Ruth 1:6-18

Faith Through Trials

February 19, 2017

First Baptist Church

Jackson, Mississippi

USA

What’s the number one thing?

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The glory of God!

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1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV 31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

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First Baptist Church Jackson Mission:

Multiply Disciples to Live Like Jesus.

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February Memory Verse:

Matthew 11:28 ESV 28 Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Friday, February 24, 2017 –

Saturday, February 25, 2017

Friday, March 31, 2017

Saturday, April 01, 2017

Sunday

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Ruth 3:8-13, 4:13-17

Redeemed and Secure

February 26, 2017

First Baptist Church

Jackson, Mississippi

USA

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Jon Courson's Application Commentary

Old Testament Volume 1

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A Prophetic Overview of Ruth

A Topical Study of Ruth 1-4

In the Hebrew Bible, the book of Ruth is placed with the prophets because, as

we shall see, it really is a book that deals with prophecy.

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In Hebrew tradition and presently, the Book of Ruth is read during the Feast or the

Celebration of Pentecost.

Pentecost was and is that annual celebration that took/takes place fifty days

after the Passover.

It was celebrating the harvesting of the wheat which was so crucial to the

Israelite economy.

So, the wheat would be harvested and there would be a celebration as it would

be offered up in thanksgiving to the Lord.

It was not only celebrating, but commemorating an event that took place

historically.

That is, it commemorated the giving of the Law.

The rabbis and scholars came to the conclusion that the giving of the Law—

when God spoke audibly on Mt. Sinai and gave Moses the two tables of stone —

was during this time of year.

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It celebrated the wheat harvest, and commemorated the giving of the Law and

both of these are aspects of the feast of Pentecost.

Why would Ruth be read during Pentecost?

First, the wheat harvest is mentioned in (Ruth 2:23) - the barley harvest was

during Passover, the wheat harvest during Pentecost.

Passover was in the springtime, Pentecost was fifty days later.

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2017

April 11 Passover (Pesach)

May 31 Pentecost (Shavuot)

But an even more important reason is due to what took place in the church on

the Day of Pentecost, as seen in Acts 2.

Fifty days after Jesus had died and risen from the dead, the disciples were in the

Upper Room, numbering one hundred and twenty, praying, wondering what

would happen next.

They had been told to go to that place and wait for the promise of the Father.

Jesus said, "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you."

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And there on the very day of Pentecost, as the disciples were in the Upper

Room—waiting on the Lord, talking to the Lord, there was sent from the Lord an

anointing and empowering of the Holy Spirit.

A rushing mighty wind blew through the room and there were tongues of fire on

each of the disciples' heads and they began to speak with other tongues and on

that day, Pentecost, was the birthday of the church.

The Holy Spirit was given to them and the church was born!

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Pentecost is the birthday of the church on one hand, but also the birthday of

Judaism because it was on that same day 2,000 years earlier when the Law was

given.

So, Judaism and Christianity have the same birthday—Pentecost.

This explains why they would take two loaves of wheat bread in OT times and

wave them before the Lord, celebrating the harvest.

But there's something unusual about those loaves of bread that was exclusive to

that particular day.

Those loaves were made with leaven and leaven is a picture of sin.

So, when you ask the Jews today what do those two loaves stand for, they will

say—We're celebrating the giving of the Law, and the Law was given on two

tablets.

So, the waving of the two loaves speak of the Law being given, which sustains

and nourishes our soul like bread sustains and nourishes the body.

The problem with that is, leaven is in those loaves—this is the only time leaven is

allowed in any offering to the Lord.

Is the Law leavened?

Does the Law have sin?

No, the Law is perfect. http://www.truthwhisperer.org/truthwhisperer/10_Commandments_files/IMG_6465-filtered.jpg

Therefore, it's not primarily speaking of the Law, but something pictured here in

the Book of Ruth and that is, the church.

Why two loaves?

Jew and Gentile—sinners, both—coming together into a new entity called the

church.

No longer am I a Gentile, now I'm in a new entity—the church.

You see, in OT times, the world was divided into two groups: Jews and Gentiles.

