RUF Arkansas
51 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 4 years ago - ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSermons/Talks from Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) at the University of Arkansas (woo pig) by Mike Ford
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Episodes
The Most Important Thing | 1 Corinthians 15:1-10
April 23, 2020 01:00 - 25 minutes - 35.5 MB"I'm glad to be here with you Samwise Gamgee, here at the end of all things." - Frodo This is my last talk with RUF at Arkansas (I recently took a job to be the Campus Minister at the University of Tennessee). And because I'm an enneagram 4 and melodramatic...I had to quote Tolkien from Lord of the Rings! But because of COVID-19, we had our last RUF Large Group over Zoom. Aaaaaaand... I was in my mother-in-law's bedroom for my last sermon! Anyway, I thought to myself, What would I want my ...
Unveiled: The Story of the World | Revelation 12:1-17
March 12, 2020 00:00 - 34 minutes - 47.1 MBWe continue our series entitled: "Unveiled: Following Jesus into the New World" by looking at the true story of the world. We all love a good story. What if it's because there is a STORY behind all stories? A story where an evil Villain tries to ruin a good world. A story where a Hero comes to save the day? What if Revelation 12 is true... "And the great dragon was thrown down..." TEXT: Revelation 12:1-17 Special thanks for my boys Robert Cunningham and Brian Sorgenfrei.
Unveiled: The Great Tribulation | Revelation 6-7
February 27, 2020 01:00 - 37 minutes - 52.2 MBWe continue our series entitled: "Unveiled: Following Jesus into the New World" by looking at the Great Tribulation, which is accompanied by our favorite animals - the four different-colored apocalyptic horsemen and (only?) 144,000 people raising their voices to God in heaven. Yep... Revelation starts to get crazy... There's suffering and temptation BUT there's also the blood of the lamb... What is the Great Tribulation? Could it be happening now? How does the blood from a lamb help? "Thes...
Unveiled: Self-Sufficiency | Revelation 3:14-22
February 13, 2020 01:00 - 34 minutes - 48.1 MBWe continue our series entitled: "Unveiled: Following Jesus into the New World" by looking at the letter to the church at Laodicea. Intern Extraordinaire, James Post, explains what Jesus means when he says to the Christians at Laodicea (and to us!)... "Because you are neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth..." We want to be self-sufficient. We need to repent. We need Jesus. TEXT: Revelation 3:14-22
Hurry as an Enemy to Love | WuCo Seminar 2020 | Matthew 11:28-30
February 08, 2020 15:00 - 54 minutes - 74.3 MB"Why was I in such a hurry to become someone I didn't even like?" - John Mark Comer If you feel overwhelmed, busy, anxious, or always having too much to do, come hitch yourself up to Jesus, and live life at the pace of grace, a rhythm of unhurried, intentional labor. For, the claim is, it's really hard to love people when you're in a hurry. TEXT: Matthew 11:28-20 RESOURCE: "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry", John Mark Comer
Unveiled: Forgetting to love | Revelation 2:1-7
January 30, 2020 01:00 - 38 minutes - 52.5 MBJohn writes 7 letters to churches in Asia minor. Ephesus is the first church addressed and they are doing amazing things for God. They are achieving and performing, guarding doctrinal purity, laboring patiently for the gospel... BUT. They forgot something. They forgot to love Jesus. We'll discuss the reasons we often forget to love Jesus, and how this letter wants to train us to NOT forget to love. TEXT: Revelation 2:1-7
Unveiled: the Book of Revelation | Revelation 1:1-8
January 16, 2020 01:00 - 31 minutes - 43.7 MBWe begin a new series entitled: "Unveiled: Following Jesus into the New World" by looking at the opening verses of Revelation, the last book of the Bible. To understand one of the most avoided, least preached on, and most misunderstood books of the Bible, we have to understand what GENRE it is. It's apocalyptic, prophetic, and a pastoral letter. You get this wrong, you get the whole book wrong, and you miss what God is trying to tell you. Special love to my man-crush Robert Cunningham. TEX...
