RUF at Kentucky: Recent Episodes
Sam Taaffe
Messages from the ministry of Reformed University Fellowship at the University of Kentucky. Instagram: @ukruf
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher teaches the first sermon in our Fall series, “Taste and See: At the Table with Jesus.”
From RUF’s Summer Conference, this is Campus Minister Nick Bratcher’s four day seminar on Christian ethics. This seminar borrows heavily from Carl Trueman’s book The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self and John Frame’s The Doctrine of the Christian Life. Both are heartily recommended.
From RUF’s Summer Conference, this is Campus Minister Nick Bratcher’s four day seminar on Christian ethics. This seminar borrows heavily from Carl Trueman’s book The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self and John Frame’s The Doctrine of the Christian Life. Both are heartily recommended.
From RUF’s Summer Conference, this is Campus Minister Nick Bratcher’s four day seminar on Christian ethics. This portion of the seminar borrows heavily from Glen Scrivener’s book The Air We Breathe and is heartily recommended for a better and fuller treatment of the subject.
From RUF’s Summer Conference, this is Campus Minister Nick Bratcher’s four day seminar on Christian ethics. This portion of the seminar borrows heavily from Glen Scrivener’s book The Air We Breathe and is heartily recommended for better and fuller treatment of the subject.
Each year we hear from our seniors how the Lord has worked through RUF in their lives. These are their stories.
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher teaches the eleventh sermon in our series, “Leviticus: The King Has Come.” It centers around the question, “What reason do we have to party?”
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher teaches the tenth sermon in our series, “Leviticus: The King Has Come.” It centers on a paradox: God is not concerned with your sex life, yet he is also deeply concerned with your sex life.
UK is on Spring Break this week, but Campus Minister Nick Bratcher was still teaching on Wednesday! He joined the women’s Bible study at Tates Creek Presbyterian Church, a partner church to RUF at the University of Kentucky, to conclude their study on the book of Matthew.
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher teaches the ninth sermon in our series, “Leviticus: The King Has Come.”
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher teaches the eighth sermon in our series, “Leviticus: The King Has Come.” In it, we seek an answer to the question, “How does God deal with rebellion?”
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher teaches the seventh sermon in our series, “Leviticus: The King Has Come.” In it, we answer three burning questions about the purity laws of Leviticus 12-15.
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher teaches the sixth sermon in our series, “Leviticus: The King Has Come.” In it, we answer three burning questions about the food laws of Leviticus 11.
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher teaches the fifth sermon in our series, “Leviticus: The King Has Come.” In it, we answer the question, “What are the dangers of our disobedience to God?”
Our normal large group was on pause this week to cheer on the Cats, but Campus Minister Nick Bratcher still taught a halftime devotional for the fourth installment of our series, “Leviticus: The King Has Come.” In it, we learn that Jesus is a greater high priest to truly wash away our sin, and we are set apart to follow his example for the world to see.
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher teaches the third sermon in our series, “Leviticus: The King Has Come.” In it, we learn that our sin is grave and great, but God’s grace is greater.
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher teaches the second sermon in our series, “Leviticus: The King Has Come.” In it, we learn three ways a whole burnt offering presents God’s people with a path forward together: a whole burnt offering is complete, costly, and continual.
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher teaches the first sermon in our series, “Leviticus: The King Has Come.” This one centers around the question, “To what story do the laws of Leviticus belong?” Many thanks to the various commentaries that contributed to this series: "Leviticus" from the ZECOT series by Jay Sklar, "Teaching Leviticus: From Text to Message" by G. Geoffrey Harper, "Leviticus" from the Anchor Bible series by Jacob Milgrom, and "The Book of Leviticus" from the NICOT series by Gordon Wenham.
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher teaches at our twelfth large group of the semester as part of our “Life of Peter” series. It centers around one big idea: we have been born again into a new family with a glorious inheritance.
