MADE FOR MARRIAGE – Courtesy Benny Ho

Ruth 3: 1 – 18

One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for. ² Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. ³ Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. ⁴ When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.”

⁵ “I will do whatever you say,” Ruth answered. ⁶ So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do.

⁷ When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down. ⁸ In the middle of the night something startled the man; he turned—and there was a woman lying at his feet!

⁹ “Who are you?” he asked.

“I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.”

¹⁰ “The Lord bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. ¹¹ And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character. ¹² Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I. ¹³ Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the Lord lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.”

¹⁴ So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before anyone could be recognized; and he said, “No one must know that a woman came to the threshing floor.”

¹⁵ He also said, “Bring me the shawl you are wearing and hold it out.” When she did so, he poured into it six measures of barley and placed the bundle on her. Then he went back to town.

¹⁶ When Ruth came to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, “How did it go, my daughter?”

Then she told her everything Boaz had done for her ¹⁷ and added, “He gave me these six measures of barley, saying, ‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”

¹⁸ Then Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.”

We encounter various rich cultures of marriage rituals. Some carve their feelings in a wooden spoon, some break glass during a marriage ceremony to portray the unbreakable bond of marriage, etc.

Now the role of a Kinsman redeemer is not only to redeem the family out of poverty but also, redeem the property. Lev 25:25 -29

“‘If one of your fellow Israelite’s becomes poor and sells some of their property, their nearest relative is to come and redeem what they have sold…

Also the kinsman redeemer should be:

1. Should be willing
2. Should be able

In the book of Ruth, Boaz, her kinsman redeemer, is a picture of Jesus Christ,

Jesus Christ is both willing and able to redeem us.

Illustration:

An artist made a beautiful boat. He went out to enjoy this boat. In the process, he lost it into a waterfall. He was very upset because of it. After a few days, he saw his boat in a shop. He asked the shopkeeper for the boat. The shopkeeper said that he could have it if he paid the price for it. He bought the boat and it was owned by him for the second time.

He owned the boat twice.

First time, through creation and

Second, time through redemption.

Similarly, Jesus paid the price twice

He came for us as a kinsman redeemer and bought us (his creation) back.

One Day – Strategic day. vs 3:1 One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for.

There are 2 aspects to this passage:

1. Practical aspect: How to please our spouse
2. Prophetical aspect: Christ and his church, spiritual aspect

Marriage was an issue of survival in those days.

Ruth represents law, Law was supposed to introduce us to Christ.

Gal 3: 23 -25 Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. ²⁴ So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵ Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

Law is supposed to lead us to Christ. The moment law is introduced, sin is evidently seen.  If we try to live by law, then, we are sure to break it, we are law breakers, therefore it proves that we are sinners. We feel guilty when we break the law. Law is given to awaken our hearts towards sin, therefore we need a saviour.  Now we are under grace of this saviour.

Naomi came to Ruth and spoke to her. It was a moment of destiny. This would change the entire history. We as a church need to prepare just like the way Ruth Prepared herself to meet Boaz:

1. Ruth prepared herself to meet Boaz vs 3

1. Wash yourself, cleanse yourself

Consecrating ourselves both by blood and water

Blood of Jesus cleanses us from root sins and the  word of God cleanses us from day to day sin of the world. We need cleansing from contamination of the sinful world.

Ephesians 5: 25 -27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her ²⁶ to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, ²⁷ and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

John 15: 3 you are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

• Read long passages of scripture –drench yourself in it, it’ll keep us clean, rather than sprinkling water over us (reading only one line for the whole day).
• John 6: 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.

1. Ruth Anointed herself (put on perfume)

• Anointing that comes from the Holy Spirit. Wash yourself and get anointed by the Holy Spirit.

1. Dress up and look good (righteousness of Christ)

Put on the righteousness of Christ. Phil 3:7 -9 ⁷ But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

We need to put off the old man and put on the new man.

Ezek 16:9 -12. ⁹ “‘I bathed you with water and washed the blood from you and put ointments on you. ¹⁰ I clothed you with an embroidered dress and put sandals of fine leather on you. I dressed you in fine linen and covered you with costly garments. ¹¹ I adorned you with jewellery: I put bracelets on your arms and a necklace around your neck, ¹² and I put a ring on your nose, earrings on your ears and a beautiful crown on your head.

What she just did was, prepared herself as a bride. Preparing herself to be the beautiful bride for the marriage supper. 1 cor 6: 11 ¹ And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

I am washed

I am sanctified

I am justified

1. Ruth placed herself under Naomi’s submission, vs. 5

She submitted and obeyed.

A lady wanted to go to China as a missionary, so she asked her leader about it. Her leader said that, since China is not in the list, she won’t be able to go to China. This lady submitted to the leader’s decision and waited patiently. In the meantime, she would pray for china, kept herself updated about the happenings of China. One fine day, the leader, sent her to china as a missionary. On asking the leader, he replied, “What else can we do with such a submissive attitude?”

That’s the kind of submission Christ expects us to have.

• Ruth positioned herself at the feet of Boaz

Vs. 8- Midnight: speaks about end times in the bible

Mathew 25: 6. ⁶ “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

Where is the place of the church in end times? It needs to be at the feet of Jesus. Spend time at the feet of Jesus. Feet of Jesus is a place of redemption.

Spread the corner of your garment over me vs 9, refers  to the Prayer shawl, like a tent, it means a little prayer tent,  Tallit in Hebrew.

Number 15:37 -39. ³⁷ The Lord said to Moses, ³⁸ “Speak to the Israelite’s and say to them: ‘Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. ³⁹ You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the Lord, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by chasing after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes.

Also, this garment is representative of wings that cover us.

