Ruth 2:1-23 Favor to a Foreigner

I. God's favor toward Ruth, vv1-3. II. God's servant's favor toward Ruth, vv4-16. III. Naomi and Ruth's awe at being favored, vv17-23.

Ruth 1:1-22 God's Providence in Hardship

Ruth 1 is the story of famine, exile, and bereavement in the life of Naomi, who becomes an Israelite widow living in Moab. And it's the story of God's covenant love and loyalty. I. God tests our faith by hardship, vv1-5. II. God sustains the faith of his people through hardship, vv6-14. III. God grants faith to the unlikely, vv15-18. IV. God supports our faith unseen, vv19-22.

Matthew 7:21-23 Genuine & False Disciples

Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." I. Genuine disciples obey God, v21. II. False disciples put their confidence in their gifts but not God’s grace, v22. III. False disciples will never enjoy friendship with God, v23.

Matthew 7:15-20 Recognizing False Prophets

Jesus says, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves." I. We must beware of false teachers, v15. II. How do we recognize false teachers, vv15b-20.

Matthew 7:13-14 Enter the Kingdom

Jesus says, "Enter by the narrow gate." I. A choice of entrances: Will we go through the wide gate, or the small gate? II. A choice of roads: Will we walk on the way that is broad, or the way that is narrow? III. A choice of companions: Will we follow the crowd, or walk with the few? IV. A choice of destinies: Do we want destruction, or eternal life? For we are all headed toward one or the other.

Matthew 7:12 The Golden Rule of Love

Jesus says, "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." I. How commanded love is. II. How active love is. III. How thoughtful love is. IV. How endless love is.

Matthew 7:7-11 Asking, Seeking, Knocking

Jesus says, "“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you..." I. We are invited to boldly request the blessings of God, v7. II. We are assured God will give us what we request, vv7-8. III. We are to trust our good heavenly Father to answer us wisely, graciously, and generously, vv9-11.

Matthew 7:6 Logs, Dogs, and Hogs?

Jesus says, “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you." What does he mean? I. There is a time to speak. II. There is a time to be silent. III. There is a time to listen.

Matthew 7:1-5 Judging Others

Jesus says, “Judge not, that you be not judged..." I. Disciples of Jesus are not to be hypercritical in evaluating others, vv1-2. II. Disciples of Jesus are not to be hypocritical in correcting others, vv3-5a. III. Disciples of Jesus are to help other disciples in a spirit of humility, v5b.

Matthew 6:25-34 Worry: How to fight anxiety

Jesus says, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on..." I. Don't worry about your life, v25. II. How to fight worry, vv26-30. III. What to do instead, vv31-34.