In this heartfelt message from Ruth 2, Pastor Jeffrey Johnson reminds us that even when we are burdened by guilt, shame, and fear, God's response is not rejection—but welcome. Like Ruth, who sought refuge under the wings of the Redeemer, we are called to run to God, not away from Him. Pastor Johnson shares eight powerful reasons why we should bring our sins directly to the Lord: He will not turn us away, He will protect us, provide for us, speak kindly to us, satisfy our souls, lavish His grace upon us, never reproach us, and fully redeem us.

Through personal stories and deep biblical reflection, Pastor Johnson paints a vivid picture of the overwhelming kindness and mercy of God. Whether you are struggling with ongoing sin or simply need encouragement to draw near to Christ, this sermon is a tender call to find rest, forgiveness, and satisfaction under the wings of our Redeemer.

Listen in and be encouraged to run—without delay—to the gracious arms of our Savior.

In this profound sermon, Pastor Jeffrey Johnson explores the deep significance of Romans 4:25, reminding us that our hope and joy are firmly rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Pastor Johnson challenges us to shift our eyes off ourselves and onto the empty tomb, recognizing that Christ’s resurrection is not just a miraculous event, but the ultimate proof of the gospel’s power. The mystery is not that Jesus, the innocent and righteous Son of God, rose from the dead—this is expected for one without sin—but that He died at all. How could one without sin face death, when Scripture clearly states that the wages of sin is death? The answer lies in the incredible truth of double imputation: our sins were legally and spiritually transferred to Christ, and His righteousness has been transferred to us.

Using vivid and relatable illustrations—a ruined golf scorecard exchanged for a perfect one, a debt-ridden bank account replaced with infinite riches, a guilty defendant receiving a spotless record—Pastor Johnson brings home the heart of the gospel message. He emphasizes that Christ's death is the undeniable proof that our sins were imputed to Him, while His resurrection is the glorious confirmation that His perfect righteousness is now imputed to us. Without the resurrection, we would have no assurance that our sins were truly paid for or that we could stand justified before a holy God.

Pastor Johnson carefully walks us through the gravity of our sinfulness, laying bare the complete and overwhelming record of our guilt before God. He invites us to imagine standing before the divine Judge, facing every commandment we have broken, every sinful thought and deed exposed. Yet, he points us to the incredible hope that because Jesus bore our sins and rose victorious from the grave, our shameful record has been fully wiped away. Through Christ, we are not merely forgiven but declared righteous, clean, and accepted.

The resurrection is the proof of the "great exchange": Christ took our place, bore our guilt, and suffered our punishment so that we could receive His life, His innocence, and His eternal inheritance. Pastor Johnson closes with a heartfelt invitation: no matter the weight of your past sins or the shame you carry, you can be completely forgiven today. You can walk in freedom, assured that your record of sin is nailed to the cross and buried forever. Through faith in Christ, you are made new, justified, and able to approach God not in fear, but in the perfect righteousness of Jesus Himself.

This sermon is a rich and stirring reminder of why the resurrection is central to our faith, a call to rejoice in the forgiveness and freedom we have in Christ, and an invitation to everyone to experience the full assurance of salvation.

Jeffrey Johnson begins his message by inviting the congregation to turn to Ruth 1:6–18 as he continues the series on the gospel according to Ruth. Before diving into the passage, he reflects on the church’s upcoming 25th anniversary, marveling at how quickly time has passed and how abundantly God has blessed the church. Drawing a connection to 2 Chronicles and the story of Jehoshaphat, he recalls how the Lord fought the battle for Israel, turning their fear into overwhelming blessing—a metaphor Johnson uses to describe God's provision for the church over the years: “Our cup is overflowing.”

He transitions from personal gratitude to the text, focusing specifically on verses 14–18. In this moving scene, Ruth chooses to stay with Naomi, clinging to her rather than returning to Moab like Orpah. Johnson uses this image as a powerful spiritual metaphor, asking: Are you kissing Christ, or clinging to Him? Like Ruth and Orpah, many people may weep, show emotion, and have affection for Christ, but only a few truly cling to Him with a total, lifelong commitment. He parallels this idea with the rich young ruler who approached Jesus, desiring eternal life, yet went away sorrowful because he was unwilling to give up everything.

Johnson urges the congregation to examine whether they have fully surrendered to Christ or are still negotiating with God, offering only partial obedience. Ruth, by contrast, exemplifies full devotion—leaving behind her homeland, family, gods, and comforts to follow Naomi into an unknown land. Johnson emphasizes that to cling to Christ means to turn your back on everything else, to follow Him wherever He leads, to embrace all of Him, and to submit to Him completely as your God.

Throughout, he uses vivid personal and biblical illustrations: his father's unintentional idolatry of a relic collection, the story of Demas who abandoned Paul for love of the world, and young men he's counseled who walked away from obedience despite knowing the truth. He reminds the congregation that Christ doesn’t offer half-hearted discipleship—He demands everything, and in return offers everything.

The message crescendos with Ruth's declaration: “Where you die, I will die.” Johnson explains that true discipleship isn’t a temporary emotional decision—it’s a lifelong commitment. We must cling to Christ until death, not merely “kiss” Him in fleeting affection. He calls both the lost and the saved to examine their hearts: are they clinging to Christ with everything, or are they being pulled back to Moab?

Johnson ends with a pastoral plea for the kind of faith that, like Ruth’s, says to Jesus: “I’m not letting go.” He prays that God would grant this kind of whole-hearted repentance and enduring faith, giving Him all, and following Him in trust and joy until the end.