Ezekiel 16:8 ⁸ “‘Later I passed by, and when I looked at you and saw that you were old enough for love, I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your naked body. I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Sovereign Lord, and you became mine.

Under the wings of God is a place of blessing. Malachi 4:2  But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays.

There’s healing under his wings.

There are many examples of touching this hem of Christ’s garment, Matt 9 – story of bleeding women trying to touch the hem of his garment, Matthew 14:36, People brought all their sick to him ³⁶ and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.

Where can I find the hem of his garment? At the feet of Jesus in absolute surrender.

¹⁵ He also said, “Bring me the shawl you are wearing and hold it out.” When she did so, he poured into it six measures of barley and placed the bundle on her.

One day of our labour = 6 days of his favour. Spending time with the Lord increases our effectiveness. Out of the position of rest, making our life work because we are in love with Jesus.

Eph 3:20 ²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

1. Ruth prayerfully waited for Boaz

Naomi asked Ruth, (KJV) Who are you Ruth? Did it work? Deal was sealed when she saw the 6 measures of Barley. Seventh measure is Boaz himself. Seek the gift and the giver. God gave us Jesus himself. Seek God and you’ll live abundantly blessed. Ruth 3: 18. Then Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.”

It is when we rest, our Boaz will work. Take it into the presence of God. Take it in prayer. Leave it with God. Be still.

Touch the prayer shawl.

 

 -Sandra wife of Virjil .   The New Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel. We can confidently share that New Hope Community is a Church in Kamothe, Church in Khandeshwar, Church in Khanda Colony, Church in Panvel, Church in New Panvel because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.

Finding Favour through faith: – Courtesy Benny Ho: 

Let’s read Ruth chapter 2

Ruth Meets Boaz in the Grain Field

2 Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz.

² And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favour.”

Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” ³ So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek.

⁴ Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, “The Lord be with you!”

“The Lord bless you!” they answered.

⁵ Boaz asked the overseer of his harvesters, “Who does that young woman belong to?”

⁶ The overseer replied, “She is the Moabite who came back from Moab with Naomi. ⁷ She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.’ She came into the field and has remained here from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.”

⁸ So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me. ⁹ Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.”

¹⁰ At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favour in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?”

¹¹ Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. ¹² May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”

¹³ “May I continue to find favour in your eyes, my lord,” she said. “You have put me at ease by speaking kindly to your servant—though I do not have the standing of one of your servants.”

¹⁴ At mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar.”

When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over. ¹⁵ As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, “Let her gather among the sheaves and don’t reprimand her. ¹⁶ Even pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don’t rebuke her.”

¹⁷ So Ruth gleaned in the field until evening. Then she threshed the barley she had gathered, and it amounted to about an ephah. ¹⁸ She carried it back to town, and her mother-in-law saw how much she had gathered. Ruth also brought out and gave her what she had left over after she had eaten enough.

¹⁹ Her mother-in-law asked her, “Where did you glean today? Where did you work? Blessed be the man who took notice of you!”

Then Ruth told her mother-in-law about the one at whose place she had been working. “The name of the man I worked with today is Boaz,” she said.

²⁰ “The Lord bless him!” Naomi said to her daughter-in-law. “He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead.” She added, “That man is our close relative; he is one of our guardian-redeemers.”

²¹ Then Ruth the Moabite said, “He even said to me, ‘Stay with my workers until they finish harvesting all my grain.’”

²² Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It will be good for you, my daughter, to go with the women who work for him, because in someone else’s field you might be harmed.”

²³ So Ruth stayed close to the women of Boaz to glean until the barley and wheat harvests were finished. And she lived with her mother-in-law.

 Chapter 2 is the most exciting part from the book of Ruth “Finding Favour through faith”

If we can derive the message from this chapter, we can hold on to it for life time. How can we receive God’s favour in our life?

This is a true story about a lady in the year 1965. One day she saw a dream, and in that dream, she felt that God is speaking to her to write encouraging verses.  She calls her children and grandchildren to bring empty coca cola bottles and some papers. Then she spent the entire night writing promises from the bible and rolled the paper and started putting it in the empty coca cola bottle and sealed it up. There were around 200 bottles, then she goes to the beach in Florida and allows the bottle to float in the beach. After some weeks, people started contacting her as she had put her name and address as well on the notes with promises as it was useful for them. She died and 9 years later, she received a letter from a lady, “Dear ma’am, I was planning to commit suicide, because there was no money, but when I went to the beach to attempt suicide, I got this bottle and I read the bible verse on the note in it and decided against my decision.

A coke bottle became a hope bottle. How would this happen? 9 years prior a note was written for a person whom God wanted to speak then?

We believe in the God of providence., he knows our need even before we face it. A God who sees us, knows our needs even before we ask.

As we move to Ruth chapter 2, the writer inspired by the holy spirit introduces a new character. In verse 1, we read about Boaz a relative of Naomi. A man of standing. The writer is setting the stage for Boaz. Where God is going to use a man of great wealth. Boaz means “IN HIM HIS STRENGTH”. His name speaks about being a Godly man. He was a man of great respect. we see this in verse 4

Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, “The Lord be with you!”

“The Lord bless you!” they answered.

Who loves or speaks well about their bosses? we always find faults but here the case was different.

Boaz is a prophetic figure of our Lord Jesus Christ, “In whom our strength lies”. He is our strength in times of our weakness. Our help in times of trouble. In Boaz is the prophetic picture of our lord Jesus Christ, Ruth is the prophetic picture of church and Naomi the prophetic picture of Israel. Therefore, the Church and Israel will find strength in Boaz, that is our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us see how Boaz met Ruth. It was not a human intervention, but by divine appointment.

So, it goes in this way, Ruth left her past and started looking for the present. In verse 2, Ruth decides to go to the fields for their survival.

