brilliant message from Mark's Gospel yesterday in church. Paul Benger picked up on the relationship that Jesus had with the Pharisees...and the fact the 'religion kills'.
Mark 2:13-28
Jesus would often come into conflict with religious people
3 stories at the end of chapter 2 in Mark...tackling the religious attitudes of the day
What kind of community do we want to be?
Matthew...
Never underestimate the power of God to change someone’s life.
People in your world....don't give up on them. Who is there in my world who I need to pray for?
Jesus loved even the tax collectors!
Jesus wanted to invade the underworld
Even today Jesus wants to invade the underworld. To see lives changed and people following him.
Matthew 11:19
A friend of sinners....that's what the Pharisees thought of him But Jesus came to seek and save the lost. A friend to every person. To transform their lives.
Fasting...
The disciples of John are fasting the disciples of Jesus is feasting In the kingdom of God feasting is as important as fasting Church should be a celebration Even in a world of chaos...there is praise and celebration! Party time!
Know how to fast but also how to feast. To know how to feed on his grace...on the good news of his Gospel.
Need to have a new wineskin to be able to drink in this celebration new wine!
To contain it!
Does my wineskin contain this festival new wine?
Sabbath controversy...
Big issue for the Pharisees. They didn't think Jesus was a proper Rabbi.
He healed on the sabbath
Religion misses the plot...it kills.
The sabbath was made for them.
They'd missed the point
Galatians 4:10-11
Matthew 23:27
Coconut community or peach community?
Coconut...hard on the outside not much on the inside
Peach...soft, not much resistance, but it has a solid core! Here you can belong! Even before you believe!
Luke 19:5-7
Mark 2:13-28
Jesus would often come into conflict with religious people
3 stories at the end of chapter 2 in Mark...tackling the religious attitudes of the day
What kind of community do we want to be?
Matthew...
Never underestimate the power of God to change someone’s life.
People in your world....don't give up on them. Who is there in my world who I need to pray for?
Jesus loved even the tax collectors!
Jesus wanted to invade the underworld
Even today Jesus wants to invade the underworld. To see lives changed and people following him.
Matthew 11:19
A friend of sinners....that's what the Pharisees thought of him But Jesus came to seek and save the lost. A friend to every person. To transform their lives.
Fasting...
The disciples of John are fasting the disciples of Jesus is feasting In the kingdom of God feasting is as important as fasting Church should be a celebration Even in a world of chaos...there is praise and celebration! Party time!
Know how to fast but also how to feast. To know how to feed on his grace...on the good news of his Gospel.
Need to have a new wineskin to be able to drink in this celebration new wine!
To contain it!
Does my wineskin contain this festival new wine?
Sabbath controversy...
Big issue for the Pharisees. They didn't think Jesus was a proper Rabbi.
He healed on the sabbath
Religion misses the plot...it kills.
The sabbath was made for them.
They'd missed the point
Galatians 4:10-11
Matthew 23:27
Coconut community or peach community?
Coconut...hard on the outside not much on the inside
Peach...soft, not much resistance, but it has a solid core! Here you can belong! Even before you believe!
Luke 19:5-7
Sunday, March 06, 2011
Mark's Gospel 2
Great message in church this morning. Paul Benger continued our series on Mark's Gospel with a message on 'faith'.
Mark 2:1-12
Whose Faith?
Their faith, our faith, his faith?
This Gospel is good news that Jesus is the Son of God
Matthew 4:13
Capernaum, Jesus did loads of miracles there but no one repented. Matthew 11:23-24
Such a key place and yet judgement came to this place and it is no more. Historians doubt it's location.
So many people experience God's presence and yet don't live for him....it has no effect on us. Get it inside of you!
God does not force them to believe...free choice
We want God's kingdom to come in our lives and to see his glory...but we need soft hearts.
4 things about faith from this story...
1. Faith is the only currency of heaven
Hebrews 11:6
Faith lives with expectation...even when it doesn't happen the way we wanted it to
Heaven comes to earth by faith
Psalm 62:5 my expectation is of Him
2 Corinthians 5:7 - live by faith and not by sight
You learn to see what you cannot see...what God sees
These friends had the currency that they needed
2. Faith comes from the preaching of God's word
Mark 2:2 - Jesus preached the word to them
Preaching is a declaration of truth, it's not a question!
