You Don't Know Who's Watching You

YOU ARE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK – YOU DON'T KNOW WHO'S WATCHING YOU

Main Text: Ruth 1:6-18 & Ruth 2:1-12 (AMP)

GOD IS NOT GOING TO ASK YOU TO DO WHAT HE HAS NOT EQUIPPED YOU FOR

GOD IS NOT GOING TO ASK YOU TO DO SOMETHING OUTSIDE OF YOUR ABILITY TO PERFORM

GOD WILL NEVER ASK YOU TO DO SOMETHING THAT HE HAS EMPOWERED YOU TO DO

GOD WILL NOT ASK YOU TO DO WHAT HE DOESN'T ALREADY KNOW THE END OF IT

• What God Has Called He Has Equipped FOR
• Remind Yourself That You're Just A Vessel Being Used by God

Let's Review who you are in Christ:

Genesis 1:26 (AMP) Then God said, "Let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) make man in Our image, according to Our likeness [not physical, but a spiritual personality and moral likeness]; and let them have complete authority

Psalms 139:14 (AMP) I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.

Psalm 82:6 (AMP) I said, "You are gods; Indeed, all of you are sons of the Most High

John 10:34 (AMP) Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I said, you are gods [human judges representing God, not divine beings]'?

Today we will be talking about a woman name Ruth, who went from poverty to prosperity based on a few key moves.

Ruth couldn't know how close she was to her breakthrough

• Ruth was married to Naomi's son
• Naomi husband died and Ruth husband died
• Ruth decided to stay with her mother in law

Naomi Widowed - all died in a 10 year time period

Ruth 1:6-8 (AMP) Then she set out with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in Moab how the Lord had taken care of His people [of Judah] in giving them food. So she left the place where she was living, her two daughters-in-law with her, and they started on the way back to the land of Judah. But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go back, each of you return to your mother's house. May the Lord show kindness to you as you have shown kindness to the dead and to me.

• 1st Go Back
• Even in her desperate situation, Naomi had a selfless attitude.

Ruth 1:9-11 (AMP) May the Lord grant that you find rest, each one in the home of her husband." Then she kissed them [goodbye], and they wept aloud. And they said to her, "No, we will go with you to your people [in Judah]." But Naomi said, "Go back, my daughters, why should you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb that may become your husbands?

• The 2nd go back

Ruth 1:12-13 (AMP) Go back, my daughters, go, for I am too old to have a husband. If I said I have hope, and if I actually had a husband tonight and even gave birth to sons, would you wait until they were grown? Would you go without marrying? No, my daughters; for it is much more difficult for me than for you, because the Lord's hand has gone against me."

• A.3rd go back
• Because Naomi had no other sons for Ruth or Orpah to marry, she encouraged them to remain in their homeland and remarry other men.
• Orpah agreed, which was her right. But Ruth was willing to give up the possibility of security and children in order to care for Naomi.

Ruth's Commitment

Ruth 1:14-15 (AMP) Then they wept aloud again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law [goodbye], but Ruth clung to her. Then Naomi said, "Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; turn back and follow your sister-in-law."

• 4th go back

Ruth 1:16-17 (AMP) But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or to turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people will be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord do the same to me [as He has done to you], and more also, if anything but death separates me from you."

• Ruth was a Moabite woman, but that didn't stop her from worshiping the true God, nor did it stop God from accepting her worship and blessing her greatly.
• God accepts all who worship him; he works through people regardless of their race, sex, or status.
• Although Ruth belonged to a people often despised by Israel, she was blessed because of her faithfulness.
• She became a great-grandmother of King David and a direct ancestor of Jesus.
• No one should feel disqualified to serve God.
• And God can use every circumstance to build his Kingdom.

7-Fold Consecration of Ruth

Consecration means "setting apart" a person, as well as a building or object, for God.

• Her plea not to be hindered: intreat me not to leave you, or to return from following after you v 16
• Where you go, I will go
• Where you lodge, I will lodge
• Your people shall be my people
• Your God shall be my God
• Where you die, I will die, and here will I be buried v17
• Jehovah do so to me, and more also, if anything but death separate us

Mary

Luke 1:38 (AMP) Then Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word." And the angel left her.

John 10:18 (NLT) No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded."

Ruth 1:18 (AMP) When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more.

• Ruth had a willingness to adjust to strange land and people
• This was a defining moment
• Ruth was in covenant with Naomi

IF YOU CAN MAKE WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO GOD IMPORTANT TO YOU, GOD WILL MAKE WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU, IMPORTANT TO HIM

Matthew 6:33 (AMP) But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

Ruth Meets Boaz

Ruth 2:1 (AMP) Now Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a man of wealth, of the family of E-li-mel-ech, whose name was Boaz.

• A relative of her husband
• Boaz was a mighty man of wealth, he was of the tribe of Judah, in the line of the Messiah

Ruth 2:2 (AMP) And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor. Naomi said to her, Go, my daughter.

• This is the 2nd Defining Moment

How Ruth Maximized the Moment

A. Ruth had a Plan- Go to the field and work B. Ruth had a Purpose- find favor C. Ruth put herself in Position- Are you in place to be blessed D. Plan, Purpose, Position E. When the wheat and barley were ready to be harvested, reapers were hired to cut down the stalks and tie them into bundles.

• Another word for favor is grace
• The best way to predict your future is to speak it
• Then she spoke right

Job 22:28 (AMP) "You will also decide and decree a thing, and it will be established for you; And the light [of God's favor] will shine upon your ways.

