Redeemer Bible Church Santa Barbara

The wonderful drama of Boaz, Ruth, and Naomi comes to a climax with all finding hope again. In all this there are assurances for God’s people today, no less than millennia ago. Do you live in hope?

This morning’s exciting love story highlights integrity and loyal love toward others. All the characters are examples for us as we strive to live faithful, Gospel-drenched lives.

And so, the plot thickens! One can almost imagine a glint of delight in the human author’s eye as he records these “lucky” happenings. In every “coincidence”, God was at work. How can Ruth and Naomi’s experiences instruct and encourage Jesus-followers?

The hopeless circumstances of Naomi and her family are not the end of the glorious story found in the Book of Ruth. But we do ourselves no favors if we pretend that life never hurts and looks hopeless. How should Jesus-followers think about all this?

Today we begin a brief teaching series through Ruth. One of the most famous stories in history, it calls God’s people to deeper faith in His providential care and provision, despite apparent circumstances. What a great word for us in these troubled days!

Special guest Dr. Nathan Busenitz (The Master’s Seminary) will culminate our series through Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus warned that there are only two ways, two crowds, and two destinations. That narrow truth drives many to seek more open-minded claims. But beware; those who lead that direction may well be false prophets, even today.

In this broken world, Jesus’ Kingdom is always counterintuitive toward the prevailing culture. That stark contrast summarizes the Sermon on the Mount, beginning with today’s particularly shocking assertions.