주님의 세대를 낳는 아름다운 공동체

룻기 4:18-22

주님의 세대를 낳는 아름다운 공동체

A beautiful community that gives birth to the generation of the Lord

족보가 보여주는 두 가지 내용 Two aspects revealed by the genealogy

하나님은 나를 회복시켜서 복의 통로로 세워가기를 원하십니다 God desires to restore me and establish me as a channel of blessing

우리가 할 일은 순종과 사랑과 기다림입니다 Our task is obedience, love, and patience

족보는 다음세대 리스트입니다. 주님의 세대를 낳으십시오 The genealogy is a list of the next generation. Please give birth to the generation of the Lord

삿2:10

Summary

The genealogy in the Book of Ruth carries important significance for us. It reveals key insights about the direction and purpose of Israel's history, pointing towards the reign of King David, who brought prosperity and blessings to the people. This genealogy serves as a reminder that history is guided by God and that He works through individuals to accomplish His plans.

As believers, we are encouraged to recognize and trust in God's faithfulness and promises. Just as God orchestrated events in the lives of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz, He is actively involved in our lives as well. We are called to obedience to God's Word, unconditional love for others, and patient waiting for God's timing. By embodying these qualities, we become instruments through which God's plan unfolds.

The genealogy in Ruth also reminds us of God's desire to restore and revive those who turn to Him. No matter our circumstances or failures, God can transform our lives and use us for His purposes. We are called to embrace our role in God's plan, believing that He will fulfill His promises and bring about blessings and abundance.

As believer, we are invited to actively participate in God's mission to bring life and hope to a broken world. By aligning ourselves with His will, we become channels of His love and agents of transformation in our communities.

In summary, the genealogy in the Book of Ruth holds significant meaning for us. It teaches us to trust in God's faithfulness, obey His Word, love others unconditionally, and embrace our role in His redemptive story. Through our commitment to God's plan, we can make a positive impact and bring glory to His name.

Script

Next week, we will have time to organize the genealogy, but today is the last day for the main text of Ruth. Today, the genealogy is all we have. It is a genealogy that starts with Perez and ends with David, a total of 10 people. Perez is the son of Judah, so it is a genealogy of the tribe of Judah. We find genealogies in the Bible to be boring. However, mentioning genealogies in the Bible serves as a key to show us, "Where is this history heading? And who is driving this history?" Through the genealogy of Jesus mentioned in Matthew 1, it shows us how the Messiah who will save us has come and how the history has reached this point. So, why does genealogy appear in the Bible? In that case, it would be good to remember at least two things. First, where is the history currently heading? And second, who is currently driving this history?

Now, let's look at the genealogy in the Book of Ruth to address the first point. Do you want to see how the history of Israel is progressing through Ruth? Look at the very end of the genealogy. Who appears? "David." That's right. The Bible is telling us that the history is flowing towards David. Who is David? He is the king who provided the greatest prosperity to the people in the history of Israel. He conquered all the surrounding nations and made the kingdom the largest and most prosperous. Do you remember? Chapter 1 of Ruth started with "famine." It was a life of poverty, destitution, and despair, both physically and spiritually. However, Chapter 4 of Ruth concludes with birth, fulfillment, abundance, joy, and hope.

Now, let's move on to the second point you wanted to confirm through the genealogy in Ruth. Does Ruth show us who is currently driving the history? It is "Yahweh, God." As I prepared this message, I read through Ruth again. It may not be explicitly stated, but you will discover that the entire book of Ruth emphasizes that Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz are being led by the One who is God. If you look at the conclusion of Ruth in verses 4:11-14, every subject is "the Lord." Let's focus on verses 13 and 14. "So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. The women said to Naomi: 'Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel!'" God enables Ruth, who had been unable to conceive for ten years, to become pregnant and continue the genealogy. Until now, God is not directly expressed. However, the Bible testifies to God's precise intervention and orchestration throughout the entire process of Ruth.

Dear beloved saints! May you believe that our Father leads His children with great care. What kind of God is leading us? He is the "faithful God." The Word recorded in the Bible, which He promised, He leads and fulfills it to the end.

When God promised Abraham, "Through your offspring, all nations will be blessed," Abraham did not believe. So instead of Sarai, who was unable to conceive, he tried to fulfill God's promise through Hagar. However, God said, "No." He tells us not to fulfill His promise based on our thoughts, our level, or our efforts. He says, "Believe in the 'Word' that I have promised. 'I will do it, I will fulfill it, and the covenant I have made, I will surely accomplish it. So you just remain still.'" It may seem impossible to us. It may not be scientific, contemporary, or rational. However, God says, "I will do it. So don't calculate whether it is possible or impossible, logical or illogical. Just believe in 'the faithfulness of God,' and that God will do it." He commands us to "Let there be light," and just as light appeared in the darkness, I believe that what God has spoken through the Bible will surely be fulfilled.

Now, let me summarize. Through the genealogy, the picture that Ruth wants to tell us is this: It is not important what our current situation or circumstances are. Even if it seems impossible, even if we have already given up and feel empty in life, God is the one who restores and revives those who return to His embrace, overflowing them with joy. So, He invites us to come to Him. Secondly, God operates and orchestrates this world with "me" at the center. He governs and coordinates the world with a focus on "me as an individual." It is true. He desires David to be conceived through me. So even if I go astray, fail, and waste my life, God will readjust all of that, transform it into good, and restore it. And through the restored me, He will establish me as a mission worker in the Kingdom of God. The reason why I can be so certain is that, just as He said, "You will be a source of blessing," He will raise me up from my fall, and through me, bring life and abundance to those who have no hope and no life, making me a channel of blessing. Shall we look at a few Bible verses?