He proclaimed the truth to the people...and faith was released
Faith rose in the hearts of the people
Romans 10:17
When we leave church our faith should be more buoyant because of the preached word
3. Faith acts
Mark 2:4 - tenacity! They didn't give up, they found a way!
Some people stop at the first obstacle...they think it's God telling to stop.
I love the fact they would not be denied! Their faith was in Jesus not in their tenacity...but their faith, their tenacity caused a response from Jesus
Faith prays, faith invites...it brings, it adjusts to circumstances. Faith creates new ways.
4. Our faith matters
Not just as an individual. The power of unity.
Mark 2:5
Jesus saw 'their' faith.
When we connect, when we come together...God sees our faith. We're in this together!
Our faith matters! Be expectant - that God will move.
Mark 2:1-12
Whose Faith?
Their faith, our faith, his faith?
This Gospel is good news that Jesus is the Son of God
Matthew 4:13
Capernaum, Jesus did loads of miracles there but no one repented. Matthew 11:23-24
Such a key place and yet judgement came to this place and it is no more. Historians doubt it's location.
So many people experience God's presence and yet don't live for him....it has no effect on us. Get it inside of you!
God does not force them to believe...free choice
We want God's kingdom to come in our lives and to see his glory...but we need soft hearts.
4 things about faith from this story...
1. Faith is the only currency of heaven
Hebrews 11:6
Faith lives with expectation...even when it doesn't happen the way we wanted it to
Heaven comes to earth by faith
Psalm 62:5 my expectation is of Him
2 Corinthians 5:7 - live by faith and not by sight
You learn to see what you cannot see...what God sees
These friends had the currency that they needed
2. Faith comes from the preaching of God's word
Mark 2:2 - Jesus preached the word to them
Preaching is a declaration of truth, it's not a question!
He proclaimed the truth to the people...and faith was released
Faith rose in the hearts of the people
Romans 10:17
When we leave church our faith should be more buoyant because of the preached word
3. Faith acts
Mark 2:4 - tenacity! They didn't give up, they found a way!
Some people stop at the first obstacle...they think it's God telling to stop.
I love the fact they would not be denied! Their faith was in Jesus not in their tenacity...but their faith, their tenacity caused a response from Jesus
Faith prays, faith invites...it brings, it adjusts to circumstances. Faith creates new ways.
4. Our faith matters
Not just as an individual. The power of unity.
Mark 2:5
Jesus saw 'their' faith.
When we connect, when we come together...God sees our faith. We're in this together!
Our faith matters! Be expectant - that God will move.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Mark's Gospel 1
Loved today in church! Paul Benger began our brand new series from Mark's Gospel and the first chapter.
Mark's background...written AD64
Mark gets straight to the action!
He's loving the action...captivated by it!
Act 15:36-59
Disagreement with Paul and Barnabas
Mark goes off with Barnabas
The church is not all smooth sailing
The bible never hides away from reality of life
John Mark parts company and falls out with Paul...later they are reconciled
2 Timothy 4:11
Just when you think you've blown there is a way back!
You and I can pick up things again that we have let go
Let's look at this first chapter...
The Gospel...the beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ the Son of God (Mark's title).
Good news... People get delivered, people get healed, people are set free, made whole!
Verse 1 - the Son of God
Verse 7&8...speaking about the gift of God to the world
Verse 11 - my beloved Son
Verse 24 - the Holy One of God
Verse 34 - the demons knew who he was!
Mark gets straight into who Jesus is and the purposes of Jesus
What does Mark tell us about Jesus...
- Jesus is the forgiver of sins, he hasn't come to condemn us but to give us life!
We should never walk in shame or guilt
- Jesus is the baptiser, he will baptise us in the Holy Spirit. We can be filled!
Keep being filled (Ephesians 5)
You're not outside the kingdom of God, not outside his purposes. You're in!
Mark 1:16-17
- Jesus is a fisher of men, he chooses you and me to do the same. He went to the most unexpected people and chose them...the ordinary! He bypasses the clever, the wealthy, the noble!
