RUF at Boston University Podcast

We wrap up our series on the Church with a talk on God's call on his people to be witnesses of/to himself and his work.

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How should the Church interact with the world? In this talk, Nathan explores how the concept of living as Kingdom Exiles helps us think through what it looks like to live as the Church in our age.

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Jesus came not to call the righteous, but sinners. This has massive implications for the Church and how we see ourselves in it. Thanks for listening!

We explore the meaning of the Church as God's family, with God as our father and Jesus, the brother who paid the price for our adoption. Thanks for listening!

Jesus says, "I am the vine, you are the branches" in John 15. What does this mean for the Church today? Join us for a discussion of three dangers of not abiding in Jesus and the fullness of joy on offer when we do abide in him as the Church. Thanks for listening!

In this talk, Nathan speaks on the theme of the Church as the Flock and Christ as the Good Shepherd from John 10. This metaphor helps us understand the responsibility of pastors in churches as well as the comfort of knowing the Good Shepherd's ongoing care for his sheep.

This week Nathan talks about the Bible's description of the Church as the Temple of God, built on the cornerstone of Christ and the foundation of Scripture. Check out Ephesians 2:11-22 as we dive into this text. Thanks for listening!

This talk is on the Church as the Bride of Christ. Listen in as Serena shares about how Scripture speaks of Jesus's followers as his Bride and the impact of knowing Christ as our Groom has on our lives.

In this talk, we look at 1 Corinthians 12 and how the various parts of the Body of Christ, the Church, all work together in unity.

CORRECTION: Nathan mistakenly attributes the ideas of two different sociologists (both named Robert) to Robert Bellah. Bellah wrote on "expressive individualism." Robert Putnam wrote the book titled Bowling Alone.

In this talk, Nathan looks at Colossians 1:15-22 and what it means for the Church to be the Body of Christ and for Christ to be its head. Thanks for listening!

This Spring, our series is titled, "The Church & You: Who the People of God are Meant to Be and Why It Matters." In this first talk, Nathan, introduces the topic of the church through Acts' account of the ascension of Christ on the Mount of Olives. Thanks for listening!

We wrap up our series with a last talk on the glory of God entering the tabernacle. Thanks for listening!

Serena shares about God's rescue of his people in the face of their idolatry. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Nathan talks about the 10 commandments and what the people of God were rescued for. Thanks for listening!

This week we look at Exodus 17:1-7 where the people complain to Moses that they are dying of thirst and the Lord provides water from a rock. In the New Testament, we find that Jesus, the Rock, magnificently fulfills this prefiguring event. Thanks for listening!

This week Serena walks through the wilderness passage of Exodus 16 and speaks to the provision of God in giving us all we need and more. Thanks for listening!

This talk covers the Israelites escape from Egypt and deliverance from their enemies through the Red Sea. Listen in for ways this event points to our redemption in Christ as those who have passed from death to life. Enjoy!

This week, Nathan teaches on the Passover and the significance of the firstborn in Exodus 11-13, highlighting Jesus' substitutionary sacrifice on our behalf. Apologies for the poor audio quality. We will be remedying this soon. Thanks for listening!

In this talk, Nathan walks through the series of nine plagues that God brings on Egypt when Pharaoh hardens his heart and refuses to let the Israelites go. In this episode of history, we learn something about the character of God who is for us. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, we hear about the goodness of God to fulfill his promise to rescue even when things get terribly bleak for the Israelites in Egypt. Thanks for listening!

This second talk in our series in Exodus looks at Chapters 3 & 4, where God meets Moses in the burning bush and calls him, an unlikely rescuer, to deliver his people from their bondage in Egypt.

*Apologies for the poor audio quality!

RUF at BU is back for the fall with a series titled The God Who Rescues: A Journey Through Exodus. In this first talk, Nathan sets the stage for the oppression Israel faces in Egypt, how they cry out to the Lord, and how God enacts a rescue plan for their deliverance. Thanks for listening!

*Apologies for the poor audio quality!

In this final episode of the semester, Jimmy gives his farewell address and offers some thoughts on identity. He begins with the question, "Who are you?" and ends with the question, "Whose are you?"

In this episode, Nathan wraps up our series with a talk on the beauty of marriage. Amidst the cynicism in our culture, Nathan reminds us of how beautiful marriage is and how powerful love can be, especially when it reflects God's never-ending love for us.