But something happened on the Day of Pentecost.

Those two groups became one—a new entity called the church.

Does the church have sin?

If you've been around church very much, you know it's true.

We're righteous positionally, but we're all dealing with leaven practically.

And that's what's going on.

Jew and Gentile walk together—just like those two loaves would be held

together by the priest who would wave them before the Lord, two coming

together.

But on the birthday of Judaism something happened.

On the day the Law was given, when Moses comes down, what happened?

The people were already sinning, dancing around the golden calf—which led to

punishment and 3,000 were killed that day.

On the birthday of the church, 3,000 were not killed, but saved because, as Paul

would say, the Law kills…

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but the Spirit gives life!

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So, we see Jew and Gentile coming together into a third entity, called the

church — comprised of former Jews and former Gentiles.

We are now Christians and that's what this book of Ruth talks about.

We have a Jew (Boaz) and a Gentile (Ruth) being brought together in this

prophetic portrait, they come together and something marvelous happens.

Boaz is a portrait of Jesus Christ.

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The lord of the harvest, the owner of the field, a wealthy man, a gracious man, a

good man, a generous man, his name literally means - Standing in Strength.

Ruth is a picture of the church because she was a Moabite (Gentile).

In Deuteronomy 23, a Moabite was cursed for ten generations.

In other words, the Law would shut you out just for being a Moabite.

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You moved in from Moab, and the Law would say, "Sorry. Even though you've

come to Israel, even though you've left Moab, in your lifetime, you're never

going to make it into the house of God."

Ten generations is a long time.

The Law shut the Moabite out and the Law shut us out, too.

There's no way we can go in to the house of the Lord, stand in the presence of

God if it's by the Law.

But what the Law shuts out, grace finds a way and that's what warmed Ruth’s

heart.

She said, "How could it be that I a Moabite (2:10) would find grace in thine

eyes?"

She is so touched that Boaz would be so kind to her - but what the Law shuts out,

grace finds a way.

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Ruth was washed, anointed, and clothed with new raiment just like we have

been washed in the blood of the Lamb, anointed by the Holy Spirit, and robed in

His righteousness.

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She's washed.

She's anointed.

She's robed.

She's amazed.

She finds herself at the feet of her goel, her

groom at the threshing floor. https://www.joyfultimestoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Ruth-and-Boaz-threshing-floor.jpg

The threshing floor in OT Scriptures is a picture of the time prophetically when the

world will go through a threshing.

It's called the Tribulation and it will be brutal.

It will be a time of separation—the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25), the

wheat from the chaff, when a Christ-rejecting sinful world will be dealt with.

Now people have closed ears and hard hearts.

But in that day, there will be a great awakening and there will be the greatest

revival in world history during the seven-year Tribulation (Revelation 6-19).

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When the world is being tossed up and the winds of difficulty are blowing about,

the harvest has already been brought in.

We are the harvest.

We are Ruth.

And where is Ruth?

She's at His feet.

Where will we be when the world is being threshed?

We will be at Jesus' feet—just like Ruth.

In the place of intimacy, safety, security.

Boaz spotted her before she spotted him and he was interested in her.

Boaz cared about her and wanted to be a blessing to her.

But—it was up to her.

Boaz didn't force himself.

He waited to see if she would respond to the goodness he was showing her, but

he left it up to her to make the first move.

He didn't force her into a relationship.

Thirdly, we see the servant.

When Boaz is in his field, the unnamed servant is the one who identifies the

bride-to-be.

It's the unnamed servant who's involved in the linking of the bride, Ruth, with the

bridegroom, Boaz.

The unnamed servant, of course, is an illustration of the Holy Spirit.

Why is He unnamed?

Because in John 16, Jesus said concerning the Spirit, that “when He comes, He

will not speak of Himself, but will speak all things concerning Me”.

Boaz wanted to be a goel (Redeemer) for Ruth, but there was a nearer relative

that had first dibs.

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The nearer kinsman was offered Naomi's property.

“Great!” Said the kinsman.

