Heroes of faith aren’t people with extraordinary abilities; they’re ordinary people who trust in the one true extraordinary God.

 

6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Hebrews 11:6 NLT

 

WHAT MAKES RUTH A HERO OF THE FAITH?

• She believed in the one true God.

• She obeyed without knowing the outcome.

• She remained faithful when obedience became costly.

 

HEROES OF FAITH ARE MARKED BY UNSHAKABLE COMMITMENT

16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. 17 Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” 18 When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more. Ruth 1:16-18 NLT

• Ruth is making a covenant commitment.

• She leaves everything and surrenders her life.

• Her commitment wasn’t based on feelings; It was based on faith.

 

HEROES OF FAITH HUMBLY SERVE AND WORK HARD

2 One day Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go out into the harvest fields to pick up the stalks of grain left behind by anyone who is kind enough to let me do it.” Naomi replied, “All right, my daughter, go ahead.” 3 So Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech. Ruth 2:2-3 NLT

 

When I’m disciplined spiritually, I become healthier spiritually.

• Daily Prayer, applying scripture/devotion, serving, sharing. 

When I’m disciplined physically, I become healthier physically.

• Exercise daily, eat healthy, work hard.

When I’m disciplined financially, I become healthier financially.

• Returning God’s tithe, giving, living on a budget, saving. 

When I’m disciplined emotionally, I become healthier emotionally.

• Knowing who you are in Christ. Walking by faith and not feelings. 

When I’m disciplined relationally, I become healthier relationally.

• Love God, love people, establishing healthy boundaries, forgiveness.

 

HEROES OF FAITH HUMBLY RECEIVE GODLY MENTORSHIP

5 “I will do everything you say,” Ruth replied. 6 So she went down to the threshing floor that night and followed the instructions of her mother-in-law. Ruth 3:5-6 NLT

• She was teachable. Great faith is humble enough to learn.

• Naomi teaches us that mature believers should invest in younger believers.

• “If you haven’t been discipled, you’re not a disciple.”

 

HEROES OF FAITH TRUST GOD’S BIGGER STORY

13 So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife. When he slept with her, the Lord enabled her to become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son. 14 Then the women of the town said to Naomi, “Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel. 15 May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!” 16 Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own. 17 The neighbor women said, “Now at last Naomi has a son again!” And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David. Ruth 4:13-17 NLT

• Boaz became Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer.

• He willingly redeemed someone who could not redeem herself.

• Jesus is our greater Redeemer.

• We were spiritual outsiders; separated by sin.

• We were unable to save ourselves.

• Jesus came and paid our debt through His blood.

• Jesus adopts us into God’s family when we surrender.