He Came Down...to Deliver

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  by Bart Denny What follows is the sermon I intended to preach at Pathway - A Wesleyan Church on November 30, 2025, the first Sunday of Advent, when we would have lit the "Hope" candle on the Advent wreath if heavy snowfall had not preempted our service. This is the first message in a series titled He Came Down: The Wonder of God's Nearness. He Came Down... to Deliver Exodus 3:1-15 Introduction Have you ever walked through a season when you felt… unseen? When you wondered, “Does anyone know what I’m carrying? Does anyone understand? Is anyone even listening when I pray?” As we step into Advent, we need this reminder: Advent tells us we are not forgotten. Advent isn’t about people climbing their way to God. It’s the story of a God who comes down into the very places where we are — the ordinary, the unnoticed, the overlooked. And that’s why we’re not beginning this Advent series where you might expect. Instead of Bethlehem or Nazareth, we’re starting in the wilderness of ...
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Faith, Hope, and Redemption in the Book of Ruth

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by Bart Denny

When life leaves us bitter, where do we turn for hope? That’s the question the Book of Ruth gently answers—not with booming declarations, but with quiet acts of kindness, faith, and God’s hidden hand at work.

At first glance, God seems to play only a minor role in Ruth’s story. But by the final chapter, we see that this isn’t just a quaint tale of loyalty—it’s a redemptive thread woven into the tapestry of Israel’s greatest king, David. And ultimately, it’s a foreshadowing of the Redeemer of all humanity: Jesus Christ.

Hesed: A Kindness That Goes Beyond

If you had to sum up the entire book of Ruth in one word, that word might be hesed—a Hebrew term often translated as “kindness,” though no single English word captures its depth. Hesed is love in action, covenant faithfulness, and mercy. It’s sacrificial and often unexpected.

We see hesed in Ruth’s devotion to Naomi, Boaz’s generosity to Ruth, and God’s love through both. Ruth’s story is a living reminder that God often works His kindness through ordinary people like you and me.

Faith and Hope When Life Falls Apart

Naomi’s journey is one of deep grief and loss. But Ruth clings to her—and more than that, to Naomi’s God. Ruth shows up, day after day, in faith. And God honors that faith by providing more than she could have imagined. Redemption begins with trust, even when the path ahead is unclear.

Redemption: From Brokenness to Restoration

Boaz isn’t just a rescuer—he’s a kinsman redeemer, a powerful Old Testament picture of Jesus. Through Boaz, Ruth is redeemed. Through Ruth and Boaz’s son, Obed, comes David. And through David’s line—Jesus, our eternal Redeemer.

God at Work Behind the Scenes

The Book of Ruth reminds us that even when we can’t see God’s hand, He is still at work. His hesed never fails. His redemption never stops reaching. And His story of hope includes you.

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All comments are moderated. I welcome respectful disagreement with my posts. Such discussions can cause me to consider perspectives I hadn't examined before. However, I also reserve the right to delete any comment for any reason. Why? Simple enough, this is MY blog, with MY thoughts, and I want to have a civil conversation that is, at all times, God-honoring in nature.

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