But if you choose to exercise the option, you need to take Ruth as well and with

her you need to have a child that will not count as yours.

“Oh, no, this will mess up my inheritance for my own kids”.

The nearer kinsman represents the Law.

The Law is indeed interested in property and principles and procedures, but not

in people.

The nearer kinsman is a picture of the Law & while the nearer kinsman wasn't

interested in Ruth, Ruth is exactly who Boaz was interested in.

Boaz had enough property, he was interested in people.

Not so the Law.

The Law can't deal with you and me.

It's perfect.

We're not.

We mar its inheritance.

Which came first, the Law or the coming of Jesus Christ?

The Law came first.

Naomi is a picture of Israel.

First, it was necessary for her to be in exile until the bride, Ruth, was ready to be

brought into union with the bridegroom.

Israel was in exile from 70 AD, when the Temple was destroyed until a miracle

took place in May, 1948, when Israel became a nation.

That's why when Israel became a nation, the stage was set for the return of

Christ.

In Matthew 24, Jesus said the generation that sees the fig tree blossom—always

a picture of Israel in Scripture—will not pass away.

In Romans 11, Paul says “Let their eyes be darkened, through their fall, salvation

is come unto the Gentile.”

The Jewish people were cut off, or sent away, but God had a plan.

Now they're being brought back in.

Israel was in exile, out of her homeland until the bride is ready —just like Naomi.

She was from Israel—out in Moab until Ruth (the Church) was ready to be

brought in to meet the Bridegroom during the threshing season.

God is at work with the Gentiles (the Church).

He was primarily working through the Jew, but the Jews rejected His Son.

Consequently, they would be exiled while the Bride—you and me, the Gentiles—

were brought in.

But once Naomi (Israel) goes back home, the marriage feast of Boaz and Ruth is

at hand.

While she was exiled, Naomi changed her name from Pleasant to Bitter.

When Israel was in her land, was enjoying the blessings of the Lord, it was

pleasant.

In fact, Israel is called just that—the Pleasant Land.

But when she was kicked out, driven away, there was bitterness.

The Jewish people were hunted, haunted, and hounded everywhere they went.

Persecution and execution followed them.

While Naomi was gone, the land was being destroyed and while the Jewish

people were gone from 70 AD until 1948, the land was destroyed.

Boaz (Jesus) and Naomi (Israel) never met until the marriage feast.

When will Israel meet Jesus?

When the church is Raptured.

It is at that time that the veil will be lifted and her eyes will be opened.

There is a remnant now who are part of the kingdom but the majority don't get it

because Paul says there is a veil over their (Israel) eyes.

But when the marriage happens, guess who's going to meet Boaz (Jesus) —

Naomi (Israel)!

Naomi learns of Boaz' whereabouts through Ruth (the Church).

She knows there is a man named Boaz, but she doesn't know if he's dead or

alive until Ruth comes home and says, “Guess who I met”.

Israel does not know if Messiah is dead or alive.

The only way she'll hear about her Messiah is through the Church.

Israel learns of the whereabouts of Jesus (Boaz) through the Church, but equally

true is that Ruth learns the ways of Boaz through Naomi (Israel).

That's why this book is such a key.

It's a Jew and a Gentile walking together, and together something happens!

Ruth and Boaz have a baby named Obed, which means “Worshiped One”, and

guess what happens to this Worshiped One?

The baby is then given to Naomi.

We, the Bride of Christ, have been impregnated by the Spirit and the Lord is

birthed in and through us.

Then, as we are caught up and taken away, the baby is handed to Naomi.

When you share with Jewish people, when you're on your honeymoon, the baby

will be nursed and nurtured by Naomi (Israel).

Ruth does not take the place of Naomi.

Naomi is not displaced by Ruth.

Rather, Ruth creates a family for Naomi.

Gentile and Jew, dependent on each other, gleaning from each other, gaining

because of each other.

And the two travel together in this glorious story.

God doesn't give up on His people.

Ever!