Genesis 12:2 "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great." Isaiah 43:1 "But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.'" Isaiah 43:21 "the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise."

1 Corinthians 3:9 - "For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building." 2 Corinthians 5:18, 20 "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation... We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors..." 2 Timothy 2:2-3 "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.“

God has established us as the source of blessings, as His witnesses, as instruments of praise, as co-workers in His service, as reconcilers, as soldiers, and as laborers. Therefore, please restore this calling. By becoming enemies with God, pray and break away those who are led as slaves of death, and be used as instruments to reconcile them with God. May you delight and rejoice in God and be blessed in the name of the Lord.

God is a faithful being. Though there may be mistakes among His people, there is no failure. Even if one has experienced failure, God will transform it into something good. Anyone who clings to God will bear fruit. That is our God, such a being.

So, what should 'we' who believe in such a God do? It is obedience to God, love towards our neighbors, and patience. Ruth obeyed everything that Naomi told her, conveying the instructions given by God to the people through Leviticus and Deuteronomy. Ruth followed those instructions obediently. She set aside her own thoughts, passions, and will. She acted according to the word and 'waited.' She must have endured difficult times in the face of an unchanged reality. However, she waited for what God would do. Another aspect is 'love' towards Naomi. In 1:6, it says, "You have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me." In 3:10, it says, "You have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning." In 4:15, it says, "You have been better to your mother-in-law than to seven sons." Naomi lost everything and grew old. It was natural for Ruth to leave her, and it would not be surprising if she did not sacrifice so much. However, Ruth loved Naomi. She served Naomi, who had nothing left. If there had been land or property, it would have been understandable, but Naomi had nothing to offer. Nevertheless, Ruth did not leave her. It was Ruth's 'unconditional love.' It was love given without conditions. Just love. It is the same 'unconditional love' that God demonstrated when He gave His life and salvation to me, unworthy and undeserving, by sacrificing Jesus. Ruth's love resembled the love of God the Father. It was a noble and extravagant love that could not be found in the period of the Judges. Ruth! She obeyed the word of God. She showed unconditional love to her neighbor. And she lived her daily life while waiting for what God would do. God picked up ordinary Ruth and discovered the unfolding story of redemption that led to David, which neither Ruth, Naomi, nor Boaz could have imagined.

Dear saints! Whom will God seek? The person who, even if weak and incapable, obeys the promise of God's word and moves forward! The person who turns the other cheek when struck on the right cheek and loves their neighbor unconditionally! And while sweating in the everyday field, they love and wait for God, just like an ordinary person! I believe that through that one person, God will create a salvation story that will astonish everyone.

If we look at the genealogy in the Bible, from Adam to Noah, there are ten generations. From Noah to Abraham, there are ten generations. From Abraham to Boaz, there are ten generations. Through Noah, the post-flood era began, and through Abraham, the history of Israel began. And now, through Boaz, the era of David has begun. Through David, ultimately, it became a new starting point that leads to the era of Jesus Christ, the descendant of Abraham and David. And it continued through the seemingly insignificant woman, Ruth. Yes, one person who opens up a new era! She was weak, a foreigner, and incapable. However, as she hoped in God and remained steadfast, she became the link in the lineage of David and Jesus Christ. Beloved saints! Be like Ruth. Not as capable or talented individuals but as those who love the Lord, love their neighbor, and reveal the beautiful character of the Lord. Through all of you, may the era of David be opened in your homes and communities.

The genealogy consists of the names of children, representing the list of the next generation. This genealogy shows how the succeeding generation continues in an era where individuals live according to their own opinions, and it reveals how God works through the next generation. In Judges 2:10, it is mentioned that a generation arose after the generation of faith had died, and they did not know the Lord or experience His works. It was a time when there was no generation to carry on the work of God, resulting in a broken era of God's history. In such a dark time, not among the majority groups in politics, religion, or economy, but through a shattered family in the insignificant and remote town of Bethlehem, God's glorious era is shining forth through Ruth, who embraces God and walks in His ways.

Others may perceive HOF Church as one of many churches in Sydney, and they may think it is a church that has weakened despite being given a mission. Yes, that may be true, but God is pouring hope once again into that very church and igniting the flame of hope. It may not be a church with well-structured programs or a large number of people, but it is a church that seeks God, prostrates itself before His word, and cries out to the Lord, acknowledging that without Him, they can do nothing. I believe that through HOF Church, which embraces the mission given by the Lord and eagerly awaits His appointed time, new generations will be raised up.

HOF Church will give birth to the next generation, and that generation will birth more churches, which will birth the city of Sydney, and that generation will birth nations from North Korea to Africa, ultimately giving birth to Jesus Christ, overflowing as a community of His lineage. I believe this will be accomplished through saints who long for this vision. Come to the place of prayer and the gathering of worship. Dedicate your time and resources. Sow what is yours and receive what belongs to the Lord. In the midst of bowing down at the foot of the cross, longing for the Lord with great love, it is through you that beautiful communities like Samuel, David, Ezra, Nehemiah, Paul, Timothy, and others in the lineage of the Lord will be raised up as witnesses.