December 15, 2024 | Zach Schlegel
Passage: Ruth 3:1-18
When singing familiar Christmas carols, we rarely consider the meaning of the words of the song. The words in “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” mean that God gives us joy; joy in which we can stand firm. We sing this song as a prayer, because in a fallen world, there is a tendency to slip into discouragement. Joy seems temporary. However, there is a difference between the emotion of happiness and the biblical meaning of joy which is a settled contentment and sufficiency.
Do you feel merry today? Where do you find the deeper joy of which the Bible speaks? The words of scripture will bring “good tidings of comfort and joy.” As we look at Ruth 3, we see the matter of “rest” at the beginning and end of the text. This is a chapter about finding rest - the rest for which our hearts and souls long. Are you weary, tired, anxious? The main idea of our text today is: the rest that our souls need is only found in the Redeemer that God provides. This chapter points us to THE Redeemer - Jesus - who will give the rest for which our souls long.
Sermon Outline
1. Let hope fuel righteous plans for rest. Vs. 1-5
2. Come to the Redeemer for rest. Vs. 6-15
3. Wait for God’s perfect rest. Vs. 16-18
Series Information
