July 5, 2026

Ruth 1

Returning Home

Sunday Sermons

The book of Ruth is a quiet story tucked between the tumultuous period of the Judges and the rise of Israel’s kings. In the first chapter of Ruth, a famine drives a small family from Bethlehem, the house of bread, into Moab, a pagan land far from the presence and promises of God. There, in a country that was never home, Naomi loses her husband and both of her sons, and is left with her grief, two widowed daughters-in-law, and a longing to return home.

Join Pastor Tommy as we open Ruth 1 and follow Naomi and Ruth on the road back to Bethlehem. In her season of loss, Naomi hears that God has visited his people, and she sets her face toward home. Ruth, a Moabite who had every reason to stay behind, clings to Naomi: “Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” Underneath all the sorrow and lament, God is quietly at work, moving toward this grieving family with a steadfast, covenant love that will not let go, making a way for the weary and the wandering to come home.

Speaker

Tommy Bailey

Series

Love That Will Not Let Go

Go to Series

Scripture

Ruth 1

Topics
Growth & Discipleship Worldview & Culture

Sermon Notes

Ruth 1

Returning Home

Pastor Tommy Bailey

What’s in a name? (Ruth 1)

  • Elimelech – my God is King
  • Naomi – pleasant, sweet
  • Mahlon – sickly, ill
  • Chilion – tired, languishing
  • Orpah – gazelle, fawn
  • Ruth – friendship

A lament is a prayer in pain that leads to trust.
Mark Vroegrop, Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy

The book of Ruth gives us a window into the unseen, hidden work of God during one of the darkest periods in Israel’s history.

Christians are people of hope and not despair. Because we know that God, who had the first word, will have the last. He is never thwarted or caught napping by the circumstances of our lives. To have faith in Jesus does not mean we try to pretend that bad things are really good. Rather, we know that God will take our difficulties and weave them into purposes we cannot see as yet. And when he is done, the day will be more glorious for our having gone through the difficulties.
Rebecca Manley Pippert, Hope Has Its Reasons

1. Far From Home

2. Longing For Home

We must be open to the possibility of God’s addressing us in whatever way he chooses, or else we may walk right past a burning bush instead of saying, as Moses did, “I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.”
Dallas Willard, Hearing God

You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you.
Augustine, Confessions

3. Returning Home

God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform.
He plants his footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in the dark and hidden mines,
With never-failing skill,
He fashions all his bright designs
And works his sov’reign will.

Oh, fearful saints, new courage take:
The clouds that you now dread
Are big with mercy and will break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace.
Behind a frowning providence,
He hides a smiling face.
William Cowper, God Moves In A Mysterious Way

Discussion Questions

  • Read the passage together: Before today’s sermon, what did you already know or believe about this passage? Did anything in your understanding shift after hearing the message?
  • Challenge and Reflection: Was there a part of today’s message that was particularly challenging or surprising for you? Why?
  • Unpacking the Message: Pick a quote from today’s sermon notes. Discuss what it means to you.
  • Personal Impact: What’s one specific way you feel called to change or grow after hearing this message?
  • Practical Application: What’s one step you can take this week to put today’s message into practice?
  • Connecting Scripture: Are there other Bible passages or stories this message reminds you of? How do they expand or confirm this teaching?
  • Gratitude: What aspect of God’s character stood out to you in today’s message? How does it inspire praise or gratitude?
  • Pray the Scripture: After hearing the message, is there a specific area where you feel led to pray? How can we pray for one another in light of today’s teaching?

Songs, Readings & Prayer

Songs

“Blessed Be Your Name“ by Beth Redman and Matt Redman
“Come Thou Fount“ by Robert Robinson
“Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer“ by Margaret Becker and Keith Getty
“I Surrender All“ words by  Judson W. Van DeVenter, music by Winfield S. Weeden
“Before the Throne“ by Charitie Lees Bancroft and Vikki Cook
“Doxology” by Thomas Ken and Louis Bourgeois
All songs are used with permission. CCLI License no. 2003690

Looking for our Hymns of the Week or resources to worship anytime? We’ve curated a playlist of hymns TVC Worship has led on our YouTube Channel!

Call To Worship: At The Cross

Most merciful God, thank You for sending to us Your Son, Jesus.

We remember this day His redeeming death, that we might stand forgiven at the cross. Thank You for sending to us Your Son, Jesus, to whom we belong, in life and in death. He bore our infirmities and carried our sorrows.

Most holy God, thank You for sending to us Your Son, Jesus, who became sin for us and suffered the punishment due to us, that we might stand forgiven at the cross. In the name of our Lord Jesus, amen.

Confession of Sin:

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against You this day, in thought, word, and deed; by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved You with our whole hearts; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of Your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us, that we may delight in Your will, and walk in Your ways, to the glory of Your Name.
Grant to Your people pardon and peace, that in Your great mercy, we may be forgiven all our sins, and serve You with a quiet and contrite heart.
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, amen.

Classic Prayer: Gregory of Nazianzus

The stars dance for you, Lord, and planets shine for you, announcing your wisdom. Your lights sing to the glorious Trinity. Here below, we too are your glory. We exist to sing your praises, Light of the world. Immortal One, glory’s highest, you took on mortal flesh so you could put an end to our grief. We live for you, and our songs arise for you. We will be silent, or sing, at your will. May we do your bidding either way. May we say what is right, and nothing else. With your guidance, let us see the pearl in the mud, the gold in the sand, the rose in the thorny thicket. Let us hear what is pure in the noise of life.

TVC Prayer Ministry

TVC Ministry: TVC Choir
Vocation: Local, State and Federal Government
Mission Highlight: Porter’s Call
Praying for the Persecuted Church: Sudan

Join Our Prayer Team

Do you have a heart for prayer or a desire to lift others before the Lord? Sign up for our weekly prayer email, and you’ll receive trusted prayer requests from within our church family, our community, and around the world. At TVC, we believe it is a privilege to carry one another’s concerns to our Heavenly Father. Join us as we pray faithfully and walk with one another.

Join Us In Prayer