July 20, 2008

A Word of Advice

Ruth 2:21-23

Opening Words: It has become my custom to take the summer months and preach on a single Old Testament personality. Over the past few years we a examined the lives of Nehemiah, Esther, Elijah and Joseph. This summer we are looking at the life of Ruth.

Ruth’s story began in a sea of despair. Naomi and her husband decided to move to Moab to escape the famine that had come to Judah. The move is only fifty miles but it is like living on another planet. Naomi and her husband are suddenly outcasts. That was difficult but the hardest was yet to come. It is while they are in this foreign land that Naomi’s loses the people closest to her. Her husband and her sons die. Standing on a mountain of regret she decides to return home because the famine in Judah has passed. The only thing holding her back is her two Moabite daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. Both young women have the option of returning home to their biological families. Ruth opts to stay with Naomi and live in the land of Judah. It is while they are in Judah they are faced with the most basic of needs, food! Ruth gleans the fields of the rich trying to find enough barley grain to exist. It is from this lowly position in life that God suddenly begins to appear. The rich field owner, a man by the name of Boaz, has compassion on her. She leaves with enough food for one week. This weekend’s scripture is Naomi reaction to Ruth great news. Let me call this message A Word of Advice.

Ruth 2:21-23 ²¹ Then Ruth the Moabitess said, "He even said to me, 'Stay with my workers until they finish harvesting all my grain.' "

²² Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, "It will be good for you, my daughter, to go with his girls, because in someone else's field you might be harmed."

²³ So Ruth stayed close to the servant girls of Boaz to glean until the barley and wheat harvests were finished. And she lived with her mother-in-law.

Perhaps you remember Apollo was one of the greatest gods of ancient Greek mythology. It was his job to ride his chariot across the sky causing the light of the day and the darkness of the night. It was an important job and his son, Phaeton, would often tell his friends about the greatness of his father. The problem was the friends grew tired of his bragging and challenged him to drive the great chariot, himself. Phaeton went to his father with his request but Apollo questioned his son’s judgment. The boy was relentless in his request and Apollo finally granted his permission. However, first the boy must be given some instructions. When the moment finally came the boy climbed into the chariot. For a short time he followed the instructions but soon his arrogance came to the surface. He began to drive the horses faster and faster. He got farther off course. He wanted his friends to see him driving the chariot so he drew closer to the earth, with disastrous results. The plants shriveled up, the fountains and rivers went dry and the earth was blackened. Terrified at what he’d done Phaeton drove so far away that all the vegetation which had survived the scorching died on account of the sudden cold. The people of earth cried out so loud that the supreme god, Jupiter, was aroused from his sleep. Surveying what had been done he grew furious, took a lightning bolt and hurled it at the conceited Phaeton, killing him instantly.

In Greek mythology that story is told to teach all a lesson. Phaeton stands as an example of foolishness. Refusing to listen to the wiser counsel of others, fools rush headlong on their way, giving little thought to the possible consequences and so often finding themselves stranded in disaster. Someone once said, “Good advice is what your own kids disregard but save to give to their kids.”

It is not just true of the young. It is true of every age. When was the last time you received some good advice and ignored it? Let us be honest. Life is hard and it is filled with so many choices and problems. Whom do you trust when you need some device? Whose advice do you value the most?

Between 1965 and 1996 humorist Erma Bombeck wrote fifteen books and over 4,000 newspaper articles. Those articles appeared in over 900 newspapers and were read by thirty million readers. My parents were two of the thirty million. Maybe you read her too? She laughed at American but she was known as an advice columnist. Maybe you can agree with some of these pearls of wisdom found in her advice column. Erma Bombeck said:

1. Never have more children than you have car windows.

2. Never loan your car to someone to whom you have given birth.

3. Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart.

4. Know the difference between success and fame. Success is Mother Teresa. Fame is Madonna.

5. Never be in a hurry to terminate a marriage. Remember, you may need this man or woman someday to finish a sentence.

6. There are no guarantees in marriage. If that's what you're looking for, go live with a Sears battery.

Do you trust Erma Bombeck’s advice? Where do you get your best advice when life gets hard?

In the scripture lesson for this weekend we learn that Ruth received her most valued advice from her Mother-in-law, Naomi. We are in the last few verses of the second chapter. Ruth is reporting back to Naomi on the kindness of the field owner named Boaz. Last week we found out Boaz was a rich relative of Naomi’s. This week Naomi advices Ruth to stay in his field as she works. The reason for her advice is protection. Verse twenty-three says she lived with her mother-in-law. In other words, she accepted her advice. Where do you receive your most valued advice?

This weekend I want to give you three divine truths. Each one is illustrated in these few verses that were read to you. However, each one is also seen in your life. When I am done I believe you are going to be able to answer the question of the weekend: Where do you receive your most trusted advice? So if you are ready for three divine truths. Say, “Amen!”

Divine Truth #1: We were never meant to live alone.

Divine truth number one says: We were never meant to live alone. God designed us to live in communities. You can see it in everyday life. You can see it in the scripture lesson. The hardship of Ruth and Naomi’s lives was the death of their husbands. Talk to anyone who has lost a spouse and they will tell you how hard it is. But let me say this clearly. They were widows but they were not alone. They had one another. There is a world of difference between having one good friend and no friends. I would be hard pressed to name one person who is truly alone. It is my experience in life that we search out others when we are alone. The trust is we are afraid that we will be left alone.

