Ruth 1:6-18
Raised Up To Honor - Silver City Church
Sermon Overview
“Raised Up To Honor,” from Ruth 1:6-18, continues the series recapping Elimelech’s disobedience and flight to Moab amid famine. Naomi, hearing God has visited Judah with food, decides to return, urging daughters-in-law Orpah and Ruth to stay. Orpah leaves after weeping, but Ruth clings, declaring loyalty to Naomi, her people, and God. The sermon contrasts Orpah’s return to Moab’s gods with Ruth’s faith, showing God’s redemption even in tragedy. Believers are called to check their trajectory toward righteousness, cling to the Lord amid hardship, and cling to one another in community, trusting God’s sovereign care.
Key Takeaways
Naomi hears God has visited Judah with food (1:6) and arises to return. The sermon contrasts her Godward direction with Elimelech’s flight, showing return to God’s covenant as key amid hardship.
Orpah weeps but returns to Moab and her gods (1:14-15). The sermon shows her love for Naomi yet ultimate allegiance to idols, highlighting partial commitment’s failure.
Ruth declares, “Your people shall be my people, and your God my God” (1:16-17). The sermon portrays her faith-driven loyalty, forsaking Moab for God’s covenant.
God redeems Naomi’s tragedy through Ruth. The sermon uses RUTH acronym (Raised Up To Honor), calling believers to trust God’s plan in pain, pointing to Christ the Redeemer.
Weekly Devotional
Day 1: Naomi’s Decision
Scripture: Ruth 1:6
Devotional Idea: Return to God in hardship.
Naomi hears God visited Judah with food (1:6) and returns. The sermon contrasts her Godward direction with Elimelech’s flight. Reflect on fleeing or returning to God in trials. The sermon calls for seeking His provision. How can you return to Him today? Ask God to guide your path.
Day 2: Orpah’s Departure
Scripture: Ruth 1:14-15
Devotional Idea: Examine allegiance to God.
Orpah returns to Moab and her gods (1:15). The sermon shows partial commitment fails. Reflect on divided loyalties. The sermon warns against returning to idols. How is your allegiance to God? Ask Him to reveal and remove rival gods.
Day 3: Ruth’s Clinging
Scripture: Ruth 1:16-17
Devotional Idea: Cling to God and His people.
Ruth declares loyalty to Naomi’s God and people (1:16). The sermon portrays faith-driven commitment. Reflect on your devotion to God. The sermon calls for clinging amid hardship. How can you cling today? Ask God for steadfast faith.
Day 4: God’s Redemption
Scripture: Isaiah 55:6-9
Devotional Idea: Trust God’s higher ways in pain.
God’s ways are higher than ours (Isa 55:8-9). The sermon shows redemption from tragedy. Reflect on hardships where God worked good. The sermon calls for seeking Him. How can you trust His plan? Ask God to reveal His purpose.
Day 5: Community in Trials
Scripture: Ruth 1:18
Devotional Idea: Cling to God’s people in difficulty.
Naomi and Ruth journey together (1:18). The sermon urges bearing burdens in community. Reflect on relationships supporting you. The sermon calls for encouraging others. How can you cling to believers? Ask God for strength in unity.
Reflection and Application Questions
- Reflection: How does Naomi’s decision to return to Judah contrast with Elimelech’s flight to Moab?
- Reflection: Why does Orpah’s return to Moab’s gods show the limits of partial commitment?
- Reflection: How does Ruth’s declaration in Ruth 1:16-17 exemplify true faith and loyalty?
- Application: In a hardship, seek God’s guidance in prayer instead of acting; pray for His provision this week.
- Application: Cling to a fellow believer in need, offering encouragement and prayer for their trial.
Scripture References and Cross-References
- Main Scripture: Ruth 1:6-18
- Cross-References: Isaiah 55:6-9 (God’s ways higher), Proverbs 3:5-6 (trust in the Lord), Jeremiah 17:9 (heart deceitful), James 1:14-15 (sin leads to death), Deuteronomy 23:3 (Moabites excluded)
Westminster Confession Connection
Ruth 1:6-18’s portrayal of Ruth’s faith and Naomi’s return aligns with the Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 15, Section 1, which teaches repentance as a saving grace involving grief for sin and turning to God with full purpose of new obedience. The sermon’s emphasis on Ruth’s commitment reflects this, showing God’s mercy drawing sinners back. Believers are called to cling to God and His people, forsaking sin amid hardship.
Westminster Confession Citation
Chapter 15, Section 1: Repentance unto life is an evangelical grace, the doctrine whereof is to be preached by every minister of the Gospel, as well as that of faith in Christ. [Scripture proofs: Zechariah 12:10; Acts 11:18; Ezekiel 18:30-32; Luke 24:47; Mark 1:15; Acts 20:21]
Catechism Connections
Shorter Catechism, Q. 87: What is repentance unto life? Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new obedience. [Scripture proofs: Acts 11:18; Acts 2:37-38; Joel 2:13; Jeremiah 31:18-19; 2 Corinthians 7:11; Acts 26:18; Ezekiel 18:30-32; Luke 1:6]
Larger Catechism, Q. 76: What is repentance unto life? Repentance unto life is a saving grace, wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit and Word of God, whereby, out of the sight and sense, not only of the danger, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, and upon the apprehension of God’s mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, he so grieves for and hates his sins, as that he turns from them all to God, purposing and endeavoring constantly to walk with Him in all the ways of new obedience. [Scripture proofs: Acts 11:18; 2 Timothy 2:25; Zechariah 12:10; Acts 2:37; Psalm 51:1-17; Luke 15:7, 10; Acts 2:38; Jeremiah 3:22; Ezekiel 36:31; Isaiah 30:22; Joel 2:12-13; Jeremiah 31:18-19; 2 Corinthians 7:11; Psalm 119:6, 128]
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Ramada Inn Conference Center