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher teaches at our eleventh large group of the semester as part of our “Life of Peter” series. It presents us with three options to seek our justification: the allure of opinions, the allure of obedience, and the apprehension of grace.
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher teaches at our ninth large group of the semester as part of our “Life of Peter” series. It centers around one big question, “How does Jesus restore us into right relationship with himself?”
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher teaches at our eighth large group of the semester. It centers around one big question, “How does one fall away from Jesus?”
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher teaches at our seventh large group of the semester. It centers around a big question: how do we forgive people? We first need to see our own forgiveness from God. And then, if we see and truly accept that forgiveness, forgiven people ought to forgive people.
There is no greater good than to see God in his glory and to enjoy him in it.To support that idea, Campus Minister Nick Bratcher made three points from Mark 9–that we are designed for glory, distracted to death, and destined for resurrection.
Because Jesus graciously died to gather us to himself, we must invite those whom he loves into that gathering.To do that, we’re going to need to do three things: say what Jesus said, love those whom Jesus loved, and suffer as Jesus suffered.
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher teaches the fourth sermon in our “Life of Peter” series. It centers around the question, “Who do you want to be?”
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher teaches the third message in our series “Life of Peter” series. It seeks to answer the question: how does God’s compassion meet us in our faltering faith and doubt?
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher teaches the second message in our series, The Life of Peter. It explores how we minimize Jesus, meet Jesus, and maintain relationship with Jesus.
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher teaches the first message in our series, The Life of Peter. Its main idea is that God’s presence in our world is good news for three reasons: Jesus knows us all the way down, Jesus loves us all the way down, and Jesus won’t leave us all the way down.
Each year we hear from our seniors how the Lord has worked through RUF in their lives. These are their stories.
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher preaches the twelfth sermon in our series, “Psalms: Songs that Shape Us.” It centers around the question, “How are we to work and rest?”
Campus Intern David Brashier preaches the ninth sermon in our series, “Psalms: Songs that Shape Us.”
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher preaches the eighth sermon in our series, “Psalms: Songs that Shape Us.” It centers around what feels true in depression and what is true in depression.
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher preaches the seventh sermon in our series, “Psalms: Songs that Shape Us.” It centers around the question, “How are we to seek justice?”
Learn to evangelize out of love for neighbor instead of shame or guilt. Let’s put aside door-to-door sales and love the people God has put in our lives. That’s evangelism! (This talk was given by Campus Minister Nick Bratcher at the 2023 Midwest RUF Winter Conference.)
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher preaches the sixth sermon in our series, “Psalms: Songs that Shape Us.” It centers around the question, “How are we to repent?”
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher preaches the fifth sermon in our series, “Psalms: Songs that Shape Us.” It centers around the question, “How do we experience distance from God?”
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher preaches the fourth sermon in our series, “Psalms: Songs that Shape Us.” It centers around the question, “Why do we believe?”
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher preaches the third sermon in our series, “Psalms: Songs that Shape Us.” It centers around the question, “Why is God great?”
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher preaches the second sermon in our series, “Psalms: Songs that Shape Us.” It centers around the question, “How are we to despair?”
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher preaches the first sermon in our series, “Psalms: Songs that Shape Us.” It centers around the question, “What’s in it for us to submit our lives to God?”
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher preaches the twelfth and final sermon in our series, “Parables: Simple Stories with Spiritual Significance.” It centers around the question, “How can we find security?”
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher preaches the eleventh sermon in our series, “Parables: Simple Stories with Spiritual Significance.” It centers around the question, “How do we find our way home?”
Campus Intern David Brashier preaches the tenth sermon in our series, “Parables: Simple Stories with Spiritual Significance.”
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher preaches the ninth sermon in our series, “Parables: Simple Stories with Spiritual Significance.” It centers around the question, “Why do we pray and not lose heart?”
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher preaches the eighth sermon in our series, “Parables: Simple Stories with Spiritual Significance.” It centers around the question, “What is greatness?”