2 Corinthians 4:13 (AMP) Yet we have the same spirit of faith as he had, who wrote in Scripture, "I believed, therefore I spoke." We also believe, therefore we also speak,

Proverbs 18:21 (AMP) Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.

• Remember before you can manifest you must first confess
• Remember, we create our world with our words

Ruth Takes Initiative

Ruth 2:3 (AMP) And [Ruth] went and gleaned in a field after the reapers; and she happened to stop at the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.

A. Instead of depending on Naomi or waiting for good fortune to happen, she took the initiative. B. She went to work. C. She was not afraid of admitting her need or working hard to supply it. D. If you are waiting for God to provide, consider this; He may be waiting for you to take the first step to demonstrate just how important your need is.

James 2:20 (AMP) But are you willing to recognize, you foolish [spiritually shallow] person, that faith without [good] works is useless?

Boaz Notices Ruth

Ruth 2:4-7 (AMP) And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem and said to the reapers, The Lord be with you! And they answered him, The Lord bless you! Then Boaz said to his servant who was set over the reapers, Whose maiden is this? And the servant set over the reapers answered, She is the Moabitish girl who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves. So she came and has continued from early morning until now, except when she rested a little in the house.

• For whatever reason Ruth stood out

A. Ruth's task, though menial, tiring, and perhaps degrading, was done faithfully. B. What is your attitude when the task you have been given is not up to your true potential? C. The task at hand may be all you can do, or it may be the work God wants you to do, for now D. Or, as in Ruth's case, it may be a test of your character that can open up new doors of opportunity.

Philippians 4:11-13 (AMP) Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances. I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]

Boaz Blesses Ruth

Ruth 2:8-9 (AMP) Then Boaz said to Ruth, Listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but stay here close by my maidens. Watch which field they reap, and follow them. Have I not charged the young men not to molest you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn.

Ruth 2:8-9 (MSG) Ruth took the initiative to provide for herself and Naomi, even though the situation could have been dangerous. There are times when tough work with little rest is our only option. Boaz noticed Ruth's tenacity. In fact, he was so impressed with Ruth that he let her follow directly behind his harvesters in order to pick up the choicest grain that they dropped. Ruth probably chose this field to gather grain randomly, but God knew exactly which field would lead her to cross paths with Boaz. And Ruth had to do her part as well. Had she considered herself too proud or embarrassed to work in the fields, accepting the charity of someone else, she would have missed the opportunity to meet Boaz, which would change her life and give her the honor of becoming the ancestor of a king and the Messiah.

Ruth's Reward

Ruth 2:10-12 (AMP) Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, Why have I found favor in your eyes that you should notice me, when I am a foreigner? And Boaz said to her, I have been made fully aware of all you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and mother and the land of your birth and have come to a people unknown to you before. The Lord recompense you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under Whose wings you have come to take refuge!

A. Boaz pronounced a blessing on her B. Ruth's life exhibited admirable qualities: she was hard working, loving, kind, faithful, and brave. C. These qualities gained her a good reputation, but only because she displayed them consistently in all areas of her life. D. Wherever Ruth went or whatever she did, her character remained the same. E. Your reputation is formed by the people who watch you at work, in town, at home, in church.

WISDOM KEYS

WISDOM KEY #1 - God Will Provide

Luke 16:10-12 (AMP) "If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people's things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?

WISDOM KEY #2 - God Will Promote

Psalms 75:6-7 For not from the east nor from the west nor from the south come promotion and lifting up. But God is the Judge! He puts down one and lifts up another.

• RUTH didn't allow her disposition to change mental condition

Romans 8:28 (AMP) And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.

James 1:2-4 (AMP) Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.

Example: The Richest Place on Earth

"The richest place on the earth is not the diamond mines of South Africa or the gold caches of Ecuador. It is not the oil fields of Saudi Arabia, or in the uranium excavations of the Balkans. Neither is it in the mineral deposits of the Dead Sea.

No, the richest plot of land on this planet is in your very own neighborhood. You might even have passed by it this morning.

It's the cemetery.

That's right! The graveyard is the wealthiest place in all of creation. Beneath those rectangular pieces of sod lie countless unsung melodies and unwritten poems. The grassy plots overflow with brilliant ideas that could have transformed entire communities, rehabilitated the lost and borne hope to the weary. Our burial grounds reek with unattained successes and unrealized dreams."

These are things that could have been done but couldn't because people couldn't bring their dreams to realization.

Discussion Questions

1. Naomi told Ruth to "go back" four times, yet Ruth remained committed. When has God tested your commitment by giving you multiple opportunities to turn back? What kept you moving forward?
2. Ruth made a 7-fold consecration to Naomi and to God. What areas of your life might God be calling you to fully consecrate to Him?
3. The message states: "If you can make what's important to God important to you, God will make what's important to you, important to Him." What is important to God right now that you need to prioritize?
4. Ruth had a plan, a purpose, and put herself in position. Which of these three elements is currently missing in your pursuit of God's will for your life?
5. Ruth spoke words of faith, declaring she would "find favor." How do your words align with or contradict what you're believing God for?
6. Ruth took initiative instead of waiting for good fortune. In what area of your life might God be waiting for you to take the first step?
7. Ruth's menial, tiring task was done faithfully, which opened doors of opportunity. How is your attitude when the work God gives you doesn't match your potential or expectations?
8. Boaz noticed Ruth because she stood out through her character and work ethic. Who might be watching you right now, and what reputation are you building?
9. The passage emphasizes that "your reputation is formed by the people who watch you at work, in town, at home, in church." Is your character consistent across all these areas?
10. The "richest place on earth is the cemetery" because of unrealized dreams and untapped potential. What dream or calling might die with you if you don't take action now?

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