Missions

MARK 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Usually, when we think of missions we think of the Great Commission. But missions didn’t begin with the Great Commission. Missions began with God. It first beat in His heart before it was ever breathed as the life sustaining force into His church.

A strong missions program rests on these three foundations:

I. A Compassionate God
Our God is missions-minded. If He were not, there would be no Christian mission.

II. A Compelling Message
In Romans 1:14-16, Paul declares that he is indebted to God to give the world the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Having heard the greatest message in the world, He was compelled to share it with whomever he could. So great was this sense of obligation that Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:16, "Yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the Gospel!" The Gospel He has given us is a missions message. If it could not save every sinner, there would be no reason to take it to every nation.

III. A Commissioned Church – Mark 16:15
And the Great Commission is a missions mandate. It identifies the local church as the center for world evangelism.

THE SUBMISSIVE ONE

OUTLINE OF RUTH

The Book of Ruth is more than history, and it is not a biography. It is a true story. It has a domestic nature to it, and it brings us up to an understanding of the lineage of King David from whom has come our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
This story takes place in the days of the Judges, believed to be in a time when a great famine was within the land some sixty years of so before the birth of David.
This is one of the two books in the Bible that are named after women and have women as the principle characters. It receives its name from Ruth, the Moabitess who married Boaz, from whom came David the king.

It is believed to have been written by Samuel the prophet, and it is properly placed between the Book of Judges and the Book of I Samuel as it introduces us to David from whom came Christ.

“The Book of Ruth relates not miracles nor laws, wars nor victories, nor the revolutions of states, but the affliction first and afterwards the comfort of Naomi, the conversion first and afterwards the preferment of Ruth. Many such events have happened, which perhaps we may think as well worthy to be recorded; but these God saw fit to transmit the knowledge of to us; and even common historians think they have liberty to choose their subject.

The design of this book is:

I. To lead to providence, to show us how conversant it is about our private concerns, and to teach us in them all to have an eye to it, acknowledging God in all our ways and in all events that concerns us. I Sam. 2:7—8; Psa. 113:7—9

II. To lead to Christ, who descended from Ruth, and part of whose genealogy concludes the book, whence it is fetched into Matt. 1. In the conversion of Ruth the Moabitess, and the bringing of her into the pedigree of the Messiah, we have a type of the calling of the Gentiles in due time into the fellowship of Christ Jesus our Lord.

The afflictions of Naomi and Ruth we have an account of in chapter 1.
Instances of their industry and humility we have an account of in chapter 2.
The bringing of them into an alliance with Boaz we have an account of in chapter 3.
And their happy settlement thereby we have an account of in chapter 4.

“And let us remember the scene is laid in Bethlehem, the city where our Redeemer was born.” Matthew Henry Commentary

CHAPTER 1: RUTH’S CHOICE — GOD’S GRACE

I. THE CHOICE WAS FORCED BY CIRCUMSTANCES.

A. We are to be very careful that we don’t base our decisions on our desires more than our need.
B. We are to be very careful that we don’t base our decisions due to the pressure that is upon us.
C. We are to be very careful that we don’t base our decisions on the fact that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, so it seems.

II. THE CHOICE WAS FORCED BY CRISIS.

A. The lst crisis was the leaving of her family, her friends, her neighbors, her place of worship, etc., back in Bethlehem.
B. The 2nd crisis was the death of her husband, Elimelech.
C. The 3rd crisis was the marriage of her sons to women of Moab.
D. The 4th crisis was the death of her two sons.
E. The 5th crisis was her having to leave and to return home.

III. THE CHOICE WAS FORCED BY COMPANIONSHIP.

A. 1st, we see the companionship that is only surface.
B. 2nd, we see the companionship that is genuine.

IV. THE CHOICE WAS FORCED BY CONDITION.

A. Naomi faced the condition of being defeated.
B. Naomi faced the condition of being empty handed.
C. Naomi faced the condition of being at home at the right time.

It is clear to see God’s grace manifested in Naomi’s life, also, in the life of Ruth as we see her testimony of following after Naomi.

CHAPTER 2: RUTH’S CHARACTER - GOD’ S GRACE

I. RUTH’S CHARACTER DISPLAYS A SPIRIT OF SERVICE.

A. The spirit of service calls for independence.
B. The spirit of service calls for humility.
C. The spirit of service calls for industry.
D. The spirit of service calls for respect.
E. The spirit of service calls for divine guidance and blessings.

