What if when you think about God, you're actually thinking of the devil?
The episode opens with a provocative question about whether listeners might be confusing God with the devil when they experience bitterness. The speaker references John chapter 8 where Jesus tells his opponents they belong to their father the devil. He transitions to discussing the Book of Ruth, encouraging listeners to read it multiple times. The speaker focuses on how Naomi sees Ruth's gathered grain as just the beginning of God's fullness. He uses a real estate analogy, comparing God's present goodness to an earnest deposit on a house purchase. The speaker shares personal experience of writing six offers before buying a house. He explains that people often mistake God's deposit for the full amount of his goodness. The sermon references Ephesians 1 about the Holy Spirit as a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance. Returning to Ruth, the speaker highlights Naomi's turning point when she discovers Boaz is their kinsman redeemer. He explains the Hebrew concept of 'goel' - a relative who redeems property and people. The speaker uses Warren Buffett as an example of someone who acknowledges needing a redeemer (America). Multiple scripture references follow: Isaiah 41, Isaiah 44, Psalm 107, and Lamentations 3 all describe God as redeemer. The speaker contrasts gospel thinking with karma thinking, emphasizing that God's goodness doesn't require balancing with bad outcomes. He concludes that Jesus is our ultimate redeemer who finds us in emptiness and brings us to fullness. The episode ends with a prayer asking God to bring listeners on their own journey toward fullness.
