Weekly messages from Stewart Swain, Minister for RUF at the University of Alabama.
Welcome back to the RUF Bama Podcast. This semester, we are working through the book of Revelation. This week Stewart preaches on the importance of reality, and how we as Christians view reality in light of this Revelation. The scripture this week is Revelation 1.
This week we hear from our wonderful seniors as they share their testimonies, and the role that RUF has played in their lives. The seniors who talked are: Kayleigh Bicknell Maxwell Scharnowski Mary Claire Sides Alexis Rollins Phillip Varnedoe Maria Evola Emma Richardson AK Kuhn Sam Cowart Max Brown Jahee Kim Milo Sulipeck Annie Becker Adam Thorsland Ginny Gray William Lott Cole Herrington Elle Shuford Please continue to keep them in your prayers. To all the RUF seniors we love you and are so excited to see where the Lord takes you. Thank you for the love you have shown so many in RUF and across campus. "Even in our goodbyes there is a blessing, for the sorrow of parting is a measure of the depth of the bond we have come to share in Christ... O Spirit of God, be as present in our parting as you were in our gathering. Be present in our journeys. Be present in our days to come. Be present in our works and in our hearts. Be present in the bonds of our community, Lord Christ. Be ever at work among us and through us. Amen." "A Liturgy for Leavings" Every Moment Holy Volume 1 - Douglas McKelvey
Does God ask us to blindly trust Him? Why does it feel like God isn't here? Stewart tackles these and other questions this week as he investigates the lie that "If I Don't See/Feel God, I Don't Believe God." This weeks scripture is Malachi 3:13-4:6, 1:1-2, John 20:24-31, Luke 16:27-31, 1:16-19.
Whether in pride or shame we tend to have feelings about ourselves that don't line up with reality. So how does God speak to those feelings? This week Associate Campus Minister, Daniel Tortoricci, speaks on the book of Zechariah and looks at how God's power brings peace to Christians. This weeks scripture is Zechariah 3.
What does it mean when we say "college is the best four year of your life"? Does this fit with our understanding of God's promises? This week, Stewart looks to the book of Haggai to see God's promises to His people the Israelites. The scripture this week is Haggai 1:1-11, 2:6-9, 2:19-23.
What do I have to do for God to love me? When will I bee good enough? What is success in God's eyes? This week we take a break from the minor prophets to look at the gospel of Matthew. Intern Hunter Brooks examines the lie that "God Doesn't Want Me Yet." The Scripture tonight is Matthew 11:25-30.
This week, Stew brings a talk on the words of Zephaniah. Stew looks at God's love for His people in the midst of difficult circumstances. The scripture this week is Zephaniah 3:14-20.
What does a life of faith look like? How do we deal with the difficult situations we face? Stewart examines the lie that "Living by Faith is the Easier Way to Live." This week we look through the book of Habbakuk. Scriptures for tonight are Habakkuk 2:18, 1:1-4, 1:6, 1:12-17, 2:1, 2:2-4, & 3:16-19. Other passaages are Romans 1:17, Galations 3:11, Ephesians 2:8, & Hebrews 10:38-39.
Do we truly believe God is in control? Do we really trust that no matter the circumstance God is using the good, bad, and ugly to spread His kingdom? This week Daniel Tortorici continues our series in the minor prophets speaking about the lie that "God Can't." The passage this week is Nahum 1.
How do we know what God wants? Is there a blueprint for us to live our lives by? This week Stewart looks at Micah 6:6-8 to see God's instruction.
Do we really believe that God is enough for us? This week Assosciate Campus Minister, Daniel Tortoricci, turns to the book of Jonah to illustrate how God uses everything to complete His purposes. The scripture tonight is Jonah 3.
What does it mean to be truly joyful? What does biblical joy look like practically? Rev. Chris Reed, RUF Associate Campus Minister at Howard University in DC, joins us at our 2024 Winter Retreat and brings a series titled "Philippians: Unshakable Joy". This is the fourth and final talk in that series. The scripture for this talk is Philippians 4:10-20.
What does it mean to be truly joyful? Are we trying to earn our salvation by our own good works? Rev. Chris Reed, RUF Associate Campus Minister at Howard University in DC, joins us at our 2024 Winter Retreat and brings a series titled "Philippians: Unshakable Joy". This is the third talk in that series. The scripture for this talk is Philippians 3:1-11.
What does it mean to be truly joyful? How can we imitate Christ in our lives? Rev. Chris Reed, RUF Associate Campus Minister at Howard University in DC, joins us at our 2024 Winter Retreat and brings a series titled "Philippians: Unshakable Joy". This is the second talk in that series. The scripture for this talk is Philippians 2:1-11.
What does it mean to be truly joyful? As we see God at work are we really rejoicing? Rev. Chris Reed, RUF Associate Campus Minister at Howard University in DC, joins us at our 2024 Winter Retreat and brings a series titled "Philippians: Unshakable Joy". This is the first talk in that series. The scripture for this talk is Philippians 1:12-18.