1 Corinthians 1:26-27
He is the one to follow.
Our primary calling is to bring others to Christ.
- Jesus is a teacher
- Jesus is a king (authority of spirits)
- Jesus is the healer
We need to be talking to sick about Jesus the healer...bring them!
- Jesus is the one who will do the will of God regardless
- Jesus is the restorer
What needs restoring in your life today?
Mark's background...written AD64
Mark gets straight to the action!
He's loving the action...captivated by it!
Act 15:36-59
Disagreement with Paul and Barnabas
Mark goes off with Barnabas
The church is not all smooth sailing
The bible never hides away from reality of life
John Mark parts company and falls out with Paul...later they are reconciled
2 Timothy 4:11
Just when you think you've blown there is a way back!
You and I can pick up things again that we have let go
Let's look at this first chapter...
The Gospel...the beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ the Son of God (Mark's title).
Good news... People get delivered, people get healed, people are set free, made whole!
Verse 1 - the Son of God
Verse 7&8...speaking about the gift of God to the world
Verse 11 - my beloved Son
Verse 24 - the Holy One of God
Verse 34 - the demons knew who he was!
Mark gets straight into who Jesus is and the purposes of Jesus
What does Mark tell us about Jesus...
- Jesus is the forgiver of sins, he hasn't come to condemn us but to give us life!
We should never walk in shame or guilt
- Jesus is the baptiser, he will baptise us in the Holy Spirit. We can be filled!
Keep being filled (Ephesians 5)
You're not outside the kingdom of God, not outside his purposes. You're in!
Mark 1:16-17
- Jesus is a fisher of men, he chooses you and me to do the same. He went to the most unexpected people and chose them...the ordinary! He bypasses the clever, the wealthy, the noble!
1 Corinthians 1:26-27
He is the one to follow.
Our primary calling is to bring others to Christ.
- Jesus is a teacher
- Jesus is a king (authority of spirits)
- Jesus is the healer
We need to be talking to sick about Jesus the healer...bring them!
- Jesus is the one who will do the will of God regardless
- Jesus is the restorer
What needs restoring in your life today?
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Ruth 3
What a fantastic morning in church. Mark Wilkins picked up on our Ruth series speaking from chapter 3.
We continue to see the great theme of grace and love flow from this story of Ruth and her family.
Chapter 3…this is our romantic bit of the story! Our RomCom!
Risqué moment where Naomi advises Ruth on what to do at the wild end of harvest party
Ruth 3:5-18
By her actions Ruth prompts Boaz to propose to her. Boaz responds in a godly way...with a heart of righteousness. He recognises that there might be a much closer redeemer, suitor from Naomi's family. We see a possible mismatch between them, rich and poor. He is not under any legal obligation to do this...yet he loves her!
Boaz says 'I will redeem you!'
God is under no legal obligation to redeem us. Yet he chooses through his Son to save us by his grace.
He lavishes grace and favour upon her...just like God continues to pour his grace and favour on us.
This is an incredible picture of the sovereignty of God at work
Boaz did the right thing
Ruth had to put a lot of faith and trust in him
Faith is taking risk
Sometimes we put faith in our own steps and yet the best way is to trust God's way...walk his path.
Jesus did it all for us!
He paid the price...let us trust him!
We continue to see the great theme of grace and love flow from this story of Ruth and her family.
Chapter 3…this is our romantic bit of the story! Our RomCom!
Risqué moment where Naomi advises Ruth on what to do at the wild end of harvest party
Ruth 3:5-18
By her actions Ruth prompts Boaz to propose to her. Boaz responds in a godly way...with a heart of righteousness. He recognises that there might be a much closer redeemer, suitor from Naomi's family. We see a possible mismatch between them, rich and poor. He is not under any legal obligation to do this...yet he loves her!
Boaz says 'I will redeem you!'
God is under no legal obligation to redeem us. Yet he chooses through his Son to save us by his grace.
He lavishes grace and favour upon her...just like God continues to pour his grace and favour on us.