² And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favour.”

Generous provision of the LAW was the Law of gleaning (leftover). Leviticus 19:9-10

⁹ “‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. ¹⁰ Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God.

He is God of compassion, he commanded his people that during harvest if something may have fallen or is leftover, do not go for another round.

Generally, we don’t want to leave anything behind. But God says leave it for the poor, leave it for others.

I believe we all have attended weddings and we don’t want to miss the costly dishes, even though our stomach is full, we will at least taste, but will not let it go. God commands that you let it go, you got what you wanted, leave it for others. But our mentality is, “all is mine”. We believe in a merciful God therefore he lets it go.

In verse 2

² And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favour.”

Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” ³ So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek.

We believe in a Happening God. Ruth just went to a field to glean the leftover, but the bible specifically mentions it “As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek.”

God made it happen, it was not a chance or accident or luck, it was a divine appointment arranged by a God of providence.

Providence means, pro – i.e. before and evidence means to see. God in his providence sees our need before we see or know. he engineers circumstances according to their needs.

Many times, we use this word ‘LUCKY’, it is not ‘LUCKY’ but ‘BLESSED’. God is watching over us. Ruth ends up in the right field and at the right time when Boaz visits the field. Right time, Right place, that is the God of providence. Behind all this, which we call coincidence / luck there is a God who is working in the background for us.

Ruth in verse 1 went out to the field, to find favour in someone’s field. What is favour?

Favour is, God in his grace gives us something which we do not deserve.

Let us see 4 things which Boaz gave to Ruth out of favour / Grace. The way Jesus Christ gave it to us.

1. Boaz gave Ruth a place to glean.

We know that Boaz took personal interest. In verse 15, Boaz took a special interest.

¹⁵ As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, “Let her gather among the sheaves and don’t reprimand her. ¹⁶ Even pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don’t rebuke her.”

Ruth did not deserve it.  It was Boaz who made the first move, in verse 8. Boaz called Ruth, Daughter.

8 So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me.

Not only that, he told her not to go in any other field. Ruth got what Boaz’s servant girls did not get.

In the same way, we did not deserve it, but Jesus called all of us to this place.

1 John 4 :19

¹⁹ We love because he first loved us.

We don’t deserve anything, but Jesus came to us.

Romans 5:6

⁶ You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

While we were powerless, like a dead body, we couldn’t do anything, Christ died for us. That is unmerited favour / Grace. God demonstrated his love on the cross for you and me.

The one who knew no sin became sin. And we all have been offered a place in Christ.

2. Boaz gave Ruth protection. (Verse 8 & 9)

⁸ So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me

⁹ Watch the field where the men are harvesting and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.”

A young widow, who is in danger in an open field. Boaz offered protection and asked her to stay in the filed. In the same way Jesus Christ offers us protection. If we stay in his field, we are protected.

In verse 8 we read, stay with the women who work for me. It means to say that, stay with the community. There is protection when we stay within a community. If we isolate ourselves, we detach ourselves from the body of Christ. Church is a body of Jesus Christ. If you isolate yourselves, it is like one part of the body is missing. If we detach from the body and want to do our own thing, there is a danger. Stay in this field with these women. There is safety in community, that is the reason, we have Church service, Cell group, Prayer walk, CBR. There is safety in a community.

Have you eaten a banana from a branch? You must first detach it, remove it and then eat it. Satan, always tries to detach you from the body of Christ, isolate you. If you are not being part of anything, which we have in Church / body of Christ, it is like you are detaching yourselves, which is dangerous. Boaz gave Ruth Protection. Church gives us protection.

3. Boaz also gave Ruth Provision

Besides offering Ruth a Place, He also offered physical protection. Boaz also offered her provision of refreshment in Verse 9

And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.”

Did Ruth deserve this, No? it was all because of Grace and favour of God.

One thing, we should notice from Ruth is that she knew her place, she knew who she was and never presumed. When Boaz treated her with such a favour, Ruth said in Verse 10

¹⁰ At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favour in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?”

We love to be with such type of people, you do little for them, but they look at it as a big favour. But there are a few people, whom you do a favour, and they feel that it is their right? They never even bother to say thank you. But Ruth was not like that.

Put yourself in Ruth’s position, and if Boaz wanted to do such favour for us. We may think, what he is up to? Most of us take favour as granted instead of feeling gratitude inside. It is Pride, we think that we deserve it, I deserve it, I own it and will fight for my rights. That is a forgotten Favour. Boaz also offered her a meal. If your CEO offers a meal with him, what will be your attitude?

¹⁴ At mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar.” When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain.

What a prophetic verse !!, Boaz offered Bread and Wine. Jesus came 2000 years ago, and he gave his broken body and shed his blood for the forgiveness of our sins. Boaz also offered roasted grain, In the same way that Jesus became a burnt offering on behalf of us. Will we take him as the bread of our life?

Church, God not only blesses us, but he blesses us in abundance. In verse 14

She ate all she wanted and had some left over.

The attitude was, I am blessed and let me bless others. All that she received was only because of favour and unmerited Grace. Similarly, Jesus did it for us.

4. Boaz not only gave her Provision, he gave Ruth in plenty. In verse 15

¹⁵ As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, “Let her gather among the sheaves and don’t reprimand her. ¹⁶ Even pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don’t rebuke her.”

Let us not think that she got it from a charity. They purposely dropped it.

It is the Same way God works for us. He engineers things to bless us. The funny thing is that, when we are blessed, we think we were so clever, and that is the reason I am in this place, this position and others did not get it. Forgotten Grace? We forget that there is someone watching over us. There is someone who is dropping purposely things for us to pick up. When you pickup, don’t forget that it was NOT your ability but it was God’s generosity. Someone is watching over us. He is a giver of Grace and favour. Have you been blessed by God in recently? Let us thank God for it.