Several weeks ago I met Jessica in my office. She is twenty-nine years old and we were planning her wedding. She brought her son with her. Yes, she had one mistaken marriage. The details of that marriage are not pretty. The only positive that came out of their union was their son, Brandon. She admitted to me she knew the marriage was a mistake on their wedding day. I asked her why she married Brandon’s father. I knew the answer before I heard the words. She said, “I married him because I didn’t want to be an old maid. I didn’t want to live alone.” She was twenty-four years old.

Does anyone here want to live alone? Every fall I drive to Lakeside alone. I prepare the cottage for the long cold months to come and I work on sermons that I will deliver. At first, I like being alone but in a short time I am ready to get home where people are waiting for me. Can anyone here relate to that confession? We were never meant to live alone. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

Divine Truth #2: We receive advice from a wide variety of sources.

Divine truth number two says: We receive advice from a wide variety of sources. I believe the worst thing about going through crisis is all the unwanted advice. Have you ever noticed that everyone has advice for you when you are facing a crisis? You know it is true. Their unwanted advice makes the situation worse. For example, have you ever had to have surgery? People feel like it is their duty to give you this advice. People feel like it is their civic duty to evaluate your doctor and hospital. Has anyone ever said to you, “Don’t have it done here go to Cleveland!” or “I wouldn’t let him touch me. He messed up my neighbor in a big way. He will never be the same. I would go to a veterinarian before I would go to that quack.” Have you ever heard those words? Have you ever uttered those words? We receive advice from a wide variety of sources. There is no reason to think that Ruth and Naomi didn’t face a mountain of unwanted advice.

One of my favorite people in the ministry is Russ Libb. He is in his thirty-fifth year at the Berlin Center United Methodist Church. He says that in his years at his congregation he has seen babies grow up to be parents. He has seen people come to the church, leave the church and come back to the church. He had one lady named Dorothy who came back to the church after twenty years. When she returned everyone was thrilled to see her but about two months later they wished she would leave again. She walked around the church and told everyone what they were doing wrong. She told Russ what he was doing wrong with the church and gave him free and unwanted advice. (Why is everyone a church expert? Even people who haven’t been to church in decades see themselves as church experts.) When Dorothy tried to give Russ some free advice on how to fix his church he looked at her and said this, “Dorothy, you have been back in this church for two months after being absent for twenty years. To be honest with you, you don’t have musch creditability in my eyes.” (You can say that when you have been the pastor for thirty-five years.)

We receive advice from a wide variety of sources. The world is giving advice on everything. Everyone has free medical advice. Everyone has free legal advice. Everyone has free advice on your love life. Do I have to go on? We receive advice from a wide variety of sources. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!” The question is where do you receive your most valued advice?

Divine Truth #3: We accept advice from the relationships we trust.

Divine truth number three says: We accept advice from the relationships we trust. In the story of Ruth and Naomi, Ruth accepted Naomi’s advice because she trusted and admired her. Several weeks ago we talked about how Ruth left her biological family. She chose to follow Naomi to Bethlehem and become a stranger in a strange land. She made that choice because she loved her. This week she chose to accept Naomi’s advice because she respected her. Where do you receive your most valued advice?

We accept advice from the relationships we trust. That is true. That is why we call on experts. No one is an expert on everything. Our fields of expertise are limited. Let me give you a few examples. If I have a problem with my toilet, I call a plumber. If I have a legal question, I call a lawyer. If I have a toothache, I call a dentist. If I have a financial question about my shrinking retirement plan, I call my financial adviser. If I have a medical issue, I call a doctor. I don’t call my plumber, if my tooth hurts. I do not call my financial adviser, if I get chest pains. I am not going to call a dentist because of my toilet problems. We accept advice from people that we trust. So why is it we take advice from anyone on life's biggest issues?

Have you ever noticed how many people are struggling with life’s most basic issues? Maybe that is your story? Is anyone here still wondering what God wants you to do with your life? Is anyone here still wondering why there is so much evil in the world? Are you still wondering why good people die young? Is anyone here still wondering about salvation? Are you 100% sure you are going to heaven when you die? These issues are like every other issue in your life. If you want them answered, then you must go to an expert. You must go to the very author of life, God! You are not going to get these questions answered correctly by talking to your lawyer or your pest control expert. The only way you are going to get these answers is by spending time with God. How much time have you spent twith God lately?

This weekend I am going to ask you to reconsider the spiritual disciplines. How much time have you spent practicing those spiritual disciplines? When was the last time you really read the Bible? When was the last time you prayed without an agenda? When was the last time you meditated on what Jesus has done for you? When was the last time you fasted? When was the last time you called in an expert on your life and asked for a little advice? And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

Have you ever noticed everyone is trying to give you advice? How much of the advice you receive is unwanted advice? Someone once said even your dog is trying to give you some advice. What can you learn from a dog? Consider these things.

 Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

 Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

 When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

 When it’s in your best interest, practice obedience.

 Let others know when they’ve invaded your territory.

 Take naps and stretch before rising.

 Run, romp, and play daily.

 Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.

 Be loyal.

 Never pretend to be something you’re not.

 When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

 Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

 Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

 On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

 When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

 Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Where do you receive your most valued advice? We were designed to live in a community and everyone in your community is ready to give you some advice. Does anyone here receive their most trusted advice from their dog? Does anyone here receive their most trusted advice from a bartender or your barber? Does anyone here receive your most trusted advice from a neighbor or a co-worker? Does your most trusted advice come from a family member or a friend? Does anyone look to you to give them advice? Does anyone here look to the author of life, God, to advise them on life, itself? And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”