Romance: Is One Person Enough? | Genesis 29:30 - 30:24
November 21, 2019 01:00 - 37 minutes - 51.6 MBWe finish our semester with a 2-part sermon series based on David Zahl's book, "Seculosity." We often try to find value and meaning in horizontal, earthly things, rather than vertical, heavenly things. We will look at busyness and romance. "You complete me." Tom Cruise's iconic phrase from Jerry McGuire is the anthem of our culture's belief regarding romance. But is it possible to find one person who will complete us? This week we look at the longing we have for romance, the dangers of rom...
Busyness: "One thing necessary" | Luke 10:38-42
November 14, 2019 01:00 - 33 minutes - 45.9 MBWe finish our semester with a 2-part sermon series based on David Zahl's book, "Seculosity." We often try to find value and meaning in horizontal, earthly things, rather than vertical, heavenly things. We will look at busyness and romance. "How are you?" You get asked that multiple times a day. Most likely, you respond with some form of "Well, busy as always." But is this the way we are supposed to live our lives? Jesus offers us a way out. Martha is busy and stressed. Mary sits at Jesus' ...
"Who touched me?" | An Invitation to be Known in Suffering \\ Mark 5:24-34
October 24, 2019 00:00 - 30 minutes - 42.3 MBWe begin a new series this Fall entitled, "Questions from Jesus: Invitations to Grow." Jesus' first recorded words was a question (only 12 years old in Luke 2:50!). In the gospels he asks almost 300 questions! Why? Questions stretch us and force us to deal with issues we often try to avoid. The claim of the semester is that Jesus asks us questions as invitations for us to grow - both in self-awareness of who we are and in our knowledge of God and who He is. Each week we look at a different i...
"Gain the world but lose your soul?" | An Invitation to Costly Discipleship \\ Mark 8:27-37
October 17, 2019 00:00 - 35 minutes - 49.4 MBWe begin a new series this Fall entitled, "Questions from Jesus: Invitations to Grow." Jesus' first recorded words was a question (only 12 years old in Luke 2:50!). In the gospels he asks almost 300 questions! Why? Questions stretch us and force us to deal with issues we often try to avoid. The claim of the semester is that Jesus asks us questions as invitations for us to grow - both in self-awareness of who we are and in our knowledge of God and who He is. Each week we look at a different i...
"Why do you call me good?" | An Invitation to Follow Jesus \\ Mark 10:17-22
October 10, 2019 00:00 - 31 minutes - 43.1 MBWe begin a new series this Fall entitled, "Questions from Jesus: Invitations to Grow." Jesus' first recorded words was a question (only 12 years old in Luke 2:50!). In the gospels he asks almost 300 questions! Why? Questions stretch us and force us to deal with issues we often try to avoid. The claim of the semester is that Jesus asks us questions as invitations for us to grow - both in self-awareness of who we are and in our knowledge of God and who He is. Each week we look at a different i...
"Where are we to buy bread?" | An Invitation to Abundance \\ John 6:1-14
September 19, 2019 00:00 - 30 minutes - 41.8 MBWe begin a new series this Fall entitled, "Questions from Jesus: Invitations to Grow." Jesus' first recorded words was a question (only 12 years old in Luke 2:50!). In the gospels he asks almost 300 questions! Why? Questions stretch us and force us to deal with issues we often try to avoid. The claim of the semester is that Jesus asks us questions as invitations for us to grow - both in self-awareness of who we are and in our knowledge of God and who He is. Each week we look at a different i...
"Who will love him more?" | An Invitation to Love Much \\ Luke 7:36-50
September 12, 2019 00:00 - 31 minutes - 43.7 MBWe begin a new series this Fall entitled, "Questions from Jesus: Invitations to Grow." Jesus' first recorded words was a question (only 12 years old in Luke 2:50!). In the gospels he asks almost 300 questions! Why? Questions stretch us and force us to deal with issues we often try to avoid. The claim of the semester is that Jesus asks us questions as invitations for us to grow - both in self-awareness of who we are and in our knowledge of God and who He is. Each week we look at a different i...
