Just Do It

Ruth: A Story of Redemption Just Do It Ruth 3 Introduction On an evening in 1988 just before a big marketing presentation Dan Wieden coined one of the most famous marketing lines of all time… “Just Do It”. In an interview in 2013 on the 25th anniversary of this historic achievement, Dan once again recounted the story behind the slogan and tells of sitting in a hotel room the night before the presentation looking for a way to tie a series of ads together and appeal to both the person who was just starting to exercise and the world class athlete. He recalls that for some reason his mind drifted to another man from Portland, Oregon, a man by the name of Gary Gilmore who was convicted on two counts of murder in Utah. At the time that his death sentence was carried out it is reported that when asked for any last words he famously quipped, “let’s do it”. In the 2013 interview Dan says “I remember thinking when I first heard what he said, That’s amazing, how do you, in the face of that much uncertainty push through with that attitude.” Before we dive in let’s review where our journey through Ruth has brought us so far. In chapter one we saw a decision made by Ruth to turn away from everything that she knew and loved and determined wholeheartedly to follow an unknown God regardless of the uncertainty and risk involved with doing so, showing us that a decision to cling to the cross of Christ is a decision to turn away from the things of the world and run to the things of God. Then last week in Chapter 2 we saw how God provides for the security of His people, and that even in the midst of dangerous times and circumstances we have a Lord and Savior who provides us a protection that reaches far beyond the limitations of this mortal life and gives us an eternally security that can NEVER be removed from us by anyone or anything. Which brings us to the third chapter in the book of Ruth we are going to see that God has called us to be active participants in the plan His has for our life and He instructs to be bold in our obedience, humble in our approach, faithful in our actions and confident in our waiting. Follow along with me in your copy of God’s Word to Ruth Chapter 3. I. Be Bold in our Obedience – verses 1-6 a. Naomi pushes the family redeemer issue i. Initiaties ii. Instructs b. Ruth is bold in her obedience c. We are to be bold in our obedience to the Great Commission of Christ i. Acts 4:29 (HCSB) 29  And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that Your slaves may speak Your message with complete boldness, II. Be Humble in our Approach – verses 7-8 a. Ruth’s approach to Boaz was one of submission and humbleness b. We must humble ourselves as we go about the mission of God’s kingdom i. John 13:12-17 (HCSB) 12  When Jesus had washed their feet and put on His robe, He reclined again and said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? 13  You call Me Teacher and Lord. This is well said, for I am. 14  So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15  For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you. 16  “I assure you: A slave is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. 17  If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. ii. Philippians 2:3-5 (HCSB) 3  Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4  Everyone should look out not ⌊only⌋ for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5  Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, III. Be Faithful in our Actions – verses 10-15 a. Boaz was faithful to God in his respect of Ruth b. Boaz was faithful to God in his honoring of the law c. We are called to be faithful to the Gospel, presenting the WHOLE counsel of God, i. Acts 20:26-27 (HCSB) 26  Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of everyone’s blood, 27  for I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole plan of God. ii. Mark 16:15 (HCSB) 15  Then He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. d. We are also to live faithfully according to His word i. Romans 6:1-5 (HCSB) 1  What should we say then? Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply? 2  Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3  Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4  Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in a new way of life. 5  For if we have been joined with Him in the likeness of His death, we will certainly also be in the likeness of His resurrection. IV. Be Confident in our Waiting – Verses 16-18 a. Naomi encourages Ruth to have hope (confident knowledge of what will be) while waiting for a resolution b. As we deliver the message of the gospel, we MUST be CONFIDENT of its success while we wait for the planted seed to grow and develop. i. Isaiah 55:10-11 (HCSB) 10  For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return there without saturating the earth and making it germinate and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, 11  so My word that comes from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it ⌊to do⌋.” Conclusion Next year will mark the 30th anniversary of the breakthrough advertising campaign created for Nike by Wiedmen. In the years since, the "Just Do It" campaign allowed Nike to further increase its share of the North American domestic sport-shoe business from 18% to 43%, (from $877 million to $9.2 billion in worldwide sales) from 1988 to 1998. Simply because the words of a man facing a firing line after being sentenced to death for 2 murders struck awe in Dan Wiedmen’s mind. Over 2000 years has passed since the birth, life, death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior King Jesus. In those years, because of the faithful actions of His disciples being bold in their obedience, humble in their approach, faithful in their actions and confident in the waiting the gospel has spread around the globe. I want to say one final word about this passage. As important as the four points were that we spoke about I would be remiss if we did not address and recognize the impetus behind these actions. LOVE. The reason for it all, LOVE. The reason for the spread of the gospel over the last 2000 years, LOVE. The reason for the birth, life, death burial and resurrection, LOVE… John 3:16. Invitation.