RUF Arkansas

"I'm glad to be here with you Samwise Gamgee, here at the end of all things." - FrodoThis 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 students to hear? What do I need to hear? And that's how we came to 1 Corinthians 15. Paul says that the gospel of Jesus is "of first importance." So, my beloved Arkansas students, remember the gospel.Christ was born. Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again. TEXT: 1 Corinthians 15:1-10

We 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 12:1-17Special thanks for my boys Robert Cunningham and Brian Sorgenfrei.

We 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?"These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb..."TEXT: Revelation 6-7

We 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

"Why was I in such a hurry to become someone I didn't even like?" - John Mark ComerIf 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 11:28-20RESOURCE: "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry", John Mark Comer

John 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

We 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.TEXT: Revelation 1:1-8

We 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 romance, and the God of romance in the story between Jacob, his two wives (Leah and Rachel), and the crazy road to creating their family. Get ready: this section of Scripture is unfiltered and intense - just like romance. TEXT: Genesis 29:30 - 30:24

We 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' feet. Jesus commends Mary. In this episode we look at the expectations our culture places on us to live stressed-out, busy lives, it's devastating effects on us, and how we can receive the rest of Jesus in our busyness. TEXT: Luke 10:38-42

We 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 interaction where Jesus asks someone a question. I invite you to take Jesus' questions seriously - he's asking you because he loves you and wants you to grow!This week we see a nameless, faceless woman who has been bleeding for 12 years and is desperate to be healed. She comes to Jesus from behind and touches his garments, hoping he can heal her. We will see that this woman is desperate to be healed. Suffering has stolen her dignity. But we will also see that Jesus is desperate to find this woman because he wants to restore her dignity. Jesus wants to know you in your suffering.TEXT: Mark 5:24-34

We 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 interaction where Jesus asks someone a question. I invite you to take Jesus' questions seriously - he's asking you because he loves you and wants you to grow!This week we look at the moment when Jesus tells his disciples he's going to Jerusalem to die. Peter rebukes him. Jesus calls him Satan. And we are told that following Jesus is costly, but worth it, because Jesus is better. Come learn about the costly worth of following Jesus.TEXT: Mark 8:27:37

We 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 interaction where Jesus asks someone a question. I invite you to take Jesus' questions seriously - he's asking you because he loves you and wants you to grow!This week James Post, dog-lover and book-lover (overall great lover), teaches us about the the rich young man who had it all, and the Jesus who invited him to give it all up and follow him. Such a beautiful story of how Jesus invites us to give up our idols as we trust in him. TEXT: Mark 10:17-22

We 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 interaction where Jesus asks someone a question. I invite you to take Jesus' questions seriously - he's asking you because he loves you and wants you to grow!This week we look at how Jesus fills us in our emptiness. Look, this world can be exhausting. It can empty you. What will give you life and fullness and abundance? Jesus. His grace is abundant. Come receive the bread of life from John 6.TEXT: John 6:1-14

We 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 interaction where Jesus asks someone a question. I invite you to take Jesus' questions seriously - he's asking you because he loves you and wants you to grow!This week we look at an interaction between a very important Pharisee named Simon and a broken 'woman of the city'. Simon hosts a dinner party and invites Jesus to eat with him. During the meal, a prostitute causes a scandalous scene by throwing herself at Jesus' feet with ointment and great sobs. While Simon judges the weeping woman (for her sins) and Jesus (for allowing her to touch him), Jesus receives her broken love. He then tells Simon a story reminding us that only forgiven sinners are able to love much. We will look at what stops us from loving much, who shows us how to love much, and how can we start to love much.TEXT: Luke 7:36-50

We 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 interaction where Jesus asks someone a question. I invite you to take Jesus' questions seriously - he's asking you because he loves you and wants you to grow!This week we look at the problem of COMPARISON. Jesus informs Peter that he is going to die as a martyr. As Jesus tells him this, John shows up, and Peter wants to know what will happen to the Beloved disciple. Jesus responds with a question: "What business is that of yours? You follow me." Come learn about what comparison reveals, what comparison steals, and the life-giving power of Jesus' appeal.TEXT: John 21:18-25

We 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 interaction where Jesus asks someone a question. I invite you to take Jesus' questions seriously - he's asking you because he loves you and wants you to grow!This week we look at Jesus' first recorded words in the gospel of John. Two disciples of John the Baptist start following Jesus and seeing them, he turns around and asks them, "What are you seeking? What do you want?" This is the first question he asks every one who follows him. If Jesus asked you that question, what would you say?TEXT: John 1:35-39

We 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 long for...joy! Joy begins with a longing, leads us on a journey through the wilderness, but ends in the presence of God. Along the way we'll also discuss threats to joy in our life. Wanting more joy in your life? Psalm 84 shows us what and how to pray.TEXT: Psalm 84

We 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 at how to pray our fears from Psalm 23. What I want all our seniors to know as they leave college and head off into the world is that God is their good shepherd, they need to face the darkness, and that they are not alone when they do so.Seniors, may the Lord bless you and keep you. You are loved.TEXT: Psalm 23

We 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 Psalm you will ever read. The Psalmist feels weak, overwhelmed, forgotten, alone and hopeless (can you relate?). God gave us sadness as a way to deal with loss in a fallen, broken world. We all experience loss and sadness. How are we supposed to pray our sadness to God? Psalm 88 shows us the way.TEXT: Psalm 88

We 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 imprecatory Psalms, ones which hurl hate and anger against others, hoping God will not wait but judge them for their actions now. What do you do with your hate and anger? We all have it. By praying it to God, the Psalms actually enable us to bless those who persecute us and love those who hate us. Like in all things, Jesus shows us the way.TEXT: Psalm 109

We 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 treat!** My good friend, Reed Dunn, pastor of Christ the King in Joplin, MO, introduces the Psalms for us. The Psalms are the hymnbook of God's people and have been sung/prayed for 3000 years. In the last 150 years, the Church has gotten away from singing these Psalms and it has been detrimental to how Christians are formed. Reed shares how the Psalms have changed his life and why we all need to read the Psalms. TEXT: Psalm 55**My wife commented that this is one of her favorite sermons and Deanna does NOT tell me that every week :) Enjoy!

We 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

We 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

We 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

We 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

We 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

We 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

We 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

This 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 Corinthians 6:13-20

This 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

This 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

This 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

This 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

This 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 from a Christian perspective? Special thanks to Matt Howell, Brian Sorgenfrei, and Les Newsom.

This 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

This 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-understanding will lead to flourishing in every other relationship you have. TEXT: Ephesians 4:19-24; Romans 7:15, 17, 19; Colossians, 3:8-14

This 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

"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 sacrificed himself to save us, conquered sin through his death, and only he can fix this broken world. Will anything else that you worship do that for you? Special thanks to Robert Cunningham. TEXT: Revelation 5

Somehow 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

David 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

Some 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

This 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 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

We 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.

Where 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

John 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

The 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 possible. Text: John 20

What 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

Jesus 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

"There I was, surrounded by all these people, and completely alone." A woman comes to Jacob's well by herself. She is longing for love and Christ meets her in her loneliness. Special thanks to Greg Thompson. Text: John 4