"What is that to you?" | An Invitation Away From Comparison \\ John 21:18-25
September 05, 2019 00:00 - 32 minutes - 44.1 MBWe begin a new series this Fall entitled, "Questions from Jesus: Invitations to Grow." Jesus' first recorded words was a question (only 12 years old in Luke 2:50!). In the gospels he asks almost 300 questions! Why? Questions stretch us and force us to deal with issues we often try to avoid. The claim of the semester is that Jesus asks us questions as invitations for us to grow - both in self-awareness of who we are and in our knowledge of God and who He is. Each week we look at a different i...
"What are you seeking?" | An Invitation to Consider \\ John 1:35-39
August 29, 2019 00:00 - 27 minutes - 37.3 MBWe begin a new series this Fall entitled, "Questions from Jesus: Invitations to Grow." Jesus' first recorded words was a question (only 12 years old in Luke 2:50!). In the gospels he asks almost 300 questions! Why? Questions stretch us and force us to deal with issues we often try to avoid. The claim of the semester is that Jesus asks us questions as invitations for us to grow - both in self-awareness of who we are and in our knowledge of God and who He is. Each week we look at a different i...
Praying For Joy | Psalm 84
April 25, 2019 00:00 - 32 minutes - 29.7 MBWe finish a 5-week series entitled, "Psalms: Praying Our Emotions." We will be looking at how the Psalms teach us to pray the emotions of Anger, Sadness, Fear, and Joy. Emotions are important because they reveal our hearts and what we care most about. We are not to give up our emotions (suppress or ignore them), give in to our emotions (act on every impulse we have), but GIVE our emotions to God, that is, pray our emotions to the God who made our emotions. We finish with something we all l...
Praying Our Fears | Psalm 23
April 18, 2019 00:00 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBWe are in a 5-week series entitled, "Psalms: Praying Our Emotions." We will be looking at how the Psalms teach us to pray the emotions of Anger, Sadness, Fear, and Joy. Emotions are important because they reveal our hearts and what we care most about. We are not to give up our emotions (suppress or ignore them), give in to our emotions (act on every impulse we have), but GIVE our emotions to God, that is, pray our emotions to the God who made our emotions. In honor of senior night, we look...
Praying Our Sadness | Psalm 88
April 11, 2019 00:00 - 34 minutes - 31.8 MBWe are in a 5-week series entitled, "Psalms: Praying Our Emotions." We will be looking at how the Psalms teach us to pray the emotions of Anger, Sadness, Fear, and Joy. Emotions are important because they reveal our hearts and what we care most about. We are not to give up our emotions (suppress or ignore them), give in to our emotions (act on every impulse we have), but GIVE our emotions to God, that is, pray our emotions to the God who made our emotions. This week we look at the saddest ...
Praying Our Hate and Anger | Psalm 109
April 04, 2019 00:00 - 31 minutes - 28.7 MBWe are in a 5-week series entitled, "Psalms: Praying Our Emotions." We will be looking at how the Psalms teach us to pray the emotions of Anger, Sadness, Fear, and Joy. Emotions are important because they reveal our hearts and what we care most about. We are not to give up our emotions (suppress or ignore them), give in to our emotions (act on every impulse we have), but GIVE our emotions to God, that is, pray our emotions to the God who made our emotions. This week we look at the impreca...
Why We Need The Psalms | Psalm 55
March 28, 2019 00:00 - 38 minutes - 35.4 MBWe begin a new 5-week series entitled, "Psalms: Praying Our Emotions." We will be looking at how the Psalms teach us to pray the emotions of Anger, Sadness, Fear, and Joy. Emotions are important because they reveal our hearts and what we care most about. We are not to give up our emotions (suppress or ignore them), give in to our emotions (act on every impulse we have), but GIVE our emotions to God, that is, pray our emotions to the God who made our emotions. This week you are in for a tr...
