The Risk of Hope

I preached this message at the November 4, 2007 service at First Baptist Church Coeburn, in the Building Hope series.

Title: The Risk of Hope

Text: Ruth 3:1-18

Introduction: If hope is to flourish, there must be an element of risk with our faith. If we aren’t willing to risk, then we have little faith. Faith is evidenced in our action and faith is evidenced in the risk we take. It is easier to sit on our hands with our eyes to the sky saying come back soon Jesus, but that is not faith. While faith does look for the return of Christ, faith also works like we really believe he is coming! We disguise our fears, our laziness, our lack of faith, by saying we just have to wait on the Lord. While we must wait, we must work. Ruth and Naomi have to take some risks as their hope builds.
The good news is that Boaz continued to be gracious to Ruth and Naomi, but the bad news is that he had done nothing more than be gracious. It has been about 2 months since the events of chapter 2, Boaz done so much, but he has not done anymore. He has not made a move to take his relationship with Ruth to the next level. Now it is the end of the harvest and tonight is the last night of the harvest celebration. The daily contact between Ruth and Boaz would come to an end, the time to take initiative had come, the time to take a risk.
There is a time for God’s people to wait passively for God to act, and then there is a time for God’s people to get to work and engage the obstacles before them. Far too often the pendulum swings to the extreme direction, we either wait or we work, either extreme is on shaky faith. There must be a medium between the two extremes for healthy faith. We will see that Naomi, Ruth and Boaz all took a great deal of risks, yet all three showed remarkable trust in God. They were able to walk the fine line of waiting and working.

I. The seed of Hope vs 1-9
Naomi’s hopes and faith had been restored, but she is going to take the bull by the horns, she is going to take a risk! hope is not sustained through handouts, but use the gracious gift of hope to build upon, like planting a seed to bring forth fruit. If anything we must realize that it is not the gift that is important, but the giver!
-Why is it appropriate for Naomi and Ruth to take the effort?
Boaz is a kinsman redeemer. What does that mean?
The kinsman redeemer had the responsibility to make restitution, to carry out justice, to protect family owned land, and to continue the family line through a process called levirate marriage, where a near kinsman could marry a childless widow in order to raise up children to carry the name of the deceased. So Boaz was this kinsman redeemer and he had a degree of responsibility. If he is the man of character that he seems to be, then he will fufill his responsibility. Ruth proposed marriage to Boaz. Spread your garment over me is the same phrase in chapter 2 about spreading the wing of protection over her
- Psalm 126:5-6 5: They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6: He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. -it would be easier to hold on to the seed and be assured of bread, but the seed is scattered by faith that it will produce fruit.

II. the Shadow of Hope vs 10-18
-Boaz response was both honorable and positive. -there is an obstacle in the way, and Ruth has no power to do anything about it. She must wait for Boaz to take the risk and do something. All Ruth can do is wait upon Boaz, the ball is in his court. In fact, it was not Ruth’s obligation to do for herself what only Boaz can do! Now here is an important lesson! We need to stop trying to do for ourselves what only the Lord can do! however, we are under obligation to do for ourselves what we can do! We need to work, we need to make efforts, we need to take risks, we need to be faithful, etc… and we need to do for others what they can’t do for themselves!-Naomi’s question “Who are you?” she is wanting to know are you Ruth the widow of Mahlon, or Ruth the engaged bride of Boaz?”
- sit still was Naomi’s counsel to Ruth. They had to wait patiently, but one way or another the empty days were over. By scattering the seed of hope on Naomi and Ruth’s part, the seed was growing and now they patiently wait for that seed to bear fruit. (Psalm 46:10 - Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.)
Isaiah 40:31But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
-when we have built upon hope we can rest in the shadow of the wings of God.
-There is a tension between working and waiting we must know when it is time to work and when it is time to wait. A time to cast the seed of hope, and a time to abide in the shadow of hope.

First Baptist Church Hope Center on WCYB - TV 5

The Hope Center of First Baptist Church Coeburn was featured on WCYB - TV 5 on Monday November 5 for the faith focus. Katrina Mann, the Missions Coordinator of the Church, and I were interviewed for the spot. You can view it by clicking on the link below:


http://wcybstream.wcyb.tv/stream/archive.asp . You have to have REAL player installed to view it… Click on Monday Nov 5 - Newcenter 5 at 6 - 6:00 - 6:30. You can fast forward to 18:40 into the broadcast if you don’t want to watch the whole news cast. However they mention our church several times throughout the news. Our clip is on after the weather.

Let me know what you think!

The Power of Hope

This sermon was preached at the October 28 service at First Baptist Church Coeburn.

We were thankful to have the Pole Creek Mission team from Candler North Carolina with us in this service! We dedicated the Hope Center today!

Title: The Power of Hope

Text: Ruth 2:15-23

Introduction: Naomi and Ruth were two women who had little, if any hope. Destitute and alone they were at rock bottom. Naomi returned from a decade in Moab without a husband with only the clothes on her back and a stubborn daughter-in-law to Bethlehem a haggard and bitter woman. In fact, she asked the people to no longer call her by the name Naomi which means pleasant, but to call her by the name Mara, which means bitter. She was bitter and blamed God for her trouble. But today we see a change begin in Naomi, God has been working behind the scenes the whole time and finally Naomi senses the work of the Lord and the power of hope begins to change Naomi. God is going to change her from bitter to pleasant.
That is what the power of hope can do.
Hope is a powerful thing. It can change the heart of person, hope can change the life of a person.

I. The power of hope in 1/2 bushel of barley vs 15-19a
Naomi’s attitude changed over a ½ bushel of barley. Hope is so powerful that it didn’t take a big home, winning the lottery, a fancy car (or wagon), to make a difference, it only took a ½ bushel of barley.
-Have you ever been so down that a ½ bushel of barley could give you a renewed sense of hope?

II. The power of hope in a person vs 19b - 23
Boaz was a man who made a difference in the life of not only Ruth, but also Naomi. Remember, Boaz was a man of godly character, a good man. Even though Ruth was a Moabitess, an alien, Boaz took an interest in the life of Ruth and Naomi! Remember, Boaz did not use his power for his personal benefit, but for the benefit of others. So Boaz was a man who served hope, he displayed the hope of the Lord. One person can have the power to change a situation from defeat to victory by trusting the Lord and obey his will!
- make it your mission to instill the power of hope in others! By being a faithful child of God, by serving him and others, by telling others of the gospel . You have the power to change a situation from defeat to victory by trusting the Lord and obey his will!

III. The power of hope in the Lord vs 20a
Naomi, who once accused God of making her life a living hell, she thought God had abandoned her, now blesses God. That is the power of hope! It has no occurred to Naomi that God may possibly working out something good in her life, he has not abandoned her! A new day has dawned for Naomi! God will come to the rescue of those sinking in the sea of hopelessness.