In the entire chapter 2, we read all about God’s favour.

One day of favour is more than 6 hours of labour.

If we have favour of God, our family can be established, our business can be established, our church can be established.

Four things on “How can we attract the favour of God?”

1. Develop a Submissive Attitude / Spirit. (Humble Spirit)

Ruth developed it from her mother in law. she always asked permission from Naomi.

If you want to attract the favour of God, submit to authorities which God has placed over you, it may be your parent, husband, teachers, Government, our Pastors etc.

James writes this – God opposes the proud but gives Grace to the humble. If we have a submissive spirit, it attracts God’s favour. Whenever we read from the bible, where ‘x’ has found favour, the secret for the same was all about submission. (Even Nehemiah says, “only if it pleases the king”). Develop a Submissive spirit. If you are a boss and you want to promote an employee. Whom you are going to promote? Is it someone who want to do something his own way, own time or is it someone who can flow with the team in a mutual submission.

If our church wants to give a leadership position, Are we are not going to go for a lone ranger, who wants to do things in his own way or are we going to give it to someone who works with the leadership, and understands the church vision? we will look for someone who has a submissive spirit , who will work with us, as a team.

Some points on Submission:

Submission gives me the ability to deny myself.

It helps me to put aside my own interest for the sake of others.

We will let go our own rights for the rights of others.

The decision of submission will set us free, big things will look small for us because we are ok to let it go. If we don’t have submission, we will not let it go, we will fight till the end. (Two church members fighting for a parking lot, both don’t want to let it go. What can we say then?)

Sometimes, we must let it go even if we are right. Free to let it go for the sake of Christ and acknowledging that God is in control of it.

If we submit to only what we like, it is no longer submission. The real test of submission is to submit when we don’t like it.

Obedience and Submission is two different things. Obedience is an action, submission is an attitude. You can obey without submitting or submitting without obeying. (A child was asked by the teacher to go and sit on the last bench. She goes angrily and sits on the last bench, but she says to herself, Teacher you may think that I am sitting here in the last bench but in my heart, I am still standing)

God is looking for both Obedience and Submission from us.

2. Know your place and stay there.

Ruth never forgot her place. She knew her place, but Boaz noticed her. She stayed in her place till God lifted her. Do we have the same attitude?

We see Children want to become Parents, member trying to be pastors, employee trying to be bosses, men trying to become women, women trying to become men. If we don’t know our place, it is very dangerous. We can lose God’s favour, if we try to step out from our place. Don’t compete with others. God will lift you up in his time.

3. Show Grace and Kindness to others as well.

¹¹ Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before.

Ruth showed kindness to Naomi. It is important to show kindness to others in order to receive it back.

4. Seek refuge under God’s wings.

² May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.

To end, God has placed many Boaz in our lives, i.e. when we receive unmerited Grace / favour through them. Do we acknowledge it? Jesus our true Boaz died on the cross for us and paid for all our sins, do we acknowledge it?  Come under his wings.

                                                                                                       Virjil Selvan is Pastoring the New Hope Community.

The New Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel. We can confidently share that New Hope Community is a Church in Kamothe, Church in Khandeshwar, Church in Khanda Colony, Church in Panvel, Church in New Panvel because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.

Commitment that Clings- Courtesy Benny Ho

We are doing a series on the Book of Ruth. The name of the series is “FULLNESS THROUGH FAITH” by Benny HO. Benny Ho is a renowned Bible teacher, now serving as the Senior Pastor of Faith Community Church in Perth, Western Australia

Today is the second week of this series and we will be looking on “Commitment that Clings” from the book of Ruth chapter 1 :7-22

Read Ruth 1: 7 – 22

7 With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah.

8 Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me. 9 May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.”

Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept aloud 10 and said to her, “We will go back with you to your people.”

11 But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? 12 Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— 13 would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord’s hand has turned against me!”

14 At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.

15 “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.”

16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.

19 So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?”

20 “Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. 21 I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”

22 So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning.

Commitment comes with a price. An illustration of David Livingstone was in a mission field, and the council said that “Men to help him will come if there are new roads, but Livingstone replied that, “if they would come only if there are good roads, then they need not come. I am looking for men who would come even when there are no roads.” This is true commitment. Commitment comes with a price. A Moabite woman who is committed to pay the price in the account of Israel’s history. It’s a picture of commitment of someone who clings.

Scene 1 opens with pain of hopelessness: Picture 3 sad widows. Hope that is deferred makes the heart sink, longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Naomi knew that she cannot allow her hope defer and make her a prisoner.

They were walking down the road for 10 years. They were not sure what could come next. They have been bereaved, with a heavy heart they were walking down this road.

“Finding rest in another man’s home.” The plight of widows – Naomi’s concern was that her 2 daughter- in- laws need to get remarried, because women during that time did not have rights of their own. It brings pictures of loneliness, insecurities. They need to survive; therefore they get married. It’s an issue of survival also.

The intensity of her prayer, when Naomi prays this prayer, “May God show kindness to you shows God’s covenant love.” She prayed with great identification. She’s in the same situation as they were, infact, worse, because she’s old and couldn’t remarry.  The prayer that she prays ‘Kindness’ speaks of God’s covenant love. Even though we are not faithful, God will remain faithful. Naomi’s plea is physical more than spiritual. This God of providence that we serve has other plans.

