As we come to chapter 3, we have reached an important division in the book.
Bearing in mind that the book of Ruth is a wonderful illustration of the spiritual advance and growth that should be seen in every believer, we will note the new level to which Ruth ascends in her pilgrimage. She has found grace in the eyes of the Lord and this has been manifested in the providential encounter she had with Boaz and his kindness shown to her, 2:10-14.
But there is more. She is to enter into REST, 3:1.
The gospel is a call to rest, Matthew 11:28-29. The word means a settled state of contentment, Gen 8:9 and comes from the Hebrew word for rest in Gen 8:4, Ex 20:11.
In Matthew 11:28-29 there are two rests. One follows initial faith in Christ the other follows on after submission and obedience to Christ. The rest spoken on in Ruth 3:1 is the rest correspondents to that which is referred to by Christ in verse Matt 11:29. The rest in our passage is akin to the rest of Psalm 95:11. What Canaan was for Israel, the Spirit-filled victorious life is for the New Testament believer.
In the opening verses of the chapter, the way to rest is set before us.
I. RUTH NEEDED INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE SHE COULD ENTER HER REST.
Does not the church stand in need of such instruction today. The concept of a Kinsman-Redeemer would have been unknown in Moab.
1. Gospel rest can be known only by those related to Christ. Boaz was bound under the law to marry Ruth. Deuteronomy 25:5-6. Ruth was related by marriage into the family of Boaz. It is a relationship that would grow and strenghten. Naomi would have her married to Boaz. That is a very good concept of marriage — rest!
Evening message at Tyndale FPC – Lord’s Day 2nd June 2019.
CONVERTED AT THE CROSS
Scripture: Matt 27:54. Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
The history of our Saviour’s crucifixion at Calvary is very full of incident. We consider ourselves to have a full grasp of the whole matter when we are acquainted with His sayings upon the cross, the incident with the dying thief and the evil mockery of those hard-hearted Jews who gathered to delight in His sufferings.
There was much happening there that does not, at first, appear. There were secret happenings taking place within the hearts of some at Calvary.
Take the person at the centre of our text, for example. What happened to him must be counted amongst the other miraculous events of that day of days. He had been at the centre of the day’s activities from the beginning. In verse 26, the record of the Saviour’s treatment at the hands of the soldiers begins. When they had nailed the Saviour to the tree, they sat down and watched Him as their duty required lest some came and took Him down from the cross. He was present throughout the hours of the crucifixion. Our text speaks of the centurion at the moment of the Saviour’s death. He makes a tremendous statement as a result of what he saw. Truly this was the Son of God.
I. IN AN INSTANT THIS MAN WAS ENLIGHTENED IN THE CENTRAL TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL
1. This was the truth rejected by the leaders/Jews. Matt 26:63-66, John 19:7.
2. It was the truth apparently denied by the crucifixion. 39-44.
3. It is the truth that the Father alone can communicate. Matt 16:17. It speaks of an internal revelation to the soul.
4. It is the truth that blesses. Matt 16:17.
II. HIS CONVERSION CAME AFTER A TIME OF INSTRUCTIVE OBSERVATION
Though the circumstances of this man’s conversion are unique, the means God used are the same as He employs in every conversion. This soldier was brought into contact with the Lord Jesus Christ. In the hours in which he watched Christ he gained a knowledge of Him that was the seed which blossomed into his regeneration. Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever, I Peter 1:23. He gained a knowledge of Christ the Word of God as he watched Him. He saw:—
1. His dignity during His trial. While others were like wild animals Christ was quiet, 24 – 25.
2. He saw His meekness as He was mocked. 29 – 31.
3. His calmness as he crucified Him. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth, Isaiah 53:7.
4. His tender mercy as He suffered. The thief, His mother, His persecutors.
5. His victory as He died. 50 – 53.
It was these truths that brought forth the cry of out text.