This is an incredible picture of the sovereignty of God at work
Boaz did the right thing
Ruth had to put a lot of faith and trust in him
Faith is taking risk
Sometimes we put faith in our own steps and yet the best way is to trust God's way...walk his path.
Jesus did it all for us!
He paid the price...let us trust him!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Ruth 2
Great day in church yesterday. In the morning we continued our series on the book of Ruth. I spoke on 'God in the Midst of Blessing'.
Ruth Chapter 2
Some people put a lot of weight in “luck.”
The Bible doesn’t talk at all about luck. Instead, it talks about ‘favour’; ‘grace’; ‘blessing’; ‘providence’.
We can often think of God’s favour in the same way others think about luck. Instead of blind chance, the Bible points us to a personal God who pours grace and favour on people.
How do we receive and know God’s favour/blessing in our lives?
Naomi and Ruth could certainly have blamed bad luck for their circumstances but from this story we will see an amazing story of God’s favour
Ruth 2:1 - Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz
Boaz…Man of standing; man of wealth; mighty man.
Ruth 2:3 - So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek
“As it turned out” - gives the impression of blind chance/luck. However the writer is using an ironic tone to grab our attention and turn our focus to the invisible hand of God’s providence at work in the daily affairs of ordinary people.
It just so happened she ended up in Boaz’s field...Of all the fields in all the places, she ends up in Boaz’s! Is this a coincidence? Or is God involved? God’s involvement in the affairs of people, guiding them to his intended end is what we call providence.
“A chance in outward seeming, yet a clear shaping of her course by unseen hands. Her steps were divinely guided to a certain field, that God’s good purpose should be worked out” (Anon)
God is constantly at work behind the ‘seen,’ arranging the events and people in our lives to flood us with his favour. For you…maybe the first time he took you to church and found faith in Jesus Christ. Luck or providence?
4 steps to knowing God’s favour/blessing in our lives…
1. RECOGNISE GOD’S HAND IN YOUR LIFE
We must learn to recognise God’s providence at work in our “coincidences”. If we look, we’ll see God’s hand in it!
Ruth’s request was unusual - not just to glean, but “gather among the sheaves.” Ruth asks for more than she is entitled to. She asks for provision. The picture is of a holy boldness and a confident patience, as she worked in the fields awaiting the answer.
Boaz’s answer is amazing. She got the job! Boaz gives her permanent work, meaning she doesn’t have to looking elsewhere. He also gives her protection. This is far more than she could have hoped for! She has received favour! Boaz becomes the source of God’s blessing to Ruth. If she hadn’t made the bold request, she wouldn’t have gotten the bold response. This is the second step to receiving God’s favour…
2. REQUEST GOD’S FAVOUR
We must be willing to ask God to grant us favour. James, in the NT speaking about wisdom, says “You do not have because you do not ask.”
Ruth 2:10 - At this she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favour in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?”
Ruth responds to the grace and favour of Boaz with an expression of gratitude. But all this overwhelming favour leads her to ask a significant question: “Why?” “Why are you doing all this for me?” It shows a remarkable humility, rather than an entitlement mindset.
Let’s look at Boaz’s answer to Ruth’s question of “Why?” As we do, we will learn something essential about why and to whom God bestows his favour.
Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”
It is Ruth’s faith that Boaz has responded too. She was faithful to Naomi, showing her commitment to her by leaving her homeland and going with Naomi, even after her husband died. And she has shown her faithfulness to God. She has taken refuge under his wing.
He asks God to “reimburse” her, give her the wages of faith. God rewards faith. In the NT we find these words:
Hebrews 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him
3. REMAIN FAITHFUL
Ruth had a lot of “good luck” that day! Getting the “lucky breaks” is more than just being in the right place at the right time. When we are faithful to God, we will find God’s favour and blessing on our lives. Ruth’s faithfulness wasn’t a flash in the pan. She didn’t reap this abundant favour just for having one good day.
Remember her words to Naomi back in Chapter One…
“Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God”
Her faith was evident for a long time. If you want God’s favour, commit yourself to faithfulness for the long haul.
Later on in this chapter we see Naomi’s expression of praise, a reflection of her grateful heart – she is thankful! Not too long ago, she was *bitter*, but now she sees God working on her behalf, and she sees the favour bestowed upon her, and she recognizes that God is behind it, so she gives thanks.
