The One Decision that Changes Everything | Shawn Johnson | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

The One Decision that Changes Everything

Red Rocks Church • Jun 3, 2025 • 48 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

When painful hardships threaten to unravel our lives, we are faced with a defining choice: return to our past or run toward God and His people. Drawing from the book of Ruth, Pastor Shawn Johnson illustrates how prioritizing God first transforms our character, shapes who we become in our relationships, and opens the door for God to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine. A single decision to surrender to Christ and seek refuge in Him can rewrite our brokenness and fulfill His miraculous purpose for our lives.

Themes

Putting God FirstChristian CommunityOvercoming HardshipGodly CharacterRedemption and Restoration

Pastor's Points

1.

Running to God changes who you become.

2.

Running to God changes the spouse you can be.

3.

Running to God changes what God does.

Key Points

1.
Jesus emphasized that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, which establishes the foundation for healthy relationships (Matthew 22:36–39).
2.
When unexpected pain or tragedy strikes, we face a critical choice to either fall back into our past or run toward God and His people (Ruth 1:14–16).
3.
Choosing to run to God transforms who you become by allowing the Holy Spirit to develop fruit like love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness in your character (Galatians 5:22–23).
4.
Going spouse shopping without a clear list of spiritual character and integrity is like going to the grocery store hungry—you end up settling for what is not good for the long run.
5.
Single believers should ask themselves, "Am I becoming the person that the person I am looking for is looking for?"
6.
Boaz valued Ruth not because of her Moabite background or past tragedy, but because she chose to turn away from her past and take refuge under the wings of the Lord (–12).

Sermon Moments

“Falling off a garage ladder onto concrete and landing in an oil spot as a humorous picture of how painful relationships can feel at times.”

“Going spouse shopping without a list is like going grocery shopping hungry—you end up coming home with a cart full of Little Debbies that aren't good for the long run.”

“"Am I the person the person I'm looking for is looking for?"”

“Orpa chose to retreat to her past, but Ruth made the defining decision: "Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God."”

“Boaz looking past Ruth's Moabite heritage and past heartbreak because she chose to take refuge under the wings of the Lord.”

“An 18-year testimony of a wife who never stopped praying, loving, serving, and staying plugged into church until her husband gave his life to Christ.”

“Ruth's simple decision to run to God transformed her tragic story into the lineage of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ.”

This Week

Make putting God first your top priority each day through prayer and reading scripture before making major life or relationship decisions.

If you are single, focus less on shopping for the perfect spouse and ask God to shape you into the person the spouse you are looking for is looking for.

When facing tragedy or emotional pain, intentionally run to God and stay plugged into Christian community instead of retreating into past habits or isolation.

Practice 1 Corinthians 13 love in your marriage or relationships this week by intentionally letting go of past wrongs and extending patience.

If you are in a spiritually divided marriage, continue praying, loving, serving, and staying active in church while trusting God to work in your spouse's heart.

Identify the specific decision God is prompting you to make today—such as forgiving someone, ending a harmful relationship, or seeking counseling—and take immediate action.

Take refuge under the wings of the Lord during seasons of unravelling, trusting Him to write a story that exceeds your imagination.

Remember This

Choosing to run to God and stay connected to His people during painful times transforms your character, strengthens your relationships, and unlocks God's miraculous purpose in your life.

A Challenge for You

What is the one decision that God has been putting on your heart to make? Don't go back to your past; run to God, stay close to His people, and trust Him to do the miraculous in your life.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.