III. HIS CONVERSION WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A GREAT FEAR AND A GLORIFYING OF GOD
In this cry there is first of all —
1. An evidence of a great consciousness of God. Here is why he feared. He became aware that he was in the presence of God, the God that he had mocked and crucified.
2. The man owned his guilt and sinfulness. Certainly this was a righteous man, Luke 23:47. His words remind us of the dying thief’s words, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss, 40-41. Perhaps he was influenced by his testimony. What a thought! His companion was unimpressed but who overheard was smitten to the heart. Furthermore, he would have heard Pilates wife call him a ‘just’ man, the same word as translated ‘righteous in Luke 23:47) (Matt 27:19). He would have Pilate speak of Him as a ’just person’, (Matt 27:24). Again this is the same word as ‘righteous’!
3. He opened His mouth in praise to God. These words were words of thanksgiving and honour to God. Matt 15:30-31.
Please remember:
* You have had more opportunity to watch Christ than this man. before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? Gal 3:1.
* You have as much cause to fear as he had.
* You have seen others come to Christ.
* You have less to fear by such a confession than he did.
Among men there is a great divergence of opinion on this matter. There are as many opinions on what sin is as there are ungodly men. Every man would count himself to be the only authority worth considering. It is a very broad disagreement, touching all matters of life.
Nations differ also. Some permit what others severely punish. That which one society would blush to name another holds aloft as a token of their advancement.
That being so, how are we to decide what sin is?
I. ONLY GOD CAN TELL US WHAT SIN IS?
It is God who decides what sin is. As the Creator and Ruler of all things, He it is which decrees what sin is. He has said that sin is the transgression of the law.
1. Sin is every breach of God’s law. The summary of God’s law is found in the Ten Commandments, Exodus 20:3-17. Everything contrary to these is sin. for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Romans 3:20.
2. Every sin then is a defying of God. Sin is rebelling against God’s authority, a refusing to submit to God’s law. It becomes a rival law. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my member,. Romans 7:23.
3. Defiance of God is rooted in self-love. God is refused because self is to be served. It is the rival to God’s throne. Culminates in Man of Sin — II Thess 2:3-4.
Here then is what sin is.
II. SIN IS THAT OF WHICH WE ARE ALL GUILTY
Five verses will provide us with evidence of this.
* for there is no man that sinneth not, I Kings 8:46.
* For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not, Eccles 7:20.
* For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God, Rom 3:23.
* If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us, I John 1:8.
* If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us, I John 1:10.
Add to these words the experience of all men and it will be seen that all sin.
III. SIN IS THE CAUSE OF ALL MAN’S MISERIES
1. It has made us enemies of God. He who made us in His likeness that we might enjoy Him forever, we treat as an enemy. What was said to Saul may be said to us all. Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy? 1 Sam. 28:16. We love the world and so become God’s enemies. whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. James 4:4.
2. It has robbed us of paradise. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Rev 21:27.
3. It has made us subject to death. in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Gen 2:17. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Rom 5:12.
4. It has made us liable to eternal damnation. Rev 20:11-15.
IV. SIN IS THAT FOR WHICH THERE IS NO EARTHLY ANSWER
Man has tried to cease from sin whenever he begins to taste the bitterness of its fruits. But he cannot. Many generations have believed themselves to have found the means of establishing again the paradise they lost through sin, but they had not. Communism, socialism etc. Man dreams and speaks of yet establishing such a kingdom, but he shall not. The Bible gives us a picture of the future of man and it is one that is worse rather than better. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. II Tim 3:13.
While man has no answer God has. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom 6:23. I John 3:5.
Jesus has accomplished the work He came to do.
1. He took away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. John 1:29, Gal 1:4, Tit 2:14, Hebs 10:12.
2. He gives victory over sin while we live on this earth. V. 6, 9-10.
3. He will gloriously deliver us from all trace of sin when He brings us to Heaven. verse 2.