When we realise that we have received God’s favour, it should make us grateful. This is the fourth step in receiving God’s favour. We must:
4. RESPOND WITH THANKS
When God gives us his favour, blessing, grace…we should return to him with thanksgiving. Too often we expect God’s favour, get mad if we don’t receive it, and then fail to thank him when we do.
The classic illustration of this is the 10 lepers that Jesus healed. Of the 10, only 1 returned and gave thanks. How often can we be like that?
Ruth Chapter 2
Some people put a lot of weight in “luck.”
The Bible doesn’t talk at all about luck. Instead, it talks about ‘favour’; ‘grace’; ‘blessing’; ‘providence’.
We can often think of God’s favour in the same way others think about luck. Instead of blind chance, the Bible points us to a personal God who pours grace and favour on people.
How do we receive and know God’s favour/blessing in our lives?
Naomi and Ruth could certainly have blamed bad luck for their circumstances but from this story we will see an amazing story of God’s favour
Ruth 2:1 - Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz
Boaz…Man of standing; man of wealth; mighty man.
Ruth 2:3 - So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek
“As it turned out” - gives the impression of blind chance/luck. However the writer is using an ironic tone to grab our attention and turn our focus to the invisible hand of God’s providence at work in the daily affairs of ordinary people.
It just so happened she ended up in Boaz’s field...Of all the fields in all the places, she ends up in Boaz’s! Is this a coincidence? Or is God involved? God’s involvement in the affairs of people, guiding them to his intended end is what we call providence.
“A chance in outward seeming, yet a clear shaping of her course by unseen hands. Her steps were divinely guided to a certain field, that God’s good purpose should be worked out” (Anon)
God is constantly at work behind the ‘seen,’ arranging the events and people in our lives to flood us with his favour. For you…maybe the first time he took you to church and found faith in Jesus Christ. Luck or providence?
4 steps to knowing God’s favour/blessing in our lives…
1. RECOGNISE GOD’S HAND IN YOUR LIFE
We must learn to recognise God’s providence at work in our “coincidences”. If we look, we’ll see God’s hand in it!
Ruth’s request was unusual - not just to glean, but “gather among the sheaves.” Ruth asks for more than she is entitled to. She asks for provision. The picture is of a holy boldness and a confident patience, as she worked in the fields awaiting the answer.
Boaz’s answer is amazing. She got the job! Boaz gives her permanent work, meaning she doesn’t have to looking elsewhere. He also gives her protection. This is far more than she could have hoped for! She has received favour! Boaz becomes the source of God’s blessing to Ruth. If she hadn’t made the bold request, she wouldn’t have gotten the bold response. This is the second step to receiving God’s favour…
2. REQUEST GOD’S FAVOUR
We must be willing to ask God to grant us favour. James, in the NT speaking about wisdom, says “You do not have because you do not ask.”
Ruth 2:10 - At this she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favour in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?”
Ruth responds to the grace and favour of Boaz with an expression of gratitude. But all this overwhelming favour leads her to ask a significant question: “Why?” “Why are you doing all this for me?” It shows a remarkable humility, rather than an entitlement mindset.
Let’s look at Boaz’s answer to Ruth’s question of “Why?” As we do, we will learn something essential about why and to whom God bestows his favour.
Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”
It is Ruth’s faith that Boaz has responded too. She was faithful to Naomi, showing her commitment to her by leaving her homeland and going with Naomi, even after her husband died. And she has shown her faithfulness to God. She has taken refuge under his wing.
He asks God to “reimburse” her, give her the wages of faith. God rewards faith. In the NT we find these words:
Hebrews 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him
3. REMAIN FAITHFUL
Ruth had a lot of “good luck” that day! Getting the “lucky breaks” is more than just being in the right place at the right time. When we are faithful to God, we will find God’s favour and blessing on our lives. Ruth’s faithfulness wasn’t a flash in the pan. She didn’t reap this abundant favour just for having one good day.
Remember her words to Naomi back in Chapter One…
“Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God”
Her faith was evident for a long time. If you want God’s favour, commit yourself to faithfulness for the long haul.