Scene 2 begins with a gesture of good bye. Critical moment, this is a point where each one would cry. Naomi dissuaded them from following her. She says, “ Let me remind you of something, I have no more sons of my own to carry on the lineage. I have no hope of remarriage. Even if I remarry, you cannot possibly wait for my children to grow up and marry you. You have little chance of remarrying, because no Jewish man will marry you because you are Moabite. Who knows what God will do next, to me, if you follow me”, because in her mind the Lord has dealt with her bitterly? With all these negatives, Orpah kissed her Mother- in – Law good bye. Orpah means, the back of her neck. True to her name she turned the back of her neck and turned away. Ruth clung to Naomi. Ruth means friendship. She was a true friend who stuck closer than a brother, who did not leave her desolated Mother – In – Law. She cleaved to her Mother-In-Law, like a husband and a wife. It’s a very strong commitment. Naomi became more negative and said, “look your Sister -In-Law is going, you too carry on with her.” But this is what provoked Ruth to make the following statement. The words were so beautiful that it is often read in wedding ceremonies. These words typify the relationship that we have with Lord Jesus. Ruth 1: 16, 17.

There are 3 declarations that Ruth makes:

1. She declared her love for Naomi.
2. She has declared her identification with the Jewish people.
3. She has declared her faith in Jehovah God.

She addressed God with 2 terms, Elohim, i.e. the creator God. Secondly, she addresses God as Lord, i.e. Yahweh. This signifies that there was faith already birthed inside of her towards this God. She is taking on the covenantal name of God for herself and she’s literally telling people that this God is now my God. When Naomi realized that Ruth will not deter, this was the first step of Ruth towards her destiny towards what God had for her. Choosing God above her identity, clan, country and choosing God above every hope of future marriage. She’s giving up everything to follow this God. That’s commitment. She’s also ready to become a second class citizen. Deuteronomy 22: 3. God doesn’t allow a Moabite to even enter the Assembly of God. She’ll always be a Moabite, but she was prepared to be treated as a second class citizen. Just so that she would be with her Mother In Law, even though it means permanent exclusion. The question is, how can then Ruth be a part of the people that she adopted? The answer, is by completely trusting in the grace and mercy of God.

The law may exclude us but the grace will include us. Ephesians 2: 12 – 13. All of us are like Ruth. We don’t belong to the Jewish branch at all. But God by His grace tore down the veil that divides between Jews and gentiles, between sinners and a holy God. Through the blood of Jesus he made peace with us. So that we who were once far away, will be brought near to Him. In the Genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matt 4, there are only 5 women mentioned, and out of that 4 were not supposed to be there. They don’t deserve to be there. Who are they?

1. Tamar: committed incest with her Father-In-Law
2. Rahab: A Gentile prostitute.
3. Bathsheba: Committed adultery with David, wife of Uriah
4. Ruth: Moabitess

They are there only by grace and providence of God. But one thing they had in common was commitment.

Scene 3: Begins with the pain of hopelessness and commitment. We have 2 sad widows walking down the road. Probably, Naomi gave Ruth basic instructions of the Jewish culture and faith. Or perhaps they just engaged in their own private thoughts as they ponder on the uncertainties of their new life. The quietness was broken as soon as they stepped into the city. As soon as they entered the city, there was stirring that took place. Chapter 1: 19. It was the time of the Barley harvest, maybe all the men were in the harvest field and all women were left behind. Therefore, it is the women who started talking, since the men were not around. So the women started exclaiming, “Can this be Naomi?” Perhaps there was a look of despair on their (Naomi and Ruth) faces. Maybe, they had a haggard look after all the trouble. They knew that she left with her husband and 2 sons but now all that is left is her daughter- in- law. Therefore they started asking, can this be Naomi? Because the word Naomi means pleasant, delightful. Can this be delightful? Could this be pleasant? Therefore, Naomi responded to them, saying “don’t call me Naomi, call me Maarah. The almighty has brought this misfortune upon me.” Maarah means bitter. Ten difficult years might have taken a toll on Naomi’s look, her personality. She was not becoming better but, she was becoming bitter. What was her perspective at this point of her journey? What was her perspective in vs.20, vs 21,. Her source of bitterness is, that she literally blamed God for all of her trials. She never saw that it was the Moabic decision that started the whole chain of events. All she could see was that it was God who did all these things to me. Many times, we go through the same thing, we mess our life up, then in the end we say God did this to me, how can God allow this to happen to me. We never take responsibility for our own actions, behavior and decision. Twice she called him the almighty, El Shaddai. She called him an all-powerful one. Twice she acknowledged him as Lord. Yahweh, the Lord. It’s one thing to know God’s name and it’s another thing to trust in his name, in both good times as well as bad.

Psalm 9: 10. If you know his name, then trust in Him, for you Lord have never forsaken those who seek you. From Naomi’s perspective, she has an empty home, empty hand and an empty heart. Everything is gone. What she didn’t keep into account was that she had a covenant keeping God, who was still watching over her, who would remain faithful to her even though she was not faithful to him. Naomi says I went back full but I came back empty. However, that’s not completely true, she returned to Israel with two things

1. Her daughter in law
2. When the barley harvest was beginning.

She did not quite return back home empty. She returned with her daughter -in-law, a woman who sought God, who trusted God and secondly, she returned to a God of Providence, who was still with her. Who brought her back to Judah at the right time, during Barley Harvest. She was brought back by the providence of God during Spring time. Springtime is a season of new beginnings.

With God there’s always a time of new beginning.

Hosea 2: 14 – 16:

Gomer was very unfaithful towards Hosea but, he again and again went and brought her back and kept loving her. It’s like this relationship is played out with God and Israel. This is played out by Hosea and Gomer as well. Israel was unfaithful to God just like Gomer. It would have been very easy for God to reject Israel, and same with Hosea. But God says, “I will allure her. I will call her, I will attract her, I will draw her to myself again, then I will speak tenderly to her. I will whisper to her my voice of love. I will return her inheritance. Her vineyard, I’ll give back to her. In the mind of God, he’ll not give up on the one he loves.”