The Mercy of God's Sovereignty | Romans 9
March 07, 2019 01:00 - 37 minutes - 34.1 MBWe continue our 9-week series in the book of Romans by looking at the Mercy of God's Sovereignty. Paul takes us on a journey through the Old Testament showing us that God has always remained faithful to his covenant people because he has chosen a remnant. God's unparalleled sovereignty reveals his character of mercy and justice. Paul is asking us to reckon with the God who is in charge of the world. TEXT: Romans 9:1-29
What Will Separate You From God's Love? | Romans 8:31-39
February 28, 2019 01:00 - 29 minutes - 27.4 MBWe continue our 9-week series in the book of Romans by looking at what Paul says regarding the haunting doubt we all have: that God is disappointed in us and we have to earn his love. Paul goes to great lengths to communicate that for all of us IN Christ Jesus, NOTHING will separate us from God's love - even suffering, even our sins, even death. TEXT: Romans 8:31-39
Adopted as God's Child | Romans 8:12-17
February 21, 2019 01:00 - 32 minutes - 29.4 MBWe continue our 9-week series in the book of Romans by looking at what Paul says regarding the doctrine of adoption. We are all craving unconditional love. Paul says the answer to that hunger is found in becoming God's child. TEXT: Romans 8:12-17, 23
Dying and Living in Christ | Romans 6:1-14
February 14, 2019 01:00 - 31 minutes - 29.2 MBWe continue our 9-week series in the book of Romans by looking at what Paul says regarding sanctification. James "the man the myth the Intern" Post explains that Sanctification is a two-fold process of dying and living in Christ. Do not give up hope. God will transform you into Christ. TEXT: Romans 6:1-14
Accused and Accepted | Romans 3:19-26
January 31, 2019 01:00 - 37 minutes - 34.1 MBWe continue our 9-week series in the book of Romans by looking at what Paul says regarding justification and righteousness. The answer to our insecurities is found in the righteousness of Jesus. Paul claims that we are accountable to God, accused before God (which incurs wrath and guilt), BUT (and verse 21 is a big BUT), in Christ we are accepted by God (which includes acting in love not fear and affection not condemnation). TEXT: Romans 3:19-26
Not Ashamed | Romans 1:15-17
January 24, 2019 01:00 - 31 minutes - 28.9 MBWe continue our 9-week series in the Book of Romans by looking at the theme of the whole book of Romans (and really Paul's life). If you were asked to define "the Gospel" what would you say? How would you describe it? Paul declares that he is not ashamed of the gospel for 3 reasons: it gave him a new relationship of love, it gave him value, and it gave him a new way to live. TEXT: Romans 1:15-17
Called to Belong | Romans 1:1-7
January 17, 2019 01:00 - 27 minutes - 25.6 MBWe begin our 9-week series in the book of Romans by looking at the 'greeting' of Paul. He says that because of the Gospel we are "called to belong to Jesus Christ". We all are looking for a place to belong. Paul says Jesus offers you a place to belong by calling you where you are at, changing you identity, and commissioning you to love. TEXT: Romans 1:1-7
Relating to Sex | 1 Corinthians 6:13-20
November 15, 2018 04:00 - 36 minutes - 33.7 MBThis semester we are going through a sermon series entitled: "Relationships: Made For Love." We finish our series on Relationships by looking at Sex. God gave the gift of sex to humanity, but like all good gifts from God, we have used sex in ways God never intended, resulting in shame, guilt and damaged relationships. The good news, however, is that the gospel offers hope to sexually broken people. Special Thanks to Matt Howell, Tim Keller, and Richie Sessions. TEXT: Genesis 1:28, 2:24-25; 1...