Later on in this chapter we see Naomi’s expression of praise, a reflection of her grateful heart – she is thankful! Not too long ago, she was *bitter*, but now she sees God working on her behalf, and she sees the favour bestowed upon her, and she recognizes that God is behind it, so she gives thanks.
When we realise that we have received God’s favour, it should make us grateful. This is the fourth step in receiving God’s favour. We must:
4. RESPOND WITH THANKS
When God gives us his favour, blessing, grace…we should return to him with thanksgiving. Too often we expect God’s favour, get mad if we don’t receive it, and then fail to thank him when we do.
The classic illustration of this is the 10 lepers that Jesus healed. Of the 10, only 1 returned and gave thanks. How often can we be like that?
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Ruth 1
Great start to 2011 in church today. Paul Benger started our new series from the book of Ruth.
God in the Midst of Suffering
Ruth is written from a woman's perspective. 52% of the book is conversation!
Great themes...God is sovereign; God is kind he's not angry; God redeems...he buys back; God restores....it's not over til it's over
It's a prophetic book...it's about you and me, that Jesus is going to redeem us...an undeserving people can be redeemed!
A theme of Grace
Ruth is seen as an undeserving person...a Moabite woman. And yet she becomes a person in the line of David...where Jesus is born
Ruth Chapter 1
Naomi is retuning back to Bethlehem after the famine. She has become bitter.
Key verse in chapter one...verse 14
Ruth clung to her! Orpah leaves her.
When suffering comes...remember what matters...remember your convictions. Stay true to what you believe!
Ruth stayed true to her convictions...true to her confession.
Judges 21:25
Elimelek under pressure makes the decision...goes down into Moab for bread. He forgets what matters. Fellowship staying in Bethlehem...he forgets worship. There won't be a place of worship in Moab. He's not been captured and yet he's making a bad choice.
It's not easy in tough times to remember what is right But it's important that we do! Stay together.
Ruth 1:14, 16-17
It says that Elimelek was going to Moab just for a short while
Just a 'temporary' thing...and yet he wavered and stayed there 10 years.
When we are in times of trouble stay true to your convictions...fellowship, worship, faithfulness
How do we feel in the midst of suffering? Noami is open with her feelings.
From this chapter...
1.Even in the midst of suffering God is still at work
Romans 8:28
2. Gods people are more important than you think
Psalm 92:13
There is a turnaround coming!
He does this for a girl who stays true to her convictions.
Faithfulness is key for us today
God in the Midst of Suffering
Ruth is written from a woman's perspective. 52% of the book is conversation!
Great themes...God is sovereign; God is kind he's not angry; God redeems...he buys back; God restores....it's not over til it's over
It's a prophetic book...it's about you and me, that Jesus is going to redeem us...an undeserving people can be redeemed!
A theme of Grace
Ruth is seen as an undeserving person...a Moabite woman. And yet she becomes a person in the line of David...where Jesus is born
Ruth Chapter 1
Naomi is retuning back to Bethlehem after the famine. She has become bitter.
Key verse in chapter one...verse 14
Ruth clung to her! Orpah leaves her.
When suffering comes...remember what matters...remember your convictions. Stay true to what you believe!
Ruth stayed true to her convictions...true to her confession.
Judges 21:25
Elimelek under pressure makes the decision...goes down into Moab for bread. He forgets what matters. Fellowship staying in Bethlehem...he forgets worship. There won't be a place of worship in Moab. He's not been captured and yet he's making a bad choice.
It's not easy in tough times to remember what is right But it's important that we do! Stay together.
Ruth 1:14, 16-17
It says that Elimelek was going to Moab just for a short while
Just a 'temporary' thing...and yet he wavered and stayed there 10 years.
When we are in times of trouble stay true to your convictions...fellowship, worship, faithfulness
How do we feel in the midst of suffering? Noami is open with her feelings.
From this chapter...
1.Even in the midst of suffering God is still at work
Romans 8:28
2. Gods people are more important than you think
Psalm 92:13
There is a turnaround coming!
He does this for a girl who stays true to her convictions.
Faithfulness is key for us today
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