Have we been unfaithful to God like Naomi or Gomer? God will remain faithful to us. He’s a covenant keeping God. This God can change our valley of darkness / trouble into a valley of hope. Every week, his word allures us to his presence, to be betrothed to God once again. If he lures us and we listen to his voice, we come from dessert to oasis. He’ll take us to a place of solitude.

He’s constantly luring us, so that he can turn our valley of trouble into a dawn of hope. This is our God of providence that you and I serve.

Whatever Moabite decisions we have made, he is able to turn things around. Turn our trouble into a dawn of hope.

                                                                                                                                                          -Sandra wife of Virjil .   The New Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel. We can confidently share that New Hope Community is a Church in Kamothe, Church in Khandeshwar, Church in Khanda Colony, Church in Panvel, Church in New Panvel because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.

Decision determines Destiny – Courtesy Benny Ho

When I was preparing for this sermon, it was so powerful, and it is so powerful now that I can’t express. I am blessed to have Jesus as my friend in my life.

We are doing a series on the Book of Ruth. The Series name is “FULLNESS THROUGH FAITH” by Benny HO. Benny Ho is a renowned Bible teacher, now serving as the Senior Pastor of Faith Community Church in Perth, Western Australia

Today is the first week of this series and we will be looking on “Decision determines destiny” from the book of Ruth chapter 1 :1-5

Benjamin Franklin one of the founding fathers of united states once met with all the intellectual scholars and most of them were secular .Benjamin started reading  a story and after he completed reading it ,others were amazed with the story and  they asked Benjamin ,which book is it? he said it is the book from the bible called Ruth.

The book of Ruth is full of excitement, suspense and a good ending. It starts with Despair but ends with Delight.

Let us read from the book of Ruth chapter 1:1-5

1 In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. 2 The man’s name was Elimelek, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.

3 Now Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4 They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband

The book of Ruth begins with a famine and we need to ask ourselves “why this famine?” Let us look from the previous book, last chapter i.e. from the book of Judges chapter 21 :25

25 In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.

Even we are living in a time like this, where everyone wants to do as they wish.

What does the Bible talk about Famine?

Deuteronomy 11:16-17

16 Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them. 17 Then the Lord’s anger will burn against you, and he will shut up the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will yield no produce, and you will soon perish from the good land the Lord is giving you.

So there was a Famine in the land because everyone did as they desired and the Lord may have shut up the heavens, so that there will be no rain.

During this time Elimelek, with his wife Naomi, and his two sons Mahlon and Kilion left Bethlem and went to Moab for a while. So Elimelek left Bethlem and moved to Moab.

It is quite interesting to know the meaning of Bethlem and Moab

Bethlehem means the “House of Bread” and Moab was always against Israel. We will learn more about Moab as we move on.

It was not a good idea to leave the land which was promised by God and live in enemy territory; and moving from one place to another has its own challenges, leaving your extended family, friends etc.

Why Elimelek wanted to do leave Bethlehem?

Name reflects the character of a person. Elimelek means “God his King”, Mahlon means “Sickly” & Kilion means “Poorly”.

Probably, because of their sickness Elimelek wanted to leave Bethlehem and go to Moab.

But his decision was to stay in Moab only for a while, however, it turned out to be 10 years and we see that in Ruth verse 1:1

1 In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab

And in Ruth verse 1:4

4 They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years

It was Elimelek’s decision to go to a place to provide for the family and survive from the famine, for a while, but they stayed there for 10 years.

Mark 8:35 states

35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.

It was during that time Elimelek and his two sons died, Ruth 1:5

5 both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.

So, what’s wrong in having a desire to survive? Do we know how the Moabites came into existence?

The daughters of Lot committed incest with their father since they were getting old and they were worried about extending their family and this is how the entire community of Moab came into existence.

In Genesis 19:36,37 we read:

36 So both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their father. 37 The older daughter had a son, and she named him Moab; he is the father of the Moabites of today.

 

It was a simple human decision also supported by reasoning. It was just to do things their way than God’s way. It speaks about those who walk in flesh than in spirit.

Human Reasoning is about bringing all the probability together and then taking decisions .

We cannot make decisions using our human reasoning and understanding.

Elimelek did not allow God to take decision and instead he took his decision looking at the situation.

Church , “DECISION DETERMINES OUR DESTINY” Whenever there is a Famine, we need to ask God , “why this famine?” Church, famine is only for a season.

 

In the Bible, other people also faced famine like Abraham, he also went to Egypt because of famine.

In Genesis 12, we see that Abraham lied that Sarah is his sister. And we also see that Abraham and Sarah decided that they will have children through their handmaid Hagar and the new community  of Ishmael came into existence.

But God’s promise was not through Hagar, it was through Sarah , to fulfil his plans.

The problem with Elimelek and Abraham was they asked a wrong question in midst of crisis

They asked, how to get out of it, instead asking why this famine?

David also faced Famine, in 2 Samuel 21

21 During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the Lord. The Lord said, “It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death.”

In verse 21 , David sought the face of the Lord and the Lord answered him.

Then David started rectifying issues , and in Verse 14 we see a breakthrough

14 They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land.

We need to ask the right question, rather being upset about the situation. Why is this happening? Why are things changing?

 

How to avoid the attitude of Moab ?

Human Reasoning , an attitude of Moab to take situations under ones control is DANGEROUS.

Walk by faith not by sight:

In the time of crisis, we tend to take situations under our control, we all do it, but the result can be dangerous. In the time of crisis, we tend to take decisions which are not good.

We start compromising with our values for short term benefits.

Focus on Spiritual more than Physical

Faith is NOT denying the facts.