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher preaches the seventh sermon in our series, “Parables: Simple Stories with Spiritual Significance.” It centers around the question, “How do you become a poor fool?”
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher preaches the sixth sermon in our series, “Parables: Simple Stories with Spiritual Significance.” It centers around the question, “What is the condition of your heart?”
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher preaches the fourth sermon in our series, “Parables: Simple Stories with Spiritual Significance.” It centers around the question, “What is our identity?”
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher preaches the third sermon in our series, “Parables: Simple Stories with Spiritual Significance.” It centers around the question, "Where can you place your trust?"
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher preaches the second sermon in our series, “Parables: Simple Stories with Spiritual Significance.” It centers around the question, "How do we find acceptance?"
Campus Minister Nick Bratcher preaches the first sermon in our series, “Parables: Simple Stories with Spiritual Significance.” It centers around the question, "What do you point to for your justification?"
- Signs of Hypocrisy 2. Destination of Hypocrisy 3. Healing of Hypocrisy - much thanks to Phil Ryken and Les Newsom for their insights on this passage
Jesus tells a famous story about what it looks like to sacrifice our time, money so that someone else can thrive. We look at the obstacles to love, characteristics of love and the engine of love.
Luke 9:18-36 - Jesus invites us into a life of self-denial. Nothing could be more counter-cultural; and yet there is not a greater need in our culture than sacrificial love. Much thanks to Les Newsom for his insights
What does it look like to wait on Jesus in the midst of pain and confusion? Luke 8:40-56 invites us to come to Jesus with our pain and to trust and follow our unhurried Savior. Sources: Luke commentary by Phil Ryken, and “kings cross” by Tim Keller
Luke 8:22-25- storms will reveal where our trust is. As Jesus calms the storm, we see theSavior hear the cry of his friends, address their fear and draw them to trust the one who spoke the world into being.
Luke 6:1-11 - when was the last time your soul was at rest? Sabbath rest is Gods gift to his people. Why do we struggle to accept it? Special thanks to Phil Ryken and Brian Habig for their insights on this passage
Jesus’ miracles are not merely a display of his raw power, but they actually give us a picture of who he is and why he has come… to bring healing, salvation, and restoration. Much thanks to Phil Ryken and Les Newsom
The savior has come! That is humbling, because it means we require saving, but it also frees us to stop pretending we have it together. Jesus came to save people who cannot save themselves! Source material: Michael Wilcock, Phil ryken, Elliott Everitt
Luke writes this Gospel so that we may have certainty regarding the good news of Jesus! Much credit due to Phil Ryken and Elliot Everitt
Each year we get to hear from our departing seniors as well as interns about how the Lord has worked in and through them during their time at UK... This is always such a bittersweet evening. Hearing testimonies of God's faithfulness while saying farewell to beloved students! Holden Huffman starts things off, Matthew Burton (5:36), Kari Sletten (7:59), Will Jeanette (11:59), John Wilkins (18:10), Jared Boggs (21:47), Benjamin Siff (29:12), Noah Gadd (33:03), Isaac Smith (38:32), Jameson Barnes (45:42), Grace Ann Rothwell (54:03), It is well with my soul (1:02:03). Regina Gong spoke as well and I missed the recording!
Ecclesiastes 3:1-15. Guest speaker Mark Randle. We long to have control of our lives, but we live in a world where we are reminded daily that we truly do not know what tomorrow brings. What does it look like to acknowledge our frustration, while also trusting God? Ecclesiastes 3 shows a way forward
Ecclesiastes 2:18-26 gives us a picture of the futility of finding our significance in work, but also points us to joy and purpose in work.
Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 - how do we relate to the things and people that bring us joy without putting our hopes in them? This passage discusses what it looks like to relate to pleasure! Note: this is the second in our Ecclesiastes series. #1 didn’t record. Sources: Kevin DeYoung, Nancy Guthrie, Matt Howell
What do you love most and what would it take for you to part with it? In Genesis 22, God asks Abraham to give up the person he loves most? Why would he do that and what does that have to do with our trust in God? We explore those questions here. Much credit due to Derek Kidner and Brian Sorgenfrei
Depression, anxiety and addiction have affected us all, whether we have dealt with them personally or know a loved one who has. Where do we turn for Hope? On Friday March 19, we had the pleasure of hearing pastor Robert Cunningham share about his own struggle with mental health. We also heard from his wife Abby a licensed therapist here in Lexington. Our hope and prayer is that this event would give people encouragement, resources, and hope in the fact that none of our mental health issues are too great for our Good Shepherd. NOTE: some of the q&a was cut off due to a recording error.
Genesis 17, 18 and 21 - Isaac’s long awaited birth serves as yet another reminder of Gods faithfulness and invitation into true joy and hope. Sources: Sydney Greidanus, Iain Duguid, Ben Robertson
Genesis 17:1-14 - So thankful to have Jared McClain guest teach for us as we continue our series through the Life of Abraham. Jared is the northside director for YL Lexington and a pastoral intern at Hope Presbyterian
How do you respond to the pain in your life? How does God? Genesis 16 gives us a glimpse into the answers to these questions. Very grateful to Iain Duguid and Ben Robertson fo... Much of this sermon owes credit to their insights!
Throughout Scripture those who know and trust God also have questions and doubts. Abraham, like you and I, struggled to believe God would care for him and provide for him. How do we come to God with these? How does God respond? Genesis 15 helps us tackle these questions. Sources: Iain Duguid, Les Newsom
Genesis 13:1-18. How do we relate to our belongings, time, and gifts? How can we own and be generous with them without being owned by them? As Abraham and Lot separate we get two pictures of how to live. By faith vs by sight. Sources: Iain Duguid and Derek Kidner
How do you respond to the grace of God? Gen 13:1-4 gives us a little glimpse of what it looks like to respond to God's kindness by turning to him with our sin. Source Material: Gordon Wenham, Ben Robertson and Derek Kidner
Genesis 12:10-20 - Abraham’s failure and God’s faithfulness. Source material: Derek Kidner, Nate Shurden
Genesis 11:27-12:9 - How do we trust God when the journey we are on takes a detour we didn't plan or the path seems unclear? This semester, we are looking at this question as we study the life of Abraham in Genesis. The same God that makes lavish promises to Abraham makes and keeps promises to his children today. What does it look like to live in light of these promises? Source Material: Iain Duguid, Derek Kidner
Prayer is hard. Even Jesus' disciples had to ask him for help (Luke 11). And yet, because we have a God who delights in hearing from his children, it is not only possible to have a prayer life, but to enjoy praying to your Father. In the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), Jesus explains what it means to be 1. In relationship with the Father 2. Molded by the Father 3. Cared for by the Father. NOTE: the Scripture reading and intro were not recorded
The word hypocrite comes from the Greek word for "actor." Why do we feel the need to perform for others and act like we are better than we are? Sinclair Ferguson sums it up well in this look at Matthew 6:1-8; 16-18: "Throughout this section of the sermon, our Lord hints that the real trouble with the heart of the hypocrite is that he does not know God as his heavenly Father! He is insecure before God and, therefore, seeks security in what his fellow men think about him. He is unreal in his activities before men because he has no real relationship with God." Source Material: Les Newsom, Sinclair Ferguson, John Stott and Dallas Willard
"Turn the other cheek", "Love your enemies" - Two of the most well-known phrases in the Sermon on the mount are also two of the most challenging and beautiful commands. As John Stott aptly puts it: "Nowhere is the distinction of the christian counter culture more obvious. Nowhere is our need of power of the Holy Spirit (whose fruit is love) more compelling." In the midst of an election year, there has never been a better time to bring Christ's revolutionary love to bear on the world. Source Material: John Stott, Dallas Willard, Sinclair Ferguson.