This week Stewart examines our misconceptions of safety. Are we willing to surrender our lives to God even when it is scary and uncomfortable? The scripture this week is Obadiah 1:1-21.
This week Stewart examines our misconceptions of safety. Are we willing to surrender our lives to God even when it is scary and uncomfortable? The scripture this week is Obadiah 1:1-21.
Tonight, Stewart looks at the question of understanding God's word. If we believe only the poor can understand God, what does that do to our relationship with Him and the others around us? The passages tonight are from Amos 1:1-2, 2:4-8, 5:10-15, 21-24, 8:2
Stewart continues the series on the minor prophets in the book of Joel. In college it is easy to believe that we are completely free from responsibility, but this week we look at the lie that "God Doesn't Care What I Do." Scripture excerpts tonight are Joel 1:1-3, 13-16, 2:1-2, 12-17, 27, & 3:17-21
In this semester's series Stewart walks through the minor prophets examining lies that Alabama students believe. The first lie we will be looking at is "I'm Not Married Yet". Passages tonight are from Hosea 1:1-5, 2:14-4:3, & 14:9.
Stewart finishes the Apostle's Creed series this week in Revelation 22:16-22.
Stewart preaches on "the life everlasting" from Revelations 21:1-8.
Assosciate Campus Minister, Daniel Tortoricci, talks on the "forgiveness of sins." The passage this week is Psalm 103.
This week Stewart examines the way the body of Christ lives out life together in the church. The passage is Ephesians 4:1-6.
Associate Campus Minister, Daniel Tortorici, speaks on the part of the Apostles' Creed about the Holy Spirit. This week's passages are John 14:15-21 & 16:4b-15.
Stewart talks through the Apostles' Creed. Tonight we look at the phrase "from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead" through the words of 2 Peter 3:1-18.
Stewart brings a new talk in the Apostles' Creed series from Colossians 3:1-17 on "Where is Jesus?".
Joe closes his series on praying our emotions in Psalm 46 discussing anxiety.
Joe brings his second of three talks from Fall Retreat. This one centers on sadness from Psalm 13.
Stewart talks about our emotions in a biblical context, and how they may manifest as sinful action.
Joe Johnson, RUF Campus Minister at Mississippi State, joins us at the Fall Retreat for a series on praying our emotions. The first sermon on fear is from Psalm 3.
Associate Campus Minister, Daniel Tortoricci, continues the series speaking on 1 Corinthinans 15:12-28 and what it tells us about the resurrection.
Stewart continues the Apostles Creed Series in Hebrews 12:1-7.
The Apostles Creed Series continues this week as Stewart wrestles with the question, "what does it mean to be human?" To answer that question we will turn to Matthew 5:1-12, often called the Sermon on the Mount.
Stewarts series on the Apostles Creed continues tonight as he teaches on Luke 1:26-38 and asks the question, "What is Greatness?"
Stewart continues examining the Apostles Creed bit by bit. This week he speaks on the phrase "in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth" through the lens of Acts 17:16-28.
Stewart kicks off our Fall 23 Large Group series on “The Apostles Creed”.
Stewart ends his 2 part series on "When Expectations Meet Reality" by preaching on Luke 24:13-35. The passage forces us to ask ourselves what we do with unmet expectations, and describes how Jesus meets all the expectations set forth for himself throughout the scripture.
Tonight Stewart starts his two part series on "Taking Heart in a Tragic World." In part one Stewart talks on a section of the Upper Room Discourse in John 16.
RUF Intern, Sam Johnson, teaches from 1 Timothy 4:6-16 on "Living Towards Godliness.
Stewart closes his series on Ecclesiastes "Living Aware of Our Death." Tonight is on Ecclesiastes 11:1-12:14.
Stewart continues his series on Ecclesiastes "Living Aware of Our Death." Tonight is on Ecclesiastes 9:1-12. **Our recording was started late tonight so we are missing the first part of the talk.**
Stewart continues his series on Ecclesiastes "Living Aware of Our Death." Tonight is on Ecclesiastes 7:1-25.
Special guest Pace Holdbrooks, youth pastor at Trinity Presbyterian here in Tuscaloosa, joins RUF to discuss reacting to corruption in positions of power. He teaches on Ecclesiastes 8:1-9.
Stewart continues his series on Ecclesiastes "Living Aware of Our Death." Tonight is on Ecclesiastes 5:1-7
Stewart continues his series on Ecclesiastes "Living Aware of Our Death." Tonight is on Ecclesiastes 3:1-22
Stewart continues his series on Ecclesiastes "Living Aware of Our Death." Tonight is on Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26.
Stewart begins his series on Ecclesiastes "Living Aware of Our Death." Tonight is on Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 & 12:8-14.
Stewart preaches from Luke 13:18-30 in this short sermon from RUF's Lessons and Carols.
Stewart finishes his series on Galatians, called “The Freedom You Want”. Tonight is on Galatians 6:11-18.
Stewart continues his series on Galatians, called “The Freedom You Want”. Tonight is on Galatians 5:16-26. **Note the opening illustration (YouTube video) can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fjp1921KBsY