Today

Ruth 1:6-18

Faith through Trials

Ruth 1:6-18 ESV

Ruth's Loyalty to Naomi 6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab,

for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the Lord had visited his people and

given them food. 7 So she set out from the place where she was with her two

daughters-in-law, and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. 8 But

Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother's

house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and

with me. 9 The Lord grant that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her

husband!” Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept. 10 And

they said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.” 11 But Naomi said,

“Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb

that they may become your husbands? 12 Turn back, my daughters; go your

way, for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, even if I

should have a husband this night and should bear sons, 13 would you therefore

wait till they were grown? Would you therefore refrain from marrying? No, my

daughters, for it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of the

Lord has gone out against me.” 14 Then they lifted up their voices and wept

again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.

15 And she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her

gods; return after your sister-in-law.” 16 But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave

you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you

lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me

and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” 18 And when Naomi saw

that she was determined to go with her, she said no more.

Naomi, the Prodigal Daughter, goes back home and that reminds us of Luke 15.

When the prodigal son—after leaving his father's house, going to a far country,

and spending his father's fortune on wine, women, and song—finally came to his

senses, he realized he was sitting in a pigpen eating pig slop.

There are prodigal sons and then there are prodigal pigs.

The difference between a prodigal son and a prodigal pig is that although the

prodigal son might spend some time in the pigpen, he doesn't make it his home.

1 John 2:19 ESV 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they

would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that

they all are not of us.

If the pigpen is your home today, you need to seriously evaluate your

relationship to your Father.

But if you find yourself in the pigpen today, wanting desperately to get out—take

hope.

Take the first step back home towards your Father, and, like the prodigal son,

you will see Him running to meet you.

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The only time in the Bible when God is seen to be in a hurry is in the person of the

prodigal son's father, who hitched up his robes and ran down the road with

abandon to meet his son.

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What a beautiful picture of renewal, restoration, redemption and revival.

That's our Father!

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Ruth still saw in a broken, embittered Naomi a spiritual reality that superseded

anything she had seen in Moab.

For you who perhaps have been in Moab recently – be encouraged!

You may be like Naomi — coming back to nothing, and coming back with

nothing.

But, like Ruth saw in Naomi, there will be those who will see your brokenness and

repentance and follow you right into the kingdom.

Why?

Because "good people" usually do not draw sinners.

Naomi realized she herself needed to get back to the Lord — and that is the

person with whom the sinner feels most inclined to travel.

If you have been in a place where you know you haven't been what you should

be, or doing what you should do — you still have the opportunity, like Naomi, to

bring someone back with you.

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In chapter 1:1-2, we are introduced to a joyful Hebrew family residing in the

country of Judah, in the city of Bethlehem.

How do we know they were joyful?

Check out their names.

Elimelech means, "God is my King;" Naomi means "Pleasant;" and, according to

Our Nearest Kinsman by Roy Hession, Mahlon means "Song;" while Chilion

means "Satisfaction."

This family was one where God was King; where there was pleasantness, song,

and satisfaction.

Why?

Because they resided in the city of Bethlehem.

Bethlehem means, "House of Bread," and it is the city where Jesus, the Bread of

Life would be born centuries later, no wonder there was satisfaction and

pleasantness in Elimelech's family - no wonder there were songs and joy.

God was their King and they were living in the House of Bread.

We will always be a joyful, blessed people if we dwell in the House of Bread,

which is the Word of God.

When we eat of Heavenly manna, we will experience Earthly satisfaction.

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How do we know this?

Psalm 1 declares that the man who meditates in the Word, and who delights in

the Law of the Lord will be like a tree whose leaf does not wither, a tree which

prospers in whatever it does.

Picture a strong oak tree.

An oak tree is simply a little nut that refused to give ground.

That's what we are, we're all a little nutty!

I heard Adrian Rogers say several times, “If you are ever feeling down & blue just

look at an oak tree and see what a nut can do!”

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If we refuse to give ground and plant our roots in the Word of God—if we hear it,

read it, study it, memorize it, meditate on it, devour it, and make it top priority in

our lives—we will find ourselves growing in strength and stability.

We will find ourselves experiencing God's blessing.

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Notice also that Elimelech's family not only resided in the city of Bethlehem, but

in the tribe of Judah.