God created sex to be good, but like so many things, it has become a tool for oppression, abuse, addiction - all in the name of satisfying our own needs. In Matthew 5:27-30, Jesus shows us, not only the cure to our lust, but also a better way forward under His rule and word. Source Material: Hide or Seek - John Freeman, Matthew - Frederick Dale Bruner
In the first of six sections where Jesus addresses misconceptions about the Law, Jesus explains we cannot address the sin of murder without looking at the anger in our hearts. Source Material: Dallas Willard, Sinclair Ferguson, Les Newsom
The Bible is not primarily about what you are supposed to do… it is primarily about what Jesus has accomplished on our behalf. In this passage, we flesh out what Jesus means when he says He hasn’t come to abolish the law and prophets but to fulfill them.
How do Christians relate to and love the world that God created, while not finding our hope or security in it? Jesus' answers that question in the Sermon on the Mount by stating His people are salt and light. What does that mean and what does it look like? That's we talk about tonight as we look at Matthew 5:13-16. Source Material: Sinclair Ferguson, Frederick Bruner, Les Newsom, John Stott
Tonight we take a look at Jesus' description of the blessed life in Matthew 5:1-12. Source material: John Stott, Dallas Willard, Dan Doriani
This semester on Wednesday nights we are looking at the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus invites us to consider what it means to find our life in Him and truly flourish. Before we do that, we take a look at the verses leading up to the sermon (Matthew 4:17, 23-5:1), where Jesus explains that the Kingdom of God is now at hand. What does that mean? Why does it matter? We look at those questions tonight. Source Material: Sinclair Ferguson "The Sermon on the Mount; Dallas Willard "The Divine Conspiracy"; The Sermon on the Mount "Dan Doriani"
At our first RUF of the semester, we take a look at a passage that embodies and explains what we are all about at RUF: Seeing lives transformed by the Gospel as we study God's Word together. Source Material: Very indebted to Dennis Johnson, Tim Keller and Matt Howell.
This summer we are looking at what the Bible says about love in 1 Corinthians 13. In this first study, we look at 1 Cor 13: 1-4a, where Paul explains the priority of love. We can speak with great power and eloquence, have immense knowledge, and experience amazing things in our life. We can even give away all our belongings. But if we do these apart from love... we are nothing. To truly live is to love. And this week we look at how love shows up in acts of patience and kindness.
Each year we hear from our seniors how the Lord has worked through RUF in their lives. These were recorded during our last 5 virtual large groups. Kay J, Jake O (3:45), Cora A. (10:26), Annelise M (16:08), McKaylee C (19:45), Kat V. (25:56), DeeDee S. (29:45), Madison A (35:09), Gene C (39:11), Lydia B (42:37)
Key resources: Martyn Lloyd Jones' Spiritual Depression, Psalms Vol. 1 - James Boice, Psalms - Derek Kidner, Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering - Timothy Keller
This is a Recording of our first Virtual Large Group on March 25, 2020 -Resources: Derek Kidner (Psalms 1-72), James Boice (Psalms vol 1 - 1-41), C.S Lewis Reflections on the Psalms -
Daniel 7:1-28 - this sermon was given at our last meeting on campus, before classes moved online due to the outbreak of COVID-19. In uncertain and unstable times, God's kingdom and purposes are eternal and unshakeable
These talks were given by Rev. Michael Gordon at RUF Midwest Winter Conference in Indiana Feb 21-23, 2020
These talks were given by Rev. Michael Gordon at RUF Midwest Winter Conference in Indiana Feb 21-23, 2020
These talks were given by Rev. Michael Gordon at RUF Midwest Winter Conference in Indiana Feb 21-23, 2020
Before we start our series in Daniel, we take a look at God's commands to those who live in exile. Source material for this series: Iain Duguid, Ralph Davis, Robert Edwards, Tim Keller (Jer 29)