A desperate Return to God

by Toby Frost, Senior Director, Strategic Evangelism Coordination, NAMB

Ruth 1:1-7 (KJV)

Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem-judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem-judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. And Elimelech, Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. Then she arose with her daughters-in-law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread. Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.

I.  It Was a Time of Disorder (vs. 1a)

During the time of Judges when, “every man did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25)

II.  It Was a Time of Deficiency (vs. 1b)

“There was a famine in the land.”

III.  It Was a Time of Desertion (vs. 1c-2, 4)

They originally went to visit or “soujourn” in Moab, but then they “continued there.”

IV. It Was a Time of Disaster (vs. 3, 5)

“Elimelech, Naomi’s husband died.”  Then, “Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.”

V. It Was a Time of Decision (vs. 6-7)

“Then she arose with her daughters-in-law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread. Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.”

Sermon starters

Title: Finding Christ in Crisis

When faced with crisis, people ask life’s most basic questions, “Why is this happening?” and “Who can I turn to?” As Christians, we have the answer.

TITLE: Revival

Three years before civil war would break out in this country God, working through a single man, would start a revival that would change the world. Today we ask the question, “Can history repeat itself?” Our nation and our world so desperately need to know. Will it happen again?

TITLE: Factoid: Inviting others to church

What percentage of unchurched people will attend church after a personal invitation from a friend?

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