II. RUTH’S CHARACTER DISPLAYS A SPIRIT OF SUBMISSIVENESS.

A. Ruth was submissive to her mother—in—law.
B. Ruth was submissive to the laws of the people.
C. Ruth was submissive to the authority of the field’s owner.
D. Ruth was submissive to the rights of others.
E. Ruth was submissive to the task before her.

III. RUTH’S CHARACTER DISPLAYS A SPIRIT OF SENSITIVENESS.

A. Ruth was very sensitive to her position.
B. Ruth was very sensitive to her needs.
C. Ruth was very sensitive to her mother—in—law’s needs.
D. Ruth was very sensitive to Boaz, the owner.
E. Ruth was very sensitive to her place of service.
Ruth was the servant that honored the day:
Ruth was a daughter that honored the home.

CHAPTER 3: RUTH’ S COMMITMENT — GOD'S GOODNESS

I. RUTH’S RESTLESSNESS.

A. Note Naomi’s concern for Ruth’s rest.
B. Note Naomi’s course for Ruth’s rest.
C. Note Naomi’s command for Ruth’s rest.

II. RUTH’S REASSURANCE.

A. She was reassured by being at Boaz’s place.
B. She was reassured by being in Boaz’s presence.
C. She was reassured by being under Boaz’s power.
D. She was reassured by Boaz’s praise.
E. She was reassured by Boaz’s promise.

III. RUTH’S RETURN.

A. Ruth returned with Boaz’s promise.
B. Ruth returned with Boaz’s gifts.
C. Ruth returned with Boaz’s message.

Ruth returned home with the promise that she would be redeemed by Boar before the day ended and there she patiently waited upon him.

CHAPTER 4: RUTH’S COMPANIONSHIP - GOD’S GIFT

I. THE LOVE OF BOAZ.

A. Boaz requesting.
B. Boaz receiving.
C. Boaz redeeming.

II. THE LIFE OF NAOMI.

A. Ws see Ruth, the wife.
B. We see Ruth, the mother.
C. We see Ruth, the daughter-in-law.


III. THE LINEAGE OF DAVID.

A. Pharez
B. Herron
C. Ram
D. Aminadab
E. Nahshon
F. Salmon
G. Boas
H. Obed
I. Jesse
J. David

The whole theme of the Book is the lineage of David, from whom has come our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

FIVE FACES OF FAITH

Our faith in the Lord is the staff of life for the believer. Without faith, we cannot grow in the Lord, and we certainly cannot please Him, Heb.11:6; Rom.14:23. Faith is essential! Faith is the assurance that God will do what He has said He will do - Rom.4:21. Faith, then, is best summed up by Heb.11:1; "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

I. CONVERTING FAITH

This is the type of faith that saves the soul - it is all that is required - Acts 16:31 This is eternal faith -

II. CHANGING FAITH

This type of faith helps us to live holy lives - This faith helps us to trust in Jesus for direction And helps us walk each day in His will -

III. CONTENDING FAITH

This type of faith makes us seek God for others and believe God will move in their lives.

IV. COMFORTING FAITH

This type of faith reminds us that God is still in control - Rom.8:28 This faith deals a death blow to our fears -

V. CONQUERING FAITH

This type of faith destroys any obstacle that arises in our lives it reminds us that God is still the Lord! This faith gives us the victory in any situation -

Reading God's Word Develops Faith

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

Many in this day are basing their faith on experience. It is not safe to build one’s faith on feeling or something that happened to us. The devil is very subtle and deceptive, and has led away a multitude in this way.

D. L. Moody said, “For years I prayed for faith and thought that someday faith would come down and strike me like lightening, but faith did not seem to come, then one day I read Romans 10:17.”

1. It is the avenue through which we are saved.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8,9)

2. When faith is developed it will please God.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

3. It will quench the fiery darts of the wicked.

“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” (Ephesians 6:16)

4. It is the condition of answered prayer.

"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” (Matthew 21:22)

The Incorruptible Seed

a. The Incorruptible Seed Brings Incorruptible Life

1 John 5:9-11 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Psalms 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
Psalms 119:93 I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.

b. The Incorruptible Seed Brings The Indwelling Holy Ghost

Galatians 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

c. The Incorruptible Seed Keeps The Saint Incorruptible

1 John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

d. The Incorruptible Seed Brings Life More Abundantly

John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

e. The Incorruptible Seed Meets Our Every Need

Psalms 19:7-10 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are the than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.