Abraham knew that he was old, and he can’t reproduce. So, Abraham can’t deny that he is NOT old.

If we are sick, we can’t deny that we are not sick.

Faith is NOT denying the facts, but facing the truth of God’s word, which overrules the facts.

Think long term, not short term

Elimelek provided for his family for 10 years, but he went far away from God’s plan.

If you are serving God but at the same time you want all the comfort and want to become popular ,it will not help.

Seek God’s kingdom first. It is a single choice. When there are multiple options ,we get confused.

 

When Jesus was tempted (turning the stone into bread) it was more of a physical test, than a spiritual test.

Following Jesus is more of choosing spiritual decisions than human reasoning.

Think from a long term perspective not short term.

Short term gains are of huge benefit but it is dangerous and short lived.

                                                                                                        Virjil Selvan is Pastoring the New Hope Community. .

The New Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel. We can confidently share that New Hope Community is a Church in Kamothe, Church in Khandeshwar, Church in Khanda Colony, Church in Panvel, Church in New Panvel because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.

Evangelism: God wants us to influence the people we have relationships with. It’s never as difficult in reality as it seems in our minds.
A witness is someone who by explanation and demonstration gives audible and visible evidence of what he has seen and heard without being deterred by the consequences of his action. S. Briscoe, Getting Into God, p. 76
Why should we evangelize?
1. It is commanded Mathew 28
2. To open the eyes of the blind
3. To be the hands and feet of Jesus
4. To rescue God’s children from the schemes of the enemy
5. To help people understand that they have a saviour
How will it benefit?
1. There’s rejoicing in heaven
2. We have a reward in heaven
3. We are partners and co heirs in God’s Kingdom
Evangelism is a need of the hour. We need to go out into the world and speak the truth. There are many perishing, many who need the Lord, because they just can’t go on. Also, there are those, who are too good to be unknown to Salvation.
Can we recall, the day, and time that we accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour. It’s a foggy memory I believe, but there was someone who took interest. It is not because we ran after them but they lovingly pursued us. We are grateful for this person who spoke into our life.
What Evangelism is NOT?
1. It is not conversion
2. It is not Charity
3. It is not changing religion for internal benefits
4. Whom to tell the good news?
5. Everyone, All nations
How Paul Witnessed

Source unknown
As a Christian, do you know how to communicate the message of Christ to the different audiences you encounter? Or do you use the same old formula time after time, no matter who is listening? For that matter, do you remain silent when you have the opportunity to speak up for Christ, because you simply don’t know what to say?
Paul had no pre-packaged gospel message. He varied his approach with the situation. He was as aware of the differences between his audiences as he was of the content of his faith. Acts records numerous encounters, among them:
(1) Jews in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:14-43). Paul reviewed the history of the Jewish faith, summarizing it from the Old Testament (vv. 17-22). He told how that history led to Jesus (vv. 23-37).He pointed out his audience’s need to accept Jesus as their Messiah (vv. 38-41). He responded to their resistance by clearly explaining the alternative (vv. 46-48).
Result: Many chose to follow the way of Christ (v. 43). Others reacted negatively and opposed Paul (v. 45).Troublemakers incited city leaders to persecute Paul and his companions (v. 50).
(2) Intellectuals at Athens (17:16-33). Paul prepared by observing and reflecting on their culture (v. 16). He addressed them on their own turf, the Areopagus (vv. 19, 22). He established common ground, beginning with what was familiar and meaningful to them (vv. 22-23a, 28). He bridged to a description of God as the Creator and sustainer of life, distinguishing Him from the pagan idols that the Athenians worshiped (vv. 23b-29). He challenged them to repentance and appealed to the resurrection of Christ as proof that what he was telling them was true (vv. 30-31).
Result: Some mocked (v. 32). Some wanted to hear more (v. 32). Some believed (vv. 34-35).
(3) An angry mob in Jerusalem (21:27-22:21). Paul built a bridge by reminding them of his own Jewish heritage (21:30). He reminded them that he, too, had once detested Jesus’ followers; in fact, he had persecuted them (22:4-5). He explained the process by which he had changed his mind and joined a movement that he once opposed (vv. 6-17).
Result: Already at fever pitch (21:27-30), the crowd erupted violently, demanding Paul’s death (22:22-23).
(4) High officials in a Roman court (26:1-32). Paul described his religious heritage (vv. 4-5). He related his view of his opponents’ charges against him (vv. 6-8). He recalled his previous opposition to Jesus’ followers (vv. 9-11). He recounted his own life-changing encounter with Christ (vv. 12-19). He explained the fundamentals of Jesus’ message and the implications for his non-Jewish listeners (vv. 20-23).
Result: The rulers listened carefully (vv. 24, 31-32). They challenged his application of the gospel to them (vv. 24, 28). They passed him on in the Roman judicial process, thereby foiling a Jewish plot against him (vv. 31-21).
The gospel itself is forever the same, but as Christ’s followers we are called to shape our message to fit our various audiences. How do your co-workers and friends differ from each other? What effect should that have on your life and message for them? What aspects of the good news would they most likely respond to? Do you know how they view faith? Why not ask them; before you speak?
What do we do when they don’t listen?
1. Pray
2. Ask God to intervene
3. We all play different roles in their life, probably, someone else will get to see the fruit. Let’s persevere till the end. We are all responsible, not only the pastor
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.7So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.8The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Cor 3: 6
Abraham interceded for Sodom and Gomorrah, he pleaded with God to spare the whole city if there are minimum 10 people. He could do that because he had an intimate relationship with God. Evangelism involves my relationship with God before I go out and introduce Jesus to others.
Hold Up the Light