Throughout the Book of Ruth, Bethlehem is always hyphenated with Judah.

Judah means, "Praise."

The connection is more than coincidental, for there is an intimate, intricate

correlation between the House of Bread — which is the Word of God — and

Praise — which ascends toward God.

David, the sweet psalmist of Israel, declared this in Psalm 119: "I will praise thee

O Lord, when I have learned Thy statutes."

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A person who is learning about the ways of God and the character of God

through the Word of God cannot help but overflow in praise to God.

If you're having a difficult time praising and worshiping, if you feel far removed

from Judah, the Place of Praise — it could be because you're not dwelling in

Bethlehem, the House of Bread, the Word of God.

Once you're dwelling in the Word, you can't help but become a worshiper.

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Ruth 1:6a ESV 6a Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab,

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Ruth 1:6b ESV 6b for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the Lord had visited His people

and given them food.

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"God is my King" is dead.

"Song" is dead.

"Satisfaction" is dead.

Now Naomi realizes that allowing her family to go to Moab was an unmitigated

disaster and she longed for Bethlehem the "House of Bread".

While Naomi was in Moab, in misery and in rebellion, she heard reports of how

God was blessing Bethlehem.

It's always that way.

Those who waited it out in Bethlehem were indeed blessed.

Those who wait (hope, trust) upon the Lord will renew their strength (Isaiah 40:31).

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Psalm 145:15 ESV 15 The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in due season.

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Second Chronicles 6 declares that if God's people turn away from Him, He will

stop the rain and curse the land.

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But the next chapter goes on to say that if His people humble themselves and

pray, He will hear from Heaven and heal their land.

Therefore, while many were playing, there must have been someone praying.

As a result, a prophet must have come on the scene, calling the people to

forsake their heathen idols and turn once again to the True and Living God.

When they did, God revived and rebuilt the land which had become so fruitless

and dry.

And Naomi heard the report of God's blessing.

It was Naomi's loss that led her to listen.

This story is not to show God punishing Naomi for wandering off into Moab.

Her loss was not punitive—it was corrective.

Its purpose was to get her back on track—back to Bethlehem, the House of

Bread; back to Judah, the Place of Praise.

In your life and in mine, when there is loss, it is not for punishment.

Why?

Because the punishment for our sin could never be severe enough.

We all deserve to be totally consumed and whatever God could send our way

could never be punishment enough for our sin.

The punishment which should have come upon us was poured out upon Jesus

Christ, Who died in our place.

Therefore, His work in our lives is not punitive - it's corrective!

If you have been in a place of loss—materially or internally, vocationally or

relationally—know this: You are experiencing loss not because God is mad at

you, angry with you, or disappointed in you—but because He wants to speak to

you.

And He knows that sometimes the only time we will listen is when we are at a

place of loss where we can do nothing else.

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Ruth 1:7 ESV 7 So she set out from the place where she was with her two daughters-in-law,

and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.

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Ruth 1:8-9 ESV 8 But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her

mother's house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the

dead and with me. 9 The Lord grant that you may find rest, each of you in the

house of her husband!” Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and

wept.

As Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah are on their way to Bethlehem, Naomi turns to her

daughters-in-law and says, "Why are you traveling with me? I'm going back with

nothing and I'm going back to nothing. I lost everything in Moab, but you have

been good to me. May the Lord bless you. Now go back to your people."

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Ruth 1:10-13 ESV 10 And they said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.” 11 But Naomi

said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Have I yet sons in my

womb that they may become your husbands? 12 Turn back, my daughters; go

your way, for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, even if

I should have a husband this night and should bear sons, 13 would you therefore

wait till they were grown? Would you therefore refrain from marrying? No, my

daughters, for it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of the

Lord has gone out against me.”

Naomi is referring to the practice outlined in Deuteronomy 25, whereby if a

woman lost her husband, it was the responsibility of his younger unmarried

brother to marry his sister-in-law.

Their children would then bear the name of the deceased brother.