In this episode, we are joined by our friend and fellow campus staff, Catherine from Harvard RUF, to share with us what she's been learning about forgiveness and reconciliation through God's word in her life. Particularly, Catherine helps us understand what forgiveness is not and how to forgive different types of sinners.

In this episode, we are joined again by our friend Joshua who speaks about God-centered sexuality and how we can view homosexuality both within the commands of the Bible but also in the grace of the gospel.

In this episode, we talk about sex and Rev. Nathan outlines how God designed it for good, how it was corrupted by sin, and a renewed view of sex. We understand that sex is a controversial and publicly debated topic so in this talk we want to understand what God's good design of it was according to the Bible. We don't answer all the questions so please do not take this as comprehensive.

In this episode, Rev. Nathan helps us think about dating through the lens and wisdom of Scripture. He offers us seven questions to ask ourselves when thinking about dating.

In this episode, Jimmy asks the question, how do we pursue our friends? Well, because we have been pursued as a friend by Jesus, we can pursue our friends with compassion and through conflict.

In this episode, Rev. Nathan Dicks looks at three passages, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 1 Samuel 18:1-4; Mark 6:7-9; and talks about the present state of friendship, the purpose of friendship, and the power of friendship. Apologies for the fuzzy audio, we experienced some technical difficulties during this recording.

Often the first relationships in this life are the ones between us and our parents. We don't choose our parents yet our relationship with them shapes so much of who we are. In this episode, Reverend Nathan discusses what the Bible says about our honoring and loving our parents. He talks about how our relationship with our Heavenly Father allows us to freely honor and love our parents.

In this series on relationships, we've invited a couple guest speakers from around the city to bring the word and wisdom of God concerning the different relationships we find ourselves in. In this episode, Joshua Kays, Ph.D., who also teaches Biomedical Engineering at BU, delivers a message about enduring in our walk with God. He reminds us to look and behold Jesus if we are to know ourselves.  

Welcome back to our podcast! For the spring semester, we'll be starting a new series called "Wisdom for Relationships" where we explore what the Bible has to say about our most treasured relationships. In addition, we'll be hosting some guest speakers during this series so stay tuned for future episodes. This week, Rev. Nathan opens up our series with God-given, created need for relationships and why love is so necessary for us all.

In this episode, Rev. Nathan Dicks finishes off our series on Revelation with chapter 22:6-21 and encourages us with a last word that Jesus is coming soon!

In this episode, Serena delivers us a good word from Revelation 21:1-22:5 and talks about how we are not home yet, but are moving towards a home where God's presence, power, and purpose will reside.

In this episode, Rev. Nathan Dicks reads from Revelation 20 and talks about Scripture's explanation of evil, its origin, power, and ultimately in the end, its defeat by Jesus.

In this episode, Rev. Nathan Dicks goes through Revelation 17-19 and shows how the sins of the metaphorical city Babylon have not only been ingrained in our personal lives but also the systems and institutions of our world. But Jesus, will come to destroy this evil and bring peace.

In this episode, Serena guides us through Revelation 15-16 and helps us see that God’s just wrath is good news.

In this episode, Rev. Nathan Dicks covers Revelation 12:1-15:4 and speaks on some of the more difficult realities of the Gospel including hell and the spiritual forces at war.

In this episode, Rev. Nathan explores Revelation 8-11 and shows us how there's a message of hope within each trumpet that is sounded. The warning of the trumpets is this - don't place your hope in this world; and the message of the two witnesses - there is hope in heaven. 

In this episode, Rev. Nathan opens up Revelation 6-8:15 and talks about how the seals bring judgment but also assurance to us who have our hope in Jesus.

In this episode, Nathan explores Revelation chapters 4-5 and talks about the One who is worthy of our worship.

In this episode, Rev. Nathan walks through Revelation chapters 2 & 3 and shows us how Jesus doesn't give up on the church.

You’ll be hearing the first sermon in this fall semester’s series on Revelation. In this episode, Rev. Nathan invites us to enter this book with child-like curiosity as we discover the hope it reveals. 

In this episode, Serena explores how we can rest through celebration. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Nathan reflects on finding rest in Jesus through spiritual disciplines. Thanks for listening!

What went wrong with rest? In this episode we discuss how humans ability to rest was and continues to be fractured due to sin.

We begin the second half of our series on work and rest by looking at the original plan God has for rest. Thanks for listening!