Relating to Your Body | 1 Corinthians 15
November 08, 2018 02:00 - 28 minutes - 26.3 MBThis semester we are going through a sermon series entitled: "Relationships: Made For Love." The New Testament uses the language of "body" to refer to the Church, the Lord's Supper, and the earthly, human bodies we all claim. We will primarily focus on the last one. How should Christians think about the human body? TEXT: Ephesians 4; Luke 22; 1 Corinthians 15
Relating to the Body | 1 Corinthians 15
November 08, 2018 02:00 - 28 minutes - 26.3 MBThis semester we are going through a sermon series entitled: "Relationships: Made For Love." The New Testament uses the language of "body" to refer to the Church, the Lord's Supper, and the earthly, human bodies we all claim. We will primarily focus on the last one. How should Christians think about the human body? TEXT: Ephesians 4; Luke 22; 1 Corinthians 15
Relating to the Other | Luke 10:25-37
October 25, 2018 00:00 - 37 minutes - 34.8 MBThis semester we are going through a sermon series entitled: "Relationships: Made For Love." Guest Speaker Dustin McGowan explains how the Parable of the Good Samaritan shows us what it's like to be in relationship with and love people who are different than us. He also calls Mike weird so it's a great sermon for a number of reasons. TEXT: Luke 10:25-37
Relating to Singleness | 1 Corinthians 7
October 03, 2018 04:00 - 32 minutes - 30.1 MBThis semester we are going through a sermon series entitled: "Relationships: Made For Love." Male Intern Extraordinaire James Post shows us the beauty of how the Bible talks about singleness. Often the word "singleness" evokes ideas such as loneliness or unhappiness, but Paul uses a radical word to describe it: good. We discuss Paul's claim regarding singleness, Paul's logic, and the practical implications for our lives. TEXT: 1 Corinthians 7:6-9, 32-35
Relating to Dating Pt 2 | 1 John 4:15-19
September 26, 2018 04:00 - 39 minutes - 36.2 MBThis semester we are going through a sermon series entitled: "Relationships: Made For Love." This week we look (again!) at the wonderful topic of...dating. This is super practical. We discuss fears that come with dating, things to avoid when dating, and helpful tips to date wisely. Once more, special thanks to Brian Sorgenfrei, Matt Howell, and Les Newsom. TEXT: 1 John 4:15-19
Relating to Dating Pt 1 | 1 John 4:15-19
September 19, 2018 04:00 - 31 minutes - 28.5 MBThis semester we are going through a sermon series entitled: "Relationships: Made For Love." This week we look at the wonderful topic of...dating. Every relationship you have begs for a definition. Defined relationships allow us to know what roles to take on and what behaviors are acceptable. If you don't know the definition of the relationship, you can harm the relationship. The tricky thing about dating is that by definition, it is temporary and insecure. How are we then to approach dating ...
Relating to Love | 1 Corinthians 13:1-8
September 05, 2018 04:00 - 26 minutes - 24.3 MBThis semester we are going through a series entitled: "Relationships: Made For Love". This week we look at how we are to relate to, well, love. Without love, Paul claims, you are nothing (!) - thanks Paul. So what is love? Why is it so necessary to the Christian life? We discuss the necessity of love, the definition of love, and the person of love. TEXT: 1 Corinthians 13:1-8
Relating to You | Ephesians 4:19-24
August 29, 2018 04:00 - 31 minutes - 29.2 MBThis semester we are going through a series entitled: "Relationships: Made For Love". This week we look at how we are to relate to the self. The most complicated relationship you will have is with your "self". The answer is not self-rejection or self-indulgence but self-understanding. By looking at Paul's admonition to put off the "old self" and put on the "new self", we are given the key to value and worth apart from performance, which allows us to become our true self in Christ. This self-u...
Relating to God | Luke 15:11-32
August 22, 2018 04:00 - 25 minutes - 23.6 MBThis semester we are going through a series entitled: "Relationships: Made For Love". We begin by looking at how we are to relate to God. One of the dominant ways God relates to his people is that of a Father. In Luke 15, we see a Father who has two sons. Though both sons seem different, they're more similar than you think. And the Father offers his prodigal, reckless, extravagant love to both. We were made for a Fatherly embrace of love. TEXT: Luke 15:11-32
Worship: The King Who Is Worthy | Revelation 5
March 28, 2018 04:00 - 26 minutes - 24 MB"Everybody worships" atheist David Foster Wallace says. The question is, "What do you worship?" The word worship originally meant "worth-ship." So, what has ultimate worth and value in your life? What do you think about, live for, talk about all the time? The claim of Revelation 5 (and Wallace!) is that if you worship anything other than Jesus, it will eat you alive. Because no other King is worthy to be worshiped than Jesus. He is a Lion who reigns but a Lamb who renounced his rights, who sa...