Moody’s Anecdotes, p. 44

I remember hearing of a man at sea who was very sea-sick. If there is a time when a man feels that he cannot do any work for the Lord it is then; in my opinion. While this man was sick he heard that a man had fallen overboard. He was wondering if he could do anything to help to save him. He laid hold of a light, and held it up on the port-hole.
The drowning man was saved. When this man got over his attack of sickness he was up on deck one day, and was talking to the man who was rescued. The saved man gave this testimony. He said he had gone down the second time, and was just going down again for the last time, when he put out his hand. Just then, he said, someone held a light at the porthole, and the light fell on his hand. A man caught him by the hand and pulled him into the lifeboat.
It seemed a small thing to do to hold up the light; yet it saved the man’s life. If you cannot do some great thing you can hold the light for some poor, perishing drunkard, who may be won to Christ and delivered from destruction. Let us take the torch of salvation and go into these dark homes, and hold up Christ to the people as the Savior of the world.

                                                                                                                                            -Sandra wife of Virjil .

 

The New Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel.

We can confidently share that New Hope Community is a Church in Kamothe, Church in Khandeshwar, Church in Khanda Colony, Church in Panvel because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.

Welcome to New Hope Community. We can call ourselves NHC. Till last week we were calling ourselves PC2C (Panvel City 2 City) and today we are NHC. We believe in a God who is sovereign.

This new name and the Vision did not come in a single day, it took time, it took prayers, it took efforts, multiple interactions with our church members ,as well as other church leaders & most importantly hearing from God. Our Cluster head, Joemon Joseph’s involvement made it happen.

When God changes a name and gives a new name, it was usually to establish a new identity.

The Bible doesn’t give us reasons, but perhaps it was to let them know they were destined for a new mission in life. The new name was a way to reveal the divine plan and to assure them that God’s plan would be fulfilled through them.

New Hope is the message of the Cross i.e.  John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Our vision is “To transform the city with a New Hope”. Bringing New Hope to the city through the message of the Cross.

It is a new identity, a divine plan from God that we are destined for a new mission in our life and God’s plan will be fulfilled in this City / future Cities through this Community i.e. through us.

God fulfilled his divine plan throughout the bible with a new name and identity, for a new Mission.

Abram’s to Abraham.

Jacob to Israel.

Saul to Paul.

Simon to Peter.

 

God has called us and has entrusted us as a New Hope Community to carry this great responsibility to transform this City

We as a community should know where we are going and where God is leading us, so now what?

City is the most influential place in a state, it is basically the heart of the state. Therefore, our vision is to transform the city with a New Hope.

But how will the city be influenced?

1. Reach out to the influential places (Educational Institutes, Townships, Conduct awareness Sessions etc). I believe that God is calling our community out there. One important thing, we should keep in mind, that we should not be selfish, we should not look at people expecting them to join our church. We should look at people and invest in such a way that they will be influencers, wherever they go with a New Hope.
2. Prayer: Prayer Transforms city, we need to raise prayer warriors in our community, who will intercede for our city.
3. Change of mindset: From slaves to build a city (like the Israelites). God changed the mindset of the Israelites, they thought of themselves as slaves, but God called them to inherit and build the city of Canaan. We need to look beyond of what we see today.
4. Giving: We need to be a cheerful giver.
5. Cell groups: New Mumbai, has huge number of townships, if we have one cell group in one township, we can reach out to 200 + families. It is a very unique feature which we don’t find in Mumbai.

God calls everyone for the work of his kingdom in some way or other. In Matthew 9: 37-38

37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

We will look from the life of two people, one from the bible and the other not from the bible but both heard and acknowledged their call.

 

1. Moses: A fearful man.

God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery to the promised land. He was a very fearful man.

Exodus 6:30

30 But Moses said to the Lord, “Since I speak with faltering lips, why would Pharaoh listen to me?”

He even told God that “I can’t” but as we know the rest was history. He led millions of people from Egypt to the land of Canaan. What did he do?

Walked in faith:

Moses led the Israelites to the land of Canaan. Even before they defeated the Canaanites, God already promised that he has given that land to the Israelites. Even for us, we must walk in faith that New Hope Community will transform in and around the city of Panvel.

Experienced Supernatural:

During the entire journey from Egypt to Canaan, the Israelites experienced the supernatural hand of God, they experienced miracles which was very rare. In this walk, as a church, we must expect Supernatural.

Encountered Challenges:

Moses faced lot of challenges, but God was Sovereign and was in control of everything. We must expect challenges, but our God is Victorious.

 

2. George muller: Orphanages built by Prayer.

“The children are dressed and ready for school. But there is no food for them to eat,” the housemother of the orphanage informed George Mueller. George asked her to take the 300 children into the dining room and have them sit at the tables. He thanked God for the food and waited. George knew God would provide food for the children as he always did. Within minutes, a baker knocked on the door. “Mr. Mueller,” he said, “last night I could not sleep. Somehow, I knew that you would need bread this morning. I got up and baked three batches for you. I will bring it in.”

Soon, there was another knock at the door. It was the milkman. His cart had broken down in front of the orphanage. The milk would spoil by the time the wheel was fixed. He asked George if he could use some free milk. George smiled as the milkman brought in ten large cans of milk. It was just enough for the 300 thirsty children.

This was George Muller, A man of Prayer. Many or almost all the battles are won by Prayers.

It has been more than 165 years, since George Mueller took in his first orphan. His vision continues today as Christians around the world are inspired by his faith to depend on God to meet their needs and the needs of helpless children.

New Hope community can transform the city on our knees.

                                                                                                        -Virjil Selvan is Pastoring the New Hope Community.                          The New Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel.

We can confidently share that New Hope Community is a Church in Kamothe, Church in Khandeshwar, Church in Khanda Colony, Church in Panvel because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.