By Faith
(Hebrews 11:1-2)

I. Faith is the substance of things hoped for. (Hebrews 11:1a; Habakkuk 2:4; Hebrews 10:38; Psalm 5:3)

II. Faith is the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1b; Hebrews 6:16, 10:1; 2 Corinthians 5:7)

III. Faith is what Old Testament believers were commended for. (Hebrews 11:2; 1 Corinthians 10:6)

Growing in the Lord in 2023
(Ephesians 3:14-21)

I. Pray this prayer often for yourself, your family members, and the church this year.
A. Pray for spiritual growth. (Ephesians 2:19-22; Matthew 6:9-13)
B. Pray in humble submission to and dependence on the Father. (Isaiah 6:2)
C. Pray based on God’s grace, not your performance. (Hebrews 4:16)
D. Pray in faith, knowing that God’s supply is limitless. (Ephesians 1:3; 2:7)

II. Pray for the Father to grant that you will be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man.
A. Your problems are beyond your strength to solve. (John 15:5)
B. God changes outward behavior by changing the heart. (Ephesians 2:5)

III. Pray that Christ may dwell in your heart through faith.
A. Christ dwells in your heart as you trust and obey Him. (John 14:23)
B. Christ progressively takes over every area of your life.

IV. Pray that you will be rooted and grounded in love. (Matthew 22:37-40)

V. Pray that you will be able to comprehend with all the saints the unfathomable extent of the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge.

VI. Pray that you will be filled up to all the fullness of God. (Colossians 1:28; Ephesians 4:13)

VII. Pray for God to do exceedingly abundantly above all that you can ask or think for His glory.
A. Pray big prayers, for God to do that which is humanly impossible.
B. Pray for God to be glorified by converting sinners and sanctifying His saints.

What Child Is This?
(Ruth 4:11-22)

I. Born in the line of Judah (Ruth 4:11-12; Genesis 49:10)
A. A blessed future (Ruth 4:11)
B. A scandalous past (Ruth 4:12)

II. Born as a redeemer (Ruth 4:13-17)
A. A miraculous conception (Ruth 4:13)
B. A child-redeemer (Ruth 4:14-15)
C. A son for Naomi (Ruth 4:16-17)

III. The birth of a king (Ruth 4:18-22)
A. The genealogy of David (Ruth 4:18-22)
B. The genealogy of Christ (Matthew 1:1-17)
C. Jesus is born – our Messiah, Redeemer and King!

A Kinsman-Redeemer
(Ruth 3:1-4:10)

I. A desperate situation (Ruth 3:1-9)

II. A loving response (Ruth 3:10-18)

III. A costly redemption (Ruth 4:1-10)

A) Our desperate situation (Galatians 3:22-23)

B) God’s loving response (Galatians 4:4-5)

C) A costly redemption (Mark 10:45)

A Righteous Man
(Ruth 2)

I. A righteous man puts God first in his life. (Ruth 2:1-4)

II. A righteous man shows kindness to the poor. (Ruth 2:5-10; Luke 14:12-14)

III. A righteous man encourages people in their walk with the Lord. (Ruth 2:11-13)

IV. A righteous man protects and provides. (Ruth 2:14-16)

V. God uses a righteous man to bless others. (Ruth 2:17-23)

O Little Town of Bethlehem
(Ruth 1)

I. The Flight from Bethlehem (Ruth 1:1-5; Matthew 2:13-18; Romans 8:28)

II. A Young Woman’s Radical Commitment of Faith (Ruth 1:6-17; Luke 1:26-38)

III. The Whole Town Was Stirred (Ruth 1:18-22; Matthew 2:1-6)

Worship, Trust, and Obey in Dark Times
(Judges 7:15-23; 8:22-35)

I. God wants us to become worshipers before we attempt to work great victories for Him. (Romans 5:1; John 4:23-24)

II. God can win great victories for His people through a remnant who worship, trust, and obey Him.

III. Even worshipers who see God win great victories must be vigilant against wandering spiritually. (Proverbs 4:23)

Victorious Service in Dark Times
(Judges 6:25-7:14)

I. The evil forces of darkness that the Lord’s servants face are numerous and strong. (Ephesians 6:12-13; 1 Peter 5:8)

II. To serve the Lord in victory over the forces of darkness, obey His Word. (Judges 6:25-35)
A. Obedience begins when you begin to follow the Lord as your God.
B. Obedience must begin at home.
C. Obedience must be total, not partial.
D. Obedience requires courage to confront the idolatrous culture around us.
E. Obedience requires decisive, Spirit-powered action, not mere good intentions.

III. To serve the Lord in victory over the forces of darkness, trust in God. (Hebrews 11:6)
A. God takes us where we’re at and works with us to build our faith.
B. God has to teach us that our trust must be in Him, not in any human methods or techniques.

IV. To serve the Lord in victory over the forces of darkness, seek God’s glory.

Trusting God in Dark Times
(Judges 6:1-24)

I. God is at work even in the spiritually darkest times. (Ephesians 1:11; Judges 2:10-13; 21:25)

II. God uses weak people to accomplish His sovereign purpose. (2 Corinthians 1:8-9)

III. The weak people God uses must learn to trust His mighty strength. (1 Corinthians 1:26-29; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

While We Eagerly Await
(Philippians 3:20-21)

I. New affections (1 John 2:15-17)

II. New direction and focus (Colossians 3:1-2)

III. New priorities (Matthew 6:19-20)

IV. New commitment to holiness (2 Peter 3:10-13)

V. New commitment to service and witness (1 Corinthians 15:58)

VI. New perseverance through trials (Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

VII. New hope (Philippians 3:20; Titus 2:11-14)