In reference to this, Naomi is saying, "Even if I married right now and bore sons, it

would be ridiculous for you to wait until they were old enough to assume the

responsibility of marrying you."

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Ruth 1:13b ESV 13b No, my daughters, for it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the

hand of the Lord has gone out against me.”

Not true, Naomi.

Yes, you've felt the brutal, bitter repercussions of being in Moab.

But God is not against you.

He has a good plan for you, a divine design.

God's at work.

He takes even our backsliding blunders and is able to transform them into

beautiful blossoms, it's an amazing thing called – redemption!

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Ruth 1:14 ESV 14 Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-

in-law, but Ruth clung to her.

In this verse, we see - Naomi grieving, Orpah leaving, & Ruth cleaving.

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Orpah, whose name means "Youthful" or "Immature," shows the reaction of an

immature believer — much emotion, but no devotion; conviction, but no

commitment.

Jesus talked about this in the parable of the sower (Mark 4).

Some hear the Word and spring up quickly, but when the hot sun comes out,

they dry up and wither away because they have no roots.

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Some believers get totally excited when they hear a sermon, or a testimony, or a

concert — but their roots are not grounded in the Word of God.

There is no devotional life, simply an emotional hype.

And when the hard times come — when there's a price to pay to follow Jesus —

like Orpah, they turn away.

Ruth, on the other hand, cleaves to Naomi.

The same remains true today, for, there are those who kiss with emotion — but

others who cleave with devotion.

The Bible indicates that God isn't impressed with how high we jump, but how

straight we walk.

Ruth stayed with Naomi.

Ruth walked the walk.

The name Ruth means friend, companion.

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This doesn't mean Oprah is a bad person but it does mean she is no longer in the

narrative of this drama.

Her name never appears again.

There are times when you have to let people go.

Far too often, people cling to some past experience or relationship.

Let them go, they're not part of your story any more.

God brings people into our lives for a reason and sometimes for a season.

Ruth 1:15b-17 ESV 15b return after your sister-in-law.” 16 But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you

or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I

will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. 17 Where you

die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also

if anything but death parts me from you.”

"Even if God's hand is against you, Naomi," Ruth said, "the worst God gives is

better than the best the world offers."

What a sentiment expressed by Ruth!

Ruth still saw in a broken, embittered Naomi a spiritual reality that superseded

anything she had seen in Moab.

For you who perhaps have been in Moab recently – be encouraged!

You may be like Naomi — coming back to nothing, and coming back with

nothing.

But, like Ruth saw in Naomi, there will be those who will see your brokenness and

repentance and follow you right into the kingdom.

Why?

Because "good people" usually do not draw sinners.

Naomi realized she herself needed to get back to the Lord — and that is the

person with whom the sinner feels most inclined to travel.

If you have been in a place where you know you haven't been what you should

be, or doing what you should do — you still have the opportunity, like Naomi, to

bring someone back with you.

Ruth 1:18-19a ESV 18 And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no

more.

19a So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem.

Here we see the backslider returning home and the outsider coming home.

Naomi and Ruth—Jew and Moabite—traveled together to the House of Bread.

Ruth 1:19b ESV 19b And when they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of

them. And the women said, “Is this Naomi?”

The Plan of Hope & Salvation

John 3:16 ESV 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes

in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

John 14:6 ESV 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to

the Father except through me.”

Romans 3:23 ESV 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23a ESV 23a For the wages of sin is death,

Death in this life (the first death) is 100%.

Even Jesus, the one who doesn’t deserve death, died in this life to pay the

penalty for our sins.

The death referred to in Romans 6:23a is the second death explained in

Revelation 21:8.

Revelation 21:8 ESV 8 “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the

sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the

lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Romans 6:23b ESV 23b but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:8 ESV 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for

us.

Revelation 21:7 ESV 7 "The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will

be my son.”

Romans 10:9-10 explains to us how to be conquerors.

Romans 10:9-10 ESV 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your

heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart

one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Romans 10:13 ESV 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

If you have questions or would like to know more, please, contact First Baptist

Church Jackson at 601-949-1900 or http://firstbaptistjackson.org/contact/