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Return to the Path:
Lessons from Ruth
Pastor Lorena Gamba - Mission Orlando
Introduction
The Book of Ruth is a beautiful romantic story that teaches us profound spiritual lessons about faithfulness, restoration, and repentance. This four-chapter story shows us how our decisions can lead us down right or wrong paths, and how God is always willing to restore us when we return to Him.
The central analogy of the message compares our spiritual life to a journey: sometimes we take the wrong directions and need to "make a U-turn" to reach the right destination. Just as when we put the wrong direction in the GPS and end up in the wrong place, spiritually we can drift away from God's presence and need to return to the right path.
Base Text
Ruth 1:1-6
"In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in the country of Moab, taking his wife and two sons with him. The man's name was Elimelech, and his wife was named Naomi. Their two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. And when they reached Moab, they settled there. Then Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons. The sons married Moabite women. One was named Orpah, and the other was named Ruth. But about ten years later, both Mahlon and Kilion died. This left Naomi alone, without her husband or her two sons... While Naomi was in Moab, she heard that the Lord had blessed his people in Judah by giving them good crops again."
Ruth 1:16-17 (Ruth's Declaration)
"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. 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.'"
Key Points
The Symbolic Meaning of the Places
  • Bethlehem = "House of Bread" - Represents the presence of God, the place of worship of the true God
  • Moab = The world without God - A place of temptation, disobedience and worship of false gods
  • The Moabites worshiped Chemosh, a false god to whom they even sacrificed babies
Elimelech's Wrong Decision
  • His name means "My God is King", but he did not act as if God was his king
  • Pressured by hunger, he prioritized financial provision over spiritual presence
  • He left Bethlehem (God's presence) for Moab (the world) in search of prosperity
  • Lesson: Beware of prioritizing financial provision over the presence of God
The Consequences of Departing from God
  • Elimelech died in Moab
  • His sons married Moabite women (disobeying God's commands)
  • The two sons also died after 10 years without offspring
  • Naomi changed her name from "sweet" to "Mara" (bitter) because of the pain
  • Principle: When you depart from God's presence, there can be spiritual death
True Repentance
  • Naomi learned that God had blessed Judah again
  • She decided to return to Bethlehem (to repent)
  • Key Difference: Repentance vs. Remorse
  • Remorse: "What a pity, I'm sinning, but it's delicious"
  • Repentance: "I can't stay in this puddle, I have to get out"
Ruth's Courage
  • Being a Moabite, she chose to follow Naomi and worship the God of Israel
  • Her declaration of total commitment (Ruth 1:16-17)
  • She left the known for what was right
  • Result: She became the grandmother of King David and is in the genealogy of Jesus
God's Restoring Power
  • God chooses the most unlikely to change history
  • Ruth, a foreigner, was included in the lineage of Christ
  • God's grace is sufficient to cleanse any sin
  • Central Truth: To arrive at the right place, you must depart from the wrong place
Conclusion
The central message is clear: we need to return to the right path, which is Christ. Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me." When we find ourselves in "Moab" - places, relationships, habits or decisions that take us away from God - we must have the courage of Ruth to turn around and return to "Bethlehem", the presence of God.
The story of Ruth teaches us that God has incredible stories of restoration for each of us. No matter how far we have gone or how much we have failed, God's grace is sufficient to cleanse our sin and restore our lives. Like Ruth, we can be instruments in God's hands to show His presence to others and be part of His great plan of salvation.
Reflection Questions
Personal Evaluation
In what areas of my life am I in "Moab" instead of being in "Bethlehem"?
Priorities
Am I prioritizing financial provision over God's spiritual presence?
Relationships
Do my relationships bring me closer to or further from God? Am I considering unequal yoking?
Decisions
What decision can I make today that can change the trajectory of my life?
Repentance
Is there something in my life that I need to genuinely repent of, not just feel remorse?
Courage
What requires courage in my life to fully follow God, as Ruth did?
Testimony
Can others see the presence of God in my life? Am I a "Bethlehem" to the people around me?
Trust
Do I trust that God can restore my story, regardless of my past?
Action Steps
Spiritual
  • Study the entire book of Ruth this week
  • Establish a daily time for prayer and Bible reading
  • Attend church and spiritual growth activities regularly
  • Participate in a spiritual retreat or encounter
Relational
  • Ask forgiveness from people I have offended (spouse, children, family)
  • Evaluate my friendships: do they draw me closer to or further from God?
  • If I am single: wait on God for someone who loves the Lord
  • End relationships that do not honor God
  • If living with someone outside of marriage: seek pastoral counsel
Financial
  • Take the church's financial peace course
  • Evaluate if I need to cut up credit cards
  • Apply biblical principles in managing my finances
  • Commit to tithing and giving generously
  • Live with less to give more
Personal
  • Identify and confess any addictions
  • Evaluate the music I listen to and entertainment I consume
  • Surrender to God any objects that do not honor Christ
  • Establish order in my daily routine
  • Cut habits that draw me away from God
Testimony
  • Be an example of God's presence for others
  • Share my testimony of restoration
  • Invite others to know Jesus
  • Declare that God's presence is in my life, home, and work
  • Be a spiritual mentor for someone new in their faith
Prayer of Commitment
"Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I am a sinner and I repent. I do not want to remain in 'Moab', but I want to return to 'Bethlehem', to Your presence. Forgive me and help me make the courageous decisions I need to make. I believe that You died for me and rose again. Write my name in the Book of Life. I want to know You as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, amen."
Live Church: June 01/2025
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by Fernando Ospinal