August 10, 2010

Ruth 3 & 4
Boaz is a type of Christ as our Kinsman Redeemer. As such, think of this statement by Naomi concerning Boaz to Ruth, “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day.“ How many times have I missed out on a blessing of the Lord because I was not willing to sit still and let Jesus conclude a matter? I was too busy conniving and twisting an outcome to the position which I thought would provide me with the best result. Ruth could have told Naomi, “No, I think if he really loved me, we would have gone to the priest right away to get married. I think that I will go talk to this nearest relative myself.” Instead she waited to see the outcome. She waited for Boaz’s heart to be completely revealed in his action and his timing. If I want to see the glory of my Lord Jesus, I need to do the same thing. I need to rest in the promise of what the Scriptures say concerning Him, do what He commands, listen to His instruction and wait for His results. He will produce that which brings the greatest glory to His Father, which ultimately includes my best.

Jesus is my Kinsman Redeemer. A Kinsman Redeemer had to have the following requirements:
1. He had to be the nearest relative.
2. He had to have the means to redeem.
3. He had to have the desire to redeem.
There was a kinsman who was a nearer relative than Boaz. He had the means to redeem her, but he did not have the desire to redeem her. Jesus became our near relative by becoming human. Sheep, goats, oxen, doves were not close enough. Our redeemer had to be human. Jesus had the means to redeem us for not only was he perfect human through the virgin birth, but He was also God. He had the ability bear in moment the eternal punishment for our sin and defeat it by rising again on the third day. Jesus had the desire to redeem us for He did not deem equality with God a thing to be hung on to convulsively, but emptied Himself by adding to His person the nature of a man humbling Himself even to the point of death on a cross. He did that for us that we might be His bride. Indeed we serve a glorious King. Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john

Romans 11:1-18

To be really honest, I don’t completely understand how the sovereign will of God and the free will of man work together. And I think a lot of people who try to explain it are really just blowing smoke. But this I know, there are plenty of passages that clearly teach that man has choice. Choice seems to imply a free will. Then there are passages like Romans 9-11 that clearly teach the sovereignty of God. Paul doesn’t seem to attempt to reconcile the two together. He simply presents them both as true. The sovereignty of God displays His glory.

Jesus is sovereign. He said, “All authority in heaven and earth is given unto me.” He controls to whom He gives grace. He has grafted us, who believe, into His family. He did it to provoke those, who wouldn’t believe to jealousy. God allowed the Israelites to reject Him so that He might reconcile the world. The glory of Jesus is seen in His sovereignty! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!

--Pastor John