Scripture Reading: Ruth 3 (NIV)

Reader: Please return and remain standing (as you are able) for today’s Scripture reading from Ruth 3. After the reading, the response will be, “Thanks be to God.”

3 One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for. 2 Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. 3 Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.” 
5 “I will do whatever you say,” Ruth answered. 6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do. 
7 When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down. 8 In the middle of the night something startled the man; he turned—and there was a woman lying at his feet! 
9 “Who are you?” he asked. 
“I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.” 
10 “The Lord bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. 11 And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character. 12 Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I. 13 Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the Lord lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.” 
14 So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before anyone could be recognized; and he said, “No one must know that a woman came to the threshing floor.” 
15 He also said, “Bring me the shawl you are wearing and hold it out.” When she did so, he poured into it six measures of barley and placed the bundle on her. Then he went back to town. 
16 When Ruth came to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, “How did it go, my daughter?” 
Then she told her everything Boaz had done for her 17 and added, “He gave me these six measures of barley, saying, ‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’ ” 
18 Then Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.” 

Leader: The Word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God!

Leader: You may be seated.

Message: Tim Allen

“Following Through” (Ruth 3)

Scene 1: Naomi Follows Through (vv. 1-5)
Scene 2: Ruth Follows Through (vv. 6-15)
Scene 3: Boaz Follows Through (vv. 16-18)

Bottom Line: Living a life of redeeming love means following through on the best of intentions!

Takeaways:
Are you a person of integrity?
Are you willing to follow through?

Ethos Questions:
Read the text. Then read it again in another version. Then summarize the text as best you can.
What stands out to you from the text? What questions does it raise?
What does this text reveal to us about God?
What does this text reveal to us about ourselves and how we should respond to God?
How does this text in particular drive these truths home?
If this text did not exist, what would we be missing?
What problem or question is the text solving or answering? What issue is it addressing?
What solution or answer does the text offer to the primary issue it is addressing?
How does the text connect with the gospel?
How will you commit to obey the text this week?
With whom can you share what you have learned from the text? 

"One Thing Remains"

Verse 1
Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant in the trial and the change
One thing remains
One thing remains

Interlude
Your love Your love Your love will never change

Chorus
Your love never fails
It never gives up
Never runs out on me
(REPEAT)

Your love

Verse 2
On and on and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never ever have to be afraid
One thing remains
One thing remains

Bridge
In death in life I'm confident and
Cover'd by the power of Your great love
My debt is paid there's nothing that
Can separate my heart from Your great love
(REPEAT)

Ending
Your love

Brian Johnson, Christa Black Gifford, Jeremy Riddle
CCLI Song #5508444
© 2010 ChristaJoy Music Publishing; Mercy / Vineyard Publishing; Bethel Music Publishing
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License #195574