Shame and Love: David and Mephibosheth | 2 Samuel 9
March 14, 2018 04:00 - 31 minutes - 29.1 MBSomehow a physically disabled outcast of society gains favor with the King. Mephibosheth is a nobody who has his shame covered by the covenant love of King David. One of the strangest and yet most beautiful passages in all of Scripture. If you struggle with shame, hear how the King treats you. TEXT: 2 Samuel 9
The Guilty King | 2 Samuel 6
March 07, 2018 05:00 - 31 minutes - 14.5 MBDavid has been recognized publicly as King. It is a day of joyful celebration as they bring home the Ark of the Covenant. Then an oxen stumbles, Uzzah touches the Ark, dies, and a day of mourning turns into sorrow. David sends the Ark away to stay with someone else. Why does Uzzah die? Why is David afraid to have the Ark come to Jerusalem? Why is this passage about guilt and death good news for you and me? Text: 2 Samuel 6
Generosity: David and Exhausted People | 1 Samuel 30
February 28, 2018 05:00 - 31 minutes - 14.4 MBSome men do all the work. Some are too exhausted to go on. But all get the same reward because of a generous king. That's the generous gospel. Special thanks to Sorgenfrei and Brian Habig. Text: 1 Samuel 30
Friendship: David and Jonathan | 1 Samuel 20
February 07, 2018 05:00 - 34 minutes - 16.1 MBThis is truly one of the great friendships in the Bible. Why is it so special? What do David and Jonathan have that we don't have? Special thanks to Richie Sessions, Tim Keller, Ricky Jones, and Matt Howell. Text: 1 Samuel 20
Envy: David and Saul | 1 Samuel 18
January 31, 2018 05:00 - 27 minutes - 12.7 MBEnvy is the lurking figure behind every relationship we have. When others are miserable, we are happy. When others are happy, we're miserable. Saul is envious of David. Envy seeks to delete people out of our lives. What's the antidote? Love. Special thanks to Richie Sessions, Tim Keller, and Matt Howell. Text: 1 Samuel 18
Friendship, Conflict, and Vulnerability
January 27, 2018 05:00 - 44 minutes - 20.4 MBWe all want deep lasting friendships but they often seem so elusive. The claim of this seminar is that these life-long friendships are forged through the necessity of conflict. And conflict is successful when both friends are vulnerable.
Fear and Courage: David and Goliath
January 24, 2018 05:00 - 30 minutes - 13.8 MBWhere do you find courage when you are afraid? David shows us the way as he defeats Goliath. This is THE story of the human race. This is your story. And David points us to our true King, Jesus. Special thanks to Richie Sessions, Tim Keller, Sorgenfrei, and Matt Howell. Text: 1 Samuel 17
Christ's Love Restores Failures
November 29, 2017 05:00 - 21 minutes - 19.9 MBJohn ends his gospel with an account of a Failure. Peter denies Jesus 3x after vowing to die for him 10 hours earlier. Talk about a failure. And yet, we've all failed. How you respond to your failures? More importantly, how does Jesus respond? John records an incredibly intimate breakfast conversation where Jesus asks Peter one question: "Do you love me?" That question is the answer to our deepest needs and longings. Text: John 20
Christ Our Resurrection
November 08, 2017 05:00 - 24 minutes - 22.7 MBThe Resurrection of Jesus is the central doctrine of the Christian faith. If Jesus didn't rise from the dead, then we are still in our sins so let us 'eat and drink for tomorrow we die.' In John 20, on Easter morning, Mary stands outside the tomb and weeps, because she has lost the one she loves (she thinks) forever. The empty tomb gives hope to a dying world that our mistakes and sins are not the end of our story. They can't be. Only in Christ Our Resurrection is true, lasting change possibl...
Christ's Judgment in our Shame
September 27, 2017 04:00 - 30 minutes - 28.2 MBWhat do you do you with your shame and guilt? We all have it. More importantly, how does Jesus treat you in your shame? In John 8, we see Jesus as a merciful judge who extends forgiveness and love to a woman caught in sin. Text: John 8
Christ's Presence in our Chaos
September 20, 2017 04:00 - 26 minutes - 24.7 MBJesus puts his disciples on a boat and sends them into a storm. Why would he do that? Like the disciples, our lives often feel chaotic. We are anxious and afraid and wondering why God would allow these things in our lives. But in the midst of the chaos, we see Jesus move toward us in love. In doing so, he reveals his power and gives us his presence. Special thanks to Greg Thompson. Text: John 6